NACER Community Newsletter
May 2020
Welcome to our Community Newsletter!

Barrington Elementary | TA Brown Elementary | Graham Elementary |
Hart Elementary | Pickle Elementary | Walnut Creek Elementary |
Winn Elementary | Dobie Middle School | Webb Middle School |
Northeast Early College High School


Family Resource Centers (FRC)
Communities in Schools
While students are not physically in school, CIS remains dedicated to their well-being and continued learning. The CIS team is committed to doing everything in its power to support students and families and connect them to needed resources and services. During school closures, the CIS team is providing the following supports:
- Virtual case management with students to provide connection, emotional support and needs assessment.
- Providing referrals to available community resources, and helping families navigate the various basic needs, academic, health and other community systems of support available to them.
- Providing emergency financial assistance for families impacted by COVID-19.





Parent Tech Support: 512-414-9187, email parenttechsupport@austinisd.org, or or submit a request using the Parent Support tile in the portal so that an incident can be created.
Austin ISD is retrofitting its buses with WiFi capabilities up to a distance of 200 feet. Austin ISD students who live at the locations below can access free WiFi on their school computers, 8am-2pm.

AVID
Our vertical team AVID Specialist, Anita Nuñez, and the AISD AVID team have developed and compiled resources for teachers to use for online learning. They are also hosting weekly chats with teachers to share ideas and stories. Barrington Elementary hosted a virtual learning professional development session for their teachers to practice collaborative strategies online!
EcoRise

What is Blend? BLEND is a Learning Management System (LMS) designed to support and amplify teaching, learning, and communication in Austin ISD. BLEND is a digital tool that is being used by schools and universities across the country to provide students with a 21st-century educational experience Parent Walkthrough These links will take parents to short screencasts that demonstrate what BLEND looks like from the parent "observer" view. BLEND Parent Access Screencast Video BLEND Parent Access Screencast (Spanish) Multiple Languages Supported This page contains helpful BLEND (Canvas) guides in multiple languages.
| Learning PacketsAISD staff began mailing packets on Monday, April 27 for Pre-K–eighth grades. To reduce the number of people at curbside food distribution sites, learning packets will no longer be available at food sites. Food distribution will continue as usual. Students of families who qualify for free and reduced lunch will automatically receive these mailed packets. Students of families who do not qualify for free and reduced lunch are also able to receive mailed packets. If your family does not qualify and would like to continue to receive learning packets, please fill out this form to be added to the mailing list: https://bit.ly/3aAP7NC.
Please contact your principal if you are unsure about your eligibility for free and reduced lunch. | Parent CloudBefore they can access BLEND, parents & caretakers will need to set up a Parent Cloud Account. These resources are designed to support parents with this process. If a parent or guardian needs support with their account setup, they should call the Parent Help Desk at 512-414-9187 Start at the AISD Portal: https://portal.austinisd.org/ These printable documents provide parents/guardians with key information about BLEND. |
What is Blend?
Parent Walkthrough
These links will take parents to short screencasts that demonstrate what BLEND looks like from the parent "observer" view.
BLEND Parent Access Screencast Video
BLEND Parent Access Screencast (Spanish)
Multiple Languages Supported
This page contains helpful BLEND (Canvas) guides in multiple languages.
Learning Packets
AISD staff began mailing packets on Monday, April 27 for Pre-K–eighth grades. To reduce the number of people at curbside food distribution sites, learning packets will no longer be available at food sites. Food distribution will continue as usual.
Students of families who qualify for free and reduced lunch will automatically receive these mailed packets.
Students of families who do not qualify for free and reduced lunch are also able to receive mailed packets. If your family does not qualify and would like to continue to receive learning packets, please fill out this form to be added to the mailing list: https://bit.ly/3aAP7NC.
Please contact your principal if you are unsure about your eligibility for free and reduced lunch.
Parent Cloud
Before they can access BLEND, parents & caretakers will need to set up a Parent Cloud Account. These resources are designed to support parents with this process. If a parent or guardian needs support with their account setup, they should call the Parent Help Desk at 512-414-9187
Start at the AISD Portal: https://portal.austinisd.org/
These printable documents provide parents/guardians with key information about BLEND.

NACER Resource Board
Additional Resources
Austin ISD
- Austin ISD Crisis Support Fund
- Telehealth Options for Families
- Board Resolution - Emergency COVID-19 March 13, 2020
The City of Austin
- City of Austin COVID-19: http://austintexas.gov/article/cdc-updates-coronavirus
- City of Austin COVID-19 FAQ: http://www.austintexas.gov/COVID19
- Housing Resources: http://www.austintexas.gov/housing-resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- CDC on COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
- CDC on COVID-19 in Texas: https://dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/
- CDC’s Traveler’s Health Notices: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
- CDC Confirmed Cases of COVID-19: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
Videos
Mental Health / Crisis (Integral Care)
- If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, Integral Care has a 24/7 Crisis Helpline at 512-472-HELP (4357). You can also Text TX to 741741 to connect to Crisis Text Line. Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7 crisis support via text. Integral Care is also working with NAMI Central Texas to make sure the community has resources available during this challenging time. They will be posting helpful tools on their website this weekend, including tips and tools for managing stress and how to talk to your children about this uncertain time.
Internet Support
- Spectrum is offering free Wi-Fi and broadband access up to 100 MBPS to any household with K-12 and/or college students that doesn’t already have Spectrum. Installation fees will be waived for these households, and anyone wishing to enroll will need to call 1-844-488-8395.
- Comcast is expanding a service they already offer for low-income families called Internet Essentials. The service, which is normally $9.95 a month, will be free for new customers for 60 days and is 25 MBPS. People hoping to sign up for the services can call 1-855-846-8376 for English and 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish.
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