Paredes Parent Connection
Paredes Middle School - October 13, 2021
A MESSAGE FROM PAREDES MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Halloween At Paredes Middle School Friday, October 29th, 2021
We will be allowing students and staff to enjoy the fun of Halloween by permitting everyone to wear costumes* to school on Friday October 29th, 2021.
Wearing a costume is, of course, an individual family decision and we anticipate that some students will participate and others will not. Students who do not wish to participate should wear their Friday "Spirit Day-school pride" attire or standard dress.
While we look forward to having a bit of fun with our costumes, it is important to remember that it is still a school day at Paredes and teaching and learning are expected throughout the day. With this in mind, students will be permitted to wear costumes on Friday provided students follow these guidelines*:
1. No leggings, jeggings, or tight clothing of any kind that is not covered by another article of clothing
2. No masks of any kind
3. No scary costumes of characters that may be associated with violence or death
4. No gang related costumes
5. No real or play weapons of any kind (knives, axes, guns, swords, bows & arrows, claws, spears, pitchforks, etc.)
6. No cleats of any kind
7. Nothing imitating or portraying anything inappropriate for young children; costume selection should show good judgment and demonstrate modesty; you may use temporary spray color in your hair (must wash out before Monday)
8. No offensive language or graphics
9. No elaborate costumes that restrict movement or interfere with any student's learning
10. AISD/Paredes dress code regarding appropriate shirts, pants, etc. apply (no tank tops, spaghetti straps, short shorts, etc.)
If you have any questions about whether your costume will be permitted, please ask an adult on campus before: Friday the 29th, 2021
Thank you.
We are Puma Nation.
Thank you,
Vicente Salazar
Principal
(512) 841-6800
A Message from our Parent Support Specialist
Please mark your calendars for the next upcoming parent meeting that will be taking place on November 1st. We will have these meetings monthly.
Coffee with the Principal Meeting
Time: 8:30-9:30 am
Where: Cafeteria
Date: Monday, November 1, 2021
We look forward to seeing you there.
Dates for Upcoming Meetings are as follows:
Monday, December 6, 2021
Monday, January 10, 2021
Monday, February 7, 2021
Monday, March 7, 2021
Monday April 4, 2021
Topics to be discussed will be announced in upcoming newsletters.
We appreciate your continued support. Please contact Mr. Salazar or Mr. Johnson, our Parent Support Specialist for more information at 512-841-6831 or email larry.w.johnson@austinisd.org.
A Message from Paredes Middle School Graduation Coach
When students fall below the 75% attendance rate, the student and parent/guardian must appeal to the Campus Attendance Committee. This Committee will review the reasons for your student's absences, review performance, and offer a plan for recovery. Each plan is unique based on individual student's circumstances. If a student is in good standing, work missed has been made up, and proper documentation for absences has been provided, the Attendance Committee may determine the method for recovery.
The method of credit approval or recovery is unique to each student. Examples of actions under the Principal’s Plan for recovery may include but are not limited to:
- Additional work is assigned
- Tutoring/study hall time is assigned
- Practice on SAT/ACT skills (must occur outside of school day, but at the school site)
- NHS/PALS/AVID tutoring (must occur outside of the school day)
- Any combination of the above or
- Other academic activities as assigned
-
Graduation Coach, Andrea Guillen.
A Message From the Paredes School Counselors
Hello Parents:
The character word of the Month for October is COURAGE.
October is also Bullying Prevention Month - we would like to encourage students to do their best to prevent bullying by promoting kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.
Students can demonstrate courage in so many ways, especially when it comes to making healthy choices that will guide them to success. This can range from the choices of foods they eat, not giving in to negative peer pressure (students their age pressuring them to not make the best choices), standing up for friends against bullying and cyberbullying behaviors and making the right choices even when no one is looking. Please encourage your student to stop and think about the choices they make, especially if it can lead to negative consequences.
We hope you will encourage your student to participate in the events we have planned for the month of October.
Counselor Contact Information:
Belinda Garces - 6th Grade, belinda.garces@austinisd.org
Angela Gomez-Pena 7th Grade - angela.gomez-pena@austinisd.org
Ramiro Perez (Lead Counselor) 8th Grade -- ramiro.perez@austinisd.org
Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA) Visit on Wednesday, October 20th
The program recruits the most academically advanced students from public and private middle schools in Austin; as such, admission to LASA is competitive, based on test scores, previous accomplishments, and teacher recommendations.
What is Bullying?
- it is unwanted hurtful behavior/ aggressive behavior toward classmates (physically, emotionally, or both)
- It is intentional, purposeful behavior that targets a specific person
- it is repeated negative, hurtful behavior
- it is a balance of power that is UNEQUAL -- by someone who wants to have control over you. ("Power"--older, bigger, stronger, more popular, ganging up on someone)
- it includes making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically/verbally, excluding someone from a group on purpose
- it includes using technology (cyberbullying) to include mean texts, embarrassing pictures/videos, posts on social media, websites, fake portfolios
Please watch video below:
UNITY DAY -- WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2021
UNITY DAY -- WEAR AND SHARE ORANGE
to show unity for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion and to send a visible message that no child should ever experience bullying
Paredes Middle School will be participating in the No Place for Hate® Campaign with the first school - wide activity aimed at working together as a school community to show that intolerance, bullying, and hatred are not acceptable on our campus. Students will be allowed to wear an orange shirt on that day to show support for the bullying prevention month initiative. Students are still expected to follow the dress code with the pants/shoes.
All students are encouraged to participate in UNITY DAY. During advisory on Monday mornings, students will be encouraged to participate in activity provided for that week. The focus will be on discussing the importance of accepting every person's differences, appreciating and valuing the uniqueness of individuals, and not criticizing others for those differences.
For more information, links are below:
WEAR IT PINK - Friday, October 22nd
LOVE YOUR BRAIN - CELEBRATING RED RIBBON WEEK -- OCTOBER 25 - 29
Monday, October 25th -- Rally in RED - Wear RED from Head to Toe to Support being Drug Free
Tuesday, October 26th - Disney Day - Make All Your Dreams Come True, Don't Let Drugs Ruin You - Wear your favorite Disney Character T-shirt
Wednesday, October 27th - Put a Cap on Drugs - Wear a hat to support being Drug Free
Thursday, October 28th - TEAM UP Against Drugs - Wear your favorite team jersey
Friday, October 29th - Frightfully Genius choosing to be Drug Free! - Wear a Halloween costume (following the guidelines above)
Let's show our PUMA PRIDE by participating in these fun activities.
Paredes Middle School Counselors Want to Hear From You
Please fill out the questionnaire to assist counselors in working on input to best serve our PUMA Families and Students. Thank you.