Dear Lake Travis ISD Staff, Parents and Guardians,

As a reminder, and in accordance with our board approved 2019-2020 instructional calendar, Friday, April 10 will be observed as a districtwide holiday. Online instruction, meal distribution and other essential services will resume as scheduled on Monday, April 13.

Food and Nutrition Services staff will provide Friday’s breakfast and lunch during Thursday’s meal distribution. For more information on meal service during the school closure, visit our Food and Nutrition Services Department at www.ltisdschools.org/fans.

We wish you and your family a safe and relaxing three-day weekend.

Sincerely,

Marco Alvarado
Director of Communications

April 3, 2020

Dear Lake Travis ISD Parents and Guardians,

As we continue to add opportunities to our LTISD Online Learning platform, students in grades K-12 can access elective courses in Schoology beginning Monday, April 6. These offerings include art, music, PE, foreign language, Career and Technical Education and other electives.

Please be reminded that courses and other instructional content may only be accessed when students are logged into their respective accounts in Schoology. In other words, students cannot access content using parent login credentials. 

We look forward to providing these elective courses for our students. Questions or concerns should be directed to your child’s teacher via email. We appreciate your patience with and support of our online learning platform.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Deterra
Assistant Superintendent for Learning & Teaching Services

March 31, 2020

Dear Lake Travis ISD Staff, Parents and Guardians,

In a continued effort to help reduce the spread of Coronavirus in Texas, Governor Greg Abbott has ordered the continued closure of all public and private school buildings until Monday, May 4.

While LTISD buildings and facilities will remain closed, we will continue to engage our students through our online learning platform. We will also continue to provide essential operations as needed including mobile meals, cleaning and custodial services, and other critical functions. Additionally, the governor’s order results in the cancellation of all district and school events scheduled through Monday, May 4.  

The continued closure leads one to question if we will be able to return to our school buildings this year. Many are asking if there will be some type of modified graduation event. At the moment, we simply do not know what will happen after May 4. I ask for your continued patience, flexibility and support during this time. Please know I will keep you updated with any developments. In the interim, I wish you and your family much health during this time. 

Sincerely,

Brad Lancaster, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

As of March 26, the US Department of Agriculture now allows school districts to serve meals to a parent or guardian without his/her children having to be present in the vehicle. However, there are guidelines parents and guardians must follow. 

Guided by the USDA, the Texas Department of Agriculture requires the parent or guardian to present validation of their children with any one (1) of the following options:

1. Official letter/email/electronic school application from the school listing the indiviudal child's current enrollment
2. Report card for each individual child
3. Attendance record from parent portal of the school website, printed or electronic, for each individual child
4. School ID of each individual child

March 25, 2020

Dear Lake Travis ISD Staff, Parents and Guardians,

Based on the shelter-in-place order issued by Travis County officials Tuesday, March 24, and in a continued effort to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus in the greater Austin community, I will be extending the closure of all schools, facilities and activities through midnight, Monday April 13.

Please note, according to the order, educational entities such as Lake Travis ISD may continue providing essential services as needed during the shelter-in-place, including mobile meals and other critical functions. We will continue to make every effort possible to assist our families during this unusual time.

As a reminder, we are on schedule to launch our LTISD Online Learning Thursday, March 26. We are excited to introduce a new era of learning and the opportunities ahead for our teachers, students and families.

I ask for your continued patience, flexibility and support during the next couple of weeks. Please know I will keep you updated with any developments. In the interim, I wish you and your family much health during this time. 

Sincerely,

Brad Lancaster, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

March 24, 2020

Dear Lake Travis ISD Parents and Guardians, 

Through this communication, LTISD Learning & Teaching Services hopes to give you the tools and guidance necessary to ensure that profound learning experiences take place as we begin LTISD Online Learning on Thursday, March 26. We also want to assure you LTISD understands the circumstances many of our families are going through right now, including the fact many of our students may be responsible for watching their younger siblings. We pledge to be flexible and work with our families to ensure the exceptional education we are known for still takes place during this time.  We encourage you to keep in touch with your child(ren)’s educator(s) throughout our Online Learning process to let them know how learning is happening in your home. Here is some information about Online Learning our families should know:

What is LTISD Online Learning? 
LTISD Online Learning is an educational learning experience in which there is a physical separation of educators and learners during instruction. These learning experiences include the facilitation of educator to learner, as well as learner to learner communication opportunities. 

What does Online Learning mean for my child?
This means your child will be working through daily learning experience in order to support all areas of their learning. Educators will design the experiences using online resources. Schoology is the district adopted learning management platform which integrates with state-adopted online textbooks.

What will be taught during LTISD Online Learning?
We are working to ensure consistency within instruction across the district and adhering to our Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). We will be continuing with our 2019-2020 scope and sequence of coursework; however, the delivery will now be virtual. We will be prioritizing core classes (Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies) initially, and will begin incorporating electives into the weekly online learning experiences.   

What if my learner receives specialized services through Special Education, 504, Dyslexia, English Language Learner, Dual Language or Gifted and Talented?
We are working to ensure access to instruction for learners with a variety of needs. We are continuing to take guidance from the state and federal government in meeting these needs. While the main instruction will be guided by the general education teacher, specialized services and support will be provided to each learner based on their individual needs. Along with instructional activities, we are designing ways to continue to provide therapies in Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) such as speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy, social skills, behavior consultation, parent training, and counseling as a related service. Each individual program will work in collaboration with educators and families to be sure that learning plans meet the needs of our learners in light of the current circumstances. 

Course Assessments and Grading
These circumstances will require a modification in how assessments (including daily assignments, homework, quizzes, and tests) are designed and delivered. The type of assignments, the number of assignments, as well as the number of quizzes/tests and how they are delivered and assessed will necessarily be reduced to limit the amount of time required for students to prepare for and complete. We are striving to ensure a healthy balance of 1.) online and offline learning experiences, 2.) physical activities and mindfulness brain breaks, and 3.) academic and social-emotional needs of your child.

Online Learning Considerations

• Accessibility - It will be important for you to assist as needed logging into your devices and ensuring your child is accessing the learning provided. Younger learners may need more support with logging into and navigating through the various applications for learning as they get started. 
• Monitoring and Discussing the Learning - It will be important for you to monitor your child’s learning as well as monitor them when they are using their devices. 
• Reading Communication from Educators and Reaching Out - It will be very important for you and your child to be knowledgeable of the communication happening with emails to parents as well as daily messages or agenda items for learners within their schedules. We are asking that you please reach out to your educator if you are having issues with accessing the learning experiences as well as to submit a LTISD Helpdesk Ticket if you are having issues with your device or wireless access.  

Schoology How To’s and Access, Log-in, Navigation to Online Resources
To ensure we have given all of our families and learners the time to get acclimated with this new type of online learning, we encourage you to review the help resources to access the learning management system Schoology, as well as the online resources through our student learning portal necessary to help support their overall learning.  If you need assistance logging in or working with Schoology, please email Schoology@ltisdschools.org, and we will assist you as soon as possible.

• Schoology

• Parent Guides to Learning Technologies

• LTISD Student Learning Portal

For information on additional topics including wireless accessibility/free internet access, library resources, updates from the Texas Education Agency, State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®), AP® courses and testing, UT OnRamps and Austin Community College Dual Credit, visit the Online Learning section at www.ltisdschools.org/covid19.  

We ask for your patience, flexibility and support as we introduce a new era of learning and the exciting opportunities ahead for our teachers, students and families!

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Deterra
Assistant Superintendent for Learning and Teaching Services 

March 22, 2020

Dear Lake Travis ISD Staff, Parents and Guardians,

Despite this unprecedented time, it is my hope that you and your family were able to enjoy healthy and quality family time during spring break. As a reminder, we have suspended all normal school operations through Sunday, April, 5, 2020. During this time, all Lake Travis schools and facilities will be closed. The purpose of this letter is to provide you with an update regarding our efforts to deliver online learning experiences for our students during the closure.

As we continue to adjust our district operations that have been impacted by the Coronavirus, our Learning and Teaching Department has been working around the clock to ensure our teachers have the resources necessary to provide reasonable and meaningful academic instruction for more than 11,400 students in grades PK-12. On Thursday, March 26, we will launch online learning. Students and parents will be able to access online learning through Schoology, the district adopted learning management system that provides these services, as well as providing integration with other district adopted resources. We ask for your patience, support, and understanding as we introduce a new era of learning for our public schools.

Please understand that the introduction and delivery of online instruction will be a completely new and unique challenge for our teachers. You should not expect a replica of your child’s typical classroom environment or daily instructional schedule prior to the closure. Again, these are unprecedented times. I am asking everyone - students, parents, and staff - to exhibit flexibility and patience as we implement new and innovative approaches to learning and teaching.

Between Monday, March 23 and Wednesday, March 25, our teachers and support staff will finalize remote learning content and platforms. On Wednesday, March 25, parents will receive additional details and instructions for remote learning from Elizabeth Deterra, Assistant Superintendent for Learning and Teaching. As previously stated, remote learning will officially begin for students on Thursday, March 26 and will continue through at least Friday, April 3.

We recognize there will be a need for flexibility in the amount of content being delivered as well as in how students will be assessed and graded by their teachers. There are significant differences in the types of classes and in the developmental capacities of our students and in the technological capacities of our many families. We trust our teachers will navigate this new environment with great care, compassion and fairness for all students. Should you have questions regarding online instruction for your child, you are encouraged to contact your child’s teacher via email.

We understand this is a stressful and trying time for our families. I know many of you have questions regarding school events and overall plans for the remainder of the school year.  For now, we are operating on the assumption that we will resume normal school operations on Monday, April 6.

Please know the health and safety of our staff, students, and families guide our decisions. Rest assured, we will do our best to provide answers in a timely and thoughtful manner. We will continue to keep you posted of any and all developments.

Wishing you and your family much health and tranquility during this time,

Brad Lancaster, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

March 19, 2020

Dear Lake Travis ISD Staff, Parents and Guardians,

As we continue preparing for the delivery of online instruction next week, Lake Travis ISD senior staff and I will make every effort possible to assist our families in need of technical support. To that end, we have developed a Google Form for families to request such assistance.

Specifically, families who do not have home access to the Internet and/or a device to access online instruction can request such resources from our Technology and Information Systems Services Department. We ask that you complete one (1) form per child, only if needed. If you already have home access to the Internet and an alternate device of your choice, ie, desktop, laptop, tablet, smart phone, etc., you do not need to complete a form. Once we determine need, families will be notified directly regarding the date and location for device pickup.

Additionally, a number of service providers are offering free or discounted internet access for students. A list of those options are available under the ‘Technology’ section of our district’s Coronavirus website. If it is simply not feasible to access the internet from your home, please communicate with your child’s teacher to determine alternative opportunities to complete required activities.

As I have stated previously, many of you have questions about instructional content and delivery for our students. We will update you on those efforts early next week. Our goal is to begin providing online access and instruction by Thursday, March 26.  

I know this is a very difficult time for our families, in particular, for those in need and facing hardship. Should you have questions or concerns regarding internet access and technology for our students, email our LTISD HelpDesk at helpdesk@ltisdschools.org. 

Sincerely,

Brad Lancaster, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

March 30, 2020

Dear Lake Travis ISD Staff, Parents and Guardians,

As we continue navigating through these uncertain times, we must remember that we are in this together. While our schools and facilities will be closed through April 13, I want to reassure you that our district will continue to provide our students with essential services to the extent possible. One such service will be providing meals from our Food and Nutrition Department.

As of Monday, March 23, Lake Travis ISD staff are providing free meals to children 0-18 years of age. Packaged breakfast and lunch will be available for pickup together between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. at each of our three middle school campuses: 

• Bee Cave Middle School - 5400 Vail Divide, Austin, 78738
• Hudson Bend Middle School -15600 Lariat Trail, Austin, 78734 
• Lake Travis Middle School - 4932 Bee Creek Road, Spicewood, 78669 

Meals will be provided in drive-through fashion at the bus drop-off location at each middle school campus. Parents will not need to exit their vehicle.

As of March 26, the US Department of Agriculture now allows school districts to serve meals to a parent or guardian without his/her children having to be present in the vehicle. However, there are guidelines parents and guardians must follow. 

Guided by the USDA, the Texas Department of Agriculture requires the parent or guardian to present validation of their children with any one of the following options:

1. Official letter/email/electronic school application from the school listing the indiviudal child's current enrollment
2. Report card for each individual child
3. Attendance record from parent portal of the school website, printed or electronic, for each individual child
4. School ID of each individual child

Please note, hot meals will not be provided. Instead, meals will consist of packaged cereals, sandwiches, fruits, vegetables, fruit juice, milk and/or water.

I know this is a very difficult time for our families, in particular, for those in need and facing hardship. While some of you may be eager to volunteer your time and services during our meal pickup, we must keep in mind and adhere to local and state restrictions limiting public gatherings. Our outstanding food service department has this under control. We sincerely appreciate your concern and willingness to help. For more information, visit the Coronavirus section on the Lake Travis ISD website, or email foodservice@ltisdschools.org.

Sincerely,

Brad Lancaster, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

March 16, 2020

Dear Lake Travis ISD Staff, Parents and Guardians,

Upon extensive communication and consultation with Texas Education Agency representatives, area school district leaders, Lake Travis ISD senior staff and Board President Kim Flasch, and in a concerted attempt to help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus in our community, I am suspending all normal school operations for Lake Travis ISD through Sunday, April, 5, 2020. 

There are approximately 1,250 school districts and charter schools in Texas. As of Saturday, March 14, approximately 300 Texas school districts had announced closures following spring break. On Sunday, March 15, that number nearly doubled to 569 school districts. As of this morning, approximately 730 Texas school districts are now closed. I fully expect this trend to continue over the next few days as the number of confirmed cases of the Coronavirus rises.

During our closure following spring break, all Lake Travis schools and facilities will be closed for instruction and all other functions until further notice. This includes UIL academic, fine arts and athletic events; facility rentals; field trips; student and staff travel; our Child Development Center, our Extended Care after school program, and all other activities districtwide. Students and staff should not return to their campuses or work locations until notified to do so. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the avoidance of large gatherings can dramatically flatten the curve for the spread of the Coronavirus. I urge everyone in the Lake Travis ISD community to do their part and closely follow CDC guidelines. If you believe you may have been exposed to the Coronavirus, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

To our teachers and staff, I know the closure will add stress and anxiety. I want to reassure you we will get through this challenge together. Rest assured, we will continue payroll and benefits for all employees without interruption. 

Furthermore, I am aware that an unexpected school closure creates a hardship on our parents due to work, childcare, and other commitments. Please know, this difficult decision is being made in the best interest of everyone involved. Our district will continue to maintain close contact with the CDC, state and local health officials, and the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Superintendents and other district leaders in Central Texas eagerly await guidance from TEA on course credit, attendance, accountability standards, school funding and other measures to support the continued education of our students for the rest of the 2019-20 school year. I learned just this morning that Governor Abbott has cancelled all STAAR testing this spring. We are all grateful for the suspension of state testing requirements during this uncertain time.

As of noon today, our buildings will be closed for two weeks following spring break. I want our staff, students, and parents to be prepared for the possibility that this closure could last much longer. Without a doubt, these are unprecedented times and there is much to do. While our buildings will be closed and normal operations suspended, we will provide modified instruction and services to students. We will have more information for parents next week. I ask for your patience and understanding as we work in the best interest of our students and staff. We will continue to monitor this situation daily and will communicate updates as quickly as possible via email, our district website, and our social media channels. In the meantime, I want our staff, students and parents to enjoy spring break. I wish you and your family continued good health and tranquility during this time.

Sincerely,

Brad Lancaster, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools