School Matters
March 2022
2022 Bond Advisory Committee commences work
Population and Survey Analysts (PASA) recently completed a Demographic Study for Lake Travis ISD, and an overview was presented to the school board during its regular meeting on January 18, 2022. According to PASA, the Demographic Study includes an analysis of current student locations, potential growth based on new housing, trends in student relocation patterns throughout Lake Travis ISD, and economic factors relevant to the greater district area. District officials may use the findings to plan for and address continued growth in student enrollment. New school facilities and other capital improvements would require voter approval through a bond referendum.
The complete report can be accessed on the LTISD website.
Also on January 18, 2022, Dr. Lizzy Johnson, founder of TransCend4, shared information with the board of trustees and community regarding long-range facilities planning services her company can provide to the District as it prepares for the calling of a bond election in November 2022. Dr. Johnson’s career has been spent in education as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, director of secondary education, and most recently as the founder of TransCend4.
Subsequently, Lake Travis ISD has convened a Bond Advisory Committee. The committee, which consists of approximately 57 members including parents, students, community members and staff, is charged by the LTISD Board of Trustees to:
- prioritize the needs of all students and make decisions that will enable students to receive a premier education;
- represent the expectations and values of the community;
- consider projects that will provide a safe and secure educational setting for students and staff; and
- make recommendations that enhance the District's capacity to provide conditions for quality teaching and learning within the parameters of fiscal capacity and responsibility.
The committee's first meeting was held March 7, 2022 at the Lake Travis ISD Transportation Center conference room. The orientation was facilitated by Dr. Johnson who shared expectations, meeting norms and a decision-making model with the group. Superintendent Paul Norton provided a brief history of facility improvements from the most recent 2018 Bond, and Assistant Superintendent for Business Services Pam Sanchez shared an overview of school finance. The group will meet throughout the spring and is expected to make a recommendation to the school board in June for a potential bond package.
Resources provided to the committee may be accessed below:
- Long Range Facilities Planning Committee Members
- Long Range Facilities Planning Committee - Meeting 1 Agenda
- Long Range Facilities Planning Committee - Meeting 1 Slide Deck Presentation
For more information, visit ltisdschools.org/bond.
The Lake Travis Education Foundation is currently accepting scholarship applications from Lake Travis High School seniors. The application process is completely virtual.
There are numerous scholarships available to LTHS graduating seniors including the LTEF Scholarship which is awarded each year to students who embody, in spirit and deeds, the exemplary culture of LTISD.
To apply, please visit the Scholarships page on the LTEF website by midnight Tuesday, March 22.
FANS reduces serving lines at BCE, LPE due to staff shortages
Due to staff shortages, effective Monday, March 21, 2022, our Food and Nutrition Services (FANS) Department has reduced lunch service from two lines to one at Bee Cave and Lake Pointe elementary schools.
"We recognize and understand the concern for students to be served and eat in a timely manner," said Brad Bailey, Assistant Superintendent for Operations. "Due to limited service, we urge parents to send their child to school with a sack lunch to avoid longer than usual wait times. Our school administrators, café staff, and monitors will do everything possible to facilitate a safe and efficient process."
The district will continue to advertise and recruit candidates in an effort to resume full operations at the Bee Cave and Lake Pointe elementary cafés.
"We regret any inconvenience this may cause and thank our parents for their patience and understanding at this time," added Mr. Bailey.
Lake Travis Elementary School principal announces retirement
Pam Schaeffer has shared that she will retire at the end of the current school year. Ms. Schaeffer has spent the last two years of her 20-plus year career in public education serving as principal of Lake Travis Elementary School. Superintendent Paul Norton and the LTISD senior staff will work with Ms. Schaeffer to ensure a successful end to the school year for staff, students and families.
The LTE principal position was posted March 9 on the LTISD Careers webpage.
"As we begin the process of hiring Ms. Schaeffer’s successor, we ask that you please join us in wishing Ms. Schaeffer and her family all the best in her retirement," encouraged Mr. Norton.
Registration for Summer 2022 Enrichment Camps is open
The LTISD Community Programs Summer 2022 Enrichment Camps online registration is now open. Students in grades PreK-12 may choose from art, STEM, sports, and other exciting offerings.
View our catalog and learn more at https://www.ltisdschools.org/Page/4537.
Former professional athlete to share motivational message with LTHS parents
Former professional football athlete-turned author and motivational speaker Spencer J. Conley will bring his message to parents of Lake Travis High School on Wednesday, March 23.
"Our mission is to encourage, empower, and support life changing leadership through the power of positive influence that leaves one 'Too Driven' to do anything other than succeed," said Conley.
The parent night is scheduled to begin at 7:00 pm in the Black Box Theater. The presentation will also be live streamed.
LTHS visual arts advances to state
Lake Travis High School has advanced 21 entries to the state Visual Arts Scholastic Event better known as VASE, a statewide curricular competition for high school students that gives them the opportunity to develop creative works of art and to discuss and analyze their artwork with professionals.
Last month, LTHS had 161 entries receive medals with a superior rating at the Region 13N VASE competition in Round Rock. Each region can advance 10% of its medaled entries. LTHS art teachers are Amber Forgey, Elizabeth Jewett, Bohye Na, Jennifer Nowzaradan, Caleigh Taylor, and Diane Wrinkle.
The following students medaled and their entries have qualified for state VASE to be held April 29-30 in San Marcos:
- Hailey Browning
- Avery Ebersol (2 entries)
- Dakota Evans
- Campbell Grey
- Julia Houle
- Erin Jackson
- Madison Jensen
- Seoul Lee
- Ava Mahan
- Isaac Might
- Nicolas Miller
- Regan Moore
- Eliana Murphy
- Leo Pickard
- Emma Powis
- Cash Spille
- Chloe Storm (2 entries)
- Annalisa Sweat
- Keaton White
LTHS forms SkillsUSA chapter, qualifies for state
Lake Travis High School formed a local chapter of SkillsUSA earlier this year, and already, students are headed to state competition.
SkillsUSA is an extension of the Career and Technical Education program where students compete in various events in their career pathways. Students earn recognition on district, state, national and international levels.
Twenty students competed in the first District 10 competition last month in Waco:
- Entrepreneurship: (Gold) Coburn Presley, Aanchal Narayan, Ben Duran, and Alexander Sica
- Quiz Bowl: (Gold) Huy Nguyen, Andrew Yun, Annabella Smith, Caitlin Chlebos, Ava Ammerman, and Maeson Wilcox
- Customer Service: (Gold) Andy Villeda-Agis
- Community Service: (Gold) Hannah Davis, Ashley Girard, and Norah Johnson
- Architectural Drafting: (Gold) Maeson Wilcox
- Extemporaneous Speaking: (Gold) Aaliya Maknojiya
- Career Promo Demonstration: (Gold) Ava Ammerman, Caitlin Chlebos, and Andy Villeda-Agis
- Career Pathway, Human Services: (Gold) Hannah Davis, Ashley Girard, and Norah Johnson
- Career Pathway, Marketing: (Gold) Aaliya Maknojiya, Andrew Yun, and Zara Sellick
- Career Pathway, Science and Technology: (Gold) Arienne Colin Caldona, and Annabella Smith
- Technical Computer Applications: (Gold) Huy Nguyen
- Robotics and Automation: (Gold) Jaxson Miller and Will Hellinger
- Pin Design: (Gold) Arienne Colin Cardona
- Prepared Speech: (Silver) Zara Sellick
- Medical Terminology: (Silver) Caitlin Chlebos
- Related Technical Math: (Bronze) Annabella Smith
- Computer Programming: (Bronze) Huy Nguyen
All students have advanced to the state competition to be held March 31-April 3 in Corpus Christi. Program advisors are Terri Jacobs and Cathryn Merrill.
BCMS student wins multi-level DAR awards
Evie Rew-Hunter, a 6th grade student at Bee Cave Middle School, is the receipt several awards from the Daughters of the American Revolution, Lohmann's Ford Chapter in Lakeway.
Evie wrote a short story for the contest about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier which garnered 1st Place at the local, state and regional levels. She won 2nd Place at the national level amongst all 6th grade students who entered the competition across the United States.
The Daughters of the American Revolution, Lohmann's Ford Chapter was organized in 1994. The organization boasts more than 100 members and supports the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution by promoting historic conservation, education, and patriotism through various charitable events and activities in Lakeway.
LTHS DECA advances to international competition
Congratulations to the following Lake Travis High School DECA students who earned
Finalist honors at state competition last month in Houston and have advanced to the organization's International Career Development Conference April 23-26 in Atlanta:
- Accounting Applications Series:
Robert Paine - Business Law and Ethics Team Decision Making:
Aelan Amow and Emmerson Bergstrom - Food Marketing Series:
Andrew Yun - Marketing Communications Series:
Tihar Islam - Principles of Hospitality and Tourism:
Andy Villeda-Agis - Project Management Career Development:
Shalini Parepally and Adithi Rao - Principles of Marketing:
Kailey Cox - Professional Selling Event:
Ravi-Tej Guntuku - Sports and Entertainment Marketing Series:
Jason Li - Sports & Entertainment Team Decision Making:
Michelle Antony and Rachel Yang - Travel & Tourism Team Decision Making:
Siddharth Sreenivasan and Connor West
Additionally, Hanna Ngo and Hanny Ngo qualified in Fashion: 1st in Texas, 1st in the southern region of the US, and 2nd in the nation out of 268 teams. Robert Paine qualified in Retail: 1st in Texas, 2nd in the southern region of the US, and 20th in the nation out of 657 teams. Zaid Ahmed and Nausheen Hossain qualified in Hotel Management: 2nd in Texas, 2nd in the southern region of the US, and 8th in the nation out of 236 teams. Ayesha Haider and Meghana Singireddy qualified in Sports: 2nd in Texas, 2nd in the southern region of the US, and 5th out of 214 teams.
DECA is one the largest student organizations on the Lake Travis High School campus which prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. DECA students are advised by LTHS teachers Jill Oates and Tracey Griffith. For more information, visit www.ltdeca.org.
HBMS student produces award-winning water conservation PSA
Congratulations to Hudson Bend Middle School student Gary "Ace" Hart for his award-winning video about water conservation. His video took 1st place (6th-8th grade category) in the Take Care of Texas 2022 video contest.
Ace, along with a teacher or parent, will be recognized at the Environmental Trade Fair and Conference on May 11 in Austin. In addition to the recognition, Ace's winning video will be aired at the banquet.
As a contest winner, Ace will receive an $800 scholarship for new camera gear. The scholarship award will be distributed by the contest sponsor, Waste Management of Texas, Inc.
"We had a great time watching Ace's video and appreciate his hard work and creativity," said Jonathan Nolte of Take Care of Texas.
LTHS HOSA to compete at state
- Sports Medicine:
Shreyas Durga - Clinical Nursing:
Callie Roth - Public Health:
Kaelyn Bombick and Hannah Headrick - Public Service Announcement:
Ayesha Haider, Disha Sharma and Meghana Singireddy - Research Poster:
Zander Crowns - Job Seeking Skills:
Ella Kelly
According to Texas HOSA, HOSA is a powerful curricular program of student-lead activities designed to develop future leaders for the health care system. HOSA participation provides opportunities for students to:
- develop effective leadership qualities and skills;
- enhance communication skills;
- develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills;
- build self-esteem through individual and group achievement;
- participate in community service activities;
- develop character and responsible citizenship traits;
- set goals for life long learning and make realistic career choices;
- network with health care professionals and peers who have similar goals; and access student scholarship opportunities.
Morgan Looney is the HOSA advisor at Lake Travis High School.
LTHS Orchestra earns UIL Sweepstakes
LTISD celebrates March 7-11 as National School Breakfast Week
LTISD recognizes March 7-11 as Educational Diagnosticians Week
Educational diagnosticians are certified professionals who help identify many types of learning disorders. In recognition of the critical role these individuals play in providing students with a high-quality education, Lake Travis ISD joined the Texas Educational Diagnosticians Association to celebrate March 7-11 as Educational Diagnosticians Week.
The following educational diagnosticians serve students across LTISD:
- Diana Alexander, RHE
- Casey Brown, LTHS
- Jeff Dietzel, LTHS
- Leena Gulati, SHE
- Traci Jackson, LTMS
- Stacey Oncale, BCMS
- Carissa Puls, BCE
- Lari Rogge, LPE
- Thelene Scarborough, LWE
- Jennifer Scoggins, HBMS
- Robin Yeamans, WCHE
LTISD highlights March 6-12 as National School Social Work Week
With the theme “Time to Shine,” Lake Travis ISD joined the School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA) to celebrate March 6-12 as National School Social Work Week.
Together with SSWAA, Lake Travis ISD believes that school social workers shine brightly for our students, families, and school community. School social workers are critical members of the education team, playing a central role in creating a positive environment in our schools. These professionals are especially skilled in identifying and providing services to students who face serious challenges to school success including poverty, disability, discrimination, abuse, addiction, bullying, loss of a loved one, and other barriers to learning.
The following school social workers serve students across LTISD:
- Tracy Barney - BCMS, LPE, BCE
- Lacey Branker - LTHS
- Leslie Doctor - LTMS, WCHE, RHE
- Rachael Macomber - LTHS
- Daniela McFarland - HBMS, LTE, LWE, SHE
LTHS student-athlete signs letter of intent
Join Superintendent Norton for Friday Facebook Live March 25
LTEF raises funds for scholarships through annual Butterfly Brunch
"The annual event celebrated our Lake Travis schools and the dynamic women leaders throughout the Lake Travis community," said Katie Kauffman, LTEF Executive Director.
Proceeds from the event will fund educator grants throughout the district as well as a new LTEF scholarship dedicated to a young woman leader graduating from the Lake Travis High School Class of 2022.
Photos courtesy of Safina Mahmood.
Tickets on sale for the annual LTEF Gala
Interested in a corporate partnership with LTISD?
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Lake Travis Independent School District
Email: info@ltisdschools.org
Website: www.ltisdschools.org
Location: 3322 Ranch Road 620 South, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-533-6000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ltisdschools/
Twitter: @ltisdschools