AISD's (and other districts) Plans for Schools Starting August 18

[ChuckNorrisActionJeans 2682]

2 hours ago, BrazilHorn said:

Big topic now is talking about getting rid of block day set up. Would get rid of like 14 electives from 6th-12th grade that kids could take over the course of their middle to high school career.

I think the new Superintendent actually hates kids and is going to be proposing a "free range" system where kids just roam the halls all day undisciplined.

AISD is a mess. My wife (no pics) volunteers at both our kid's schools and basically there is zero discipline allowed of any kind. Kids just walk out of class at will, it's crazy. The new superintendent has basically come down and said discipline=hurt feelings for kids and as such it's a no-no.

 

That's not our experience with our middle school, kids have to have special permission to leave class, use the restroom during class, and they can't go back in the cafeteria once they come out, etc., very heavy-handed. Beyond that, I don't know. Any proposed reduction in electives or teacher planning time is bullshit. The leadership certainly doesn't advocate for the district, in terms of policy or funds contributed to the state for recapture. That's frustrating AF.

[Harrison Bergeron 1798]

3 hours ago, Hefeweizen said:

Shit you're right, death is the only negative outcome from Covid.  Nevermind, drop everything and let them lick doorknobs.

Please feel free to provide a comprehensive list.

[Texas Jeff 1945]

6 hours ago, Cap33 said:

Is getting rid of block day and the electives simply a cost-saving measure?  If so, that's a pretty stupid and short-sighted solution when the goal is supposed to be keeping kids from leaving the district.  

The new Superintendent sucks.  If that's true about her approach to discipline, it would explain a lot about how different O. Henry is this year compared to when my older child went there with the same admin staff.  

The completely unsubstaintiated rumor I heard is that they are floating the idea of having teachers teach 6 of 7 periods instead of 6 of 8 periods.  This cuts costs because the teachers are still teaching 6 periods but the kids can only schedule 7 classes.  You don't need a teacher for that 8th period since it's gone.  Kids would take 49 years of classes in middle and high school (7x7) instead of the current 56 (8x7).  You lose seven school years of something from 6th through 12th, double-blocked classes or more electives.

[hornian 5230]

My oldest is in kindergarten at AISD school (Doss, hoot hoot), and it seems like it is a good, well supported school - but I am worried about later years. 
 

My wife sends me posts like these all the time - it seems like high school teachers in AISD are burnt the fuck out: 

and this:

 

 

[ZB'Tejas 593]

11 hours ago, BrazilHorn said:

I think it is her approach. I have a 6th grader at O. Henry and it is night and day different than when my now 9th grader went through there. She is trying to make every school equally shitty.

She doesn't hate kids but it's absolutely this.

I spoke to her a few months ago on the recent PTA funding policy change and that was her exact words. Wants to bring all schools to the least common denominator. She is also VERY political and really just trying to position herself.

Take a look at this underperforming Mendez Middle School... it's record could allow the state to come take over the school board of trustees so instead of fixing the issues at the school she wants to just close it to keep the board members in place: 

https://communityimpact.com/austin/central-austin/education/2021/12/02/state-could-take-over-aisd-school-board-if-poorly-rated-campus-does-not-improve-next-year/

Edited December 3, 2021 by ZB'Tejas

[MAUFRAIS 6642]

Johnny

[BrazilHorn 6636]

1 hour ago, ZB'Tejas said:

She doesn't hate kids but it's absolutely this.

I spoke to her a few months ago on the recent PTA funding policy change and that was her exact words. Wants to bring all schools to the least common denominator. She is also VERY political and really just trying to position herself.

Take a look at this underperforming Mendez Middle School... it's record could allow the state to come take over the school board of trustees so instead of fixing the issues at the school she wants to just close it to keep the board members in place: 

https://communityimpact.com/austin/central-austin/education/2021/12/02/state-could-take-over-aisd-school-board-if-poorly-rated-campus-does-not-improve-next-year/

It's funny. My wife and I have both been heavily involved in PTAs over the years at the schools our kids go to, and for first time my wife is saying "maybe we need to just either go private or move"

What this superintendent is doing to lower the standards across the board is just a mess.

[HornOnTheBayou 8951]

The problem of student behavior and teacher burnout are not just AISD-specific. It's happening everywhere as everyone readjusts to being back in the classroom after students stayed home for over a year with little to no structure. I don't know if it'll improve in the spring semester, but hopefully by next school year, we'll be back to sorta normal. But I was in Houston a couple of weeks ago presenting at a conference for high-school teachers and I was hearing the same thing from all of them. And these were teachers from multiple districts in the Houston area.

So all of that to say that we can't put all the blame on Dr. Elizalde. I haven't been a huge fan of her decisions, but let's also keep in mind that she's been dealing with Covid issues her entire tenure. 

Edited December 3, 2021 by HornOnTheBayou

[utee94 15869]

27 minutes ago, HornOnTheBayou said:

The problem of student behavior and teacher burnout are not just AISD-specific. It's happening everywhere as everyone readjusts to being back in the classroom after students stayed home for over a year with little to no structure. I don't know if it'll improve in the spring semester, but hopefully by next school year, we'll be back to sorta normal. But I was in Houston a couple of weeks ago presenting at a conference for high-school teachers and I was hearing the same thing from all of them. And these were teachers from multiple districts in the Houston area.

So all of that to say that we can't put all the blame on Dr. Elizalde. I haven't been a huge fan of her decisions, but let's also keep in mind that she's been dealing with Covid issues her entire tenure. 

This reasonable take shall not stand, sir!

 

[ZB'Tejas 593]

55 minutes ago, BrazilHorn said:

It's funny. My wife and I have both been heavily involved in PTAs over the years at the schools our kids go to, and for first time my wife is saying "maybe we need to just either go private or move"

What this superintendent is doing to lower the standards across the board is just a mess.

Mine has said the same however I'm not interest in moving out of central Austin. I'm in the same tract as yours but my oldest in just in Kinder so I'm just now getting the public school experience. Have you been happy with O'Henry? Other than the PTA funding debacle I've been happy with Elementary experience but I do worry about middle and beyond by the time they get there. I had several friends that went Trinity and St Andrews but I'm not sure I'm ready to swing that financially.

[Cap33 393]

1 minute ago, ZB'Tejas said:

Mine has said the same however I'm not interest in moving out of central Austin. I'm in the same tract as yours but my oldest in just in Kinder so I'm just now getting the public school experience. Have you been happy with O'Henry? Other than the PTA funding debacle I've been happy with Elementary experience but I do worry about middle and beyond by the time they get there. I had several friends that went Trinity and St Andrews but I'm not sure I'm ready to swing that financially.

O. Henry was a great school when my older kid was there three years ago. My younger kid is there now, and as mentioned, it's a different place. The same admin staff that had such a handle on things during our first go around seem paralyzed in disciplinary situations this year. For example, a couple of months ago, there was a daily brawl after school by the buses that soon spilled into the actual school day. Were these kids sent to the alternate learning campus or ISS for disruption and violence? Nope. Instead, they had their schedules rearranged and staff members were required to escort them in the hallways to prevent them from starting fights between classes.  The teaching staff, for the most part, is pretty consistent, and we've been happy with them, even with my kid with dyslexia.

 

35 minutes ago, HornOnTheBayou said:

The problem of student behavior and teacher burnout are not just AISD-specific. It's happening everywhere as everyone readjusts to being back in the classroom after students stayed home for over a year with little to no structure. I don't know if it'll improve in the spring semester, but hopefully by next school year, we'll be back to sorta normal. But I was in Houston a couple of weeks ago presenting at a conference for high-school teachers and I was hearing the same thing from all of them. And these were teachers from multiple districts in the Houston area.

So all of that to say that we can't put all the blame on Dr. Elizalde. I haven't been a huge fan of her decisions, but let's also keep in mind that she's been dealing with Covid issues her entire tenure. 

I get that AISD has had Covid issues and teaching shortages to deal with, but Dr. Elizalde came in hot with an agenda to weaken the stronger schools and level the playing field. Covid may serve as her cover, but that does not excuse her approach.  

[BrazilHorn 6636]

20 minutes ago, ZB'Tejas said:

Mine has said the same however I'm not interest in moving out of central Austin. I'm in the same tract as yours but my oldest in just in Kinder so I'm just now getting the public school experience. Have you been happy with O'Henry? Other than the PTA funding debacle I've been happy with Elementary experience but I do worry about middle and beyond by the time they get there. I had several friends that went Trinity and St Andrews but I'm not sure I'm ready to swing that financially.

I had no issues with OHMS with my older son (he's now a freshman at AHS), my 6th grader is doing fine academically there (honor role first semester) and is a pretty tall, athletic kid so I am not worried about bullying per se in terms of him getting picked on. Biggest difference is just how small the 6th grade class is and how few kids from Casis moved over. Add in all the vaping, fights in bathroom, kids acting out in class and teachers doing jack shit (as they are not allowed to) and it's been a bit of a mess on that front. I don't think private is what I want to do but it may be what we have to do if we stay in Central Austin. We are in great spot and would hate to leave the area.

I do think this superintendent sucks though.

[Texas Jeff 1945]

53 minutes ago, ZB'Tejas said:

Have you been happy with O'Henry? Other than the PTA funding debacle I've been happy with Elementary experience but I do worry about middle and beyond by the time they get there. I had several friends that went Trinity and St Andrews but I'm not sure I'm ready to swing that financially.

We had a good experience at O. Henry with two kids, but that was four years ago.  It's kind of a self-fulfilling thing.  If lots of folks think it's a good school and want to send their kids there, get involved and donate a bit, it's a good school.  If the reputation goes the other way, maybe not so great.  I would suggest touring the school and asking friends ahead of you about the state of the school before you commit.

O. Henry could greatly benefit from a new building.  They were slated to get a rebuild in a 7 year window starting with the 2017 bond, but the current long range plan is in doubt after the school board turned over.  The Casis crowd might be light right now because of the PTA funding issues, construction and COVID, but all that should eventually resolve.  I think the state leg overruled the AISD policy preventing PTA donations to schools.

Wherever you go for middle school, try to get your kids in an activity that they can do all the way through high school.  I'm a big fan of the band program at O. Henry and Austin High.  Have them try band and maybe a sport in middle school and they'll probably pick one of those in the 8th or 9th grade to focus on.  Once they get to Austin High, the band program has it's own building and it becomes a home for the band kids.  Athletics got a big boost from the 2017 bond ... they're no threat to Westlake or LT but it's still nice to see something new at the school.

Many of the "great" programs, at whatever middle or high school you want to talk about, are great because one teacher has put a ton of effort into making it great.  Chemistry, physics, government, band, theatre, whatever you hear is "great" about a school is probably due to the incredible efforts of an underpaid teacher.  Right now, a lot of those teachers are pretty stressed out and some of them are leaving ... taking the "great" program with them.  AISD could make life easier on teachers and focus on trying to get them max compensation, but I don't think they are doing that.

I will say that today's kids, from what I have seen at Austin High, tend to support each other and tolerate differences in people much, much more than when I was in high school.

[ZB'Tejas 593]

Has anyone had experience with the Magnet program at Kealing? I'm not sure my kids are a fit quite yet but if that was an option I was curious on how that compares to the typical Middle school experience.

[smoky 840]

Has anyone had experience with the Magnet program at Kealing? I'm not sure my kids are a fit quite yet but if that was an option I was curious on how that compares to the typical Middle school experience.

I have an 8th grader there. Lamar is our neighborhood middle school and my 5th grader will likely go there next year, but that's more of a result of my kids personalities than the schools.

Feel free to ask me about kealing.

I get the sense that kealing doesn't do a lot of the normal middle school community building stuff, like kids going to sporting events or have dances.

They did pre-covid, but haven't brought any of that "rah rah go hornets" stuff back.

[Samson's Wig 3194]

9 hours ago, hornian said:

 

 

That is along the lines of what eventually convinced us to pull our kids out of AISD and public school altogether.  The inclusive classroom concept was well intentioned, but has led to a complete nightmare for teachers and students.  Tons of evidence now that it has been a disaster.   Every single year in elementary school at least one of my kids was in a classroom with a child who had no business being there as they couldn't behave and constantly disrupted the room.  Some of this was genuine mental health issues and some of it was just shitty parents who weren't raising their kids to act right, but were able to get them diagnosed with one thing or another and threaten to sue if the school didn't stay in line with their exact wishes.  Either way, the schools live in fear of lawsuits from crazy parents and the end result is thousands of kids don't learn a damn thing in a given year if they're unlucky enough to land in one of these classrooms. 

Whatever good comes from these programs is far outweighed by the bad.  We need a better way to ensure kids who could benefit from inclusion are able to do so, but not at the expense of a learning environment.  And public schools need a way to tell parents with uncontrollable kids that they are no longer welcome in school.  My son's second grade teacher was in tears on a daily basis.  She was a great teacher, but couldn't handle the "ADD" kid whose mother was up screaming at administration more than once a week.  My son and his classmates lost a complete year of learning thanks to that mother and her kid.

When you add in that AISD is making the inevitable transition to a large city school district, and all the political and issues that come with it, I don't know why anyone who has options would stick it out (outside of maybe kids who are nearing the end of the road and want to see it through).  AISD is circling the drain, and it's sad, but it's also inevitable.

Someone upthread mentioned something about Elizalde working to destroy AISD and in cahoots with Betsy Devos.  No.  Wrong political party, and completely different ideology.  The head of TEA (Mike Morath) is most certainly in the "destroy public schools to get vouchers for Jesus school" camp, though. Elizalde is more likely to bus your kid across town in the name of equity but in reality to bring all test scores to "average" and claim academic victory, thus keeping the Morath mouthbreathers at bay.   One group is purposefully trying to weaken public schools in order to get a voucher program, and the other will weaken public schools anyway with their well intentioned nonsense.

[Samson's Wig 3194]

Wasn't able to edit in time, but wanted to add that it sucks that for public school your main options outside of AISD are moving to the shitty suburbs with their "highly rated" schools full of self entitled twats and mouth breathing parents.  Given the option of AISD or Lake Travis/Eanes I'd stick with AISD all day long.  Obviously, in most any district there are going to be decent programs and good fits for the right kids.  Everyone's mileage may vary, blah blah blah.

[Texas Jeff 1945]

2 hours ago, Samson's Wig said:

When you add in that AISD is making the inevitable transition to a large city school district, and all the political and issues that come with it, I don't know why anyone who has options would stick it out (outside of maybe kids who are nearing the end of the road and want to see it through).  AISD is circling the drain, and it's sad, but it's also inevitable.

The next 20 years are going to interesting for AISD.  Austin gentrification is causing the district to be smaller, but wealthier.  Just in my time with the district, the percentage of economically disadvantaged kids has dropped from 55% down to 48%.  The district is going to continue to get smaller and wealthier.  They have started to replace obsolete buildings all over the district.

They need to figure out how to pay teachers enough to live in Austin, how to get as many kids in new buildings as soon as possible., and how to catch up to the amenities the suburban schools now have.

[smoky 840]

Here's how AISD is announcing early release Wednesdays in today's email from the district:

 

Quote

2. We’re proposing some updates to next year’s calendar

 

 

Your child could have extra holidays, including ACL Fridays and Cesar Chavez & Dolores Huerta Day, under new calendar updates for the 2022-23 school year. Why it matters:  The school calendar is a key piece to your planning for the year ahead, and we want to keep you in the loop on any proposed updates. A quick note: These are still proposed changes, so they’re not official. The first day of school would still be Aug. 15, 2022, and the last day of school is May 25, 2023. Our Board of Trustees approved the 2022-23 calendar in February 2021, so this proposal would update the calendar. The calendar could now include: Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta Day, March 31, is a student and staff holiday, and Juneteenth, June 19, is a staff holiday. A minimum of one day off for staff and students per month to prevent burnout. Designated parent conference meetings for all levels so you can meet with your child’s teacher after work. ACL Fridays will be student holidays, and staff will have the option to take these days off if they get their required training. This is because we’ve seen an increased need for substitutes on those Fridays, yet we continue to have a shortage of subs. The board discussed these changes in detail at last night’s meeting, you can watch it on our Facebook page starting about 4 hours and 22 minutes in. What’s next: The Board of Trustees could vote on calendar updates at its Dec. 16 meeting. Have feedback? Connect with us on Let’s Talk.

You'll have to click on the first link to see the "37 Early Release Wednesdays" down at the bottom.  Seems like that's a little more important than telling everyone that Juneteenth is a staff holiday.  

"Early Release" has not been defined.  Maybe it's just 30 minutes.  Maybe it's two hours.  But this is the kind of bullshit PR that's going to get parents riled up.

[atomheartbevo 89844]

2 hours ago, smoky said:

"Early Release" has not been defined.  Maybe it's just 30 minutes.  Maybe it's two hours.  But this is the kind of bullshit PR that's going to get parents riled up.

I've heard that early release is maximum of an hour.

[South Austin 52634]

Early Release is the title of my sex tape.

[hayden_horn 11365]

13 hours ago, Texas Jeff said:

The next 20 years are going to interesting for AISD.  Austin gentrification is causing the district to be smaller, but wealthier.  Just in my time with the district, the percentage of economically disadvantaged kids has dropped from 55% down to 48%.  The district is going to continue to get smaller and wealthier.  They have started to replace obsolete buildings all over the district.

They need to figure out how to pay teachers enough to live in Austin, how to get as many kids in new buildings as soon as possible., and how to catch up to the amenities the suburban schools now have.

recapture.

aisd is hobbled by recapture. 

that's all i can say without going full cloaky.

[atomheartbevo 89844]

20 minutes ago, hayden_horn said:

recapture.

aisd is hobbled by recapture. 

that's all i can say without going full cloaky.

[Brisketexan 105454]

Early Release is the title of my sex tape.

I’ve hear it’s more of a sex Tik Tok.

[South Austin 52634]

Just now, Brisketexan said:

I’ve hear it’s more of a sex Tik Tok.

I’m not hip to that method. I still use a VHS recorder.

[CooterBrown 18033]

I’m not hip to that method. I still use a VHS recorder.

You never asked your mom to use her IMAX set up?

[utee94 15869]

On 12/4/2021 at 12:59 AM, atomheartbevo said:

I've heard that early release is maximum of an hour.

We live in LISD, and nearly all Wednesdays are early-release, by about 1.5 hours in middle school.  I don't know whether or not it has helped the teachers with their time management dedicated to planning, but it has not materially affected the learning of our children. 

I could see how it could be a problem for parents of elementary-aged kids who must account for that early release. 

[LCHorn 2632]

On 12/4/2021 at 9:47 AM, hayden_horn said:

recapture.

aisd is hobbled by recapture. 

that's all i can say without going full cloaky.

What I don’t understand is why recapture seems to punish AISD so severely but not Eanes.  

[hookemATL 11931]

1 hour ago, utee94 said:

We live in LISD, and nearly all Wednesdays are early-release, by about 1.5 hours in middle school.  I don't know whether or not it has helped the teachers with their time management dedicated to planning, but it has not materially affected the learning of our children. 

I could see how it could be a problem for parents of elementary-aged kids who must account for that early release. 

Lisd as well. Typical release is 2:55 for my 1st grader, and most Wednesdays have been 1:25 early release. I’m wfh so it hasn’t impacted me much but I can see it causing some issues for folks who don’t have the luxury of flexible work schedules. Would love to see more of an emphasis on free after school care. 
 

Still, if early release helps give teachers even a modicum of relief then I’m all for it. It’s a thankless and challenging job, and we should all be looking for ways to help ensure we retain good educators. 
 

bonus has been sneaking off for afternoon fishing sessions with my kiddo on early release days. 

[CooterBrown 18033]

What I don’t understand is why recapture seems to punish AISD so severely but not Eanes.  

I’d guess it’s a mix of things like more high value commercial properties in AISD, 25X more facilities to maintain and staff, wealthy PTAs at every Eanes school picking up the slack, etc.

I’ve never heard a good explanation on why AISD doesn’t just drop the tax rate to the max they can spend before recapture kicks in. What’s the point of collecting more than you are legally allowed to spend? You don’t owe the recipients a goddamn thing.

[Guest Lobo]

3 hours ago, LCHorn said:

What I don’t understand is why recapture seems to punish AISD so severely but not Eanes.  

As stated above, recapture is more punitive to homestead owners in Eanes over AISD.  But overall, AISD is more hit by recapture because it's more than just houses there, it's an insane amount of very, very high-value commercial property from office to retail to industrial.  Eanes barely has any of that latter category.  

[LCHorn 2632]

4 hours ago, CooterBrown said:

I’d guess it’s a mix of things like more high value commercial properties in AISD, 25X more facilities to maintain and staff, wealthy PTAs at every Eanes school picking up the slack, etc.

I’ve never heard a good explanation on why AISD doesn’t just drop the tax rate to the max they can spend before recapture kicks in. What’s the point of collecting more than you are legally allowed to spend? You don’t owe the recipients a goddamn thing.

I can’t help but wonder whether breaking AISD into smaller districts wouldn’t help minimize the recapture.  
 

I’m all for sharing in the cost of educating the less wealthy state wide but the share coming out of Austin is way disproportionate to the other wealthy areas of the state.  

[Texas Jeff 1945]

9 hours ago, CooterBrown said:

I’ve never heard a good explanation on why AISD doesn’t just drop the tax rate to the max they can spend before recapture kicks in. What’s the point of collecting more than you are legally allowed to spend? You don’t owe the recipients a goddamn thing.

It's proportional, not an exact number.  I don't fully understand the math, but it's kinda like this:

The total value of the property in the town is one number.  You get to keep the tax you raise on some fraction of that number, based on the number of kids in your district and a funding formula.  The rest of it goes to recapture.  So if you lowered taxes, yes, your recapture would drop, but so would funding to your schools.  Recapture districts are almost forced to tax at the maximum amount they can just to keep basic funding for their schools.

If worked as you suggested, every district would do exactly what you suggested -- set the rate at the exact level where there was no recapture.

BTW, recapture is slowly going to go away in future years.  The law changed in 2019 and districts are now going through tax rate compression, which means that if the property values go up by more than 2.5% then the rate is "compressed" so that the school tax you pay only goes up by 2.5%.  Austin ISD's tax rates are dropping because of compression and eventually the recapture portion should drop.  In theory the state is going to step in and provide more funding to make up the difference, but I will believe that when I see it.

[CooterBrown 18033]

9 hours ago, Texas Jeff said:

It's proportional, not an exact number.  I don't fully understand the math, but it's kinda like this:

The total value of the property in the town is one number.  You get to keep the tax you raise on some fraction of that number, based on the number of kids in your district and a funding formula.  The rest of it goes to recapture.  So if you lowered taxes, yes, your recapture would drop, but so would funding to your schools.  Recapture districts are almost forced to tax at the maximum amount they can just to keep basic funding for their schools.

If worked as you suggested, every district would do exactly what you suggested -- set the rate at the exact level where there was no recapture.

BTW, recapture is slowly going to go away in future years.  The law changed in 2019 and districts are now going through tax rate compression, which means that if the property values go up by more than 2.5% then the rate is "compressed" so that the school tax you pay only goes up by 2.5%.  Austin ISD's tax rates are dropping because of compression and eventually the recapture portion should drop.  In theory the state is going to step in and provide more funding to make up the difference, but I will believe that when I see it.

THanks.

For that last part, the state won't step in and provide shit.

[Guest Lobo]

1 hour ago, CooterBrown said:

THanks.

For that last part, the state won't step in and provide shit.

I disagree.  I think the new learning annex wall at the Southern Border will provide students with a great experiential learning opportunity.  

[Armybrat 40932]

On 12/4/2021 at 8:47 AM, hayden_horn said:

recapture.

aisd is hobbled by recapture. 

that's all i can say without going full cloaky.

Speaking of recapture & the “Robin Hood” plan, its architect, former State Representative Libby Linebarger just passed away:

https://www.statesman.com/obituaries/p0170184

RIP

[Samson's Wig 3194]

Typical well-intentioned bullshit that ended up clearing the way for multimillion dollar football palaces in the suburbs.  

[Eskimohorn 5644]

Typical well-intentioned bullshit that ended up clearing the way for multimillion dollar football palaces in the suburbs.  

Except stadiums are usually financed after a bond election. Regardless, inadequate and inequitable funding lead to Arkansas and Oklahoma.

[Samson's Wig 3194]

17 hours ago, Eskimohorn said:

Except stadiums are usually financed after a bond election. Regardless, inadequate and inequitable funding lead to Arkansas and Oklahoma.

Easy to convince the public of the stadium bond when the costs for everything else are already being covered by the fine folks in Austin.

[Gardner Barnes 1562]

My oldest is in kindergarten at AISD school (Doss, hoot hoot), and it seems like it is a good, well supported school - but I am worried about later years. 
 
My wife sends me posts like these all the time - it seems like high school teachers in AISD are burnt the fuck out: 
[/url] and this:
 
 

I’m
Close friends with an AISD middle
School science teacher that just put in her notice and is not coming back in the spring. Said it’s the parents AND the kids.

[Homercles 10206]

Probably posted in this thread before but every time my district has a vote/survey on makeup days, early dismissals, remote learning etc I am amazed how many people want their kids OUT of school.  
 

Do they not have jobs?  Do they just want to be around their kids ALL the time?

My kids are 8/5…I want them learning, socializing, and for my own sanity they can’t be hanging at the house all the time calling ‘daddy’ every ten minutes.  Makes no sense to me. 

[utee94 15869]

1 hour ago, Homercles said:

Probably posted in this thread before but every time my district has a vote/survey on makeup days, early dismissals, remote learning etc I am amazed how many people want their kids OUT of school.  
 

Do they not have jobs?  Do they just want to be around their kids ALL the time?

My kids are 8/5…I want them learning, socializing, and for my own sanity they can’t be hanging at the house all the time calling ‘daddy’ every ten minutes.  Makes no sense to me. 

So... why do you hate children so much?

 

Just kidding, I feel the same way.  I guess helicopter parents know they can't do their best work unless their kids are around them 100% of the time.

 

Edited December 10, 2021 by utee94

[HornOnTheBayou 8951]

The superintendent just sent out an email saying block scheduling is staying for next year. Thank goodness.

Quote

The feedback I and others on my team have received has been clear. You want an eight-period day with block scheduling. And after discussing this with our principals, that’s exactly what we’ve decided to do. For the 2022–23 school year, Austin ISD schools will run an eight-period block schedule as most of our schools do now. If you have questions about how this will be implemented at your campus, contact your principal.

 

[smoky 840]

The superintendent just sent out an email saying block scheduling is staying for next year. Thank goodness.

The feedback I and others on my team have received has been clear. You want an eight-period day with block scheduling. And after discussing this with our principals, that’s exactly what we’ve decided to do. For the 2022–23 school year, Austin ISD schools will run an eight-period block schedule as most of our schools do now. If you have questions about how this will be implemented at your campus, contact your principal.

 
And she's cutting some bloat at the district office.

[Samson's Wig 3194]

29 minutes ago, smoky said:

 
And she's cutting some bloat at the district office.

I'll believe it when I see it.  If only every district would follow suit.

[Guest Lobo]

They always cut really impactful associate vice principals and district office assistants.  Screw teachers and coaches, we all remember that mid-level assistant to the regional superintendent that changed our lives as young people, right?  

[elguapo 4586]

Wilco county commissioners have taken it upon themselves to withhold CARES act funding from schools before Christmas to grandstand about a nonexistent issue.

https://www.kvue.com/amp/article/news/education/schools/williamson-county-commissioners-cares-act-funding-round-rock-leander-isds/269-94ff8522-4066-40aa-8925-729597240afc

 

[South Austin 52634]

Don’t ever change, Wilco.

[Samson's Wig 3194]

It's not easy finding a place that feels right to educate your kids these days.  They've all got their problems.

[Hefeweizen 5340]

1 hour ago, Samson's Wig said:

It's not easy finding a place that feels right to educate your kids these days.  They've all got their problems.

I agree.  Eanes has a few things that bugged me but overall it’s been great.  The availability of high level classes, the quality of the teachers, and the investment by the District in extracurriculars is all pretty exemplary.  There are some dickheaded parents and some spoiled brat students but that’s what you get in a district like this.  
 

We don’t regret sending our kids through the Eanes system at all.