Menchaca Elementary School
February Newsletter
Principal Loyola
Menchaca Families,
Happy February! What a strange time of year when temperatures range from twenty to eighty degrees! Our students and staff are working hard! Please ask your child what they have been learning about as part of their study of Black History Month. Additionally, our counselors have been doing some amazing lessons around children using their voices for positive change in their community.
Friendly remember that school starts at 7:40. It is important students are on time so that they are able to start their day with a smooth transition. Bus service is available for every child.
I wanted to remind you of a couple of things:
Please make sure sweaters, jackets, lunchboxes and water bottles are labeled.
- Feb 17th is Early Release at 1:30 pm
- Feb 20th is a Student Holiday
- School tours are available on Fridays at 10 am. Please call the front office to make an appointment.
- Our annual School Carnival - Mustang Round Up will be on April 1st and PTA will be having MRU Committee Meetings on Thursdays at 11:30 am. More info can be read in their section.
Celebrations:
School Counselor Appreciation Week - we had our students create notes and posters for our amazing school counselors Ms. O'Connor and Ms. Dalzin. We are so lucky to have them!!
I encourage you to join me for coffee on February 24th at 7:30 am after you drop off your students. This is the perfect time to be able to connect and to ask me questions and gain information.
Coffee with Principal Loyola on February 24 at 7:30 am
Menchaca Butterfly & Pollinator Garden
Hi! We are looking for volunteers on February, Saturday 25th to help plant some trees in the garden and get the garden ready for spring! Please use the link below to sign up if you can come help us.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e45aeab22a3f9c25-menchaca#/
Thank you!
Ms. Beard
Menchaca Butterfly & Pollinator Garden
School Counselor Appreciation Week
Front Office Reminders
Important Reminder: Early Release on Feb 17th
We will have Early Release Friday, February 17th at 1:30 pm.
Buses will be operate and YMCA Extend-A-Care will be set up as well.
No School on Monday, Feb 20th
Parent Support Specialist
Special Education Resources
Dear Mustangs,
Links on free training to better understand Autism that is for educators, parents and anyone interested in learning more about it.
Texas Statewide Leadership for Autism Training
Teacher Toolkit Autism Circuit
The teacher tool kit is amazing and has some free tools to better understand how to work with Autistic persons. This is just one of the many helpful tools.
Break Card
https://autismcircuit.net/tool/break-card
Here is a link to print out a break card which is a great tool. It shows you how and when to use it.
These links above are a great resource for parents/caregivers who need help with understanding their child's diagnosis and how to work with them at home.
Special Education Power Hour - February 23rd
Dear Families,
Reminder that Special Education Power Hour this month will be on February 23rd via Zoom at Noon and again at 6 pm.
Speaker will be Dan St. Romain and February's Topic will be Accentuate the Positive: Assets Students Need for Success
Dan St. Romain is a national educational consultant who provides staff development and consultative services to educators K-12. Session description: When we look at the long-term goals we have for students in the school system, they go way beyond the isolated short-term goal of passing state-mandated test. Research clearly indicates what youth need to be successful in school, as well as beyond. This interactive session will feature this information, as well as ways to encourage healthy development at all levels.
For more information please feel free to contact Social Services Specialist - Liena Garcia De Leon at 512-414-SPED (7733)
The link to the list of Power Hour Sessions is below:
https://www.austinisd.org/special-education/parent-power-hours
Zoom Link: https://austinisd-org.zoom.us/j/84049330369#success
Please be sure to let them know that you will attend the session by filling out the form: February Parent Power Hour. This will help inform them to provide interpreters or any other accommodation if you need it.
Tools for Success - Parent Workshop/Classes - February 21 & 22
Tuesday, February 21st
- Partners Resource Network - We will be talking about Partners Resource Network, a non-profit organization that serves as the Texas Parent Training and Information Center (PTI) as mandated by the IDEA law. The presentation is about what is our mission and what are the services we offer to parents of children with disabilities and youth with disabilities. Session in English at 9 am - Zoom Registration: bit.ly/TFSFeb21S1. Session in Spanish at 2 pm - Zoom Registration: bit.ly/TFSFeb21S2.
Wednesday, February 22nd
- Austin ISD Parent Portal and Enrollment - We will discuss how to create your Parent AISD Portal account and register your student(s) online in the AISD Student Registration system. Session in English at 9 am - Zoom Registration: bit.ly/TFSFeb22S1 Session in Spanish at 1 pm - Zoom Registration: bit.ly/TFSFeb22S3
- Austin ISD Transportation Services - AISD Transportation mission to provide safe, reliable & professional transportation for our students every day! Join this session to learn more about their services. Session in English at 11 am - Zoom Registration: bit.ly/TFSFeb22S2 Session in Spanish at 2 pm - Zoom Registration: bit.ly/TFSFeb22S4
For more information please email: siglinda.orozco@austinisd.org
Questions? Please call 512-414-6805
Focus Groups for Feedback about AISD
American Institutes for Research (AIR) is working with Austin Independent School District (AISD) and wants to hear about your experiences within the district through focus groups. The purpose of the focus groups is to discuss your opinion on AISD’s policies and educational outcomes. Information from focus groups and district-wide data will be used to inform AIR’s recommendations to the district on how to address identified community needs.
If you are interested in participating, please fill out this interest form (https://bit.ly/AISD_AIRFocusGroup). The interest form will help AIR select focus group participants.
FY 2024 Community Talks and Budget Info Sessions
Black Men's Health Clinic
Dear Mustang Families,
We wanted to share BMHC who is centered in the Health and Wellness of Austin’s Men of Color.
Their About Us:
This is a first-of-its-kind health clinic addressing the long-time care gap for men of color. The name Black Men’s Health Clinic is intended to remind us of the inequities men of color experience and represent our commitment to addressing them. Black and brown men are far more likely than their counterparts to die prematurely of heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes. Even with research studies and modernized approaches to health, this statistic has unfortunately not changed. BMHC is here to ensure the longevity of life for men of color by elevating it to an essential priority, and providing resources designed to best aid them.
To learn more their contact info is below.
Phone number: 737-210-8446
Location: 6633 E HWY 290 STE 100, Austin, TX
Website: blackmenshealthclinic.org
Austin Sunshine Camps
Dear Mustang Families,
Austin Sunshine Camps is offering Free Summer Camp for children 8 years old - 15 years old.
It would be for 10 days and 9 nights.
Activities would include: Rope Course, Swimming, Arts & Crafts, Fun Games, Music & Dance, Sports, and Special Events.
Who qualifies? Families who qualify for free/reduced lunch or kids in the foster care program.
To apply please click on the link below:
https://www.sunshinecamps.org/summercamp/
or scan the QR code.
PTA News!!!
Hyigene Drive
Dear Menchaca Mustangs,
PTA will also be hosting a Hygiene Drive for our Mustang community. Please be sure items are unused, sealed and unexpired. The drive will start on Feb 10th and will be held through the month of February. Items can be given to Front Office or with your student's teacher.
The following items that are in need:
-Shampoo
-Conditioner
-Deodorant
-Soap (Hand, bar, dish)
-Detergent
-Fabric Softener
-Tooth Brushes
-Tooth paste
-Floss
-Lotion
-Hair Combs/Brushes
-Cleaning Products
Save The Date!!! Mustang Round Up (MRU) - April 1st
Save the date for April 1st!
History of Mustang Round Up (MRU):
MRU is our annual Mustang Round-Up Carnival! This is our campus’ signature community
engagement event that strives to bring together our staff, students, and families in a day of
celebration and fun! It is also our largest fundraising event each year and is responsible for
bringing in the majority of PTA funding that helps support our campus initiatives.
Committee Meetings for MRU will be on Thursdays at 11:30 am to 12:30 pm in the Community room.
Parents are welcome to join the MRU committee meetings. Please just sign in at the front desk with your ID.
Counselor Corner
5th Grade Families: Middle School Newsletter
Lessons
This month counselors are focusing their classroom lessons on the topic of activism. They are talking with students about what it means to be an activist, how to use their voice to speak about a cause they believe in, and examples of kid activists who were able to make meaningful change in their communities. See below some examples of books the counselors will be using in this discussion!
Links to the Austin Public Library are below:
Important Dates
Upcoming
- February is National African American Heritage Month
- February 17 - Student Early Release at 1:30 pm
- February 20 - Student Holiday
- February 24 - Coffee with Principal Loyola at 7:30 am / Food Service Appreciation Day
Next Month
- March is Women's History Month & Disability Awareness Month
- March 6 - CAC Meeting at 3:30 pm
- March 8 - International Women's Day
- March 6-10 - Parent Support Specialist Appreciation Week
- March 10 - Class Photos / Spring Pictures / End of 3rd Grading Period
- March 13-17 - Spring Break
- March 20-25 - Austin ISD Pride Week
- March 30 - Coffee with Principal Loyola
- March 31 - Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta Holiday
Menchaca Elementary School
Website: https://menchaca.austinschools.org/
Phone: 512.414.2333