Bad Weather Day Changes Proposed for 2011-12 School Calendar

We are proposing changes to the school calendar for the next school year that should better accommodate parent and teacher concerns about bad weather make-up days. The Board of Trustees will consider these changes during its June 20 Board meeting, and the revised calendar is scheduled for action that night.

After nearly half the respondents to a community survey last year chose Memorial Day over other options, the Board approved the recommendation of the Calendar Committee that the first bad weather day for 2011-12 be scheduled for Memorial Day, May 27, 2012. Following recent public concern about the use of Memorial Day this year for a bad weather day, we are proposing that the first bad weather day for next year be scheduled for February 17, 2012, instead of Memorial Day. Currently, February 17 is scheduled as a staff development day without student attendance. Should we need a bad weather day, students would attend school on February 17 as the first class make-up day.

Under our new proposal, the second bad weather make-up day would be scheduled for Monday, April 9, 2012, if needed. That would replace the current schedule, which looks to June 2, June 3, and Good Friday (April 22, 2012) as options for a second make-up day.

Once the Board decides on this new proposal, we will notify our campuses.

4,763 AISD Graduates Receive Their Diplomas

On June 2nd, 3rd and 4th, the Board of Trustees and I were privileged to to take part in the graduation of 4763 Austin Independent School District seniors in 13 impressive ceremonies. Some commencements were large--Bowie had 643 graduates. Some were small--Rosedale School (for students with unique needs) graduated three students this year. But each was moving and inspiring in its own way.

We celebrated many great accomplishments at each school, including national Science prize winners, students composers, state championship performers, and scholarship winners. Now they are on a path to college and meaningful careers.

I want to thank the students, their families, their teachers and the staff of their schools--going all the way back to pre-Kindergarten--for providing the support and direction enabling these students to become AISD high school graduates.

Below find a few photos of some of the graduation celebrations.

New Bowie graduates celebrate.






Reagan seniors get ready to graduate.



McCallum seniors lining up to receive diplomas.

Principal Craig Shapiro addresses Crockett graduates.

The Akins celebration begins.