ECHS OWL Update
March 24, 2024
Early College High School News
Mission Statement
Our ECHS Owls are taught to have H.O.P.E.--faith in the premise that they can create OPPORTUNITY and a better future through EFFORT, HARD WORK, and PERSONAL COURAGE. This idea of H.O.P.E. is woven into the fabric of our ECHS family.
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Greetings ECHS School Community!
We were pleased to greet everyone back this week to begin the fourth and final nine weeks of the 2023-24 school year!
The OWLstanding News section highlights the ECHS Culture Spirit Week.
As an fyi, school will be IN SESSION at ECHS on Wednesday, March 27th. ACC will be closed on March 27th. More details are included in the Campus Reminders section.
Spring has arrived! Please know, we intentionally highlighted and continue to reinforce campus expectations for our RRECHS students. Since the beginning of the school year, our students have been expected to put away their cell phones during class time and leave their cell phones in the classroom when signing out to go to the restroom, to reinforce the importance of focusing on learning during instructional time. Our OWLs are also expected to consistently follow the RRISD dress code, Round Rock Early College High School student parent handbook and Austin Community College code of conduct. If we find that students are not abiding by the aforementioned guidelines, we will continue following up with those students (their parents) specifically and assign disciplinary consequences, as needed. We will also continue assigning lunch or Friday detention, for students who skip their assigned office hours/enrichment club sessions. Please be assured, the social/emotional, behavioral and academic success of every ECHS student remains our top priority!
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
GO OWLS!
Dr. Wilson
UPCOMING Events:
3/27: School Day at ECHS/ACC is Closed
3/27: ECHS PTSA General Membership Meeting (VIRTUAL) at 6:30 pm
3/29: RRISD Student and Staff Holiday
4/5: Kona Ice Spirit Event from 2:30-5:00pm in Lot B
4/8:Solar Eclipse - School Day in RRISD and at ECHS
4/11: ECHS PTSA General Membership Meeting-Elections at 5:00pm in the Commons
4/11: AVID Spring Showcase at 5:30 pm
4/19: ECHS/CHE Carnival at 6:00 pm
CAMPUS REMINDERS:
March 27th is a School Day at ECHS!
School is IN SESSION on Wednesday, March 27th at Early College High School.
However, ACC is CLOSED on March 27th.
On this day, our students will report to assigned rooms located in the ACC 2000 building, during their ACC classes.
More details COMING SOON!
April 8th (Solar Eclipse) is a School Day in RRISD and at ECHS!
Subject: April 8th Solar Eclipse Preparations
On Monday, April 8th Central Texas will experience a total solar eclipse from approximately 1:32pm-1:41pm. While this will be an exciting opportunity and learning experience for students and staff, we want to make sure that we adhere to all safety guidelines and procedures.
Please note that April 8th is a School Day in Round Rock ISD and at Early College High School.
To participate in this event, ECHS students MUST have a signed permission slip turned in to their Advisory Teacher BY MARCH 28, 2024.
*Here is a link to the permission slip for your reference.
We respect all families' wishes who opt to keep their students at home that day, or have their students sit out the event. All students who do not have a signed permission slip or whose families have opted for them to stay inside will continue within their regularly scheduled A-Day classes. Absences specifically related to the eclipse will be unexcused for the day, and students will be responsible for making up any work they miss.
ECHS students who return a signed permission slip will receive a pair of safety viewing glasses in Advisory on the day of the eclipse. We’ll have supervising staff on hand to ensure our students remain safe while they’re outside.
Parents who sign permission slips for their students to participate are asked to please reinforce these safety recommendations with your student, prior to Monday, April 8th.
Thank you so much for your continued support of Round Rock Early College High School.
Dr. Elizabeth Wilson
Principal
April 11th is the AVID Spring Showcase:
STAAR Test Date Reminders:
Parent Chaperones Needed for Government Field Trip - Seniors:
April 19th is the ECHS/CHE Carnival:
Through countless hours of cooperative work between Early College High School PTSA and Caldwell Heights Elementary PTA, we are proud to present a joint CHE/ECHS Spring Carnival for the students of Caldwell Heights Elementary as a FULL SCHOOL SERVICE PROJECT taking place on April 19th!
The goal is to help Caldwell Heights and their PTA to raise much needed funds for classroom resources. Additionally, Early College High School PTSA will be able to increase funding for Grants and Scholarships.
We would love for you to check out this ECHS/CHE Carnival visual for details and information about how to get involved.
We look forward to seeing you there, April 19th 6:00 - 8:00pm at Caldwell Heights Elementary.
ECHS “OWL”standing News!
Culture Week Spirit Week!
SHOUT OUT to the ECHS STUCO, supported by Mr. Lynch & Mr. Stewart, for sponsoring the March 18-22 Culture Week Spirit Week!
MANY THANKS to the members of our school community who joined in to participate!
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH SPOTLIGHT
We celebrate Women’s History Month to recognize the achievements and contributions of Women who have inspired others to achieve success within our ECHS community and beyond!
Lilly Ledbetter (1938 – Present)
A powerful activist for women’s pay equality, Lilly Ledbetter filed suit in 1998 against Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, her former employer, due to being paid significantly less than her male colleagues. The court went on to rule against her in 2007, claiming the suit had to be brought within six months of the discrimination occurring. She fought back, making the case that she hadn’t discovered the discrepancy until several years later. Her story caught the attention of Ruth Bader Ginsberg, who helped enact the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, helping employees win pay discrimination claims beyond the six-month period. The act was the first piece of legislation signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2009. Ledbetter is known for her quote, “Equal pay for equal work is a fundamental American principle,” which she stated in a speech at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Ledbetter continues to fight for women’s rights and equal pay.
Ruth Bader Ginsberg (1933 – 2020)
A fearless leader who fought for justice and served America until her death in September 2020, Ruth Bader Ginsberg was an American lawyer and jurist who served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1993 through 2020. Ginsburg was the first Jewish woman and the second female to serve on the court. She spent much of her career advocating for gender equality and women’s rights, going on to win several arguments before the Supreme Court, including the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR OWLstanding ECHS Student nominated this week:
Miles M.
Jonatan A.
Sammie D.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR OWLstanding ECHS Staff nominated this week:
Ms. Anaya
The deadline to pre-order your Carnival T-shirt is March 27th!
Don’t miss out on this limited edition t-shirt designed by ECHS staff members!
ECHS PTSA is sponsoring a “personalize” your Carnival t-shirt event on the day of Carnival during advisories. Express yourself with beads, bling and other fun add-ons to make your t-shirt “One of a Kind”!
All profits from the t-shirts sold go to help pay for ECHS/CHE Carnival and allow us to keep Carnival prices LOW! ORDER HERE!
We have a BIG fundraising goal for Carnival!
Our goal is to raise $5,000 to match a generous grant provided by the W.D. Kelley Foundation.
You can help, click HERE to learn more!
Our current fundraising total is $3,340 in monetary and in-kind donations.
Thank you to Jersey Mike’s-University Blvd, Sock-Hop Inflatables, Double Dave’s Pizzaworks-Round Rock, Kona Ice, RockSports, Hands Off My Funnel Cake, ACC-Round Rock & Frios Gourmet Pops for sponsoring our Carnival!
(Each person in the big top = $50 raised)
Don’t forget the Advisory Fundraising contest to win a Kona Ice party on April 5th! Currently, Mrs. Reaux’s advisory is in 1st place followed closely by Mrs. Picazo’s advisory.
Seniors, just one week left to apply for one of two ECHS PTSA Legacy Scholarships!
Don’t forget to check our Scholarships Page on the ECHS PTSA website. We have linked all PTA scholarships from RRISD Elementary and Middle Schools to make applying as easy as possible.
Helen Holmes (Students whose last names begin with M-Z)
Valerie Laugier (Students whose last names begin with A-L)
Mental Health & Other Resources for 23-24
Here is a link to crisis resources for anything related to mental health, dating violence, and substance use. This includes a 24-hour hotline and text line.
Here is a link to community resources including financial, food, medical, dental, and mental health assistance.
More student and parent resources can be found on the district Counseling Services and Behavioral Health websites.
RRISD Health Services website for info and medical forms:
https://roundrockisd.org/health-services/
RRISD Covid website:
ACC UPDATES:
ACC RESOURCES
ACC library - Resources now online
Need more study resources tips, meet with an Academic Coach
FREE online tutoring here.
DISTRICT UPDATE:
Cedar Valley Middle School NJHS donates $10,000 to Make-A-Wish
Mar 20, 2024
Cedar Valley Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society is making a difference!
The group raised $10,000 to donate to an 11-year-old Make-A-Wish America child named Jordan, who wishes to visit Disney World.
“The Make-A-Wish representatives said we are the only school in the area that can raise this amount of money,” said NJHS Advisor Mirelle Marquez. “And that they use us as an example for other schools in the area who want to start similar fundraisers.”
Marquez said her students raised half the money at their “Wishes Benefit Concert” in November and the other half at their annual “Walk 4 Wishes Carnival” in February. This is Cedar Valley NJHS’s 7th annual fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Eighth-grader Luis Figueroa said it was fun to be a part of the events that helped raise the money.
“It’s important because we’re changing lives,” he said. “I love that we were able to unite our community for this amazing cause.”
Along with the monetary donation, the group also gave Jordan a travel backpack filled with sunscreen, a hat, a $25 gift certificate to Chick-fil-A, some of his favorite snacks, a stuffed animal, and other small necessities for his trip.
“It’s hard knowing what he’s going through, but it’s heartwarming being able to put a smile on his face,” said Luis.
Make-A-Wish is a foundation that helps “make a wish” come true for children diagnosed with critical illnesses at a crucial turning point in their lives. The organization believes these wishes are critical for helping children regain the strength necessary to fight harder against their illnesses.
Marquez said the experience was memorable for her and her students.
“Seeing him hug the backpack, and seeing his smile… knowing that we’re granting his wish… it’s very rewarding,” she said. “It makes all of the time and effort leading up to this worth it.”
This Week’s Inspirational Quote:
Have you seen Early College High School on Facebook and on Twitter?
Early College High School is on Facebook and Twitter!
Please like us on Facebook @RRISDECHS and follow us on Twitter @ECHS_RRISD to see what is happening at ECHS!
In an effort to maintain our good health, safety and well being; we are ALL encouraged to please continue following the current restrictions instituted within our school district, city, state and nation.
Please take care of yourselves!
Round Rock ISD Early College High School
Email: web_master@roundrockisd.org
Website: https://earlycollege.roundrockisd.org/
Location: 4400 College Park Dr, Round Rock, TX 78665, USA
Phone: 512-704-1650
Facebook: facebook.com/RRISDECHS
Twitter: @ECHS_RRISD