Happy second week of the second semester! As we get rolling in this new year, I want to encourage all parents and caregivers to log onto the Austin ISD portal and check that the emergency contacts listed in Enroll Austin (under Annual Forms > Additional Student Information Form) are still accurate. If they’ve changed, please stop by your child’s campus to get them updated.

Last Friday, I visited Winn Montessori Elementary School and spent time in Mr. Bustamante’s dual language science classroom. I was blown away by the level of scientific/mathematical thinking happening there. Mr. Bustamante told me there aren’t many available manipulatives and materials specific to dual language science/Montessori classrooms. So he personally handmakes most of his teaching material! I was especially impressed by fifth-grade student Cesar Pineda, who told me he is a future engineer and was super excited to learn that I’m a professional engineer.

Superintendent Matias Segura takes a photo with fifth-grade student Cesar Pineda

Finally, I wanted to make sure everyone knows that there is still time for Salute award nominations. All Austin ISD staff, students, families and community members can nominate an outstanding staff member to be recognized for their continued dedication to student excellence and achievement in our schools. Please submit nominations using this form by Jan. 15.

Where I’ll be and who I’m Meeting

Monday, January 13

I’ll start off the week with a one-on-one meeting with Interim Chief of Staff La Kesha Drinks. Right after, I have my standing Senior Staff meeting. Some priority items for today’s meeting include Individual Graduation Committees and data monitoring for Results Driven Accountability. After lunch, I’ll meet with various team members to prepare for this Thursday’s board meeting. Later on in the afternoon, I have a follow-up meeting with key community leaders regarding our plan to expand Austin ISD’s Pre-K program. Please be on the lookout for announcements around early-bird registration for Pre-K for the 25-26 school year! Afterwards, I’ll meet with Greater Austin YMCA CEO Kathy Kuras regarding a partnership, then with a community member. This evening, I have a one-on-one meeting with Trustee David Kauffman.

Tuesday, January 14

This morning, I’ll be at Galindo Elementary School for two ribbon cutting ceremonies. First for their Audiology Booth and then for their Feeding Futures School Pantry. I’m told while I’m there, I’ll get to have my hearing checked by an audiologist as part of the demonstration of how the booth works. (My wife will be happy about this - she’s been telling me to get my hearing checked!) When I get back to the office, I have a meeting with a few elementary and middle school principals to discuss next steps for the Learning Acceleration Support Opportunities grants we applied for in December. In the afternoon, I have a meeting with TEA regarding the Results Driven Accountability Framework, and after that, a follow-up meeting with Palestinian community members. After a one-on-one meeting with Chief of Organizational Transformation Dr. Stephanie Hawley, I’ll attend the District Advisory Council meeting, and finish the day with a one-on-one meeting with Trustee Andrew Gonzales.

Wednesday, January 15

It’s the first principal meeting of 2025! Before the general session with all principals, I’ll first meet with the lead principals from each vertical team. I always look forward to being in the same room as our principals and speaking with them so I learn how to best support the important work they lead each day. I’ll head to the office for an executive coaching zoom call with New Leaders’ Sonia Beatty. After lunch, I have a meeting with Dr. Allen Weeks, Executive Director of Austin Voices for Education and Youth. This afternoon, I have a meeting with Mayor Watson at City Hall. I’m thankful to have this open line of communication with him so that we can problem solve together through the variety of challenges that arise. Afterwards, I’ll attend a meeting where we’ll go through a tabletop exercise in preparation for an active threat on a campus. This evening, I have an APIE Regular Board Meeting and then a dinner meeting with Armando Rodriguez, TASB’s Immediate Past President.

Thursday, January 16

I’ll start off the day with a meeting with Pilar Sanchez, County Executive at Travis County, to be a thought partner for the county as they build out their plans for affordable childcare. I’ll then attend the E3 Alliance Board of Directors meeting, followed by a meeting with Representative Vikki Goodwin at the Capitol. When I get back to the office, I’ll have some time to prepare for tonight’s Board Information Session. Some student achievement topics that we’ll cover at the meeting are Scorecard Goal 3: College Career and Military Readiness Goal Progress Measure 3.2 College Credit, Scorecard Constraint 1: Constraint Progress Measure 1.2 Special Education Evaluations, and Scorecard Constraint 3: Constraint Progress Measures 3.1 and 3.3: Advanced Academics and Gifted and Talented.

Before the board meeting, we will have a farewell reception for Trustee Noelita Lugo, who has served as the At-Large Position 8 trustee for the last 4 years. As someone who grew up in a working class, immigrant family and is a survivor of childhood family violence, Trustee Lugo has devoted her life to advocate for those who could not advocate for themselves. She has used her education, including her Master of Science in Social Work from UT, to build family-centered programs aimed at strengthening the parent-child bond, increasing economic stability and self-sufficiency and improving co-parenting relationships. Trustee Lugo has never hesitated to be vulnerable on the dais if it meant that even one listening student or staff or community member might feel like someone understood what they were going through. She will be missed!

Friday, January 17

This morning, I’ll be meeting with principals of Bedichek, Burnet, Dobie, Sadler Means YWLA and Webb middle schools to progress the work of our Middle School Forward initiative. After lunch, I’ll be meeting with Teaching, Learning and Leading staff to calibrate on board presentations, now that we have a new board monitoring report template. I’ll use the rest of the afternoon to wrap up priority items from the week, prepare for the week to come, and read through and sign contracts that are in my queue.

Next Monday, MLK Day, there will be a variety of events that our families can participate in to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Please take a moment to read this full article from the Austin Statesman for more information.

Recognize our amazing staff each month by submitting a RAVE!

Follow me on X @Matias_AISD. #StrongSchoolsStrongerAustin

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