Giving Thanks to Those Who Supported Our Students and Families
In the aftermath of the recent flooding in southeast Austin, which left more than 350 Austin Independent School District students and more than 25 AISD staff members homeless or temporarily displaced,...
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State of the District Shows Together We're Invincible!
A performance of "Invincible" by the Barton Hills Elementary choir was featured in the State of the District movie.Together we're invincible! If you watch the AISD State of the District movie on the...
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Thanks to Clifton Students and Staff for Continuing A Bright Holiday Tradition
One of the highlights of my year took place yesterday, when students from the horticulture program at our Clifton Career Development School delivered poinsetta plants to brighten up our office. Thanks...
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Thanks to the St. David's Foundation and All of our SEL Partners for Their...
Earl Maxwell, Executive Director of the St. David’s Foundation, and Kevin Cole, Director of the Austin Public Education Foundation, help me celebrate with a big check!Today, the St. David’s Foundation...
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Backstage at the Nutcracker For an Upclose Look at Commemorative Ornaments...
This morning, Ballet Austin invited a group backstage before a performance of The Nutcracker to view the new stage set. As part of my donation to support the new set for The Nutcracker and to support...
View ArticleRemembering Sandy Hook: Keeping our Schools Secure Every Day
Tomorrow, communities throughout the country will commemorate the one-year anniversary of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Earlier this week, community members in Newtown, Conn. launched an...
View ArticleOur Students Score Well on the Nation's Report Card
Today, the National Assessment of Educational Progress reported AISD students ranked second in fourth grade math and third in eighth grade math in the percentage of students scoring at the proficient...
View ArticleThanks for Your Generosity
A big thank you to all who contributed to our district's 2013 AISD Gives campaign and to those who participated in the campaign events. Together, we raised $38,604! Giving binds us together as a...
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Artwork by Harper Brand, Murchison Middle School, Jill Escamilla, Art TeacherWishing you peace, joy, hope and happinessduring this Seasonand throughout the New YearMeria Joel Carstarphen
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Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Today, is the birth date of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the district hosted its annual celebration to honor Dr. King at the Carruth Administration Center. A big thank you to the students, staff and...
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Say Thanks to Our Teachers!
Anderson High School's National Board Certified teachers encourage others to pursue this advanced teaching credential.Most of us have our own stories about how a teacher, or teachers, influenced us. I...
View ArticleWintry Weather Decisions and Process Behind School Closings
Last Friday, schools throughout the region closed when a winter storm caused icy roads, plunging temperatures, and sleet and snow in central Texas. On Thursday evening, as the storm worsened, we made a...
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Taking the Next Steps to Expand Social and Emotional Learning
AISD's Executive Director of the Office of Innovation and Development Michelle Wallis, donor Jeanne Klein, SEL Director Sherrie Raven, and Betsy Abell of the Buena Vista Foundation were on hand to...
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Healthy Smiles for Our Kids!
AISD Student Health Services Tracy Lunoff and St. David's Foundation Chairman Earl Maxwell helped kick off Smile Week with a big brush!Today, St. David’s Foundation kicked off “Smile Week” to celebrate...
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We Remember Barbara Jordan
February 21 is the birthday of Barbara Jordan, who would have been 78 years old today. This morning, I joined the students and staff of Barbara Jordan Early College Prep Elementary School in...
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Students, Staff and Community Honored at African American Heritage Celebration
On Sunday, February 23, I had the pleasure of congratulating hundreds of our district’s outstanding African American elementary, middle and high school students at the 31st annual AISD African American...
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Supporting Academic Success at Feria Para Aprender
Our district's Dual Language program had its own "storefront" space,and many of our staff were on hand to provide information to families.On Saturday, February 22, our district participated in the...
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An Adventure at School Headquarters
HI! Our names are Nancy and Mark-Ja' and we're 6th graders at Matthews Elementary. Today we are visiting AISD headquarters and learning a lot.We Judged How Much Fun We Had!! Sherrie Raven was the...
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I Pledge to Read to Put Smarts in My Head
Today is Read Across America Day and schools across the country are celebrating the birthday of Dr. Seuss by reading his books and wearing funny hats! I participated in the first-ever Read Across...
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SXSWedu Showcases AISD Students and Programs
It's a wrap! SXSWedu ends today, after a shivery but productive three days at the Austin Convention Center. I was so proud of our students and staff for representing our district so well as panelists,...
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Tack Tack Packs for Our Kids
Last night, as part of a teambuilding exercise, our school board members and I assembled Tack Tack Packs that will be donated to students at the Children's Shelter. What's a Tack Tack Pack? It's a...
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Thanks for Supporting the Rosedale Ride
Thanks so much to TEAM AISD and the entire Austin community for supporting the Rosedale Ride and the Silent Auction on Saturday, March 22! 1,250 cyclists participated in this year's Ride, bringing in...
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Celebrating Youth Art Month with a Billboard Signing
Fortunately, Julia Lund has experience with billboard signing.To celebrate Youth Art Month, today Bowie High School student artist Julia Lund signed a billboard at 1614 Montopolis that displays her...
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Don't Miss the Youth Art Month Show
Each year, more than 1,500 works of art by students from elementary, middle and high schools throughout the district is displayed in the lobby at One Congress Plaza, 111 Congress Avenue. This year, the...
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Thanks for the Memories!
As I leave AISD today, I want to thank the Austin community for your support and friendship over the past five years. It has been a privilege working side by side with thousands of committed,...
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