School Matters
December 2021
Update on investigation of school threats
Despite several threats received at our schools between Monday, December 6 and Friday, December 10, 2021, the week ended without incident. Unfortunately, this has been a trend in recent days, not just locally, but at a national level as well.
"In our continued investigative efforts, the Lake Travis ISD Police Department is partnering with local and regional law enforcement agencies, area school districts, and the Austin Regional Intelligence Center to help determine the source of these incidents," said LTISD Superintendent of Schools Paul Norton. "Please rest assured that all investigative tools and resources are being exhausted to identify and prosecute the responsible individual(s) while providing appropriate support as needed. In the meantime, please encourage your child to immediately report any suspicious activity to an adult. With your help and support, we will do everything possible to protect our children and foster a safe learning environment for all students while they are under our care."
District closed Dec. 20-31 for Winter Break
All LTISD offices and campuses will be closed Winter Break December 20-31, 2021. District offices reopen Monday, January 3 and classes resume Tuesday, January 4, 2022. Happy holidays!
Be sure to stay up to date with major districtwide events listed in our LTISD 2021-2022 Instructional Calendar.
School board approves 2022-2023 Instructional Calendar
According to the board-approved 2022-2023 Instructional Calendar, the first day of instruction will be Tuesday, August 16, 2022 and the last day of instruction will be Friday, May 26, 2023. Ending the year in May allows more time for planning for summer school and college enrollment for the summer sessions.
Please note, TEA will release Professional Development waivers in Spring 2022. October 7, as well as, February 16 and 17, are the waiver days requested by LTISD.
The 2022-2023 instructional calendar is available on the district website and on each school website (listed under ‘Calendars’).
District to install air purifiers at each campus
The Novaerus 900, which studies have shown to reduce the virus by 98.44% in under 60 minutes, will be installed in front office receptionist areas, cafeterias, hallways, locker rooms and other high, traffic common spaces.
Lake Travis ISD qualified for the 2021-2022 COVID-19 School Health Support Grant provided by Department of State Health Services and the Texas Education Agency. Funding is intended to support school districts in safe, in-person instruction in schools through items aimed at implementation of prevention and mitigation strategies necessary to curtail the spread of the virus. Grant funds in the amount of $424,231 will be used to purchase the air purifying devices.
"These devices will offer our staff and students another layer of protection by reducing pathogens in the air that lead to COVID, colds, the common flu and even gastrointestinal illness," said Brad Bailey, LTISD Assistant Superintendent of Operations. "These filter-free devices will also help reduce dust, mold spores and pollen that trigger asthma and allergies.
For more information, visit the Well Air Solutions website.
LTHS student-athlete sign letter of intent
Registration for Spring 2022 Enrichment opens January 7
Registration in the LTISD Spring 2022 Community Programs After School Enrichment will open at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 7.
Course offerings will be in person. Students in grades K-5 may choose from art, STEM, sports, cooking, and other exciting offerings.
To enroll, use the following link beginning at 10:00 am, Friday, January 7: www.ltisdschools.org/enrichment.
LT Alumni & Friends: A place for alumni and supporters to gather
Lake Travis ISD officials are thrilled to announce our brand new online community, LT Alumni & Friends, a network which will allow us to establish greater connections with our graduates and the greater Lake Travis community.
Through a collaboration with the Lake Travis Education Foundation, the program will encourage all Lake Travis alumni and community members to stay connected and support LTISD schools. Members will receive news and regular updates, along with a wide variety of information on special events, class reunions, mentoring, and volunteer opportunities in our schools. An alumni directory will allow members to easily find and connect with other alumni, no matter where they are located.
Graduates of the Lake Travis Independent School District, current and former employees, supporters, and all local residents are encouraged to become a member of the program. There will also be regular profiles on alumni who have gone on to serve their communities in notable ways.
We invite you to be on the lookout for all that this new online community has to offer coming Spring 2022!
Lions Club selects HBMS student artwork for state competition
The artwork of Hudson Bend Middle School seventh grade student Sadie Brecheen will be prominently displayed at an exhibit to be held January 5 at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center Lakeway. The overall winning entry in the Austin Lake Travis Lions Club Peace Poster Contest will be shown alongside HBMS students Reagan Threinen - 6th Grade (1st Place), Addison Rioux - 8th Grade (2nd Place), Hannah Cohn - 6th Grade (2nd Place), Sarah Cohn - 7th Grade (3rd Place), and Elizaveta Mezhinskaia - 6th Grade (3rd Place).
For more than 30 years, Lions clubs around the world have sponsored the Lions International Peace Poster Contest in local schools and youth groups. The art contest for kids encourages young people worldwide to express their visions of peace. For 2021-2022, each poster was judged on originality, artistic merit and portrayal of the contest theme, “The Future of Peace.”
Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization with more than 1.36 million members in more than 46,000 clubs in 210 countries and geographical areas around the world. In addition to its efforts toward conquering blindness, the organization has made a strong commitment to community service and helping youth throughout the world.
Lake Travis art teachers who served as contest coordinators for students are Robin Garcia and Michele Gavin. Judging occurred November 10 at All Star Burger. Judges included Valerie Rawlings, local artist; Mike Maroney, Anthem Bank & Trust; and John Maerz, Sr., local artist/photographer.
LTEF hosts record-breaking Turkey Trot
"This community event has become a memorable family experience that our friends and neighbors have come to enjoy on Thanksgiving morning," said Turkey Trot Race Chair Gary Wolff. "Best of all, we raised a record amount of funds for our LTISD students."
Fine Arts host variety of holiday performances
(Photos courtesy of LTISD Director of Fine Arts Charles Aguillon.)
Save the Date: LTEF Butterfly Brunch and Gala
For more information, visit www.LTEducationFoundation.org.
Keeping Connected
Download the LTISD Keeping Connected PDF to learn about the various ways to receive District and campus-level news, emergency notification, and other information.
Stay in the know on the go with our District mobile app for iOS and Android. Follow LTISD on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Learn about Peachjar, the innovative flyer management system that sends District- and school-approved digital flyers directly to parents via email.
Lake Travis Independent School District
Email: info@ltisdschools.org
Website: www.ltisdschools.org
Location: 3322 Ranch Road 620 South, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-533-6000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ltisdschools/
Twitter: @ltisdschools