|
Welcome back, everyone! I hope you all had a restful weekend and were able to get out and enjoy some of this beautiful weather.
I have to tell you, my heart is full after spending time visiting Widén, Ortega, Crockett, and Gorzycki last week to celebrate our Teacher of the Year finalists. The energy at those campuses was incredible! It is so encouraging and exciting to see in action the hard work of our teams and staff. Please join me in sharing some massive kudos when you see these world-class educators at your schools:
- Ashley Marie Phan, Kinder Bilingual Teacher, Widén Elementary School
- Mariann Burns, Early Childhood Special Education Bilingual Teacher, Ortega Elementary School
- Ashley Muir, English Teacher, Crockett Early College High School
- Joelle Don De’Ville, CTE Teacher of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources, Gorzycki Middle School
|
|
|
|
32nd Annual Rosedale Ride
|
It was a joy to head out to Taylor this past Saturday for the 32nd Annual Rosedale Ride. The new route offered some stunning scenery reminiscent of the classic rides of years past, all in support of a safer and better experience for our participants. A huge thank you to everyone who came out to support the Rosedale Foundation—your participation makes a real difference for our students and families. |
Looking ahead to April, we have several opportunities to celebrate the rich diversity and lived experiences that make our district so special:
Arab American Heritage Month: We join the Arab America Foundation in formally recognizing the incredible achievements and numerous contributions of the Arab American community to our society.
World Autism Awareness Day: April is International and National Autism Acceptance Month. Autism refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, speech, and communication. Campuses received resources to support Autism Acceptance Month.
|
Statewide Emergency Alert TEST on April 2 |
The Texas Division of Emergency Management is conducting a statewide test of local alerting systems to ensure we’re all prepared and connected during emergencies. As part of our commitment to student and staff safety, Austin ISD will participate in this exercise on Thursday, April 2. Austin ISD alerts will be sent at 6 p.m. through all three communication channels: SMS, robocall and email. All staff and student contacts designated Parent or Guardian in our Student Information System will receive notifications through all three communication channels. The messages will state clearly that it is a test. For more information, visit the Austin ISD Alerts and Mobile App website. We’re sharing this information to keep you informed, as you may receive alerts from various agencies where you live or work that day.
We are in this together, and I am beyond grateful to do this work alongside such a dedicated team. Let’s keep that amazing energy going!
|
📍Where I’ll Be & Who I’m Meeting |
|
|
Monday, Mar 30, 2026
We’re hitting the ground running Monday morning with my senior leadership team. It’s a vital time for us to debrief on pending items, tackle any concerns, and ensure we are fully aligned for the week ahead. I’ll be spending the remainder of the day in deep-prep mode as I get ready for our upcoming Special Board Meeting.
Tuesday, Mar 31, 2026
Student / Staff Holiday / Dolores Huerta Day
Tuesday is a holiday for our students and staff, with all schools and offices closed. We remain committed to honoring the foundational impact of the labor leaders and civil rights activists who shaped our nation. In this spirit, Austin ISD continues to recognize Dolores Huerta Day. At the heart of this day is our unwavering dedication to justice, equality, and empowerment for all working communities.
Wednesday, Apr 1, 2026
I’m starting Wednesday morning with a principal interview—it’s always a priority to find the right leaders for our campuses. From there, I’ll catch up with Michelle Wallis, our Executive Director of Innovation & Development, to get the latest updates on the great work her team is doing. I’ll then transition into my regular check-in with Trustee Gonzales.
The afternoon will be productive as I join the Governance Planning Meeting, followed by a session with our graduation support team. I have to admit, I’m extra hyped for the Class of 2026 ceremonies because my own daughter will be walking the stage this year (I am going to be a mess)! To wrap up, I’ll be meeting with the Finance team to discuss our Small Enterprise Program, ensuring we continue to foster strong, diverse economic partnerships within our community.
Thursday, Apr 2, 2026
Thursday kicks off with our Academic and Student Support teams. We’ll be prepping for the April Board Information Meeting, specifically diving into Scorecard Goal 3 (CCMR/College Credit) and Scorecard Constraint 1 (Exclusionary Discipline Actions). Afterward, I’ll have my weekly touchpoint with Chief of Staff La Kesha Drinks.
Later, I’ll jump onto a virtual session with the Council of Great City Schools to collaborate with fellow urban superintendents on national trends and solutions for shared problems of practice. I’ll also be spending time reviewing our Middle of Year (MOY) Interim Data to track our progress. We’ll finish the afternoon prepping for the Special Education Strategic Plan Update before heading into a Special Board Special Meeting to close the day.
Friday, Apr 3, 2026
We’re finishing the week strong on Friday, starting with my weekly touchpoint with my direct reports. One of the highlights of my day will be issuing remarks at the English for Me Graduation Ceremony. This incredible initiative—formerly known as Maestro en Casa—has seen over 1,500 graduates since 2015! It’s a beautiful partnership with ACPTA and Texas PTA that empowers our families with the language and tools they need to navigate everything from finance to education. I’ll close out the day with our regular principal update to debrief on the week and prepare for what’s next.
|
Reminders: Just a friendly heads-up that Monday, April 6th is a Campus Staff Development day and a Student Holiday. Enjoy that extra time to recharge! |
|
|
|
