Middle School Newsletter
January 2023
Choice Sheet Procedures (with updates!)
Choice sheets are the documents students turn in that indicates which elective courses they want to take the following year. The student services departments at the middle schools also use the data from the choice sheets to help with planning for staffing and to gather information about what electives students are most interested in.
Students zoned to Bailey Middle School: These students will receive their choice sheet on Monday 1/23 or Tuesday 1/24. Please discuss the options at home and return the completed form to Ms. Dalzin or Ms. O’Connor. You may also take the choice sheet to the Bailey Showcase on 1/24 to ask any questions. Please return these to the Menchaca counselors by Thursday, 2/2.
Students zoned to Paredes Middle School: Students received their Paredes choice sheets today, 1/30. Please return these choice sheets to the Menchaca counselors by Thursday, 2/2.
Students intending to transfer from their zoned middle school: Students should still complete the choice sheet for the school they are zoned for. For example, a student intending to transfer from Paredes to Bailey should also complete and turn in the Paredes choice sheet. UPDATE: If a student has submitted a transfer to Bailey Middle School, they should have received an official green Bailey choice sheet. Please complete and turn in to a Menchaca counselor by Thursday, 2/2. If you have submitted a transfer to Bailey Middle School and your student did not receive an official green choice sheet, please let one of the Menchaca counselors know.
Review of Middle School Options
Dear 5th Grade Families,
Here is a review of your Middle School options for next school year -
1. Attend your neighborhood public school (for most Menchaca students that means Paredes or Bailey Middle School)
2. Apply for a transfer to another AISD school (Transfer window is Jan. 16-Feb. 7)*
3. Apply to a Magnet School or International Baccalaureate Program or Academy
4. Apply to a Private School
*Because of technical issues that directly affect Austin ISD’s online registration and transfer systems, all district registration processes for the 2023-24 school year are being pushed back one week. Those new dates are:
Priority transfer window: January 16–February 7.
General transfer window opens February 8.
The last day to submit an application to a magnet program will still be January 13.
Transfer requests will be finalized by March 11th.
🔊We understand that some of you will be applying for transfers. Please note - until your transfer has been approved we need to proceed as if your student is attending the school they are currently zoned for. Therefore, campus visits and choice sheets will be only be available for the school your student is currently zoned for. If and when your transfer is approved, you will have an opportunity to tour the campus and complete choice sheets.
If you are unsure which school your student is zoned to for middle school, take a look here .
Upcoming Events
Monday, January 16th - Transfer Window Opens https://www.austinisd.org/transfer
Thursday, January 19th- Campus visit to Paredes Middle School
Buses leave school at 9:00 and will return at 11:15.
All students currently zoned to Paredes will visit.
Friday, January 20th- Campus visit to Bailey Middle School
Bus leaves school at 9:00 and will return around 11:00.
All student currently zoned to Bailey will visit.
Tuesday, January 24th- Bailey Showcase Night
6:30-7:45 p.m.
This is for all families either zoned to Bailey or submitting a transfer to Bailey.
Wednesday, January 25th- Parent Q&A at Bailey Middle School
10:45-12:00
For any parents of prospective Bailey students. If attending please come to the library.
Monday, January 30th- Paredes Counselor Visit
8:30-9:30
Paredes counselor Ms. Gomez-Pena will be on Campus to help all students zoned to Paredes complete their choice sheets.
Thursday, February 2nd- ALL completed choice sheets due to Menchaca counselors.
Monday, February 6th - Magnet School Program Decisions are Communicated to Students/Families.
Saturday, February 18th- Bailey Middle School Band/Orchestra Selection Day
8:30-2:00
If your student is planning to attend Bailey Middle School and interested in Band/Orchestra, consider stopping by the school this day for your student to try out different instruments and make a selection.
Saturday, March 11th - Transfer decisions will be finalized
Questions? / ¿Preguntas? about TRANSFERS????
- For the quickest response, you can send us a message at: https://www.austinisd.org/letstalk
- You can also give us a call at 512-414-9187.
- Para la respuesta más rápida, puede enviarnos un mensaje aquí: https://www.austinisd.org/letstalk
- También, puede llamarnos en 512-414-9187.
Menchaca Counseling
Website: https://menchaca.austinschools.org/
Phone: 512-414-2333