By Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Coordinator
As you all know, school starts Monday. (Can you believe it?!) We’ve posted on social media and sent out messages, but we still have some returning students who have not been registered. 🙀 And a student must be registered before he or she can enter a classroom. Soooo, if you haven’t done that for your student yet: First, email proof of residency, such as a utility bill or lease agreement, to proof@athensisd.net. Once that has been processed, the online registration button will be available through Family Access at https://bit.ly/AISDregistration. That registration button will not appear until proof of residency has been received and processed.
••••
💉🎉 NINETY doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine were administered by a team of National Guard medical techs during a community wide clinic held at Athens High School Wednesday. The two-dose vaccine is available for individuals 12 years old and older. Pictured is Athens ISD school board member and 2019 Athens Citizen of the Year Freddie Paul. “I want to lead by example,” he said. The National Guard team will return to the high school on Wednesday, Aug. 18 from 4pm-6pm to administer second doses. Anyone 12 and up who would like to receive a first dose of the Pfizer vaccine at that time is welcome to attend, or who needs a second dose of the vaccine after having received their first dose elsewhere. Anyone receiving a first dose at the Aug. 18 clinic, however, will need to arrange for the second dose at another pharmacy or clinic.
••••
✏️ 🍽 Friendly reminder, Athens ISD purchases school supplies for all our students up through fifth grade, and we provide breakfast and lunch at no charge to any of our students. ❤️
••••
📣 State Rep. Keith Bell graciously spoke at Monday’s District Convocation, when teachers and staff across the district gathered in one place before reporting to their campuses. Bell delivered a legislative update and spoke on how the affirmation and encouragement teachers provide students can be life changing. Pictured with him (below) is AISD Superintendent Dr. Janie Sims, who told employees her expectations for a great year can be simplified to this: Come to work prepared; do the right thing; when you get home, rest and re-energize; repeat.
The keynote speaker at the Convocation was legendary Texas Coach Sam Harrell, who has not only experienced remarkable success on the football field but also an extraordinary recovery from multiple sclerosis. Holding his old walker above his head, he said, “I used to need it to get around. Now it needs me to get around.” Sam is the father of AISD Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Zac Harrell. “Change your have to’s to get to’s,” the elder Harrell told the audience of educators. “… You get to change more lives than anybody else in the world. … Your smile, your kind word, it can change somebody’s life.”
••••
🐝 This Thursday is Meet the Hornets night! Come to Bruce Field and enjoy FREE hot dogs, chips, drinks and cake (you can have your cake and eat it too! 🍰) as you greet all our varsity athletes.
••••
👕 Over four days this past week, several wonderful volunteers at the Children’s Clothing Ministry of First Baptist Church Athens handed out school uniforms and vouchers for new shoes to 501 students, representing 213 AISD families. Ninety of those are new to AISD this year. During the school year, if you know of a student in need of assistance with school clothes, the clothing ministry is open from 3pm-5pm each Thursday at 402 E College Street in Athens. You can follow them on Facebook here for updates.
••••