It’s the first week of school in the Lake Travis area, so parents, students and teachers are getting back into the swing of things like early mornings, homework and, of course — traffic. The snack-packed, Under Armour-clad, manicured, sun-kissed and savvy leaders of tomorrow are ready to see their buddies and hit the books (and the cafeterias, playgrounds, gyms, fields). In the spirit of back-to-school season, here are our cheers & jeers:
Cheers: The new state-of-the-art Lake Travis Middle School located in Spicewood, TX, opened its doors to about 1,100 students this year!
Jeers: Some Austin schools are suffering a shortage of 50 crossing guard posts this year. The city is asking school districts for help to fill its quota of 230 guards.
Cheers: Leander ISD named its two new schools this summer. The new high school expected to open in fall 2016 will be called Tom Glenn High School and the new elementary school that will open next fall will be called Christine Camacho Elementary.
Jeers: Back-to-school traffic on 2222, FM 620, 71, Southwest Parkway, every street in the city, etc.
Cheers: IBC Bank in Bee Cave donated $1,000 to Lake Travis Special Education Department this summer in honor of the bank’s grand opening.
Jeers: Back-to-school traffic on 2222, FM 620, 71, Southwest Parkway, every street in the city, etc.
Cheers: New zoning for Lake Travis elementary schools and middle schools means our kiddos get to see a lot of new faces and reunite with old friends. The best of both worlds!
Jeers: Remembering to pack healthy snacks, send healthy lunches and/or send lunch money. No more texting while grocery shopping. This is a serious task now or by Friday you’ll end up packing a stick of butter as a snack.
Cheers: The Lake Travis Education Foundation reported that their annual employee giving campaign resulted in 48% of the LTISD staff becoming Friends of the Foundation and they have pledged monthly gifts or made one-time gifts totaling $18,782. Way to go, LTISD staff!
Jeers: Figuring out drop-off and pick-up traffic patterns at the elementary and middle schools. Grrr.
Cheers: Leander ISD announced that 638 high school students earned 684 Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar Awards in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the 2014 AP Exams reflecting a 14 percent increase from the previous year.
Jeers: Sports practice and homework. Is there a magical equation to get both done by bedtime? Answer: No.
Have a cheers or jeers about back-to-school? Let us know!
