News from the Nest
Oak Hill Elementary
Week of Oct. 5- Oct. 9
Hello Oak Hill Families,
I can hardly believe it is October. I hope everyone is taking advantage of this beautiful weather and spending some time outside. Since last March, I've been spending more and more time inside in front of my computer as the world shrunk to the size of my screen and I've had to remind myself to step away and breathe in some fresh air. This last week, I've tried to work outside when possible to soak up some of the beautiful weather. It's been a good reminder for myself and for our whole learning community to pause every once in a while and breathe.
This has been such an incredibly different start to our school year and we so appreciate all of your grace and flexibility as we continue to navigate the changes. This week is an exciting one, as we welcome back just over 120 students for in person learning! This new phase in our schooling adventures is a unique learning opportunity for all of us as we bring students into the building in a socially distanced way and maintain our connection to our students who are continuing to learn remotely. Huge thanks to parents, Emily, Jill and Amelia for working tirelessly this week to paint six foot markers on the sidewalks so our kids have a friendly reminder to maintain social distance. :) It's important to us that our students feel comfortable and safe, both physically and emotionally, when they return.
The one constant we have had this year is that things change frequently - makes me think of the Thomas Fuller quote: "All things are difficult before they are easy." We have 12 staff members who will continue to work remotely and others who will rotate through the building for in person learning. If your child's teacher is staying remote, you will receive communication from him/her this week. It's also important to know that the number of staff who are working remotely may change throughout the year. There are many moving parts and we are committed to making sure the transition to our phase in re-opening plan is as smooth as possible. As always, we appreciate your support and patience as we navigate new learning experiences over the next three weeks. :)
For those returning in-person: Students in Pre-K, Kindergarten, their siblings and select students in special programs will be joining us this week. All notifications for students who are scheduled to return on Oct. 5 have been sent out. If you have not received a notification, then your child is not in this first group of the phase-in plan. In the next few days, we will send out letters to the remaining families letting them know of their scheduled return date.
For those families returning this week, please be sure to download the AISD App so you can complete the health screener for your child before coming to campus. This will make drop-off go a lot faster for you. Save the green check and show it to the staff on morning arrival duty. We are excited to see our in-person learners!
This week as we transition to in-person learning, we felt it best to leave the schedule as is for now. There may be changes to schedules beginning Oct. 12. Your teacher will notify you of any changes by the end of this week. This week, on Oct. 7, we will also have a virtual back to school night. Teachers will send a presentation out to their families for this event. It is not a live event. Zoom conferences will also be held individually in the next few weeks. Be on the lookout for information from your teacher.
I know this year has not been easy but we see and appreciate all your efforts. Thank you for partnering with us in your child's education. Together we are strong!
Lori Komassa
NEW AUSTIN ISD MOBILE APP
Austin ISD has released a new mobile app that allows for quick access to:
- see the calendar for the current school year
- link to the Parent Cloud
- link to Parent Self Serve
- link to Where's the Bus
- link to School Cafe
- Link to the latest news from AISD
You can learn more about the app on the Austin ISD website
Before Arriving at School
Download the AISD App on your mobile device.
The AISD App is available for both Android and Apple devices
Use the COVID-19 Screener Button to pre-screen your child.
Save the green good to go screen to show at drop off.
WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT SCHOOL
STARS GUIDE THE WAY
Look for the blue STAR stencils - they are a visual guide to maintain a six foot distance.
HEALTH SCREENING CHECKPOINT
This is where we'll check each child has been prescreened and take his/her/their temperature.
TEMP CHECK
Car riders will stay in the car until the health screening has been completed.
Upcoming Events
Oct 5: Phase-In Week 5 for PK, Kinder, SPED (special programs), and siblings in those grade levels who choose to return F2F
Oct. 6: Austin High VT District 5 (School Board) Candidate Zoom Forum
Oct. 7: Virtual Back to School Night
Oct. 12: Regular School Day for Students
Oct. 12: Phase-In Week 6 for 1st & 2nd, Special Education & Dyslexia, and siblings in those grade levels who choose to return F2F
Oct. 19: Phase-In Week 7 for 3rd, 4th, & 5th
Heads up – regular school day on October 12th
DISTRICT & CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS
#BeKind21 @ Oak Hill Elementary
Please join us as we kick off the #BeKind21 Campaign! We'll be challenging our community to spend the next 21 days engaging in acts of kindness - towards self and others. If you'd like to follow along, please see the schedule of challenges and check out the Padlet where our students can share their kindness with all! :)
Kindness Padlet: https://padlet.com/oakhill/xn51evjjw0mr567t
Monday: Write a positive affirmation for yourself. You are Enough!
Tuesday: Create a hashtag that best describes what kindness means to you.
Wednesday: Write down 3 things that you love about yourself.
Thursday: Create 10 sticky notes of kindness for your neighborhood walk!
Friday: Have a virtual lunch with someone you haven’t talked to in awhile.#YouBelong
IMMUNIZATIONS
Texas requires that all students in grades K-12 meet the minimum state immunization requirements. This applies to students receiving both in-person and virtual learning.
It is important to note that there have been no exceptions made to these immunization requirements, due to COVID-19, by the State. All immunization requirements should be met by families by October 5, 2020, for both in-person and virtual learners.
You can find more information about the minimum Texas Immunization Requirements here: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/immunize/school/school-requirements.aspx.
Please reach out to your Campus Health Room Staff for more information on resources that can be given to families and any questions you may have.
Bus Riding Protocols- PARENTS OR CARE TAKERS WAIT WITH STUDENTS AT BUS STOPS
Austin ISD is committed to providing safe, reliable transportation to our students. We are implementing protocols that all families who qualify for bus transportation should know if they plan on using this service. The full plan for our bus-riding families can be found on the Open for Learning Plan Version 4. Below are highlights of this communication.
- Families, please make sure to update your contact information in Parent Cloud.
- We encourage every family to take their child’s temperature each morning.
- Please do not send students to school if they are sick, have symptoms or have a temperature at 100.0 or greater.
- Please make every effort to accompany students to and from the bus stop and school in the event your child registers a temperature greater than 100.0.
- Masks are required on all AISD buses.
- Prior to boarding the bus, a transportation staff member will check every student’s temperature with a touchless thermometer.
- If a child registers a temperature at or above 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit, they will either be sent home with their parents. If a parent/guardian is not available, separate transportation to the campus will be provided.
- To reduce virus exposure on buses, we encourage families to drop off or walk with their students to school.
Additional information
- Bus drivers will wear personal protective equipment including masks, gloves and face shields to be used during temperature screenings.
- All buses will have hand sanitizer and will be disinfected regularly.
- Maximum allowable seating will be one student per seat with the seat behind the driver closed for social distancing.
AISD District 5 Trustee Candidate Zoom Forum
Join families from Austin High Vertical Team schools to virtually meet the 3 candidates running to fill the District 5 Trustee spot on the AISD Board on Tuesday, October 6 from 7-8pm. Submit a question before the forum, or just join the Zoom webinar on the 6th to learn a little bit about Lynn Boswell, Jennifer Littlefield and Piper Stege Nelson. Zoom information to come.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87215601038?pwd=Wmt0RlJqbnVMenR5MWppdWNyRVJaQT09
Passcode: 523039
AISD FALL COMMUNITY EQUITY SUMMIT
Please join us virtually on Thursday, October 15th, from 4 to 8 PM for the Austin ISD Fall Community Equity Summit: Our voices, our stories hosted by the Office of Equity, and the Cultural Proficiency & Inclusiveness.
Event is open to all students, staff, and community members. RSVP by clicking here. Translation in 9 languages will be available: American Sign Language, Arabic, Burmese, Dari, Pashto, Kinyarwanda, Spanish, Swahili, and Vietnamese.
The event is open to the first 1,000 participants via Zoom. The event will appear on AISD TV and Facebook Live. For more information, email equityoffice@austinisd.org or call 512-414-9572.
Meal Applications
Please help Oak Hill by filling out a meal application if you think you may need meal assistance. Currently curbside meals are only extended until December 2020. Even if you plan to stay remote, it helps the school with funding if you fill out a lunch application.
Apply for Free or Reduced-Price Meals
- Families are encouraged to apply for state-funded benefits such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to receive free meals for their students at school, and their family at home. Families that receive SNAP benefits are eligible for free school meals without submitting a school meal benefits application.
- Submit at SNAP application at: www.YourTexasBenefits.com.
- A new meal benefits application must be submitted each school year for those interested in receiving free or reduced-price meals.
- Online meal applications are preferred and can be submitted by creating an account at www.SchoolCafe.com.
- Learn more about setting up a SchoolCafé account and how to apply here.
- Only one application is needed for an entire household.
- Applications may be submitted at any time during the school year, however schools need applications from families, by October 30, to help maintain campus demographic information used for various types of funding.
- Online applications are available in English and Spanish. Paper applications are available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Arabic, Burmese and Korean.
- Please call AISD Food Service at (512) 414-0251 or contact AISD Refugee Services to arrange for a paper application.
- To expedite the approval process of a new meal application, we highly recommend that families submit the information online.
- More information at: https://www.austinisd.org/nutrition-food-services/applications-payments
Parent Resources
Understanding Attendance
DOI Information
Our new DOI days for this year will be:
December 18
January 5
April 30
Technology Updates
Counselor News: Kindness & Virtual Counseling!
Join the Project Funding Committee!
Project Funding Request Form HERE
Junta de Comunidad Hispano-Hablante/Spanish Speaking Community meeting
Cuándo: viernes 9 de Octubre, 2020
Hora: 10 am
Link de Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/95658845200?pwd=Z3Z2Q0xsVGMzNHdaaUZXd3cyQk03UT09
Meeting ID: 956 5884 5200
Passcode: 152155
One tap mobile +13462487799,,95658845200#,,,,,,0#,,152155# US (Houston)
Dial by your location +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 956 5884 5200
Passcode: 152155
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/ac2tFPGPQb
Esta junta será completamente en español. Les daremos la bienvenida a este nuevo ciclo escolar, y podrán externar sus dudas e inquietudes. También les ayudaremos a navegar por las plataformas Blend y Seesaw.
Atentamente, Marcela Navarro Encargada de Alcance
Cultural de la PTA de OHE
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Dear Parents / Legal Guardians: We invite you to the first monthly meeting for the OHE's Spanish-speaking community
When: Friday, October 9, 2020
Time: 10 am
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/95658845200?pwd=Z3Z2Q0xsVGMzNHdaaUZXd3cyQk03UT09 Meeting ID: 956 5884 5200
Passcode: 152155
One tap mobile +13462487799,,95658845200#,,,,,,0#,,152155# US (Houston)
Dial by your location +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 956 5884 5200
Passcode: 152155
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/ac2tFPGPQb
This meeting will be entirely in Spanish. English translation provided. We will welcome you to this new school year, and you will be able to express your doubts and concerns. We'll also help you navigate the Blend and Seesaw platforms.
Sincerely, Marcela Navarro OHE PTA's Cultural Outreach Chair
PTA Membership Now Available
A Message from the OHE PTA
We are excited to welcome everyone back to OHE. Here are a few ways you can get involved.
1) Join the PTA. It is quick and easy online this year. Go to JoinPTA.org and select Austin ISD/ Oak Hill Elementary. This takes less than 5 minutes. No volunteer commitment required!
2) Donate to our No-Hassle Fundraiser. Go to ohepta.org/store All money collected through this fundraiser stays at our school to support the teachers and staff.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. Emily Robson – OHE PTA President president@ohepta.org 512-422-0967
OHE PTA Looking for Volunteers
The OHE PTA is looking to fill several empty board positions. We need an assistant treasurer and a parliamentarian. If you are interested in those (or other ways to volunteer) please email president@ohepta.org.
The strong support of our families is what makes OHE such a great place!
New 2020 OHE T-Shirts Available
COMMUNITY PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
CATCH NEWS
Slow Down, You Eat Too Fast!
Did you know when you eat too fast, you might eat too much? Your stomach needs time to tell you it is full. Slow down and enjoy your food. Teach your kids healthy eating habits. Try these tips from the CATCH Program and eat at a healthy pace: • Make meal time family time. Take time to talk to your family. • Always sit at a table and eat from a plate, not a bag.
Oak Hill Community Partners
Gold Level
A+ Federal Credit Union
Applebee's
Austin Pizza Garden
Callahan's General Store
Silver Level
Kuk Sool Wan
Slab BBQ
Tutor Doctor
Naman, Howell, Smith & Lee, PLLC
Oak Hill Elementary
Website: www.oakhillelementary.org
Location: 6101 Patton Ranch Road, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-414-2336
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OakHillElementary/
Twitter: @OakHillElem