The Serene Scoop
Serene Hills Elementary School --- Jan. 14, 2022
Whew! The 2022 year has come with a bang!
I want to personally express my appreciation to all our families for their patience and support as we continue to navigate everything Covid continues to throw at us. I know (as a parent, community member, and LT employee) that it's not always convenient or easy to follow and keep up with all the challenges coming our way. We are here to work with you and help in any way we can.
Please, if your student is symptomatic at all, take them to be cleared by a doctor (negative PCR test and/or alternate diagnosis), instead of sending them to school.
Your continued patience and understanding means the world to us, especially in these most difficult times.
Keegan Luedecke
Principal, Serene Hills Elementary
Upcoming Dates:
Jan. 17th Student & Staff Holiday Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Jan. 27th Watch DOG Dads Pizza Party (details below)
Feb. 11th PTO Sponsored Father/Daughter Dance
Feb. 14th Classroom Valentines Parties
Feb. 17th No School: Professional Development Day
Feb. 18th No School: Professional Development Day
Feb. 21st No School: Professional Development Day
Next Week in Second Step:
When you have a strong feeling, it’s hard for your brain to think. After you use your stop signal and name your feeling, you’re ready to calm down! You can calm down by doing some slow deep belly breathing, counting, or using positive self-talk. Think for a moment about your favorite Way to Calm Down. Remember to use it this week if you need to. Calming down helps you think clearly!
COVID Reporting
Please follow the instructions below to report COVID cases or close contacts.
To report your student's COVID-19 diagnosis, please go to THIS LINK and fill out the information. After you submit the form, you will see another link to report siblings as close contacts. Please fill out this form for each sibling affected.
To report a CLOSE CONTACT within the household, please go to THIS LINK and fill out the information.
****If there are LTISD siblings in close contact with a positive person in the household, please do not send them to school. They need to stay home to quarantine and watch for symptoms. This does not apply if the siblings are fully vaccinated (2nd vaccine greater than 2 weeks ago) OR Covid positive in the last 3 months. You will need to update the nurse at robertsbo@ltisdschools.org.
A nurse or staff member will contact you to go over return dates. Please allow up to 24-48 hours for contact. Thank you for your understanding.
Information about LTISD's Response to COVID-19, including the case dashboard and district protocols for student and staff illnesses, can be found HERE on the LTISD website.
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
5th to 6th Grade Transition
Feb.1: Middle School Course Catalogs are available online
Feb. 15: SHE 5th Graders visit (field trip) the middle school they are CURRENTLY zoned for.
Feb. 15 - Mar. 7: Course Selection is open.
Feb. 23: 5:30PM-7:00PM MS Principals host Parent Night. (more details to come)
LTHS Fine Arts Presents: Mamma Mia!
Lake Travis High School is producing a performance of the musical, Mamma Mia! beginning Thursday, January 20 through Monday, January 24 in the Performing Arts Center on campus.
(There is no performance on Sunday the 23rd.)
Tickets are available online only through our website. Our box office will not be available for ticket purchases for this performance.
https://www.lttheatrearts.com/
Students and Gold Card pass members can reserve seats here:
https://secure.payk12.com/school/Lake-Travis/675/passes
LTISD Gold Card holders (1 free normal-priced ticket per gold card)
Gold Card holders will need to enter their card number.
January is LTISD School Board Recognition Month!
This month is LTISD School Board Recognition Month, and our Sailors will have an opportunity to learn more about our school Board of Trustees and to thank them for their support and service to our school.
Our LTISD School Board of Trustees pictured above are: John Aoueille, President; Bob Dorsett, Jr., Vice President; Lauren White, Secretary; William Beard; Phillip Davis, Ph.D.; Kim Flasch; and Jessica Putonti.
We appreciate the time and effort our Board of Trustees dedicate to our 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 Sailors(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.
STEPS TO VOLUNTEER AT SERENE HILLS ELEMENTARY
Volunteers will need to complete the online Volunteer Agreement & sign the paper Confidentiality Agreement in person. The Confidentiality Agreement will be found on the wall in the front office labeled "Volunteer" & the website address to complete the Volunteer Agreement will be posted on the computer.
Program Description
- Volunteers can perform any job that does not require working alone with students. Note: If volunteers plan to work alone with one or more students, they must agree to a complete criminal background check to be conducted by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Inquire with the campus Volunteer Coordinator for more details.
- Volunteers will be required to Raptor in with a driver's license each time they visit.
- Volunteers will be required to sign a Confidentiality Pledge each school year.
- Volunteer opportunities are available as soon as the campus is ready to receive assistance.
2021-2022 Volunteer Handbook - Español
2021-2022 Volunteer Agreement - Español
For more information about volunteering click here: Community Relations.
Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) is back at Serene Hills!
This program promotes male presence on campus. Volunteers (fathers and father figures) spend a day at the school. Watch D.O.G.S. may read and work on flash cards with students, play at recess, eat lunch with students, watch the school entrances and hallways, assist with traffic flow and any other assigned activities where they actively engage with not only their own students, but other students as well.
Steps to participate in Watch DOGS:
1. Sign up online: https://signup.com/go/YOEobMT
2. Order a shirt: https://dadsofgreatstudents.com/general/watch-d-o-g-s-military-stencil-shirt.html
3. Show up at 7:15 on your day and have fun being a role model!
Check out our Facebook page for all the latest news: https://www.facebook.com/SHEWatchDOGS
Substitute Teachers Desperately Needed!
Useful Links:
Useful Links:
Serene Hills:
Serene Hills Elementary Homepage
2021-2022 School Supplies Lists
Transportation:
Food and Nutrition Services (FANS):
Serene Hills Elementary School
The Serene Hills Elementary community commits to engaging every student in innovative, collaborative learning focused on growth and to igniting a passion for learning in which everyone is valued.
Website: https://www.ltisdschools.org/SHE
Location: 3301 Serene Hills Drive, Lakeway, TX, United States
Phone: 512-533-7400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenehillspto/
Twitter: @SHEsailors