Greetings, Brentwood families!
What a crazy way to get back to school these past few weeks... First, a short week back, then a long 3-day MLK weekend, wildly cold weather, and not one, but two late-start days—and we survived!
Now that we’re getting back into the swing of things—thank goodness for routine—we can take a minute to notice those at Brentwood who truly go above and beyond. AISD's annual event, Salute, is held each spring and recognizes some of the district’s very best campus-based team members for all that they do for our students, day in and day out. Now is the time to nominate our beloved Brentwood personnel. In fact, nominations can be submitted by anyone: all Austin ISD staff, students, families, and community members. Please take a look at the team member categories below; be the first to nominate one or more of Brentwood’s incredible staff to honor their tireless dedication to our students.
- Campus Clerical Staff
- Counselor
- Librarian
- Teaching Assistant
- Assistant Principal
- Principal
- Custodial
- Bus Driver
- Food Service
Nominations, which close on February 9, can be submitted using this form. Winners will be celebrated at this special event on May 8.
Kids' Lit Super Stars
Award-winning children’s literature celebrities, author Lisa Yee and illustrator Dan Santat, are coming to the Brentwood Library on February 1! They will be sharing the first book in their new series, The Misfits: A Royal Conundrum, with 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. Signed books are available at BookPeople. Sales don't end until February 8, however, books must be purchased by January 30 to ensure they can be signed. Many thanks to BookPeople for helping to bring this amazing author/illustrator team to Brentwood!
Up and Coming Actors
Our very own neighborhood fine arts academy, Lamar Middle School, is presenting High School Musical Jr., which will be performed February 1-3 at McCallum High School. Click here for tickets.
Fun With Words
Brentwood’s annual Poetry Café will take place February 12-23. The library is transformed into a cozy coffee shop, where students in Pre-K through 4th grade have a chance to show off their poetry writing and performance skills. Families and caregivers are welcome to join in and bring a favorite poem to share. Of course, it’s not a café without coffee, so complimentary java will be served.
Look for the detailed class schedule to be shared in upcoming communications. Please make sure to allow plenty of time to park and check in at the office, so you don’t miss your student's performance or disturb the readings. We hope to see you there!
Second Chance Stories
It's time to tidy up your bookshelves and donate your gently used children's books, puzzles, and games to Brentwood Elementary's Used Book Sale, being held the week of March 4-8. All proceeds will go toward the purchase of new books and materials for the library.
Please drop off your items in the donation bins in the community room (just inside the school entrance on Yates) by Friday, March 1. Need someone to fetch your goodies? Email Meagan Sykes at meagan@moderndigs.com to schedule a pick-up.
Science Fair Success
Congratulations to the 75 participants in this year's Science Fair! It was amazing to see all the hard work our young Brentwood scientists put into their projects.
Of these, a total of 14 are advancing to the Greater Austin Regional Science Fair on Feb 24: (3rd grade) Jonas Allen, Lisa Lickteig; (4th grade) Vince Fall, Celeste Puckett, Will Zehr, Freddie Lewis, Maya Welsh; (5th grade) Isobel Hopper, Yusuf Khan, Charlie Nichols, Owen and Vincent Merritt, Aida Bollich, Fisher Cook, Saige Gavin.
The event was possible through the hard work of many volunteers and parents from our Brentwood and neighborhood community. We had retired professors, physicians, scientists, writers, and other professionals who volunteered their time to review the projects, interview participants, and support an interest in science for our Bulldogs. A big thank you also goes out to Galaxy Cafe for providing breakfast and lunch to our judges.
Top 8 Ways to Support Our Favorite School
1. Register for the 2024-2025 school year.
2. Assist teachers with grant writing to obtain valuable supplies and resources for their classrooms.
3. Be a volunteer at school (and be your child's hero!).
4. RAVE your favorite teachers.
5. Check special area teachers' and staff’s wishlists.
6. Bring snacks and drinks to brighten the staff's day.
7. Join the PTA!
8. Donate your spare change to the Bulldog Fund.
Sustenance for All
As part of the campus-wide initiative for Poverty Awareness Month, Brentwood's Food Drive will continue through January 31 in support of Caritas of Austin. So, as you clean out your pantry to start the new year, send some donations in with your student. A tangible, teachable moment AND much-needed solace in someone’s life!
Notable Dates Ahead
January 31: 100th Day of school
February 1: Author/Illustrator Visit
February 9: Student Holiday/Spring Parent Conferences
February 12-21: Poetry Café
February 14: Valentine’s Day
February 16: New/Incoming Family Campus Tour
February 19: Student Holiday
February 20: Poetry Café
Remember to subscribe to our Brentwood Elementary Google Calendar to stay up-to-date on upcoming school events, holidays, and PTA activities.
Thank you, Sponsors!
The Brentwood PTA would like to give a shout-out to Sherwood Pediatric Dentistry. We are grateful for your sponsorship. Thank you for the steadfast support!
Other terrific Bulldog sponsors include…
What IS the Bulldog Fund, You Ask?
Brentwood PTA runs an annual, one-time per year, no-hassle fundraiser we call The Bulldog Fund. The donations collected from the Bulldog Fund are used for essential programming like literacy and math software, library books, music, and art. Donate HERE!
Just Tell Us
Have a program, event, or volunteer need that you want published in the Bulldog Bark, PTA website, or social channels? Email communications@brentwoodpta.com.