Latest Newsletter
AHS News, September 6-12, 2010
This newsletter is a service for parents provided by the Austin High School PTSA. Comments? Questions? Please contact PTSA E-Newsletter Editor Elise Schram,
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. Submissions should be received by noon on Thursday's for the following week's newsletter.
Visit the PTSA Website, www.AustinHighSchoolPTSA.com, to subscribe. Click here to unsubscribe or change your e-mail preferences.
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IN THIS ISSUE
1. Maroon Maxims
Labor Day Holiday, September 6
2011 Comet Yearbook Back to School Sale Ends Midnight Labor Day
Coffee with the Principal, September 8
From the Attendance Office
2. PTSA Précis
Parent Volunteers Needed in AHS and Counselors Offices
Donor to Match Excellence Fund Donations
2010 AHS Homecoming Dance, October 23
3. Activities and Accolades
Academics
Lee Mendez Wins "Gone to Texas" Contest
Arts
SFAustin High School Classical Guitar Ensemble to Perform
Booster Club Meetings
Athletics
Football Games
Girls Lacrosse Fall Practices and More
Boys Lacrosse Information Meeting
Tennis Games
Volleyball News
Cross Country
Booster Club Meetings
4. Class Notes
Senior Summary
Sign Up for Senior Career Day Now
Senior Portraits
Date Change for Baccalaureate
Junior Jots and Sophomore Scoop
Practice PSAT Sign Up Now
Parents, Can You Help
5. The College Connection
College Representatives Visit Austin
College Information Session for Juniors and Seniors and Their Parents, September 15
6. Extra! Extra!
Attention Staff, Parents, and Volunteers Who Plan to Serve Food
7. Maroon Memoir
Building the Lakeside Campus 1970-1975
8. Looking Ahead
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1. Maroon Maxims
Labor Day Holiday, September 6.
No school on Monday, September 6 It's a student/staff holiday. Enjoy your three day weekend!
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2011 Comet Yearbook Back to School Sale Ends Midnight Labor Day.
The Back to School Sale price of $60 will end at midnight on Labor Day. Go to www.MyYear.com to place a credit card order on-line and take advantage of the sale price.
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Coffee with the Principal, September 8.
Dr. Calzada invites all parents to join him Wednesday, September 8, 8:30-10:30 AM, in the Rio Vista Room for coffee and informal discussion about everything related to Austin High School. Click here for a complete list of this year’s coffees and teas.
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From the Attendance Office.
Please be sure to send a note within 2 days of a student’s return to school following an absence. If notes are not received within two days of return to school, the absence will remain unexcused. Phone calls are not necessary and do not excuse an absence. Notes may be faxed to 414-7373. Remember to always include: 1) Student name, grade level and student ID number, 2) Date(s) of absence, 3) Reason for the absence, and 4) Parent signature and phone number. If you know of a scheduled appointment or leave time, you may send your student with a note. Have your student bring the note to the Attendance Office to get a Check Out Pass. Your student may leave school and meet you outside ONLY if he/she has a pass. If you do not send your student with a note for a pass you will need to sign him/her out in the Attendance Office (2nd floor administrative area). Phone calls for student pick up are not accepted.
Please refer to page 23 of the Student/Parent Handbook or call 414-7214 for any further questions.
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2. PTSA Précis
Parent Volunteers Needed in AHS and Counselors Offices.
The AHS Office needs you....weekly and alternate week options are available for either 2-3 hours. We need 2 volunteers every few hours that work at the Attendance Desk and the Principal's Desk. The schedules are flexible and it is a great way to get to know your students school! Please email Laurie Mann,
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, if you are interested. The schedule fills quickly so do not wait!
In addition, the Counselors need a total of 4 volunteers to work weekly to assist with college bulletin boards and the Guidance Counselors. These volunteers can create their own hours as needed by the Counselors Office. Please contact Laurie Mann at
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.
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Donor to Match all Excellence Fund Donations.
Now is the perfect time to donate to the PTSA's Excellence Fund! A local foundation has agreed to match your donation - doubling your gift! Click here for a PTSA membership form with all the ways you can give or here for an Excellence Fund donation form. Both forms should be sent to the AHS office on the second Floor.
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2010 AHS Homecoming Dance, October 23!
Mark your calendars and come celebrate our Homecoming victory over Bowie! The big game will be Friday, October 22, and the Dance will be the next evening in the AHS gym. More details and ticket information will be coming shortly. For questions or to help with the dance, contact Tracy Remmert,
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.
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3. Activities and Accolades
Academics
Lee Mendez Wins"Gone to Texas" Contest.
Lee Mendez, an Austin High School Class of 2010 student, was the first place winner of the "Gone to Texas" Video Contest at the University of Texas. Incoming University of Texas students are invited to create and enter a video in the second annual contest. Check out his short video along with the four runners up here: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=282D338C8B9CB1F9. Way to go, Lee!
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Arts
SFAustin High School Classical Guitar Ensemble to Perform.
Our own Classical Guitar Ensemble will perform at the State Board of Education General Meeting on Friday, September 24, 9:00 AM, at the William B. Travis Building, 1701 North Congress Avenue. The audience will consist of the fifteen-member SBOE, the Texas Education Agency administrative staff, and the general public. Congratulations!!
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Booster Club Meetings.
Be sure to check with your booster club officers for possible last minute changes!
Band - Tuesday, September 7, 7:00 PM, Band Hall
Orchestra - Thursday, September 9, 6:00-7:30 PM, Orchestra Room; www.austinhighorchestra.com
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Athletics
Football Games.
Congratulations, Maroons - Big Win Over Belton last Friday!
Thursday, September 9, 5:30 PM, House Park - JV v. Westwood. Freshmen play at Westwood HS at 5:30 PM.
Friday, September 10, 7:30 PM, at 'The Palace' in Round Rock, Varsity v. Westwood.
Visit www.austinhighfootball.com for more information.
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Girls Lacrosse Fall Practices and More!
*Parent/Player Meeting, September 8: A parent/player organizational meeting will be held on September 8 at 7:00 PM in Room 261. Fall practices start on September 13, 4:30 PM on the field by the gym. No experience is necessary to join the team. Coach Megan Luther will teach novice players stick skills this fall. All freshman, sophomore, junior and senior girls that would like to experience the thrill of this exciting sport are welcome to come to practices this fall. For more information and to register for the team, visit our website www.ahsgirlslax.orgor contact
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.
*Pancake Breakfast, September 18: Support the AHS Women’s Lacrosse Team by buying Applebee’s All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast tickets for September 18, 8-10 AM at the Sunset Valley Applebees! Tickets are available from any player or contact
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.
*Garage Sale, October 2: Mark your calendars for a garage sale on October 2 to benefit the team. Donations of items accepted, contact Brad Ballard at
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.
*Golf Tournament, February 18: Maroons on the Green is a golf tournament benefit to be held on February 18 at Lion's golf course. Single players and foursomes are welcome. Register at http://www.golfdigestplanner.com/15065-MaroonsontheGreen/. Business sponsors are needed for each of the 18 greens. Contact Charlotte Ballard for further information on sponsorships
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.
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Boys Lacrosse Information Meeting.
AHS Boys Lacrosse will hold a Player/Parent meeting this Wednesday, September 8, 6:00 PM, in the Maroon Room. This is an opportunity for new and prospective players and their parents to visit with the coaches and hear about our successful program. All current and new/prospective players should come and register for the team. If you have any questions, contact Julie Merritt,
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Tennis Games.
Tuesday, September 7, 4:00 PM, at Georgetown HS - JV Dual Match v. Georgetown
Thursday, September 8, 4:00 PM, at Westlake HS - Varsity Dual Match v. Westlake
Visit austinhightennis.com for more information.
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Volleyball News.
Tuesday, September 7, 5:30 PM, at AHS, Varsity v. Hays
Friday, September 10, 5:30 PM, at AHS, Varsity v. New Braunfels
Visit www.austinhighvolleyball.com for a complete schedule and "everything volleyball".
*Save Tuesday, September 28 for Maroon Volleyball's Second Annual "Dig Pink" Event as we take on Westlake High School and raise funds for breast cancer research. (Don't forget to wear pink!)
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Cross Country.
Saturday, September 11, St. Andrew's School - St. Andrew's Invitational.
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Booster Club Meetings.
Be sure to check with your booster club officers for possible last minute changes!
Boys Basketball - Thursday, September 9, 6:30-8:00 PM, Maroon Room; www.runninmaroons.com
Girls Basketball - Thursday, September 9, 6:30-8:00 PM, Room 202
Cheer - Thursday, September 9, 6:00 PM, Room 312
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4. Class Notes
Senior Summary
Sign Up for Senior Career Day, Deadline is September 8.
If you haven't had a chance to sign up on Naviance for this year's Senior Career Day, there is still time. The deadline to sign up for Senior Career Day is Wednesday, September 8. At that time, you will need to have your Naviance Application complete and the Release Form signed and delivered to the yellow box in the Counselor's Office. No late applications will be accepted. To participate, you need to be able to attend an 8:00 AM orientation meeting on Tuesday, October 26th and be at the school at 8:00 AM on the 27th to check in and go to your assigned business. To get to the Naviance sign-up link, log on to your Naviance account, click the "About Me" tab then the senior career day choice sheet survey link.
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Senior Portraits.
Senior portraits for the 2011 Comet yearbook are scheduled for September 23-25 in the PAC. Sign-up sheets will be posted in Room # 335 (Yearbook office-Mr. Edwards) beginning Wednesday, September 8. If you want to schedule a senior portrait at Photo Texas Photography studios, please contact them directly,
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, (512)617-7780. Only Photo Texas Photography senior portraits will be used in the 2011 Comet Yearbook.
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Date Change for Baccalaureate.
It's here! The Senior year of events, fun, endings, beginnings and more began with a bang at the Senior Breakfast but there is so much more to come! There are three senior events in the coming year to plan for: Senior Prom, Saturday, May 21, 2011, Baccalaureate, Sunday, May 29, 2011, and Senior Party, TBA (evening of graduation). If you can help underwrite any of these senior events please send a check in any amount (make out to: Austin Community Foundation) and mail to AHS Class of 2011 Boosters, P.O. Box 5026, Austin, Texas 78763. You may also make online contributions at http://www.austincommunityfoundation.org/?nd=donate; select AHS Parents 2011 Booster Club from the pull down menu. We invite you to participate in all parts of the planning and volunteer at these memorable events for our students. Simply go to: www.ahs2011boosters.org/senioreventplanning.html, view the various committees and fill out the online form or send an email to
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or call Joni Guerrero (775-0914) and indicate how you would like to participate.
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Junior Jots and Sophomore Scoop
Practice PSAT, Sign Up Now.
The Austin High PSAT/SAT review class and Princeton Review will host a full-length, practice PSAT on Saturday, September 18, 8:30 AM-12:00 PM, in the Austin High PAC. All juniors and sophomores are invited to participate. Princeton Review will score the tests and each student will receive an individualized score report. Tickets are $10, and all profits help the PSAT/SAT review class purchase books the course. If you would like your student to participate, please have your student sign up outside of the cafeteria between September 7 and September 17. This practice test will help students prepare for the actual PSAT, a test which all juniors and seniors at Austin High School will take on Wednesday, October 13. A good score on the PSAT can earn students scholarship money for college. If you have any questions, please email Debra Windham,
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.
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Parents, Can You Help?
The Austin High PSAT/SAT review class needs parent volunteers to help sell tickets for the practice PSAT and to help check in and monitor students during the practice test. If you can help, please email Debra Windham at
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. THANK YOU! Please pick any of the following shifts:
Tuesday, September 7, or Friday, September 10, 11:35 AM-12:35 PM and/or 1:15-2:15 PM - Lunch ticket sales.
Thursday, September 9, or Friday, September 17, 12:15-1:15 PM and/or 1:10-2:10 PM - Lunch ticket sales.
Thursday, September 16, 11:40 AM-12:40 PM - Lunch ticket sales.
Saturday, September 18, 8:15 AM-12:00 PM - Practice PSAT: Check students in and monitor them during testing.
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5. The College Connection
College Representatives Visit Austin.
Juniors and Seniors can register for College Visits, a new set every week! Log onto your Naviance, http://connection.naviance.com/austinhs, to view upcoming events and register. Students should print out a confirmation page from Naviance and have their teacher sign it to be used as a pass. Contact Tara Miller,
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, with questions.
The University of Arkansas, Texas A&M University, University of Chicago, University of Connecticut, and Washington University in St. Louis will all be in Austin this week
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College Information Session for Juniors and Seniors and Their Parents, September 15.
Get college admissions information during a panel discussion with UT Austin, Texas A&M, Texas State, St. Edward's, & ACC on Wednesday, September 15, 7:00 PM, in the AHS Library.
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6. Extra! Extra!
Attention Staff, Parents, and Volunteers Who Plan to Serve Food!
In order to obtain a temporary food event permit at any event, two responsible parties must receive Food Handler training. Free training will be provided by the Austin/Travis County Health & Human Services Department on Tuesday, September 28, 6:30 PM, in the Baker Center Cafeteria. The training is good for one year. Click here for a flyer. Contact Chris Carrillo or Charlie Washington in Food Services at 414-0251 with questions.
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7. Maroon Memoir
In this section, we will take you down Memory Lane as we look at Austin High School's illustrious past. All of these articles have been researched and written by Mr. Brian Schenk, a teacher at Austin High School from 1975 to 1998, who started the Austin High School Archives (a treasure trove of local history) in 1981. He was the volunteer archivist until his recent retirement from those duties. Thank you, Mr Schenk! And to our readers: we hope you see why we're so proud of our school!
Building the Lakeside Campus 1970-1975
In September, 1969, the taxpayers of Austin approved a $74 million dollar bond issue which included a renovation or replacement of the Rio Grande Campus of Austin High School. The main building at that site was more than fifty years old and the newest additions had reached their thirtieth year. Community support was lacking for "rebuilding at the old site" for parents feared the "splitting of the school" during the years of construction. A parent group, formed during the spring of 1970, expressed strong objections to the renovation concept on the Rio Grande site. They wanted to get the school out of the "heavy commercialized area" to what they felt would be a "more suitable site" elsewhere. And they saw the need for more "off street parking". School Board President Roy Butler agreed that the Rio Grande Campus could not just keep on being remodeled and that the site was not up to the standards of a new building and to make Austin High School Comparable to other AISD schools being built, it would have to move to another site. On November 24, 1970, the Board voted 5-1 for the Town Lake/Butler Brick tract site as their first choice for a new location for Austin High. Taxpayers were divided on building a new Austin High at the Lakeside location, since it was part of the A. J. Zilker park gift. Environmentalists, in particular, felt that the use of park land for the school violated the spirit of the gift of land to the city by A. J. Zilker in 1931. Negotiations and legal activities continued through 1971, with a land contract for the sale of land from the city to the school district drawn up in May, 1971, at a sale price of $749,000 plus the cost of relocation of a sewer line through the property. At public hearing held on November 4, 1971, all members of the Austin City Council and all members of the Board of School Trustees were present. Citizen opposition was heard from environmental groups including the local Sierra Club and the Austin Environmental Council. Requiring that "part of the site be left in its natural state to be used in studies by students", the School Board directed staff to purchase the 32.8 acre Lakeside site after condemnation. The Sierra Club of Austin then filed suit in State court to block the sale in November, 1972. After a trial and an appeal, the Texas Supreme Court upheld the right of the school district to condemn and purchase the land. So ended the legal battles.
Construction on the new site began soon after the court decision. Barnes, Landes, Goodman and Youngblood were selected as project architects on January 10, 1972, and final plans for the project were approved April 10, 1972. The Gray Construction Company of Austin was selected as the General Contractor for the project on July 25, 1973, with a cost estimate of $5,533,430. Adding the cost of the land, site preparation and relocation of utilities, the total cost of the project was estimated to be $7,500,000.
Students and staff at the Rio Grande campus began the sad process of packing the mementoes of a fifty-year occupancy by the school at that site. The Memorial Stone, the 1939 entrance plates, the Mansbendel wood sculptures in the library and main office, and thousands of trophies, placques and awards, all had to be prepared for transporting to the new site. The first day of school at the Lakeside Campus was August 25, 1975, and the class of 1976 were the first Lakeside campus graduates.
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8. Looking Ahead
CAC Meeting - September 13, 5:30-7:00 PM, AHS Library
Late Start Day - September 23. Click here for a list of this year's Late Start days.
PTSA Executive Board Meeting - October 7, 10:00 AM-11:30 AM. Click here for a list of this year's meetings; click here for 5/13 minutes.
Dr. Calzada's Parent Tea - October 13, 5:30 PM, Rio Vista Room. Click here for a complete list of this year’s coffees and teas.
Homecoming - October 22, 7:30 PM, at House Park, v. Bowie
Homecoming Dance - October 23, AHS Gym
Senior Career Day - October 27
PTSA General Membership Meeting - November 4, 11:30 AM-1:00 PM. Click here for a list of this year's meetings.
Holiday Teacher Luncheon - December 17
Visit the PTSA website, www.AustinHighSchoolPTSA.com, for all the latest information, forms, and links!
Click here for an AISD calendar.
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