Austin International School
February 5, 2014


Wow! We hope you're as excited as we are for the gala this Saturday, February 8! Today is the LAST DAY to buy tickets.

You are in luck, because Individual Tickets and Sponsorship Tables are still available! Buy easily online or simply return the invitation reply cards to the reception gray box - TODAY.
 
Tickets and Tables are still available but going fast - don't miss out on a terrific evening! The live auction art pieces your kids have put so much work into are really fantastic, the silent auction items are personal and plentiful, and the Vendetta Big Band is ready to rock! It's going to be the most fun you've had supporting the school all year. 
 
And don't worry if you don't have a date! Plenty of parents and guests are coming solo, we promise you'll still have a great time. 

Our students have been hard at work making art projects for your bidding pleasure, and we'd be thrilled to have any one of them gracing our walls. Check out our latest video, from the CP2 class.
Mosaic
Video: "Pieces of Peru" CP2 mosaic project!
Les Explorers Summer Camp 
Registration has begun!

We are so excited to share with you this year's program. This year's camp is essentially 3 under 1 roof, and brings back all the elements you love for another great year.

For children 3 to 6, we have Mini Mashup, allowing kids to explore the culture, games, history and people of the French- and Spanish- speaking world through hands-on activities. For 7 to 12 year-olds, we have The Global Kitchen, Creative Geniuses: Bilingual Arts and Science, and Languages of the Stage. We also have sibling discounts. Full details and registration forms available online! Contact Laurence Raud with inquiries.
Dates to Know

Did you know our full school calendar is available online? 

 

Today - February 5

Last Day to Buy Gala Tickets

 

February 7 | 7:30 - 3:00 p.m.

Gala Art Projects on Display

We've been talking for weeks about the students' art projects - so we'll hush up now and let you come see for yourself! Take a gallery walk through the foyer while your at school to see these lovely works of art.

 

February 8 | 6 - 10 p.m.

Third Annual Spring Gala

See message above! It's our capstone event of the year! Join us for food, fun, friendship and fundraising and spend an evening with our amazing community. Tickets on sale now- last day to buy is today!

 

February 12 

Re-enrollment Night | 3:15 - 6:00 p.m.

Location: MS1 and MS2 classrooms

Re-enrollment for returning families has begun and we want to ensure your enrollment experience goes quickly and easily. Join administration staff as we guide you through the paperwork and answer your questions. Priority registration for returning families ends February 28.

 

PTO Meeting | 5:50 - 6:30 p.m.

AIS-PTO monthly meeting. Please sign up in advance using the sign up sheet in the reception corridor to take advantage of the free childcare during the meeting.

 

February 15 & 22 | 10 a.m.

Information Session for Prospective Parents 

Parents and supporters, help spread the word that our next information sessions for prospective parents will be held next month. Parents and children are invited to join teachers and staff at the school for a Q & A session, campus tour and enrollment overview. Share our Feb. 15 and Feb. 22 events via Facebook and RSVP online! 

 

March 20 | 6:30 p.m.

State of the School presentation

All are welcome to join us for a presentation by school leadership, including the Board of Directors, to share important information about the school, it's current state of affairs and its future plans. Childcare will be available to those who sign up in advance.

Announcements

  

Les Explorers on Wheels Spring Break Camp is Back!

March 3 to March 7

Registration for the super-fun camp-on-wheels during Spring Break begins Monday, February 10. Hours: 9:00 am -3:30 pm w/extended pre- and after-camp hours (same as during school). Registration forms available, online now and from either Laurence or the front desk on Monday. First come, first served basis. Price: $275/week or $65 per day. $13 After Camp Care 

 
PTO Meeting Childcare
Parents, please be sure to register on bulletin board for free childcare IN ADVANCE OF the 
PTO meeting next Wednesday, February 12.  
 
 
Survey Results
Thank you to everyone who shared their feedback via last month's school survey; we gathered a statistically meaningful number of responses. We appreciate the overwhelmingly positive responses, and are happy to report to you that we scored between 4 and 4.3 out of 5 points on seven of these questions. We are particularly pleased that our question about the alignment of the school mission with your family's values and goals scored a 4.5! We want you to know your opinions are dearly valued, and we will continue to make enhancements in response to you.
Love AIS? Help spread the word about your school by reviewing our listing on Great Schools and on Yelp, by posting to our Facebook page and our website's blog. Thank you!
PTO News 
 
The AIS Facebook Group is the unofficial hub of PTO chatter, and it's bustling! Join up and get in on the conversation.


Next PTO Meeting is Wednesday, February 12, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sign up for childcare in the reception corridor bulletin board.

 

Bakery Sale Fundraiser 

The PTO will be back this Friday after school with the bread and pastry for sale with a little something extra for the return of the cold temperature:  HOT CHOCOLATE!  As usual we will have baguettes, pains au chocolat and croissants for $3.00 each.  Hot chocolate pricing has not yet been determined - look out on the Facebook page for that announcement later in the week.

 

Do you have time to help the PTO with this project by picking up our baked goods?  This can be a one time pick-up or as often as you like.  Each Friday a volunteer travels to the Artisan Bistro in Lakeway to pick up the delicious baked goods we offer for sale each Friday.  It's a great place to enjoy lunch (or dinner some time!).  Please sign up here with Sign Up Genius if you are willing to help out.  

 

Also, the PTO would like to offer a special thanks to the Artisan Bistro for helping us with this fundraiser by offering us special pricing on their baked goods.  It's a great place to eat, and if you go be sure to tell them thanks!
 
HELP WANTED!
The PTO is seeking a volunteer to be the Room Parent Coordinator for next year (2014-2015).  Tracey Manuel has done this job for the past several years and is ready to move on. The Room Parent Coordinator is the liaison between the school administration and the Class Room Parents, formulating emails that the Class Room Parents send out to their respective classes to disseminate information about school events, class parties and other communications and reminders. The Room Parent Coordinator recruits Class Room Parents for the fall and spring semesters. Assists (via school administration staff) the Class Room Parent to maintain the class roster and allergy list for the class.
 
If you are interested in taking over this incredibly important job, please contact the PTO by email.
 
Box Tops 
The Box Tops Class Competition is heating up! CP1 has jumped out to become the first class this year to bring in more than 1000 Box Tops. Great job, CP1! There's lots more time for other classes to catch up. The class competition continues through May 1, and the winners will enjoy a smoothie party. 
 
For those who earned Bonus Box Tops at HEB this week, please remember to bring in those Bonus Box Tops certificates with your other Box Tops. (And watch out for those expiration dates.) Just place them in the YELLOW Box Tops folder among the PTO mail folders near reception. Keep up with how your class is doing on the school bulletin board. Thanks for everyone's support and participation so far.