Welcome back to Austin ISD News Briefs! Here’s this week’s highlights. 

The district reaches zero overdue special education evaluations. This turnaround was driven by a shift to employment-based staffing and proactive scheduling, with plans to maintain this compliance through ongoing workload audits and collaboration with the TEA.

Additionally, Wooten Elementary School celebrated its Grand Opening. Funded by the 2022 Bond, the renovated campus now features:

• State-of-the-art early childhood classrooms
• New collaboration zones
• A modernized library

Student Opportunities and Arts

The African American Heritage Committee has extended the deadline for its Spoken Word Poetry Contest.

• All Austin ISD students in grades 3 through 12 may submit an entry.
• Deadline: Entries must be submitted by February 6 at 5:00 PM.
• Recognition: Winners will be honored on February 27, 2026, at the Austin ISD Performing Arts Center.

Calendar Events and Education

Texas public schools are observing Holocaust Remembrance Week from January 26th through the 30th. This initiative aims to educate students on the Holocaust and other genocides to combat hatred and prevent future atrocities.

For families of Gifted & Talented (GT) or Talent Explore students, the district is hosting virtual information sessions on the following dates:

• January 28: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
• January 29: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM. Links for these online sessions are available on the Austin ISD Calendar page

Find all this information and more updates on the Austin ISD website.