Education
BY ELLE BENT, ELISABETH JIMENEZ & CHLOE YOUNG
76 Austin ISD campuses to receive free meals Austin ISD will offer free meals to all students at 76 of its campuses during the 2025-26 school year, according to district officials. The details The breakfast and lunches will be provided through the Community Eligibility Provision pro- gram. This is a federally funded program that allows qualifying low-income schools to serve free meals to all enrolled students. Families don’t need to apply or provide documentation to receive meals. What else Campuses that are not eligible for the program will provide meals to students based on their meal status. Students qualify for either free meals, reduced-cost meals or paid meals. Students attending schools not eligible for the program and in need of free or reduced-cost meals, can do so if:
AISD, DSISD to adopt new device policies Austin ISD and Dripping Springs ISD are implementing changes to device policies due to House Bill 1481, a new state law requiring districts to adopt policies banning the use of personal communication devices during the school day. AISD officials are set to vote on a new device policy at an Aug. 21 meeting, after press time. DSISD officials are still finalizing the Student Code of Conduct. A closer look AISD students may not use personal devices unless they have a medical excep- tion. AISD officials recommend students be required to store their phones in a bag. DSISD students must leave personal devices at home or keep them powered off and stored away. Devices brought to school may be confiscated and returned to a guardian.
1 Pre-K and Early Childhood Center 52 Elementary Schools 12 Middle Schools 9 High Schools 2 Other types of campuses 2025-26 CEP Schools
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SOURCE: AUSTIN ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
• Receiving state-funded benefits, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families • Enrolled in foster care or are homeless • Approved by AISD’s application for free or reduced-cost meals. Also of note For the 2024-25 school year, 77 AISD campuses were able to provide free breakfast and lunch through the program.
Students welcomed to newly expanded campus Sycamore Springs Middle School students will be roaming new halls this year following com- pleted renovations and upgrades on the campus. The details The Dripping Springs ISD community celebrated the expansion with a ceremony Aug. 6. The project, funded by the 2023 bond, has
Sycamore Springs Middle School
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increased student capacity from 850 to 1,200 stu- dents. The expanded SSMS campus also includes a new dance studio, additional classrooms and more. The school cafeteria also underwent an expansion, which was completed in fall 2024. Construction on SSMS began in early 2024. Offi- cials said it was finished on time and under budget.
COOL SPRING WAY
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SOUTHWEST AUSTIN - DRIPPING SPRINGS EDITION
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