August 22, 2022
Alamo Heights ISD Families -
Welcome to our 2022 - 2023 school year! We’ve launched the back to school theme There’s No Place Like AHISD! across the district which was affirmed over and over again these past few weeks as we welcomed our staff and students back to school.
There are many celebrations that I’d like to highlight for you in this first monthly message of the year. First, I’m celebrating our amazing AHISD staff. We welcome 90 new talented teachers to our district this year. These new employees spent an entire week in orientation learning about our curriculum and instruction practices, our AHISD Profile of a Learner, campus procedures and practices, as well as time preparing for their new students. Additionally, all staff members were welcomed back during Convocation on August 15th where we were treated to mini-keynote messages from employees who shared what sets our district apart from all the others, and why, to them, there really is no place like AHISD. I’m excited about the talent of our staff and their amazing heart for our district and know great things are in store for our students because of each one of them.
Part of our back to school professional development efforts included sessions to support our staff in recommitting to pre-pandemic practices that support student learning and growth. Our Curriculum and Instruction department led professional learning to focus on appropriate practices for grading, homework and screentime usage. You can find resources that were shared with our staff by clicking on those links.
I celebrate the release of our Community Based Accountability System report that highlights the hard work and accomplishments of our last year and points to continuous improvement efforts for this year. I celebrate that our community demands more than the “A” District rating that we earned this past week from TEA, and the strong belief that our students deserve to be measured by more than STAAR scores. Our local accountability measures achievement through multiple data sources (SAT/ ACT scores, AP scores, universal screeners, IOWA/ CoGAT scores, as well as extracurricular participation, and social and emotional development.) The release of our CBAS report highlights the focused efforts of our staff to ensure that student achievement and progress is a priority, even throughout the challenges we faced these past two years.
Finally, I celebrate a long awaited and much deserved "normal" opening of the year for all of us. We've been through so much since March 2020, and recognize the many challenges that we turned into opportunities for our community. I continue to be so proud of the way our district met the needs of our students and families during that time by re-opening our schools and keeping our schools open for student learning back in our classrooms. We see the benefits of those efforts now as we reflect on the academic progress and growth of our students. Although I recognize that we are stronger as a community because of that experience, I’m excited to claim a new chapter for all of us this year.
There truly is no place like AHISD! Our students, our staff and our engaged families make this such a special place to serve and to learn. I feel privileged to be entering my 27th year of service to this district, and I’m incredibly excited about what this year holds for all of us.
Mules up!
Dr. Dana Bashara
Twitter: @BasharaDana
Photo of the Month:
The AH-mazing Debbie Dixon and Carol Walters were featured on August 15 - the first day of school - on @KENS5! These legendary @WoodridgeElem teachers began their 51st year in education! #NoPlaceLikeAHISD #ExtraordinaryAHISD
Reminders:
-AHISD places the highest priority on safety and security and district leaders worked diligently this summer to ensure a safe opening of schools. Visit the community safety message to learn more.
-If you see something, say something! We ask all AHISD families to commit to having ongoing conversations with students about safety and security and to encourage the reporting of any concerns to a trusted adult on campus. Families can also report safety concerns on our website by clicking Students / Parents and then Safety Concerns.
-Free & Reduced Meal Application - This school year, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is no longer providing free meals for all students. However, families may still be able to qualify for free and reduced meals depending on income qualifications. The free and reduced meals application form is available now on the AHISD Nutrition Services website. Applications can be downloaded in Spanish and English, or they can be picked up in the front office at AHISD campuses. A new application must be submitted each year. Families are encouraged to apply to determine eligibility. The website contains video instructions on how to submit the application.
-Please stay connected with all things AHISD by visiting Heights Happenings and also following us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Upcoming Events:
(Two - Week Glance)
Community Input Meeting- Upcoming Construction Planning
Thursday, September 1 - 6:00 - 7:00 PM - LPA Community Information Meeting - Location: Alamo Heights High School Oaks Cafeteria - Future Construction Planning with LPA (Architects) - All members of our community are invited to join us to provide input and feedback regarding our future construction and facility needs planning.
Athletic Events (Visit Rank One for all sporting events)
- Wednesday, August 24 - 6:00-8:00 PM - HS Athletics Kick Off Program - Location: Alamo Heights High School
- Thursday, August 25 - 4:30-7:30 PM - JS Athletics Kick Off Program - Location: Junior School Cafeteria/Field
Back to School Nights
- Tuesday, August 23 - 6:00-8:00 PM - Junior School - Back to School Night 6th grade - Location: Junior School
- Tuesday, August 30 - 6:00-8:00 PM - Junior School - Back to School Night - 7th & 8th Grades - Location: Junior School
- Tuesday, September 6 - 5:45-7:00 PM - Cambridge - Back to School Night - 1st & 2nd Grades - Location: Cambridge Elementary
- Tuesday, September 6 - 6:00-7:15 PM - Woodridge - Back to School Night - 1st & 2nd Grades - Location: Woodridge Elementary
- Wednesday, September 7 - 5:45 - 7:00 PM - Cambridge - CE - Back to School Night - 3rd-5th Grades - Location: Cambridge Elementary
- Wednesday, September 7 - 6:00-7:15 PM - Woodridge - Back to School Night - 3rd-5th Grades - Location: Woodridge Elementary
- Thursday, September 8 - 4:15-4:45 PM - Howard Back to School Night - PreK & ECSE - Location: Howard E.C.C.
- Thursday, September 8 - 6:00-6:30 PM - Howard Back to School Night - Kindergarten - Location: Howard E.C.C.
Master Calendar Events
- Monday, September 5 - School Holiday
PTO General Meetings
- Thursday, September 8 - 5:30-6:00 PM - Howard PTO Meeting - Location: Howard E.C.C.
- Thursday, September 8 - 12:00-1:00 PM - Junior School PTO Meeting - Location: Junior School