CURRENT+EVENTS

=**__MIDDLE SCHOOL INFORMATION IMPORTANT DATES __**= = =
 * Please make note of the following critical dates related to each program at the middle school level. All magnet applications can be found on each school website via links at [|www.austinisd.org] ****. Follow the links to their websites to become familiar with the programs they offer. If you have specific questions, contact the Director of each program. **

 **Small MS Green Tech STEM Academy** ** @http://www.smallmiddleschool.org/ ** =Tours may be scheduled after school hours beginning in Oct 2015. = Applications are due JAN 15, 2016. Essay Test is JAN 16 or JAN 23 from 10-noon at Small MS.

CHOOSE ONE FROM THE FOLLOWING ADMISSION TEST DATES:  Jan 9, 2016: 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Jan 12, 2016: 4:30-6:30 p.m Jan 14, 2016: 4:30-6:30 p.m. Jan 30, 2016: 8 AM -1:00 PM January 19, 2016: Evening of Wonder: Fulmore Magnet Showcase 5:30-7:30 p.m. February 5, 2016: Application Deadline =**Lamar Middle School Fine Arts Academy ****__http://www.lamarmiddleschool.org/fine-arts-academy/ __**= January 5, 2016 – FAA will email qualified applicants their audition time (students may audition for ONE strand only) January 16, 2016 – Auditions at Lamar (9am – 3pm) in the Lamar cafeteria & FINAL DEADLINE FOR TEACHER RECS January 25 - 29, 2016 – accepted students will be notified via email of admittance and shadowing opportunity January 25 – March 4 - Shadowing for accepted students only =**Kealing Magnet ** ** http://www.kealinghornets.org/ ** = Open House (Magnet Showcase): JAN 14 from 5:30-7:30 Admission Testing Dates: Sat JAN 16 or Sat FEB 6 - Morning OR Afternoon sessions are available. See website for specifics. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Applications due JAN 22, if you want to shadow. Otherwise, applications due FEB 5
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Fulmore Magnet **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> ** http://www.fulmoremiddleschool.org/ **

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">ONLINE Application available NOV 1, 2015. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Open House: Sat Jan 23 10-Noon. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Applications due FEB 5 = =
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> ** @http://www.annrichardsschool.org/admissions **

= = = = =** CONVERSATIONS ABOUT DIFFICULT TOPICS: **= Many of us will be able to limit and filter the amount of exposure our elementary age children have to media reports or sensitive topics that involve violence or death. It's possible the topic will not come up in conversation, but if it does, sometimes questions are a helpful place to start. For instance, if a child asks, "What happened (re: place/situation)?" A parent could ask, "What did you hear?" or "Do you want to know more, or do you want to think about something else?" Children follow our example, first and foremost. The goal is to show children that we can remain calm, and stay hopeful in the midst of pain and grief. Here are some links provided by Austin ISD that offer more broad guidance:
 * __<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">REGISTRATION/COURSE SELECTION FOR ALL AUSTIN ISD MIDDLE SCHOOLS __**
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">All other middle school information (choice sheets/registration info) will be distributed by the middle schools to the elementary counselor during the months of February/March. Look for an official 'CHOICE SHEET' to come home with your 5th grade student. Each student completes ONE choice sheet. The student MUST complete a choice sheet once - and only once - for the school at which they are tracked to enroll based on attendance area. If your child attends HP on a transfer, they can obtain a tracking transfer to Lamar. The DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR middle school TRANSFERS is Fri JAN 30. Obtain a transfer request form from CC Luna in the HP Front Office. Return the form to AISD Student Services/Transfer office downtown. The transfer must be finalized in the district attendance database before your child may complete a choice sheet for that school. **
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">If your child hopes to attend a magnet program, you DO NOT have to request a transfer. However, the district attendance database must show your student has accepted a spot at the school BEFORE a choice sheet can be completed. Most intent forms are due to the magnet schools in March, as soon as students are notified of acceptance in to the program. **
 * Explaining Death To Children (via www.achildingrief.com)**

= S-E-L!!! = Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is a content area critical to your child's education, that is now built in to the master schedule with "Second Step" curricula delivered by your child's homeroom teacher. It adds to the guidance lessons the school counselor presents each month, so that your child has deeper, more specific direct instruction about how to successfully interact and problem solve with others. Keep an eye out for "Homelinks" from your child(ren)'s homeroom teacher sent home regularly during the first half of the year. These one pagers inform your family about the lessons done in class and give you ideas of ways to follow up at home.
 * Grieving** **(via www.achildingrief.com)**
 * **American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry--[[file:AACAPdoc.pdf]]**-"Children and the News".
 * **Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration-- http://[|www.samhsa.gov]** has a lot of handouts for teachers and parents for talking with your child/students about trauma and violence.

SCOTTIE DADS <span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva; font-size: 17px;"> - If you want to be a Scottie Dad, click here: Scottie Dads <span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva; font-size: 17px;">The APIE website is ready to register you! Please follow the link for more detailed instructions or go to austinpartners.org now, if you're familiar with the process. All returning Scottie Dads must re-enroll each year, and any new volunteers must also register on the APIE site in order to sign-up for a day of service at our school.