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Community Corner

🌱 Sr. Community Hero Awarded + School Staffing Crisis Continues

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in North Austin-Pflugerville.

Gabriela Cantu Couvillion's profile picture
Gabriela Cantu Couvillion, Neighbor
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Happy Tuesday, North Austin-Pflugerville! Here's what's going on today in town.

First, today's weather:

Plenty of sunshine. High: 64 Low: 38.

Here are the top stories today in North Austin-Pflugerville:

  1. Elijah Oakmon, a senior at Pflugerville High School and a running back, received the Dave Campbell's Texas Football Chicken Express Community Hero award for January. The student has volunteered in his community since middle school, participating in programs such as Blue Santa, youth summer camps, hurricane relief fundraisers and programs to feed the homeless, and he continues to help his community. Oakmon accepted his award via Zoom along with his high school football coach, Charles Taylor, who raved "about his star senior." The young man will "officially sign his National Letter of Intent on Wednesday, Feb. 9 to attend Texas A&M Commerce." To nominate a student-athlete for the award, visit www.TexasFootball.com and click on "Awards." The award is open to male and female student athletes and voting begins after the school year. For more information, visit: (FOX 7 Austin)
  2. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, school districts in Pflugerville and surrounding areas are still dealing with a staffing crisis. School administrators have had "to take drastic measures, including amplified class sharing, the suspension of bus transportation at Hutto ISD, and temporary cancellation of all the campus operations and Hutto and Pflugerville ISDs." In addition, "district officials said positions throughout multiple departments — not just substitutes and teachers — have been extremely difficult to fill recently and throughout the pandemic." Pflugerville ISD Chief Communications Officer Tamra Spence said, "Overall, in my 15 years in public education, this is the most short-staffed we've been in a broad number of areas." For more information visit: (Community Impact Newspaper)
  3. Due to the weather-related city closures on Thursday, Feb. 3 and Friday, Feb. 4, trash and recycling pickup services in Pflugerville will operate on a modified schedule the week of Monday, Feb. 7. That means that trash that would have been collected on Feb. 4 was picked up on Feb. 7 and for the rest of the week, "all collections will be performed one day later than usual." The modified trash pick-up schedule will continue until Monday, Feb. 14, and the normal trash and recycling pickup schedule will resume that same day. For the full revised schedule, please read the announcement on the city's website. (Community Impact Newspaper)

Today in North Austin-Pflugerville:

  • COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic at multiple Pflugerville ISD locations across the district. (3 p.m.)
  • Old School Dungeons & Dragons Group at City of Round Rock Parks and Recreation. (6 p.m.)
  • Book Group for Adults at City of Round Rock Parks and Recreation. (6 p.m.)
  • Old School Dungeons & Dragons Group at Round Rock Library. (6 p.m.)
  • Book Group for Adults at Round Rock Library. (6 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • "Did you know that Pflugerville ISD offers a program that promotes biliteracy and bilingualism in both Spanish and English? Spanish-dominant and English-dominant children are grouped together, with at least half of all instruction in Spanish. Find out more at https://www.pfisd.net/Page/7788." (Facebook)
  • "Come brawl with us on Thursday, Feb. 17 from 6-8 p.m. in the Game Room at the Pflugerville Recreation Center. Knock out the competition to receive a Pf-Esports T-shirt!
    Register online at https://bit.ly/3H5jywk." (Facebook)
  • Murchison Elementary PTO Spirit Night this Friday, Feb. 11, from 10:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. at Panda Express! Please mention Murchison Elementary at time of purchase. If you order online, you will need this code: 332736." (Facebook)
  • "Every donation helps, no matter the size. Pflugerville Education Foundation is participating in Amplify Austin this year, March 2-3. Mark your calendar and plan to give." (Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all good for today. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Gabriela Couvillion

About me: I'm an active mom of two grown sons and lifelong San Antonio resident. I received a BA in Spanish from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and in my free time I immerse myself in creative writing. Thanks for reading Patch, and feel free to reach out if you have any news and happenings you think may appeal to our readers!

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

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