Hello Friends,
May is a busy month at Austin ISD. While it may seem like we’re winding down as the end of the school year approaches, these next four weeks will be full steam ahead!
May is Asian American Pacific Islander and Jewish American Heritage Month. You may visit Austin ISD‘s Respect for All page for more information on district recognitions.
May 5-9 is Austin ISD Teacher, School Nurses and Speech Language Pathologist Appreciation Week! And…don’t forget the Salute Awards on May 7!
Let’s get started…
McCallum High School band director receives inaugural Austin ISD Icon Award
After 46 years of unwavering dedication to McCallum High School, Band Director Carol Nelson has been honored with the inaugural Austin ISD Icon Award!
Her commitment to excellence and passion for music education have left an indelible mark on generations of students. Congratulations Ms. Nelson on this well-deserved recognition! 🎉
Read the full story, written by a McCallum High School Yearbook Editor-in-Chief Emerson Merritt.
Board Bulletin: District leaders propose new plan for Dobie, provide update on middle school turnaround plans
The Austin ISD Board of Trustees met for a Special Board Meeting to discuss options for TEA-required turnaround plans for Dobie, Webb and Burnet. These campuses have each received three consecutive failing accountability ratings, triggering state intervention if significant progress is not made.
The details: After community engagement and further investigation of our options, district leaders presented two options in greater detail:
District-managed restart with an 1882 contingency: This option preserves local control and makes intensive school redesign investments while leaving room for a state-approved 1882 partnership if significant progress is not made. If this choice is approved, students will continue going to their neighborhood school, but with required changes in some staffing and teaching.
State-approved 1882 partnership: With this option, the charter partner would take on management of the school at the start of the coming 2025-26 school year and would have the authority to hire all campus staff, including teachers and the principal.
The district is no longer considering reassigning Dobie students to another Austin ISD middle school for the 2025-26 school year.
ICYMI: The complete meeting is on YouTube and Facebook. Plus, you can access the presentation on BoardDocs.
What’s next: The district will host community meetings at each campus to further discuss the new paths.
Dobie Middle School: Tuesday, May 6 at 7 p.m. in the Dobie Middle School cafeteria.
Webb Middle School: Monday, May 12 at 6 p.m. in the Webb Middle School cafeteria.
Burnet Middle School: Tuesday, May 13 at 6 p.m. in the Burnet Middle School cafeteria.
Key Dates:
June 30: Final deadline to submit plans to TEA
Google Transition Tips
Our Google Workspace migration is underway! Microsoft Teams and Outlook will be available until 6 p.m. June 9 at which point we transition to Gmail and Google Chat. You may start using Google Chat now!
To help you have a smooth experience when using Google Workspace, consider these Google tips on communicating with colleagues using Google Chat.
Google direct messages vs Google Space
In Google Chat, you can send messages to specific Austin ISD staff members using direct messages. These conversations will be viewable only to members of that “chat.” Use a Google Space within Google Chat to collaborate with a larger group and/or on long-term projects or tasks. You may find additional Google Chat tips here.
Reminder…Microsoft Teams and Outlook will be available until 6 p.m. June 9.
Austin High School Senior Angelina Gomez is charting her course toward a future of service and leadership with a move to Annapolis, Maryland to attend the United States Naval Academy.
Why it matters: Gomez’s story is an example of what’s possible when students combine hard work, community support, and the drive to lead.
How it works: The road to the Naval Academy is not easy. Gomez had to pass a rigorous fitness test, complete a thorough medical exam, and submit more than 20 essays. She also secured a nomination from Congressman Lloyd Doggett, a necessary and highly competitive requirement.
A loyal legacy: For Gomez, attending Austin High wasn’t just about academics. As captain of the girls' basketball team, she found strength in athletics, teamwork, and leadership. Her pride in the school runs deep, as nearly 50 members of her family are Austin High alumni.
What’s next: Gomez is preparing for four intensive years at the U.S. Naval Academy. She’s ready to represent Austin High, Austin ISD, and her family, proving that “Loyal Forever” is more than a motto. It’s a mission.
Austin Ed Fund is offering its Inspire the Future Grant to support Austin ISD students, staff, and families. This grant opportunity encourages educator-led, collaborative projects that focus on strategies to enhance learning opportunities in schools.
Mark your Calendar
Join a community conversation on repurposing the Anita F. Coy site on Saturday May 10.
Austin ISD In the News
Fingers crossed this weekend will bring with it enjoyable weather. Before we get to weekend happenings, I have a few shoutouts! 📣
From Jags to the NFL! 🏈 For those of you who haven’t heard, we’re celebrating two former LBJ Football players! Andrew Mukuba got drafted to the Philadelphia Eagles and Sean Fresch Jr. was invited to the Chiefs and NY Giants Rookie Mini Camps! Congratulations! 🥳
Oak Springs Elementary celebrated a groundbreaking ceremony! The school is one of many included in the 2022 Bond Program.
Check out these adorable photos of Barrington Elementary School’s College and Career Day! Telemundo/CBS Austin, Austin Community College, Austin ISD Police Department and the Austin Police Mounted Patrol were just a few organizations inspiring our kids to reach the stars and dream big!
What’s happening this weekend…
Stay in the loop! As you know the district is facing a budget deficit. Join a Budget Talk via Zoom 11 a.m. to noon this Saturday.
Sunday is the HEB Free First Sunday at the Bullock Museum. The theme is Celebrate Star Wars Day at the Bullock!
Have a great weekend!
- JJ
Have a story idea? Share it with us! https://www.austinisd.org/communications/request-services/story
For questions or comments you may email me at jorge.maldonado@austinisd.org
For languages other than English and Spanish, we use an AI-powered translation tool. As a result, there may be some contextual inaccuracies or other errors. We apologize for this. Please email translation@austinisd.org if you are in need of clarification. To change your preferred correspondence language, contact your school's front office.
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