AISD Insights: Dec. 2023 Vol.3

Just a reminder for everyone that today is the final day of the fall semester and it’s also an early release day for all campuses in the district. Elementary schools will release at 1 p.m. with secondary schools releasing at 1:30 p.m. Faculty and staff will return to work on Monday, Jan. 8, and students will return the next day to begin the spring semester. We hope that each of you has a safe, joyful, and restful break. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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If you are going to be traveling, either driving or via airplane, please take a few minutes to read through these helpful travel hints. Additionally, if you’re looking for things to do on Christmas Day or something to do in Texas during the break, these two articles might be helpful for you.

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The Christmas season is a joyful time of year, but it can also be a difficult one for those suffering from mental health struggles or coping with the loss of a loved one, food shortage, or other issues. If you or someone you know needs help, please take advantage of the information below to get the proper assistance:

Mental Health Resources:
Dial: 988 (Suicide and Crisis Hotline)
Lifeline Chat: 988lifeline.org/chat
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
www.nami.org (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
NAMI Hotline: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)

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Winter Break is almost here, and as a reminder, this holiday shutdown is one of the most important savings opportunities for AISD. As you get ready for the break, please take a few minutes to prepare your area for the shutdown. Everything needs to be unplugged (see Portable Exception below). Before leaving for the break, print out the Energy Shutdown Checklist, fill it out, and then place it in the pink folder in the designated area on your campus, making sure to include your first and last name.  Folders will be collected, and prizes will be distributed based on the checklists turned in. We appreciate your efforts in saving energy and money for AISD (more than $12 Million since 2011!).

* One AISD Personnel: A pink folder has been placed on the ledge of the information area outside the boardroom in the vestibule. Instead of leaving your shutdown checklist on your desk, you can place it in the pink folder.

* Portables: All Portables that have plumbing in them should have heat on a low setting to prevent freezing pipes.

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The AISD Benefits Office will be closed during the holiday, not re-opening until Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, which means it would be helpful for you to have easily accessible insurance plan information. Everyone in the district received an email Wednesday morning from AISD Benefits Coordinator Joy Wiggins with pertinent information and phone numbers that you need to either flag for easy access or print out and keep with you during the break. Remember to carry your ID and medical insurance cards if you are traveling during the break. Here are two websites to keep bookmarked on your computer or phone in case of emergency:

• AISD Benefits Website:https://www.abileneisd.org/departments/human-resources/benefits/
• First Financial Group Benefits Portal:https://ffbenefits.ffga.com/abileneisd/2023-24-plan-year/

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Abilene ISD has been named a District of Distinction by the Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) for a third consecutive year, placing AISD’s visual arts education program in the top 5.5 percent of all districts statewide since 2021. Additionally, our very own Canon Cavazos, art teacher at Mann Middle School, has been honored with the title of Outstanding Middle School Educator in the state of Texas by the TAEA. Congratulations, Mrs. Cavazos! For more on this story, click here.

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Christmas Season in Abilene: The weather might not make you feel like we’re nearing Christmas, but it’s only three days away. And if you’re looking for ways to get into the Christmas spirit, Abilene has plenty of activities to help you prepare yourself for the Christmas season. Here are just a few of the ways you can enjoy what Abilene has to offer during the Christmas season:

 

CHRISTMAS LANE
When: Dec. 7-26 (Sunday-Thursday, 6-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 6-10 p.m.; Dec. 24-26, 6-9 p.m.)
Where: Abilene State Supported Living Center (2501 Maple St.)
Admission: Free (donations accepted)

Now in its 34^th year, Christmas Lane at the Abilene State Supported Living Center opens this weekend and will be open through the evening of Dec. 26. Admission is free, and those who attend drive through the streets of the ASSLC, which are lined with outdoor Christmas displays that are sponsored by local individuals, businesses, schools, and churches. Inside, children can take photos with Santa (from 6:30-8:30 p.m. each day), try the North Pole Hotline, and take advantage of the concession stand. All donations and concession sales are used to improve the quality of life for residents of the ASSLC. Christmas Lane is open from 6-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 6-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The hours are 6-9 p.m. from Dec. 24-26.

 

UNITED WAY WINTER LIGHTFEST
When: Weekends through Dec. 29-30, 6-9 p.m.
Where: 2250 E.N. 10^th St.
Admission: Purchase tickets here

The United Way of Abilene, in partnership with Christmas Décor by Lone Star Electric, is bringing the Winter Lightfest back to Abilene and the Big Country for a fifth year. The Winter Lightfest will be open each weekend from 6-9 p.m. through Dec. 29-30. The Winter Lightfest features a paved ¾-mile walking path through nearly three million lights with numerous photo opportunities, Santa Claus, a scavenger hunt, hot chocolate, s’mores, and more. Proceeds go to the 25 partner agencies that are supported by United Way of Abilene. Parking at Winter Lightfest is free, and parking lots open at 5:30 p.m. Thanks to the generosity of local donors and businesses, every elementary student in the Abilene ISD has received a ticket to the Winter Lightfest, which will be good for any night. Each student will receive a letter that has a QR code specific to their school that they can use for entry into the park. Elementary students must be accompanied by a ticketed adult. Discounted tickets can be purchased online here for $12 (adults) and $7 (youth). Entrance to the park for children aged 2 and under is free. Tickets at the gate are $15 for adults and $10 for youth. All ticket prices and packages can be found online here.

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The AISD Memorial Park honors the memory of deceased AISD students and staff who honorably served in the United States Armed Forces. The park is located on the grounds of Dyess Elementary School and includes a Veterans Memorial Wall commemorating the names of those who served. If you want to nominate a loved one who has passed away for memorialization on the district’s Veterans Memorial Wall, please click here to submit their information. If you’d like to search the AISD database for the 77 names that already have their names etched onto the wall, click here.

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Abilene ISD Sports Roundup: The Cooper boys basketball team finally got a close game to go its way Tuesday in a 56-52 overtime win overtime win over Wylie in the District 4-5A-opening game for both teams. Cooper is now 6-10 on the season, but five of their losses are by a combined 12 points, including a pair of one-point losses, one two-point loss, and one three-point loss. But the Coogs, who gave up the lead in the fourth quarter and in overtime, fought back from a five-point OT deficit to pull out the win over the Bulldogs in front of a raucous Cougar Gym crowd. The Cougars are now 6-10 overall and 1-0 in district play and will be off until playing in the Snyder Tournament, set for Dec. 28-29. … The Abilene High boys’ basketball team also opened District 4-5A play Tuesday night with a narrow 54-51 win over Lubbock Monterey. The Eagles are 14-4 overall and 1-0 in district play and won’t play again until Dec. 28-29 in the Bridgeport Tournament. … The Abilene High girls’ basketball team dropped a 98-57 decision Tuesday night to Lubbock Monterey and junior guard Aliyah Chavez, the No. 1-ranked player in the recruiting Class of 2025. Abilene High is now 11-8 overall and 1-2 in district play and won’t return to action until playing in the Weatherford Tournament, set for Dec. 28-29. … The Cooper girls’ basketball team dropped a 52-38 decision Tuesday night against Wylie to fall to 7-12 overall and 0-3 in district play. The Lady Coogs will be off until playing in the Byron Johnston Holiday Classic, set for Dec. 28-30 in Midland. … The high school soccer season is nearing its start with all four teams getting their seasons started during the Christmas break. … The regular schedule for the Abilene High boys will start on Dec. 29 with a 2 p.m. match at Wichita Falls Rider. … The other three district teams won’t start until early January as the Abilene High girls host Wichita Falls Rider at 6 p.m. on Jan. 2, while the Cooper boys are at Odessa High at 7:30 p.m. The Cooper girls will open their regular season on Jan. 4 at the AISD Tournament against Royce City at 11:30 a.m.

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CHRISTMAS BREAK ATHLETICS SCHEDULE

Dec. 28-29 – Abilene High boys basketball at Bridgeport Tournament

Dec. 28-29 – Cooper boys basketball at Snyder Tournament

Dec. 28-29 – Abilene High girls basketball at Weatherford Tournament

Dec. 28-30 – Cooper girls basketball at Byron Johnston Holiday Classic in Midland

Dec. 29 – Abilene High boys soccer at Wichita Falls Rider, 2 p.m.

Jan. 2 – Abilene High girls basketball at Lubbock High, 6 p.m.

Jan. 2 – Abilene High boys basketball at Lubbock High, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 2 – Cooper boys soccer at Odessa High, 7 p.m.

Jan. 2 – Abilene High girls soccer vs. Wichita Falls Rider, Shotwell Stadium, 6 p.m.

Jan. 4-6 – Abilene High and Cooper boys and girls soccer in AISD Tournament

Jan. 5 – Abilene High girls basketball vs. Lubbock Coronado, Eagle Gym, 6 p.m.

Jan. 5 – Abilene High boys basketball vs. Lubbock Coronado, Eagle Gym, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 5 – Cooper girls basketball at Lubbock Monterey, 6 p.m.

Jan. 5 – Cooper boys basketball at Lubbock Monterey, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 9 – Abilene High boys soccer at Duncanville, 7 p.m.

Jan. 9 – Cooper boys soccer vs. San Angelo Central, Shotwell Stadium, 7 p.m.

Jan. 9 – Cooper girls soccer vs. Sweetwater, Shotwell Stadium, 5 p.m.

Jan. 9 – Abilene High girls basketball at Lubbock Cooper, 6 p.m.

Jan. 9 – Abilene High boys basketball at Lubbock Cooper, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 9 – Cooper girls basketball vs. Lubbock High, Cougar Gym, 6 p.m.

Jan. 9 – Cooper boys basketball vs. Lubbock High, Cougar Gym, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 11-13 – Abilene High boys soccer at KFMC Tournament

Jan. 11-13 – Cooper boys soccer at Aledo Tournament

Jan. 11-13 – Cooper girls soccer at Castleberry Tournament

Jan. 12 – Cooper girls basketball at Lubbock Coronado, 6 p.m.

Jan. 12 – Cooper boys basketball at Lubbock Coronado, 7:30 p.m.

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