Menchaca Elementary School
May Newsletter
Principal Loyola
Menchaca Families!!
Happy May!!
We are so excited to celebrate our Kinder and 5th grade graduations!!
They have come so far. It's amazing to see students so engaged even as we are closing out the year.
Please be sure to register for the next school year by Friday, May 19th.
We understand that your plans may change but register now to ensure your child has a spot next school year! The link to register is: https://portal.austinisd.org/
Our campus registration is currently sitting at 58%.
Registering your child now for the upcoming school year is important so that our campus has accurate staffing for the next school year.
Celebrations:
- We were thrilled to celebrate our Teacher of the Year: 1st grade Ms. Therrien and our Teacher of Promise: 5th grade Ms. Dayoc at Salute.
- We say farewell to our teachers retiring: Ms. Mary Tijerina, Ms. Deborah Halladay, and Ms. Madelyn Reiner. We are so fortunate to have had these amazing women on our campus. We will miss them greatly!!
Our school library is having its annual book fair!!
You can check out the Book Fair: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/menchacaelementaryschool. Free shipping with $25 book-only orders if you order online!
Families are encouraged to sign up for E-wallet to pay for books electronically: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/.../articles/ewallet.html. Every book you buy supports the library! The last day is Friday, May 19th.
Menchaca is looking to hire two 3rd grade teachers. Please email me if you are interested.
I wanted to remind you of a couple of things:
- May 15-19 - Book Fair & Online Registration Mornings in the Community Room
- May 17 & 18 - Kindergarten Graduation / Turn in all IPads, Chromebooks, and charging devices to your teacher
- May 19 - Alumni Senior Walk / Last day to check Lost and Found
- May 24 - 5th Grade Graduation
- May 25 - Last Day of School
I can be contacted via email at
eliza.loyola@austinisd.org or phone call 512-414-2333.
Compensation AISD Proposal will be voted by the Board of Trustees
On April 27th Interim Superintendent and their team presented 3 compensation packages to the board of Trustees.
The third proposal reflects an agreement that was reached in collaboration with Education Austin through the consultation process. While they cannot say the agreement is final until the board votes on it, they're trying to provide as much certainty as possible as employees are making decisions about their employment plans for the next school year.
The proposed compensation package includes:
- $4 per hour flat raise for all classified employees (AUX, IS, NIS, IT, BD, PD pay scales), bringing the minimum hourly rate to $20/hour
- 7% increase for teachers, librarians, counselors, instructional coaches, Special Education-related services
- 3% increase from midpoint for staff on the Administrative Professional scale.
- Above-market adjustments for LSSPs and Ed Diags
- Increase to stipends for bilingual and Special Education staff, with an expansion of which positions qualify
The board dived deeper into this discussion at its May 11 Board Information Session and could adopt the final compensation package as early as the May 18 Board Voting Meeting.
How families can advocate for AISD employees during the board meeting:
• May 18 Voting Session: Call 512.414.0130 to pre-record comments AND to sign up to speak in person. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. Topic must be something that's listed on the agenda. Phone lines are open 7:45 a.m.–3 p.m. Online Registration for 2023- 2024 - Registro en línea para 2023-2024
Please register all of your children in the AISD parent portal by May 19th, 2023.
The link to register is: https://portal.austinisd.org/
If you have questions or need help, our campus parent support specialist, Ms. Alvarez, will be in the front office from 7:30- 9:00 AM on May 15th through May 19th to help assist with your registration needs.
Registering your child now for the upcoming school year is important so that our campus has accurate staffing for the next school year.
Registre a todos sus hijos en el portal para padres de AISD antes del 19 de Mayo de 2023.
El enlace para registrarse es: https://portal.austinisd.org/
Si tiene preguntas o necesita ayuda, nuestra especialista en apoyo a los padres del campus, la Sra. Alvarez, estará en la oficina principal de 7:30 am a 9:00 am del 15 al 19 de Mayo para ayudarlo con sus necesidades de registro.
Registrar a su hijo ahora para el próximo año escolar es importante para que nuestro campus tenga el personal adecuado para el próximo año escolar.
Please Check Lost & Found before May 19th
Dear Menchaca Families,
We're about to wrap up the school year and that means checking out Lost and Found!!
Please be sure to remind your student to check Lost & Found before Friday, May 19th as anything that is not claimed will be donated.
Thank you so much!!
All Devices Need to be Turned in on May 18th
Dear Parents,
This year all student IPads, Chromebooks, and charging devices will be collected and submitted to your teacher. Turn in your devices by Thursday, May 18th.
Upcoming After School Programs for School Year 2023-2024
Menchaca Crew
The Circle C Child Development Center CREW after-school program is so excited to join the Menchaca Mustangs family!
Our on-site program will run Monday through Friday once the dismissal bell rings (3:10 PM) until 6:00 PM at Menchaca Elementary.
Our mission is to offer a safe and fun enrichment program where kids are active, learn essential life skills, and build a sense of community. Each day, students have a mix of active play and CREW Club time that may include science experiments, arts and crafts, games, student productions, community outreach projects and more!
We offer mindful time which is a time for students to complete homework or have a quiet time to journal, read, or draw.
We strive for students to create positive relationships with peers and staff, build on current interests and knowledge while exploring new activities, and develop a sense of ownership over their CREW experience.
CREW registration is now open and available on our website www.thechilddevelopmentcenter.org!
We cannot wait to meet each and every one of you in the fall! If you have any questions, please email afterschool@circleccdc.org or call The CDC at (512)288-9792.
iKids U Afterschool Program August 14, 2023 - May 22, 2024
Run Down of May Events - Call for Parent Volunteers
Final Weeks of the Year!
We have arrived to the final weeks of the 2022-23 school year and summer is right around the corner! We have quite a few exciting events and opportunities for our students and staff in the coming weeks. Please read below to learn more about the opportunities that are available for family volunteers!
¡Hemos llegado a las últimas semanas del año escolar 2022-23 y el verano casi ha llegado! Tenemos bastantes eventos y oportunidades emocionantes para nuestros estudiantes y personal en las próximas semanas. ¡Lea a continuación para obtener más información sobre las oportunidades disponibles para las familias voluntarias!
Week of May 15th: Book Fair/Feria de libros
We are looking for volunteers to help during various shifts at the book fair. Please use the following button to sign up for a slot:
Estamos buscando voluntarios para ayudar durante varios turnos en la feria del libro. Utilice el siguiente botón para registrarse en un espacio:
May 17 and 18: Kindergarten Graduation
May 24th: 5th Grade Graduation/Graduación de 5o grado
Parent Support Specialist News
Parent Power Hour - Final session of 2022-2023
Please join the AISD Special Education Team for our final session in our 2022-23 Monthly Parent Power Hour Series for Parents and Caregivers.
This Month's Topic:
Únase a AISD EDUCACIÓN ESPECIAL para nuestra sesión final en nuestra serie mensual 2022-23 para padres y cuidadores.
El tema de este mes:
Free Summer Meals for Families
Central Health, Sendero and Central Texas Food Bank are teaming up to ensure families have access to FREE healthy meals all summer.
The kid’s meals are for kids ages 1-18 and their family. (Adults
must be accompanied with children).
JUNE 5TH - AUGUST 11TH
MONDAY – FRIDAY | 11 A.M. - 1 P.M.
SOUTHEAST HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER
2901 Montopolis Drive, Austin, TX 78741
Follow them on social:
@southeasthealthandwellnesscenter
For more information, call Leonor Dominguez at (512) 978-8250.
Virtual Community Forum - May 24, 2023 at 12 PM THE STATE OF OUR CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH
On Wednesday, May 24th at noon, Integral Care and NAMI Central Texas invite you to join us for a virtual Community Forum, “The State of Children’s Mental Health." Clinicians and parents with lived experience will discuss the following topics:
- Factors that are negatively impacting children and youth the mental health
- Signs parents can watch for
- How to start the conversation around mental health
- Resources available for parents and caregivers
Our expert panelists include:
- Nidia Chairez Heston, LMSW, Certified Family Partner-M, Texas System of Care
- Dr. Suzanne C. Hart, Lead Psychologist, Austin Child Guidance Center
- Derrick Lewis, LPC-A, Program Manager – Child and Family Services Outpatient Clinics, Integral Care
Moderator
- Melody Palmer-Arizola, LPC-S, Practice Administrator – Child and Family Services at Integral Care, will moderate the panel.
Audience members can submit questions in advance of the forum as well as ask questions directly to our panelists at the end of the discussion. Learn more about our panelists and moderator below.
SEL and CP&I Symposium
June 15, 2023 | 8:30 A.M. - 3:30 P.M.
Doss Elementary School
Keynote: Tamisha Williams
We invite you to join us for a collective learning experience bringing educators, community
leaders, and caregivers together to share their creativity, experiences, and promising
practices around social and emotional learning and cultural proficiency and inclusiveness.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
COMMUNITY REGISTRATION AND MORE INFORMATION AT
TINYURL.COM/SEL-CPI-SYMPOSIUM2023AISD STAFF: PLEASE REGISTER IN HCP #102400
Summer Programs for Students
Enhancing a Summer Reading Culture
Summer Camp: Girls Empowerment Network
Great summer camp offering from Girls Empowerment Network!
We believe girls are UNSTOPPABLE and a week at CAMP will help your students (entering grades 3rd - 8th) increase their self-efficacy and learn that they are unstoppable. Led by our dedicated team of girl-experts, summer camp is filled with engaging activities, crafts and games that cultivate our SixC’s (Critical Thinking, Creativity, Communication, Coping Skills, Collaboration, and Confidence) to help girls feel powerful this summer and beyond!
When:
- June 26-30, 2023: Own Your Power
- July 10-14, 2023: Use Your Power
Time:
Cost:
- $375 per week (includes CAMP t-shirt!) Bundle prices are available.
Location:
- Girls Empowerment Network Office 2801 S I-35 Frontage Rd #110, Austin, TX 78741
Additional Information
Aftercare is available until 5 pm for $100 per week or $25 per day
Lunch is not provided – girls must bring a lunch
Daily snacks will be provided
There is a $100 non-refundable fee with each camp purchase up to a week prior to each camp
Spring/Summer 2023 Family Event Calendar
Free - Austin Sunshine Camp
Dear Mustang Families,
Austin Sunshine Camps is offering Free Summer Camp for children 8 years old - 15 years old.
It would be for 10 days and 9 nights.
Activities would include: Rope Course, Swimming, Arts & Crafts, Fun Games, Music & Dance, Sports, and Special Events.
Who qualifies? Families who qualify for free/reduced lunch or kids in the foster care program.
To apply please click on the link below:
https://www.sunshinecamps.org/summercamp/
or scan the QR code.
Menchaca Elementary School
