Newsletter, Feb. 14, 2018

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REMINDER: There is no school on Monday, Feb. 19

Boosterthon starts this week

Our Eagles Fun Run kicked off today with an exciting Pep Rally and we are thrilled about this year’s program! Our Fun Run includes EVERY student in a fun, fitness event while helping our school raise much-needed funds for Math and Reading Specialists. Our goal is to raise $25,000, and we need YOUR help! Here’s how you can support Summitt:

  • Register your student on funrun.com using this code: 432-551 or Searching by Summitt. Once you do, your student will receive a FREE GIFT just for being registered. Then, use funrun.com to log pledges for your child.

  • Reach out to sponsors. Every student’s goal is to connect with 10 sponsors. And with funrun.com’s smart sharing features, reaching out to sponsors is easier than ever. The easiest way to get pledges is to simply click the Facebook share button on your student’s pledge page. Plus, with a few clicks you can create a custom Student Star video to share on social media. You can also use the Easy Emailer to connect with friends and family. As you gather pledges, be sure to record each sponsor’s e-mail address so they have the opportunity to easily pay for your student’s pledge online via credit card.

  • Ask your child about the Castle Quest Character Lesson of the day! This year’s character program is Castle Quest, a castle theme all about bravery. On their quest to regain Bravemore Castle, students will learn the “SIX VIRTUES of a TRUE HERO” from a cast of colorful characters. Join along by watching the fun character videos with your child on funrun.com.

  • Come to the Fun Run on February 22! All students are included in the Fun Run, regardless of financial participation. Remember, students will be running 30-35 laps, and we would love for you to come out and cheer!

 

Sign up to help at Boosterthon
There are a few spots left for the day of the Fun Run on Thursday, Feb. 22. We still need volunteers to input pledges after the run. Please volunteer to help keep track of all of those laps the kids will be doing or help pass out water to our thirsty runners. After the Fun Run, please help with counting and entering funds collected from pledges. Remember that you must be a member of PTA to handle funds.

Tet Show next week
Please join us to celebrate the Year of the Dog on Friday, February 23. Delicious Vietnamese food including vegetarian dishes, pizzas, drinks and concession items are available for purchase starting at 6 pm in the Summitt cafeteria. The Tet show will start at 7 pm. As always, the show ends with Summitt’s own Lion and Dragon Dance team. Tickets will be sold February 20, 21, 22 at 7:30 am and 2:40 pm in the Great Hall. The tickets will also be sold the night of the show. This year’s show is called Vietnam: A Journey Through Time. Each grade level with perform a dance from the different eras of Vietnam.

  • The first ten rows are $10 per seat.

  • All other seats are $5 per seat

  • Cafeteria seats are $3 each.

  • If you cannot purchase tickets at school, send your money in an envelope and indicate what type of tickets and how many you need. The teachers will pick great seats for you. Our Tet Show benefits the AISD Vietnamese Dual Language Program. See you at the show!

 

Yearbook orders
If you ordered a yearbook on the paper form during Meet the Teacher Night in August, we will send out a receipt soon. If you need to order a yearbook for $25, you can do it online at https://inter-state.com/YearbookEntry/21991d

If you have taken any pictures at Summitt or a Summitt event, please email them to [email protected]. Fifth grade families: we need a baby picture of your child!

Got the time?
This section features volunteer opportunities with specific time estimates. Check here each week to see what’s needed. That way, if you “got the time,” you can help out regularly for 5 to 15 minutes, or for a couple hours on a one-time project.

  • If you have time before or after your child participates in the Fun Run next Thursday, February 22, please help open the front doors for other parents and volunteers coming to the other Fun Run sessions.

  • If you have anywhere from 15 minutes to one hour this week, please stop by the teacher workroom to see which teachers’ boxes have requests for projects.

 

Girls on the Run has available spots
There are a couple of spots still open for the spring season of Girls on the Run! Practice starts next Tuesday after school and runs for 10 weeks. We will meet Tuesday and Thursday this season. Go to gotraustin.org to register. Questions? Contact [email protected].

Kinder Round up in April
Kindergarten Round-Up will be offered at 9 a.m., Tuesday, April 3, at all elementary schools in the Austin Independent School District. Children who will be five years old on or before September 1, 2018, are eligible to be enrolled in kindergarten in AISD. At Kindergarten Round-up, parents will receive information about the Austin School District’s full-day kindergarten program, including curriculum, daily schedules, attendance requirements, the school year calendar, how to help a child prepare for school and information specific to the individual campus. Online registration is open now.

Multicultural Night in April
Summitt’s 2018 Multicultural Night will be on Friday, April 27th from 6-7:30pm. It will be a night to celebrate the diverse cultures of Summitt. If you’re interested in volunteering or hosting a cultural table, you may sign up here at this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeKDTfkdrolBUi5txwbDP4bxEuAcmvYI9UhDh_6vGUyCP-ngQ/viewform?c=0&w=1

PE Volleyball News
Volleyball Playday at Explore UT will be taking place on Saturday, March 3rd. We will be sending out permission forms to 5th graders this week in class. Forms are due on the morning of February 13th in the gym. Attached is the letter going home with students. Practices will be held after school from 3-3:45 pm in the gym on Wednesday, February 21st, Monday February 26th and Wednesday, February 28th. I will talk to Extend-a-care about the use of the gym on these 3 afternooons. – Mrs. Comsudi

 

Fifth grade news  

  • February 28 – Students will enter choice sheets into the computer database. The counselor for incoming 6th graders will be here to help. We will need parent volunteers to help make sure all selections match what is on the paper. After this date, all changes will have to take place by calling the Murchison counseling office.

  • Click here to get information about Advanced Math and AVID at Murchison.

Theater Arts information
Message from Murchison Theater Arts teacher to Fifth Grade parents: There are 2 different Theatre Arts class choices on the choice sheet for 6th grade 2018_19:

  • Theatre Arts (S or Y) is for EVERYONE – regardless of experience or interest. Students do not have to love performing in front of people. There is a little bit of performance but mostly I do all the DESIGN elements of Theatre: makeup design, set design, puppets, sound design, costumes. Lots of projects and hands on activities, as well as field trips. We have lots of fun! This is a great class for students who love Theatre of course but also perfect for those kiddos who just don’t know what elective they want to take – they will find something they like in my class.

  • Advanced Theatre Production (Y) is for students who want to be in the play production process — either as an actor or as a behind-the-scenes tech. (This class takes place on the cafeteria stage). To get into this class, kids have to complete the application process as well as choose it on their choice sheet.

If your student will not be attending Murchison, please contact Courtney Cardosa @512- 414-4248 or [email protected]. I will need to communicate with the AISD school, magnet, or academy that your child will attend to ensure that they have a schedule. You may also contact me with questions or concerns.

AISD and Community Events

TEA Survey for Corrective Action Plan Special Education
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has made available an online survey (deadline February 18) to solicit feedback on its draft corrective action plan for special education. The online survey is open to anyone wishing to provide input on the draft plan. The online survey is one part of TEA’s ongoing outreach effort to hear from special education students, families, educators, advocacy groups, district and school officials, and all others seeking to provide input on the plan. To fully understand and effectively respond to the questions in the survey, participants are encouraged to first read TEA’s proposed corrective action plan which can be accessed HERE

African American Heritage Celebration
You are cordially invited to join the 35th Annual AISD African American Heritage Celebration. Our theme this year is AISD Got TALENT! Mark your calendar and plan to join us at 3 p.m., Sunday, February 18, at the AISD Performing Arts Center. More than 250 students, grades 6-12, will be honored for their academic achievements. In addition, nine employees and community members will receive recognition for their unselfish contributions to our students. If additional information is needed, please contact Shirley Alexander at 512-414-0145.

AISD community conversations on the budget
Austin ISD is holding a series of Budget Community Conversations that will take place beginning Tuesday, Feb 13. Attendees will learn about the financial conditions facing the district and have an opportunity to weigh in on budget priorities. Community feedback will be critical to the decision-making process as our financial officers work to stabilize the budget over the next 3-5 years. Please join us and engage in one of these conversations:

Thursday, Feb. 15, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Baker Center Cafeteria
3908 Avenue B, 78751
Spanish interpretation provided

Thursday, Feb. 15, 6–8 p.m.
Lanier Early College High School Cafeteria
1201 Payton Gin Road 78753
Child care, refreshments and Spanish interpretation provided

Friday, Feb. 16, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Carruth Administration Center Board Auditorium
1111 W. Sixth St. 78703
Spanish interpretation provided

For more information, visit austinisd.org/budget or contact Ali Ghilarducci, Community Engagement Coordinator, at 512-414-4487 with any questions.

AISD Food Services Survey
As we develop school menus for the 2018-19 school year, feedback from our school communities is crucial. We are launching a survey which ends Feb. 16, to collect information that will help us create menus that best meet the needs and tastes of our communities. If you have any questions, please contact at [email protected] or 512-414-0247.
Austin ISD Food Services 2017-18 Survey – English
Austin ISD Food Services 2017-18 Survey – Spanish

Angst: Raising Awareness on Anxiety
Surveys show more than half of our community have had some anxiety and it is increasing in kids. Angst is a documentary that shines a bright light on anxiety and offers resources, tools and hope. The film includes interviews with kids, teens, experts, and parents, including Michael Phelps. Angst helps people identify and understand the symptoms of anxiety and encourages them to reach out for help. It will be on Sunday, February 25,  4:30 pm at Triumphant Love Lutheran Church. Tickets are $10/adult, $5/student, sold online. Note that this is not a religious movie. TLLC Youth group hosts the movie as part of their community outreach; the goal is to raise awareness and help others since anxiety is often hidden and more common than people realize.

Parents Night Out
Anderson HS Robotics NIGHT of the ROBOTS, is Friday, February 23rd, 5:30-9 pm, at Anderson HS. Enjoy a Parents Night Out, while your kids (K-5th) enjoy an evening of fun and all things robots. For more information go to: https://nightoftherobotsfebruary2018.splashthat.com/

Austin Child Guidance Center programs
Austin Child Guidance Center is offering low cost groups beginning in February. Topics include Behavioral Parent Training and Mindfulness and Distress Tolerance Group for Teens. To register or refer someone, please call Sara Walters at 512-451-2242

Project Graduation Rummage Sale
Project Graduation at Anderson High School will be holding a Rummage Sale on Saturday, March 24 from 9am-noon in the  Anderson High School Parking Lot. For more information please contact Debbie Rosenberg at 512-431-4875. If you would like to donate items, please let Debbie know!

Sign up for Summitt’s Cap 10K team
The CAP10K will be here before we know it! It takes place on Sunday, April 8th. Below is the link to join our school team! We already have several teachers sign up to join the Summitt Eagle team. Come out and run with them! https://eventdog.com/a/eventpage.php?eID=629&teamToken=20171117144932-755-RW5UADXc30TKHmInd8yr65NB&dID=0

Austin ISD forms for next school year
Online registration 
Online registration  for the 2018-19 school year is available in the AISD Parent Cloud. Students who are incoming K-12, can register online now. Here is the link:  https://www.austinisd.org/technology/parents-guardians/student-registration. There are already 28 campuses with more than 10% of their students registered online for 2018-2019!

Return Commitment forms
Commitment Forms has your child’s name on it. This is not the same as Online Registration.  Please return forms as soon as possible before March 1st.

AISD PARENT SURVEYS 2017-2018
Parents received a parent letter and survey scan form in the Tuesday, January 16 folder. Please note that the hard copy scan forms are due no later than Tuesday, February 20, 2018. If parents do not wish to complete the scan form survey, the online survey links for the parent survey are available on www.austinisd.org/parents website where they can choose to take the survey in English, Spanish, or Vietnamese. PLEASE NOTE: THE SURVEY SHOULD ONLY BE COMPLETED IN ONE FORM, SCAN FORM OR ON-LINE, BUT NOT BOTH!