BAILEY BEAR HAPPENINGS August 28, 2020

We need you to confirm whether or not your child has a working Chromebook or personal device and access to WiFi.  Submitting this information is fast and easy. Just log in to the AISD Parent Cloud by going to my.austinisd.org, search for a tile called “Technology Distribution,” fill-out the digital form, and click “confirm.” Again, we need a form submitted for every student and are hoping that you can take care of this task right away, so our staff doesn’t spend valuable planning time calling individual families for this information.  Thank you in advance! 

Student Schedules:

Student schedules for the 2020-21 school year will be posted on the AISD Cloud next Friday, September 4th.  Not sure where to find it?  Review the instructions below for guidance:

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BLEND 101 for Parents! via Zoom

Need help learning how your student will access their classes on day one? Curious to learn more about BLEND?!  Bailey will host a Zoom meeting, next Friday, September 4th to help parents understand what BLEND is and how both students and parents can get the most from this tool.  Most importantly, we will demonstrate how your student will access their classes on the first day of remote learning.   Watch for an email with a Zoom link to be sent from the school. 

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How-Tos for Students at the Beginning of the Year

Please don't let the list below intimidate you.  Most AISD students are probably already quite skilled in these areas.  We just wanted to give both students AND parents a chance to leisurely review and explore the content, hoping it assists in boosting back-to-school confidence! 

Navigating AISD Tech Systems 

1. How to log into Austin ISD Portal and organize the dashboard: https://youtu.be/jltHRwoLfZA (Spanish)

2. How to access student email: https://youtu.be/Azx4zweTJHA

Using Canvas (BLEND)

1. How to access Canvas: https://youtu.be/o8h6CgWZ5cY

2. How to organize your courses and dashboard in Canvas: https://youtu.be/ivWB9AH6n6I

3. How to use the To Do List, List View, and Organize your Calendar in Canvas: https://youtu.be/gpI9vZfa5H4

4. How to set notification preferences in Canvas so that you get important reminders: https://youtu.be/Y-JnSjHYOrE

5. How to send and receive messages in Canvas: https://youtu.be/CK6g_G6DleY

6. How to submit different types of assignments in Canvas: https://youtu.be/hKxFlt6216o

7. How to reply to a discussion post in Canvas: https://youtu.be/PVB65TQ4n9Q

8. How to view Speedgrader feedback from your teacher in Canvas: https://youtu.be/gIknuxqIMnA

Using Zoom

1. How to Add Zoom on your Chromebook as a Student: https://youtu.be/kENURvU_UC8

2. How to Log Into Zoom as a Student on a Chromebook: https://youtu.be/oUdEZsTnQiI

3. How to use Zoom Features as a Student on a Chromebook: https://youtu.be/Quosm-jcwnA

Chromebook Tips

1. How to organize your tabs: https://youtu.be/iovoiqdZmNs

2. How to use Chromebook keyboard shortcuts: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6Es9o1b0Fz9Zld3NHIya1llbDQ/view?usp=sharing

3. How to take a screenshot on your Chromebook: https://youtu.be/oRA6DbRNCk4

Tech Troubleshooting

1. How to Powerwash your Chromebook (to fix many problems): https://youtu.be/9mvMVg3x_rw

2. How to fix Google account authorization in BLEND: https://youtu.be/YmJYxjz2too

3. How to fix it when Google keeps asking you to authenticate over and over again in BLEND:  https://youtu.be/z7ddr4Bpbvg

Notes From The Backpack: A PTA Podcast

Looking for a little advice? PTA has a fantastic Podcast at your fingertips. Check out Notes From The Backpack.

A Podcast for Parents, by Parents PTA is working to ensure our public schools provide a high-quality and equitable education for every child to reach their full potential. Notes from the Backpack is a PTA podcast designed for millions of parents and the decision makers they influence.

Through the unique combination of expert, parent and educator guests, each episode features engaging conversations that offer real-life advice and ideas on how to support children’s learning and development—all in parent-friendly language.

Real Experts. Real Parents. Real Conversations.

Notes from the Backpack features real conversations with real parents, experts and educators who offer real-life advice, ideas and strategies parents can use to help their children succeed in and out of school.

https://www.pta.org/center-for-family-engagement/notes-from-the-backpack

BAILEY BEAR HAPPENINGS August 14, 2020

Don't forget to confirm your student's registration!

Just a friendly reminder that ALL students must register EVERY year.  Now is the time to update your contact info and add or remove approved guardians to pickup your student!   Parents/Guardians can access TEAMS online Registration by clicking here. Note: You will need to have a Parent Cloud account in order to register online. To create a Parent Cloud account, visit my.austinisd.org.  For assistance setting up your cloud account, contact the Parent Technology Helpline at 512-414-9187 New to AISD?  You can find all the information needed to register at the following link:   https://www.austinisd.org/enroll. 

Did you miss yearbook & spring photo pickup?

We realize not everyone was able to pickup their yearbooks and spring photos.  Fear not, we have a plan!   Yearbooks:

• If you already purchased a yearbook,and still need to pick it up, you may contact  yearbook sponsor, Ms. Fiorre after school officially opens at joanne.fiorre@austinisd.org.

• If you didn't purchase a yearbook, but are still interested in doing so, continue to watch for details, as there will be an opportunity to purchase once school reopens.

Spring Photos:

• If your student took spring photos last year and you still need to pick them up, please send an email to lisa.wegner@austinisd.org with the student's name and the grade they were in last year.  

Summer Reading

There is still time to work on those summer reading assignments!  Check out the Bailey Middle School Summer Reading 2020 website at https://bit.ly/BMS2020SummerReading for grade level summer reading assignments and more!  Depending on grade level, some assignments may be due on the first day of school, 9/8/20. Visit your grade level page to confirm! 

Bailey Athletics

Football: 7th and 8th grade students who are interested in playing football and are not already receiving information from coaches should contact their grade level to be added to their list. 7th Grade Coach:  miguel.avila@austinisd.org 8th Grade Coach: coach.frels@austinisd.org Volleyball: Visit the Bailey Athletic Website to keep up with the latest info regarding volleyball.  Look for the link to the video demonstrating volleyball drills you can practice at home!  Cross Country: Sadly, there will not be a cross country team at Bailey this year. Looking forward to seeing you in 2021-22! Facebook: Follow our fabulous Athletics Booster Club on Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest!  https://www.facebook.com/baileymiddleschoolathleticsboosterclub

Central Texas Dyslexia Conference

You are invited to attend the "Virtual" 2020 Central Texas Dyslexia Conference on Fri., Sept. 18 from 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Presentations will be available on-demand for 2 weeks.

For more information about the conference, including speakers, sponsorship and donation opportunities, please visit the conference website. Registration is free.

Revised 2020-2021 AISD Calendar

Click here to view and print the AISD School Calendar for 2020-2021.  Austin ISD is open for learning on Sept. 8, and we are excited to see our students and staff again, virtually or otherwise. Please click here to view the  Reopening Plan, outlining everything from the academic year to campus operations to teacher and employee support. 

Attendance During Remote Instruction

It’s well-established that attendance has an effect on grades and overall student outcomes. During remote instruction families may not know how AISD is taking attendance, so we wanted to provide the following overview:

Secondary

• A student engaged in any subject on the day will be marked present for attendance for the day in the period that is considered the official attendance period. 

• Attendance is also posted for all subjects based on student engagement in that subject.

P-EBT deadline extended to August 21, 2020

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is extending the application deadline for the federal P-EBT program to August 21 to ensure eligible families have more time to apply for this one-time food benefit.

P-EBT is a one-time benefit of $285 per eligible child and can be used in the same way as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program food benefits to pay for groceries. P-EBT is for children who received SNAP in March 2020 and children who attended a school that offered free or reduced-price school meals during the 2019-20 school year. If your child is eligible, apply at yourtexasbenefits.com/Learn/PEBT.

For more information, please contact 833-613-6220 or visit hhs.texas.gov/PEBT.

Need Answers?

AISD's Let’s Talk is an online tool that takes your questions and feedback and sends it directly to the appropriate staff members for follow up.

Please select from the topics below and your submission will be routed to the appropriate department. You can also send a text to Let’s Talk at 512-886-6434 or call the Family Support Line at 512-414-9187. We appreciate the opportunity to connect.

Let’s Talk About Current Topics

• Reopening 2020-2021/COVID-19

• Distance Learning

• Technology Support

• Health Benefits and Leave

• Employee Relations

• Appreciations!