On April 17, 2020, Texas Governor Abbott announced that all schools in the state will remain closed through the remainder of the school year. The Governor added that it would be unsafe for students to gather in schools for the foreseeable future and that this includes public, private and higher education schools. Austin ISD will of course, follow the executive order, as our district has already announced the indefinite closure of our campus buildings. While our campus buildings are closed, our students need to remain engaged and active with Continuous Learning. For now, Continuous Learning is how AISD will continue to educate our more than 81,000 students.

The health and safety of our students and staff will remain our focus. The City of Austin and Travis County currently have a Stay Home, Work Safe Order through May 8, which also includes wearing face coverings when you leave your home. We will continue to align with state and local guidance to ensure our community remains safe, including our essential workers, such as those who help serve 12,000 meals per day and provide technology support to keep students learning.

Finally, for the latest news and information, visit https://www.austinisd.org, or connect with your school teacher or principal. Thank you for choosing AISD.

As we commence one month of online learning, let's liven up the virtual classrooms with a Zoom Spirit Week!

Congratulations to Claire Zamora and Gunner Willie!!!!

Each year Capital Area Tennis Association Junior Development Committee recognizes High School MVPs and this year, Claire and Gunner were chosen due to their outstanding achievements in Austin area High School Tennis and will receive a Capital Area Tennis Association High School MVP award.

We are so proud, way to go!!!!

Austin ISD

Austin ISD Crisis Support Fund
Telehealth Options for Families
Board Resolution - Emergency COVID-19 March 13, 2020

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

CDC Handwashing Videos (English/Spanish)

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

Austin ISD's school-based mental health partner, Vida Clinic, is now offering teletherapy services to the entire Austin ISD community. These services will allow adults and students to access quality mental health services right from their own homes. To schedule an appointment, visit vidaclinic.org/virtualvida and contact our Vida Clinic Care Team at 512-518-2209 or by email at vidacare@vidaclinic.org.

El centro de salud mental en la escuela de Austin ISD, Vida Clinic, ofrecerá servicios de teleterapia a toda la comunidad de Austin ISD. Estos servicios permitirán a adultos y estudiantes acceder a servicios de salud mental con alta calidad desde sus propios hogares. Para programar una cita, visite vidaclinic.org/virtualvidaesp y comuníquese con nuestro Equipo de atención de Vida Clinic al 512-518-2209 o por correo electrónico a vidacare@vidaclinic.org.

Laura Rifkin Banks, LCSW

Director of Program Development

Vida Clinic

512.953.7467

laura@vidaclinic.org

Austin ISD Families,

Due to the threat of COVID-19 Virtual Care for Kids is expanding the partnership with AISD to include at-home telemedicine care to serve our families and reduce the spread of the virus.

Virtual Care for Kids has agreed to waive all copays for all AISD telemedicine visits.

In addition, students with Medicaid will receive free care. If your child is uninsured and doesn't receive free/reduced lunch, the AISD Crisis Support Fund (https://austinedfund.org/crisis-support-fund/) is providing vouchers to families to receive telemedicine care for free.

Before we can treat your children, you need you to register them at

https://urgentcarekids.com/aisd/. We urge parents and guardians to act now and not wait until you have a medical need.

To see a provider visit: https://virtualcarekids.com.

We have pediatric providers on-demand and we are currently keeping wait times below two minutes. Please do not expose your family to COVID-19 by leaving your house, these visits are accessible FROM HOME on any smartphone, tablet, or computer.

We understand that this is an alarming time for many people in the Austin community, and we never want the economic status of a family to prevent them from receiving the medical care they need as we practice social distancing. Our goal is to increase access to care for families while also limiting exposure to COVID-19 and we feel that providing care virtually is the best way to accomplish that.

Please help us stop the spread and flatten the curve by sharing this information on social media and through email with your friends and family. By avoiding medical facilities and limiting exposure, you may save someone’s life.

Together, we can stop the spread of COVID-19.

Sincerely,

Paul Cruz, PhD
AISD Superintendent

Tracy A. Spinner, M.Ed.
AISD Director, Comprehensive Health & Mental Health