We are using a new program called Thrillshare that sends emails, texts etc. to the primary contact for each student. This will be our main communication channel, but we also want to make sure we reach everyone with our Community Connection each week. If you are not receiving the Community Connection please email us so we can make sure your contact information is up to date!
Zilker Elementary School
Welcome Back, Panthers!
New ID Scanners
AISD has implemented a new ID scanning software. Since this is a new system, any previously saved ID information did not rollover. This means that every adult will have to bring their ID and re-scan it upon their first visit to campus during the school year. We appreciate your patience as we implement this new system.
School Supply Fee
This year we do not have a school supply list. In an effort to ease the burden on families and enhance teacher individual needs, we simply have one single supply/activity fee that will be used this year for student supplies, field trips, etc.
Please also consider making a donation to a child in need.
You can pay via cash, check, or online in our school store.
Check out these tips from our counselors to help with Back to School Separation Worries!
Arrival and Dismissal
School Times will remain the same 7:40-3:10.
Drop off begins at 7:15 for the cafeteria and students are released to class at 7:30.
Class starts precisely at 7:40 with a community building morning meeting, so it is important for all students to be on time.
7:30 is the BEST DROP OFF TIME!!!!
Arrival
Students will need to be dropped off as walkers in the front of the school or as car riders in the drive off of Rundell. Please do not park on the side of Rundell and drop-off/walk your children to the door. If you want to walk your children to the door, please park on a different street to ensure safety of all our students.
In order to ensure the highest level of safety and knowing who is in our building at all times, we are not allowing visitors in the school to drop off students, even on the first days of school.
On the first day of school and all days, students will be dropped off at one of two locations: the front of the school or the side of the school by the cafeteria. The front is for walkers only, while the side can also accommodate car drop off. See map below for a visual.
Have a nervous kiddo? No worries - we will have plenty of staff ready with smiles to help walk them to class. If you are confident about it, they will be more confident.
Dismissal
Students have a variety of ways to get home: bus, after school care, independent walker or pick up. Please note, we do not have a car line.
After school care (YMCA, iKids) will be transported to appropriate locations by school personnel. At 3:10 we will unlock three gates: back off of Ann Arbor, side by cafeteria, and side by library - parents may then go to pick up their child from their teacher's exterior door.
All adult pick ups must show the Panther Pick Up pass you received at Meet the Teacher or an ID and then receive the pick up pass for future times.
Independent Walkers - These students need a signed form or email turned into the teacher and are released at 3:10 to walk to the designated location that your family has agreed upon. Please know they will be leaving class alone while families/adults are entering campus to pick up their students.
More Back to School Information
-Please ensure students have appropriate shoes to participate in daily physical activities.
-We have water fountains throughout campus and in classrooms, so though you may send water bottles, if your child forgets it one day, no stress, we still have plenty of hydration facilities.
-Throughout the year, visitors will always be required to sign in at the office to visit for lunch etc... At times when we have special events, we will send RSVP forms and this helps to expedite the process. But for the RSVP to work, we have to have your ID already scanned into the system. So we always ask for patience at these events.
-Student Birthdays - we do not allow items to be sent to school to celebrate students birthdays. These items will be sent back home and held in the office if they are sent.
-Custodian/Legal Documents - it is the responsibility of the family to turn in any custodian or legal documents to the office. A rule of best practice is to turn in a new copy each year to ensure it is tracked appropriately.
-Cell Phones - Student cell phones are required to stay in their backpacks at all times. If you need to get a message to your child, please call the office and we will take care of it.
-Medications - please check with the school nurse to get these turned in and/or updated.
Lunch Information
We encourage all families to take advantage of the healthy, tasty meals offered at school! Austin ISD receives money for each meal served; the more meals served at school the more funding our district has to invest in the quality of our food, maintain local jobs, and support the Texas economy.
All school lunch accounts must be created through School Cafe.
As in previous years, students will dine using their meal account status: free, reduced-price, or paid. For the second year in a row, students with a reduced-price status will receive free breakfast.
Bus Information
You can check if your student is eligible for General Education transportation to by checking the district’s Bus Stop Finder. Enter your address to see the closest AISD bus stop. Our bus number this year is 2423.
You can also use the Where's The Bus? App which provides timely information about the location of their student’s assigned bus, including when it will arrive at their stop.
PE Updates
Zilker Merch Store
The Zilker Merch Store is open! We are excited to welcome you back for the 2024-2025 school year!
Shop now for water bottles, hats, NEW kid tees, adult tees, and yard signs to show your Panther Pride!
Didn’t get a chance to grab some Zilker merch at Meet the Teacher? Never fear! The PTA will be set up outside of the front doors on Friday, 8/23 from 7:15-8:00 for another chance to grab some Panther gear. See you then!
If you have any questions, please email zilkermerch@gmail.com
Join and Get Involved!
Join the PTA for the 2024-2025 school year!
The number of paying members shows our level of community involvement to the Superintendent, AISD, and other parties who can influence district and state budgets. Every member counts! The simple act of joining the PTA increases our collective voice locally and on the national PTA stage. It's also a great way to stay informed about what's happening at school, and connect in meaningful ways with other parents. Together we can do a lot of good. Join us!
Join our CAC (Campus Advisory Council). Our CAC meets monthly to discuss what is going on campus and looking into the future of our school. This group provides feedback and voice for school.
Upcoming Events!
August 20 - First Day of School
September 2 - Student Holiday
September 6 - Backyard Concert
September 19 - PTA Meeting @ 7:45am
September 20 - Z-Fiesta
