The Austin Gazette
Back to School Information
First Day of School is Wednesday, August 9th!
Principal Welcome Message
Welcome to Austin Elementary!
It is my great pleasure to continue to serve this community as the new principal Austin Elementary. I am honored to be given the opportunity to lead such a dedicated and hardworking team of educators and to serve the needs of our amazing students.
This year, we face a significant challenge with the construction project on Highway 105. We will have to do some things differently in order to keep our families safe as they enter and leave the property. It will take the efforts of all of us: parents, staff, and community. Please keep in mind the safety procedures in this newsletter and remember to be kind and patient with each other as we face this challenge together.
Our vision is to maintain our safe, supportive, and nurturing learning environment where every student can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. We will continue working to foster a culture of kindness, respect, and inclusion, where every student feels valued and supported. I am thrilled to continue my work at Austin Elementary, and I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you as we work together to create a bright future for our students.
It's going to be a great school year!
Katie Meaux, Principal
Meet the Teacher Information
Families A-L 4:00-5:00PM
Families M-Z 5:30-6:30PM
Important
Due to the highway construction, and limitations on parking, Meet the Teacher has been divided into two sessions. Please come to only one session. This is a great time to help your child find their class, drop off supplies, and confirm your transportation needs. We would love to visit longer but leaving on time will help other families find safe parking.
How can you park safely?
- Attend only your scheduled session.
- Consider carpooling.
- Take advantage of all three parking lots. The staff parking in the back will be open for parents and you may enter the building through the back cafeteria doors and the front of the school.
- Help other families by meeting your teacher, taking care of other school business, and then leaving campus to make room for other families. We would love to visit longer, but we must work together to keep everyone safe and off the highway.
First Day of School Essentials
What to expect:
- Parents may walk their child to class on the child's first day of school.
- Morning traffic will be very heavy, especially with the highway construction. We will make every effort have as many parking spaces available at the front of the building as possible. Please be safe and courteous to each other.
- If you walk your child to class, please leave promptly to ease the transition and to free up parking for other parents.
- Please consider allowing your child, especially older returning students, to ride the bus on the first day of school. This will free up parking as well.
What to bring:
- Returning students- bring back the Smart Tag your child was issued last year. This tag is used to improve the safety and security of our students at dismissal and on the bus. See below for information on the Parent Portal and how to set up an account to receive alerts.
- All students- make sure your child's name is somewhere on them or their backpack. It could be their Smart Tag, a label inside the backpack, or even a sheet of paper in their backpack with their name on it. This is to help us identify your child (especially the younger ones).
Car Rider Dismissal
- Car rider dismissal typically runs late the first days of school due to higher than usual numbers of car riders, and younger students slowing the process as they learn the procedures.
- Construction on Highway 105 will impact dismissal.
- School dismisses at 3:10PM. We will begin dismissal a few minutes early the first week of school. If you arrive before 3:10PM you should expect to wait in long lines.
- All cars are expected to display this year's car rider sign in the windshield. Children's hangers work well to hang the tag from the rearview mirror.
- You can pick up as many car rider signs as you need. Drop by and get them from the front office before school starts or at Meet the Teacher.
- Cars without car rider signs will be expected to show identification and may be asked to park and enter the front office to confirm authorization to pick up the student. Expect to wait in lines if this is the case.
Tardy Students
- After the first week of school, students must arrive before 8:00AM to be on time to class.
- Students arriving after 8:00AM must be checked in by a parent or guardian in the front office.
- Students eating breakfast at school should arrive no later than 7:50AM
Bus Transporation
Bus Transportation the First Week of School
- Pre-K and Kindergarten parents must show the PK/K Bus Sign to the bus driver to confirm they are authorized to pick up the student. Bus signs can be picked up from the front office (including the days before school starts), and from Meet the Teacher. You may pick up as many signs as you need.
- Bus transportation typically runs late the first few days of school as students and drivers learn the routes and procedures.
- Make sure your student is registered to ride the bus. It takes 3-7 days to route a student for the bus. Register early!
- See the Conroe ISD Transportation website for information on bus routes, stop times and locations, and Frequently Asked Questions.
SMART tag
Did you know?
You can receive notifications about your child's bus, including departure and bus stop arrival times? Sign up for the SMART tag Parent Portal!
Breakfast and Lunch Information
Visitors
No parent visitors at breakfast and lunch until August 21st. Our students are busy learning breakfast and lunch routines. We have limited space available for parents at lunchtimes. A Lunch Visitor sign up link will be available before August 21st in order for you to schedule lunch with your students. We ask that you limit your visits to no more than twice a week so other parents have the opportunity to schedule times with their students.
What's for lunch?
Did you know there's an app for that? The MealViewer app allows parents and students to see the lunch menu for the day, week, or month. It includes pictures, nutrition information, and even information on allergens all from your computer, tablet, or phone. You can also find more information about school meals at Austin by visiting the Conroe ISD Child Nutrition Website.
Don't forget! You must complete an application every year if your child receives Free or Reduced meals.
Eating breakfast at school? Students must be in the cafeteria by 7:50AM.
Birthdays
- Store bought treats only.
- When bringing birthday treats, please remember they must be left in the front office. The classroom teacher will distribute them at the end of class.
- If you have questions about what is allowed, please call the front office 936-709-8400.
Prices for 2023-2024
- Student Breakfast $2.00
- Student Reduced Breakfast: free
- Non-student Breakfast/2nd Student Breakfast $3.30
- Student Lunch $3.20
- Student Reduced Lunch $0.40
- Non-student Lunch/2nd Student Lunch $4.60 (Teachers, Parents, Siblings)
From the Nurse
All Parents:
Pre Kinder- 1st Grade Parents:
Accidents happen. Please make sure your child has a change of clothes daily.
Helpful Links
Social Media
Are you following our social media accounts? We often send out helpful reminders, pictures of kids in action, and upcoming events...delivered right to your newsfeed!