Good morning Doss Families - 

April kicks off the beginning of many things, registration for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year, STAAR testing season, and spring. 

• All students MUST re-enroll every year, HERE is a step by step Doss Enroll Austin guide. 

• Families of 3rd - 5th grade students, please note these STAAR testing dates.

  • STAAR Reading 

    • April 8 - 3rd gr, April 9 - 4th gr, April 10 - 5th gr

  • STAAR Science 

    • April 15 - 5th grade only

  • STAAR Math 

    • April 22 - 3rd gr, April 23 - 5th gr, April 24 - 4th gr

COURAGE is the SEL Character Trait for April. Courage is choosing what is helpful, right, and kind even when it is hard or scary. Last month’s character word was COOPERATION and our Doss community is the exemplar of cooperation as seen by the amazing partnership between our PTA and our school. Daily we are all working together toward the shared goal of doing what’s best for our children and I couldn’t be more proud. HERE is the cooperation video we shared during our Friday assembly last week.

Please join us in supporting our Doss Best Buddies program by eating at 5280 Burger Bar this Thursday, April 3rd from 4-8pm. The Doss Best Buddies program is a campus based organization with the mission of creating opportunities for friendships, leadership development, inclusive support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We host monthly events for students and their buddies and this fundraiser’s goal is to bring our community together while raising funds to support these monthly events. 

Murchison Middle School is excited to invite the Anderson vertical team families to MatFest 2025! Our carnival festival is the perfect way to kick off spring! Mat Fest is April 4th, from 5:30-8:00. Details about the game booths, food options, and ticket/wristband pricing can be found using this link. https://murchisonmatadors.square.site/matfest.

April is National Autism Acceptance Month - staff and families are invited to attend a three-part learning series. 

Join Doss Licensed Mental Health Professional Nada Dorman on 8am on Friday Mornings in the Doss Community Room for the month of April for a Parent Book Club. The Anxious Generation can be purchased at local bookstores across Austin and online. The goal is to read and discuss a few chapters each week during April in preparation for the Summer break. Bring coffee and come as you are and be ready to discuss, learn, share with fellow parents and caretakers. Email nada.dorman@austinisd.org to sign up. 
 

A reminder that students will not attend classes on March 31, 2025 for the observance of  Eid-al-Fitr and Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta Day.

Eid al-Fitr is a three day holiday that ends the Islamic month of Ramadan and is one of Islam’s two major religious holidays. Eid al-Fitr means "Festival of breaking fast." Families who observe Eid al-Fitr will celebrate with family and food after the end of a long fast, engaging in prayer and other traditions. If you would like to learn more about this important holiday, please review these resources:

• Eid al-Fitr- This short video from PBS Learning Media provides an explanation and overview of this holiday. This resource also includes short readings about Eid al-Fitr and how it is celebrated.

• Eid ul-Fitr- BBC Teach offers a collection of resources for use with students in grades K-12.

• Learning about Eid al-Fitr- NYC Public Schools shares a collection of resources and visuals about this holiday.

In 2014 President Obama announced March 31 as Cesar Chavez Day. Although this day is not a formal federal holiday, many cities across the nation, such as Phoenix and Los Angeles treat it as such. In 2019, Fort Worth ISD became the first district in Texas to honor Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta with a school holiday. Austin ISD similarly followed suit, providing students with opportunities to engage in learning and a day of action.

If you would like to learn more about this important holiday, please review these resources:

• 5 Ways to Build Character and Skill- This resource from PBS Kids provides families with interactive ways to reflect and learn about Cesar Chavez and his legacy.

• March 31: Cesar Chavez Day- This resource from Colorin Colorado provides books and resources related to migrant farm workers and Cesar Chavez.

• Dolores Huerta and the United Farmworkers Movement- This resource from TeachRock provides a variety of visual resources as well as reading activities.

Have a wonderful week - 

Principal Sheridan