Consuelo Mendez MS STEM Academy
Campus, Parent/Family & Community Engagement February 2021
Newsletter Highlights
Important Contacts
Mendez STEM Academy Bell Schedule
Austin ISD Updated 2020-2021 Calendar
Healthy Heart Week Family Activities Feb. 1-5
Yearbook Sale 2020-2021
Mendez Media Center
Communities In Schools Staff
COVID-19 Dashboard
Attendance Matters Everyday
Austin ISD online Registration 2021-2022
Club Latinitas online program
About our Administrator
AISD Middle School Office Newsletter
Community Resource Assistance
Consuelo Mendez Important Contacts:
Front Office: 512-414-3284
Attendance: Erika Jaimes Gonzalez- erika.jaimesgonzalez@austinisd.org
Registrar:Alex Molina- alex.molina@austinisd.org
Technology Questions: Melissa Stovall- melissa.stovall@austinisd.org
Counselors:
6th Grade and 8th Grade last name: M-Z: Lydia Aruajo- lydia.araujo@austinisd.org
8th Grade last name: A-L and 7th Grade: Barbara Goodin-Clark- barbara.goodin-clark@austinisd.org
SEL Counselor: Kaeli Helmink- kaeli.helmink@austinisd.org
Directors:
Director: Joanna Rowley-joanna.rowley@austinisd.org
6th Grade Assistant Director: Yolanda Rodriguez Pacheco- yolanda.pacheco@austinisd.org
7th Grade Assistant Director: Roxanne Walker- roxanne.walker@austinisd.org
8th Grade Assistant Director: Juan Haney - juan.haney@austinisd.org
Spring Semester 2021
Healthy Heart Week February 1-5:
Please visit the following link for healthy heart week family activities:
https://sites.google.com/austinisd.org/mendezhealthyheartweek/home
Yearbook for Sale 2020-2021
Compra tu Anuario 2020-2021
Visite el sitio web para ordenar su Anuario de Consuelo Mendez
https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/Order/SelectStudent?isAdvertisementOnly=FalseBuy your Yearbook 2020-2021
Go to the website below to order your Consuelo Mendez yearbook:
https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/Order/SelectStudent?isAdvertisementOnly=FalseHello from the Mendez Library Media Center!
Students are encouraged to visit the virtual Mendez Library Media Center on BLEND! They can find instructional activities, book videos, online makerspace projects, book lists, and more! All students have access to the Mendez Library Course through their BLEND Dashboard.
The Mendez Library is excited to introduce Books to Go! Students and families can request physical books from our library and get them by curbside or classroom delivery. For more information, please read the flyer below.
If you need more information, please contact me at melissa.stovall@austinisd.org or (512) 414-4529.
Happy Reading!
-Ms. Stovall, Library Media Specialist
Communities in Schools of Central Texas Staff
Austin ISD COVID-19 Dashboard
Procedure for Absences
Every Day Counts! Student success begins with attendance.
Please remember that attendance counts each and every day. In fact, part of our state accountability rests on maintaining high levels of attendance. We ask that you make sure to document any absences via email to erika.jaimesgonzalez@austinisd.org.
We know from research and experience that attendance boosts student achievement, educational experiences, and prepares students for college, careers and beyond. Please visit the link below for details to empower families with resources to keep your student in school and engaged.
https://www.austinisd.org/openforlearning/attendance
The Texas Compulsory School Attendance Law, Chapter 25 of the Texas Education Code, mandates your child’s attendance. Austin ISD is required to initiate truancy prevention measures for students who fail to attend school without an excuse on three (3) or more days or parts of days within a four-week period. The district may also file a complaint against the parent/guardian and/or make a referral for a student to a truancy court after 10 unexcused absences.
Austin ISD online Registration 2021-2022
Consuelo Mendez Families Austin ISD online registration is open for next school year 2021-2022.
Log into your parent portal by visiting the following link: https://my.austinisd.org/LoginPolicy.jsp If you need assistance with online registration you may contact our Registrar Mrs. Molina at 512-414-3514, alex.molina@austinisd.org
You may also visit the Austin ISD website for further details: https://www.austinisd.org/enroll#top-reasons
Club Latinitas
Click on the flyer above to register online. Haga clic en el boletín para registrarse.
FREE bilingual after-school club for all girls age 9-14. Fun activities with technology and media! 4-6PM
About this Event
FREE! - ¡GRATIS!
February 8 - May 21, 2021
(Registration is ongoing).
(La registración seguirá abierta. Regístrese en cualquier momento).
This event will be hosted online. Access to a computer and internet will be required. If you do not have access to a computer or internet, please contact us so that we can help you.
Este evento ocurrirá en línea. Acceso a una computadora e internet será requerido. Si usted no tiene acceso a una computadora o internet, por favor contáctenos para poder ayudarle.
Do you have girl that is interested in technology, electronics, making videos, or writing? Sign them up for Club Latinitas, a great way to spend an afternoon with friends online!
Our instructors are warm, funny, patient and bilingual, making this after-school program fun for any girl!
Club Location: Online
All club questions and inquiries can be sent to liliana@latinitasonline.org
¿Ud tiene un a niña interesada en tecnología, crear videos, o escritura? Inscríbala para Club Latinitas, el modo perfecto para disfrutar una tarde con amigas en linea!
¡Nuestras instructoras son simpáticas, bondadosas, pacientes y bilingües haciendo que este program después de horas escolares sea divertido para cualquier niña!
Localización del club: en línea
Si usted tiene preguntas puede dirijirlas a liliana@latinitasonline.org
About our Administrator
Roxanne Walker
My name is Roxanne Walker. I was born in Boston, Massachusetts and grew up in Tampa, Florida. I have a Bachelor degree in the Visual Arts and Art History from the University of South Florida. I completed my second degree, a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, from Lamar University in 2014. In 2005, I began teaching in the social behavioral services (SBS) unit at a middle school in Florida. In 2011, I moved to Bradenton Beach where I had an opportunity to teach reading intervention at an alternative high school. In the summer of 2011, I moved to Austin, TX and was fortunate enough to land a job teaching 7th grade ELA at Mendez MS. I have been here ever since.
After my first year at Mendez, I started to recognize there were some barriers to our students having adequate access to education. There were several factors involved, but I knew I needed to put myself in a place where I could start making real change. I made an impact to the students in my classes, but our campus had almost 1000 students, and we were struggling. There was a vacant ELA instructional coach position on our campus, so I took a chance and applied. Unfortunately, I did not get the job, and one of the reasons was that I did not hold a master’s degree. That next day, I applied to Lamar University and fast-tracked my way to earning a masters with a 4.0.
Fortunately, my principal saw leadership potential in me, and the next year, I was able to apply for the position of Literacy Specialist for Mendez MS. Hard work paid off, and I was able to make decisions on a larger scale. After guiding curriculum, instruction, and implementing campus-wide initiatives for five years, I realized I was not satisfied with my level of impact. I had received my principal’s certification and decided it was time take the next step in making real change. I became an assistant director alongside two other amazing friends.
Throughout my ten years at Mendez MS, I have grown so much as an educator, but I know I have so much more to learn. I am lucky enough to work with two amazing assistant directors who help me laugh and learn every day. I am also so very grateful to work with a faculty and staff who truly value our community and want to see students succeed and thrive. I know I have not reached my full potential as a leader and will continue to strive to contribute to a positive campus community that fosters building strong relationships and kindness.
Target Improvement Plan 1st session
Mendez Mavericks Families & Community on Feb. 11, 2021 join our Zoom meeting by clicking the link below:
https://austinisd-org.zoom.us/j/2372096488?pwd=U1EyeE9zV3ZKY1djZFJoYTRIVTRFZz09
Please select the session that works for your schedule.
Seleccione la sesión que se adapte a su horario. (detalles en español en volante)
Thursday, Feb 11, 2021, 09:30 AM
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Target Improvement Plan 2nd session
Mendez Mavericks Families & Community on Feb. 11, 2021 join our Zoom meeting by clicking the link below:
https://austinisd-org.zoom.us/j/2372096488?pwd=U1EyeE9zV3ZKY1djZFJoYTRIVTRFZz09
Please select the session that works for your schedule.
Seleccione la sesión que se adapte a su horario. (detalles en español en volante)
Thursday, Feb 11, 2021, 05:30 PM
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CMMS Parent/Family Engagement Spring 2021
Visit the following site for Parent/Family Engagement Spring 2021:
https://sites.google.com/austinisd.org/parent-engagement-cmms/eventsJoin our Consuelo Mendez PTA today!
Thank you to all who renewed their CMMS PTA Membership. I would to ask Consuelo Mendez Families, Teacher & staff to join our CMMS PTA it will take less than 5 minutes and anyone can join our PTA CMMS Families, Dove Springs Community Members, Teachers, Principals, Staff & Anyone who like to support our CMMS PTA.
2020-2021 CMMS PTSA Membership is now open we are asking all that in the group to please join today www.joinpta.org Thank you for your support.
-In order for our PTA to remain an active PTA we need at 20 members to join our PTA membership. Please consider joining/renewing your membership online.
When you join you are not obligated to volunteer! You membership is vital to keeping our CMMS PTA active.
Austin Independent School District Announcement
2020-21 Family Survey
The Austin ISD 2020–21 Family Survey is now available and is accepting responses online through March 5, 2020. Please click the link below to access the survey.
Families are encouraged to participate so they can share input on district and campus performance. The survey includes questions about how well school staff and leadership communicate with parents, as well as how easily parents may communicate about their students and how families learn about programs offered at their school. Due to COVID-19, it is especially important this year to provide your opinion to ensure we are providing a great experience for you and your child.
The results will help district leadership learn how to best to improve services for our students.
To take the survey:
https://tinyurl.com/AISD-Family-Survey-2021
La encuesta para familias del Austin ISD de 2020-21 ya está disponible y estará aceptando respuestas en línea hasta el 5 de marzo de 2020. Haga clic en el enlace de abajo para accesar la encuesta.
Se les recomienda a las familias que participen para que puedan compartir sus opiniones sobre su experiencia en las escuelas de sus hijos y en el distrito. La encuesta incluye preguntas acerca de la calidad de la comunicación que el personal y el liderazgo de la escuela tienen con los padres de familia, y sobre la facilidad con la que los padres de familia pueden comunicarse acerca de sus hijos y enterarse de los programas que ofrece su escuela. A causa de la COVID-19, es especialmente importante que dé su opinión este año para garantizar que estemos brindando una excelente experiencia para usted y sus hijos.
Los resultados le ayudarán al liderazgo del distrito a determinar la manera óptima de mejorar los servicios para nuestros estudiantes.
Para responder la encuesta:
Consuelo Mendez MS STEM Academy AISD APP COVID-19 Screening
Download the Austin ISD APP
Austin ISD is happy to announce the launch of our mobile app—a new way to stay connected on your Android device or IPhone. The app will allow all AISD students, staff and families to receive notifications from the district and campuses for which they wish to subscribe. COVID-19 self-screening for users to complete before coming into contact with others or before leaving home for work or school.
The app allows for quick access to: see the calendar for the current school year,
links to the following:
●Parent Cloud
●Parent Self Serve
●"Where's The Bus" (AISD Transportation)
●School Café,
●the School Directory, and the latest news.
Locate the free Austin ISD Mobile App in the digital store for your mobile device by searching for Austin ISD. For questions concerning the new app, call 512–414–9187.
Open for Learning Plan- version 4.2
As we prepare to welcome students in a phased-in approach to our campuses, our Open for Learning Plan Version 4.2 We've updated the Open for Learning Plan to Version 4.2! Click below to download!
Parent Self Serve: Schedules, Grades, Attendance
Austin ISD Parent Portal: https://my.austinisd.org/LoginPolicy.jsp
As the school year progresses, it is important for families to know how to access student grades and other key information. Parent Self-Serve is the portal that allows parents to view their child's schedule, attendance, grades and more. In addition, parents can email teachers and set notification alerts if they want to receive emails when their child has been marked absent or has a missing assignment. To get started, visit my.austinisd.org. For more information, see our information sheets below in a variety of languages.
Bus Riding Protocols
Austin ISD is committed to providing safe, reliable transportation to our students. We are implementing protocols that all families who qualify for bus transportation should know if they plan on using this service. The full plan for our bus-riding families can be found on the Open for Learning Plan Version 4.2 Below are highlights of this communication.
Families, please make sure to update your contact information in Parent Cloud.
We encourage every family to take their child’s temperature each morning.
Please do not send students to school if they are sick, have symptoms or have a temperature at 100.0 or greater.
Please make every effort to accompany students to and from the bus stop and school in the event your child registers a temperature greater than 100.0.
Masks are required on all AISD buses.
Prior to boarding the bus, a transportation staff member will check every student’s temperature with a touchless thermometer.
If a child registers a temperature at or above 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit, they will either be sent home with their parents. If a parent/guardian is not available, separate transportation to the campus will be provided.
To reduce virus exposure on buses, we encourage families to drop off or walk with their students to school.
Additional information
Bus drivers will wear personal protective equipment including masks, gloves and face shields to be used during temperature screenings.
All buses will have hand sanitizer and will be disinfected regularly.
Maximum allowable seating will be one student per seat with the seat behind the driver closed for social distancing.
We look forward to welcoming your child aboard!
Rapid testing for all on-campus students and staff
Austin ISD information regarding Rapid testing:
https://www.austinisd.org/openforlearning/healthsafety/rapid-test
For virtual learners/workers and those that are getting tested at other locations that also want family members to get tested as well, you can schedule testing on the same days with Austin Public Health by visiting COVID19.AustinTexas.gov or by calling 512-972-5560.
If you have any questions, please contact the Department of Health Services at health@austinisd.org.
Austin ISD Food Service Notice
Austin ISD Food Service Notice:
Beginning the week of October 5, Austin ISD will transition from daily to weekly free curbside meal service. This change is in response to community feedback, providing a more efficient and convenient meal pick-up option for families.
Each Thursday, curbside meal sites will provide free 7 day meal packs at more than 40 locations throughout Austin. These locations are listed below.
Families are advised to stay in their cars and not enter buildings during meal pick up. Families who come by walking/biking/transit will still be able to receive food outside the campuses.
To provide more options for families, Blackshear Elementary, Crockett Early College High School, Garcia Young Men’s Leadership Academy, Oak Hill Elementary, Padron Elementary and Widen Elementary will serve 7 day meal packs Thursdays from 7-9 a.m.
Anderson High School, Covington Middle School, Dawson Elementary, Eastside Memorial Early College High School and Pecan Springs Elementary will serve 7 day meal packs on Thursdays from 3:30-5:30 p.m
For more detail on curbside meal sites:
Community Resource Assistance
Rent Assistance
The RENT (Relief of Emergency Needs for Tenants) Program still has funds available!
The RENT program provides direct rental support for up to three months for income-eligible Austinites who can demonstrate a COVID-19-related income loss.
To access the RENT Program website click on the image to right.
Immunization Clinic
List of immunization clinics:
Did you know? The law requires that all students be up to date with their immunizations, applicable to both remote and in-person learners.
City of Austin Emergency Financial Assistance Plus 1 Program
City of Austin Emergency Financial Assistance Plus 1 Program Utility Assistance:
Consuelo Mendez MS STEM Academy
Email: jesica.victoria@austinisd.org
Website: https://mendez.austinschools.org/
Location: 5106 Village Square Drive, Austin, TX 78744, USA
Phone: 512-414-3284
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MendezMavericks/
Twitter: @MendezMiddleSch