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A Bus Parade to the Symphony
On Monday and Tuesday, 9,100 students from 68 elementary schools attended Halloween concerts performed by the Austin Symphony at the Long Center. How many buses does it take to transport nearly 10,000...
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Veterans Receive Diplomas
On Friday, November 9, I had the honor of presenting diplomas to eight former AISD students who were unable to finish high school because they answered the call to serve in America’s armed forces...
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The State of Our District: Strengthened by Community Support
The Power of Us: Thousands of students, team members, parents, and friends closed the show with a Thriller flash mob!Austin is a world-class city that deserves a world-class district. Last night, AISD...
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Austin Chamber Honors AISD Schools
This week, the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce recognized 15 winners of the 2012 Austin Chamber Education Awards at the 7th annual State of Education luncheon at the University of Texas Frank Erwin...
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Dancing With the Stars to Benefit Children Affected by Abuse
On December 2, I will be proud to participate as a contestant in the Sixth Annual “Dancing with the Stars- Austin” fundraiser to benefit the Center for Child Protection. The Center for Child Protection...
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The Best Holiday Gift of All
Imagine my pleasant surprise to run into Crockett's Mariachi de Oro in the lobby after my Austin Symphony meeting. As I was leaving, they were headed up to the Headliner's to play for the Rotary Wives....
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Early College High School Keeps Growing!
LBJ students \described their experiences with Early College High School.The Early College High School Programs at Reagan and LBJ High Schools have really taken off since they were created last year....
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Congrats Travis Rebels!!!
Having a wonderful time at the Travis HS Football banquet with the generous contribution by Jimmy Nassour who made the event possible! A special shout out to the Travis High School JV Football team....
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Seedling Foundation Honors O. Henry Student
Seedling Foundation Executive Director Sari Waxler visited O. Henry to present the award.Congratulations to Angel, a seventh grade student at O. Henry Middle School, for winning the Seedling...
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Our Thoughts and Prayers are with Connecticut Families
All of us in the AISD community are deeply saddened to learn about today’s tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School inConnecticut. Our thoughts and prayers are with the school’s community and...
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AISD Principals Shine as Nutcracker's "Mother Ginger"
Pat Butler, principal of Mills Elementary, performs as Mother Ginger in the Ballet Austin performance of "The Nutcracker."I love being on the Board of Ballet Austin. This time of year is especially...
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Board Approves 2013 Annual Academic and Facilities Recommendations
On December 17, the AISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved four Annual Academic and Facilities Recommendations, or AAFRs. Two additional AAFRs, a proposed School for Young Men and Garcia and...
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The Time is Always Right to Do What's Right: Celebrating MLK Day
Today, January 15, is the date of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birth. Had he lived, he would have celebrated his 84th birthday. This year, we will mark the fiftieth anniversary of Dr. King’s “I Have a...
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Dobie's AVID Students are College Bound!
AVID Students at J. Frank Dobie Middle School hosted our visit.This week, I had the opportunity to accompany TEA Commissioner Michael Williams on a tour of the AVID Program at J. Frank Dobie College...
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Blackshear Elementary Students Meet Role Models
Students asked me what it was like to be superintendent.Last week, I had the pleasure of participating in Role Model Day, an annual community-strengthening event at Blackshear Elementary School that...
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Oak Hill Elementary Holds Community Open House
Oak Hill is home of the Soaring Eagles. Public education is alive and well in Austin, and we are so fortunate to have terrific elementary schools like Oak Hill, with its outstanding principal, Dr....
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Summitt Elementary School Community Rings in Vietnamese New Year
On Friday, February 8, Summitt Elementary School celebrated Tet, the most important and popular holiday and festival in Vietnam, with a fundraising dinner, followed by a spectacular performance by...
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Meet the Parent Cloud!
Today, I'm announcing an innovative new service for our AISD families: The Parent Cloud! This week, the district launched this online portal for AISD parents. It's a one-stop shop that allows families...
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A Day With AISD
Today Isaac Hernandez and Matthew Ramirez, sixth grade students at Mathews Elementary School, got to job shadow at the AISD and got to meet very important people. We walked around the building finding...
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Marathon Kids Run the Final Lap
The friendly Whole Foods fruit people led the runners.Congratulations to the students and families who completed a 26.2 mile marathon as part of this year's Marathon Kids program. I was so proud of the...
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