July Parent Update
Barton Hills Elementary
Hello BHE Families:
I hope all of you are doing well during this summer like no other. To those of you who are new to Barton Hills, welcome! We're looking forward to getting to know you. Even though we're not starting together in person, I'm confident that, even apart, we'll be able to connect. As I read through all I've put in this update I realize it is alot but I wanted to share as much as I could.
I know there are many, many questions about what the start of the year will look like for our students. Like all of you, I've been watching the recommendations and requirements from the health authorities, from the Texas Education Agency, and from our district. The information we've been given changes regularly and even while writing this, the TEA was updating their guidelines to districts and campuses which we will shift to accommodate. With all that being said, it does finally feel like we're coming to an understanding of how we will begin the 2020-2021 school year. Please know that as things change, I will keep you informed.
The information below is for a remote start of the year which right now for Barton Hills and AISD will begin on August 18th.
What we Know about the Learning Platform:
- All teachers (preK-6th grade and special areas) will use BLEND (which is Canvas) as the learning platform for our students.
- BLEND is accessed through the student and parent portal.
- PreK-2nd grade students may also use SeeSaw but all links will be housed in the BLEND course.
What we Know about Attendance:
- AISD is submitting an asynchronous model proposal for attendance purposes.
- Student attendance will be taken through their activity on BLEND AND with their interaction with their teacher(s) during asynchronous learning opportunities.
What we Know about Synchronous and Asynchronous Learning Opportunities:
- All students will have synchronous (at the same time with the teacher and/or with other students)) and asynchronous (recorded, independent) learning opportunities for core content (ELA, Math, Science and Social Studies) , social emotional learning and P2, and special areas.
- Students will have teacher led instruction and independent time to strengthen their skills.
- We are working on schedules to provide Kinder through Second grade students 90 minutes of synchronous instruction daily, 3rd - 5th grade students 90 minutes of synchronous instruction daily, and 6th graders 120 minutes of synchronous instruction daily in addition to synchronous Special Area (Art, Music or PE) instruction 3 days a week.
- The synchronous learning opportunities will take place in both whole class and small group sessions and will not exceed 30 minutes for any one session will happen at various times throughout the day depending on the grade level.
- Grades are back! Students will earn grades and receive a full report card and not the simple pass or incomplete that was given at the end of last year.
What we Know about Technology:
- The district is working to provide a device to every student who needs one this school year.
- Students in grades 3-6 will have access to a ChromeBook.
- Students in PreK-2nd grade will have access to an IPad.
- Parents will be able to sign up for technology - see information below
We've heard your feedback about what worked and didn't work during emergency remote instruction last spring and want the start of this year to be better. It is our goal to make this a meaningful learning experience for our students, despite the unusual way we're welcoming our kiddos back to school and we'll be working extra hard to build relationships and community with our students.
What's Next?
To help up plan for the year, please take the time to fill out the Pulse Survey that the district emailed to families on Monday. Knowing which students plan to return to the building for instruction as soon as we resume in person learning and which students will remain learning from home is critically important. Not only do we need to be sure we're adequately prepared for social distancing, safety, and staff, but this information will inform our finalized class lists as well.
Please also continue to check for communication from AISD and from me as we get closer to the beginning of the year. Things have been changing so rapidly that I do expect some variability in our plans. Please also look at the upcoming dates below and mark your calendars for events leading up to the start of school. And, as always, please follow the health and safety guidelines from Travis County and the CDC and stay safe and healthy!
Curbside Registration August 3 - 6
Curbside Registration will be available August 3r - 6th from 9am to 11 am and again from 1pm to 3pm.
Our goal is to be "contactless" so please plan to remain in your car and respectfully wear a face mask.
Student Belongings Pick up - August 5th and 6th: 8:30 am to 11:00 am and 1:00 - 3:30 pm
- When you pull up in the front circle drive to pick up your child's belongings, please remain in your car.
- Display your child's information (first/last name, grade level & teacher name from last year on the passenger side window).
- Please open your trunk and we will place the items into your trunk.
- If you have library books to return you can place them in the trunk as well and we will take them out.
Our goal is to have a smooth student belonging pick-up for all families. We appreciate your patience and understanding while we serve and assist each car that pulls up to pick up their child's belongings.
Save the Dates for Drive By Hi/ Meet the Teacher
We know that our traditional Meet the Teacher cannot happen this year. So instead we're going to do a Drive By Hi!
Teachers will send families an email on the afternoon of Thursday, August 13th with your child's homeroom teacher and an introduction to all the teachers on the grade level and specific information about the schedule and learning opportunities for the first week of school. Then on Friday August 14th grade level teachers will be in the front circle drive at designated times to do a socially distanced Drive By "Hi." We will need everyone to remain in their vehicles and drive through the front drive - no stopping or getting out, please. Here's the tentative schedule:
Kinder 9:00 to 9:45
First 10:00 to 10:45
Second 11:00 to 11:45
Third 12:00 to 12:45
Fourth 1:00 to 1:45
Fifth 2:00 - 2:45
Sixth 3:00 - 3:45
AISD Technology Distribution
Bring Your Own Device: Due to worldwide shortages, Austin ISD is seeing some delays in receiving Chromebooks and iPads for students. Families who would like to return their Austin ISD Chromebook or iPad and use a personal device instead can do so at our Computer Curbside locations. Doing so is entirely optional, but could help a fellow Austin ISD family that needs immediate access to technology. Please check this flyer for Computer Curbside dates, times and locations: bit.ly/aisdcomputercurbside. Families can also return computers at almost all Austin ISD campuses Aug. 3-6, from 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m., during curbside registration
Technology Requests - Parent Cloud: Families can now begin requesting technology needs using a new form in the Parent Cloud. After logging in to my.austinisd.org, search for “Technology Distribution,” by typing "Technology Distribution" next to the search arrow in the upper left corner and the link for the form will appear. My.austinisd.org also has a link and instructions in both English and Spanish for creating a Parent Cloud account.
Technology Requests - Paper Forms: Families can request technology using paper forms in person on almost all Austin ISD campuses on Aug. 3-6, from 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m., during curbside registration (Doss families should go to Murchison and Bear Creek families should go to Kiker). Families will not receive a WiFi hotspot that day if it is your first time requesting one.
Technology Requests - By Phone: Families can also request technology by calling their school or the Parent Support Line at 512-414-9187.
It is not mandatory that families accept an Austin ISD device for use at home. We know some families will want to use their own. For grades 3-12, that decision may not impact instruction as much, since the way students use a Chromebook is based on an Internet browser that will respond similarly, regardless of the device they are using. For Kinder through Second Grade iPads, it will be easier for teachers if families use the District iPads:
● District devices will come prepared with the software your student needs for school.
● Teachers can remotely change settings on Austin ISD devices to make it easier for your students to access their learning materials.
● They come in a durable, protective case, appropriate for their particular grade.
● District devices can be updated and software can be maintained remotely. They also come with a warranty for free repairs through the district, as well as insurance for accidental damage. (also true for Chromebooks)
● Austin ISD computers have Internet filtering in place to ensure your student’s safety online. (also true for Chromebooks)
BHE PTA
School Year Calendar
September 21
October 9
December 18
February 12
About Us
Website: www.bheeagles.com
Location: 2108 Barton Hills Drive, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-414-2013
Facebook: facebook.com/BartonhillsPTA
Twitter: @bheeagles