Welcome

Welcome to the website of the Bowie High School Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) in Austin, TX!  The purpose of this website is to provide our parents and students with valuable information. Within the pages of this site you can glance at upcoming important dates, find out how to join the PTSA, find out what items are for sale in our student store, The Kennel, find the name of your counselor, and even find out about  how to go about getting a Parking Permit.  

Have you joined the Bowie High School PTSA yet? If not, find out how to join our organization today. Did you know there are benefits to having a PTSA membership? Your PTSA card is also a link to some useful discounts. Are you already a member, but looking for ways to get more involved? Our PTSA committees offer many exciting and interesting volunteer opportunities!

The Bowie PTSA meets on the second Tuesday of each month of the school year at 6:30pm in the Bulldog room. Please join us at our next meeting, or read the minutes of previous meetings to find out what you've missed.

Need more information? The JBHS website and the JBHS Newsgroup cover sporting events and booster club events that are not covered here.

Upcoming Important Dates

HAPPY SUMMER VACATION!

Friday, July 10
DEADLINE for submissions for the August - October 2009 Bowie Bulletin
You can start sending your submissions now! It is much, much better to send in your submissions sooner rather than later. Any submission after July 10th will not be accepted for this coming issue. Our goal is for the Bulletin to arrive by mail to homes on August 1st. Please note deadlines will be firm to accomplish our future mailing arrival goals. Send your submission to both emails: dar.crawford@sbcglobal.net  and a copy to kgsolutions@msn.com.

Monday, August 17 - Friday, August 21
Dawg Days of Summer

Monday, August 24
First Day of School

Tuesday, September 8
6:30 p.m. Choir Room, Mandatory Bulldogs & Hotdogs Meeting for all sponsors, booster presidents and treasurers
6:30 p.m. Bulldog Room, PTSA Meeting

 

CAC MEMBERS NEeded

Calling all "exemplary" parents & teachers! - It is time to elect members of the Campus Advisory Council for the 2009/2010 school year.  Carolyn Merritt has been elected parent co-chair for the next year and we need members to join her in providing advice and support to Bowie High School.  The role of Austin ISD's Campus Advisory Council (CAC) members is to assist the school in bringing about cooperation and coordination of resources to maximize opportunities for improving student performance.  In achieving this purpose, and in accordance with the administrative procedures established by TEC, CAC members provide advice and assistance to the principal.  Participating members include the principal, faculty, counselors, parents, citizen and business partner representatives as well as students. Monthly agenda items may include:  The Principal's Report, Counselor's Update, District News, Campus Improvement Plan (CIP), budgets, accountability ratings, curriculum, staffing patterns and Staff Development Plans, PTSA Programs, Community Issues, Safety, etc.  Bowie's CAC meetings are open to the public and held the 1st Tuesday of each month at 7:30 a.m. in the Bulldog Room.  If you are interested in becoming a member please contact Steve Kane 414.7305 or Carolyn Merritt 288.2490.

Thank you in advance for your help and consideration.

DAWG DAYS OF SUMMER

Dawg Days of summer will return this year.  Please mark your calendars now for the week of August 17 – 21.  Students are assigned specific days and times ACCORDING TO GRADE LEVEL to report for Pictures, ID's, Lockers, Textbooks, Parking Permits, and the ACC Initiative. The purpose of this registration is to minimize the loss of instructional time.

More information to come.

bulldogs & Hotdogs

Bulldogs and Hotdogs will be held Saturday, September 12 from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. 
 
We will have a final meeting at which time Leilani (school accountant) will be providing valuable information regarding the financial bookkeeping of your club, along with detailed information regarding Bulldogs and Hotdogs.  This meeting is mandatory for all sponsors, booster presidents and treasurers and will be held Tuesday, September 8 at 6:30 in the Choir Room. 

Outgoing booster presidents and treasurers, please forward this information to your incoming officers. 

Please find the necessary forms below:

Bulldogs and Hotdogs registration form
Booster Club Officer registration form
List of items sold by each booster club in ‘08.

If you have any questions please contact John at johndharrison@austin.rr.com or me at cyndiharrison@austin.rr.com. 

Cyndi Harrison
Co-Chair Bulldogs and Hotdogs

summer camps

Info on where to find some great summer camps can be found on our Camps page.

PSAT Preparation Course offered for Rising Junior Students

Students in the top 10% with a selection index above a 172 are good candidates to prepare for the junior PSAT (in October) and potentially do well enough to be considered in the National Merit Scholarship competitions.

More Than A Teacher will be offering a course at Bowie in August and at the More Than a Teacher Westlake location (at the Bowie price of $329) in July.  For questions or to register, vist the More Than A Teacher website or call 512.453.7272.

Location: More Than A Teacher - Westlake Location

Sun 7/12 2:00-4:00p
Sun 7/19 2:00-4:00p
Sun 7/26 2:00-4:00p
Sun 8/2 2:00-4:00p
Sun 8/9 2:00-4:00p
Sun 8/16 2:00-4:00p
Sun 8/23 2:00-4:00p

Location: Bowie High School   Class: B090831

Mon 8/3 2:00-4:00p
Tues 8/4 2:00-4:00p
Thurs 8/6 2:00-4:00p
Tues 8/11 2:00-4:00p
Thurs 8/13 2:00-4:00p
Tues 8/18 2:00-4:00p
Thurs 8/20 2:00-4:00p

Location: Bowie High School   Class: B090833

Mon 8/3 4:30-6:30p
Tues 8/4 4:30-6:30p
Thurs 8/6 4:30-6:30p
Tues 8/11 4:30-6:30p
Thurs 8/13 4:30-6:30p
Tues 8/18 4:30-6:30p
Thurs 8/20 4:30-6:30p

Location: Bowie High School   Class: B090832

Mon 8/3 11:00-1:00p
Tues 8/4 11:00-1:00p
Thurs 8/6 11:00-1:00p
Tues 8/11 11:00-1:00p
Thurs 8/13 11:00-1:00p
Tues 8/18 11:00-1:00p
Thurs 8/20 11:00-1:00p

Tuition for Bowie students is just $329. Scholarships are also available. Please contact Bowie counselor Shannon Hudson for details.

Other Local Test Preparation Companies:
1. The Princeton Review- 474-TEST
2. Kaplan- 472-8085
3. House of Tutors- 472-6666
4. Sylvan Learning Center- 441-3898
5. Double-800-796-0301
6. Gorilla Test Preparation- 767-7478
7. Huntington- 301-7880

Did You Know?

In August 2009, Bowie High School will launch the Bowie Student Leadership course where 70 senior students will receive intensive leadership training and will serve as mentors to over 500 freshman Bowie Bulldogs. Unlike most traditional "leadership courses", Bowie's program is integrated with Bowie's advisory program, thus having a much broader impact.  Senior students will work with the freshman advisory teachers to refine lessons and provide academic advisement and mentorship to the freshman students.

Another unique feature of the program is that it is designed for senior students who are academically eligible, on-track to graduate, but may not have ever played a formal leadership role.  Bowie's School Improvement Facilitator, Andrea Ramirez, describes the 70 students who have registered for the course as, "Not your usual suspects, but definitely students with potential to lead and succeed."

With its new uses for old courses, integration with advisories, and broad utilization of student talent, Bowie's leadership program is an exemplar of innovative campus-based design.

 

aisd student vaccination countdown begins

“The ‘Shot Clock’ is ticking.” Classes begin on Monday, August 24, and some 10,000 Austin students must be immunized before they can attend classes. The parents of these students have received letters in their mailboxes, with notification that their student’s immunization records are not current with one or more vaccines.

Earlier this year, the Texas Department of State Health Services announced new rules for school immunization requirements, mandating new vaccinations that will primarily affect kindergarten and seventh grade students.  

“The ‘No shots, No classes’ policy will once again be in effect at the start of the school year,” said Superintendent Pat Forgione. “Students with incomplete immunization records will not be allowed to attend classes on the first day of school. They will be escorted to the gym or library, and their parents will be called to take them home, or to their health care provider for immunizations.  

“At this time five years ago, the number of students with incomplete immunization records was approximately 18,000,” said Dr. Forgione. “However, every year since, the number has steadily declined because of this successful attendance policy and the availability of year round immunization clinics at AISD campuses.”  

Also contributing to the increase in complete vaccination records are improved collaborative efforts between the Austin School Independent District and community health care providers including the Seton Family of Hospitals, St. David’s HealthCare, the Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department and private providers.  

“It’s important for parents to keep children’s immunization records up to date to protect their children from serious infections that can be prevented with immunizations. This year it is especially important to double check your student's immunization record due to the new requirements.” said Stephen Pont, MD, MPH, Dell Children’s/Medical Director AISD Student Health Services. “Over the last several years, the collaboration of community health partners has worked together and made tremendous progress in reducing the number of students who are behind on their immunizations.”  

David Lurie, Director of the Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department agrees. “As one of many partners committed to this effort, Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services encourages parents to bring their children in now  to avoid the back-to-school rush and long delays. Our Shots for Tots Clinics are ready to immunize the children and ensure a healthy start to a new school year.”  

In 2009, the number of students with incomplete records has once again spiked because of the new requirements, which are:

• Hepatitis A Vaccine - students entering kindergarten will be required to have 2 doses of Hepatitis A vaccine.
• Measles, Mumps, Rebella (MMR) vaccine- students entering kindergarten will be required to have two doses of the MMR vaccine.
• Varicella Vaccine- students entering kindergarten and the 7th grade will be required to have 2 doses of varicella vaccine.
• Tetanus, Diptheria and acellular pertussis-containing vaccine (Tdap)- all- 7th grade students will be required to have one dose of Tdap vaccine. 7th graders will be required to have a booster dose of Tdap only if it has been five years since their last dose of tetanus-containing vaccine.
• Students in grades 8-12 are required to have a booster dose of Tdap if it has been 10 years since their previous dose of tetanus-containing vaccine.
• Meningococcal Vaccine- all 7th graders will be required to have one dose of meningococcal vaccine.

"Of particular concern are middle school students," said Dr. Forgione. “If you have a child going into seventh grade, please review their records to ensure that they are complete. If you receive a notice, please update your child’s immunization record this summer.”  

A complete list of community resources and AISD immunization clinic dates, times and locations is attached. For more information contact AISD Student Health Services at 324-0195, or visit the AISD website or http://www.austinvaccinates.org.

Farewell from dr. forgione

Please view Dr. Forgione's farewell letter here.

Dress Code

Students (and parents), please review AISD's dress code policy.

AISD Board of trustees meeting schedule

All scheduled board meetings, and their respective agendas and minutes, may be viewed at boardbook.org.  

To view Board Briefs, go to the AISD News Archive and search for "Board Briefs."

AISD calendar for 2009/2010

The calendar for the upcoming school year is posted on the AISD website.

 

2009-2010 Bowie PTSA Board and Committees

President……………………………………..Kara Thompson
Vice President of Communications……….Renee Pauler
Vice President of Membership…………….Joanna Brown
Vice President of Hospitality……………….Jeannie Olsen
Secretary……………………………………...Kellye Graham
Treasurer……………………………………..Vanessa Lucas
CAC PTSA Representative………………....Carrie Turlington

View all board members

Dear Bowie, Bailey, Covington and Small Communities,

The Bowie PTSA is currently seeking interested parents for the following PTSA Committee Positions for the upcoming 2009/2010 school year.  Whether you currently have students attending Bowie, whether you have recently moved to the Austin area or whether you are a parent of an incoming 9th grader, we highly encourage you to get involved and we would love to have you join us!!  Our school currently has approximately 2,850 students enrolled.  So much of what the PTSA provides for Bowie High School would not be accomplished without volunteers – We need you at Bowie!!  Please come and be a part of the dedicated staff and amazing students at Bowie High School.

The PTSA committee member positions still open for the 2009-2010 school year are outlined below. We need you!!!! – Please consider these committee positions, the chair position for each is filled, we just need more committee members

Career Day  - We are looking for 1 more committee member. We currently have a committee chair and two committee members. Works closely with the Bowie Advisory Committee to plan and execute Career programming during the late start days.  This activity takes place in the spring with planning beginning in late fall. 

Partners In Education – We are looking for 2 more committee members. We currently have a committee chair and one committee member. Our goal is a committee of 4 persons. The Partners in Education committee serves as the liaison between Bowie HS and local community businesses that commit to partner with BHS.  The committee solicits donations or in-kind contributions as needed from the business partners throughout the school year. The time commitment can easily be managed into a full-time working schedule.  In addition these members will help coordinate Partner of the Year and Volunteer of the Year nominations to the district's Partners in Education group. 
 
ADDITIONALLY, for SY 2009-2010, we will open up the donations request to all Bowie families who would like to donate gift cards and door prize items on an as need basis.  Anyone wishing to participate can bring gift cards, gift items, or simply a commitment card to give when contacted, to the PTSA Bulldogs & Hotdogs new member registration table. PIE team members will be available to collect.  Thank you for your interest in supporting the Bowie PTSA. 
 
If you are interested in filling one of these positions or if you have any questions please contact Emily Heckroth for more information and to express your interest.

PTSA  membership drive

Have you joined the PTSA?  It's easy, and it's never too late! Fill out the Registration form that was sent to you in your Bowie Bulletin and mail it to the address shown on the form, or bring it to the Administraion Office at Bowie.

By joining the Bowie PTSA, you become a member of the Texas and National PTAs, which support programs and legislation that benefit our children. Student and Faculty Memberships are $5, Individual Memberships are $15, and Family Memberships are $25.

Learn more about joining the PTSA and print out a membership form.  There are many benefits to joining the PTSA - visit the Texas PTA website and see all those that are offered!

For more information, contact our membership chairperson.

Texas PTA News

Summer Leadership Seminar 2009: Back to the Basics

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for the Summer Leadership Seminar 2009! Join us at the Austin Convention Center, July 24-26, for the largest Texas PTA event of the year! Take advantage of new workshops, opportunities for networking, and more fun, food and entertainment. Register Today!

Austin Council of PTA (ACpta) News

Raise Your Hand Texas

Raise Your Hand Texas is a non-profit, bi-partisan advocacy organization made up of business and community leaders, parents, taxpayers and concerned citizens, all with a single focus: supporting the more than 4.5 million students in the Texas public education system. View the Raise Your Hand Texas April 2009 Newsletter.