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Join Me at Myers Stadium for Tonight's Attendance Kickoff Event!
Earlier this week, I joined UT Athletic Directors DeLoss Dodds and Chris Plonsky to formally announce an exciting new initiative created in partnership with UT and AISD.DeLoss Dodds (left) and Chris...
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Dairy MAX Fuels Up the District
I’ve had the opportunity to do some pretty cool things as superintendent of Austin schools, but not every day is as exciting as the morning I spent at Barton Hills Elementary celebrating the...
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AISD and UT Kick Off the Attendance Initiative with a Win!
Teamwork makes the dream work! Members of my team who came out on Friday include (from right) Oscar Palomo and his wife, Mary, Mel Waxler and Rosa PalaciosI had a blast Friday night at the kickoff...
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The Bands March On!
The Eastside Memorial Show Stoppers Before the Show!On a cool fall evening, the moon shone bright over our students and families at the 40th Annual AISD Band Jamboree at Burger Stadium. There were...
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Becker Elementary Earns $25,000 Grant From Target!
Becker parent Ileana Abounader and her son Logan celebrate the good news about the Give with Target award.Bravo to Principal LaKesha Drinks and the entire Becker Elementary community for earning a...
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I'll Be Dancing With the Stars!
Last week, I attended a fun event for a great cause — the VIP Launch Party for the 6th Annual Dancing with the Stars Austin fundraiser to benefit the Center for Child Protection. This wonderful...
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Roddick Foundation Supports APIE
The Andy Roddick Foundation has announced that once again this year, Austin Partners in Education, or APIE, will be a beneficiary of the fundraising gala that the foundation held this past weekend....
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Dedicating IDEA Allan and Celebrating Our Partnership
College Prep student Me'Aisha joins me in demonstrating The Power of Us!Yesterday, it was my great pleasure to attend the dedication of IDEA Allan, AISD's new in-district charter school dedicated to...
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Running in the Rain with Marathon Kids®
Our students didn't let a few drops--or a lot--dampen their enthusiasm as they ran around the track.As serious athletes know, running in the pouring rain can be fun! It sure added some excitement for...
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2012 International Walk to School Day
I was so glad to join about 750 students and families on this crisp fall morning for the 2012 International Walk to School Day. All over the world, thousands of kids and families walked to school...
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Woolridge, Hill and Baranoff are in the Honors Circle!
The Texas Comptroller’s Office has announced that three AISD elementary schools--Wooldridge, Hill and Baranoff--are 2012 Texas Honors Circle designees. They are among 329 campuses in Texas to earn one...
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Dedicating the Willie Mae Kirk Branch Library
It was my honor Saturday to attend the dedication of the Oak Springs library for Austin's beloved Willie Mae "Ankie" Kirk, an outstanding educator, civil rights activist, Library Commissioner,...
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Student Advisory Committee Promotes State of the District Showcase; Tolerance...
On Tuesday, my Student Advisory Committee met for the first time this school year. The committee is composed of one representative from each middle school and high school in the district, plus a few...
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Congratulations to Two of AISD's Blue Ribbon Schools!
Friday was a memorable day for two of our northside elementary schools, as Hill Elementary welcomed students and parents from Graham Elementary, along with Principal Blaine Helwig, to a special...
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Research on African American Males to Eliminate Achievement Gap
This week, Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu, a noted author and lecturer, gave these four presentations about challenges and issues facing African American boys in particular, and, in general, how to close the...
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An UpClose Look at AISD
This week, I welcomed this year’s seventh AISD UpClose class at an orientation luncheon. Once a month, this committed group of community members meets to get an inside look at how AISD operates, and...
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Thanks for the Vote of Support!
On Monday, the Board of Trustees extended the term of my employment contract by one year, to June 30, 2015. I want to let you know how much I appreciate the support from the Board, the AISD staff and...
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Any Given Child Takes Off!
Classical Guitar students performed at the reception.On Wednesday, Oct. 24, I joined Darrell Ayers, Vice President of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Mayor Lee Leffingwell and AISD Trustees...
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Welcome to Austin, Kennedy Center Committee!
Last night, I had the pleasure of having dinner at the President's Office at The University of Texas with members of the Kennedy Center's National Committee for the Performing Arts. The Committee is...
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Reading Rock Stars at Dawson Elementary
Students in the Dawson library can't wait for author Tad Hills to read from his latest book, "Rocket Writes a Story." Last Friday, Dawson Elementary hosted three authors to read and speak to students...
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