School Matters
August 2020
Paul Norton joins the LT family
Want to know more about Mr. Norton? We invited students and staff to ask our new Superintendent of Schools a variety of questions which he answers in this fun Q&A video.
LTISD mourns loss of LTHS teacher
Mr. Martinez taught English III and was in his second year as a member of the LTHS faculty. The LTHS campus crisis team has been activated, and counselors will be available online or by phone to assist students and staff during this difficult time. Mr. Martinez passed away Saturday, August 22. Details of his passing are unavailable. Funeral services are pending.
Assistant Superintendent takes position in Allen ISD
Superintendent Paul Norton has announced that Johnny Hill, Assistant Superintendent for Business, Financial and Auxiliary Services, has accepted a position with the Allen Independent School District. Mr. Hill will begin his tenure as Allen's Chief Financial Officer on September 8.
"While I have not had the opportunity to work with him very long, Johnny’s stellar reputation precedes him," said Mr. Norton. "During his 11 year tenure at Lake Travis, Johnny helped build and maintain one of the strongest financial portfolios in our district’s history. In the process, he garnered numerous awards for exceptional budgeting and accounting and was instrumental to the successful passage of two bond referendums and a Tax Ratification Election. Johnny is recognized and highly regarded across the state for his incredible knowledge and expertise in public school finance. Without a doubt, Johnny will be greatly missed and will be difficult to replace."
Mr. Hill and his wife, Dr. Cathy Hill—a Learning and Teaching Coach with the LTISD Learning and Teaching Services Department, will be closer to their two children who currently reside in the DFW metroplex.
LTISD officials will begin an immediate search for Mr. Hill's successor.
District updates Return to School Protocols for COVID-19
As we continue to prepare for the opening of our schools for in-person learning, updates have been made to the District's "Return to School Protocols for COVID-19" document. The updated Return to School Protocols for COVID-19 document is posted on the LTISD Learning Transformed webpage.
Originally released on July 29, the document reflects changes prompted by updated guidance from several entities including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Austin Public Health’s recent Interim Guidance on Reopening for Austin-Travis County Schools. Some key updated content includes:
recommendations from the CDC regarding the use of face shields,
guidance from APH recommending that students who have had closed contact with someone who is COVID positive quarantine at home, and
requests for accommodations for students who have a documented medical or disability-related condition.
As a reminder, last month, we posted information on our website that detailed our two learning options for the 2020-2021 school year. This information also included a number of Frequently Asked Questions which continue to be updated as needed. If you have not yet reviewed our FAQs, visit the LTISD Learning Transformed webpage.
The conditions surrounding the pandemic are continually evolving. Our plans will be evaluated and updated as needed to comply and adapt to any new orders, guidelines or mandates issued by governmental and/or health authorities.
Getting Started with "Learning. Transformed."
The video tutorial above demonstrates the steps necessary for a successful start with online learning.
An infographic version of these steps is also available.
Teachers to participate in Professional Development Fri. Aug. 28 and Fri. Sept. 4
All Lake Travis ISD teachers will participate in professional development on Friday, August 28 and Friday, September 4. Teachers will prepare their classrooms for in-person learning and receive training on a number of items including safety protocols and the delivery of instruction for both in-person and remote learners.
Learning will be modified as follows for all students on August 28 and September 4:
Elementary
- Real-time, live instruction (synchronous teaching) through 10:00 a.m.
- Remainder of the day - self-paced (asynchronous)
- Asynchronous (self-paced) assignments only
2020-2021 Instructional Calendar
The Lake Travis school board approved the 2020-2021 instructional calendar on December 18, 2019. The calendar was developed in coordination with the District’s Advisory Committee on Education (ACE), input from district and campus staff, and made possible by our partner and sponsor A+ Federal Credit Union.
2020-2021 School Start/End Times
Elementary
7:40 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Regular Day)
7:40 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (Early Release Day Only)
Secondary
8:50 a.m. - 4:10 p.m. (Regular Day)
8:50 a.m. - 2:10 p.m. (Early Release Day Only)
Meal pickup available to all students during remote learning
Packaged breakfast and lunch meals will be available together for pickup Monday through Friday between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. in the bus dropoff areas at Lake Travis Elementary School, Serene Hills Elementary School, Bee Cave Middle School, and Lake Travis Middle School. Please note, meal pick is not aligned with the child's home campus. Therefore, parents may pick up meals at any of these four locations.
For more information, visit the LTISD Food and Nutrition Services website.
Register for Fall Extended Care
District to expand SMART tag management system for all students
In an effort to improve student safety and security districtwide, Lake Travis ISD officials will expand its SMART tag solution, the badge system previously used exclusively for bus ridership.
Beginning this fall, all students will receive an ID badge upon return to in-person learning on campus. Secondary students will be required to wear their ID badge throughout the school day in accordance with our Lake Travis Secondary Schools Student/Parent Handbook 2020-2021.
Aside from student identification, the badge will also support automation and increase the efficiency of key services in a contactless manner including bus ridership, elementary dismissal, library book and technology device checkout, school meals, and our Extended Care after school program. Only the student’s photo, name and associated barcode will be printed on the ID badge. No other information will be stored on the badge, nor will badges be used to track a student’s location.
The SMART tag system also offers a secure Parent Portal where parents and guardians can manage notifications and alerts regarding transportation services and student dismissal changes. To access an existing SMART tag account, or to register a new account, visit the SMART tag Parent Portal. Please note, the same Parent Portal will be used to access student bus ridership and elementary dismissal.
For more information about SMART tag, please visit the SMART tag section on our website.
Voluntary on-campus strength and conditioning workouts are underway
The LTISD Athletics Office has announced student-athletes may participate in voluntary, on-campus strength and conditioning beginning August 26. Athletic program coaches are sharing details and safety protocols with students online via their athletic periods. Some of the key points include the following:
- Workouts are voluntary. If for any reason the student-athlete cannot attend a workout on campus, there is a virtual equivalent he or she may perform at home.
- All student-athletes must complete the LTISD Strength and Conditioning Notices and Requirements Form prior to attending on-campus workouts. Please note, this only has to be completed once and not prior to each on-campus workout.
- Locker rooms will not be used during workouts.
- Student-athletes must bring their own water bottles to each workout; absolutely no sharing will be allowed.
- Student-athletes must wear masks or face coverings at all times unless they are actively engaged in a workout or exercise.
- Equipment will be disinfected between each use, and the entire weight room will be disinfected between groups.
- Student-athletes who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 symptoms, or who are experiencing symptoms themselves, should stay home and not participate in on-campus workouts.
For more information, visit our Athletics Office website.
Bond 2018 Construction Update
Our seventh elementary school, Rough Hollow, is ready to receive students for the first day of in-person learning on campus Tuesday, September 8. In addition to completing "The Home of the Ratters," our Facilities and Construction Department staff were hard at work during the spring and summer. The listing below outlines the major work completed across our district as part of our most recent voter-approved bond. For a complete listing of projects and related images, visit the Bond 2018 section on the LTISD website.
Lake Travis High School
○Extension of Spillman Loop to Cavalier Drive
○Replacement of Artificial Turf at Main Football Stadium
○Replacement of Artificial Turf at Cavalier Activity Center Turf Room
○Construction of New Softball Batting Cage Building
○Construction of New Storage Building Adjacent to Baseball Batting Cage
○Construction of Maintenance Building Carport Structure for Equipment
○Addition of Architectural Finishes in Academic Wings
○Pressure Washing and Cleaning of Exterior Main Building
○Improvements to Cafeteria Security
○Replacement of Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing at LTHS Annex
Lake Travis Middle School
○Installation of New Domestic Water Line (75% complete)
○Improvements to Acoustics in Fine Arts Wing
Lake Pointe Elementary School
○Replacement of Playground
○Replacement of Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing
○Installation of Secure Entry Vestibule
Lake Travis Elementary School
○Replacement of Playground
○Replacement of Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing
○Installation of Secure Entry Vestibule
Serene Hills Elementary School
○Addition of Special Education ADA Restrooms (4)
Lakeway Elementary School
○Additions to Special Education Wing Door
○Replacement of Entry Vestibule Door
○Installation of Cafeteria Drinking Fountain
Bee Cave Elementary School
○Pressure Washing and Cleaning of Exterior Building
Educational Development Center (EDC)
○Installation of Secure Entry Vestibule
○Re-paving and Striping of Parking Lot
○Completion of Portable Buildings
Transportation Center
○Addition of New Classroom
○Renovations of Existing Office Spaces
○Striping for Bus Parking Safety
Distribution Center
○Addition to Existing Warehouse, including Larger Copy Center and Records Storage
Technology Data Center
○Installation of Secure Entry Vestibule
○Addition of Office Space and Restrooms
Special Education Cottage
○Installation of ADA Aluminum Ramp and Sidewalk Access to Driveway
○Improvements to Restroom Access
LTE secure entry vestibule
LPE playground replacements
Cottage aluminum ramp, restroom access
HBMS celebrates 20th anniversary, updated brand
Registration is open and sponsorship opportunities are available at www.LTEducationFoundation.org/golf.
LTEF Kinder Club parade spotlights the Class of 2033
Do you have a Kindergarten student in LTISD? Sign up to receive a Class of 2033 t-shirt and Kinder Club goodie bag at www.lteducationfoundation.org/kinder.
On behalf of the LTEF, we wish all kinder students and their families a great start to the new school year.
Teachers receive A+ FCU grants
Keeping Connected
Download the LTISD Keeping connected PDF to learn about the various ways to receive district and campus-level news, emergency notification, and other information.
Stay in the know on the go with our district mobile app for iOS and Android. Follow LTISD on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Learn about Peachjar, the innovative flyer management system that sends district- and school-approved digital flyers directly to parents via email.
Lake Travis Independent School District
Email: info@ltisdschools.org
Website: www.ltisdschools.org
Location: 3322 Ranch Road 620 South, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-533-6000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ltisdschools/
Twitter: @ltisdschools