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Reaching New [Travis] Heights
Travis Heights Elementary School is the district’s first campus-initiated in-district charter school, which means there are exciting changes this year for the school's curriculum, program design,...
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A Birthday Wish for LBJ: Here’s to Winning the Tomorrows in Front of Us—for...
Before I go to bed tonight, I am mindful that today is Lyndon Baines Johnson’s birthday. LBJ inspires me because he was an education-focused, civil rights champion. Over Memorial Day weekend, I took my...
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"I Have a Dream" Speech Still Resonates
Today is the fiftieth anniversary of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, which he delivered on August 28, 1963 to more than 200,000 civil rights supporters from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. The...
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Anderson HS Students Lend A Helping Hand, Welcome Younger Students to School
While I may not have been able to visit all of AISD’s 123 schools, I know that principals around the district were working hard to make the first day of school great for their students, and some of our...
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Janis Guerrero Thompson Elementary Welcomes Its First Students
This week, the district’s newest facility, Janis Guerrero-Thompson Elementary, opened its doors to 561 new Grizzlies and their families. The school, which was built as part of the 2004 Bond Program,...
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Miss School, Miss Out!
Today, school and community leaders from throughout central Texas gathered to kick off a regional school attendance and awareness campaign —Missing School Matters. Organized by the E3 Alliance, the...
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Planning for HB 5 Changes
Parents, teachers, community members and administrators gathered at district headquarters yesterday to beginning planning for the implementation of HB 5, the overhaul of accountability requirements...
View ArticleSafety is our Top Priority
As we conclude the second week of school, I wanted to share with you important safety efforts that the district is taking. Safety is our top priority, and we make every effort to ensure that every one...
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Remembering 9/11 and Honoring Its Victims
To commemorate the tragedy that occurred twelve years ago on September 11, 2001, all AISD students observed a moment of silence during the first class period of the day, and flags flew at half-mast at...
View ArticleOur Thoughts are With Families After the Navy Yard Shooting
As I listen to the events unfolding in Washington, D.C., my condolences go out to the families and loved ones of the victims of today’s tragedy in the Navy Yard. As superintendent, school security and...
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AISD Custodians: We Depend on You!
Our CAC custodial staff is tops! (l-r: Ronnie Trevino, Clarence Walker, Pasqual Torres, Ricky Sykes, Graciela Duran, and Maria Sanchez-Contreres.)Every school and office in our district depends on...
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Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce Recognizes AISD Schools and Educators
LASA Principal Stacia Creszenci, Ann Richards Principal Jeanne Goka, Crockett Principal Craig Shapiro, and Associate Superintendent for High Schools Edmund Oropez celebrate their awards.At todays'...
View ArticleFamilies and Staff Affected by the Oct. 31 Floods Need Our Support
Our AISD family continues to support students and staff who were displaced by the storms that flooded neighborhoods in Southeast Austin on October 31. At last count there were 360 students and 28...
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Huge Gains in the Number of Low-Income Students Going on to College!
Congratulations to Akins, Anderson, LASA and LBJ High Schools for their success in increasing the number of low-income students who go right on to college after graduation.An article in the Nov. 18...
View ArticleEducation for All: Giving Thanks for Your Work
Every day, you educate our students’ minds and hearts. Every day, you work hard to nurture their abilities and dreams to ensure that every student is ready for college, career and life. Every day, you...
View ArticleGiving 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...
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