Welcome back to another week! Our first week of school was amazing and we have a ton to look forward to this week.
But before we dig in, I want to acknowledge the understandable frustration some families endured as a result of system issues experienced in our enrollment platform, Enroll Austin. I appreciate your patience and grace as we start this year and I’m grateful to have a team working (literally) around the clock to get students in classrooms.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, we officially started the 2025-26 school year with our annual tour around the district. I got to see nine incredible schools and visit the classroom of one of our Texas Incentive Allotment Master Teachers — Ida Rodriguez — over at Guerrero Thompson Elementary School. I loved seeing students engaged and excited to be back in school. From welcoming students back at Dobie Middle School to serving lunch at Zavala Elementary School, there’s no better way to start the year.
P.S. This week I’ll start my weekly campus visits. Every Tuesday morning I’ll pop into campuses to check in on our students and staff.
In other big news on Wednesday, a U.S. District Judge temporarily blocked the 10 Commandments from being displayed in our classrooms.
Austin ISD, along with 10 other districts, was sued regarding this law, passed by the Texas Legislature.
Our legal team successfully obtained a dismissal from the lawsuit since we had not implemented any policies related to the law.
As part of that dismissal, we have agreed not to display the Ten Commandments in our schools for now, and we’ll continue monitoring the court proceedings.
Finally, we closed out the week with our August Board Voting Meeting where we formalized the digital device policy, in alignment with HB 1481 out of the Texas Legislature.
Texas lawmakers passed, and Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law, HB 1481, which prohibits students from using personal devices on district premises during school hours. Exceptions will be allowed for medical needs and special education accommodations.
Learn more about how we’re handling the new law on our website.
Today, I joined Travis County Judge Andy Brown, Commissioner Jeff Travillion and superintendents from Del Valle and Manor ISDs to celebrate our childcare partnership. Thanks to Travis County Voters, 300 of our students will receive full-day high-quality Pre-K3 programming and childcare until 6 p.m. through our Apple Blossom Centers at nine of our elementary schools.
The back to school activities continue this week with High School Back to School Night on Tuesday and Middle School on Wednesday. This is a special night for me because it's one of the rare occasions I get to show up at our schools, not as the superintendent, but as a dad. And with my youngest starting high school, for the first year since they were in elementary school, both of my daughters will be at the same school. I can hardly believe my oldest is a senior this year! I hope to see all our moms, dads and caregivers out at their kids' schools this week. Elementary Back to School nights are scheduled through September so be sure to check with your campus and save the date.
This week also kicks off our varsity football season for our high schools! I’m hoping to watch the Shoal Creek Showdown between Anderson and McCallum high schools on Thursday night. Anderson took home the win last year, but I can’t play favorites. Good luck to all our athletes this season! I can’t wait to spend more time under those Friday Night Lights.
Austin ISD is the future of Austin and there’s a lot to be proud of in our district. As we head into another week, I want to ask for your help:
Join us in sharing what makes Austin ISD special with Our Austin ISD.
It’s up to us to share the beauty of public education and with this initiative, we’re hoping to drive the narrative of what’s happening in our schools.
Recognize our amazing staff each month by submitting a RAVE!
Follow me on Instagram @matias_aisd. #StrongSchoolsStrongerAustin
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