A very busy spring

Before you get to the images from our week, here are some really important items to take note of in the next few weeks.  Good information to know.

Have you been putting off taking Fido or Fluffy to the vet?  Do you know of someone who may need vaccinations for their pet but simply can't afford it? Here's the chance to get that task checked off the list!   HP is hosting a low cost Affordable Pet Protection vaccination clinic on Saturday, April 27, 10-11:30. Your participation  helps a great cause that several other local schools also support and our local Girl Scouts will be pitching in to help as part of their community service.  HP will receive 10% of the proceeds, but most importantly, as we are a community of pet lovers, your support helps our furry friends as well.  See the flyer for details in The Informer!

Mark your calendars for McTeacher Night at McDonalds.  The McDonalds on Mopac and Balcones is hosting a special school recognition night on Tuesday, April 9 - yep, same night as The Kinder Spanish Program during our PTA general meeting.  Highland Park will receive  20% of the sales for any and all purchases, inside or drive-through during the hours between 4:30-7:30.  That's right.  20%.  And yes, you can eat healthy at McDonald's!  All local McDonalds restaurants are supporting their community schools, this is our night, so hope you are able to stop by before or after our Kinder performance.

There are a couple of district initiatives that deserve mention here as well.  As you know, AISD has an upcoming bond election in May so thought I'd share of few of the basic facts if you have not heard specifics.  In upcoming Informer blasts, be sure to check out details of the bond as it relates to Highland Park and our vertical team.

• Election Day is May 11th, with early voting starting April 29th. Information about polling places will be published as soon as it becomes available.
• Voters will be asked whether or not to authorize the district to issue up to $892.2 million in bonds. Four separate propositions will appear on the May ballot.
• Proposition No. 1 is for $140.5 million and would include upgrading technology to ensure all students have access, building new science and technology labs, adding new school buses and improving energy conservation.
• Proposition No. 2 is for $233.9 million and would include building new schools to address overcrowding, improvements in safety and security, and improving facilities for fine arts, physical education and athletics.
• Proposition No. 3 is for $349.1 million and would include repairs and renovations for aging schools, individual campus upgrades and school library renovations.
• Proposition No. 4 is for $168.5 million and would include facility improvements for career and technical education, fine arts, special education and physical education and athletics, and facility renovations at the Ridgeview campus (old Anderson High School) for the School for Young Men.
• The potential impact to a resident’s property tax bill would be approximately $70 dollars per year for a home valued at $200,000 and approximately $178 dollars annually to a business on a median property value of approximately $509,385.
• The board's decision to call for a May bond election was based on the recommendation by the Citizens' Bond Advisory Committee, which, over the past nine months, worked with every school community to identify critical needs in safety and security, technology, infrastructure, renovations and new construction.
• Bonds can only be used to fund capital improvements, repairs, new construction, technology and transportation needs. Bonds cannot pay for salaries or day-to-day operating expenses. Whenever a bond is approved by the voters, a citizen’s oversight advisory committee is created to ensure the district uses the bond proceeds as authorized by the voters.
• If you need additional information, please visit the district’s website at www.austinisd.org/bond or call the bond hotline at 414-BOND (2663).

 One more Item of Note.  The AISD Parent Cloud is here!  View Your child's:
• Assignments
• Attendance
• Test grades
• Bus stop locations
• Lunch money balance
• Class schedules
• Testing calendar
• And more!
With AISD’s Parent Cloud, parents can access all their students’ educational information in one place. It serves as the primary resource for all of the services provided online to our parents. This site gives you direct access into your child’s classroom information, registration to your child’s campus information, district-wide information and links to other often used services. Visit my.austinisd.org to find out more.  Your log-in information can be found in the bottom left hand corner of your child's report card. 

Finally, here are some images of student work I wanted to share.  There are some cool things happening in classrooms everywhere, here and throughout our district.  It's great to see authentic learning experiences and it's great to see HP teachers still rockin' along with all things Process and Product Displays.  Remember, the goal is one per teacher for the year, I don't show them all, but we have many, many completed.

Mrs. Williams' students did a first rate job on researching, writing, and creating artwork connected to symbols and the great state of Texas.  Loved the detail in the collages posted and loved the reflections when the learning was done.  Great job first graders!

A very honest student reflection on this TX symbol!

                                                                                                                                                                      

Mr. Gay's second graders, learning all about seeds, showed what they know by becoming seeds floating in the wind.  Solid writing connected to the learning as well.  One of those displays that honestly made my day and demonstrated a definite creative strategy that reinforces the learning.

Finally, some images of spring.  There was insect research conducted by Mrs. Goldsmith's first graders, including some very colorful 3D insects on display. 

Spring also brings the annual AISD Salute recognitions for deserving staff.   Our nominees, pictured below, bring many good things to our campus and their nominations are so very well deserved.  Left to right are classified staff member of the year nominee Sara Henslee Gordon, teacher of the year nominee Alyssa Absher, counselor of the year nominee Cari Land, and teacher of promise nominee Lauren Farmer.  You are all winners in our book!

And what would springtime be without a little poetry?  Anderson's springtime poem caught my eye outside Mrs. Gonzalez's room late Friday afternoon.  Spring is here, it means different things to all of us, but certainly serves as that time of renewal and looking ahead for most.  Enjoy the days as they pass all too quickly.