Dear Lake Travis ISD Staff, Parents and Guardians,

Upon extensive communication and consultation with Texas Education Agency representatives, area school district leaders, Lake Travis ISD senior staff and Board President Kim Flasch, and in a concerted attempt to help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus in our community, I am suspending all normal school operations for Lake Travis ISD through Sunday, April, 5, 2020.

There are approximately 1,250 school districts and charter schools in Texas. As of Saturday, March 14, approximately 300 Texas school districts had announced closures following spring break. On Sunday, March 15, that number nearly doubled to 569 school districts. As of this morning, approximately 730 Texas school districts are now closed. I fully expect this trend to continue over the next few days as the number of confirmed cases of the Coronavirus rises.

During our closure following spring break, all Lake Travis schools and facilities will be closed for instruction and all other functions until further notice. This includes UIL academic, fine arts and athletic events; facility rentals; field trips; student and staff travel; our Child Development Center, our Extended Care after school program, and all other activities districtwide. Students and staff should not return to their campuses or work locations until notified to do so.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the avoidance of large gatherings can dramatically flatten the curve for the spread of the Coronavirus. I urge everyone in the Lake Travis ISD community to do their part and closely follow CDC guidelines. If you believe you may have been exposed to the Coronavirus, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

To our teachers and staff, I know the closure will add stress and anxiety. I want to reassure you we will get through this challenge together. Rest assured, we will continue payroll and benefits for all employees without interruption.

Furthermore, I am aware that an unexpected school closure creates a hardship on our parents due to work, childcare, and other commitments. Please know, this difficult decision is being made in the best interest of everyone involved. Our district will continue to maintain close contact with the CDC, state and local health officials, and the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Superintendents and other district leaders in Central Texas eagerly await guidance from TEA on course credit, attendance, accountability standards, school funding and other measures to support the continued education of our students for the rest of the 2019-20 school year. I learned just this morning that Governor Abbott has cancelled all STAAR testing this spring. We are all grateful for the suspension of state testing requirements during this uncertain time.

As of noon today, our buildings will be closed for two weeks following spring break. I want our staff, students, and parents to be prepared for the possibility that this closure could last much longer. Without a doubt, these are unprecedented times and there is much to do. While our buildings will be closed and normal operations suspended, we will provide modified instruction and services to students. We will have more information for parents next week. I ask for your patience and understanding as we work in the best interest of our students and staff. We will continue to monitor this situation daily and will communicate updates as quickly as possible via email, our district website, and our social media channels. In the meantime, I want our staff, students and parents to enjoy spring break. I wish you and your family continued good health and tranquility during this time.

Sincerely,

The silent auction planned for the Parent Mixer will be held at a later date to raise funds in support of West Cypress Hills Elementary and Rough Hollow Elementary.

The PTO appreciates your support and wishes everyone a safe and happy extended break.

Tigers enjoyed two action-packed days of sun and fun during their March 11 and 12 Field Days. The days were great fun--maybe a little warm which was perfect weather for refreshing snow cones.

Although we do have official champions shown below, all students came away feeling like winners. What great days!

This energizing event would not be possible without the help of our volunteers. Thank you, volunteers!! We appreciate all that you did to help organize and guide the Tigers through their stations and races.

Congratulations and thanks are due our Specials Team, aka the Field Day Squad. Field Day 2020 was a huge success. Well done!!!!

Thanks to our fabulous PTO, supplies can be ordered online from schoolkidz at your convenience! The online prepackaged grade level supplies can be ordered until June 12, 2020. If you purchase your student school supplies online, the supplies will be delivered to the school before the first day of school. Grade appropriate kits are available to order online now. Click here and use account #79519 to view the kits.

We also have lists of the school supplies for 2020-2021 so that, if you prefer, you can purchase the supplies on your own from any source convenient to you. Feel free to drop off the school supplies that you've purchased at our Meet the Teacher event in August.

*3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Students also need to have student planners for the 2020-2021 school year. These are sold separately from the prepackaged supply kits. Planners cost $6 each. We can accept cash or checks payable to WCHE. Planners can be purchased at the school during the Meet the Teacher Event or from the front desk any time on or after the first day of school.

By 06/12/20..........2020-2021 School Supply Kits Available for Order Online

03/01 - 03/31/20......Celebrating Music in our Schools Month

03/01 - 03/31/20......Celebrating Women's History Month

03/27/20..................Deadline for Student Artwork Submissions to FANS Info Here

04/06/20..................Students Return to School

04/06 - 04/10/29......Celebrating National Assistant Principals' Week

04/09/20..................Six Flags Reading Program Ends Today

04/10/20..................Student & Staff Holiday - No School Today!

04/13/20..................Student Council Meeting 3 - 4 pm

04/17/20..................Wear Tiger Spirit Wear to KG - 2nd Grade Assembly @ 7:40 am RSVP

04/19 - 04/25/20......National Library Week & Public School Volunteer Week

04/22/20..................Administrative Professionals' Day

04/22 - 04/24/20.....Jungle Book Fair Student Preview Days - Shopping Days Begin 4/27!

04/23/20..................3rd Grade Field Trip to Johnson City Science Mill Volunteer RSVP

04/23/20..................1st Grade Music Performance in the Tiger's Den @ 1:30 pm RSVP

04/24/20..................Wear Tiger Spirit Wear to 3rd-5th Grade Assembly @ 7:40 am RSVP

04/24/20..................Kindergarten Music Performance in the Tiger's Den @ 1:30 pm RSVP

04/27/20..................Jungle Book Fair Shopping Day 7 am to 4 pm

04/28/20..................Jungle Book Fair Shopping Day 7 am to 6:30 pm KONA ICE 3:15 - 6:30!

04/29/20..................Jungle Book Fair Shopping Day 7 am to 4 pm

04/29/20..................General PTO Meeting in the Tiger's Den @ 9 am RSVP

04/30/20..................Jungle Book Fair Shopping Day 7 am to 4 pm

05/01/20..................Last Day of Jungle Book Fair Shopping 7 am to 12:30 pm!

Extended Care

Student Online Lunch Accounts

WCH Menus

WCH PTO

WCH Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students)