I hope everyone had a fabulous fall break and is coming back refreshed! We have three important weeks left before we wrap up the first semester. Let’s finish strong!
Right before break, I got to hang out with Jayma Vaughan and her talented Hospitality students at Travis ECHS for their annual Tamalada. I was so impressed by how they knew their way around a commercial kitchen and by their professionalism. I can tell you, they made sure I followed all the food safety protocols to a T!
This week is Inclusive Schools Week and Special Education Staff Appreciation Week in Austin ISD. This year's theme is Every Voice Counts and emphasizes the importance of recognizing each individual's unique perspective in school communities. Creating inclusive learning environments is vital and supports a sense of belonging, respect and safety and equity and access for all students. Throughout the week, campuses will celebrate the diverse backgrounds of students, educators and families, highlighting the significance of inclusive environments where every voice is heard and respected. A huge thank you to our special education service providers, which include special education teachers, teaching assistants, speech language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, adaptive physical education teachers, mental health specialists, diagnosticians, school psychologists, audiologists, teachers of the visually impaired and teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing.
Monday, December 2
I’ll start off the week with my senior staff. After discussing issues that may be pressing and need immediate attention, we will progress the work on the budget, special education staffing, Results Driven Accountability, and school safety. After lunch, I have a one-on-one meeting with Board President Arati Singh. We will then meet together with our Lonestar Governance coach, Ashley Paz. This afternoon, I will spend some time reading through various contracts that require my signature. This will be followed by a meeting with staff from Teaching, Learning and Leading and the Office of Innovation and Development to put the final touches on various Learning Acceleration Support Opportunities (LASO) grant applications. The rest of the afternoon is devoted to meeting with Austin Association of Public School Administrators (AAPSA), where we will co-create solutions to various challenges our schools are experiencing.
Tuesday, December 3
This morning, I will conduct a principal interview, followed by a superintendent coaching session with Marcelo Cavazos from the Holdsworth Center. Afterwards, our trustees, senior staff and I will be hosting the 89th Session Legislative Luncheon for the Travis County legislative delegation and their budget and education staff. I’m looking forward to sharing Austin ISD’s legislative priorities and engaging in dialogue with them. In the afternoon, I have a governance meeting with the board officers, followed by an Executive Leadership Team meeting. In the evening, I have a Texas Urban Council leadership meeting.
Wednesday, December 4
I’ll start off today at ACC for their 2024 Superintendent’s Breakfast with the Chancellor where we’ll discuss challenges, opportunities and solutions to build pathways in education. When I return to the office, I will conduct a principal interview. Afterwards, I have a meeting with the Enroll Austin team to get updates on priority registration and the work to prepare for the launch of Pre-K and general registrations in the spring. I’ll then travel to Holdsworth Center, where I’ll spend the rest of the afternoon attending a Superintendent Leadership Cohort meeting. I’ll return to Austin later in the afternoon to meet with principals who’ve signed up for my Quarterly Informal Chats. I value having this time to hear directly from principals to better understand better how I can support their work and how different initiatives impact our schools.
Thursday, December 5
The first thing this morning is the Houston Elementary School Groundbreaking Ceremony. As part of the 2022 Bond Program, Houston Elementary will receive a $56.4M full campus modernization. Afterward, I’ll travel to Holdsworth for day two of the Superintendent Leadership Cohort meeting. In the evening, I have a Special Board Grievance Meeting.
Friday, December 6
I’ill spend the first part of this morning at Holdsworth Center before traveling to the office for the Joint Subcommittees Meeting. This important meeting brings together leaders and elected officials from the City of Austin, Travis County and Austin ISD to work together to address common challenges. In the afternoon, I’ll be meeting with the Assistant Superintendents in Teaching, Learning and Leading to continue our work aligning district initiatives and the board monitoring report. My last meeting for today is with Coach Jason Glenn, executive director of athletics, and Dr. Angel Wilson, assistant superintendent of secondary schools.
Saturday, December 7
I will meet with my senior staff for a few hours this morning to progress and formalize district initiatives.
Recognize our amazing staff each month by submitting a RAVE!
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