Brentwood Elem. Nov. Family News
October 29, 2021 - DIG IN AND BUILD UP! 2021-22
BRENTWOOD ELEMENTARY, SHOW US YOUR P.A.W.S! š¾
PERSONAL BEST, ACTIVE LISTENING, WITH RESPECT, & BEING SUPER RESPONSIBLE
A Note from Ms. Laroche
Brentwood Families,
I write this note to you on my final day at Brentwood and AISD. My heart is full of joy!
Thank you for hosting a farewell for me at Violet Crown Social House last night. It was such a beautiful time for me with my favorite, hugs and love from students. The past few weeks have been full of students, staff, and families sharing the sweetest messages with me.
I shared my farewell video from the Oct. 24 student announcements last week. Todayās video announcements included me talking through my time here at Brentwood. I share these slides with you today Ms. Laroche's Final Farewell from Oct. 29, 2021 Video Announcements. I have also been sharing a peek into Brentwood since my first year as the principal on Principal Laroche Facebook Page. I spent some time looking back on the post with tears, memories, and lots of love. I hope you enjoy these few farewell memories.
Today I gave each staff member a note and I share with you my note to the future āIncoming Brentwood Principal.ā Please continue to stay connected with me through Principal Laroche Facebook Page. I'd love to see how our bulldogs grow up into themselves!
I am grateful that Kim Placker is Brentwoodās substitute to bridge the time between the incoming principal. Show her what a beautiful community we are. Thank you for sharing your children with me and Brentwood! Once a bulldog, always a bulldog!
With Appreciation,
Amber Laroche
Parking Lot Completion Delay
Brentwood - Events & Dates of Interest for November 2021
11/3 Evacuation Drill (date subject to change)
11/5 School Picture Retakes in 10A (Ms. McKenna's portable)
K-2nd grade GT Referral window closes
11/7 Lifeskill Legend Integrity
11/8 Flu Clinic in 10A (Ms. McKenna's portable)
11/9 5:00 CAC Meeting #3 & 6:30 pm PTA Exec. Board Meeting
11/10 Shelter Drill (date subject to change)
11/11 3rd Grade virtual Veteransā Day Music Program
PTA General Meeting - Topic: Middle School Panel (time TBD)
11/14 Lifeskill Legend Organization
11/17 Hold Drill (date subject to change)
****PLEASE NOTE*** Loved Oneās Lunch Day ***CANCELED PER DISTRICT REQUEST***
11/19 Field Day (during encore time)
11/22 to 11/26 Thanksgiving Break
11/28 Lifeskill Legend Patience
Holidays & Observances
Native American Heritage Month
11/7 - 11/13 National School Psychology Week
11/18 - National Family Involvement Day
Flu Vaccine Clinic at Brentwood
On Monday, November 8th, Health Heroes of America will be on campus to administer the flu vaccine to all Brentwood students. If you are interested all you need to do is download and print this consent form and then return it to your childās teacher by Monday, November 1st.
For more information visit Health Services Flu Clinic webpageSchool Spirit tastes great!
Enjoy pizza, pasta, panini, salads and more at The Backspace on Anderson Lane
Wednesday 11/10 for LUNCH 11:30am-2pm or DINNER 4pm-9pm.
Enter āBrentwoodā in the āhave a promo code?ā section when checking out online.
Applies to DINE IN and TO-GO orders; no third party delivery apps.
15 % of sales will go to Brentwood PTA.
The Backspace on Anderson Lane - 1745 W Anderson Ln, Suite 6
512.474.9899 Website: https://www.backspacepizza.com/
LIFESKILLS OF THE WEEK for Nov.
11/14 Organization - to work in an orderly way
11/28 Patience - to wait calmly
Morning Arrival
Please make sure you get your learners here on time each morning. Our instructional day begins at 7:40 am each day. Breakfast closes at 7:40 am. Please arrive early if you child is eating breakfast so they can have time to eat.
Morning arrival is a TECH FREE TIME- students should not have their devices out for use.
Reminders for drop off: When you are in the car line waiting to drop your child off as you drive down St. Johns and and turn right on Roland Johnson please "hug the curb/curve" so that other traffic can pass by. If someone is passing our hope and thought is that it is someone parking in our parking lot or it is someone not connected to Brentwood and this will help the line go faster. Thank you for your continued cooperation.
Nov PTA ~ Teacher Reps. - Ms. Beck (5th) and Ms. Stephens (K)
Well first and foremost the Halloween Carnival was a big success! We think itās safe to say that it exceeded everyoneās expectations. Many thanks to the PTA and volunteers that helped make this such a successful event. Then the very next day we had such an amazing turnout for the Brentwood Pride parade! Go Bulldogs!
Much needed printers for teachers are coming soon and we are very excited and appreciative of PTA's support.
And even more thanks for classroom Amazon gift cards- it is so helpful to be able to choose some small last minute items we found we needed as the year gets into full swing.
Cheers to surviving October and hereās hoping November brings us some much needed rest and time with family. Thank you Brentwood PTA!!
Nov. Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness (DEI) at Brentwood
Discussing cultures and complex histories can be challenging, but it can also provide meaningful opportunities for reflection. As we move forward into the month of November our Bulldogs will use a DEI lens of to respect, honor and be mindful of Native American peoples, cultures, and traditions.
HERE is a link if you would like to explore more at The Burke Museum
"Honor Indigenous Land and Knowledge. The Burke begins every program, event, and meeting by acknowledging that we are on Indigenous land. Acknowledging the land and the people who have always called it home encourages students to think about the significance of place, and the continued existence of Indigenous people."
November quote: āWhen we show our respect for other living things, they respond with respect for us.ā Native American Proverb, Arapaho
BW College and Career Spotlights
We started a new school tradition at Brentwood this year to spread knowledge about a wide variety of post-high school options. Every Friday on the video announcements, students see information about a college, career, or military branch. Brentwood staff members contribute the slides, which provides a personal connection for the students to appreciate.
Nov. Technology Ms. Dymkowski
Just a reminder that if your child has any technology needs, please email your child's classroom teacher and they will notify Ms. Slaten and myself.
Please remind your child that NO devices are to be taken out in the morning while waiting at arrival for their teachers to pick them up. We are limiting screen time when it is not needed. This also includes phones- if they are brought to school they need to remain in the students backpack.
Students devices need to be fully charged each day and using them at times that are not instructional, drains them of their battery. Our portables only have two plugs per room- which is not enough to charge multiple tech devices.
Thank you for your cooperation,
Mrs. Dymkowski
Nov. Counselor Corner - Ms. McKenna
Hello Bulldogs! I hope youāve been having fun in Austin - there are so many holiday events coming up in our community. We also have lots going on in the counseling department. I continue to be very busy processing Special Education and Gifted and Talented referrals. Please see more information in the Gifted and Talented section of this newsletter.
Please note that School Picture Make-up Day will be November 5th, and the Flu Clinic will be November 8th. Both events will be taking place in my room, portable 10A!
For guidance lessons, I will be teaching about effective conflict resolution. This can be a challenging topic for people of all ages. Please continue the conversation with your kiddos at the dinner table or wherever you connect. During the guidance lesson, we will role play two examples of peer conflicts and how to address them with respect (including self-respect!)
Iām continuing to help out with morning announcement video recordings for Fridays. We always encourage students to stay off their tech devices during arrival and dismissal, and to clean up after themselves during lunch. Please also remind students that they are welcome to request an individual session with me. As the holidays approach, please email or call me if your family is in need of an HEB card or any other resource.
Thank you,
Tess McKenna
512.841.5999
Nov. Gifted & Talented - Ms. McKenna
Brentwood Elementaryās Gifted and Talented (GT) program is "designed to move students with high ability at a pace appropriate to their rate of learning through studies that go beyond the age-level or grade-level expectations."
The nomination window for 3rd-5th grade students CLOSED September 24th.
The nomination window for K-2nd grade students is open October 25th - November 5th- click HERE to nominate your child.
You can also visit the following website for more information about the Gifted and Talented nomination and screening process https://www.austinisd.org/advanced-academics/gifted. If you would like access to the information session Ms. McKenna recorded about this process or have any questions or concerns regarding Gifted & Talented, just reach out to Ms. McKenna by email at tess.mckenna@austinisd.org
Nov. P.E. - Coach Marshall & Coach Mueller
Physical Education classes completed their Fitness/FitnessGram Unit. The Health Topic was Nutrition. Students learned about GO (Healthy) and WHOA (Not so Healthy) Foods.
In November, students will begin the Hand Dribbling Unit and our Health Topic will be the Skeletal System.
On Friday, November 19, 2021 we will have an ENCORE FIELD DAY. Field Day activities and games will be played during ENCORE time. Students will participate in various Cooperative Games and Relays. A fun filled day and an exciting way to end their week and look forward to an enjoyable Holiday Week off from school.
Marathon Kids is a program through Coordinated School Health where students are encouraged to run up to the equivalent of four marathons over the course of the school year, which equals 104.8 miles. We had a very successful Kick-Off for Marathon Kids on Friday, September 24, 2021. All students were challenged to run a mile.
Families-you should have received an email from noreply@marathonkids.org to create your parent Marathon Kids account. (If not, follow the instructions below.
ā You will be able to follow your childās progress and submit miles completed at home.
ā Be sure to check your junk folder if you canāt find it.
Here are three helpful resources to help you create your account and know how to submit miles completed at home.
English how-to instructions: https://marathonkids.org/parent-acct-and-log-miles_english/ Spanish how-to instructions: https://marathonkids.org/parent-acct-and-log-miles_spanish/
How-to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIFnRxFPDJA
Nov. Art - Ms.Gardner & Mr. Mendez
Ms. Gardner
- Kinder/1st - students are working on ceramic pinch pots with lids and handles and learning about the process of clay - drying time, firing clay in the kiln, and using glazes. In the process they are applying concepts learned for 3-D art and its forms such as spheres, coils, and slabs.
- 2nd - in honor of the upcoming Dia de los Muertos holiday on November 1 and 2, students have been learning about the holiday's customs and traditions and creating papel picado with tissue and construction paper. Concepts such as symmetry, organic and geometric shapes are being explored through drawing and cutting.
- 3rd - students are finishing their self-portraits and about to start weaving with yarn. They will look at the weavings of the Navajo and see how looms and yarn are made with natural resources. They will create their own looms, and make their own warp and weft patterns.
- 4th/5th - in honor of the upcoming Dia de los Muertos holiday on November 1 and 2, students have been learning about the holiday's customs and traditions and creating their own calavera relief sculpture out of craft metal. They learned about the art of Jose Guadalupe Posada and his use of the skull/skeleton in his artwork.
Mr. Mendez
November finds us connecting with nature and the autumn season.
- Kinder: focusing on element of texture through original autumn drawings.
- 2nd Grade: seasonal projects focusing on element of texture.
- 3rd Grade: seasonal projects focusing on color and space.
- 4th Grade: focusing on texture, radial symmetry, and space.
- 5th Grade: focusing on the elements of form and value.
Shout out to Ms. Gardner our phenomenal Brentwood art teacher
Ms. Gardner was chosen as one of the artists this year for the 21st annual Blue Genie Art Bazaar. Open from November 19 thru December 24, right across from ACC on Airport. There are over 150 artists featured. Ms. Gardner's artwork is featured under "Mixed" in the Exhibitors tab on the Blue Genie website.
If you love what you see here, check out Ms. Garner's Etsy shop Kitschen Wax "Original encaustic mixed media collages for waxing nostalgic."
Nov. Music - Ms. Rios
October was a great month for music making and creating music symbol jack-o-lanterns with Kinder, 1st and 2nd grade!
3rd grade is preparing for our virtual Veteranās Day Program. This year they will be singing as well as have the chance to hear from and interview a Vietnam Veteran from our Brentwood community- our wonderful crossing guard Mr. Hatch who helps out everyday in car rider arrival and dismissal! They sound fantastic and are so excited to meet and talk to Mr. Hatch!
Our recording day for the program will be November 4th. 3rd grade, please wear a red, white, or blue shirt with pants for the recording day. Skirts with leggings or dresses are okay as well. If your child is uncomfortable wearing their presentation outfit all day, feel free to send other clothes to change into. The presentation outfit is only necessary for their encore time!
4th and 5th grade are planning songs for their winter program coming up as well as working on new challenging vocal exercises and choir pieces.
Nov. Library - Ms.Slaten
The Scholastic Book Fair is back! Mark your calendars for December 6th-December 8th. It will be in person but with a new format to keep everyone safe. More details to come as we get closer to the date.
Nov. Safety - Ms. Dymkowski
In AISD, schools conduct monthly safety drills, with 2-3 drills a month. The drills we are required to have are evacuation, lockdown, shelter, secure, and hold drills.
Upcoming safety drills for November
- 11/3 - Evacuation Drill (date subject to change)
11/10 - Shelter Drill (date subject to change)
- 11/17 - Hold Drill (date subject to change)
Tania Dymkowski
Brentwood Modernization Update
Take a look at this presentation from the latest community meeting on 10/26/2021, it includes some artwork, Oct. 26, 2021 Construction Update Presentation Also, see a link to the Orbital Video.
Visit https://austinisd2017bond.org/ for additional current updates on our Brentwood construction.
As a reminder: Our Brentwood Elementary construction site (and Hope Chapel) are being trespassed on and vandalized at a high rate, at all times of the day and night. Please be aware and watch our site if you live nearby. There is a high traffic flow near the Brentwood Park and on Arroyo Seco and with more eyes we can help keep our areas safer. If you see suspicious activity or trespassers please call Austin ISD police at, 512-414-1703.
Nov. Attendance - Ms. Rivera
Parents, to help ensure every student is successful, we emphasize the importance of on-time arrival and daily school attendance. We are asking you to join forces with us to eliminate absences that can be prevented by making every effort to schedule medical and other appointments outside school hours and by making sure your children get plenty of sleep so they arrive at school on time.
If your child is absent from all or part of a school day, the studentāupon arrival or return to schoolāmust bring a note signed by the guardian or health care professional that describes the reason for the absence. All notes should be provided within two days of returning to school. The campus will update attendance records based on the provided documentation.
Nov. AISD Breakfast & Lunch Menus
FYI from Evan Ramos, Area Supervisor Nutrition & Food Services
For a meal to be considered a meal, it must have a minimum of three components with at least one of those components being a fruit or a vegetable. The first time the child goes through the line, they are allowed a free meal. If a student decides he/she wants to get something else (seconds), he/she must pay for that item. If a student brings their own lunch and wants only one item, then the student must pay for that item. All students who have not gone through the line are advised to take a meal not just one item.
Lunch at Brentwood
Here are some reminders of outside lunch procedures and rules to discuss with your child. We appreciate all our volunteers and the custodians that are working hard in our outside cafe. Letās help each other out so they are not picking up extra trash and food on the ground. This way we are not asking the ants to join our picnic :)
Food belongs on the table, trays, or in their lunchboxes. We are reminding them that there is no throwing food and dumping milk on the ground and on the umbrella holders.
Pick up all trash and throw it away.
Positive about being outside is that yes, they can talk a little louder. Remind your child to use regular talking voices and only talk to the students at their tables.
Remain at their own table during lunch.
Students will wait to be dismissed by the cafe monitor. Throw away trash only when dismissed by the monitor.
Raise hands if they need something.
We are encouraging everyone to take water bottles to lunch so we are not wasting water and having more plastic bottles to pick up etc.
Students line up in a certain order after lunch so the monitors can have them get in line more orderly and for social distancing/contact tracing, same order.
Students eat their own lunch and do not share food.
Austin ISD Student Code of Conduct
The Austin ISD Board of Trustees approved the 2021-22 Student Code of Conduct (SCOC) on August 26, 2021. The SCOC was revised based on feedback from community stakeholders, teachers, students, parents, administrators, and central office departments. The SCOC is located on the Austin ISD website under the Families tab. Below is a PDF of the Board Summary of SCOC Changes
AISD 2021-2022 Calendar & Nov. News
In celebration of National Parental Involvement Day, Austin ISD presents the 2021 Virtual Family Academy Event: Todos Juntos - All Together on November 16-18. The academy will feature 12 Zoom sessions around various topics, including mental health & wellness, educational programming and more. Flyers are available digitally in English / Spanish.
Families will be able to register for sessions like:
Mental Health Supports
Early Childhood Strategies
Afghan Women Wellness
Special Education and 504 Supports, including Dyslexia, Inclusion, ARDs
Elementary and Secondary Multilingual Programs
Advanced Academics Supports
Early College Programs
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AISD Health Services would like to share the Fall 2021 Campus COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Schedule; this information can also be found on the district calendar. The clinics are open to all students, staff, and families ages 12+; individuals under the age of 18 must have a parent guardian present. Clinics do not require an appointment, government ID, or medical insurance.
Additionally, please share the following health promotion information with your communities:
COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.
You may have side effects after vaccination. These are normal and should go away in a few days.
It typically takes two weeks after vaccination for the body to build protection (immunity) against the virus that causes COVID-19. You are not fully vaccinated until 2 weeks after the 2nd dose of a two-dose vaccine or two weeks after a one-dose vaccine.
People who are fully vaccinated do not need to be quarantined after a close contact to COVID-19 (if they are not symptomatic).
People who have been fully vaccinated can start to do some things that they had stopped doing because of the pandemic.
Learn the facts about COVID-19 vaccines.
Questions about Austin ISD pop-up COVID-19 vaccine clinics can be directed to health@austinisd.org or you can visit the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 Vaccine webpage.
We know that getting vaccinated is one of the best tools we must keep our communities safe and protected from COVID-19. We appreciate your support in sharing this information with your school community.
Before We Go
Stay Connected with Brentwood
Brentwood Elementary, "Where we always do our personal best!"
2021-22 School Year Theme: Dig In And Build Up!
Brentwood Elementary is temporarily located on site at Webb Middle School from Aug. 2020-June 2022 while our building undergoes a beautiful and massive partial rebuild and full modernization construction. We are located at, 601 East St. Johns Avenue, Austin, TX 78752.
https://www.austinisd.org/hr/customer-service/rave
Click on the link to recognize an AISD staff member who is going above and beyond! The Recognizing All Valuable Employees, or RAVE, Program was established to publicly honor those who exemplify the highest level of customer service.
Facebook: Principal Laroche
PTA Facebook: Brentwood Elementary PTA
Twitter: @BrentwoodAISD and @bulldogtechAISD
Instagram: BrentwoodAISD
PTA Website: http://brentwoodpta.com
Brentwood Website: http://brentwood.austinschools.org/
Previous Newsletters
Family Newsletter Aug. 20, 2021
Family Newsletter - COVID, Prin. Chat, & Back to School Night Edition
Family Newsletter Aug. 24, 2021
Family Newsletter Sep. 3, 2021
Family Newsletter Sep.10, 2021