Akin News
05/15/20
Dear Parents,
We are excited to share that beginning next school year, our 3rd-5th grade students will have one grade level teacher throughout the day (self-contained classrooms). In October 2019, as a staff we started researching the benefits of teachers teaching all subject areas at the elementary level. Utilizing the most current research around self-contained classrooms, we focused our conversations on student-teacher relationships, weighed the pros/cons, and reviewed student data.
With the current situation of COVID-19 and remote learning, we are committed to ensuring our students have what they need to be successful when they return next school year. Having one teacher will allow for a continued focus of building strong relationships and the flexibility to adjust instruction in multiple contents throughout the day based on the needs of his/her class. We are thrilled to partner together in creating the optimal learning experience for all students at Akin Elementary!
Thank you for your continued support,
Rebecca Webster
Principal-Akin Elementary
Student items to be picked up
Thank you!
These new Learning Plans, all updates and morning announcements can be found on grade level websites and the Akin Elementary campus website.
Grade Level Newsletters
Grade Level Newsletters:
Kinder Weekly Newsletter
1st Grade Weekly Newsletter
2nd Grade Weekly Newsletter
3rd Grade Weekly Newsletter
4th Grade Weekly Newsletter
5th Grade Weekly Newsletter
Specials Monthly Newsletter
Summer Send Off for our Aviators!!!!
PTA General Meeting and Annual Elections
Due to the LISD facility closures in response to COVID-19, we will be holding our May General Membership meeting virtually via Zoom. The meeting will be held Tuesday, May 19, 2020 at 6:30 pm Central.
In order to follow rules set forth by Texas PTA, we are required to ask each attendee to complete the following Google form.
By completing this form, it will allow us to verify PTA membership. If multiple PTA members in the same household plan on attending the meeting, each person will need to register separately. If you are not a current member of the PTA, you can still attend the meeting as a guest, however, only members can vote on PTA business.
During our meeting, we will be holding annual elections for the 2020-2021 Akin PTA Executive Board. It’s not too late to consider a position on the board – WE NEED YOU!
If you would like more information about serving on the board or to run for a position from the floor, please email Rachel Nichols at rlnichols0403@gmail.com by May 15, 2020. You do not need to be a current member of the PTA to run.
We will email the meeting link, password and agenda once we verify registration. If you have any questions, please contact Jayme Spexarth at akinptamembership@gmail.com.
Parent Input
If you would like to give input regarding your child’s placement for next school year, please complete the online form on our website “Parent Input Form 1st-5th” from May 15th-May 29th. This will be the only time that we accept these parent input forms.
We will consider your information along with other factors such as balancing the classes, student personalities and special class needs (Quest, ESL, Dyslexia, etc.) when deciding class placement. Information concerning your child’s personality and learning styles are requested on the form as well. We thank you in advance for your input!
Parent Hub
We’re proud to offer resources to families via the district’s Remote Learning Parent Hub. This site is designed to provide supplemental academic and student mental health and wellness resources.
Topics featured on the site include: Technology Help, Health & Wellness, Content Area Resources, Special Programs, and Creativity & Exploration. The content area resources are there to support parents looking for additional ideas AFTER students have already engaged in the learning experiences shared by their teacher.
Counselor Corner
Gratitude Jar
Studies have shown that gratitude has a powerful impact on our mental and physical well-being. Gratitude practice decreases stress and negative thinking while increasing happiness. It makes us more resilient and kinder, and it also strengthens relationships.
For this week’s family activity, find any small box or jar around the house. You can decorate it if you would like and label it: Gratitude Jar. Write three things a day that you are thankful for and place them in the box/jar. Ask your family members to join in. At the end of the week, look at all the things you wrote for the week and reflect on all the good in your life right now.
Beth Lehn, M.Ed.
School Counselor-Akin Elementary
School Closure Social Emotional Learning Resources
If your student would like to request a check-in call with me, please submit your info HERE.
We continue to see growth at Akin Elementary!
If visiting the portables, please come to the front office to obtain a visitor’s sticker before entering the portables.
Portables will be locked at all times.
When dropping your student off in the morning, you will direct them to the cafeteria. Classroom teachers will pick up students in the cafeteria at 7:30 am and escort them to the portables. If arriving after 7:30 am, you may drop your child off at the portables in the 3rd-5th grade student drop off area (green). If you arrive after 7:45 am, please drop your student off in the front office.
Teachers will escort students, or students will walk with a buddy to and from the building.
Students attending SRP classes, Dyslexia classes, Special Education classes, QUEST classes, or any other class during the day will be met at the door by their teacher or walk with a buddy.
Inclement weather plans are in place and will be practiced throughout the year.
Thank you for helping in our efforts to ensure a safe and secure learning environment at Akin Elementary.
Registration info for all parents
Starting mid-June, returning student registration will open with a direct link released in HAC (Home Access Center). ALL PARENTS need to be able to access HAC in order to complete this task. If you need assistance with your login/password, please email our registrar, Kendra Martin, at kendra.martin@leanderisd.org.
For students moving away from Akin over the summer, please email our registrar, Kendra Martin, with the name of the new school and she will send you withdrawal paperwork and figure out a plan for returning district devices/library books. Request records from student.records@leanderisd.org.
Yearbooks on sale now!
We know you miss seeing your friends and coming to AKIN ELEMENTARY each day. One way to see them again is in the YEARBOOK!
Yearbooks are on sale for $20 through May.
Reserve your copy now!
Free Breakfast & Lunch for LISD Students
From 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., any student can visit one of four locations to pick up their two meals. Students will be able to pick up a hot lunch and a breakfast meal for the next morning during this one-stop, curbside or drive-thru pick-up. The locations are:
- Bagdad Elementary School,
- Reed Elementary School,
- River Place Elementary School, and
- Running Brushy Middle School.
To receive food, we will not require proof of enrollment. TDA guidelines do require a student to be present to pick-up food.
Email: beckie.webster@leanderisd.org
Website: akin.leanderisd.org
Location: 3261 Barley Road, Leander, TX, USA
Phone: 512-570-8000
Twitter: @MJAkinElem