AHS Bulldogs Community News
3434 Pheasant Creek Dr, Sugar Land, TX 77498 - 08.21.2020
A Message from Our Instructional Leader
Dear Bulldog Families,
Can you believe it? We made it through the first week of online schooling. Certainly, we had several challenges with technology and accessing classes. However, we found ways around to make certain our kiddos had access. And, your grace and patience throughout this historic undertaking is appreciated.
Some of the information you find will be new, while the rest remains relatively the same. This is to ensure you don’t miss out on critical tech support and information that ensures your child is successful.
We embraced uncertainty and pulled through. And, our partnership will continue to make the biggest difference! Thank you for your continued support.
Together, we will make great things happen!
Sincerely,
Rizvan Quadri, Ed.D.
Principal
Stephen F. Austin High School
AHS Support…We are here for you!
We are committed to supporting our families as we reimagine the educational learning experience at Stephen F. Austin High School. The first day of school is this Monday, August 17, 2020. It will look different, and we recognize that with this new way of learning, things may not always go as planned.
We know that there may be questions you will have regarding online learning as school starts. In order to support our families and address these concerns, we have created several proactive measures to support you and your child.
Option 1: Video Resources and Tools
· If your student is experiencing issues with their student password, first visit www.fortbendisd.com/studentpassword for instructions.
· This video is a helpful tool to prepare you and your child for online learning in Teams, Schoology, and Skyward.
· A Technology Resources page is also available for more information.
· Parent Training Courses for Online Learning Tools - This is a reminder that Austin High School is offering parent training classes for our online learning tools. Please take advantage!
Option 2: AHS Trouble Shooting – Parent Feedback Survey:
Complete the following feedback survey with the attached hyperlink: AHS Troubleshooting Form.
A campus administrator will provide a return phone call with direction and assistance to your problem.
Option 3: Parents may contact our front office staff:
· General Inquiry – Ms. Weers: 281-634-2000
· Help Desk #1 – Ms. Myers: 281-634-2001
· Help Desk #2 – Ms. Sanchez: 281-634-2012
Option 4: Parents may also contact the campus directly by calling the following phone numbers:
· Students with the last name A, T-Z, contact Ms. Carter: 281-634-2010
· Students with the last name B – E, contact Ms. Robinson: 281-634-2103
· Students with the last name F – K, contact Ms. Hodge: 281-634-2099
· Students with the last name L – O, contact Ms. Garrett: 281-634-2038
· Students with the last name P – S, contact Ms. Shaver/Ms. Gatson: 281-634-2150
Our commitment is to respond within 24 hours. Do understand that our front office staff, campus administrators and counselors will be experiencing a high volume of calls and emails; therefore, we ask for your grace and patience.
Thank you for your continued support and grace as we prepare for a successful start of the 2020-21 school year.
Sincerely,
Rizvan Quadri, Ed.D.
Principal
Stephen F. Austin High School
#ALLIN4AUSTIN!
Weekly Schedule
Lending Library Device - Last Week of Phase II
Ensure that you have completed the Lending Library forms in Skyward prior to picking up your device.
Contact Mr. Jones at 281.634.2107 with any questions.
Textbook Distribution
The Textbook Request Form will need to be completed for each form. Textbooks will be issued for classes that utilize a textbook. Not all classes have a textbook; therefore you may not receive a textbook for every textbook requested.
If you still have a textbook from last year, that textbook must be returned before you receive this years textbooks.
Textbooks will be distributed on Wednesday (August 27) and Thursday (August 28) from 9:00 am to 2 pm. Pick up will be on the bus ramp.
Tech Corner
Tech Support Extended Hours and Locations to Better Serve our Community
I Forgot My Login Information!! Now what?!?
Online Technology Expectations
Counselor Corner
We hope everyone had a great first week!
GPA-Exempt Course applications are now available. This option is available for juniors and seniors in their third or fourth year of an approved program. Students must have completed 2 full credits of courses. Counselors spoke with students about this option during course selection last school year. More details and a Q&A are located in the attached brochure. Applications are due by Friday, Aug 28. https://www.fortbendisd.com/site/default.aspx?PageID=91143. You can scan or take a picture of your completed application and send to your counselor.
Program areas available:
• Advanced Journalism/Individual Study in Journalism (Newspaper & Yearbook)
• Athletics (not PE)
• Band
• Cheerleading
• Choir
• Debate
• Dance Team
• JROTC
• Orchestra
• Theatre (Technical Theatre, Theatre Arts, Theatre Production)
• Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (Specific Jr. and Sr. level courses)
2020-2021 AHS Counselors
Ms. Elisha Carter: A, T-Z
Mrs. Karla Robinson: B-E
Ms. Myrna Hodge: F-K
Ms. Trishauna Garrett: L-O
Ms. Lynne Shaver (Substitute Counselor): P-S
Mrs. Leigha Gatson (currently on leave): P-S
Schedule Change Information
Virtual College Fairs Hosted by HARN
The campus College and Career Readiness Advisors have worked with HARN to create weekly virtual college fairs for our students between August 29-September 30. College and Career Readiness Advisors will be sending out information via Naviance.
Department Spotlight - English
ALL Things ELA
The English Department is working diligently to meet your kids this week and learn to navigate some new technological platforms.
We are all beginning Unit 1: Building a Literacy Community. What does that mean? We are providing examples and structures to read, write, listen, discuss, and analyze using the reading and writing workshop with various pieces of texts from a variety of genres while in this new online land. What’s our goal? We want our students to learn how to talk to each other, communicate with etiquette, listen to other peoples ideas, be open to various points of view, discuss with respect, read with purpose, use inquiry to ask questions, and write using structures and patterns that help develop their own author’s craft. This Unit flows directly into Unit 2 and the focus of our year in ELA, Author’s Craft & Purpose.
The English Department also just adopted a new textbook to go allow with our new TEKS, the skills we teach in our classroom. The textbook is linked in Schoology. As we were just given access to its amazing online features last Friday, we are testing it out before we use it with kids in the upcoming weeks. We will soon give out information for students to use the textbook as we learn to navigate the platform and use its tools. The new Textbook, StudySync, has several features to accommodate, modify and enrich instruction for our a varied learning styles. You can print from the textbook if you need a hard copy as well. The textbook includes built in annotation tools and the ability for teachers to scaffold what and how the student engages with the text.
Next week, the Freshman and Sophomore students will be taking a reading assessment, Ren 360, to gage where your students are with reading and what accommodations, modifications or enrichments that they need. The assessment provides a diagnostic baseline for us to make sure we as teachers make informed decisions about students. A letter will be posted in your students’ ELA Schoology Parent folder which includes more information about the diagnostic assessment. Students will also be able to access this information, including how to log on, in their course content folder. Additionally, teachers will an email via Skyward messenger.
Finally, a big focus or push this year in the ELA Department Self-Selected Reading or SSR. Research shows that kids don’t read like they used to. Screen time has replaced the interaction with words. The best way to improve your comprehension skills, vocabulary, and ability to understand context clues and get ideas about Author’s craft is reading. However, if we assign a piece that they are less likely to engage with, they will avoid reading it. We see the Sparks Note version all the time. Solution: They select their own books. Students discover their own genres and styles. What do we want to read? Things we are passionate about, pieces we can discuss with friends, something that help us cope or relax, things that provide an escape, ideas or subjects that we want to learn about. Start asking your student? What are you reading? Or what do you want to read. We will use these SSR choices to discuss in our own class and build that literacy community we are focused on the entire year.
Mrs. North
ELA Department Head
Youth-led Creative Expression Contest to Prevent COVID-19 Across Texas
This is an open invitation to all young people in grades K-12 across the state of Texas to inspire their peers and communities by developing and submitting creative materials that promote protective behaviors to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This campaign is hosted by the UTHealth School of Public Health COVID-19 Communication Group which represent all six of the school's campuses and multiple community partners. Click here for more information.
Submit by Sunday, August 30!
Child Nutrition - Free & Reduced Meal Application and Grab and Go Meals
FBISD encourages all families to complete the Free & Reduced Meals application, at SchoolCafe, and families who qualified in the 2019-20 school year will need to reapply.
Grab and Go Meals will be available at 10 locations this school year, beginning August 17, for only FBISD students at one of the following status categories - “Paid,” “Reduced,” or “Free.” Students and parents will need to use their student ID number or badge at the locations to purchase meals.
Please note the closest location to your campus in your campus newsletter, found below, and make note of meal prices.
Dulles High School
Elkins High School
Hightower High School
Hodges Bend Middle School
Kempner High School
McAuliffe Middle School
Missouri City Middle School
Ridge Point High School
Travis High School
Willowridge High School
Vaccination rules remain in effect for 2020-2021
Bulldog Buzz - From Nurse Chunara
Crime Stoppers Cyber Safety Outreach Day
Crime Stoppers of Houston is hosting their Cyber Safety Outreach Day on August 27th from 6:00-7:30. The purpose of this virtual event is to empower parents to stay on top of their families safety through education on important safety precautions and potential online dangers kids are exposed to in today’s society. Click flyer link for more information about this event.
Please see the image below for more details about the required Ren360 testing .
EVENTS ON AND AROUND CAMPUS
Tennis Tryouts
Tennis tryouts will be held September 8th and 9th at 4 p.m. on the AHS tennis courts.
Students must have proof of a completed physical to tryout. In order to be social responsible, EVERYONE must wear a mask while not participating in the tryout.
If you have any questions you can contact Coach Moore at shaun.moore@fortbendisd.com
#ALLINFORAUSTIN
Open House
Behavioral Health and Wellness Corner
Quick Links and Important Documents
Like us on Facebook- Austin High School PTO @ ahspto!!
Administrator and Counselor Student Assignments
Principal
Rizvan Quadri
Associate Principal
Julia Erdie
Assistant Principals
Meraj Khan - students with last names starting with E-L
Anthony Yim - students with last names starting with M-Q
George Long - students with last names starting with R-Z
Counselors
Elisha Carter - students with last names starting with A, T-Z
Karla Robinson - students with last names starting with B-E
Myrna Hodge - students with last names starting with F-K
Trishauna Garrett - students with last names starting with L-O
Leigha Gatson- students with last names starting with P-S
Lynne Shaver (substitute) - students with last names starting with P-S