Hey y’all! In case no one has told you today: You’re making a difference. Keep it up, you’re doing great.
In last week’s quick poll you let us know that you value relationships. Us too. And, although we’re apart, for the moment, our shared goal brings us together.
In the meantime, we’re delighted to bring you enriching ideas for you to enjoy at home and keep you posted with what’s happening online. You can view last week’s quick poll results at the end of this newsletter.
Here we go.
Staying home doesn’t mean staying inside. We hope you’re spending some time outdoors, at a safe distance from people, other than your immediate family. And, that goes double for fire ants. 🔥🐜
A run-in with these nasty buggers can turn a blissful afternoon outside into an itchy, burning stream of misery.
ℹ️ Gattis Elementary School nurse, Teresa Edgemond offers her best tips on how to garner some relief from a fire ant sting.
Most people don’t need medical treatment for fire ant stings. If breathing is normal and the sting victim is not known to have a serious ant sting allergy, seek relief with the following home remedies:
- Apply cold compresses to reduce swelling – 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off.
- Stings can be itchy, resist the urge to scratch. Use hydrocortisone cream on the skin to relieve itching.
Helping students and families cope
For resources to navigate discussions with your children or to help you manage your stress and anxiety, access 24/7 online mental health resources and helpful links
Behavioral Health | Counseling Services
Seniors 🎓 have been especially affected by the disruption brought on by the global health crisis. School closures have resulted in the loss of many milestones and celebrations for our Seniors. These losses can result in grief. Watch a recording of a Facebook LIVE session with Dr. Amy Grosso, Round Rock ISD Director of Behavioral Health. Dr. Grosso’s presentation includes ways to help students manage grief and help cope with the unknown.
Read 📚
Are you searching for your next great read? We can help. Our librarians recorded video book talks. Watch these book talk videos on the Round Rock ISD YouTube channel. There are book recommendations for every grade level. If you hear about a book that interests you, look for it in the online library. The online library is open 24/7 and provides students free online and mobile access to over 2,000 e-books and 34 subscription research resources, in English and Spanish.
All you need is your Round Rock ISD student ID to access thousands of FREE, ebooks, audiobooks and more! Students use their student ID as user name and password. Access and browse online E-books.
At-Home Learning
For tips on how to help students in an at-home learning environment, view our Parent Guide to At-Home Learning.
Printed take-home packets continue to be available at our curbside breakfast and lunch distribution sites for students who would prefer printed materials or who may continue to have limited access to devices or the Internet.
Get smART: Maker Masters 🎨
Round Rock ISD art teachers, aka maker masters, demonstrate an art project or idea using everyday household items. There is a new project video each week. View this week’s project video, how-to make an origami crawfish, on the Round Rock ISD Facebook page or YouTube channel and do it now.
Featured Virtual Field Trip
Let’s go to the Midwest and visit The Windy City of Chicago, Illinois ✶✶✶✶💨, home to one of the largest permanent art collections in the United States, housed at the 🦁Art Institute of Chicago.🦁
Explore thousands of artwork in the museum’s wide-ranging collection, from Van Gogh, de Kooning, Rubens and O’Keefe to Aztec, Ancient Roman and Egyptian sculpture.
So, grab your device and let’s start exploring some artistic masterpieces. Leave a comment to let us know what art style you prefer the most. The Collection | Virtual Tour
Fun ideas to stay active
2-Minute 2 Fun & Fitness videos are prepared by our wellness teachers who enlisted their families to showcase yoga, fitness games, and activities designed to keep the whole family moving. Follow your campus or the District on Facebook or subscribe to the Round Rock ISD YouTube channel.
We know there are a lot of questions. And we are working as quickly as we can to provide answers. We have frequently asked questions addressing instruction, grades, Rank in Class, promotion, food services, and more posted on our website. We continue to add topics and update information as things develop. Email us your questions.
Chromebook Support
Round Rock ISD prepared and checked-out thousands of Chromebooks to students who had no, or limited access to, devices for students to participate in at-home learning. If your student has technical issues with a loaner Chromebook, please contact the technology help desk at 512-464-5167 or email support with your contact info and a description of the issue. District technicians are only able to offer hard-ware assistance with District owned devices. If you’re still in need of a device, contact your campus administration.
MEAL SERVICE during school closures
🍎 Weekday meal service for students is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 13 locations. Students may pick up lunch for the day and breakfast for the following morning.
With verification, children are not required to be present for parents to pick up meal(s). The District is required to verify student eligibility for each meal. This means that parents/guardians can pick up meals for students without the child being present. However, parents or guardians must provide verification of the student’s eligibility in order to the meal(s). Go to Food Services for eligibility details.
Calm has created a free web page featuring adult and children meditations, sleep stories, movement exercises, printable journals, and music.
Free coloring pages from world museums, libraries, archives and other cultural institutions around the world share free coloring content featuring images from their collections.
Online virtual college fair, Monday April 20 – Thursday, April 23.
Student transfer requests are due Monday, May 4.
Pre-register online for Kindergarten beginning Fall 2020, now through May 22.
Seniors, fill out the FAFSA. For students starting college in the Fall of 2020, the deadline to file your FAFSA application is June 30, 2020.
National Library Week – April 19-25
We love our librarians. Librarians change lives by developing students’ joy of reading.
Earth Day – April 22 🌎
Public School Volunteer Appreciation Week, April 24
Thank you to the many parents, caregivers, neighbors and friends who give of their time and talent to ensure the best education for our students. Be a volunteer.
What tools and resources do you need more of to help your student(s)?
Results from last week’s quick poll question:
You selected what you value most about your schools:
- Relationships: 76%
- Programs and opportunities: 68%
- Academic rigor: 64%
- Community and culture: 59%
- Diversity/Diversidad: 53%
- Facilities and cleanliness: 45%
You rated Health & Well-Being weekly ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½
