Tiger Talk
02/08/22
Tigers Embrace Black History Month
Our Tigers are excited about Black History Month. They will learn about a famous historical or modern Black American each school day in our morning broadcasts during the month of February.
Tigers will be working on grade-level projects, too, and we will display photos of their projects throughout the month of February. Our Tiger Projects are:
Kindergarten reports that they are working on "I Have a Dream" writing projects.
1st Grade plans to work on "I Have a Dream" student pictures, and each student's dream will be placed in a speech bubble above his/her picture.
2nd Grade reports that they have a George Washington Carver project to display in the hallway and that they plan to expand that to include other significant historical figures.
3rd Grade is researching and writing biographies of famous Black Americans. They will display what they learn in life-sized cutouts that include key biographical information.
4th Grade is locating and displaying newspaper articles from Texas History.
5th Grade students are studying and writing about famous Black Americans to better understand the contributions they have made within our history. The pieces they write will be fitted together in a large quilt to demonstrate how all of our American history is woven together. See the photo below of the "quilt" that is displayed in our main hallway. Nice work, ladies and gentlemen of the 5th Grade!
Mrs. Sheila White, Counselor, West Cypress Hills Elementary School
Thank you, Mrs. White, for making West Cypress Hills a GREAT place to be.
First Grade Celebrates 101 Days of School
Class and Spring Individual Pictures to be Taken Thursday, February 10
Yes, it's already time for Spring Picture Day! Our classroom group photos and students' individual Spring photos will be taken by Lifetouch on Thursday, February 10.
Class pictures can be ordered online using picture ID EVTZJPJWM.
Individual pictures can be ordered online using picture ID EVTPVS7TJ.
Paper order forms with payment envelopes will be sent home soon in care of Tigers. The paper order forms offer an opportunity to order and pay for pictures with cash or check payable to Lifetouch. Simply complete the order forms, enclose payment, and return them to the classroom teacher.
Tigers Celebrate Valentines Day with Classroom Parties on Friday, February 11
Love is in the air....and it's party time! Our Tiger classroom Valentine parties will be held Friday, February 11. The times of the class parties are shown below.
We will be decorating and getting ready for the parties after school on Thursday, February 10. Each classroom can have up to 2 volunteers assist with the party preparations. If you wish to volunteer to help decorate and set up for the parties after school February 10, please be sure to RSVP with the classroom teacher or our school Receptionist, Mrs. Michelle Harper, so that we can have your security badge ready for you for speedy security check-in on February 10. Volunteers are welcome to arrive at the Front Office between 3:15 and 3:30 pm on February 10.
To keep our learning environment as safe as possible, visitors and volunteers may not attend the parties during the school day. Tigers will enjoy their class parties as these times:
Kindergarten........12:30 - 1:00
1st Grade.............12:00 - 12:30
2nd Grade..............1:30 - 2:00
3rd Grade...............1:00 - 1:30
4th Grade.............11:30 - 12:00
5th Grade............ 11:00 - 11:30.
Come and Embrace the Noise! Apply to be On Team Tiger Today!
We are looking for more people to join our staff of caring professionals. Our campus-wide theme for this year is "Embrace the Noise," and we are seeking people, maybe like YOU, who would like to come and make some "noise" with us.
We are accepting applications for Instructional Special Education Aides and for a crossing guard. Prior experience is not required. The Lake Travis Independent School District happily provides training for its employees.
If you would like to learn more about the rewarding positions that we have available right here in your neighborhood school, click here.
Unclaimed Lost & Found Items to be Donated February 11!
Looking for some of your Tiger's coats, sweaters, hoodies, water bottles, or lunch bags? If they cannot be found at your house, they may be here in our Lost and Found. Belongings with student names on them are returned to the students. Belongings without names, unfortunately, have to wait for someone to claim them.
Please check our Lost and Found to claim your Tiger's belongings before the end of the day February 11.
Any unclaimed items remaining in our Lost and Found the evening of February 11 will be donated to a local charity.
District Provides Update on COVID Protocols - Visits to Campuses Limited Until Further Notice
Dear Lake Travis ISD Staff, Parents and Guardians,
As you may already know, COVID cases in our area continue to surge, resulting in Austin Public Health (APH) raising its Risk-Based Guidelines to Stage 5 on January 6. Since then, we have received guidance and updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), APH, and the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
The update from TEA does not change current requirements as it pertains to in-person instruction. Our schools must remain open, and we are not approved to provide remote learning districtwide. TEA’s guidance also indicates that districts cannot require staff or students to wear face coverings as per the Governor’s Executive Order (GA-38). However, we strongly encourage mask wearing while inside district facilities.
We will continue to prioritize safety for sustaining in-person learning and working environments by following our current protocols with one change as it pertains to visitors. We will suspend having visitors on campus during the school day with the exception of volunteers, scheduled parent meetings, or as otherwise approved by the school. We will reevaluate allowing visitors on campus as conditions in our community improve.
As I shared in a previous email, we began the installation of air disinfection devices at each campus and department during the holiday break. I am happy to report we have placed 171 units in front office receptionist areas, cafeterias, hallways, weight and locker rooms, all nurse’s rooms and various other locations districtwide. The units reduce pathogens that lead to COVID, colds, the common flu, and even gastrointestinal illness, and they also help reduce dust, mold spores, and pollen that trigger asthma and allergies. We are awaiting the delivery of additional units which will be installed in other locations throughout the District.
I strongly urge that you and your family continue to take all precautions to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Anyone who is sick or has COVID-related symptoms must stay home until reentry requirements are met. We will continue to monitor local conditions and provide protocol updates as needed. Your continued support is appreciated.
Sincerely,
Paul Norton
Superintendent of Schools
January 28 Update on District Protocols
Dear Lake Travis ISD Staff, Parents and Guardians,
Earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated guidance for schools, shortening the recommended time for COVID-19 quarantine and isolation from 10 to 5 days. This week, Austin Public Health also updated its guidance for public schools, recommending a 5 day quarantine with specific requirements. Since that time, we have received questions from staff and parents about these recommendations and their implication to our district.
Our guidance is based on the Texas Education Agency’s adoption of Texas Department of State Health Services protocols which continue to maintain a 10-day isolation period for COVID-19. Accordingly, our current quarantine and isolation protocols will remain in place, adhering to a 10-day isolation period for staff and students.
While COVID-positive cases are beginning to decline districtwide, I strongly urge that you and your family continue to take all precautions to minimize community spread. Anyone who is sick or has COVID-related symptoms must stay home until reentry requirements are met. We will continue to monitor local conditions and provide you with protocol updates.
Sincerely,
Paul Norton
Superintendent of Schools
Be on the Lookout for LTISD Bus Transportation Updates
One might think that our school bus drivers would be immune to anything and everything that could be thrown their way, BUT, from time to time, LTISD bus drivers do need to take a sick day, and at this time the District is not always able to provide a substitute bus driver quickly enough to cover the route.
As a result, there are times when SMARTTag and/or LTISD will notify parents that bus service could be delayed or that bus service for a particular route is canceled. Even though the disruption to service happens very infrequently, it's still an inconvenience when it happens to you and your Tiger(s.) We apologize.
Please be sure to pay close attention to SMARTTag and/or LTISD transportation alerts and updates so that you will know if/when disruption to your service has occurred.
5th to 6th Grade Transition to Middle School
It's hard to believe, but it is time to start thinking about our sweet 5th graders moving into middle school. The elementary and middle school principals and counselors have been hard at work planning out a timeline to make this time informational and simple for you.
Feb.1 - Middle School Course Catalogs are available online
Feb. 15 - 5th Graders visit the middle school for which they are CURRENTLY zoned. They will come with their elementary classes on a school bus. This event is from 9-11. This is a student only trip, not a parent event. Students will hear all about middle school, class options, learn about fine arts, electives, and PE classes.
Feb. 15 - Feb. 27 - Students take home paper student course selection sheets (yellow.)
Feb. 15 - Mar. 7 - Course Selection is open.
Feb. 23, 5:30 PM-7:00 PM - MS Principals host Parent Night.
Parent Night @ Lake Travis Middle School is an in person parent/student event with the administration and counselors. The meeting will begin at 5:30 PM in the large gym. You will learn more about the opportunities available to your students as they begin their middle school tenure as well as the structure of a middle school day. Topics that will be discussed are course selection options, including elective/fine arts and PE classes this will help you and your student to make an informed decision on courses for 6th grade.
Feb. 28 - Paper course selection sheet is due. Be sure to turn it in to the current 5th grade homeroom teacher.
Mar. 1 - Mar. 7 - Students and Elementary Counselors work together to input course selections into Skyward.
Contact us here about the Wall of Fame for Shoe Tying
Set clocks ahead 1 hour on March 13. Daylight Saving Time Starts @ 2 am!
On your way to Kindergarten 2022-2023?
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Upcoming Events
02/01 - 02/18/22....Tickets on Sale for Daddy/Daughter Garden Gala
02/01 - 02/28/22.....Celebrating Black History Month
02/01 - 03/02/22.....Submit "You Art What You Eat" Artwork Learn more
02/10/22.................Class and Spring Picture Day!!!!
02/10/22.................LTCL Bookmobile Comes to WCH Amenity Center 3 - 4 pm
02/07 - 02/11/22.....National School Counselors' Week
02/10/22.................Scheduled Valentine Volunteers Welcome to Arrive 3:15 - 3:30 pm
02/11/22.................Classroom Valentine Party Day!
02/11/22.................Tiger Lost & Found Unclaimed Items to be Donated at End of Day!
02/15/22.................5th Grade Field Trip to Visit Middle School
02/15 - 03/07/22.....Middle School Course Selection is Open
02/16/22..................LTISD Esser Survey Input is Due. Thanks!
02/17 - 02/21/22.....No School for Tigers! Staff Professional Development Days
02/22/22.................Tigers Return to School 7:40 am
02/23/22.................5:30 - 7:00 pm Middle Schools' Parent Night
02/24/22.................PTO General Assembly in the Cafeteria 9:00 - 10 am RSVP
02/24/22.................LTCL Bookmobile Comes to WCH Amenity Center 3 - 4 pm
02/26/22.................Daddy/Daughter Garden Gala @ WCHE 6:30 - 8:30 pm
03/01 - 03/31/22.....Music in our Schools Month
03/04/22.................LTEF Butterfly Brunch @ Blissful Hill 10 am Learn More
03/07 - 03/11/22.....National School Breakfast Week
03/09 - 03/10/22.....WCHE Field Days - Volunteer RSVP
03/10/22.................LTCL Bookmobile Comes to WCH Amenity Center 3 - 4 pm
03/11/22.................No School for Students! Staff Professional Development Day
03/13/22.................Spring Forward! Daylight Saving Time Begins @ 2 am
03/14 - 03/18/22.....Spring Break! No School!
03/24/22..................LTCL Bookmobile Comes to WCH Amenity Center 3 - 4 pm
03/26/22..................LTHS Choir's Capes & Crowns Event 2 - 4 pm
04/01/22..................PTO Parent Mixer @ Blissful Hill 6 - 9 pm
More Information about WCH
West Cypress Hills Elementary
Email: wchprincipal@ltisdschools.org
Website: https://www.ltisdschools.org/WCHE
Location: 6112 Cypress Ranch Boulevard, Travis County, TX, United States
Phone: 512-533-7500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ltisdschools
Twitter: @principalwch