Taking Care of Business

1. Taking Care of Business Taking Care of Business Parents Taking Control of Their Student’s Success

2. Purpose • Solve problems that are keeping students from getting to school everyday • Show the connection between attendance and academic success • Learn about AISD and community resources • Answer questions about Texas state law and AISD policies

3. General Class Guidelines • Silence cell phones. • No texting. • Refrain from talking unless you have a question. • Remain in class during the 2 hour time period • Use Call Back Card to communicate your concerns with the school attendance clerk • Return Call Back Card after class is over

4. How to get the most from this class • Focus on your expectations for your child’s future. • The presenter is ONLY responsible for providing you with information about student attendance and Texas state law. • Understand the presenter does not have individual information about you or your child. • The presenter must remain neutral with you and your child’s school. • The presenter cannot excuse absences.

5. Texas LawTruancy Filing Austin ISD can file a complaint against a parent/guardian in court if a student has 3 unexcused “days or parts of day absences” within a 4-week period Part of days-means arriving late (tardy) or leaving before the end of the school day AISD must file a complaint if a student has 10 or more absences during a six month period. (see School Attendance Matters handout)

6. School Attendance Matters Flyer Activity: • Think about the reasons your child is late or absent from school. • Review the School Attendance Matters Flyer • Determine if your child’s absence or tardy (part of day absence) is excused or unexcused

7. Common absences or part of day absences that are not excused • Funerals • Parent appointments (doctor, Health and Human Services, etc) • Waking up late • Traffic • Car trouble • Bad weather • Vacations • Child custody issues • Work issues

8. AISD Attendance InformationWhat parents need to know • A child is considered late at 7:46 AM (or at time designated by campus principal.) • The bell rings at 7:45 AM. • Warning bells ring at 7:35 AM. (Your child’s campus may not have a warning bell.) • If your child eats breakfast at school, please make sure they’re at school by 7:15 AM. • If your child does not eat breakfast at school, he/she should be aware of where they go in the morning. • Campus staff is on duty to assist your child in getting to class on time.

9. QUIZ TIME!

10. What time does the morning bell ring in elementary school?

11. 7:45 am

12. What Parents Need To Know If your student is late or absent, make sure a note is turned in to the attendance clerk, NOT the teacher. Absences should be excused if you have a note from a doctor or for other pre-approved reasons Please communicate with your child’s teacher concerning any work they may have missed. You should know the name, telephone #, email and fax # of the School Attendance Clerk

13. Pre-Kindergarten Schedule • 7:45 Oral Language Development • 8:05 Language Arts • 8:35 Center Time • 9:35 Mathematics • 10:00 Outside P.E. or Music Movement • 10:20 Read Aloud • 10:40 Lunch • 11:10 Rest • 12:10 Center Time • 1:10 Science or Social Studies • 1:30 Outside Play • 1:50 Review Day • 2:00 Dismissal

14. AISD Kindergarten Daily Schedule 7:45 to 8:00 - Journal Writing/ Reading 8:00 to 8:25 - Calendar Activities 8:25 to 8:55 - Sounds/Science/Social Studies 8:55 to 9:30 - Physical Education Activity 9:30 to 9:45 - Reading Activities 10:40 to 11:23 - Prepare & Have Lunch 11:23 to 11:38 - Outside Break

15. AISD Kindergarten Daily Schedulecontinued 11:40 to 11:55 - Story Time 11:55 to 12:35 - Math 12:35 to 12:45 - Interactive Writing 1:15 to 1:40 - Tutoring 1:40 to 1:50 - Get Take Home Folders 1:50 to 1:55 - Walk 1:55 to 2:40 - Special Areas (Music, Art, P.E.) 2:45 - School Ends

16. AISD Campus Staff • Teacher • Teacher Aides • Assistant Principal • Principal • Attendance Clerk/ Office Staff • Nurse • Parent Support Specialist • Counselor • Child Study Team • Reading Specialist • Math Specialist • Librarian • Custodial Staff • Cafeteria Staff/Lunchroom Monitors

17. Child Study Teams Various school staff and family members meet to discuss ideas that teachers, students and parentscan use to improve: Attendance Academics Behavior (Child Study Teams can also assist with social service information like medical, clothing, and housing resources.)

18. District Resources School to Community Liaisons (SCLs) Behavior Specialists After School Programs Homebound Services Parent Support Office Communities In Schools (CIS)

19. Parent Connection • Internet-based program that will let parents see: • Kindergarten – 2nd Grade: • Attendance • Report Cards • Calendar • 3rd Grade – 6th Grade: • Assignment • Grades • Attendance • Report Cards • And more… For more information, contact the Parent Connection Facilitator at your child’s school. https://gradespeed.austinisd.org/pc/

20. Ombudsman Assists parents and the community in resolving problems, complaints, conflicts and other school-related issues. Confidential limited to persons authorized to use information, documents, etc. Impartial not biased; fair Informal without formality; casual Independent not subject to another's authority or jurisdiction; free

21. Contact the Ombudsman • District Ombudsman Contact Information1111 W. Sixth Street, A-230Austin, TX 78703Phone: 512.414.9876Fax: 512.414.9962Ombudsman@austinisd.org

22. If You Receive An Attendance Letter(Have questions, do not agree or need help) Take the following steps: 1st Speak with your campus’ attendance clerk 2nd Assistant Principal if the concern is not resolved then 3rd Speak with the campus Principal 4th Central Office Administrative Staff: Ombudsman Associate Superintendent

23. Your Child's Daily Schedule 6:00 am Get Up 6:30 am Get Dressed 7:00 am Eat Breakfast 7:15 am Arrive at School 7:45 am Student must be in class 3:30 pm Return Home/Snack Time 4:00 pm Homework/Read 20-30 minutes 5:00 pm Check homework/Signatures 5:30 pm Play time/Free time 6:30 pm Dinner time/Help with chores 7:30 pm Shower Time 8:00 pm Get ready for bed/Read book 8:30 pm Bedtime 9:00 pm Parent time

24. Follow-up to Parent Questions • Assessment for Learning • Any additional questions?