FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
Waysiders,
It’s hard to believe that the first day of school is only a week away! The start of the new year will mean changes for many of you: some will be joining Wayside for the first time, some will be graduating to a new middle or high school.
I want to make sure each of you is ready and prepared on your first day of school. Below, you’ll find important information that will help your transition back to school be as smooth as possible. I can’t wait to see all of you back on July 31 as we kick off our best year yet!
Matt Abbott, Superintendent
What's In This Edition:
- Meet Your Principals: Learn more about Principals Astor (EPA), Howard (REAL), Whitfield (AMA), Clason (STMS) and Underwood (STHS).
- Back-To-School Basics: Free breakfast and lunch, school start & end times, academic calendar, school supply lists, uniform policy, campus designations, updated shuttle routes, and after-school care
Lauren Whitfield, Wayside: Altamira Academy
Mrs. Whitfield is entering her 11th year in education, and her second as principal of Wayside: Altamira Academy. She began her journey with Wayside as a 2nd grade teacher, but has also worked as a 4th grade teacher, RTI Lead Teacher, an Instructional Coach and Assistant Principal.
Kierstin Howard, Wayside: REAL Learning Academy
Mrs. Howard is starting her second year as leader of Wayside: REAL Learning Academy. She has been a member of the Wayside: REAL Learning Academy team since the school first opened in 2012. Most recently, she served as Assistant Principal for four years. Previously, she taught 3rd and 4th grades during REAL's first two years.
Brian Clason, Wayside: Sci-Tech Middle School
Mr. Clason is beginning his second year as Principal of Wayside: Sci-Tech Middle School. Mr. Clason moved to Austin from Douglas County School District, located in suburban Denver. There, he served as Assistant Principal for four years. Prior to Douglas County, Mr. Clason worked as an Assistant Principal in rural Brush School District, as a Literacy Coach for Denver Public Schools, and as a Community Advocate in Pueblo City Schools.
FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH
We are excited to announce breakfast and lunch will be provided free to every scholar at all of our schools beginning the first day of school, July 31, 2019.
Wayside Schools has qualified to operate the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), a program of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. Through CEP, families no longer need to complete paperwork to qualify for free or reduced price meals. Instead, breakfast and lunch will be available to ALL scholars for free regardless of income.
Breakfast will be served at all schools beginning at 7:10 a.m. Lunch will be served according to your school’s schedule. Breakfast and lunch menus can be found at http://www.preferredmealsmenu.com/. Scholars are still welcome to bring their own lunch, if they choose.
If you have a meal account balance from a previous school year, please contact Carrie Sandlin to arrange a payment plan. She can be reached by email at csandlin@waysideschools.org. The previous online payment system is no longer available.
Before school begins, make sure to attend Meet The Teacher to see your classroom, meet your new teachers, and pick up your schedule (for MS & HS). Drop in anytime during the following sessions:
- Wayside: Altamira Academy: Monday, July 29 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
- Wayside: Eden Park Academy: Monday, July 29 from 5-7 p.m.
- Wayside: REAL Learning Academy: Monday, July 29 from 5-7 p.m.
- Wayside: Sci-Tech Middle School: Monday, July 29 from 5-7 p.m.
- Wayside: Sci-Tech High School: Monday, July 29 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
School Start & End Times
- Pre-K: 7:45 - 10:55 a.m. for morning and 12:20 - 3:30 p.m. for afternoon
- Elementary Schools: 7:45 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (1 p.m. early release on Friday)
- Middle School: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (1:30 p.m. early release on Friday)
- High School: 8:10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (1:30 p.m. early release on Friday)
All schools will open at 7:10 a.m.
2019-2020 Academic Calendar
Click here to download calendar in English or here to download in Spanish.
School Supplies
Wayside: Altamira Academy
Wayside: Eden Park Academy
Wayside: REAL Learning Academy
Wayside: Sci-Tech Middle School
Sci-Tech Middle School Supply List
Uniform Policy
If you you require financial assistance purchasing uniforms, Wayside may be able to help. Please contact your front office for more information.
What is a "Campus"
Wayside has five schools spread across three sites. To ease confusion, we refer to these sites as "campuses." Our campuses are:
- Bradshaw Campus (10704 Bradshaw Road, Austin, TX 78747): Home of Wayside: Altamira Academy & Wayside: Sci-Tech High School
- William Cannon Campus (6405 S. IH-35, Austin, TX 78744): Home of Wayside: REAL Learning Academy & Wayside: Sci-Tech Middle School
- Eden Park Campus (6215 Manchaca Road, Austin, TX 78745): Home of Wayside: Eden Park Academy
Shuttle Routes
Wayside will continue its popular shuttle service between campuses in 2019-2020. Our shuttles operate between Bradshaw Campus (home of Wayside: Altamira Academy and Wayside: Sci-Tech High School), William Cannon Campus (home of Wayside: Sci-Tech Middle School and Wayside: REAL Learning Academy) and Wayside: Eden Park Academy each morning and afternoon.
To sign up for this free service, click here for English, or click here for Spanish.
After-School Care
All Wayside elementary schools have after-school care available.
Wayside: Eden Park Academy, Wayside: REAL Learning Academy and Wayside: Altamira Academy work with Extend-A-Care to provide this service. To sign-up, contact Extend-A-Care at 512-472-9402 or visit them online at www.eackids.org.
For older scholars, Wayside: Sci-Tech Middle & High School offers several after-school clubs and activities. From board games to gardening, we have clubs for every interest. Find out more about these clubs and how to sign up when school begins.
Stay tuned for more updates from us over the summer!