Eagles Soar Newsletter
W. Charles Akins High School
March 30th - April 3rd 2020
Akins Family Update
We miss you and love you all so much! Please know we continue to think of you all and pray you are all safe and in good health during this unprecedented time.
Your teachers and administrators are working diligently to be prepared for our online learning launch date of April 6th, 2020. As of last week our Superintendent Dr. Paul Cruz pushed back our return date to May 4th, 2020.
As of now there are no new updates concerning prom and graduation. Our prom is scheduled for May 9th and graduation for May 27th. If and when these events or any other senior event is cancelled and/or rescheduled we will update you.
We know that we value family at Akins ECHS. We will get through this time together as an Akins family and we are here to support you all through this!
Please look to this newsletter and our campus websites for updates.
Sincerely,
Tina Salazar
Principal
W. Charles Akins Early College High School
Querida Familia de Akins,
¡Les extrañamos tanto! Esperamos que sepan que permanecemos pensando en ustedes y orando por su bien estar y seguridad en este tiempo sin precedentes.
Los maestros y administradores están trabajando mucho para preparar la educación en línea que se estrenará el 6 de Abril de 2020. Desde la semana pasada el Superintendente Dr. Paul Cruz postergó la fecha de la vuelta a escuela al 4 de Mayo 2020.
Desde ahora no hay novedades con prom ni con la graduación. Prom todavía está agendado por el 9 de Mayo y la graduación por el 27 de Mayo. En cuanto sabemos de la cancelación o postergación de cualquier evento les haremos saber.
Sabemos que valoramos familia en Akins ECHS. Superaremos esto juntos como la familia de Akins, ¡y estamos disponibles para ayudarles!
Por favor vea a este boletín o el sitio web para información y actualizaciones.
Atentamente,
Tina Salazar
Principal
W. Charles Akins Early College High School
Online Learning begins April 6th 2020
Akins Master Schedule beginning April 6th 2020
Akins ECHS is using BLEND to amplify and support teaching, learning, and communication
BLEND is our district's version of Canvas LMS(Links to an external site), a tool that the University of Texas and other K-12 districts, colleges, and universities around the country are using to support instruction. This is why BLEND email/text notifications say "Canvas."
Teachers are still getting comfortable with BLEND and are using it to varying degrees.
ALL Parents/Guardians have "Observer" access to BLEND. This means that when they click on BLEND through the portal or download and set up the Canvas mobile app, they will automatically be able to view any published content for their child's courses.
Parents will ONLY be able to see individual responses and teacher feedback for their child, not for the entire class.
TEAMS is still the grade book of record. Parents should still access overall course grades through Self Serve, but if a teacher is using BLEND to grade individual assignments, parents can view those assignment grades in BLEND.
Parent set up Walkthroughs for BLEND
These links will take parents to short screencasts that demonstrate what BLEND looks like from the parent "observer" view.
BLEND Tour
This link will direct parents to another BLEND course with very detailed information about how BLEND works. The course is available in English and Spanish.
Helpful BLEND information
These printable documents provide parents/guardians with key information about BLEND.
Multiple Languages Supported
This page contains helpful BLEND (Canvas) guides in multiple languages.
BLEND (Canvas) Guides - Guías - 指南中文版Zoom Meeting Tips for students and families
Zoom tutorials to help students, parents, and families prepare for April 6th launch date for online learning.
Student Support Services Update for Akins students
Hello,
I miss everyone so much! If you would like 1 on 1 support virtually while schools are closed during COVID-19, please click this link and complete this google form HERE: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdktC0zsq6MqfVd8yVeiOSRNVx9ZmhQaREZUh7y9InIFWvTdg/viewform?usp=sf_link
Sincerely,
Meg Scamardo
Akins Social Worker
Our groups will be held via ZOOM beginning the week of April 6th. The schedule will be as follows:
- Tuesday, 10:30 am - 11:00 am - Emotions Mgmt.
- Tuesday, 10:30 am - 11:00 am - Girls Empowerment/Healthy Relationships - Female
- Wednesday, 10:30 am - 11:00 am - LGBTQ Support
- Wednesday, 10:30 am - 11:00 am - Grief & Loss
- Thursday, 10:30 am - 11:00 am - Anger Mgmt.
- Thursday, 10:30 am - 11:00 am - Healthy Relationships - Male
For questions or concerns, PLEASE reach out to us via email at margaret.scamardo@austinisd.org or by phone at (737) 231 - 0201. We miss everyone so much, and we are thinking of y'all daily.
Check out our S.S.S. Newsletter for more information about our program, services, and resources here https://www.smore.com/xb85v
Akins Communities In Schools (CIS) Update
Hi Fellow Eagles,
I am missing my Akins students & colleagues very much! I know this time is a bit unpredictable & scary but we are all here to support you in any way we can. You are each so loved & appreciated! Social distance doesn’t have to mean emotional distance & we want to ensure you stay engaged and connected through this process.
I will be checking in with CIS students and families by phone, email, and following up by mail when I am unable to make phone contact. As I reach out to families, I will offer words of encouragement, a connection, and assess if your family needs are being met. We also aim to engage as many students & families as possible in ongoing virtual case management and support sessions via phone or Zoom. We are prioritizing ongoing services for our current CIS families but we will communicate about the ability to enroll new families into CIS as we know that new needs are arising daily.
CIS has compiled a list of the resources available for families, including healthcare and basic needs. Here are just a few of the great resources that are able to provide support during this time:
· Hope Food Pantry (Good Apple) is a great resource for anyone experiencing food crisis/insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Stay Home, Stay Healthy Grocery Delivery Program offers a grocery delivery service for families who qualify. This link will take you to a form to provide information to determine which services are best for your family. https://utexas.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2fBMQtb1i5IBor3?_ga=2.165291391.1949043995.1584368314-1094412584.1571888873
· American Gateways provides free or low-cost legal immigration guidance & representation to low-income immigrants of all immigration statuses across our service area. Medical information & testing is protected by HIPAA & will not affect your application to change an immigration status. American Gateways is available to answer questions regarding the effect of COVID-19 on immigration status & the Public Charge rule. Visit their website at www.americangateways.org or call them at 512-478-0546 ext. 200
· The Other Ones Foundation Mobile Hygiene Clinic: Each of these stops will have shower stalls with sink and toilet, hygiene supplies, basic first aid, and some food until supplies run out. Visit their website at www.toofound.org or call them at 512-568-7757 for more information. They are currently held from 10 am-4 pm (or until supplies are depleted) and located are around Austin as follows:
Monday: Sunrise Community Church (Ben White and Menchaca)
Tuesday: First Baptist Surface Lot @ 9th and Trinity
Wednesday: IH 35 and Cesar Chavez (Northeast Corner)
Thursday: Under IH 35 across from Hancock Center (Directly across the service road from Community Care)
Friday: TBD
Saturday AND Sunday: Camp Responsible Adult Transition Town (780 Hwy 183)
· Down Dog apps (Down Dog, Yoga for Beginners, HIIT, Barre, and 7 Minute Workout) are completely free until July 1st for students & teachers. Visit your preferred app store to download. To access the free school membership, sign up with your .edu email address. Exercise is a great way to maintain physical and mental health during stressful times!
These are just a few resources available! We will continue to update our list of resources and pass them on. It might be tough to get in touch with some of these resources due to extended wait times but keep calling, emailing, or visiting! Assistance is available for you so be patient and don’t give up. Just keep trying!
Feel free to reach out for extended assistance! You can reach me by calling/texting 512-640-9351 or emailing me at sbalkanli@ciscentraltexas.org. Please don’t hesitate to reach out! We are always here for our Akins community!
Sara Balkanli MA, LPC-Intern
Program Manager-Akins High School
Communities In Schools of Central Texas
3000 S. IH 35, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78704
512-640-9351, sbalkanli@ciscentraltexas.org
ABLLE Academy Contacts
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Proud Principal
Email: Tina.salazar@austinisd.org
Website: akinseagles.com
Location: 10701 South 1st Street, Austin, TX, USA
Twitter: @TinaSalazar19