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AUSTIN ADVISOR
A Publication of the Austin Academy PTA
Winter/Spring 2015 Edition
From The Principal’s Desk
In this Issue:
Holly Frantz – [email protected]
Welcome Notes
Pg 1
Reflections/Directory
Winners
Pg 2
Open Positions
Snack Attack
Pg 3
PTA Board Members
Pg 4
Room Reps
Book Fair
School Activity Info
Pg 5
Student Recognitions
Pgs 6-7
8th Grade Party
Spring Calendar
Pg 8
Pg 9/10
Find us ONLINE!
www.garlandisd.net/austin - school
http://aapta.tripod.com - PTA
@AA_Eagles (Twitter)
Austin Academy PTA (Facebook)
Austin Academy Moms (Facebook)
Austin Academy Class of 2021 (FB)
Austin Academy Class of 2019 (FB)
www.Charmsoffice.com
- AAEBAND
- AAECHOIR
- AAEORCH
www.austinacademyrobotics.com
www.garlandisd.net - District
@gisdnews (Twitter for GISD)
Greetings, Austin Academy for Excellence parents and teachers!
We are all well versed on how the school spring semester becomes
exceptionally busy. Please continue to access and utilize the available
resources (school website, follow us on twitter, skyward, and e-mails) to
remain informed regarding student progress, AAE events, extra-curricular
activities, testing calendars, etc… Should you have any questions, you are
welcome to contact the campus as well. We value and welcome your input.
As our students have successfully achieved the mid-point of the
school year, the AAE staff and faculty are sincerely appreciative of the
parental support and collaboration as we confidently transition to the spring
semester. It is an honor and privilege to serve our students.
Holly Frantz, Principal
A Word From Our PTA President
Angi Pearce – [email protected]
We are halfway there!! We have had a busy first half of the year!
It started in August with our 6th grade orientation where we sold School supplies
and our Spirit Items (Hoodies, drink mugs and decals). Then there was the
Teacher Appreciation Luncheon for the teachers the Friday before school
started. We then hosted a brunch for the parents on the first day of school.
In September we helpedth the teachers and the Student Council with the first
School Dance for our 6 graders that was a great success! In October, we turned
in 374 PTA memberships to the Texas PTA which earned us the Early Bird
Award. In November, we hosted our first EVER Pizza Snack Attack on the
Report card pick-up night. It went so well that we will host another Pizza Snack
Attack night at the next Report card pick up night in the Spring. We also passed
out the Student Directories to all our PTA members. In December we had the
Reflections contest, where 4 student
entries advanced to Council Level from
Austin Academy. One of our 8th grade students with a Visual Arts entry, has
advanced to the State Level. Congratulations to all our talented students who
participated in the Reflections Contest!! We also held our Holiday Party for all
grades before school let out for the Winter Break.
As you can see, the PTA does many things for all our students, teachers, and
parents alike – all using the monies collected from membership to the
fundraisers we sponsor. If you haven’t already signed up for membership in the
PTA, it not too late! Just go on our website and print out a form. Then just mail
or drop off that form along with your dues money to Austin Academy and we
will take care of the rest. Get Involved - JOIN the PTA!! All Volunteers
are important to the Success of this school year!!
Angi Pearce, AAE PTA President
PTA MEMBERSHIP DUES
Austin Advisor
Basic Membership
1 Member
$7.50
2 Members
$12.50
(same household)
Busy Parent Membership
No time to volunteer? Consider a
Busy Parent Membership!
1 Member
2 Members
$35
$40
(same household)
Page 2 of 8
PTA MEMBERSHIP
VACANT
Our PTA membership
drive for the 2014/2015
school year continues!
Stop by the office to grab
a form and join!
NEW THIS YEAR!! JOIN
ONLINE!!
tiny.cc/aaeptaonline
Go to the site to sign up,
then send payment to the
school office!
$4.50 of the membership
dues goes to the State
and National PTA
membership dues. The
rest stays right here at
Austin Academy to
support our students AND
is tax deductible!
2014-2015 PTA Reflections Winners
Visual Arts – Kaley Niette, Phoebe Heng, and
Hannah Cutright
Film – Elizabeth Finley
8th Grade Dance
May 9
7-9:30pm
The Atrium
DIRECTORY COVER CONTEST WINNERS!
End of School Party (all
grades)
May 29
4-6pm
AAE Gym
1st Place – Phoebe Heng (8th Grade)
2nd Place – Hailey Ganster (8th Grade)
3rd Place – Sierra Cougot (8th Grade)
Honorable Mention – Nicholas Porter (8th Grade)
Honorable Mention – Joseph Martin (7th Grade)
Honorable Mention – Esmeralda Nieto (7th Grade)
Congratulations to the winners of the
Student Directory Cover Contest!!
Thank you to all who participated! You are all winners!!
Page 3 of 8
Austin Advisor
Open PTA Positions 2015-2016
There will be a number of open positions on our PTA board next year
that MUST be filled! Descriptions of the positions can be found
online on the PTA web - aapta.tripod.com
Please contact Michele Tyler, Jennifer McKelvey, or Katrina Swallow
if you are interested in helping or if you know of a current 5th grade
parent who will be at Austin next year that would like to join the
board. Elections will take place at the March 23rd PTA meeting at
the Curtis Culwell Center (before the choir concert).
Let’s make the Austin Academy PTA the BEST PTA in the Garland
ISD!
OFFICER POSITIONS:
President
st
1 VP – Programs
2nd VP – Membership
3rd VP – Budget & Finance
Secretary
Treasurer
Historian
Parliamentarian
Committee Chair Positions:
Arts in Eductation
Council Delegate
Environemntal
Legislative Action
6th Grade Room Rep
Volunteer Coordinator
Sub-Committee Chair Positions:
8th Grade Dance
Book Fair
Dance Concessions
Snack Attack
Jennifer McKelvey –
[email protected]
The first-ever Pizza Snack Attack
was a huge success! Pizza and
drinks were available for
purchase for $1 each at our
Report Card Pick-up in the fall.
Students and parents alike
enjoyed the snacks, and we
raised almost $200 to help
support AAE PTA! Thank you to
everyone who donated drinks,
who helped the day of the
event, and who bought pizza!
Be watching for information
about our second event in the
spring.
SPRING SNACK ATTACK:
April 21, 2015
Career Speakers
Week
Marylee Lajoie –
[email protected]
Thank you to all the parents
and friends of Austin
Academy who volunteered
for our Career Speakers
week this year. We had
great turnout and the kids
were all captivated by what
our speakers had to say.
While you may not see it
from them immediately,
your involvement makes a
tremendous difference in
our kids lives. If you spoke
during career speakers
week, know that you made
a difference!
Sincerely,
Marylee Lajoie
Career Speakers
Coordinator
Austin Advisor
Page 4 of 8
Austin Academy PTA Board members 2014-2015
Officers
President
Angi Pearce
[email protected]
st
Christine Pohl
[email protected]
nd
VACANT
Volunteer Today!!
rd
3 VP Budget & Finance
Margaret Finley
[email protected]
Secretary
Gail Pearce
[email protected]
Treasurer
Kathy Parks
[email protected]
Historian
VACANT
Volunteer Today!!
Parliamentarian
Rale Niette
[email protected]
1 VP Programs
2 VP Membership
Committee Chairs
Arts in Education
VACANT
Volunteer Today!!
Council Delegate
Kindralyn Lott
[email protected]
Council Delegate
VACANT
Volunteer Today!!
Environmental
VACANT
Volunteer Today!!
Legislative Action
VACANT
Volunteer Today!!
Newsletter
Katrina Swallow
[email protected]
Parent Education
Tracy Glick
[email protected]
Publicity Representative
Abbey Douglas
[email protected]
6th Grade Room Rep
Laura Ballard
[email protected]
7 Grade Room Rep
Norma Hanrahan
[email protected]
8th Grade Room Rep
VACANT
Volunteer Today!!
Student Directory
Michele Tyler
[email protected]
Teacher Appreciation/Hospitality
Amy Bacon
[email protected]
Volunteer Coordinator
Tina Luttrull
[email protected]
Website Administrator
Lesa Williams
[email protected]
Principal
Holly Frantz
[email protected]
th
Sub-Committee/Event Chairs
8th Grade Dance
Jennifer Parker
[email protected]
Book Fair
Christy Motes
[email protected]
Career Speakers
Marylee Lajoie
[email protected]
Dance Concessions
Tracy Cerny
[email protected]
School Supplies
Sarah Ali
[email protected]
Snack Attack
Jennifer McKelvey
[email protected]
Page 5 of 8
Austin Advisor
Room Representatives
6th Grade – Laura Ballard, [email protected]
Welcome back Eagles!! 6th grader Eagles have hatched out of their shells,
spread their wings and have learned how to navigate the halls of AAE in their
first semester! We had our first field trip to the 6th Floor Museum, Holocaust
Museum and the Old Red Museum. Other tourists stopped me as a chaperone
to comment on how amazing our kids were behaving!! Kudos parents! They
had a great time and were so intrigued we were having to pull them away from
the exhibits to keep on time.
Just a few reminders to you all on ways to stay plugged in:
1) GISD's Austin Academy website http://www.garlandisdschools.net/page.cfm?p=518
2) Follow @AA_Eagles on Twitter
3) For Atwell and Montague students: Follow @AustinScience6 on
Twitter
4) Join PTA and provide your email address for email updates from me!
5) PTA's "Austin Academy (AAE) PTA" Facebook Group page
6) "Austin Academy for Excellence GISD incoming 6th grade class of
2021" Facebook Group.
7) Austin Academy Moms Facebook Group
Any other method of staying connected that you know of?? Let us know!!
Questions? Feel free to email me and I will get you answers!
Christy Motes –
[email protected]
The Austin Academy Book
Fair is almost here! Books
can be purchased
beginning January 20th.
Volunteers are needed for
crowd-control and checkout during the day when
classes come in to shop,
as well as the evening of
Jan 27 for the Honor Roll
Reception. 1 to 3
volunteers are needed for
each shift, and shifts vary
by day to accommodate
the classes coming to visit.
Please contact me to set
up your volunteer time!
Christy Motes
972-896-3195
Have a great 2nd half of your 6th Grade year!!
Laura Ballard
(214)596-8879
AAE Student
Council
Student Council meets on the
2nd and 4th Fridays of each
month after school in Room
21.
Student Council is continuing
to collect Box Tops to raise
money for our school. Last
semester we raised over
$600!
STAAR TESTING
DATES
March 30 – 7th Writing
March 31 – 7th Writing,
8th Reading
April 20 – 8th Math
April 21 – 6th Math, 7th
Math, 8th Social
Studies
April 22 – 6th Reading,
7th Reading, 8th
Science
May 6 – Algebra EOC
Who Rocks the
House??
EAGLE
CHEERLEADERS!
Tryouts for 20152016 7th and 8th
grade Eagle Cheer
will take place
Sat, March 21st at
Austin Academy.
For more info,
contact Ms.
Houston (8th grade
Science/Cheer
Sponsor).
ON STAGE!!
Congratulations to
the cast and crew of
Thoroughly Modern
Millie Jr for receiving
top marks at the GISD
Middle School
Theatre Festival. AAE
received a Division 1
score overall.
Individual awards
went to Aanchal
Malik, who was
named to the All Star
Crew for the district,
and Kennedy
Waterman and Avery
Trevino were named
to the All Star Cast for
the district.
Austin Academy
Spring Play
A Midsummer
Night’s Dream
Come support the
Austin Academy
Theatre students in
their performance of A
Midsummer Night’s
Dream at the Plaza
Theatre in the
Downtown Garland
Square. Tickets will be
sold at the door and
are $7 for adults, $6 for
students.
Thursday February 26th
at 7:00pm
Friday February 27th at
7:00pm
Saturday February 28th
at 2:00pm
Austin Advisor
Page 6 of 8
Got Science??
Eagles soared at Winston Science and at Brandenburg’s Forensic
Competition this year!!
Winston Science 2014 Winners
2nd Place Botanical Illustration – Alex Fontenarosa
3rd Place Luminosity of Light – Trent Clem
2nd Place Functional Art – Aubrey Frazier
st
1 Place Camera Obscura – Devon Everston
2nd Place High and Low – Nicole Olivarez and Praise Matthew
3rd Place High and Low – Kylie Lavinsky and Molly Parker
st
1 Place Rapunzel – Aniya Showers, Danielle Cerny, and Gracie Motes
2nd Place Rapunzel – Christopher Vo, Khalil Davis, and Chinh
rd
3 Place Rapunzel (tie) – Sheriden French and Mykaela Cozby AND Claire
Haney and Emily Wange
1st Place What’s Next – Taylor Dodd, Emma Winiger, Felice Johnson, and Julia
de la Rosa
1st Plave Did You Just Laugh? – Alexys Aquino, Sara Hanna, John Bayonne,
and Lucas Dejewski
1st Place Loud and Proud – Camden Gonzales
3rd Place Loud and Proud – Felix Cherian
st
1 Place Pink Fairy Armadillo – Max Lavinsky and Kameron James
1st Place Two for One – Gideon Ethridge, Bryan Robinson, and Andy Ly
3rd Place Catapult Scramble – Sarah Cox
st
1 Place Petronius – Sarah Oliverez, Makaila Santos, Beau Beshires, and Tanner
Sanderson
2nd Place Petronius – Dylan D, Charles A, and Angel G
3rd Place Petronius – Lexi Nitishin and Kelsey Quintana
Brandenburg Forensics Competition Winners
2nd place solo – Quinn Eldridge
3rd Place solo – Sarah Garner
Honorable Mention solo – Laryn Hollingsworth
1st place team – Reem Khoncarly & Jacqueline Manessier
Honorable Mention team – Jannette Ayala & Zaida McNaughton
Congrats also to the members of the AAE Robotics and
Math/Science Teams for their successes at the fall meets!
Honor Roll
Receptions
January 27, 2015
6th Grade – 6:006:30pm
th th
7 /8 Grades – 7:007:30pm
The Austin Academy Jazz Ensemble
recently performed for the Jazz Education
Network conference in San Diego,
California. What an awesome way to
represent Austin Academy, and Garland
ISD! Way to Go Austin Jazz!!
Page 7 of 8
Austin Advisor
Orchestra All Region results
Once again, the Austin Academy Orchestra students have shown their talents and proven how great they are. Results
from this year's All Region competition are outstanding! 18 students and 3 alternates were chosen this year – more than
any other middle school in the region, more than all Richardson ISD schools combined, and more than all Mesquite ISD
schools combined!! 7 of these students are 7th graders! Please congratulate the following Eagles:
Violin:
Viola:
Cello:
Bass:
Zachary Nguyen
Dylan DeSosa
Isaac Yu
Dylan Mansfield
Ada Icduygu
Lizette Mendez
Jacqueline Manessier
Linh Trinh
Khoa Pham
Gideon Ethridge
Sheridan French
Lauren Jones
Nicholas Jones
Devon Everston (alt)
Harp:
Courtland Wesley
Eugene Lee
Aubrey Frazior (1st chair)
Timothy Thomas
Quinn Eldridge (alt)
Rachel Peacock
Julia de la Rosa (alt)
Choir Solo and Ensemble results
Austin Academy Choir sent 92 students to the GISD Middle School Solo and Ensemble Contest on October 25th, 2014, in
addition to hosting the event - open to over 760 GISD students. 91 soloists received a First Division rating, one soloist
received a Second Division rating, and two ensembles from A Cappella Choir received a First Division rating. Of the 92
soloists, eighteen were Outstanding Soloist Nominees, and one ensemble was selected as an Outstanding Ensemble
Nominee. Of the twenty Outstanding Soloists Winners selected contest-wide, nine were Austin students, by far more than
any other school. We are so proud of these singers!
Austin Band sets records at All District competition
This year our band set an all-time high record by having 49 students selected to participate in the Garland All-District
Band with 9 of those students earning first chair honors. This is the largest number of students from any school in the
district. Each band member will now have the privilege of wearing gold cords on their uniform to recognize their
accomplishment. Way to go, Eagle Band members!
Flute:
Oboe:
Clarinet:
Alto Sax:
st
Amber Miranda (H-1 chair) Alicia Sebastian (H)
Alina Tran (H)
Mark Manickath (H)
Celeste Riveros (H)
Ra’iye Mathewos (S)
Payton Clem (H)
Collin Schlosser (H)
Francesca Alovera (H)
Viviana Valles (H)
Bryan Rein Montero(H)
Bassoon:
Lizzie Greco (H)
Tenor Sax:
Airy Hernandez (S)
Dominic Bechler (H)
Ryan Gavino (H)
Brennan Youngblood (H)
Michelle Mendoza (S)
Matthew Assis (S)
Lucas Dejewski (S-1st chair) Miguel Guzman (S-1st chair)
Rebecca Velasquez (S)
Trumpet:
Bass Clarinet:
Annie Hilbun (S)
Bari Sax:
st
Jennifer Andrews (H)
Elizabeth Finley (S-1 chair)
Jared Barton (H-1st chair)
Savannah McNeil (H)
Trombone:
Keaton McGill (H)
French Horn:
Andy Ly (H)
st
Braden Jones (H)
John Lechner (H-1 chair)
Jason Hoang (H)
Jack Lenhard (S)
Norman Chung (H)
Payton Blankenship (S-1st chair)
David Galvez (S)
Carly Johnson (S)
Sahatsawat Sisomphane (S)
Jesus Ruiz (S)
Percussion:
Tuba:
Aaron Goins (H)
John Hunt (H)
Euphonium:
Cayden Schlatholt (H)
Max Lavinsky (H)
Brodie Barnes (H-1st chair)
Tanner Sanderson (H)
Rileigh McCullough (S)
Marissa Singletary (S)
st
Sabian Carthen (S-1 chair) Miguel Velasco Davila (S)
Jackson Forester (S)
Austin Advisor
Page 8 of 8
SAVE THE DATE
Class of 2015 8th Grade Dance!
The Austin 8th Grade Dance will be held at the Granville Performing Arts Center. There are a few
guidelines that all students and parents need to be familiar with as we prepare for this much
anticipated event.
• Date—May 9, 2015 — 7:00pm—9:30PM
• 8th Grade Austin Students only
• Attire — “Sunday Best” Dressy, but not formal (no shorts, jeans or t-shirts) Girls typically
wear a dress and boys typically wear dress pants or khaki pants with a dress shirt. Most boys
wear a tie
Since this event is a self-funded event, we would like for everyone to be looking for fundraisers
to support the 8th grade dance which will be happening soon. First on the list is an 8th Grade Tshirt sale. Other items will be coming out in the near future. Students will be voting on a theme
soon. As soon as the theme has been decided upon, then the fundraising can begin. Be on the
lookout for the student vote, t-shirts, Stars and tickets we will be selling to fund this exciting
event.
Organizational meetings are beginning January 20th at 6:30 in the Austin Academy Library. If
you would like to be a part of the 8th grade dance committee and be on the email distribution
list, please complete the 8th Grade Dance Volunteer form online: http://goo.gl/forms/MHl5AX8fBv
It’s not too late to be a part of all the excitement!
Jennifer Parker
8th Grade Party Chair
[email protected]
January 2015
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
1
4
5
6
th
4 Grading Cycle
Begins
7
th
7 BB vs. Bussey
8
th
8 BB vs. Bussey
PTA Reflections
Reception
Sat
2
3
9
10
Band – All
Region Clinic
BB Tourney
Band – All
Region Clinic
VEX Robotics
11
12
th
7 BB vs. Sellers
PTA Board Mtg
13
14
15
th
8 BB vs. Sellers
16
Band – All District
Choir Skate Party
17
BB Tourney
VEX Robotics
Band – All District
18
19
Martin Luther
King Jr Day
NO SCHOOL
20
th
8 Grade Party
planning meeting
21
22
23
24
Choir – All
Region Auditions
Orch –
Solo/Ensemble
Math/Science
Meet
25
26
BOOK FAIR
BOOK FAIR
27
BOOK FAIR
Honor Roll
Reception
BOOK FAIR
28
BOOK FAIR
29
BOOK FAIR
BOOK FAIR
30
BOOK FAIR
31
Math/Science
Meet
VEX Robotics
February 2015
Sun
Mon
Tue
1
2
Wed
3
Thu
4
PTA Board Mtg
8
22
5
8 Gr Track @
NFHS
9
10
11
Choir – All
Region
Rehearsal
15
th
Fri
16
23
th
5 Grading Cycle
Begins
Band skating
party
Orch – Concert
@ GHS
(Phil/Honors)
PTA Mtg @ GHS
6:45pm
17
Spring Pictures
24
th
Choir – 6 Grade
Festival
Band Field Trip
th
Sat
6
Choir Party
12
7 Gr Track @
NFHS
7
Math/Science
Meet
13
Snack Attack
14
Math/Science
Meet
18
19
20
21
Band Solo/Ensemble
Math/Science
Qualifier
VEX Robotics
25
Early Dismissal
26
Midsummer
Night’s Dream @
Plaza Theater
th
7 Gr Track @
Williams
27
Midsummer
Night’s Dream @
Plaza Theater
28
Midsummer
Night’s Dream @
Plaza Theater
Math/Science
Qualifier
Choir – All
Region Concert
Choir –
Sightreading
th
8 Gr Track @
Williams
March 2015
Sun
Mon
1
2
PTA Board Mtg
8
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
3
Band Concert @
GHS
4
Orch – UIL
Contest @ LHFC
(Phil/Honors)
5
Orch – UIL
Contest @ LHFC
(Phil/Honors)
Track Qual Meet
1 @ Williams
6
Band – UIL Clinic
10
11
NO SCHOOL
9
SPRING
BREAK
16
Choir – UIL Clinic
17
Choir – UIL Clinic
Fine Arts Preview
18
22
23
Choir – Concert
@ CCC
PTA Mtg @ CCC
6:45pm
24
Choir – UIL
Contest @ LCHS
25
Choir – UIL
Contest @ LCHS
29
30
STAAR
Band – Honors
Clinic
31
STAAR
Track City Meet
(Field events) @
Williams
15
12
Sat
7
Math/Science
Qualifier
13
14
SPRING
BREAK
19
Track Qual Meet
2 @ RHS
20
Orch – Spring
Concert (Beg/Int)
26
Band – Pre UIL
@ GHS
Track Qual (City)
@ Williams
27
Band – Pre UIL
@ GHS
28
GISD MS
Speech & Debate
Tournament
GISD District
Pentathlon Meet
Thu
Fri
Sat
21
TCU Jazz
Festival
April 2015
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
1
2
Track City Meet
(Run events) @
Williams
5
6
7
8
13
14
19
20
STAAR
th
6 Grading Cycle
Begins
Band – Beg.
Rehearsal
21
STAAR
Pizza Snack
Attack @ Report
Card pickup
27
NO SCHOOL
(Weather Day)
28
26
9
Band – UIL
Contest @ GHS
PTA Board Mtg
Band – Beg.
Rehersal
12
3
4
NO SCHOOL
10
Band – UIL
Contest @ GHS
Choir Party
11
Math/Science
State Meet
15
16
17
18
22
23
Band – Sandy
Lake (Beginning)
24
25
Band to Six Flags
Choir to Six Flags
Regional
Pentathlon Meet
29
30
STAAR
Band – Beg.
Rehersal