Brentwood Elementary Communication
September 10, 2021 - DIG IN AND BUILD UP! 2021-22
BRENTWOOD ELEMENTARY, SHOW US YOUR P.A.W.S! đž
PERSONAL BEST, ACTIVE LISTENING, WITH RESPECT, & BEING SUPER RESPONSIBLE
A Note from Ms. Laroche
Happy September!
The weather is not reminding us that we are approaching the Fall season. I know that so many of us are looking forward to the cooler days. I love the heat, but we could use a bit cooler weather over here on our outdoor campus. We are TRUCKING ALONG this month. I thought it would be helpful to highlight a few pieces of information from previous communications that may be useful now that weâve been in school for almost a month.
Need a quick reference for COVID-19 close contacts, positive cases, and quarantine process look here - Family Newsletter - COVID, Prin. Chat, & Back to School Night Edition
This year all students have access to free breakfast and lunch, regardless of financial status. Breakfast is served in the cafe from 7:20-7:40 am.
If you are looking for previous communication from a Family Newsletter all of the previous newsletters are linked at the end of each newsletter.
Priority communication is distributed through Classroom Teacher Communication, Family Newsletters, School Messenger System, and PTA Website.
Social Media sites share glimpses of the fun, exciting, and meaningful learning that we happen to see (Principal Laroche Facebook Page, Twitter: @BrentwoodAISD, Instagram: BrentwoodAISDPTA Facebook: Brentwood Elementary PTA)
You may have heard your child mention a few new staff names. You can go back to our 2nd week introductions: We created Brentwood team slides to introduce ourselves to our community. Brentwood IS ALL OF US!
We are getting excited to start tie dying our grade level t-shirts. PTA is leading us in this long standing tradition. If you still need a shirt (or a yard sign, or any Brentwood Swag - Pride Shirts too - stop by the Online PTA Store.
Ms. Levelsâ position is open and will have a substitute until filled. Ms. Levelsâ was our traveling music teacher who taught six classes at Brentwood every three days. Her last day was last week. We share this position with Reilly Elementary School and they will hire for the vacancy.
Thank you for sharing your children with us. They bring us so much joy as we DIG IN AND BUILD UP together!
With Appreciation,
Amber Laroche
Morning Arrival
Dual Language in Austin ISD
Did you know that Austin ISD offers one way and two way dual language programs for students. Brentwood had a dual language program that was merged with Reilly Elementaryâs dual language campus. Austin ISD is inviting families to consider dual language for this school year for students in PK4, K, and 1st grade. If you are interested in your child becoming bilingual and attending a class and campus that has dual language programming please contact Austin ISD Multilingual Education at 512-414-4734 or aisdmultilingual@austinisd.org. You can also reach out to Ms. Laroche, at amber.laroche@austinisd.org and she will have someone contact you regarding the dual language programming at other campuses.
This Week in History
Constitution Day
Next week, many Bulldogs will be thinking about the important documents of the U.S., especially around Constitution Day, Fri, Sept 17. The important parts of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution will be read with thinking about the words, and their meaning (and maybe even their contradictions! Do all people actually have the same rights to the pursuit of happiness in 1776? Now? Are all granted those rights?) 5th grade will even "visit" Constitution Hall in Philadelphia on Fri to learn more.
Upcoming announcement on 9/13/21 recognizing 9/11/2001
Today we recognize the events the events that happened on September 11, 2001. Even though you were not born in 2001, it is important to remember this event. The events of September 11th shocked the world and many lives were lost. People everywhere, and of all ages, sent cards, gifts, and money. Many came to New York City to offer help. The events of September 11th altered the course of history and have led to changes that impact our lives today. We must show kindness and understanding towards all people, and that we must have the courage to protect and defend each other. Our moment of silence today will be in memory of Sept. 11.
Lunch at Brentwood
Here are some reminders of outside lunch procedures and rules to discuss with your child. We appreciate all our volunteers and the custodians that are working hard in our outside cafe. Letâs help each other out so they are not picking up extra trash and food on the ground. This way we are not asking the ants to join our picnic :)
Food belongs on the table, trays, or in their lunchboxes. We are reminding them that there is no throwing food and dumping milk on the ground and on the umbrella holders.
Pick up all trash and throw it away.
Positive about being outside is that yes, they can talk a little louder. Remind your child to use regular talking voices and only talk to the students at their tables.
Remain at their own table during lunch.
Students will wait to be dismissed by the cafe monitor. Throw away trash only when dismissed by the monitor.
Raise hands if they need something.
We are encouraging everyone to take water bottles to lunch so we are not wasting water and having more plastic bottles to pick up etc.
Students line up in a certain order after lunch so the monitors can have them get in line more orderly and for social distancing/contact tracing, same order.
Students eat their own lunch and do not share food.
AISD Breakfast & Lunch Menus
FYI from Evan Ramos, Area Supervisor Nutrition & Food Services
For a meal to be considered a meal, it must have a minimum of three components with at least one of those components being a fruit or a vegetable. The first time the child goes through the line, they are allowed a free meal. If a student decides he/she wants to get something else (seconds), he/she must pay for that item. If a student brings their own lunch and wants only one item, then the student must pay for that item. All students who have not gone through the line are advised to take a meal not just one item.
PTA Teacher Reps - Ms. Beck Ms. Stephens
September Technology & 504 - Ms. Dymkowski
Technology
- Devices have been given out to students in each grade level. K-2 received ipads and 3-5 use chrome books. If your child needs a new device or power cord please have them inform their classroom teacher.
- Ms. Slaten and I will hand out devices throughout the year.
- If you have a virtual student in need of a device you may email me at tania.dymkowsi@austinisd.org
504
At Brentwood Elementary I am your 504 campus coordinator/administrator. This year if your student is in 504 I will be conducting our annual/reevaluation meetings in person and on zoom.
Below is a definition of 504. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (2009) and further clarified in 2010, prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in all programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. An eligible student is one who:
has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities;
has a record or history of such impairment;
is regarded as having such an impairment.
Thank you,
Tania Dymkowski
September Counselor Corner - Ms. McKenna
Greetings Bulldog Families!
The beginning of a new school year is always such an exciting time. Iâm looking forward to seeing all of the students at Brentwood this year during counselor guidance lessons, individual sessions, small group sessions, and my other duties on campus. During September, the guidance lesson topics are 1) Introduction to the Counselor/How the Counselor Can Help and 2) Self Awareness. For the older students, I will show them data from last yearâs needs assessments and help them create mental health-related goals for this new school year. For the younger students a lovely book I will be using in my lessons is Shubert is a Star by Becky Bailey This story helps students learn how to identify and manage the emotions they experience. I encourage you all to continue these conversations and strategies at home with your families.
Please donât hesitate to contact me this year if you would like for me to meet with your child. Anything that your child says to me will be kept confidential unless they are hurting someone, hurting themselves, or someone else has hurt them. Please visit this website for more information about my role and other Austin ISD mental health resources: https://www.austinisd.org/mentalhealth.
Thank you,
Tess McKenna
512.841.5999
September Gifted & Talented - Ms. McKenna
Would you like to nominate your child for the Gifted and Talented Program?
Please join Brentwood Counselor Tess McKenna and Assistant Principal Tania Dymkowski for a Zoom Information Session on Monday, September 13 at 5:30pm.
Topic: GT Information Session
Time: Sep 13, 2021 05:30 PM Central Time
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88969415822?pwd=MzNBNzUzQ3FxWldWaVdIL2lmMmpmUT09
Meeting ID: 889 6941 5822
Passcode: Brentwood
Can't make the Zoom? No worries! The information session will be recorded for you to view at your convenience. Just reach out to Ms. McKenna in an email for a link after the session date.
Brentwood Elementaryâs Gifted and Talented (GT) program is "designed to move students with high ability at a pace appropriate to their rate of learning through studies that go beyond the age-level or grade-level expectations."
- We are currently accepting nominations for 3rd-5th grade students.
- We will begin accepting Grades K-2 nominations on October 25th.
You can also visit the following website for more information about the Gifted and Talented nomination and screening process https://www.austinisd.org/advanced-academics/gifted. Please email any questions and concerns regarding Gifted and Talented to Tess McKenna at tess.mckenna@austinisd.org
P.E. - Coach Marshall & Coach Mueller
Physical Education classes started this year off by learning about Cooperation, Teamwork and Sportsmanship. All classes participated in several cooperative games (tag games) and activities that involved being cooperative and respective towards each other and towards the equipment used. We are looking forward to September where we will be beginning our Throwing and Catching Unit. Our Throwing and Catching Unit is enjoyed by a lot of our students because we get a chance to practice our underhand rolling (bowling).
Marathon Kids
Marathon Kids is a program through Coordinated School Health where students are encouraged to run up to the equivalent of four marathons over the course of the school year, which equals 104.8 miles.
The Kick-Off for Marathon Kids be held on Friday, September 24, 2021. All grade levels will report to the track during their Encore time to run their first mile together. All students are encouraged to wear their athletic shoes on that day.
Art - Ms.Gardner & Mr. Mendez
- Kinder and 1st graders have been incorporating some dance concepts with their lessons on line and shape. They have started a line and shape painting and are looking at the art of Joan Miro and Vassily Kandinsky for inspiration.
- 2nd graders are also incorporating some dance concepts and learning to draw figures in action along with shadows. Winslow Homer's painting Snap the Whip has been their inspiration.
- 3rd through 5th grade are finishing up their first project that incorporated the style of artist Keith Haring. They used their own symbols and their own "graffiti-styled" lines to tell us all about themselves. 3rd grade will start portraiture next week focusing on artist Kehinde Wiley, and grades 4 and 5 will start a unit on Pablo Picasso and his Cubist-style portraits.
Mr. Mendez
- Kinder has been learning about the element of line. They have just finished creating artwork in the style of Vassily Kandinsky while listening to classical music. Next we will create a rocket ship with lines and shapes to help transition us to the element of shape.
- 2nd grade is also learning about the element of line. They have just completed of fun lesson called crazy hair where the students drew a person and fashioned their hair using all the different lines we have learned about. Next they will learn about Jasper Johns while continuing their study of line.
- 3rd,4th, and 5th grade have just completed creating their sketchbooks and are also starting with the element of line. 3rd grade will be creating line landscapes. 4th grade will be creating a style of op art with simple lines. 5th grade will learn about the artist Marz jr. and create artwork in his style.
Music - Ms. Rios
Welcome back Bulldogs! In music class, kinder and 1st grade have been working on beat keeping skills with instruments like egg shakers and rhythm sticks! Our older grades have been having a great time playing games, boomwhackers and reviewing all of our rhythms and solfege they learned last year!
Is your child taking music lessons on an instrument, or just enjoy singing and performing? Encourage them to sign up for our âperformerâs of the week!â Students in 3rd-5th grade can show Miss Rios and their classmates their extra musical skill during music class time. Performance days are September 16th (A day), 17th (B day), and the 20th (C day). Instruments like drums that are difficult to transport can be performed at home, video recorded, and emailed to me to present during their performance time! If you have any questions, please feel free to email miss Rios! jennifer.rios@austinisd.org. Looking forward to hearing your child play next week!
Library - Ms.Slaten
Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness (DEI) at Brentwood
We have promoted, taught, and done work ourselves to grow as leaders who create cultural relevant and inclusive classroom communities and instruction. Last year we started to merge the work of our Campus Advisory Committee, PTA Diversity Committee, and our staff. PTA provided a book to some (and soon to be all) of our staff) and staff and parents participated in a book club this summer.
We are excited to introduce all of the planning and alignment for all of our campus. For now, we will share our vision statement for DEI (we read 2-3 days a week on morning announcements), and our September focus and quote.
Brentwoodâs Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness Vision Statement:
At Brentwood Elementary diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of who we are. We continue to build a culture that welcomes, celebrates, appreciates, and values the diverse voices of our community to ensure the success of every student. Brentwood is All of Us!
September Focus: Hispanic/Latino American Heritage Month
September Quote: âIt is important for all of us to appreciate where we come from and how that history has really shaped us in ways that we might not understand.â Sonia Sotomayor
Classroom Teachers Choose DEI Texts for Their Classrooms
September Safety - Ms. Dymkowski
In AISD, schools conduct monthly safety drills, with 2-3 drills a month. The drills we are required to have are evacuation, lockdown, shelter, secure, and hold drills.
We completed our first evacuation drill last month. For our first drill, the students and staff did amazing. Everyone moved quickly and quietly- from our newest bulldogs to our most seasoned. For evacuation drills all classrooms have a place on the track/field area to line up.
In September we will practice an lockdown drill on 9/15 and a evacuation drill on 9/22.
Tania Dymkowski
tania.dymkowski@austinisd.orgBrentwood - Events & Dates of Interest for September 2021
9/13 -GT Information Session on Zoom at 5:30pm; 3rd-5th grade (GT Referral window opens)
9/15 -Lockdown Drill
916 -PTA General Meeting (time TBD) AND PTA Restaurant Night at Torchys Tacos
9/17 -Fall Student Individual Picture Day
9/22 -Evacuation Drill September
9/24 -3rd-5th grade GT Referral window closes
Holidays & Observances
Hispanic /Latino Heritage Month 9/15-10/15 (https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.org/)
âIt is important for all of us to appreciate where we come from and how that history has really shaped us in ways that we might not understand.â Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor
Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) 9/6-9/8
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) 9/15-9/16
Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) 9/20-9/27
Lifeskill Legends for September
Week of 9/5 Common Sense
Week of 9/12 Cooperation
Week of 9/19 Courage
Week of 9/26 Creativity
*Please note, Brentwood's annual Grandparents Day is cancelled due to precautions because of COVID 19.
Brentwood PTA Restaurant Night
Help raise funds for Brentwood by treating yourself and your family to dinner at Torchy's!
When- September 16, 2021 from 4 - 8 pm
Where- Torchys on Burnet Rd. - - - Dine In or Take Out
How- Say "Iâm with Brentwood" or show the restaurant flyer or image below & 15% of your food and drink proceeds will go back to Brentwood
Picture Day - September 17, 2021
*Pictures are scheduled in the gym and 3 camera stations will be set up for safety and efficiency.
*If you would like to opt out of taking an individual picture, for safety reasons, please notify your child's teacher.
*The photo company is unable to take pictures outside.
Meet Our Staff
Brentwood Modernization Update
Visit https://austinisd2017bond.org/ for current updates on our Brentwood construction.
Our permanent campus is coming along. There is even brick on part of the future main office! Our Campus Advisory Committee has a scheduled meeting on, Tues., Sept. 7, at 5:00 via Zoom. We are looking forward to hearing about the updates that occurred since July.
As a reminder: Our Brentwood Elementary construction site (and Hope Chapel) are being trespassed on and vandalized at a high rate, at all times of the day and night. Please be aware and watch our site if you live nearby. There is a high traffic flow near the Brentwood Park and on Arroyo Seco and with more eyes we can help keep our areas safer. If you see suspicious activity or trespassers please call Austin ISD police at, 512-414-1703.
September Attendance - Ms. Menjivar
Parents, join forces with us to eliminate absences that can be prevented by making every effort to schedule medical and other appointments outside school hours and by making sure your children get plenty of sleep so they arrive at school on time.
If your child is absent from all or part of a school day, the studentâupon arrival or return to schoolâmust bring a note signed by the guardian or health care professional that describes the reason for the absence. All notes should be provided within two days of returning to school. The campus will update attendance records based on the provided documentation.
Our attendance goal is 98% each week.
AISD 2021-2022 Calendar & News
Before We Go
Stay Connected with Brentwood
Brentwood Elementary, "Where we always do our personal best!"
2021-22 School Year Theme: Dig In And Build Up!
Brentwood Elementary is temporarily located on site at Webb Middle School from Aug. 2020-June 2022 while our building undergoes a beautiful and massive partial rebuild and full modernization construction. We are located at, 601 East St. Johns Avenue, Austin, TX 78752.
https://www.austinisd.org/hr/customer-service/rave
Click on the link to recognize an AISD staff member who is going above and beyond! The Recognizing All Valuable Employees, or RAVE, Program was established to publicly honor those who exemplify the highest level of customer service.
Facebook: Principal Laroche
PTA Facebook: Brentwood Elementary PTA
Twitter: @BrentwoodAISD and @bulldogtechAISD
Instagram: BrentwoodAISD
PTA Website: http://brentwoodpta.com
Brentwood Website: http://brentwood.austinschools.org/
Previous Weekly Newsletters
Family Newsletter Aug. 20, 2021
Family Newsletter - COVID, Prin. Chat, & Back to School Night Edition