2018–2019 PTSA GENERAL MEETING SCHEDULE
Please plan on joining us!​
  1. Wednesday, November 14, 2018 - 5:30-6:00pm (Drug & Alcohol Awareness at 6:00pm)
  2. Wednesday, January 16, 2019 - 11:30am-12:00pm, (Consent / Sexual Harrassment 12:00pm)
  3. Wednesday, March 27, 2019 - 11:30-12:00pm (Stress / Distracted Driving 12:00pm)
  4. Friday, May 10, 2019 - 11:00am - 12:00pm (this follows our final Executive Meeting)

VOTE: Local board races run-off, December 11, 2018

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​STAY IN TOUCH

  • You will automatically receive the Maroon Update, the Austin High e-Newsletter, if you have an enrolled student at Austin High and have updated your email preferences in the parent cloud, where you check grades (my.austinisd.org). To receive the newsletter and other Campus Communications, go to the AISD Cloud (my.austinisd.org) and click on the My Student tab toward the bottom right. Once there, click on the My Messages tile. You MUST select CAMPUS MESSAGES for ALL email addresses you wish to receive the Maroon Update. Make sure that you click the SUBMIT button in the top right corner or your changes will be lost.
  • Sign up for Remind notifications from the PTSA. Text @AHSPTSA18P to 81010.
  • Submit news to the Austin High newsletter by Tuesday at noon
  • Volunteer at Austin High
  • PTSA meeting schedules​​
  • For ANY QUESTIONS about Austin High PTSA, please email our PTSA President, Elizabeth Kalbacher. 

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​SUPPORT YOUR SCHOOL

FROM THE TEXAS PTA/AUSTIN COUNCIL OF PTAS:

TEXAS PTA'S LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

Texas PTA adopts priorities for next Legislative Session
Texas PTA has adopted priorities for the 86th Session of the Texas Legislature that begins on January 8, 2019. Top priorities include:
  • Public school funding reform to make funding more equitable and adequate to meet the needs of all students
  • Literacy by third grade — prioritizing funding for full-day pre-kindergarten school for at-risk students
  • Comprehensive school safety legislation, including policies to improve access to Texas School Safety Center programs and services and funding for hardening of school facilities
  • Comprehensive student mental health plan of programs and services to help students be mentally strong, and systems to identify and provide services to students in need of mental health intervention 
  • Funding for special education services sufficient to address the Federal Government’s corrective action
  • Support policies to strengthen anti-cyberbullying laws

READ the complete list of PRIORITIES here.

Start Planning for Rally Day
Start today to plan your trip to Austin for Rally Day 2019 on the steps of the State Capitol. Let’s top last session’s record-breaking attendance – 1,600 PTA members! Plan to join your colleagues from across the state to advocate for our children and public education.

Rally Day Webinars - 12:00 noon
November 8 - Planning for Rally
Register HERE

​Help us reach 2,000 attendees this coming year. Download the Rally Day flyer here and get the word out! #2K4RallyDay

December 6 - The Policy Issues
January 10 - Meeting with Legislators
Though Texas PTA advocates for students year in and year out, a new legislative session is invaluable for realizing the change needed to improve our schools and educational system, and to enhance the lives of our children. To that end, we invite all Local and Council PTAs and students from across the state to attend Rally Day on February 25, 2019 — held biennially in Austin. Rally Day embodies the bold spirit of our CommYOUnity. PTA Members like you will descend on the State Capitol and show lawmakers that our united voice carries far and wide. The day will include both a parent and student caucus, a march to the Capitol, and time to meet with your elected officials. 

Legislative Priority
Special Education Funding
Support increased funding for special education services sufficient to address the requirements of the federal government’s corrective action, including teacher training, student evaluation, and increased student services.
Download information on this priority here.


With $25,000* available each year, Texas PTA awards $1000 to eligible high school seniors and up to $500 scholarships to eligible faculty members. Visit us online to view guidelines and to get started.

Join your PTA today to complete the first step toward eligibility!
All applications are due December 1, 2018.

Get Started
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*Cumulative scholarship amount awarded to selected graduating high school seniors and faculty.

CapMetro Free Rides for Students - They Want Your Stories! 


CapMetro’s free rides for students in grades K-12 is scheduled to expire in December. They are considering a vote to make it permanent, and YOUR voice will help decide how they vote. The CapMetro board wants to hear from students, families, PSS, and others about who’s using the program, what they’re using it for and how it’s making a difference. Stories about how the program has impacted you, your children or your community are especially useful.
You spoke up and helped to extend the program through this fall, and you can speak up now in favor of making this permanent. You have three ways to make your voice heard.

BUDGET STABILIZATION TASK FORCE

The Budget Stabilization Task Force extended its meeting timeline, reviewed information on staffing, and spoke further about equity in Austin ISD at its fourth meeting August 15. The group has begun the work to identify strategies to close the budget deficit and review district spending, after the Board of Trustees approved the latest budget with a $29 million dip into reserves. The district is also expected to have budget shortfalls in the future.

Here are three things to know as the task force moves forward.
  1. The task force extended its working timeline until Nov. 7 with bi-monthly meetings to learn more about the district’s budget. Future meetings will delve into various departments including transportation, energy management, academics, and technology. Through these focused meetings, the task force will have opportunities to speak directly with department leadership about spending, possible reductions, and outstanding needs.

  2. Equity has been an ongoing discussion at task force meetings. An exercise on what equity looks like for each member provided an opportunity for group discussion and sharing how equity could be further realized in AISD. Themes that came up included culturally responsive schools, student voice, and ensuring that opportunities and outcomes are not predictable based on neighborhood or zip code. During the staffing presentation by the AISD Human Capital team, the task force learned of one way the district is supporting professional growth in teachers. AISD has more nationally board certified educators than any school district in Texas and AISD has focused on mentoring teachers across the district to ensure highly qualified teachers are available to all students.

  3. Did you know payroll accounts for 86 percent of the district's general fund operating budget? The task force learned that staffing formulas are essential to building budgets for campuses. AISD sets student to teacher ratios for grade levels to best support learning and staffing allocations are based on those formulas. For example, AISD aims to have a 22:1 ratio for kindergarten through fourth-grade classes and a 29:1 ratio for secondary classes. The Task Force agreed further exploration was needed to better understand how changes in staffing guidelines could impact student achievement.

HOW CAN YOU ENGAGE?

T H A N K  Y O U: ACADEMIC  EXCELLENCE  FUND  DONORS

THANK YOU to the following families and businesses for their generous support of excellence in academics at Austin High School.  Your Spring 2018 support is greatly appreciated by the students, staff and community of Loyal Forever Maroons!

Donations are accepted all year!​
Valedictorian Susan Ogden; Summa cum Laude Molly Austin, Realtor, Blackburn Properties Barbara & Bart Knaggs Travis & Sherri West The Yonge Foundation; Magna cum Laude ABC Home & Commercial Services Kevin & Carol Capitani Julie & Coby Chase Beth & Tom Granger The Kuczaj Family The Layne Family Linda & Congressman Michael McCaul Okay to Say™, A Campaign for Mental Health The Stripling Family Summer & Justin Youngblood; Cum Laude Briley's Upholstery Shop Curry-Endresen Family The Elenz Family Freeman Law Firm Covert Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram - Stacy & Bart Gunkel Chris Holland Family The Kolerich Family LeaderOne Home Loans Sarah McHaney Jessica & Steve McMillen The Moehnke Family Kristen & John Nelson Kendall & Charlie Pace Kristie & Anthony Peterman Cookie & Steve Saunders Jane & Ben Shepperd Singh Law, PLLC The Tickle Family; Honor Roll AHS Alumni Association Amy & Trevor Allen Family Sara & David Arthur Jennifer & Burke Banda The Bangle Family Tom & Cherylann Campbell Family Heather & Bobby Chesney Ali & Sam Clare The Cozart Family Ben Crenshaw Family The Ehrlich Family Tracy & Drew Fielder Jennifer Foucher Steve & Lea Ann Fowler Steve & Loren Gigliotti Max & Tina Hambly Hyde Park Bar & Grill Raymond & Elizabeth Jackson Marla & Phil Kiger Dana & Jeff Kocurek The Lessner Family Steven C Levatino, Attorney at Law Carolyn & Don Lewis Sara & John Marler Becky & Jeff Melton Kerri & Greg Morisey Nancy & Tom Nesbitt Holly & Lee Norman Lauri & Chris Perry Alexandra & Paul Saenz Kelly & Michael Stouse Whit & Kim Williams; Exemplary Anonymous Melissa & Rick Abel Elizabeth Adams, Realtor, Urbanspace Mr. & Mrs. Avery Bengtson Greta Gonzales & Kevin Brady Adam & Chanta Costa Monte & Cari Ezell Lea & Paul Holubec Barbara & Tim Klitch Jenna & Randy McEachern Amy & Shaun Moore Catherine & Kyle Parks Maine Root/The Seiler Family Jeannette & Brad Sprague; In Kind Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co. La Condesa Dulce Vida Tequila Nothing Bundt Cakes, Austin-Westlake Primizie Snacks

CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER!

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