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January 16: No School

January 17: 5th Grade Middle School Visits

January 20: Lockdown Drill

January 26: 5th Grade Math Spring Benchmark

January 27: 100th Day of School!

January 31: 3rd & 4th Grade Math Spring Benchmark and 5th Science Spring Benchmark

Dear Families, Staff, and Community,

The DVISD administration and the District Advisory Team, which consists of staff, parents, and community members, have drafted two calendar options for consideration for the 2023-2024 School Year. Based on this feedback, administration will present a final proposal to the Board of Trustees at the February meeting for approval.

Click to view Option A / Haga clic para ver la opción A

Click to view Option B / Haga clic para ver la opción B

Calendar Survey: Complete survey by clicking here.

Please complete the survey by February 7.

Calendar Highlights:

Commonalities of Both Calendars

• Winter Break aligns with many other area districts and provides 10 school days off during the break: December 23 - January 8 (First day of Spring Semester for students: Tuesday, January 9, 2024)

• Spring Break aligns with all other area districts and Austin Community College, where some of our students take dual-credit courses: March 11-15, 2024

• Last day of school for students: Thursday, May 23, 2024

• Please note: Both calendar options will have an early release day each week. Please ensure that you complete the survey to indicate which early release day works best.

Option A

This calendar option is based on positive feedback from our current school year. It provides teachers with professional learning during the school year to support students, with a fall mid-semester break for students.

• First day for students: Wednesday, August 9, 2023

• Professional development week (No school for students): October 16-20

• Professional development days (No school for students): February 16 & 19, 2024

Option B

This option provides teachers with professional learning at the start of the school year with a later first day of school for students.

• First day for students: Monday, August 14, 2023

• Professional development day (No school for students): Monday, October 9, 2023

• Professional development days (No school for students): February 16 & 19, 2024

On January 20th, Collins Elementary will conduct a lockdown drill. The purpose of this drill is for students and staff to practice processes and procedures should an emergency on campus occur. Several police officers will be present to lead our campus in the drill. Teachers will review the processes and procedures for a lockdown drill with your students prior to the drill.

Please assist us in reminding your student that a drill will take place. Also, please note that no one will be allowed on or off the campus during the drill. There will be signs posted to notify anyone who might be attempting to visit the campus. If you have any questions, please contact any campus administrator.

Hello Newton Collins PTA!

Welcome to 2023! We had a great first semester and we are excited about what we can do for the second half of the school year.

A few dates to be aware of:

• February 9 - Family Dance: The first ever family dance! More information to come but save the date! We will send out a sign up genius for parents to help with selling food for this. We hope you can attend.

• February 28 - PTA Meeting and Elections: Fill this out by January 23 so we can set a meeting time!

• March 2 - Family Fun Night: This is hosted through Newton Collins. The PTA has agreed to sell concessions during this event. Sign up HERE to volunteer 30 minutes of your time.

It’s hard to believe, but we are already planning for Fall 2023. We are launching our NC PTA program and project application process for all of the great ideas parents and teachers have presented this first semester. A program has a longer timeline (example: community garden, after-school enrichment class, Hallway Heroes) where a project is a one time thing (example: playground equipment, digital marquee, science experiment equipment). Due to the resources we have, the executive board will review proposals submitted and determine which programs will be sponsored by the PTA in terms of fundraising for next year and allocating resources. If you have a great idea for a new initiative at Newton Collins, please reach out to jessica.acebo@gmail.com (VP of Programs) for an application. Jessica Manning-Acebo is willing to help you fill out the form should you have any questions and will walk you through the steps needed to submit the application. The due date for all program and project proposals will be February 10.

Are you interested in getting more involved? We will have executive board positions open for next school year (VP-Membership and Fall Festival Committee Chair, perhaps others!) More information will be provided around open positions and the PTA election process as we get closer.

Cheers to the second half of the school year!

5th Grade Middle School Transition Support

Hello! My name is Dr. Castaneda and I am the Coordinator for School Counseling in Del Valle ISD. I am excited to be working with your 5th grade student, you and the teachers to choose classes for middle school!

We will be visiting their zoned middle school on Tuesday January 17th.

On January 19th I will review the choice sheets with your student. They will take the choice sheets home for review and a parent signature. Choice Sheets will be due back to your student's homeroom teacher by January 27, 2023.

I am attaching a QR code that has the Middle School Course Catalog where you can read descriptions of the classes that are offered in middle school.

Please feel free to email (carmen.castaneda@dvisd.net) or call me (512-386-3844) with any questions you or your student may have.

For more information, please click the following link. Apply today!

https://delvalle.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=3683

Visitors & Volunteer Guidelines

• Pre-approved volunteers will be permitted at campuses, specific to campus needs
  • Volunteers must complete the district volunteer application and DPS background check form available in every Collins Parent Newsletter (see below)
  • The form can be dropped off at your child’s school.
  • A background check is required for all volunteers.
  • Volunteers will follow the direction of campus administration while on campus
  • A “hug zone” will be established at elementary campuses in order for parents to say goodbye and send students to their classrooms.
• Parents will not be permitted to attend lunch at school with their students
• Campuses will host in-person on-campus events outside of school hours

Parent and community volunteers are integral to our school’s success. There are many ways for you to get involved in our community. If you are interested in volunteering, please complete the form below. We look forward to hearing from you!

All on-campus volunteers and parent chaperones for field trips MUST complete a background check and volunteer application. This takes awhile to process so complete yours now!

Please complete the forms below and email to araceli.mcbeth@dvisd.net

English Volunteer Survey:

https://forms.gle/9gB47Sar3Uqw2AZW6

Spanish Volunteer Survey:

https://forms.gle/bQjiYGhEMnPsudL67