Widén Elementary News Blast
Weekly Update November 16, 2020
LAST CALL TO SEND IN FOOD ITEMS FOR COMMUNITY POTLUCK
This is a last call... We really need all of our grade levels to drop off food items for the Community Potluck by this Tuesday. We will have a table set up outside in the front office drive through lane, where families can place canned corn, canned green beans, bags of potatoes, jars of gravy, packaged rolls/bread, canned cranberry sauce, and packaged dessert (i.e. cupcakes, sliced cake, or individually wrapped sweets). We are excited to get cooking and preparing Thanksgiving to-go plates for families to pick up this Thursday from 3-5 pm.
Coats For Kids
Coats for Kids is so excited to provide warm winter coats to students across the district!
To receive a coat, AISD students who qualify for free and reduced lunch services can register by filling out this form in English or Spanish. No documentation is needed. The form is open and will close on Friday, Nov. 20. Ms. Salinas, Parent Support Specialist is prepared to help students and families fill out the form. Please remember to complete one form per child.
Coats will be delivered to AISD campuses before winter break.
The Coats for Kids program accepts new and gently worn coats, and they need volunteers. For more information on the 34th annual Coats for Kids event, please visit the Junior League of Austin website at https://www.jlaustin.org/coats/.
Free COVID-19 Rapid Testing
Austin ISD is currently offering rapid testing to its on-campus students and staff. Testing will begin with those who are symptomatic on site. The tests are free for on-campus students and staff, and health insurance is not required. Students who fail the COVID screening checkpoints are also eligible to be tested, with parent consent. Over time, the district is planning to expand this service to test students and staff who are asymptomatic, as well as offer the testing service to remote learners. We will continue to provide information as it becomes available. Please feel free to contact our front office at 512-414-2556 with questions about COVDI-19 testing.
Free PPE Kits for Families
Austin Public Health will be giving away 1,000 PPE kits to families, AISD employees, community members and anyone who needs PPE items at Mendez Middle School 5106 Village Square Dr. Austin Tx 78744 on December 5, 2020 from 9:00 am-12 pm.
Campus Advisory Council Meeting
This Wednesday at 3:30 pm we have a Campus Advisory Council Meeting after school. We will discuss campus assessments, Great Schools.Org ratings, and AISD COVID-19 testing. All CAC meetings are open to the public. Parents are welcome!
Join Zoom Meeting:
http://bit.ly/WidenCAC
Meeting ID: 956 3302 9281
Passcode: 1234
Widén Elementary School
Text @WE78744 to 81010 to get our text message updates.
Weekly Update November 9, 2020
PTA Board Meeting
Our PTA Board will meet Monday afternoon at 3pm on Zoom. We are still trying to fill a few PTA Board positions. We want to give a huge thanks to the amazing Wildcat Family members who have joined our PTA Board this year:
President: Almalleli Rebollar
Vice President: Claudia Jackson
Treasurer:
Secretary: Mandy Castano
Historian: Lizeth Rodriguez
Parliamentarian:
Legislative Chair:
Membership Chair:
If you are interested in joining our PTA Board, please join our meeting on zoom Monday, November 9th, at 3 pm
Join Zoom Meeting: http://bit.ly/WidenPTA2020
Meeting ID: 956 3302 9281
Passcode: 1234
CATCH Kickoff
CATCH stands for Coordinate Approach To Community Health. We will be launching our first CATCH theme this week: basic concepts of healthy change. Students will be learning about GO, SLOW, and WHOA foods. Be sure to ask them about that. We also challenge each family to select 1 healthy change this week and stick with it until December 18th.
Thanksgiving To-Go Community Dinner November 19th
This year our Community Pot Luck will be to go, due to restrictions on public gatherings due to COVID-19. We will have a team of staff and parent volunteers preparing to go meals for our families on November 19th. But before that day gets here, we need your help! Widén will provide the Turkey, dressing, and to-go containers. We need your help with the sides. Please send as many of the above items as you can for your grade level this week and early next week. You can drop them off curbside or send them with your student to school. Your donation will allow us to prepare great meals to send home! Please call our office at 512-414-2556 if you have any questions.
Magnet Presentations for 5th Grade
Virtual Coffee Talk With The Principal
Parents are invited to join us for a virtual coffee talk with the principal on Friday, November 13th. SEL and home self care information will be shared, and parents are encouraged to ask questions and share infomration as well. For your convenience, there is a morning session at 8:15 am and an afternoon session at 3:30 pm.
Join us on Zoom:
bit.ly/WidenCoffeeTalk
Meeting ID: 873 6146 6170
Passcode: 1234
Weekly Update November 2, 2020
Parent Conference Week
This week is parent conference week. Teachers will contact parents to hold conferences via phone or on Zoom.
Student Holiday - Tuesday, November 3rd
Students have the day off on Tuesday, November 3rd, for Election day. Families are encouraged to vote in the presidential election. Teachers have professional development, but will also reach out to families to conduct parent conferences.
Virtual Awards Ceremonies
Our first awards ceremony is this Friday on Zoom. The ceremony schedule is listed on the above flyer. We have allocated 15 minutes for each class, and the classes will present awards in the order listed on the above flyer.
Join our Zoom Ceremony: bit.ly/WidenAwards
Meeting ID: 919 6005 2769
Password: 1234
Coming Soon: Thanksgiving Community Potluck To-Go Meals Event
The Thanksgiving Community Potluck is a huge event for our school. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, we will not be able to have a large indoor gathering, so this year we will prepare curbside meals to go! Widén will provide the turkey and dressing (and to go boxes), but we need your help with the sides. We need donations over the next two weeks. Please see the flyer above for suggested donations for each grade level. Your donation will allow us to provide a to-go for all of our family members. Thank you in advance for supporting our community this Thanksgiving holiday season!
AISD Technology Information Website
AISD’s technology team has launched a webpage that allows school communities to check the status of district systems such as the cloud and portal, as well as Accelify, School Messenger, and Zoom, at www.austinisd.org/technology/status.
Computer Literacy Class for Parents
ACC is offering free computer literacy classes for AISD parents. Classes are on Zoom and include information on the use of internet, email, Google, AISD Parent Cloud, and AISD Blend. Scan the QR code on the flyer above for more information.
Meals for Students & Families
Our cafeteria will continue to provide free breakfast, lunch, and weekend snacks for all of our on-campus students. And 7 day to-go meal packs are provided for all remote learners. These to-go meals can be picked up on Thursdays, from 7:00-9:00 am.
Magnet Schools Presentation for 5th Graders
Weekly Update October 26, 2020
More Students In Classrooms
This week we welcome back students in 5th grade who's families opted to return to campus. Please remember that return to campus is based on the response to the family survey, and all families returning should have received a confirmation call from campus administration before returning. If you have not received a confirmation call, you will need to contact the campus to confirm your child's return prior to returning (512-414-2556).
It is also important to note that this week we may have to reduce the distance between students in some classrooms to 3-5' depending on the number of students who opted to return. Remote learning will continue to be available to families all year long, so you do NOT have to return to on-campus learning if you prefer your child(ren) to remain at home.
STUDENTS RETURNING TO CAMPUS MUST BRING DEVICES BACK TO SCHOOL (ALONG WITH PERSONAL WATER BOTTLES)!
Red Ribbon Week Is HERE!
This week is Red Ribbon Week! Red Ribbon Week is an alcohol, tobacco, and other drug and violence prevention awareness week observed nationally, and we always celebrate this event with a week of dress up themes. We love to Tweet pictures and post pictures to our @widenelementaryschool FB page, and we hope you will share in the fun with us, whether your child is on campus or doing remote learning. Please text your pictures to Ms. Bryant at 1-602-809-4110.
The upcoming theme days are:
Monday 10/26: Red Ribbon Kick Off Day… Wear red.
Tuesday 10/27: Team up against drugs… Wear sports gear.
Wednesday 10/28: Eat healthy & colorful foods… Wear rainbow colors.
Thursday 10/29: Be who you want to be… Wear your costume. No Halloween masks or toy weapons.
Friday 10/30: Follow your dreams… Wear pajamas.
Widén Election Day / VOTE 2020
Creepy Curriculum Night: THIS Thursday, October 29th, 5-6 PM
No tricks! This night will be a treat! Even though we can not have events in the building right now, due to COVD-19, we found a creative way to still have a fun Halloween/Curriculum Night. Put on your costumes and come on over for a walk-by trick-or-treat! We will be dressed up too and giving away candy, as well as a math & reading game or activity for you to take home from 5-6 pm on 10/29.
The walk through will take place in the small front office drive through lot, where buses enter. Families can park in the lot or along the street and then walk to the drive-through entrance, visiting tables collecting treats, and then walk out through the exit of the drive through. We do ask that you remain a safe distance (6 feet or more) from other families, and masks are still required (even if you are wearing a Halloween costume).
Report Cards & Awards
Report cards will be ready on Thursday, October 29th. This year the district will distribute report cards electronically. All parents will receive report cards through email. Parents can request a hard copy (curbside) by calling our front office at 512-414-2556.
Our first Awards Ceremony for K-5th will take place on Friday, November 6th. It will take place during the day in classrooms (for on-campus students) and on Zoom for parents and remote students. We will share a flyer with the schedule and zoom link soon!
November 3rd Holiday & Parent Conference Week
Election day, November 3rd, is a student holiday for Austin ISD. Teachers will also be reaching out to families that week, November November 2nd-November 6th to have parent conferences via phone or zoom.
Weekly Update October 19, 2020
More Students In Classrooms
This week we welcome back students in 3rd & 4th grade who's families opted to return to campus. Please remember that return to campus is based on the response to the family survey, and all families returning should have received a confirmation call from campus administration before returning. If you have not received a confirmation call, you will need to contact the campus to confirm your child's return prior to returning (512-414-2556).
It is also important to note that this week we may have to reduce the distance between students in some classrooms to 3-5' depending on the number of students who opted to return. Remote learning will continue to be available to families all year long, so you do NOT have to return to on-campus learning if you prefer your child(ren) to remain at home.
STUDENTS RETURNING TO CAMPUS MUST BRING DEVICES BACK TO SCHOOL (ALONG WITH PERSONAL WATER BOTTLES)!
Caution! Shifting from on-campus to remote…
We are happy to continue to accommodate students in the building and students who choose at home learning. While it is okay to change your mind about how your child will participate in instruction, all requests to come back to the campus must be approved by campus administration and parents will be notified of a start date. Parents may switch back to remote learning at any time, but must communicate this to teachers to avoid being counted absent. If a second request is made to return to on campus learning, the start date will be delayed until the next grading period.
If you child needs to miss a day of on campus instruction for health reasons, but he/she participates in online instruction, the student will NOT be counted absent.
As students change their mind an switch from home to campus or campus to home, please be aware that this creates a hardship for the teacher in terms of planning for the amount of time for individual and small group instruction on zoom, and on campus, and creating the appropriate number and types of materials and resources for on campus and online. Parent changes result in teacher schedule changes. We hope that we all settle into a routine and can become more consistent with our schedules.
We apologize, please be patient with us…
It has been really hard on our teachers trying to adjust to teaching students in the classroom and at home at the same time. This is a brand new experience for us. As we navigate this simultaneous teaching experience, we are having to adjust our schedules as challenges arise. Attending to our kids in two different places at the same time is not an easy task, but we are getting better at it each day. We will most likely continue to make adjustments to schedules as more students return to the school. Teachers will continue to communicate schedule changes with you. We realize that schedule changes are a challenge for our remote learners. Please know we are doing our very best to settle into a schedule that allows us to serve our at-home and on-campus students to the best of our ability. This is a new world, and we are learning as we go!
Join the ACE Lights On After School on ZOOM event on Thursday, October 22nd, at 4:30 pm.
Click Here to Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 878 6371 9741
Passcode: uTBe8J
End of 1st Nine Weeks & Report Card Correction
The first report card grading period ends this Friday, October 23rd. Time flies! Report cards will be ready on Thursday, October 29th. This year the district will distribute report cards electronically. All parents will receive report cards through email. Parents can request a hard copy (curbside) by calling our front office at 512-414-2556.
Campus Advisory Council Meeting
All parents are welcome to join our Campus Advisory Council Meeting on Wednesday, October 21 at 3:30 pm. We will discuss our Creepy Curriculum Night, our Campus Improvement Plan, and the COVID-19 Response Quick Reference Guide.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 956 3302 9281
Passcode: 1234
One tap mobile
+1346248779
Coffee Talk With Principal
Please drop in on our ZOOM meeting with the principal, counselor, and reading specialist to discuss reading tips and resources, stress management strategies, and any other questions you may have. We will be available at 8:15 am and again at 3:30 pm this friday, October 23rd.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 873 6146 6170
Passcode: 1234
One tap mobile
+13462487799
Red Ribbon Week Is Coming!
Red Ribbon Week is coming soon (October 26th-30th). Red Ribbon Week is an alcohol, tobacco, and other drug and violence prevention awareness week observed nationally, and we always celebrate this event with a week of dress up themes. We love to Tweet pictures and post pictures to our @widenelementaryschool FB page, and we hope you will share in the fun with us, whether your child is on campus or doing remote learning. Please text your pictures to Ms. Bryant at 1-602-809-4110.
The upcoming theme days are:
Monday 10/26: Red Ribbon Kick Off Day… Wear red.
Tuesday 10/27: Team up against drugs… Wear sports gear.
Wednesday 10/28: Eat healthy & colorful foods… Wear rainbow colors.
Thursday 10/29: Be who you want to be… Wear your costume. No Halloween masks or toy weapons.
Friday 10/30: Follow your dreams… Wear pajamas.
Widén Election Day / VOTE 2020
Presidential election day is coming up, and this is a great opportunity for our students to learn about the election process and the importance of participating in democracy. On Tuesday, October 27th, our students and families can participate in a mock election using an electronic ballot link. We will meet on Zoom in the morning at 8:30 am to kick off the election, and we will announce the results on Zoom that afternoon at 2 pm. For additional questions contact our community school facilitator, Danielle Bryant at danielle.bryant@austinisd.org or 512-414-2556.
bit.ly/WidenElectionsKickOff
Meeting ID: 951 9859 0786
Passcode: vote
We also want to share resources with you for the actual election. Early voting ends on October 30, 2020, and the official election day is Tuesday, November 3, which is a student holiday.
English: https://lwvaustin.org/votersguide/LWVAA-VG-2020-11-ENG-web-final.pdf
Spanish: https://lwvaustin.org/votersguide/LWVAA-VG-2020-11-SPN-web-final.pdf
Creepy Curriculum Night: Thursday, October 29th, 5-6 PM
No tricks! This night will be a treat! Even though we can not have events in the building right now, due to COVD-19, we found a creative way to still have a fun Halloween/Curriculum Night. Put on your costumes and come on over for a walk-by trick-or-treat! We will be dressed up too and giving away candy, as well as a math & reading game or activity for you to take home from 5-6 pm on 10/29.
Last Call: Free Flu Clinic
This is a last call to submit your flu shot consent form to our front office no later than this Thursday, 10/22, if you want your child to receive a free flu shot on October 29th. Please drive through if you want us to bring you a consent form, or use the link below to print a copy of the form.
Consent Form
Parent Information Letter
Vaccine Information
Weekly Update October 12, 2020
Phase-In & Remote Learning
This week we welcome back students in 1st & 2nd grade who's families opted to return to campus. Please remember that return to campus is based on the response to the family survey, and all families returning should have received a confirmation call from campus administration. If you have not received a confirmation call, you will need to contact the campus to confirm your child's return prior to returning (512-414-2556). It is also important to note that this week we will be able to accommodate 25% of our building capacity, which means that we will be able to continue to maintain 6 feet distancing between students. However, next week, when we increase to 50% capacity, we will have to reduce the physical distance between students. It is also important to note that remote learning will be available to families all year long, so you do NOT have to return to on-campus learning if you prefer your child(ren) to remain at home.
STUDENTS RETURNING TO CAMPUS MUST BRING DEVICES BACK TO SCHOOL!
FREE FLU SHOTS FOR STUDENTS
We will have an optional flu clinic at Widén on Thursday, October 29th. Flu shots are available for any student doing on campus learning or remote learning. In order for your child to receive a vaccine, a completed consent form must be received by our front office staff no later than Thursday, October 22nd. You can print a form using the link below, or we will bring a copy to you in your car when you drive by.
Consent Form
Parent Information Letter
Vaccine Information
PTA Board Meeting
Our very first PTA Board Meeting of the 2020-2021 school year is this Friday, October 16th, at 2 pm on Zoom. We are looking for a few dedicated parents to take on PTA Board member roles, including a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer [and when we have enough interested people, boards include a Historian, Parliamentarian, Legislative Chair, and Membership Chair. We only meet once a month. And we just plan little events to help the school. If you are willing to join our team, please join our first Zoom Meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 956 3302 9281
Passcode: 1234
To Go Meals & Weekend Meals
Our cafeteria is distributing 7-day packages of curbside meals to go on Thursdays from 7-9 am. These to-go meals are ONLY for students participating in REMOTE learning.
Students who are attending on campus will receive free breakfast and lunch daily. They will also be able to take home to-go snacks for the weekend.
Weekly Update October 5, 2020
Change to Meal Pick Up System
Due to students being back in the building, kitchen staff will be preparing meals daily for students on campus; therefore, daily curbside meal distribution will NOT be available. Families can drive through and pick up 7 days of to-go meals on Thursdays from 7-9 am
Building Reopen Begins!
This week we reopen at 25% capacity with some of our PK-Kinder students, early childhood students, and siblings. Other grade levels will be phased in over the next few weeks. By now, you should have been contacted by campus staff to let you know your child's return date. It is important you follow this date and DO NOT show up at school prior to this date, due to spacing requirements. Please contact our front office if you are unsure of your child's return date.
REMOTE LEARNING will be provided all year for those who want it. Once your child returns to school, you may switch back to remote learning at any time. If you opted for remote learning and wish to switch to on-campus learning, you will need to contact the campus to make a request. Administrators have up to 5 days to accommodate the request, if it is a first request to switch back to on-campus learning. After a first request is accommodated, a second request will only be available at the beginning of the next grading period.
ON-CAMPUS STUDENTS MUST BRING CHROMEBOOKS & IPADS BACK TO SCHOOL!
Afternoon Dismissal
To maintain safety and social distancing, afternoon dismissal will be different. Parents that drive up or park and walk up will be assigned a numbered sign to wait by. Students will be called individually and escorted to the numbered sign. Please be patient with us, as this may take a little longer than usual. Thank you for helping us keep students and staff safe!
Help Us Keep Free Meals For All
Parents please click on the Income Verification Form above to complete it electronically. Only one form per family is needed. This information allows us to continue to receive free meals for all of our students. We need this form completed for all families as soon as possible. We have 22 responses so far. We need many more before the end of October.
English Form Link: https://forms.gle/7iSXtcB3siPVdHaTA
Spanish Form Link: https://forms.gle/CFFss4zBxSCozPHL7
Need a hard copy? ENG SPAN
WE DO HAVE SCHOOL ON OCTOBER 12th, BUT TUESDAY NOVEMBER 3rd - ELECTION DAY- IS A STUDENT HOLIDAY
AISD Text Messaging System
Austin ISD is expanding its capabilities to text families important information promptly via the School Messenger platform. Families will receive the following text message from 67587: “You’re registered 4 SchoolMessenger messages. Txt STOP to quit, HELP 4 help. Std msg/data rates may apply. Freq varies. schoolmessenger.com/tm”. We hope you will allow these text messages, as it will be a great way for us to get important infomration to you quickly!
Weekly Update September 28, 2020
On-Campus Instruction Information
Many thanks to all of our families for letting us know your preference to return to school or to stay home. We are preparing to provide online instruction for those who want it and face to face instruction for those who want it. The flyer above explains when students at different grade levels can return. This return is of course based on a limited capacity. We will notify all families this week of the return date for their child(ren).
STUDENTS RETURNING TO CAMPUS MUST BRING THEIR OWN AISD DEVICE (IPAD OR CHROMEBOOK) BACK TO THE SCHOOL WHEN THEY RETURN. THESE WILL BE USED DAILY DURING INDEPENDENT WORK TIME.
Health Screenings
Students returning to school will have a health screening, including a temperature check, prior to being able to enter the building each day. This will slow down the morning arrival process, so please be patient with us. Although doors will open at 7:00 am, teachers do not report to duty until 7:30 am. We will have limited staff on campus to help monitor students who arrive prior to 7:30 am. We will not be able to let students gather in the cafeteria as we did in the past. We have floor dots in the hallway, spaced 6 feet apart, where early arriving students can stand or sit until their teacher arrives.
Using the screen & go feature on the AISD Mobile App (pictured above) will speed up the health screening process, and students who get the green checkmark on that app will only need a temperature check at the screening station.
In order to be on the campus you must meet the following criteria:
- Temperature below 100 in the last 24 hours
- No OCVID-19 symptoms within the last 24 hours
- Nobody in the household tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 14 days
- No direct or close contact with anyone that has tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days
- Not currently awaiting results of a COVID-19 test
If your child meets any of the above criteria, he/she may not come to school. Please report any positive COVID-19 cases to our school office so that we can determine whether students or staff were exposed and distribute any notifications.
New Schedules for Online & On Campus
Since most of our teachers will be teaching students online and in the classroom simultaneously, we will implement new schedules for all students beginning on October 5th, that will allow teachers to alternate in person instruction followed by independent work time, and online instruction followed by asynchronous work time. This alternating of lessons will occur throughout the day. Please click on the schedule picture above that will take you to a list of all grade level schedules. Please keep in mind that these schedules are draft starting places for us as we begin the simultaneous teaching process. This is completely new for al of us, so adjustments to schedules will be made as needed. Teachers will keep you posted.
Also please note that due to the size of classrooms, the number of students returning, and the number of teachers returning, some students may not get to work with their own teacher when returning to school. We will do our best to keep all students with their current teachers, but some exceptions may need to be made. We will notify you of any needed adjustments as we move along.
STUDENTS RETURNING TO CAMPUS MUST BRING THEIR OWN AISD DEVICE (IPAD OR CHROMEBOOK) BACK TO THE SCHOOL WHEN THEY RETURN. THESE WILL BE USED DAILY DURING INDEPENDENT WORK TIME.
Masks & Protective Equipment and Procedures
ALL students and adults in the building must wear masks. Masks will be provided for those who arrive without them.There will be designated areas where a student can take a mask break as needed. Students who are unable to comply with the mask requirement may be asked to return to remote learning.
Breakfast and lunch will take place in the classroom. Clear view desk shields will be used during lunches so that masks can be removed while eating.
All classrooms will have hand sanitizer, wipes, masks, and gloves. Students will be encouraged to wear gloves or wipe down bathroom/sink surfaces they need to touch before and after use to reduce the spread of germs.
Water fountains will not be used by students, but adults can assist students with the refilling of water bottles as needed. Please be sure your child has his/her own water bottle.
Classes may take an outdoor recess break; however, play equipment will not be used due to the inability to keep children safely distanced and to keep the equipment properly sanitized. Students will remain distanced by 6' during outdoor breaks.
Each child will be provided with a large 3-gallon plastic ziplock bag to keep his/her own supplies in inside the classroom. No supplies will be shared. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT STUDENTS RETURNING TO CAMPUS BRING THEIR OWN AISD DEVICE BACK TO THE SCHOOL.
Students will be seated 6' apart while the school is at 25% capacity. We will do our best to place students with their own teacher, but adjustments may have to be made to comply with the 6' distance requirement. When we increase capacity to 50% on October 19th, students will be seated 3-6' apart, depending on the number of students who return.
Help Us Keep Free Meals For All
Parents please click on the Income Verification Form above to complete it electronically. Only one form per family is needed. This information allows us to continue to receive free meals for all of our students. We need this form completed for all families as soon as possible. We have 22 responses so far. We need many more before the end of October.
English Form Link: https://forms.gle/7iSXtcB3siPVdHaTA
Spanish Form Link: https://forms.gle/CFFss4zBxSCozPHL7
Need a hard copy? ENG SPAN
How Can Make Sure You Feel Valued?
Your voice and participation is so important to us! This is your school, and we want to make sure you feel comfortable being involved.Please take a moment to respond to the short 2 questions survey by clicking on the parent flyer above or by going to
http://bit.ly/WeValueParents.
Campus Advisory Council Meeting
Our first Campus Advisory Council Meeting is this Wednesday, September 30th at 3:30 pm. This meeting is open to the public. The topics for the meeting include reopening plans and campus improvement planning. Please join us if you can!
Victory Tutoring
VICTORY Tutorials has partnered with ACE Austin to provide 1:1 academic assistance for students in need of extra support in Math, Reading Writing and Science. Please share the sign-up form link with your parents.
Victory Tutorial Sign up!
Weekly Update September 21, 2020
Back To School Night
Join us this Thursday for an unusual Back to School Night. First, drive by the campus to get your curbside SWAG bag from 2-4 pm. Then join your child's teacher's Zoom meeting at 5 pm to get a virtual tour, ask questions, play and game, and have a PRIZE RAFFLE! Be sure you ask the teacher how to sign in virtually. The 3 teachers with the most parent visitors will also get a prize. This is an unusual year and this will be an unusual Back to School Night, but we will still have fun together!
Virtual Coffee Talk With The Principal
PTA Membership Time
Fall is the time to join PTA. It costs $9 to join online. You do NOT have to do anything else once you join. Your membership fee alone does sooooooooo much to support the school! You can join online at
txpta.org.
If you are interested in doing a little more, we do need to establish a new PTA Board, to include a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. If you are interested in being a board member, please email Ms. pace or Ms. Salinas.
jennifer.pace@austinisd.org
idalia.salinas@austinisd.org
Is Your Child Gifted?
Now is the time to nominate your child for consideration for the AISD Gifted & Talented Program.
To learn more about this program, please click here.
To submit a nomination, please click here.
Dove Springs Proud COVID-19 Relief $
If a person needs help with rent or medical bills as a result of COVID-19 and lives in 78744, you can apply for relief money from DSP (only 1 application per household, and application does not guarantee assistance, amount of assistance varies) To apply follow the steps below and email all information below to dovespringsproud@yahoo.com.
First join Dove Springs Proud Facebook group, then accept DSP President Friend Request on Facebook.
Submit proof that you have or had COVID with your name.
Submit a government-issued ID that matches your current address with your name and your address in 78744.
Submit proof of medical bill from COVID, and/or proof of electric or rent/mortgage bill for DSP to consider paying due to COVID such as loss of job
Post DSP logo on your personal FB page and tag DSP President.
Create Paypal.me account online to get $ online with your debit card or bank account linked to it. Send link.
Complete the survey application:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QSFB62XWith thanks from Ricardo Zavala, President of Dove Springs Proud
AISD Phase-In Plan
Beginning on October 5th, AISD schools will begin to phase in students who wish to return to school for face-to-face instruction. Schools will operate at 25% capacity for two weeks, October 5th through October 16th. During the first week of phase in, priority will be given to Early Childhood Special Education, students whose parents work for AISD, PreK-3, PreK4, Kindergarten, and siblings. Capacity and social distancing requirements may result in limited space for Pre-K and kindergarten students. And dependending on how many students actually want to return, some space may be available for students in other grades. If space allows additional students will be added to the phase in, beginning with first and second grade students during the week of October 12-16th. Then, if conditions allow, we will move to a 50% capacity model, adding 3rd and 4th grade students during the week of October 19-23rd, and 5th grade students October 26-30th. This week Widén administrators will process parent survey results to plan for the phase in by identifying priority students. We will notify all parents wanting students to return of their child's return date during the week of September 28-october 2nd. Please call our office with any questions or concerns. We are here to help, and we will work through the phase in process together!
Work On Your Own Wednesdays
This is a friendly reminder that starting this week, every Wednesday during remote learning, will be a day for students to complete independent work and for teachers to plan for online instruction. Teachers will be checking in with students on Wednesdays, but we will not follow our regular daily zoom schedules on Wednesdays. All teachers, including music, art, and PE will have lessons and activities for students to complete on their own in their Blend courses. Please contact your child's teacher or our front office (512)-414-2556 if you have questions or need assistance.
Can we have 30 minutes of your time?
What is PTA and who has time for it? It is not scary at all! It is easy to participate! And it is just a good thing to do. Can we have 30 minutes of your time this Friday, September 18th, at 2 pm? We just want to tell you what PTA is and what PTA does. There is no cost to attend this meeting, and no obligation to join, volunteer, or do anything at all. And to show our appreciation for joining the online meeting, we will have a tabletop whiteboard easel for your child to use at home for remote learning.
Click HERE to join the meeting. Meeting ID: 956 3302 9281 Passcode: 1234
What will you do when schools reopen?
Beginning on October 6th, schools will reopen at 25% capacity. The capacity will increase over a six week phase-in period. Families will have the option to return to the school building or continue with remote learning. What would you like to do? It will be important for schools to know how many families want to return and how many families want to continue with remote learning in order to prepare for enough teachers in the building and enough teachers providing remote instruction.
AISD sent a survey to parents (on Thursday, September 10th) via email and text message to collect information about whether your student(s) will return to school or continue to do remote instruction when campuses reopen. If you have not completed this survey, please do so as soon as possible, so that we can prepare. You will need your child's ID number for the survey. If you do not know your child's ID number, please contact your child's teacher or our front office at (512)-414-2556.
Click HERE to take the survey.
If you have questions regarding the survey, please submit them using the AISD Let's Talk site.
At Your Service Hour
Remote learning from home is challenging, but we will get through this together! Join our At Your Service Hour for Parents every Wednesday, from 2-3 pm on zoom . We will try to help answer any of your questions!
Click Here to Join The MeetingMeeting ID: 555 667 8471
Password: 1234
Have you lost your device? Broken Device?
Call our office (512-414-2556), the student help desk, (512-414-4357) or parent help desk (512-414-9187) and ask a staff member to report the device as lost or stolen. You may be asked to provide information and details.
**NOTE: Reporting the device as lost/stolen authorizes us to use location tracking to identify the device’s location.
Student devices in need of repair: Families can take iPads, Chromebooks, and hotspots in need of repair to either your school or to one of the Curbside locations, where they can be swapped out as long as supplies allow.
Dove Springs 78744
What type of art should the City put up on East William Cannon in 78744? Use your voice to direct public art near you! Complete an Art-on-the-Corridor survey in English or Spanish. Tell us where the street meets your story.
Art-on-the-Corridor is working with the City of Austin’s Corridor Program Office and neighborhoods to identify public art or cultural spaces along nine designated roadways in Austin. The Art-on-the-Corridor Project is gathering stories from community members to express the culture and spirit of each corridor. These stories will help create public art to support each community.
Thank you. Ricardo Zavala, MPA
Dove Springs Proud (DSP) Founder/President for 78744
September Parent Calendar
It's official! School has started, and we are so excited! It is a busy month. Here is our September Parent Calendar.
At Your Service Hour
Remote learning from home will be challenging for all of us, but we will get through this together! Join our At Your Service Hour for Parents every Wednesday, from 2-3 pm on zoom . We will try to help answer any of your questions!
Click Here to Join The Meeting
Meeting ID: 555 667 8471
Password: 1234
Technology Trouble?
We have paper
Learning Guides available for students experiencing special circumstances and challenges. We strongly recommend participating in online instruction to the greatest extent possible; however, curbside paper
Learning Guides are available for pick up.
Learning Guides are available in 2 week bundles. Work completed in the paper
Learning Guides must be communicated to teachers on a daily basis for attendance and grading purposes.
In addition to paper Learning Guides, consumable textbooks can be provided for special circumstances. Textbook pick-up requests must be made by contacting our front office at 512-414-2556.
Curbside Cookies
We want to show our love for GRANDPARENTS. Please drive through on Monday, September 14th, between 9 am and 3 pm so that we can run some cookies out to you in the office side drive through lot. If your grandparent cannot make it to the school, please come pick up some cookies for them.
Parent Handbook for Blend & Seesaw
Free Curbside Supplies To-Go
We would love to give you some school supplies to use at home during online learning! Please drive through the front office drive-through parking lot Tuesday - Friday this week from 9-11 am and 1-3 pm, to receive your supply pck! One per family while supplies last.
Free curbside meals are provided in the to-go drive through lane on the cafeteria side of the building Monday - Friday from 10:30 am - 12:30 pm!
Last Call To Get Your Device!
Our records indicate we have 98 students who still need to get their iPad and 22 students who still need to get their Chromebook. To speed up the distribution process so that all families have devices in time, the district is delivering all remaining devices to campuses. We received our iPads on Friday, and the Chromebooks will be delivered on Monday. If you requested a pick up or a delivery, we are asking that you come to Widén Elementary this week for curbside device checkout. The district is delayed in deliveries, so pick up at Widén will be the fastest method for our students who still need devices.
Widén Elementary device pick up 9 am - 3 pm
Technology FAQ
If you need technology assistance please contact the AISD Technology support line at 512-414-9187 or submit an electronic request for assistance by clicking here.
Please Let Us Know How We Can Help!
Please let us know if there is anything you need. We will have paper copies of Learning Guide Packets available each week, and we have some take-home textbooks available by request for special circumstances. Please let your child's teacher know if you need these, or call our front office at, 512-414-2556, to arrange a curbside pick up time. You can email front office staff for assistance also!
Principal: jennifer.pace@austinisd.org
Assistant Principal: patricia.williams@austinisd.org
Registrar: jessica.bustamante@austinisd.org
Front Office Support: brenda.gill@austinisd.org
IT'S TIME!!!!! Virtual Meet The Teacher!!!!!
Our Virtual Meet the Teacher event will take place this Tuesday, August 25th, from 4-5 pm and then again this Wednesday, August 26th, from 9-10 am. The event will take place on Zoom. Parents can drop in anytime during the Zoom hour using the clickable links on the flyer above. The main goal is to allow you to meet your child's teacher and exchange contact information. Don;t worry if you miss the event. Your child's teacher will reach out to you to connect personally prior to the first day of virtual school on September 8, 2020.
Can we help you prepare for online school?
Widén staff will be reaching out to all families to see if your child is ready to begin online instruction. We want to be sure that you have everything you need and that you are ready to go on September 8th. We are here to help you in any way we can. So please be expecting a call from someone this week. If you prefer to share your information with us electronically, please use the 2020-2021 Parent Contact Information Form Above, and provide any specific comments about what your child needs or how we can help you access online instruction.
Curbside Meals Available NOW!
Cafeteria staff is providing free meals for any child under 19, and their parents or caregivers. When school resumes on September 8, students or parents must show documentation they are enrolled in AISD, and free meals will only be available to students. Documentation may be a student ID card, student ID number or an official letter or email from the school showing that the child is currently enrolled at an AISD school. Meals will be provided along the drive-through pick up lines on the west side of the building. Each day, students may pick up breakfast and lunch meals, packaged together. Meals will not be provided on Labor Day, September 7th.
Still needing a device for your child?
Grades 3-12: Families who need a Chromebook can now go to one of the Computer Curbside locations to pick up a device. The Technology Department will be reaching out about deliveries and campus-based distributions once the iPad deliveries are successfully up and running.
PreK3-2nd: Families who missed the assigned iPad pick up days last week or who register late, will be able to pick up an iPad at one of the Computer Curbside locations. We will soon expand to seven.
Curbside School Supply Giveaway
Are you in need of school supplies to use at home? We will be providing a drive-through, curbside supply giveaway September 1st-4th from 9-11 am and 1-3 pm. We will have backpacks with school supplies for our students. Quantities will be limited to one bag per family while supplies last.
iPad Distribution
Widén Parents of registered PK, Kinder, 1st, and 2nd Grade students can pick up an iPad for your child at Mendez Middle School on:
Monday, August 17th from 2pm-7pm
Tuesday, August 18th from 7:30am-1:30 pm
Wednesday, August 19th from 7:30am-1:30 pm
You will need their child’s student ID number. You can find this in the parent portal or in the email you should have received from the AISD technology department on August 12th.
If you miss the distribution dates/times please contact our office staff for assistance requesting a device, or submit a request through the Parent Cloud.
Virtual Meet The Teacher
Our Virtual Meet the Teacher event will take place on Tuesday, August 25th, from 4-5 pm and then again on Wednesday, August 26th, from 9-10 am. The event will take place on Zoom. Parents can drop in anytime during the Zoom hours using the clickable links on the flyer below. The main goal is to allow you to meet your child's teacher and exchange contact information. Your child's teacher will reach out to you and your child to connect more personally prior to the first day of virtual school on September 8, 2020.
Curbside Supply Giveaway
Are you in need of school supplies to use at home? We will be providing a drive-through, curbside supply giveaway September 1st-4th from 9-11 am and 1-3 pm. We will have backpacks with school supplies for our students. Quantities will be limited to one bag per family while supplies last.
For families without technology or internet access, we will be providing textbooks to use at home during the online only instruction weeks from September 8th through October 2nd. Materials will be distributed through the front office drive through lane.
Free Curbside Meal Service
Exciting news! Widén Elementary will be a curbside meal service location beginning on August 18th. Meals will be available Monday - Friday, from 10:30 am - 12:30 pm. Cafeteria staff will provide
free meals for any child under 19, and their parents or caregivers, through
September 4. When school resumes on
September 8, students or parents must show documentation they are enrolled in AISD, and free meals will only be available to students. Documentation may be a student ID card, student ID number or an official letter or email from the school showing that the child is currently enrolled at an AISD school. Meals will be provided along the drive-through pick up lines on the west side of the building. Each day, students may pick up breakfast and lunch meals, packaged together. Meals will not be provided on Labor Day, September 7th. Up-to-date meal service information will continue to be accessible on the AISD website at
austinisd.org/covid19/meals.
ACE Virtual After School Program - FREE
Please sign up today and reserve your child's virtual spot in our program. We will offer both "Anytime" and "Live Virtual" activities! You can now choose what works best with your schedule at home!
Please read the instructions carefully and submit your completed registration when done. You will need to do one registration for each child in your household.
ACE After-School Activities will begin on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. All activities will be available from 3:30 - 6:00 pm, a schedule of activities that are grade level specific, will be emailed to you.
CLICK HERE FOR THE ACE NEWSLETTER
Weekly Update August 10, 2020
September 8, 2020 is the First Day of School
In order to for teachers to better prepare for full day online instruction (synchronous and asynchronous), The AISD Board of trustees voted to push back the first day of school for students to September 8th. The last day of school will be pushed back to June 3, 2021. A new calendar will be developed and shared with parents soon.
Technology for All Students
The district will provide chromebooks for all 3rd-5th grade students and iPads for all PK-2nd grade students. Chromebooks were distributed to most students last year. iPad distribution will take place over the next few weeks. Parents of students who need a device can submit a technology request by (1) using the
Technology Distribution Tile in the Parent Cloud, or (2) calling the Widén Office and asking office at 512-414-2556 staff to submit a request.
The Austin ISD Parent Technology Help line is 512-4149187.
VIRTUAL MEET THE TEACHER COMING SOON! MEET YOUR CHILD'S TEACHER ON ZOOM August 25th & 26th. MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON!
We want to share basic online schedules with you to help you prepare for online learning at home. Teachers will be sharing more detailed schedules with you at the start of the year that will include specific small group instruction times for your child.
THE SCHEDULES ABOVE WILL BE FOLLOWED MONDAY, TUESDAY, THURSDAY, & FRIDAY. WEDNESDAYS ARE RESERVED FOR ONLINE ACTIVITY PLANNING & PREPARATION AND STUDENT INDEPENDENT WORK COMPLETION. TEACHERS WILL CHECK IN WITH STUDENTS INDIVIDUALLY ON WEDNESDAYS AS NEEDED.
CAMPUS REOPENING SAFETY PLAN COMING SOON!
