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Norton's Notes, Paul Norton, Lake Travis ISD Superintendent of Schools

September 13, 2024

Serene Hills Elementary School Voted as Winner in the 2024 Austin Community’s Choice Awards

  • Congratulations to Serene Hills Elementary School for being selected as Winner of the Kids & Education/Public School category in the 2024 Austin Community's Choice Awards. 
  • The awards program starts with public nominations, and from the top five nominees in each category, the voting round selects the Finalists and Winners.
  • Finalists and Winners were chosen by the community as the best companies and organizations in the area.
  • Congratulations to the staff, students, and families of the Serene Hills Elementary School community!
  • For more information, visit the Austin Community’s Choice Awards website.

Official community's choice awards austin logo

LTHS Celebrates School-record 14 Semifinalists Under the National Merit Scholarship Program

  • Lake Travis High School principal Debbie Garinger is pleased to announce that 14 students have been recognized as Semifinalists by the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program.
  • These students entered the program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) as high school juniors.
  • According to the National Merit Scholarship Program, these students show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. 
  • We look forward to recognizing these students at the October 16 school board meeting.

LTHS naitonal merit scholarship semifinalists group photo

LTHS Breathe Initiative Student Club Stresses Importance of Suicide Prevention Day

  • Students with the Lake Travis High School Breathe Initiative club paid me a surprise visit on Tuesday, September 10 to commemorate World Suicide Prevention Day.

  • The purpose of this day is to raise awareness around the globe that suicide can be prevented.

  • The LTHS Breathe Initiative partnered with Shipley Do-Nuts in Bee Cave to design a speciality doughnut in the shape of a ribbon.

  • I applaud these students and their peers for their work and influence on "Changing the Narrative on Suicide.”

students and admin staff group picture.

Residents Age 65+ Invited to Join Senior Gold Card Program

  • Lake Travis ISD residents who are 65 years of age and older are invited to join our Senior Gold Card program and enjoy free access to district-hosted fine arts and regular season athletic events.
  • It’s our way of saying "thank you" for supporting our schools.
  • Earlier this week, we had two sets of grandparents and a great-grandparent of a student who each picked up a Senior Gold Card!
  • You too can get in on the action; share the application to your family today: https://tinyurl.com/362umput.

senior gold card members group photo

District Welcomes 60+ New Substitutes

  • On September 12, the LTISD Human Resources Department welcomed approximately 65 new substitutes to the LT family as part of our Substitute U, better known as Sub U—a full-day orientation specifically designed to prepare substitute teachers for the classroom.
  • Interested in becoming a sub? Visit www.ltisdschools.org/departments/human-resources/substitutes.

LTISD substitutes at Sub U training

Police Chief Reminds Parents of Safe Gun Storage

  • Texas law requires school districts to distribute information to parents and guardians about the safe storage of firearms.
  • In 2021, 4,613 Texans experienced gun-related deaths.
  • The Texas Department of State Health Services reports that 55% of Texas firearms deaths in 2020 were suicides, and 59% of all suicides in Texas were by firearms.
  • Restricting access to guns is critical in reducing acts of violence, whether as self-harm or towards others.
  • Learn more about safe gun storage, including how you can obtain a free gun lock, in a letter sent to parents on September 12 by Lake Travis ISD Police Chief Andy Michael. 

LT Special Education to Host Family Engagement Nights

  • Join the LTISD Special Services team at one of our 2024-2025 Family Engagement Nights.
  • Connect with our staff, learn about the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) process, and dive into valuable topics like fostering student independence, dyslexia support, positive behavior strategies, and more.
  • The first of three Family Engagement Night will be held from 5:00 to 7:30 pm, Thursday, September 26 at Serene Hills Elementary School
  • This event is open to all parents across all grade levels.
  • Let’s work together to support your child's success!

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