January 9, 2024

Dear Austin High Parents,

We hope this message finds you well-rested and filled with holiday cheer! Welcome back Maroons! We trust that your winter break was filled with joy, laughter, and precious moments with your loved ones.

As we dive into the second half of the school year, we want to express our gratitude for your continued support. Our Austin High community thrives because of the strong partnership between our dedicated educators, passionate students, and supportive parents like you.

Here are a few highlights and important updates as we kick off the new year:

Upcoming Events:

• Boys Basketball vs Anderson: Tuesday, January 9th, 5:15 – 9:45 pm Location: Anderson High School
• Lady Maroons Basketball vs Anderson HS: Tuesday, January 9th, 5:15 – 9:45 pm Location: Austin High School
• Girl's Soccer Junior Varsity Tournament: January 11th – 13th , 2024 Location: Hutto
• Boys Basketball vs Dripping Springs: Friday, January 12th, 5:15 – 9:45 pm Location: Austin High School
• Lady Maroons Basketball vs Dripping Springs HS: Friday, January 12th, 5:30 – 8:30 pm Location: Dripping Springs High School

Academies Update

• AGS 12TH Thailand Travel

Supporting Your Child's Well-Being

As we navigate the challenges of the school year, we want to remind you that our doors are always open. If you have concerns or questions about your child's well-being or academic progress, please don't hesitate to reach out to our dedicated staff.

• Principal - Dr. Bedford 512-414-2505 Ext. 71561
• Academic Director - Tanya Mast 512-414-2505 Ext. 71533
• Academy of Science and Innovation - Charlise Johnson 512-414-2505 Ext. 71549
• Academy of Global Studies - Beatriz Fernos 512-414-2505 Ext. 28412
• Academy of Design and Technology - Dr. Purser 512-414-2505 Ext. 71601
• Wellness Counselor - Sherry Patton Grubb 512-414-2505 Ext. 71562

Volunteer Opportunities

We appreciate the many parents who contribute their time and skills to enhance the Austin High experience. If you're interested in volunteering or getting involved in any school activities, please let us know. Your involvement makes a significant difference!

• Complete a Volunteer Interest Form

Looking Ahead

The second semester brings new opportunities for growth, learning, and building lasting memories. Together, let's make the most of the coming months and create an enriching environment for our students.

 

Thank you for entrusting us with the education and well-being of your children. We look forward to another semester filled with accomplishments, growth, and positive experiences.

Wishing you a fantastic start to 2024!

“Loyal Forever”

October 29, 2023

Hello Maroon Country,
We hope you're having a fantastic weekend! As we settle into the fall season, we want to remind you about some exciting events happening at our school over the next week.

Mark your calendars and join us. We encourage you to attend these events and show your support for our students and their incredible talents. We look forward to seeing you at these upcoming events. If you have any questions or need more information, please feel free to reach out to us.

We really want parents to spread the word to all of their friends and neighbors to have middle schoolers come to maroon and white night on November 15th.

“Loyal Forever”
Dr. B

Upcoming Events

• Volleyball Bi-District playoff game: Tuesday, Oct. 31 at 6:30pm at Round Rock HS
• Lady Maroons Basketball - Scrimmage: vs Cedar Ridge: Monday, October 30  Location: Austin High School
• Coffee with the Principal via Zoom: Tuesday, October 31⋅10:00 am – 11:00 am
  • Join Zoom Meeting: https://austinisd-org.zoom.us/j/81240010648?pwd=S2tDOW9VZ1Rmb2xqeTZXYnh…
  • Meeting ID: 812 4001 0648
  • Passcode: coffee
• AHS Freshman Football vs Del Valle: Wednesday, November 1⋅6:00 – 8:00pm Location: House Park
• AHS JV Football vs Del Valle: Wednesday, November 1⋅6:00 – 8:00pm  Location: Del Valle High School
• PEP RALLY: Thursday, November 2, 2023 Location AHS Gym
• AHS Varsity Football vs Del Valle HS: Homecoming & Senior Night - Thursday, November 2⋅7:30 – 9:30pm Location: House Park
• Senior Portraits ALL DAY PAC: Friday, November 3  Location: PAC
• Lady Maroons Basketball Varsity vs Cedar Park: Friday, November 3⋅5:30 – 9:30pm  Location: Austin High School
• Homecoming Dance: Saturday, November 4⋅7:00 pm– 11:00 pm, Location: Austin High School Cafeteria

Academies Update

All academies are currently launching fall projects, and field trips.
Beginning next week and the week after, parents will receive information about zoom sessions that will allow them to sign up for trips for next year

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October 16, 2023

Hello Maroon Country,

We hope this newsletter finds you well and that your students are thriving in their academic and extracurricular pursuits. As we continue into the heart of the fall semester, we have several important reminders and exciting updates to share with you. The college application season is in full swing, and many early decision college applications are due on November 1. Some of the earliest deadlines are already upon us, with students having deadlines as early as October 15. To stay on top of these important dates, please check your Naviance portal and ensure your seniors are well- prepared. If you have any questions or need guidance, please don't hesitate to reach out to our dedicated college and career counselor, Brandi Cleaver.

Even though we operate on a 9-week grading system, it's important to remember that eligibility for UIL events is determined each six weeks. Please be mindful of this timeline as it can have an impact on your student's participation in extracurricular activities. 

We invite you to join the festivities and support our Orchestra at the upcoming Monster
Concert and Carnival 35th Anniversary on October 21st from 2 pm to 7 pm. For more
details, visit the Orchestra website. It promises to be a spooktacular event, and we look
forward to seeing you there!

Celebrate the 20th anniversary of Austin High's Ballet Folklorico with a commemorative t-shirt. The order period starts on Monday, October 16th and runs until 4 pm on Friday, October 27th. You can place your order with any dance company member, including Ms. Masters and Ms. Carr. T-shirts come in various sizes, with prices ranging from $15 to $19. Please remember that payment is due with your order, and you can expect your shirts to be delivered on or before November 13th.

Yesterday, our ASI-9 students demonstrated their commitment to environmental stewardship by collecting an impressive 85-100 bags of trash as they launched a project addressing plastics in waterways. We applaud their dedication to cleaning up our campus and the hike and bike trail. Way to go, ASI-9 students!

Our Maroon Band continues to make us proud. They recently performed alongside Mumford and Sons at ACL, marking the 4th performance for our band at this esteemed event. Bravo, Maroon Band!

Our football team achieved a significant victory against Akins last Thursday. Congratulations to the team for their outstanding performance on the field.

In exciting news, our volleyball team has secured a spot in the playoffs! We extend our congratulations to Coach Woods and our amazing volleyball student-athletes. Austin High is currently in 3rd place behind Lake Travis and Dripping Springs, both nationally ranked in the top 25. We are excited to support our team throughout the playoffs. 

Lastly, we celebrate the accomplishments of six AHS Maroon Choir singers who have earned membership in the TMEA All-Region 18 Choir. This is a significant achievement, and we congratulate the following students:

• Sophomore Ellie Butterworth (3rd Chair Soprano 1)
• Senior Laney Cisler (12th Chair Soprano 1)
• Senior Angelina Medina (20th Chair Alto 2 Alternate)
• Sophomore Jacob Baird (1st Chair Tenor 1)
• Senior Julian Huerta (7th Chair Tenor 2)
• Junior Tanner Cole (4th Chair Bass 2)

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community. Should
you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to reach out
to us.

“Loyal Forever”
Dr. B

Upcoming Events

• Oct. 12: ASI-9 Plastics in Waterways Field Experience
• Oct. 18: ADT Game Night
• Oct. 24: Rescheduled PSAT Day (shortened B-Day classes in the afternoon)
• Oct. 25: AGS-10 Waste Management Field Experience
• Oct. 25: ADT-9 (small group): Tour of Austin Public Library
• Oct. 27: ADT-10 Expedition Day
• Nov 1-2: ACS-9 Truth, Beauty, Goodness Scavenger Hunt
• Nov 1-5: Journalism Conference in Boston
• Nov. 3: ACS-10 World Religions Tour
• Nov. 3: ADT-9 (small group): Techsploration Trip to Wonderspaces
• Nov. 4: AP European History -- Renaissance Fair
• Nov. 6-10: ADT and ASI 11 Learning Expedition to San Francisco

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October 1, 2023

Hello Maroon Country,
I hope this message finds you well and that your students are thriving in this exciting academic year. We are thrilled to share some amazing updates with you regarding the fantastic happenings at Austin High School.

Inspiring Academic Achievements: Our students continue to excel in their studies, demonstrating remarkable commitment and dedication to their education. The Austin High community is proud of their outstanding accomplishments in the classroom, which are a testament to their hard work and our dedicated teaching staff.

Vibrant Extracurricular Activities: Our extracurricular programs have been thriving, offering students opportunities to explore their interests and passions outside the classroom. From sports teams to clubs and organizations, there is something for everyone to get involved in at Austin High. We're proud of the our Austin High Maroon Football teams huge win over Bowie High school. This was the most amazing game and our kids were awesome.

Safety and Well-being: The safety and well-being of our students remain our top priority. We continue to take all necessary precautions and follow guidelines to maintain a secure and healthy learning environment for everyone. We appreciate your ongoing support and partnership in your child's education. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to our school's administration or your child's teachers.

“Loyal Forever”
Dr. B

Upcoming Events

ACL Early Release

• Friday Oct.6th & Friday, Oct.13th
• Grab and Go Lunches
• Bell Schedule
  • 1st/5th period: 9:05 - 9:45 AM
  • 2nd/6th period: 9:50 - 10:30 AM
  • 3rd/7th period: 10:35 - 11:15 AM
  • 4th/8th period: 11:20 - 12:00 noon
  • Grab and Go Lunches
• ACL Helpful Links
  ● Park Access and Road Closures – Google Map
  ● Road and Street Closure Information – Austin Center for Events website that includes maps and additional Information

Professional Development Day (PD)/Student Holiday

• On October 9th, we will have a Professional Development Day (PD) for our dedicated teaching staff. This will be a student holiday.

Academies Update

Each academy is working towards their first project-based learning units. Here are a few
highlights:

• The ASI 9th grade team is designing a new project around the issue of plastics. The focus will be on the impact of plastics on the environment and how plastic has changed production of goods around the world. The students will be participating in a trash clean-up in October. If you work in plastics or petroleum engineering and would like to be a guest speaker, reach out to Miranda Grabowski, Biology teacher and ASI Instructional Coach.
• Our ADT Makers' Space Manager, Isaac Guzman, has been working with a team of students to get our 3-D printers up and running. Thanks to the PTSA Excellence Fund, we have two new printers! We're looking for a Cricut machine and two sewing machines -- if you are looking to rehome your machines, reach out to Stacy Webster, Senior Seminar Facilitator.

• Our AGS 10th graders will soon be signing up for the Costa Rica Learning Expedition. If your student is planning on joining in on any of the international experiences, be sure they have a passport! You can make an appointment at Texas Global -- the UT Passports Office located on the first floor of the UT Tower. We also have an Austin High alum who now runs a passport business: 24HrPassports. Reach out to Luis if you need rush service: www.24hrpassportatx.com

• Our ACS 10th graders got to "dig in" to world history with miniature archeological digs recently. Both English and World History begin with the foundations of civilization -- from what defines culture to the heroic journeys told in civilizations around the world and throughout time. The next big ACS-10 project will include traveling to different religious sites around Austin, including a Hindu temple, Islamic mosque, Jewish synagogue, Greek Orthodox church, Buddhist temple, and Christian church. World History delves into the tenets and belief systems of major world religions, and our students will study the symbolism of architecture in
  various religious spaces.

• Finally, our Senior Seminar Experience includes students from all academies in a capstone or internship project. Currently we have students interested in internships in the tech field, in marketing/advertising, and in veterinary medicine. If you have a business or position that would allow you to host an intern, let us know! Reach out to the Academy Office: 512-414-2505, ext 71530.

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September 17, 2023

Hello Maroon Country,
We hope this principal update finds you well. As we embrace the fall season, we want to keep you informed about some important dates and events at Austin High. Your involvement and support are greatly appreciated.

 We appreciate your continued support and involvement in your child's education. These events are an excellent way to stay connected with the school community and celebrate the achievements of our students.
 If you have any questions or need further information about any of these events, please don't hesitate to contact us.
“Loyal Forever”
Dr. B

Upcoming Events

• Senior Portraits - September 18th-19th
  • Our seniors will have the opportunity to capture their high school memories with Senior Portraits. These sessions will take place on Monday, September 18th, and Tuesday, September 19th, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm in the Performing Arts Center (PAC).
• ASI Parent Mingle - Off Campus - September 20th
  • Join us for a delightful evening at the ASI Parent Mingle on Wednesday, September 20th, from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. The location is yet to be determined, but we will provide updates as soon as we have more information. This is an excellent opportunity to connect with other parents and stay engaged with the school community.
• Fall Theatre Production: "Dead Man's Cell Phone" - September 21st-23rd
  • The fall theatre production, "Dead Man's Cell Phone," promises to be an exciting and entertaining event for the whole family. Performances will be held on Thursday, September 21st, through Saturday, September 23rd, from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm in the Preas Theater. We encourage you to come and support our talented students as they bring this captivating story to life.
• Progress Report 2 - Available on September 22nd
  • Progress Report 2 will be available online starting on Friday, September 22nd. Please take this opportunity to review your child's academic progress and reach out to their teachers/assistant principal if you have any questions or concerns.

• Coming Soon:

  • October 7 (Saturday): SAT- Contact home campus for information 

  • October 2-31: PSAT- Contact home campus for information 

  • October 28 (Saturday): ACT- Contact home campus for information 

  • October 30- November 10: CBE Testing Window- Quarter #2/ Registration Deadline: October 13, 2023​​​​

Academies Update

• The ASI 9th grade team is designing a new project around the issue of plastics. The focus will be on the impact of plastics on the environment and how plastic has changed production of goods around the world. The students will be participating in a trash clean-up in October.  If you work in plastics or petroleum engineering and would like to be a guest speaker, reach out to Miranda Grabowski, Biology teacher and ASI Instructional Coach.
• Our ADT Makers' Space Manager, Isaac Guzman, has been working with a team of students to get our 3-D printers up and running. Thanks to the PTSA Excellence Fund, we have two new printers! We're looking for a Cricut machine and two sewing machines -- if you are looking to rehome your machines, reach out to Stacy Webster, Senior Seminar Facilitator.
• Our AGS 10th graders will soon be signing up for the Costa Rica Learning Expedition. If your student is planning on joining in on any of the international experiences, be sure they have a passport!  You can make an appointment at Texas Global -- the UT Passports Office located on the first floor of the UT Tower. We also have an Austin High alum who now runs a passport business: 24HrPassports. Reach out to Luis if you need rush service: www.24hrpassportatx.com
• Our ACS 10th graders got to "dig in" to world history with miniature archeological digs recently. Both English and World History begin with the foundations of civilization -- from what defines culture to the heroic journeys told in civilizations around the world and throughout time.  The next big ACS-10 project will include traveling to different religious sites around Austin, including a Hindu temple, Islamic mosque, Jewish synagogue, Greek Orthodox church, Buddhist temple, and Christian church. World History delves into the tenets and belief systems of major world religions, and our students will study the symbolism of architecture in various religious spaces.
• Finally, our Senior Seminar Experience includes students from all academies in a capstone or internship project. Currently we have students interested in internships in the tech field, in marketing/advertising, and in veterinary medicine. If you have a business or position that would allow you to host an intern, let us know! Reach out to the Academy Office: 512-414-2505, ext 71530.

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August 27, 2023

Hello Maroon Country,

We hope this message finds you well. We are thrilled to share the highlights of our second week at Austin High, filled with determination, achievements, and exciting opportunities.

Athletic Highlights:

• Our Austin High football team showcased exceptional grit and sportsmanship during their recent game against Stony Point. While the game ended with a narrow loss of 24-21, the incredible effort and teamwork displayed by our players left a lasting impression on everyone. We are proud of their dedication and look forward to cheering them on next week against Round Rock Westwood.
• Our volleyball team continues to shine bright. With an outstanding start, they have already demonstrated their skill, teamwork, and passion for the game. Their hard work and dedication have paid off, and we're excited to see them achieve new heights as they currently have a 17-6 record. They take on Bowie on Tuesday 8/29.

Back to School Night: Monday!

• A friendly reminder that our Back to School Night is tomorrow, 8/28. This event is a wonderful opportunity for you to connect with your child's teachers, gain insights into their classroom experiences, and get a closer look at the curriculum and expectations for the year. We encourage you to attend and actively engage in the educational journey of your child. The event schedule and details can be found below.

Parent Engagement:

• Your involvement is invaluable to us. By actively participating in school events, staying updated on your child's progress, and maintaining open lines of communication with teachers and staff, you contribute to the vibrant and supportive community that defines Austin High School.

Thank you for being an integral part of Austin High School. We look forward to seeing you at Back to School Night and continuing this successful journey together.

Dr. B
“Loyal Forever”
 

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August 21, 2023

Dear Maroons,

It has been an amazing first week of school at Austin High. Our students, faculty, and staff are excited to be back on campus and have been eagerly engaged in community-building alongside academic endeavors.

Our Athletic programs are up and running, with both Volleyball and Football seasons off to a great start. Our Maroon Band, Orchestra, Choir, Theatre, Cheerleaders, Red Jackets, and Ballet Folklorico are also ready for the beginning of the year. We take pride in being Maroons and this year will prove to be one of the best.

Melvin Bedford, “Loyal Forever”

2021-2022 Accountability Rating

I am pleased to inform you Austin High was rated an overall “A” performance for the 2021-2022 school year by TEA. We also earned 3 academic distinction designations: ELA/Reading, Comparative Academic Growth, and Postsecondary Readiness.

Helpful Information