We hope you, your family, and friends are able to relax and recharge over the Thanksgiving holiday. The dedicated LISD teachers and staff will be doing likewise in preparation for a successful end to the fall semester. Here’s some important information as we look forward to next week.
Holidays During COVID-19
With the recent surge in COVID cases in central Texas, we’re especially mindful of how the pandemic continues to affect our community and potentially our schools. Our most important goal is keeping our campuses open so that our students can learn and our families can thrive. We can’t do it alone. Please do your part to celebrate safely during the holidays so that we can support and safeguard our students, teachers, and staff.
To minimize the spread of COVID-19 and ensure everyone has a safe and healthy holiday season, Austin Public Health is offering risk guidance for gatherings. En Espanol
New recommendations for out of country travel can be found in our COVID-19 Health Response Handbook
Continuing to monitor the rise in cases and remaining committed to keeping schools open
Our number one goal remains to stay open while keeping people healthy in Leander ISD. We are watching an increase in cases across the state, nation, and in our schools. Williamson County has changed its pandemic response to the Red Phase as a result of a rise in the rate of new infections and the positivity rate.
We consulted with the Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD) about how to proceed. We believe keeping our buildings open and continuing to allow families the choice for virtual learning is the best option for our students.
On Monday, Nov. 30 we will be ready to welcome our in-person students into our buildings while continuing to follow our health response protocols.
Due to the holiday break, contact tracing and notifications regarding positive COVID-19 cases will be processed through Tuesday, Nov. 24, and will resume when we return Monday, Nov. 30.
Recognizing Mental Wellness During the Holidays
In a typical year, the holidays can be a stressful time, but with the uncertainty caused by the global pandemic, we may all experience additional levels of stress this year. Your family plans or traditions may change or be uncertain. Please use the upcoming breaks to relax and enjoy time with loved ones in a physically safe manner. Here are a few helpful reminders from the Mayo Clinic to keep in mind as we head into the holiday season.
Be Heard: Submit your thoughts for the next Leander ISD academic calendars
Help us create the next academic calendars. Our three-month process for adopting the 2021-22 and 2022-23 academic calendars starts with our Thoughtexchange survey.
Please share your priorities for a new calendar. Then, take the time to read and rate the priorities of other families, staff, students, and teachers. We will take this data and host listening sessions on Dec. 8 and 9 before publishing draft calendars next month.
Your feedback will drive what our school year looks like. Please click here to take the Thoughtexchange by Nov. 30.
Elementary Zoning process for Tarvin Elementary and ES 29
Planning is underway to rezone Akin, Parkside, and Pleasant Hill elementary schools in preparation for the opening of Tarvin Elementary School in August 2021 (currently under construction near the Palmera Ridge subdivision off Ronald Reagan Blvd. in Leander).
In addition, Larkspur and Plain elementaries will be impacted by Elementary School 29 in August 2022 (planned for the Bryson subdivision near 183A and south of TX-29 in Leander). ES 29 is expected for the 2022–23 school year but has not been approved for construction as LISD monitors enrollment growth and state public school funding during the pandemic.
The district is also considering changes to our zoning for assignments for bilingual services.
The Board of Trustees amended the Tarvin Elementary attendance zoning charter to include the 29th elementary school, which could open as early as August 2022. The charter outlines the process and priorities for establishing new attendance zones.
With the 28A and 29A scenarios, you can submit feedback through Thoughtexchange through Nov. 29. We will use this data to continue developing a recommendation for the Board in early 2021.
Fall 2020 MidPoint Survey
As a continuous-improvement district, you can help LISD understand how to meet the needs of our community by responding to the Parent Fall 2020 Midpoint Survey. The results of this survey will help us improve our in-person and virtual learning environments, as well as gather specific feedback about student experiences from our students, teachers, and parents.
We are asking that all LISD participate in the survey by clicking on the link: Parent Fall 2020 Midpoint Survey. Since all of our students are experiencing this fall differently, we encourage you to complete this survey for each child you have enrolled in LISD.
Thank you for your continued support and participation as we navigate this challenging school year and work to create the best learning environment for our students.
Please feel free to contact Sarah Martinez if you have any questions or concerns.
Giving Tuesday is December 1st
Mark your calendars for Giving Tuesday on Dec. 1! If each of our students had a community partner who donated $2 monthly, we would make an impact by investing nearly $1 million back into our classrooms annually!
If you are already a donor, help us out and encourage your network to join you as a member of the Classroom Impact Team in support of LISD students and staff. More info: leeftx.org/donate
Our number one goal remains to stay open while keeping people healthy in Leander ISD. We are watching an increase in cases across the state, nation, and in our schools. Williamson County has changed its pandemic response to the Red Phase as a result of a rise in the rate of new infections and the positivity rate.
