Panther Print

September 28- October 2

Note From Ms. Muehling

Hi Panthers!


Thank you to all the families who have filled out our September Family Survey. This information allows us to create class lists, adjust staffing, and create our new master schedule. We are still waiting on some surveys. We are currently calling, emailing, and texting families to complete those as soon as possible. If you have not completed your survey, please reach out to Ms. Murr (emily.murr@austinisd.org) or Ms. Wolfe (denise.wolfe@austinisd.org) with your return preference. It is critical that we receive this information.


Due to the staffing needs for October 5, will need to move staff to different grade levels. I will communicate our staffing changes by the end of the day on Monday. Due to these staffing changes, teachers will need to create new BLEND pages, plan for new grade-level curriculum and some will need to learn new programs such as SeeSaw. With the amount of work that is being asked of the staff, we will not have any small groups on Wednesday to allow them time to work on these tasks that must be complete by Monday. October 5. Students will still have Morning Meeting with their teacher and will then participate in a full day of asynchronous learning.


A LOT is being asked of our staff currently. Please continue to give them grace and support as we make some large transitions. These are not easy times for any, especially teachers. They are working countless hours, trying to learn new technology programs, providing emotional support for our students as they face these challenging times all while trying to practice self-care for themselves and support their families. I cannot thank our amazing staff enough for the sacrifices they are making. I am beyond proud to work with this committed group of educators- THANK YOU BW STAFF!!!!


This Friday we will host another Principal's Chat to discuss our Phase-In model for October 5, the BW Reopening Plan, and introduce Mr. Foyt (principal substitute for the fall semester).


On Friday, we will also host our Annual Fall Family Picnic. A huge thank you to Dana Singh and Chad Kelley for their creativity and hard work to make this tradition continue. Join us from 6-7:30 as we broadcast music and soundbites from our wonderful community. Please see LivingTree for more specific information.


Have a wonderful week!


Peace, Love, Panthers!

Ms. Muehling

This Week's Events

Wednesday, September 30

  • Asynchronous Day- Morning Meeting only/No Small Groups or Closing Circle

Friday, October 2

  • Principal's Coffee- Safety/Reopening Plan, Meet Mr. Foyt
  • Class Lists and New Schedules Sent on School Messenger
  • Fall Family Picnic

Future Events

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October 5
  • At-School Phase-In Begins
October 6
  • Virtual PTA Meeting 5-6
October 7
  • Ms. Muehling Goes on Maternity Leave
October 12


  • No School/Staff Professional Learning Day
October 19



  • Virtual CAC Meeting
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Principal's Chat

Please join us Friday, October 2 for a 'Principal's Chat'. We will discuss the At school phase-in model beginning October 5, the BW Reopening Plan, and introduce Mr. Foyt (principal sub for the fall).


Topic: Principal's Chat


Join Zoom Meeting

https://austinisd-org.zoom.us/j/97474421172?pwd=RVYrM3A0TEE0aDdhMndocFpmVzVMZz09


Meeting ID: 974 7442 1172

Passcode: 7GkZx2

Immunization Requirements

Texas requires that all students in grades K-12 meet the minimum state immunization requirements. This applies to students receiving both in-person and virtual learning.


It is important to note that there have been no exceptions made to these immunization requirements, due to COVID-19, by the State.


All immunization requirements should be met by families by October 5, 2020, for both in-person and virtual learners.


You can find more information about the minimum Texas Immunization Requirements here: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/immunize/school/school-requirements.aspx. Please reach out to your Campus Health Room Staff for more information on resources that can be given to families and any questions you may have.

Bus Updates

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Temperature Checks Before Boarding Bus:

  • As part of AISD's health screening protocols, the transportation team will check students' temperature before boarding the bus.
  • Students who have a temperature of 100 degrees or higher will be asked to return home with their guardians.
  • If students are alone at the bus stop, they will travel to school on a second bus. Guardians will be asked to pick up students from the campus. ·
  • Please ensure guardians accompany students to bus stops.
Bus Safety/Updates:
  • After each trip, bus drivers will clean high-touch areas.
  • Expect delays during the first few weeks as campus communities, including team members, students, and families, adjust to the new protocols.
  • Transportation team members also are adapting to further processes, including additional duties and routes.
2020-21 Bus information

  • Families whose students are eligible for transportation are receiving their bus information by email or letter.
  • The district's "Bus Stop Finder" is live right now.
  • Families whose students have special needs will receive information in-person from their bus teams.

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Technology

Technology Available at BW!

If you need to pick up a device or need to request a device, please reach out to Ms. Kettler.

carly.kettler@austinisd.org


Device pickup procedure at BW

You will need to provide:

  1. Your child’s student id number

  2. The type and number of devices you are expecting to receive

(chromebook, Ipad)


When you arrive in the circle drive in front of the school please park and call the library office at 512-414-7593. You will be asked to provide your child’s full name, student id number and the type of device you are expecting. Please remain in your car while your device is being issued. Once the process is complete your device will be placed in a bin outside the library courtyard where you can then collect your items.


Video Tutorial: How to Request Technology on the Parent Portal

Family Technology Q&A

Technology Updates

iPad Home Screen/Layout Settings by The Time of Day

Beginning Friday, September 25, Austin ISD iPads have settings restrictions that vary by time of day. From 7:00 am-4:00 pm, Monday to Friday, apps will appear in the current pushed layout. Outside of those hours, the apps will revert to any customized layout caregivers have set, AND they will be able to delete apps they have added. (Note that the iPads have 32GB of storage, and currently 13GB is taken up by District-required content.)


Lost/Stolen student devices:

Families should follow the procedures outlined here.


Student devices in need of repair:

Families can take iPads, Chromebooks, and hotspots in need of repair to either your school or to one of the Curbside locations, where they can be swapped out as long as supplies allow.


“Power wash” Chromebooks to Update Zoom:

Students may notice that Zoom is out of date on their Chromebooks. Students and caregivers that Chromebooks must be “power washed” (restored to Austin ISD default settings) for Zoom to update automatically. Here is a step set as well as a link to a video.


MackinVia and Dreambox added to iPads:

The MackinVia and Dreambox apps have been added to iPads. Apps on the student iPads will soon be organized into logical folders to streamline student access and hide infrequently used apps and system apps.


Students use the Canvas Student app to access BLEND (and then Seesaw)

A video in English demonstrating this process can be seen here. A video in Spanish is in progress and a link will be provided as soon as it is available.


Student iPad Security and Student Safety

Please note: District-wide safety restrictions can be seen on the iPads under Settings> General > Device Management > JamfSchool MDM Management Profile > Restrictions. Families may see other options under Screen Time, but despite appearances, no Screen Time setting can be less restrictive than the General Restrictions pushed by the District. A flyer for distribution is available here.


Handbook for BLEND/Seesaw

Morning Announcements

Panther Proud Awards

We will begin to celebrate our amazing Panthers every Friday with our Panther Proud awards. Our Panther Proud Awards are a way for us to shine the light on the MANY wonderful things our young panthers do every day. It could be showing empathy, responsibility, respect, being an upstander, speaking out, showing perseverance, or many other skills. We would like to honor our students and celebrate their hard work.


Any grownup that works with our Panthers is able to nominate a student. Please fill out the following Panther Proud Award Nomination and they will be read during Friday Morning Announcements.


Panther Proud Award Nominations

BW PTA

BW Fall Family Picnic

BW Fall Family Picnic

Couldn't we all use a little fun right about now?


Luckily, the BW FAMILY PICNIC is coming up on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2nd from 6 - 7:30!

Grab a blanket, a tasty dinner, and your quaranteam and head outside to listen to the inaugural KBWE broadcast on Radiomast!

There will be student sound bites, teacher DJs, and plenty of tunes to help elevate your mood!


OAKMONT KITCHEN is offering a special menu (see flyer attached here as an image) for preorder now through Monday September 29th. Orders can be picked up either Thursday Oct 1st or Friday Oct 2nd. CUCINA ON 35th(formerly Brick Oven) is also offering a family style meals to go (details to come). Let's support some neighborhood restaurants that support our school!

MISTER SOFTEE will be at Ramsey Park from 6:30 - 7:30 and will have socially distanced sweet treats for purchase. Bring your masks!


Any questions contact Dana Singh through Living Tree or email (danasingh@gmail.com).

BW Fall Family Picnic
Grade Level Parent Representative

Grade Level Parent Representative

Please contact Jenny Shepard to learn more or sign up.

jenny.f.shepard@gmail.com

Grade Level Parent Representative

How to Get Involved

BW Buddy Program

BW Buddy Program

As you may have suspected, this year at school is going to look a lot different...but hopefully we can find some ways to keep our Bryker Woods community strong!


One way is the new BW Buddies Program, where families new to Bryker Woods are matched with a returning "support" family via email. The support family can welcome the new family to Bryker Woods, and help answer any questions they may have. Hopefully, this partnership will make transitioning to a new school a little easier, and provide both parties with another connection during this time of distance learning.


If you are interested, you can sign up here: BW Buddies Program Sign-Up


Questions? Contact Dana Singh at danasingh@gmail.com or through Living Tree.

BW Buddy Program
Additional Resource/Information

Additional Resource/Information

Additional Resource/Information
AISD Let's Talk

Have a question? Use Let's Talk! to get the answers you need. Families may call the Family Support line at 512-414-9187. You can also send a Let's Talk! text to (512) 886-6434. Support is available weekdays from 7 a.m.–5 p.m.

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Bryker Woods Elementary

Bryker Woods Elementary

Bryker Woods Elementary

3309 Kerbey Lane, Austin, TX, USA kristina.muehling@austinisd.org 512-414-2054 byrkerwoods.austinschools.org