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Greetings Panda Families,

My name is Linda Perez and I am your Anita Uphaus Early Childhood Center Parent Support Specialist.

The faculty and staff at Anita Uphaus ECC would like to welcome everyone back to school, and extend a special Welcome to all of our new students and their families. We are excited and are looking forward to another exciting year of learning at Anita Uphaus.

I would also like to extend a welcome to our newest staff members:

Mrs. Jessica Dimas our school principal, (Pre-K4 DL teacher) Ms. Marla Fuentes and (Teacher Assistant) Mercedes Ornelas, (Teacher Assistant) Yasaris Varona, (P.E. teacher) Ms. Iver Robinson, (CDC assistant) Ms. Ana Lopez, (Child Inc Teacher) Ms. Mapps, (Child Inc Teacher Assistant)-Crystal Pavon, and (Teacher Assistant) Grecia Diaz.

You can expect periodic newsletters from myself, and several of the classroom teachers to keep you up to date as to what is happening here at Anita Uphaus and in the classrooms.

A good way of staying up to date on school information is to visit our website at www.uphaus.austinschools.org . From there, you can find several sources of information that will keep you informed of all the happenings at Anita Uphaus. We are excited to begin the 2022-2023 school year. If at any time during the school year you feel the need to contact me, please feel free to call me, Linda C. Perez, Parent Support Specialist at (512) 414-5538 or by email at linda.c.perez@austinisd.org

We hope to partner and collaborate with you to have a successful school year. Your involvement and partnership is important. There is no one like you!

As your Parent Support Specialist, I can assist you in several ways. In working together, I can:

Find resources you may need- I can help find assistance when needed.

Learn new things about school and how to help your child succeed. Look for workshops for parents throughout the year!

Become leaders in our school!

Your input and participation in the Parent/Teacher Association (PTA) and other school committees such as Campus Advisory Council (CAC)

Become a Parent Volunteer! Volunteers are welcomed and needed!

Everyone who volunteers will need to attend a volunteer orientation and complete a successful background check.

• Doors open: 7:10 am
• Arrival Time: 7:10 thru 7:40 am
• Tardy Bell: Rings at 7:40 am
• Dismissal Time: 3:10 pm

Parents,

Anita Uphaus will be participating in the Brighter Bites program which provides healthy fruits and vegetables to families. We hope you can sign up to receive these delicious foods.

Our Brighter Bites Enrollment Forms are available online! I have attached both the printable pdf and the pdf with the clickable link to enroll. Here is the direct link to enroll:

SIGN UP HERE / REGISTRATE AQUí: http://brighterbites.org/enroll

One application per family. If you have multiple students enrolled, please only fill out 1 application. If you need assistance, please contact our Parent Support Specialist, Mrs. Linda Perez.

If you would like to volunteer to help with Brighter Bites....please sign up on the link below (APIE).

With the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, students, staff and visitors are not required to wear face masks when on school properties, unless they have tested positive for COVID-19. Note: Per CDC guidance, individuals with a positive COVID-19 result will be required to wear a mask for five days after returning from quarantine/isolation.

• On February 25, 2022, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that masking be based on COVID-19 Community Levels

• Austin ISD required masks throughout most of the last school year and saw a lower positivity rate inside its schools than in the community at large.

• Austin ISD will continue to follow CDC guidance and keep track of the COVID-19 community level in Austin Travis County.

• The Creative Learning Initiative is hosting a family-friendly CLI Arts Partner Expo on Thursday Sept. 15 at the AISD Performing Arts Center from 4-7 p.m.

• The Expo is geared toward AISD staff and community members (e.g., PTA leaders) who plan community arts partnerships for their schools. Come meet and greet artists and arts organizations and learn about their SY22-23 offerings. We’ll have snacks, prizes, and kid-friendly activities!

Please spread the word to your staff and community leaders: RSVP at this Eventbrite link or via this flyer (QR code leads to Eventbrite link).

The Expo is hosted by MINDPOP and AISD’s Creative Learning Initiative. The Expo format will be an informal meet-and-greet with partners set up at tables in the PAC Dance Studio. Come and go anytime between 4-7 p.m. Snacks, prizes, and kid-friendly activities will be available.

Access, Attendance, and Grades: Please be mindful that in order to receive grades as prescribed in the Texas Education Code, Section 25.092 and Senate Bill (SB) 140 of the 82nd Legislative Session, a student must attend 90% of the given class. Students must also receive instruction in the subject matter for which the grade is given.

There is an exciting new opportunity for you to access FREE high-quality print and digital books to support your child's development.

Books Beginning at Birth is a statewide program that provides families with children from birth to age 4 with access to free books and resources to support the development of early literacy skills.

Apply to receive three books every six months at home!

Access free digital books anytime! No login or sign up required.

Reading together is fun and easy with Books Beginning at Birth! Prepare your children for a bright future in school and life. Sign-up today at https://www.b3tx.org/ .

Thank you Mercury Financial for the generous backpack donation!

Please note: if you are planning to volunteer for any event at school you must go through a

back ground check. You can do that clicking this link: https://austinpartners.org/get-involved/austin-isd-school-based-volunteer/

More information to come.

Please support the Uphaus PTA

PTA is an organization of parents and teachers coming together to advocate for our children and students. Your membership alone will give us a BIGGER voice in our school and community!

Membership is $10 for the year. This money goes towards student events, teacher appreciation and much more. PTA membership flyer going out soon!

September 5 - No School for students & staff (Labor Day)

September 8 - Brighter Bites Distribution Day (Please sign up via enrollment form)

September 13 - Back to School Night

September 15th - Oct 15th Hispanic Heritage Month

September 16- Come dressed for dieciséis de septiembre (Mexico's Independence Day)

September 23 - Parent Coffee Chat

September 28 & 29 - Parent Conferences (Evenings) More details to come