Team and family,

Background
Austin Community School's charter application was submitted in February of this year. That submission came on the heels of nearly 2 years of hard work and intense collaboration in support of a choice we feel all families should have in Austin.

In late July, our application passed an external and internal review and moved into the final round. Out of hundreds of applications from across the state, we moved into a group of 18. We presented, argued for, and defended our charter on September 9th before the Committee on School Initiatives - an arm of the State Board. And this morning the full Texas State Board of Education voted to award 8 charters, from the group of 18.

We were not one of those awarded.

Two things:

1. Scholtz Garden on Friday, November 21, 2008 at 6pm
We will be celebrating our efforts at Scholtz Garten. If you are not able to come out tonight, don't worry! We'll announce a meeting time soon that will focus on next steps and options.

2. Relationships
Now is the time to stay connected with each others projects, initiatives and ideas. We are all interested in equity in education and we are stronger when we stand together. Someone recently told me that it is our drive and dedication to an idea that is most inspiring about Austin Community School. Many of us define what that "idea" is in different ways. Many of us have different ways in which we might now approach that "idea." Now is the time to share those approaches and definitions.

How can you help specifically?
* Pass this message on to other interested community members.
* Respond to this message with your ideas, projects and initiatives you are involved in. Try to boil things down to one paragraph. I will use that information for an upcoming networking event.

We can all agree that our kids deserve better, our families deserve better and our community deserves better. I'm convinced we're on the cusp of realizing the fruition of those "ideas." 100% convinced.

So? Let's talk.

Justin Scott
justin@austincommunityschool.org
justinscott66@gmail.com

Austin Community School is a proposed charter school in Austin, Texas. In our first year, our school will provide International Baccalaureate Dual Language educational services for Austin area children from ages 5 through 7 (Kindergarten through 1st grade) and will add grade levels each year thereafter through the 8th grade. Our target opening date is Fall of 2009. Austin Community School Incorporated is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and serves to sponsor Austin Community School in it's Texas Education Agency charter bid.

Why Austin Community School?

Our children are our most precious resource in creating a positive and productive Austin community. All of our families want the best for their children. Our parents work hard so their children will have multiple opportunities to be successful in the world.

Success for our children, in the future, will be marked by their leadership in Austin, Texas, the United States and the world. And as all parts of our world become increasingly connected, it is essential that the education of our children reflect a bridging of thoughts, cultures, languages and communities.

The changing face of Austin and Texas is an educational opportunity for all of our children. Austin Community School will be a place were languages and cultures are precious resources in communicating ideas, cultivating relationships, sharing culture and increasing educational achievement for all children.

Austin Community School shows how the traditional concept of school can be challenged and recreated to meet the needs of today’s students and prepare them to be flexible in a changing world.

On this site you will find descriptions of our Mission, educational philosophy, Community Center and other information that will give you a good picture of what ACS is all about.

If you have any questions, comments or would like more information please contact us.

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"Shift Happens"
This short does an exceptional job in illustrating how quickly our times are changing.