O. Henry Middle School

AISD Info: Summer Vision 2020 07/30/2020

AISD Info: Summer Vision 2020 07/30/2020
 

Need to Know: How We’re Supporting Teachers

The summer has been a time of tremendous growth and learning as we prepare to welcome students back to learning environments in August. The technology, academics and professional learning teams have worked continuously to build resources and supports for our teachers and students. 

These supports include between three to six weeks of lessons in BLEND. This will help ensure our teachers are able to focus on relationships and getting acclimated to the remote environment. Teachers will be provided professional learning opportunities upon returning to work Aug. 11 to learn how to access and personalize these online courses and other curriculum materials, as well as learn from and alongside teachers in the field. We are proud of the nearly 17,000 professional learning registrations this summer. Many of these were eligible for the exchange day program, allowing educators to trade two days of summer learning opportunities for two days off in the school year. 

Teachers who did not participate in summer professional learning are not behind in any way. We will continue to prepare our educators at the Austin ISD Personalized Learning Conference Aug. 3-5. At the conference, staff will dive into more skills that will make the upcoming school year impactful for our students.

Need to Know: Technology Updates

Bring Your Own Device: Due to worldwide shortages, Austin ISD is seeing some delays in receiving Chromebooks and iPads for students. Families who would like to return their Austin ISD Chromebook or iPad and use a personal device instead can do so at our Computer Curbside locations. Doing so is entirely optional, but could help a fellow Austin ISD family that needs immediate access to technology. Please check this flyer for Computer Curbside dates, times and locations: bit.ly/aisdcomputercurbside. Families can also return computers at almost all Austin ISD campuses Aug. 3-6, from 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m., during curbside registration (Doss families should go to Murchison and Bear Creek families should go to Kiker).

Technology Requests - Parent Cloud: Families can now begin requesting technology needs using a new form in the Parent Cloud. After logging in to my.austinisd.org, search for “Technology Distribution,” and the link for the form will appear. My.austinisd.org also has a link and instructions in both English and Spanish for creating a Parent Cloud account.

Technology Requests - Paper Forms: Families can request technology using paper forms in person on almost all Austin ISD campuses on Aug. 3-6, from 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m., during curbside registration (Doss families should go to Murchison and Bear Creek families should go to Kiker). Families will not receive a WiFi hotspot that day if it is your first time requesting one.

Technology Requests - By Phone: Families can also request technology by calling their school or the Parent Support Line at 512-414-9187.

Good to Know: Telemedicine Services

AISD wants to make sure that our community is safe and healthy. That is why AISD is offering Telemedicine services for our students and their families.

Telemedicine will be available in campus health rooms this school year through our partnership with Virtual Care for Families. Services include rapid COVID-19 tests, as well as a test for strep throat and the flu. While students will not be back on campus until at least September, families should know about the service so they can choose to opt-in while enrolling if interested.

If your student has been opted in and is in need of care, they can quickly be seen by a pediatrician through a secure, two-way video conference call. Doctors are able to diagnose patients virtually as well as send a prescription to a pharmacy of the family’s choosing, when appropriate. It is like a visit to the doctor's office without leaving school. As a reminder, if your child is feeling unwell before school, please keep them home.

Parents wishing to use this service must consent through the online registration process for the 2020-21 school year through my.austinisd.org.

For more information on AISD and Telemedicine please visit https://www.austinisd.org/student-health/telehealth

Get in the Know: Survey Reminder

On Monday we emailed the second, short survey of the summer that asks how you feel about sending your child back to campus for face-to-face instruction. 

We want to give you a clear picture of what our reopening will look like, and answering this survey will assist that effort by helping us understand what you think is best for your child. 

Surveys can only be taken once per each student enrolled. Questions or requests for help can be sent to survey@austinisd.org. The survey will close Monday, Aug. 3. 

It's preferred that you use the original survey link in your email, however, if you’re unable to find the message you can use this Reopening Family Pulse Survey Link II  to take the survey.

Click to Know:

To further engage with our families about the reopening process, we’ve begun livestreaming interviews between Dr. Cruz and subject-matter experts multiple times per week. The videos are in English and Spanish. You can see the videos on our Facebook and YouTube pages.

We are also posting the interview as an FAQ following the video. You can find those on our Announcements page. 

AISD Food Service is teaming up with Austin Public Library to provide free books at Austin ISD curbside meal sites.

Edition 8, 7/30/2020
A publication by the AISD Dept. of Communications and Community Engagement

 

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