Lively Middle School
October 29, 2021
Greetings Falcon Nation,
It's getting close to November, and we want to prepare for the next Lively Shine Challenge: Random Acts of Kindness towards other Falcons! Join us as we give thanks to our outstanding staff.
We are collecting notes of gratitude for our staff before the Thanksgiving Holiday. Our goal is to be able to give a note to ALL staff members.
Please fill out the form below to send a note of appreciation to any staff member. There is no limit on the amount of notes you can submit, and notes from parents and students are welcome.
Submissions are due by Wednesday, November 17th.
Thank you Ms. Paczkowska
A huge thank you to Ms. Paczkowska for volunteering to take our students on the Model UN Field trip next weekend. Our students asked her if she would do it, and she accepted. I am so thankful for you Ms. Paczkowska for helping our students.
Parent Coffee & CAC
Join Lively administration, counselors, and support team for three opportunities to share concerns. Time is set aside to listen to community members. We want to hear from you! Lively counselors and our support team will also share ways we are working to address the needs of families, students and staff.
The dates are as follows:
- CAC November 3rd 4:00 to 5:00 pm (via zoom)
https://austinisd-org.zoom.us/j/91350006710
Meeting ID: 913 5000 6710
- November 4th at 5:00 PM (via zoom)
https://austinisd-org.zoom.us/j/86322276222?pwd=NkFoTEViejYybDhhajE2dHZnMEUwZz09
Meeting ID: 863 2227 6222
- November 5th at 8:30 AM (in person)
AISD Budget 101 Information Session
Learn from district leaders about how schools are funded, how campuses make decisions about staffing and programs, and how families, staff and community members can get involved.
Wednesday, November 3, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Register via Zoom: https://bit.ly/3al4jAD
Mastery Grading
Lively is a mastery grading campus. This means that we grade our students on the skills they master, not on the number of assignments. Additionally, students can retake or redo assignments that have not met the level of mastery. Please see our grading rubric below and review the attached videos for more information. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me via email or phone (stacie.holiday@austinisd.org or 414-3437).
SEL & Whole Child Update
This week staff and students had discussions on the differences between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation. In advisory, students analyzed halloween costumes to determine if they were examples of cultural appropriation. When you get a chance, ask your student about this activity!
Next week we begin our unit on Native Americans and Indigenous People. Some topics we will learn about this month are how Native Americans and Indigenous people self-identify, and ways indigenous youth advocate for environmental justice and their communities. We will connect these topics to explore ways students can become advocates for themselves and their communities.
Principal’s Council of Universities (PCU)
Yesterday I met with over 30 student representatives from each SEL/Advisory class. We ate breakfast together and then each student participated in an activity where they shared their thoughts about school.
Here is a list of the questions students had an opportunity to respond to:
On a scale of 0-5 (0 being terrible, 3 being okay, 5 being amazing) how would you rate your school year so far? Why?
Do you feel understood and supported by the adults at Lively?Why? (follow-up: what can we do to better support you?)
What, if anything, is difficult about this school year? (amount of homework, understanding assignments, relationships with peers, relationships with adults)
What is one thing you wish your teachers knew?
What is something that is going well for you this school year? Why?
At the end of our session students shared how I can improve the activity for the next time. Thank you Falcon Leaders. Next month I’ll host another PCU with more student representatives.
Advanced Placement Spanish Exam-Registration Time Deadline-November 12th
Lively highly encourages all 8th grade Spanish Dual Language AP students to sit for the AP Exam! It’s a unique opportunity that can help our students be more successful in high school and college. Please find an informational slideshow linked here. Families can pay for AP Exams either by check or cash now in Office 109, The Principal’s Suite Monday-Friday from 8:00 am-4:00 pm.
Exam fees are either $96 or $62 depending on student’s lunch status
November 15th is the final payment deadline
Exams can be cancelled by November 12th with no fees.
Exams can be ordered after the November 15th deadline for an additional $40 fee.
Lively also has a scholarship available for families who need assistance paying for their student’s AP Exam. We do not want financial concerns to be a barrier for our students. Please contact Ms. Northcutt, your AP Coordinator, with any questions or for assistance at elizabeth.northcutt-benson@austinisd.org.
This is Lively!!!
I’m so incredibly proud of all our students, teachers and staff. Together we can shine with positivity and show the world how awesome we are. Let’s not let negativity overshadow how amazing our school really is! Fly, Falcons, Fly! Shine, Lively, Shine!
Mask/Food During Games
As a reminder, guests at athletic events and performances will be required to wear a mask, whether indoor or outdoors.
Please help us keep our gym clean. Food will no longer be allowed into sporting events in the gym.
Coats for Kids
To receive a coat please register by filling out this form in English or Spanish by November 12th. If you have any questions, or need help filling out the form, please contact our Parent Support Specialist Mariana Figueroa at mariana.figueroa@austinisd.org or Eugenia Green 512-841-4854 (eugenia.green@austinisd.org).
Have a safe weekend and be safe.
Stacie Holiday, Principal
Dual Language Showcase
Thank you Felicity Maxwell for the Goody Bags
Track in Progress
Art corner
Please support our Lively artists by donating to our Lively Art Snap Raise Fundraiser today. By clicking on the link below your contribution will provide the art room with new technology, tables and display rails/panels for our Lively Artist to use and showcase their creations. You can also show your support by posting the link on your social media or texting it to family and friends. Thank you for your support.
Library corner
La Ofrenda del Dia de Los Muertos!
Advisory Class Visits
Food Free Fun!
Students enjoy coming to the library to play games, do origami, read, and visit.
Austin Public Library Cards!
All AISD students get Austin Public Library Cards through AISD. Austin Public Library sent emails to the parent/guardian email address with your student’s library card number. If you did not receive an email, please email yvonne.steckel@austinisd.org.
Student Library Card account number: AISD######
Password: aisd123
How to use your APL card: https://library.austintexas.libguides.com/learning-to-use-the-library/student-card
Library Chromebook Help
Chromebooks: Borrow a charged Chromebook if you forgot yours. Issue a new one if your Chromebook cannot be fixed.
Chromebook Charging Station: If you forget your charger, we can charge it in the library and loan you a charged Chromebook.
Happy Reading,
Yvonne Steckel, Lively Librarian
COUNSELOR CORNER
This week all 8th grade students completed the Strengths Explorer in the Naviance application (available in AISD portal.) They also reviewed related careers and AISD Special Program High Schools available to all students. Please review with your student and complete the Common Application for any of these Special programs.
Common application information here
Next Week’s 8th Grade High School Events
Austin High School: Academy Information Night, November 2, 6:30pm
Austin High Performing Arts Center: 1715 West Cesar Chavez
Austin High School Student visit at Lively - November 4, 8:00am, Library
Q&A with School Counselor Mrs. Lamm and Parent Support Specialist Ms Figueroa
Wednesday November 3, 5:15pm via Zoom. Translation service provided
Join Zoom Meeting: https://austinisd-org.zoom.us/j/86487774077?pwd=dXZxZE9mSjNxTkRTUmd4YWR2TVR1dz09
Meeting ID: 864 8777 4077 Passcode: 273088
BLEND Calendar here: (updated often), log in to AISD parent portal first then follow this link: https://aisdblend.instructure.com/courses/339279
Make sure to “View Course Calendar” when on the above link
PTA CORNER
Join For Your Child!
It's time to Join for Your Child! Lively PTSA is growing each day and we want you to be part of it. We need 7 more individual members to join in order to reach our membership goal! Everyone can be members including Moms, Dads, Grandparents, Teachers, Students, and Community Members. Membership is only $10 and can be purchased at https://my-site-105818.square.site/.
Subscribe to the PTSA Google Calendar!
Community Partner/Fence Sponsorship-Calling all Lively families!
Do you own your own business? Our Community Partner campaign for 2021-2022 will be rolling out shortly and we want to give our school community the chance to jump in before the rest of the neighborhood gets involved. Community Partners will receive an exclusive opportunity to advertise on Lively's Congress Ave. fence line for the duration of the school year. Our first banner order will be placed on November 1st. Your tax deductible contribution will support Lively teacher supplies, staff appreciation, athletics, Social-Emotional-Learning curriculum, teacher development and much more!
Please see below on how you can be recognized.
- $250 - recognition in newsletter + social media
- $500 - recognition in newsletter, social media + 2X4 sign on fence
- $1000 - recognition in newsletter, social media + 3X5 sign
- $1500 - recognition in newsletter, social media + 3X5 sign + electronic marquee
- $2000 - recognition in newsletter, social media + 4X6 sign + electronic marquee
For more info, email vpfundraising@livelymiddleschoolpta.com.
Other Resources
It is almost MAROON AND WHITE NIGHT TIME!
Plan to attend the highly engaging Maroon and White Showcase Night at Austin High on December 2nd! This one-of-a kind event will allow future Maroons to explore all of the amazing programs that Austin High has to offer. Tour the Culinary Arts Kitchen, our Film Studio, or learn more about the exciting opportunities in Project Lead the Way. Visit with teachers and students about our Academies and learn about their signature experiences. The event will begin at 6:30pm in the Austin High Performing Arts Center, with a special performance featuring the many award-winning programs that Austin High has to offer. Families will then have time to visit with teachers and students representing all aspects of Austin High academics, electives, sports, and clubs. Mark your calendars for this exciting night
Lively Middle School
Email: priscilla.hernandez@austinisd.org
Website: https://lively.austinschools.org/
Location: 201 East Mary Street, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: (512) 414-3207
Twitter: @LivelyFalcons