Y’all, we’re in our final 8 weeks of the 2024-25 school year! It’ll be a sprint from here to the end - especially with all kinds of end-of-year projects and final exams, field trips, spring sports playoffs, and STAAR and AP/IB testing. Students, I’m rooting for you - finish strong! 

A week and a half ago, I was able to participate in the Rosedale Ride. I was blown away by how our community showed up to support and helped us make this a meaningful fundraising event for our most vulnerable students. I was reminded of how privileged I am to do this work in such an engaged, loving city. 

Four people pose for a group photo under a shaded structure on a sunny day. From left to right, a man in a black jacket and black pants smiles at the camera; next to him, a man wearing a blue event t-shirt, white sneakers, and a cap stands with his hand on his hip; a woman in athletic wear, sunglasses, and a teal jacket stands next to him; and a man in a red athletic top, black shorts, and a cap stands at the end, smiling. A few other people are in the background near a modern building and a grassy field, with a clear blue sky and clouds overhead.

April has been designated National Arab American Heritage Month. In Austin ISD, we celebrate the rich heritage of the Arab world which includes 22 countries (Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine Territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen). Fun fact: Arabic is one of the 11 world languages offered in Austin ISD. 

This week is also Assistant Principal Appreciation Week and School Librarian Appreciation Week in Austin ISD. Enough can’t be said about our hard-working assistant principals, who literally wear a dozen hats. Same goes for our school librarians; their important work contributes to increased literacy and student achievement. Please give some extra love to our assistant principals and librarians this week! 

Where I’ll be and who I’m Meeting

Monday, April 7

Over the weekend, my wife and I successfully completed the Galveston Half Ironman Triathlon. There are many important and pressing things going on right now, so I'll be connecting with my team from Galveston in the morning and also on my way back. 

Tuesday, April 8

I’ll start off the day meeting with my senior staff. We’re continuing to monitor what is coming out of the legislature and progressing the work on the budget for next year and other high-priority items. Afterward, I’ll be attending Region 13’s I-35 North Cluster/Fast Growth Schools Superintendent meeting. This afternoon, I’ll meet with my team to give feedback on presentations for this week’s board meeting. Then I’ll meet with Sonia Beatty of New Leaders for an executive coaching session. This evening, I’ll be attending the District Advisory Council meeting and I will be providing the committee the superintendent’s update. 

Wednesday, April 9

This morning, I'll be meeting with TEA to review findings from the District Vulnerability Assessment that was conducted February 24-28 at 86 of our district campuses. Afterward, I have a one-on-one meeting with La Kesha Drinks, Interim Chief of Staff. This will be followed by a TALAS monthly board meeting. This afternoon, I’ll meet with the City Manager for our standing bi-monthly meeting. When I return to the office, I’ll meet with my team to get the latest legislative updates. This evening, I have a check-in meeting with Teaching, Learning and Leading assistant superintendents, and then a one-on-one meeting with Board Secretary Andrew Gonzales. 

Thursday, April 10

Today, I’ll meet Beverly Reeves, Austin ISD Ombudsperson, for our rescheduled one-on-one. I’ll then attend the Maestro en Casa graduation ceremony in the morning. This is such a great program that our Department of Communications and Community Engagement hosts from October to April every year. Participants take classes at their students' schools to learn not just the English language, but also how to handle common situations as well as the vocabulary to master the topics of Maestro en Casa's six sections: Housing, Health, Finance, Work, Education and Citizenship.

The rest of this afternoon will be prep time for this evening’s board information session. At the meeting tonight, there will be presentations on Goal 2: Numeracy - Goal Progress Measure 2.1, which has to do with decreasing the percentage of 2nd-grade students scoring in the recommended-for-intervention level on the NWEA MAP Mathematics Achievement Score Proficiency Indicator; Constraint 5: SEL - Constraint Progress Measures 5.2 and 5.3, which has to do with decreasing the disparity rate for exclusionary discipline for African American students and students receiving special education services; and Special Education Strategic Plan Quarterly Update in keeping with the TEA Approved Order. 

Friday, April 11

When I get into the office, I’ll spend some time meeting with my staff to progress priority projects, as well as read and sign contracts. In the afternoon, I’ll be giving my weekly internal/legislative updates to our campus principals.

Recognize our amazing staff each month by submitting a RAVE!

Follow me on Instagram @matias_aisd. #StrongSchoolsStrongerAustin

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