Tiger Talk
09/28/21
School Board calls tax rate election for November
The Lake Travis ISD Board of Trustees has called a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election, or VATRE, set for November 2.
The purpose of a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election is to ask the community to consider approving a tax rate to maximize funding. If passed, the proposal would allow Lake Travis ISD to keep an estimated $3 million locally without increasing the total tax rate.
The Lake Travis Independent School District is funded primarily through local taxes and state funds. Local taxes are collected and go into two different funds: Maintenance and Operations, or M&O, and Interest and Sinking, or I&S. The M&O side pays for everyday district operations including salaries, books and building maintenance, while the I&S side is similar to a mortgage and can only be used to pay the debt on voter-approved school bonds. Bonds pay for new school construction and other capital improvements.
The Board has set the total tax rate at $1.2301, $0.8826 for M&O and $0.3475 for I&S. If voters approve the $1.2301 total tax rate, our Board—by resolution—has already approved reducing the I&S tax rate by two cents, from $0.3475 to $0.3275, and increasing our M&O tax rate by two cents, from $0.8826 to $0.9026. The result of this exchange will generate an estimated $3 million annually for Lake Travis ISD, and doing so will not affect our total tax rate. The revenue is not subject to the recapture system of school funding, commonly known as “Robin Hood.” Funds will be used to sustain additional instructional support positions for students and staff and tutorial services for accelerated learning once federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds are depleted.
If the VATRE does not pass, Lake Travis ISD will not be able to retain $3 million locally. Instead, those funds will be sent to the state under Robin Hood. Whether the tax rate election passes or fails, there will be no increase to our district’s total tax rate.
It is important to note there is a difference between the tax rate and a homeowner’s overall tax bill. Although the school district’s tax rate will not change as a result of the election, an increase in property value will inevitably result in an increase in a homeowner’s tax bill.
The LTISD Board of Trustees has called for the Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election; however, the voters are the ones who decide the outcome of the election. All eligible, registered voters are encouraged to become informed and exercise their right to vote in this election. Early voting begins Monday, October 18, and continues through Friday, October 29. Election day is Tuesday, November 2. Voting locations and additional information can be found on the District’s website at www.ltisdschools.org/vatre.
Tiger 1st Grade Learns All About Johnny Appleseed and the Adventures of Making Applesauce
WCHE PTO Spirit Night @ Urban Air! 4 - 8 pm, Thursday, September 30. See you there!
Join the Tiger Reading Choice Board!
This semester our school is participating in a reading program called Reading Choice Board. The purpose of the Reading Choice Board is to encourage reading and to have students set personal reading goals. The program begins this week and ends Friday, December 10. For more information, please click here.
Thank you for supporting your child’s reading this year!
Hispanic Heritage Month
We are excited to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at WCHE! Our foyer features the flags of Latin countries. It, also, features the artwork of our own Tigers, as they showcase amazing Latin figures; such as, Cesar Chavez, Pele, Sonia Sotomayor, Ellen Ochoa, Frida Kahlo, and Jaime Escalante.
On our morning broadcasts, we look forward to showcasing various Latin artists, scientists, athletes, and writers.
Thank you for celebrating with us!
Apply for a Super Fun Job--Be our WCHE Crossing Guard
We are still looking for a new crossing guard to assist families who walk to and from school in the mornings and afternoons. If you would like to learn more about working for our school a couple of hours a day, click here.
If my child is symptomatic at home, what should I do?
People with COVID-19 have a wide range of reported symptoms - from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.
Parents should self-screen their children every day before coming to school. If your child is exhibiting symptoms, please keep your child home.
Self-screening with the following questions can help assess the risk that an individual has been exposed to COVID-19 and help determine when symptoms are more likely to be from COVID-19.
★ Have you recently begun experiencing any of the following symptoms in a way that is not normal for you?
- Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit
- Loss of taste or smell
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Headache
- Chills
- Sore throat
- Muscle or body aches
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
★ Have you had close contact with an individual who is test-confirmed with COVID-19?
★ Have you been tested for COVID-19 and are currently awaiting test results?
If my child is symptomatic at school, what happens?
Students may be sent home for reasons other than COVID. The school nurse will talk with you when you pick up your child and will give you specific information about what is needed to return and may provide you with a letter. IF a negative COVID test is required to return, rapid tests and home tests are not sufficient to rule out COVID and a PCR test would be required.
I have a question about something I read in Tiger Talk...
As informative as our Tiger Talks are, there may be some lingering questions. Select the category your question falls in and be as detailed as you can in your question. Please use the link below.
Gifted -- So much more than just smart kids!
The yearly nomination window to have your child tested for the LTISD Discovery (Gifted & Talented) Program is currently open. The deadline for nominations is October 15, 2021. You can find the nomination form here or on the district GT website. The form is accessible in both English and Spanish.
Students who participate in services designed for gifted students will demonstrate skill in self-directed learning, thinking, research, and communication as evidenced by the development of innovative products and performances that reflect individuality and creativity and are advanced in relation to students of similar age, experience, or environment.
Elementary Discovery Program
● Program is based on intellectual ability, creativity, and advanced academic achievement.
● Needs based program
●Thematic curriculum addressing depth and complexity of ideas, creativity, and problem solving (not accelerated coursework)
● GT teachers provide: pull out program, classroom enrichment, and resources for teachers
Identification for the GT Program
● Looking for students who score in the top 4% nationally
● Tests are given to measure aptitude, creativity, and achievement
●The profile generated from the identification process will show a preponderance of evidence that gifted services are needed
● No single indicator can include or exclude a student from placement
Referral Process
● Submit a Discovery Referral Form by October 15, 2021.
● The nomination form can be found here.
● Testing - takes place during the 2nd grading period or in January for virtual students
● Committee Review of Results
● Parent/Guardian Notification
● Placement/services in GT program begin at the start of 2nd semester (January 2022) for in-person learners and in the spring for virtual students.
Questions? An informative slide show about the LTISD Gifted & Talented Program is available, and we recommend that you view it before joining us for a virtual question and answer session to be held October 1, from 11:30 am to 12 noon.
Visitors/Volunteers Are Not Permitted on Campus During the School Day
We are not allowing visitors during the school day for the time being.
We apologize for the inconvenience, and we are looking forward to welcoming our volunteers and visitors when we are able to do so.
Is your Tiger Attending Enrichment Classes? Be Sure to Update SMARTTag!
If your Tiger(s) enrolled in any of the Fall Enrichment classes, be sure to update the student SMARTTag dismissal instructions to show the dates that he/she/they will be attending Fall Enrichment. And, please tell us in the "notes" section the class that the student will be attending. SMARTTag provides a recurring event feature so that you can easily indicate that your Tiger should, for example, be sent to Karate class every Monday afternoon from October 4 through November 29.
Our Enrichment Sessions are:
WCHE K-5 Classical Karate.........Mondays, 10/4 - 11/29
WCHE K-5 Crayola Artblazers.....Wednesdays, 10/6 - 11/10
WCHE K-3 Freshman Robotics....Wednesdays, 10/6 - 11/10
WCHE K-5 Mad Science..............Tuesdays, 10/5 - 11/9
WCHE K-5 TGA Premier Tennis...Wednesdays, 10/6 - 11/10
WCHE 5 Girls Kardivas................Thursdays, 10/7 - 4/14
Don't miss out on an Enrichment class because you forgot to show the dismissal change in SMARTTag!
Happy Birthday, Bookmobile!
The bookmobile is five years old - that's older than some of its patrons! In the last five years of service, the bookmobile has seen almost 59,000 visitors, including many who have made bookmobile stops a part of their biweekly routine.
The bookmobile has checked out close to 94,000 items and given away 15,000 free donated books and movies. Over 1,500 people have signed up for a library account on the bookmobile, averaging one library card for each day the bookmobile has been on the road.
Our bookmobile appreciates your support and usage of the bookmobile over the past five years! To show thanks, the Lake Travis Community Library is giving away sparkly bookmobile stickers, all month long. Check it out!
Picture Day ID Code EVT6CPZHZ
On Thursday, October 7, we will have photographers from Lifetouch on campus taking our student photos. Our in-person learners will have photos taken from 8 am until 11:30 am.
Pictures can be ordered before picture day at mylifetouch.com using our picture day ID #EVT6CPZHZ.
Remote Learners Invited to Come to WCHE for Picture Day!
Tigers learning from home are invited to come by appointment to the WCHE Library exterior entrance between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm to have their student pictures taken. Sign up for your remote learner picture appointment here.
APEX Leadership Program Coming to West Cypress October 12!
Tigers Wear APEX Blue, Orange, or Blue & Orange Friday, October 15!
Embrace the Noise for WCHE's Yearbook Cover Contest!
Criteria:
- artwork needs to be on plain white 8.5" X 11" copy paper
- artwork should be displayed in portrait (tall as a building)--NOT landscape
- artwork must be in crayon or colored pencils only
- artwork needs to include the words "Embrace the Noise," the name of the school "West Cypress Hills Elementary," and the year "2021-2022."
- on the back side of the artwork write in pencil the name of the student, grade, and homeroom teacher's name.
Tigers in Grades K - 2 should turn their artwork in by October 29 to Mrs. Sanderson in Room 103.
Tigers in Grades 3 - 5 should turn their artwork in by October 29 to Mrs. Vilven in Room 407.
Good luck, Tiger artists!
Upcoming Events
until 09/30/21.........PTO Membership Drive/Class Party Contest. Join Today!
until sold out...........Registration for Fall After School Enrichment
until 10/29/21.........Tigers Invited to Enter WCHE's Yearbook Cover Contest!
until 12/10/21.........Join the Tiger Reading Choice Board! School-wide Reading!
09/15 - 10/15/21....Hispanic Heritage Month
09/30/21.................WCHE Spirit Night @ Urban Air 4 - 8 pm!
10/01 - 10/31/21.....National Bullying Prevention Month
10/01 - 10/31/21.....National Physical Therapy Month
10/01 - 10/31/21.....Dyslexia Awareness Month
10/01 - 10/31/21.....Principals' Month
10/02/21.................National Custodial Worker Day
10/3 - 10/09/21.......National Fire Prevention Week
10/04/21.................LTEF FORE the Kids Golf Tournament
10/07/21.................WCHE Fall Picture Day!
10/07/21.................LTCL Bookmobile @ WCH Amenity Center 3 - 4 pm
10/08/21.................Staff Development Day -- No School For Students!!!!
10/11/21.................Student and Staff Holiday -- No School For Students!!!!
10/12/21.................Apex Leadership Programs Begins
10/13/21.................LTHS Homecoming Parade & Extravaganza 5 - 8 pm. Learn more.
10/15/21.................Tigers Wear APEX Blue, Orange, or Blue & Orange Today!
10/15/21.................GT Referrals Due Today Learn More Here
10/18 - 10/22/21.....National School Bus Safety Week
10/21/21.................APEX Fun Run!
10/21/21.................LTCL Bookmobile @ WCH Amenity Center 3 - 4 pm
More Information about WCH
West Cypress Hills Elementary
Email: wchprincipal@ltisdschools.org
Website: https://www.ltisdschools.org/WCHE
Location: 6112 Cypress Ranch Boulevard, Travis County, TX, United States
Phone: 512-533-7500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ltisdschools
Twitter: @principalwch