School Matters
October 2020
District joins TeachersCan initiative, celebrates World Teachers' Day 2020
District welcomes Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations
Lake Travis ISD Superintendent of Schools Paul Norton is pleased to announce the selection of Pam Sanchez as the District's new Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations, effective October 26. Ms. Sanchez replaces Johnny Hill who accepted a position with the Allen Independent School District in September.
Ms. Sanchez earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Texas State University and is a Registered Texas School Business Administrator. She possesses nearly 30 years of experience in business and financial services having served as a consultant, administrator and programmer with the Texas Association of School Boards before joining the Georgetown Independent School District in 2008 as Director of Budget and Finance. Presently, Ms. Sanchez serves as the District’s Chief Financial Officer, a position she’s held since 2017.
"When the senior staff and I began to consider proven business professionals with school finance experience, Ms. Sanchez’s name quickly surfaced in our recruitment process," said Mr. Norton. "I am excited to have her join the Lake Travis family and help build on the stellar reputation of prudent fiscal management and investment in our schools."
During her tenure in Georgetown, Ms. Sanchez was able to restructure existing debt by taking advantage of market conditions, resulting in a savings to the District of approximately $49 million since 2011. She helped Georgetown garner an upgraded bond rating from Standard & Poor’s in November 2017 from “AA-” to ”AA,” and in 2018, Ms. Sanchez played an instrumental role in a $150.5 million bond approved by voters for two new elementary schools, renovations to existing facilities, security and technology upgrades, and land purchases to support the fast-growth district. She has consistently maintained “A” Superior ratings in the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) which ensures that Texas public schools are held accountable for the quality of their financial management practices.
As Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations at Lake Travis ISD, Ms. Sanchez will serve as chief financial and budget advisor to the board of trustees and superintendent; lead the overall management of all financial and business matters, ensuring legally sound and effective management practices; direct and monitor the management and investments of all district funds; and oversee the management and evaluation of the District’s Custodial, Food Services, Maintenance and Transportation departments.
October is National Principals Month
LTISD 2020-2021 Principals:
October is National Principals Month. On behalf of Superintendent of Schools Paul Norton, we are proud to recognize our school principals for their commitment to our staff, students and "Learning. Transformed,” especially during these times of challenge and change. Throughout the month of October, we will feature each of our outstanding campus leaders on the district's social media channels.
Top row (L to R):
Gordon Butler, Lake Travis High School
Julie Nederveld, Hudson Bend Middle School
Lester Wolff, Lake Travis Middle School
Amanda Prehn, Bee Cave Middle School
Kim Kellner, Bee Cave Elementary School
Melanie Beninga, West Cypress Hills Elementary School
Bottom row (L to R):
Kelly Freed, Lake Pointe Elementary School
Pam Schaeffer, Lake Travis Elementary School
Sam Hicks, Lakeway Elementary School
Angela Frankhouser, Rough Hollow Elementary School
Keegan Luedecke, Serene Hills Elementary School
Oct. 9 & 12: Professional Development Day/Student Holiday, Student & Staff Holiday
Friday, October 9 is a Professional Development Day/Student Holiday. There is no school for students as district and campus staff will participate in professional development. Monday, October 12 is a Student and Staff Holiday. All LTISD campuses and district facilities will be closed. Classes will resume Tuesday, October 13.
Be sure to stay up to date with major districtwide events as listed in our LTISD 2020-2021 Instructional Calendar.
Exercise your right to vote
Early Voting:
October 13 - 30
Monday - Saturday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, noon to 6:00 p.m.
Locations:
Election Day:
Tuesday, November 3
Voting locations are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Locations:
Presbyterian Church of Lake Travis
Lake Travis ISD Educational Development Center
You may vote at any Vote Center in Travis County where you see a “Vote Here/Aqui” sign. For information about voting requirements, please visit the Travis County Elections Office website.
District to offer flu shot clinics for elementary, middle school students Oct. 20-21
Lake Travis ISD has partnered with Health Heroes to provide free flu vaccines to both in-person and remote students in grades PK-8 on Tuesday, October 20 and Wednesday, October 21 as follows:
October 20:
- Lake Pointe Elementary School*
- Bee Cave Elementary School
- Lake Travis Elementary School
- Hudson Bend Middle School
- Lake Travis Middle School
October 21:
- Lakeway Elementary School*
- Rough Hollow Elementary School
- Serene Hills Elementary School
- West Cypress Hills Elementary School
- Bee Cave Middle School
Please note, the flu shots are optional, and they will only be administered with written parental consent. Consent forms must be filled out completely, signed, and returned to your child’s school before Friday, October 16. Students who do not turn in a form will not receive a shot.
October 2 is National Custodial Worker’s Recognition Day
Tickets for athletic events now available online
October is National Physical Therapy Month
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month
In celebration of Dyslexia Awareness Month, the International Dyslexia Association has joined the Go Red for Dyslexia movement. LTISD shares the vision of this movement: a world where students with dyslexia are understood and have the tools to succeed.
LTISD’s campus dyslexia specialists assess for dyslexia and work directly with identified students. Additionally, they support their campuses to increase understanding and support for struggling readers.
Lake Travis Elementary - Randi Sherrer
Lakeway Elementary - Lonnie Driggers
Bee Cave Elementary - Diane Tilley
Lake Pointe Elementary - Erin Modde
Serene Hills Elementary - Carol Nelson
West Cypress Hills Elementary - Clover Yordanova
Rough Hollow Elementary - Lindsey Reeves
Itinerant Elementary - Michaela Buddle
Lake Travis Middle School - Monica Wommack
Hudson Bend Middle School - Sharon McMichael
Bee Cave Middle School - Erin Root
Lake Travis High School - Cathy Gilliland
National School Bus Safety Week
With the theme “Red Lights Mean STOP!", Lake Travis ISD joins the National Association for Pupil Transportation to observe October 19-23 as National School Bus Safety Week. This is an excellent opportunity for parents, students, teachers, motorists, school bus operators and school administrators to join forces and recognize the importance of school bus safety.
Operating a student transportation program in a fast-growth district like ours has its challenges. To put this in perspective, between August 19, 2019 - March 12, 2020, our bus drivers traveled 680,000 miles collectively, transporting approximately 5,600 students throughout 76 routes each day.
"School bus safety goes beyond the road," said Rhonda Davis, LTISD Director of Transportation. "Our Transportation Department has implemented additional safety protocols in response to COVID-19. Buses have been equipped with hand sanitizer, touchless SMART tag ID badge scanners and air conditioning systems have been updated with MERV-6 commercial grade pleated filters. Each bus is deep cleaned with disinfectant spray between morning and afternoon routes. This includes high-contact surfaces which are sprayed and wiped twice a day. Without a doubt, school transportation services are a big task and an even bigger responsibility, now more than ever."
On behalf of LTISD Superintendent of Schools Paul Norton, we thank the men and women in our transportation department—the drivers, monitors, mechanics, dispatchers, office staff and administrators—for their service to students and the critical role they play in public education.
LTEF golf tournament a hole in one 'Fore the Kids'
LTEF community giving campaign wrapping up soon
The Lake Travis Education Foundation (LETF) will be closing its Monthly Giving Drive soon.
"We encourage our parents and families to consider making a monthly pledge to the Lake Travis Education Foundation," said Katie Kauffman, LTEF Executive Director. "When we come together to support excellence in our schools, incredible opportunities are created for our students."
Every year, the Education Foundation sets out to raise funds through various events and initiatives. This year, while school may look different, the LTEF mission remains the same - to provide financial resources to improve and support an exemplary education for all students of the Lake Travis Independent School District.
Consider making a donation today to the LTEF Monthly Giving Drive online. Join by midnight, Monday, Oct. 12 for a chance to win great prizes from community partners High 5 and M Robinson Fine Jewelers.
LTEF to host virtual Turkey Trot 5K & 1M event
The Lake Travis Education Foundation (LTEF) will host its 4th annual Hill Country Turkey Trot 5K virtually during Thanksgiving week.
"This year, with extra precautions around COVID-19, we are asking you to join our LTEF Hill Country Turkey Trot within your own community," said Katie Kauffman, LTEF Executive Director." We hope you can help us keep this dream alive and raise important funds for our schools while staying safe."
Run or walk anytime, anywhere November 22-28 and post your time on the LTEF race website to get your efforts recognized and opportunities to win prizes. The Hills Country Club 5K and one-mile courses will be available between 6:30 - 10:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning for self-directed participation. Participants are asked to practice personal hygiene and maintain social distancing. Race participants will receive a 2020 commemorative t-shirt featuring “Lucky” the Running Turkey, a custom race medal, a pedometer and swag from event sponsors.
Learn more, register and donate online.
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