School Matters
February 2024
Superintendent encourages sharing love for LT on Wednesday, February 14
Wednesday, February 14 is Valentine’s Day, a day when many of us will share expressions of affection with our loved ones, our relatives, and our friends. Many of our students, especially at our elementary schools, will exchange valentines with one another. It will be a day filled with cards, candies, and even flowers.
In addition to that, I would like to encourage you to do something a little different this Valentine’s Day. Whether you’re a staff member, student, parent, business owner, or retired resident in our community, I’d like to hear from you this Wednesday.
Using the hashtag #LoveMyLTISD on Facebook and Instagram, tell us what you love most about Lake Travis ISD. It can be a comment about a particular teacher… one of our programs… a great experience you had… even your favorite food from our cafeterias… anything! Feel free to include a photo, selfie, or short video describing what you love most about LT. Aside from the cards, candies and flowers, it is my hope your Valentine’s Day will be filled with lots of well wishes, smiles, and above all else… love.
- Paul Norton, Superintendent of Schools
Superintendent announces Selection of Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources
Susan Fambrough has been selected as the district's new Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, effective February 26, 2024.
Ms. Fambrough earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Southern Maine, a Master of Science degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Baylor University, and recently obtained her Superintendent’s Certification. She possesses nearly 30 years of experience and leadership in public education having served at the campus and district levels in both small and large school districts. Ms. Fambrough is a former teacher, public relations coordinator, assistant principal, principal, and central office administrator for curriculum and instruction. Presently, Ms. Fambrough serves as the Chief Human Resources Officer at Lockhart ISD.
As Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources at Lake Travis ISD, Ms. Fambrough will oversee the development and implementation of policies, programs, and best practices for human resources districtwide. She will also lead HR activities to ensure high-quality staffing, retention, compensation, performance appraisal, and employee relations.
"Throughout her career, Ms. Fambrough has demonstrated a consistent ability to build strong relationships and implement successful continuous improvement programs," said Paul Norton, Superintendent of Schools. "We are excited to have Ms. Fambrough join the Lake Travis family where she will play a crucial role in fostering a positive district culture, help grow our future district leaders, and directly support teachers, principals, and all staff to make sure our students get the best education possible."
District to host staff development conference, observe Presidents Day holiday
As a reminder, all students will have a five-day break beginning next Thursday, February 15. Our teachers and staff will be busy “Learning Together” at the District's annual LT staff development conference Thursday, February 15 and Friday, February 16.
Additionally, all district offices and campuses will be closed Monday, February 19 in observance of Presidents Day. Classes will resume Tuesday, February 20.
Be sure to stay up to date with major districtwide events listed in our 2023-2024 Instructional Calendar.
February 5-9, 2024 is "National School Counseling Week"
From helping students cope with personal issues to assisting with college admissions and financial aid applications, our school counselors make unique and lasting contributions that shape the future of education. To create awareness of their impact, LTISD joins the American School Counselors Association to celebrate February 5-9, 2024 as “National School Counseling Week.”
With the theme "School Counseling: Standards-Based, Student-Focused," National School Counseling Week highlights the essential role of our school counselors in helping students achieve success and plan for a career. These certified, experienced educators help students set healthy, realistic, and optimistic aspirations for themselves. And perhaps most importantly, our school counselors work with fellow teachers, staff, and parents to support an environment where students can successfully manage the challenges of today’s world, often providing crisis counseling and other critical services during fragile times.
The following elementary and secondary school counselors provide services to approximately 11,200 students across our district:
- Bee Cave Elementary School - Courtney Trimmer
- Lake Pointe Elementary School - Tara Postma
- Lake Travis Elementary School - Laura Reed
- Lakeway Elementary School - Michelle Monahan
- Rough Hollow Elementary School - Karen Wager
- Serene Hills Elementary School - Kendall Hill
- West Cypress Hills Elementary School - Dustin Boren
- Bee Cave Middle School - JoAnna Janecek and Kim Thornley
- Hudson Bend Middle School - Dana Page, Surita Scholla, and Kendall Sealy
- Lake Travis Middle School - Sandy Casares and Melanie Dykhoff
- Lake Travis High School - Tara Edmondson, Velma Gonzalez, Jill Mancino, Lauren Pfledderer, Bel Portillo, Mindy Smith, Kathryn Staggs, Erin Tristan, and Melody Vest
LTHS musicians selected to TMEA All-State
Pictured left to right are: Richard Hicks (Band Director), Jake Fagan (tuba, 3-time qualifier), Ciara Burns (horn), Alana Tempest (clarinet), Audrey Huang (violin), Luc Birla (clarinet, 2-time qualifier), Anna Macias (Orchestra Director).
LTHS Fiddlers to perform at City of Lakeway event on February 15
The Lakeway Arts Committee will host a free Brown Bag Luncheon Concert from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 15 at the Lakeway Activity Center. Led by LTHS Orchestra Director Anna Macias, this performance will feature the Lake Travis High School Fiddlers, bringing their foot-stompin' tunes to entertain attendees.
For more information, visit the City of Lakeway website.
Bee Cave Arts Foundation to showcase LTISD student artwork
The Bee Cave Arts Foundation, located at 12700 Hill Country Boulevard in Bee Cave, is showcasing LTISD student artwork on the following dates:
Middle Schools: February 8-28
Opening reception from 2:00 - 4:00 pm, Saturday, February 10
High School: March 7-28
Opening reception from 2:00 - 4:00 pm, Thursday, March 7
Elementary Schools: April 11-May 1
Opening reception from 2:00 - 4:00 pm, Saturday, April 13
Mark your calendars and come support the amazing student-artists of LTISD!
Lake Travis Lions Club announces "Peace Poster" contest winners
The Lake Travis Lions Club is pleased to announce its 2024 "Peace Poster" contest winners:
- First place: Kalina Dabrera, Bee Cave Middle School
- Second place: Mia Nardecchia, Hudson Bend Middle School
- Third place: Carter Sultan, Hudson Bend Middle School
Each year, the Lions Clubs of District 2S3 sponsors a "Peace Poster" contest for middle school students. A reception highlighting the winning entries was held January 20 at the The Hive Gallery in Bee Cave. As the top recipient, Kalina will have the opportunity to compete at the International Peace Poster Contest to be held at the United Nations in New York City.
View the International Grand Prize Winners' artwork, dating back to their first contest in 1988, on the Lions Club's website.
Kalina Dabrera
Bee Cave Middle School
Mia Nardecchia
Hudson Bend Middle School
Carter Sultan
Hudson Bend Middle School
Destination...Life Regional Transition Fair and Conference for students with disabilities & their families
The Destination...Life Regional Transition Fair and Conference aims to prepare and support students with disabilities and their families for life beyond high school. Hosted by more than 10 area school districts, this event will offer job training resources and information about post-secondary education and living options, as well as speaker sessions, vendors, and representatives from community agencies and organizations.
Destination...Life will be held at McNeil High School from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm, Saturday, February 24. You can RSVP and find more information on Leander ISD's website, or contact LTISD Transition Specialist Erika Musick Griffin at musickgriffine@ltisdschools.org.
February is Career and Technical Education Month
Lake Travis ISD proudly joins the Association for Career and Technical Education to recognize February 2024 as “Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month.”
Leaders from business and industry nationwide report increasing challenges related to addressing the skills gap and connecting qualified professionals with available careers in critical and growing CTE-related fields, including healthcare, energy, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, and information technology. Career and technical education prepares students for these and other fulfilling careers by offering integrated programs of study that link secondary and postsecondary education and lead to the attainment of industry-recognized credentials.
Lake Travis ISD has 6,134 student enrollments in 145 CTE courses across 11 career clusters and 21 programs of study. Learn more about our CTE offerings.
LTHS SkillsUSA students headed to state competition
After collecting a total of gold, silver and bronze awards at various district-level events, Lake Travis High School will be well represented at the Texas SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference scheduled for April 3-6 in Corpus Christi.
SkillsUSA is an extension of the Career and Technical Education program at Lake Travis High School where students compete in various events in their career pathways. Students earn recognition on district, state, national, and international levels. Terri Jacobs serves as the faculty advisor for Lake Travis SkillsUSA.
SkillsUSA serves students enrolled in career and technical education training programs in our nation’s public high schools and colleges. SkillsUSA complements technical skill training with instruction that is co-curricular and integral to CTE programs making a well-rounded worker and citizen. SkillsUSA is endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education and state departments of education and is cited in federal legislation as an integral part of the career and technical curriculum.
District reminds staff, parents of preventative measures with uptick in respiratory illnesses
The winter months are the peak season for respiratory illnesses among children and adults. These viral infections include influenza (flu), Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and COVID-19, along with other common cold viruses. At Lake Travis ISD, our school nurses have seen a recent increase in student and staff absences due to illness.
The following good health habits can help prevent the spread of respiratory illness:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When someone in your household is sick, keep them away from others as much as possible to protect them from getting sick too.
- Stay home when you are sick. If possible, this should include work, school, and errands. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others. Students and staff must be fever free (less than 100.0 degrees) for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication before returning to school.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or use the inside of your arm if tissue is unavailable). Throw the tissue in the trash after a single use and wash your hands immediately. Respiratory viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people cough, sneeze, or speak.
- Wash your hands often. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Avoid sharing personal items such as drinks, food, or unwashed utensils.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Practice other good health habits. Clean and disinfect frequently-touched surfaces at home, work, or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
Additionally, in an effort to prevent the transmission of respiratory illness among our students and staff, we would like to inform you of the steps we continue to take at school:
- Campus nurses continue to assess and monitor student and staff illness; students and staff who are ill will be sent home.
- Teachers will review proper hand-washing techniques and cough etiquette with students.
- Custodial staff are cleaning classrooms and facilities daily and as needed including commonly-touched surfaces and areas such as windows, whiteboards, desks, tables, chairs, doorknobs, café table tops and seats, water fountains, sinks/faucets, and locker rooms.
- Transportation staff are disinfecting seats on all school buses after each run (morning and afternoon).
Finally, it is important to know the signs and symptoms of the flu, RSV, and COVID-19. Symptoms of these can include fever, sore throat, headache, and cough. Many individuals also have a runny nose, fatigue, body aches, loss of appetite, and some may experience nausea and/or diarrhea.
For more information about preventative measures, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. You are also encouraged to contact your healthcare provider, pharmacy, Austin Public Health, or the nurse at your campus with any questions or concerns.
Texas Academic Performance Reports and Federal Report Cards now available
The Federal Report Cards and the Texas Academic Performance Reports (TAPR) are now available on our district website.
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to publish an annual Federal Report Card with state, district, and campus-level information. To learn more about the Federal Report Card, visit the TEA website.
The TAPR provides comprehensive details of district and campus academic performance with financial reports and information about staff, programs, and demographics. You can view the TAPR guidelines on the TEA website.
STAAR scheduled for April 2024
The 2024 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) will be administered as follows:
April 10: 3rd - 8th grade Reading Language Arts
April 11: English 1 and English 2
April 17: 5th & 8th grade Science, Biology, and U.S. History
April 18: 8th grade Social Studies
April 24: 3rd - 8th grade Math, Algebra 1
LTMS Robotics team to compete at national level
Congratulations to these amazing students and to LTMS Career and Technical Education/Robotics teacher Wayne Ostrout on this incredible achievement. We look forward to “Hub Grub” representing LTISD at the national tournament and wish these students much success.
Lake Travis High School DECA Mart recognized for outstanding school-based enterprise
The DECA Mart at Lake Travis High School was among 728 school-based enterprises achieving gold-level certification for the 2023-2024 school year and will be recognized during DECA’s International Career Development Conference April 27-30 in Anaheim, California. Seniors Brooklyn Pruneda and Laine Richardson (pictured) will attend the international conference and compete on behalf of DECA Mart.
A school-based enterprise, or SBE, is an entrepreneurial operation in a school setting that provides goods and services to meet the needs of the market. SBEs are managed and operated by students as hands-on learning laboratories that integrate National Curriculum Standards in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. LTHS DECA advisors are Jill Oates and Tracey Griffith.
National Science Bee qualifier to represent Lake Travis Middle School in Orlando
Lake Travis Middle School student Raymond Davenport earned the 6th grade championship award as part of the regional Science Bee competition in January 2024. He will represent Lake Travis Middle School at the National Science Bee competition in Orlando this summer.
In addition to this unique opportunity, Science Bee participants and their families will have private access to Universal Studios during their visit. We wish Raymond much success!
LTFR Safety Squad entertains students at Lake Travis Elementary School
On Thursday, February 8, Lake Travis Elementary School students were treated to an exciting performance by the Lake Travis Fire Rescue (LTFR) Safety Squad. To encourage engagement and retention of concepts, the Safety Squad dressed as Super Mario Brothers characters and demonstrated lessons in stranger danger, cyber bullying, and the effective use of 911.
Established in 2005, the LTFR Safety Squad is the department’s public education program. Utilizing popular characters and pop culture references, this group of firefighters promotes life and fire safety to elementary school age children in the district. The LTFR Safety Squad enables firefighters to interact with the community to enhance the positive relationship between the department and local children and their families.
Lake Travis High School football student-athletes sign letters of intent
Congratulations to the following Lake Travis High School student-athletes who signed their letters of intent on National Signing Day, Wednesday, February 7:
Josef Aganbi
Texas Southern University
Legend Cabello
Houston Christian University
Josiah Estes
University of San Diego
Nico Hamilton
University of Wyoming
Ezomo Orathokai
Northwestern University
Keiondre Lewis
University of North Texas
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, X (formerly known as 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