New Parent Orientation and Back to School Information

Welcome
New
Parents & Students!
Important Information for Families Joining
Eanes Elementary

Last updated: 6/5/09

Table of Contents
• Principal’s Welcome
• Preparing for the First Week of School
• How it All Works
• Please Participate in our School &
Community
• Important Dates & Links

Eanes Elementary, Austin TX

Meet the Principal
Welcome to our school!
It’s a privilege to serve as the
principal of Eanes Elementary.
You have joined an
extraordinary learning
community where our teachers,
staff, students and families are
actively engaged in making
excellence happen every day.
Choose Your Attitude
I look forward to meeting you Make Their Day
and to a wonderful school year! Be There
Play!!!
-- Cindy Acosta


Ingredients for Excellence
• Eanes Elementary provides a loving environment for our
students and a world‐class elementary education. We
have earned many top honors thanks to the devotion of
our talented teachers, the enthusiasm and effort of our
students, and involvement and interest of our parents
and community.
– U.S. Dept. of Education Blue Ribbon School 1999, 2005
– State of Texas Exemplary School – every year since 1996
– Texas Successful Schools Award for Outstanding
Performance
– See our consistently outstanding TAKS scores
– Highest tenured teachers in the district
– Texas' most historic campus

Cool Happenings
• Many traditions and offerings make our campus
special and our school year memorable:
– Daily class‐televised news reports by the 5th graders
– Fully‐staffed library ‐ all classes attend the library at least
once a week
– Integrated computer curriculum
• Dedicated COWs (Computer LaptopLab on Wheels) for grades 3‐5
• All classes have access to the computer lab (at least) weekly
• Desktop and/or laptop computers in all rooms

– The Science Center provides on‐site educational experiences
– Special events like Holiday Happening, Evening at Eanes,
Mustang Mania Sports Day, Multi‐Cultural Assemblies and
Science Day build our community and inspire our children

Cool Happenings (continued)
– Digital Camera Lab used by all grades
– Some grades maintain gardens on campus, and activities
are integrated with their lessons
– Marathon Kids program available for all students to
encourage early fitness
– Special art‐history introduction with parent‐sponsored
Gallery Greats program
– Music curriculum includes instruction in keyboard,
recorder, drums and guitar (specialized by grade) − you
will be invited to many wonderful performances
throughout the year
– 5th graders attend a 3‐day trip to Live Oak for team
building and personal development
– All grades attend exciting field trips to Central TX
landmarks, historical sites, and museums

Preparing
for the
First Week of School


Learning About Your Class
• We typically have 3‐5 classes of each grade,
enrolling close to 500 students
• Classroom rosters will be posted on Wednesday,
August 19 at 4pm – check the website for details
• Find your name (listed by grade) and learn who
your teacher and classmates will be
• Join us for Mustang Morning to Meet your new
teacher & classmates and pick‐up your school
supplies before school starts on Friday, August 21
between 10:00 am and noon


Mustang Morning/
Meet the Teacher
• Anytime between 10am and noon on Friday, August 21
• Learn your bus route and schedule
• Complete and collect essential paperwork
• Visit the Cafeteria for important happenings:
– Pick‐up your preordered school supply kits (everything you
need, packaged by grade and available to purchase online at
www.EanesElementary.org beginning 6/1/09 – only a few extras
will be available for purchase on Meet the Teacher Day)
– Add funds to your lunch account (cash or check accepted)
– Sign‐up for Scouts and Clubs
– Parents sign‐up to volunteer in the classroom & around campus
– Join our Eanes Elementary Parent Teacher Organization
– Buy a new school t‐shirt to show your pride! Eanes Elementary, Austin TX

The First Week of School
• Each morning, students in Grades 1‐5 will report to
the playgrounds
– 1st‐3rd Graders – Upper Playground
– 4th‐5th Graders – Upper Field

• When the bell rings, students will walk together to
their room. Parents do not need to proceed to the
classrooms!
• Kindergarten students will meet in their classroom
at 7:45 each morning − this provides them with a
tranquil introduction to school
• Kindergarten parents are invited to a Welcome
Coffee in the Counselor’s office after drop‐off on
Last updated: 6/5/09 the first day of school

How it All Works


Getting To/From School
• If it is possible for your student(s) to ride the bus, please have them do so
– Riding the bus alleviates traffic congestion on campus
– It’s a safe and FUN school experience
– Check the district website for bus routes at the start of the school year
– If you have a new student, please let our registrar know if your child will be
a bus rider
• If riding the bus isn’t possible, you may pick‐up and drop‐off your student(s) at
the Upper or Lower Car‐Rider locations. Traffic safety is an ongoing concern at
our school; please follow all traffic rules and instructions by safety staff to keep
our drivers and kids safe! Please do not use your cell phone while dropping off
or picking up your child(ren).
• 1st – 5th graders arriving on campus between 7:30‐7:40am will go to the
playground and be dismissed to their classrooms at 7:40. Kindergarteners will
report to the cafeteria after the first week of school for guided music and
movement.
• Classes begin at 7:45am and end at 2:45pm

A Typical School Week
• Students arrive in their classrooms by 7:45 am Monday −
Friday
• Students who are tardy (arriving after 7:55 am) must get a
tardy slip from the office before joining their class
• In addition to regular classroom activities, all students attend
specialized learning opportunities on a rotating schedule
– Art
– Computer Lab
– Library
– Music
– P.E. (sneakers mandatory)
• Classroom teachers have posted a daily schedule on their
web pages − login to your child’s class to see details


The Cafeteria
• All students eat lunch in the cafeteria.  Students may bring their lunch or purchase
one. Parents are always welcome!
• Free or reduced‐fee lunch is available to families that qualify.  Please call
(512)732‐9015  for more information or visit the district website for an application
• Menus are posted each day on the school website or monthly on the district
website
• Depositing lunch funds into your child’s account is easy with your child’s account
number:
– Visit the district website and pay online with a credit card
– Deposit cash or check during Meet the Teacher Day at the start of school
– Send a check to school  with your child in an envelope labeled “LUNCH
MONEY” made out to “EISD Nutrition Dept.” and include your child’s account
number.
• Kids pay for lunch in the cafeteria by entering their personal lunch code assigned
the first week of school
• Want to know what your kids really eat? Who they hang out with?  We need
Parent Volunteers to supervise students during lunch so their teachers get a well‐
deserved break.  It’s fun, it’s easy, your kids LOVE seeing you!  Volunteer Now by
contacting our Cafeteria Volunteer Chair on our PTO web page

Special Needs
• At Eanes Elementary, we seek to offer all students the support
and services they need to succeed
• Some of the services we offer students with special needs
include:
– On‐site Counselor
– On‐site Licensed Specialist in School Psychology
– Reading and Math Specialists
– Gifted and Talented Programs
– Speech and Communication Specialists
– Occupational and Physical Therapists
• Please contact the School Counselor about your child’s special
needs. (512)732‐9100

After School
• EasyCare: Safe and fun after‐school care is provided from
2:45–6pm on campus through the Eanes Independent School
District (EISD). Visit the EISD website to learn more and
register.  Drop‐in care is offered on a first‐come, first‐serve
basis.  Reduced fees are available for families that qualify.
• Enrichment: Eanes Community Education of EISD offers a
variety of after school enrichment classes such as Spanish
Language Instruction, Art, Gymnastics, Science, Sports,
Acting and many others. Class and registration information
will be available shortly after school starts.  Check the EISD
Community Education website for more information. The
district offers classes year round.


Visiting Campus
• All visitors to campus during school hours must REGISTER AT
THE OFFICE and obtain a visitor badge before entering any
building, including classrooms or outside areas on campus.
New visitors must bring a driver’s license to the office to be
scanned into the system.
• Visitors badges must be worn at all times on campus.
• After obtaining a badge, you do not need to check out at the
front office when you are ready to leave.
• Meet students leaving campus early for appointments in the
front office − students must sign out (and back in if returning
to campus).
• Parents are welcome (and encouraged) to join their students
for lunch in the cafeteria. Please get a visitor’s badge from
the front office.

Please Participate
in our
School & Community


Budget Realities
• You have joined a school in one of the best school districts in Texas.
We are proud that ALL our schools in Eanes Independent School
District are high‐performing schools. (about Eanes ISD)
• Given the way school finance is structured in the state of Texas,
close to 60% of funds for schools that are raised through our
property taxes are recaptured by the State and distributed to other
districts in Texas
• This system of financing public education leaves our school with a
serious gap between the kind of school experience we want for our
children and the funds available
• At Eanes Elementary, we bridge this gap in two ways:
– The tremendous involvement and successful fundraising by our
Parent Teacher Organization on campus
– The generous support our community gives the Eanes
Education Foundation

Please Support EEF
• The Eanes Education Foundation (EEF) is a non‐profit
organization with the mission of providing and sustaining
district‐wide opportunities for educational excellence within
the Eanes Independent School District
• They are the ONLY organization that can legally fund
additional teacher positions and salaries at our school
• Because of EEF, our school provides a full‐time librarian and
an instructional technology coach
• Please support EEF when asked to do so − our teachers and
students benefit directly from your participation
• Learn more about EEF


Please Join our
Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
• The Eanes Elementary PTO provides funds for technology, classroom
equipment, field trips, books, teacher training and more.  More than
$100,000 was gifted by the PTO in each of the past two years; this is
more than three‐times the budget provided by the district for
purchases.  We contribute to our school by:
– Volunteering directly on campus more than 200 hours a week, helping
in the classroom, cafeteria, library, and as additional teacher support
staff.  Parents do the work of five full‐time aides and bridge a $75,000
budget gap.  Because of our parents’ generous participation, our
teachers have more time to offer students individual attention, prepare
lessons, hold conferences with parents, and get a well‐deserved break.
– Celebrating and recognizing our dedicated and talented teachers by
funding advanced teacher training and arranging special meals and
appreciation gifts.
– Organizing events and fundraisers that build our school community such
as Fall Social and Carnival, Book Fair, Bingo Night, Science Day, and the
Eanes Elementary website.

Important
Dates & Links


PTO Events
Community Building Events PTO Meetings
& Fund Raisers – Sept. 3 − 8:15 am
– Back‐to‐School Night, Aug. 20 – Oct. 1 – 8:15 am
• K‐2 – 4:00‐5:00pm
• 3‐5 – 5:00‐6:00pm
– Nov. 5 – 8:15 am
– Meet the Teacher, Aug. 21 – Dec. 3 – 8:15 am
– Fall Social (Adults only), Oct. 23 – Feb. 4 – 8:15 am
– Fall Carnival, Oct. 25 – March 4 – 8:15 am
– Book Fair,  Nov. 9‐13 – Apr. 8 – 8:15 am
– Holiday Happening, Dec. 9 & 10 – May 21 – Brunch – 11:30am
– Bingo Night,  Jan. 22
– Science Day,  March 11
– Mustang Mania,  May 7 YOU ARE INVITED
– Evening at Eanes, May 13 Please Join Us!


How Can You Help?
• PLEASE VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME and TALENTS with the PTO
– Kids LOVE seeing their parents involved at school − and in elementary
school, they still publicly enjoy having us around!
– It’s a great way to meet other Eanes families
– We have volunteer positions to accommodate parents with both flexible
and extra busy schedules. Please let us know your skills and preferences
by completing a Volunteer Interest Form when you login on the school
website, we’ll do the rest! Please contact our PTO Board or Committee
Chairs with questions
• Attend the fun community‐building events and participate in
fundraisers
• Support our Corporate Partners by frequenting the local merchants
that support our school
• Shop at Randall’s and enter Good Neighbor code 482. They have
donated close to $100,000 to our school!
• Save BoxTops for Education squares from select grocery products

Helpful Links
• School Website: EanesElementary.org
• Meet the Teachers
• 2009‐2010 Eanes Elementary School Calendar
• Bus Routes
• Pay Online for Lunch
• Register Online for After School Enrichment Programs and EasyCare
• Meet the PTO Board and Committee Members
• VOLUNTEER NOW: Contact a Committee Chair directly, or complete
a Volunteer Interest Form when you login on the Eanes Elementary
website
• Campus Map
• Eanes Independent School District (EISD) Website
• Eanes Education Foundation Eanes Elementary, Austin TX

Back to School Schedule
• Aug 19: Class Assignments available, 4pm
• Aug 19: Bus Schedule Posted
• Aug 20: Back‐to‐School Night (Parent ONLY)
• Aug 21: Meet the Teacher Day (10am‐Noon)
• Aug 24: FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
– Kindergarten Parents’ Coffee (8am‐9am)
• Sept. 3: First PTO Meeting, 8:15 am


THANK YOU!
We are so excited to welcome you to Eanes
Elementary! Your PTO plays an active role in
our child(ren)’s education and experiences.
Your participation in the PTO and school is an
integral part of their success.
We look forward to having you as a member of
the Eanes community and hope you will
become an active member of the PTO.
~ Colleen Jones
cjones@austin.rr.com
EEPTO President


New Parent Orientation and Back to School Information

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