What a lovely way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month! Thank you, Mrs. Balestrini, for a lovely program! Cheer on the Astros this Friday and get ready for cooler weather and order your winter Aristoi gear via the online store. What's better than good food, BBQ, and football? How about enjoying all of that with your Griffins, of course! Check out the Homecoming information below! Climb into the Classics is on tap, too! And, it is now time to send in your pictures of Military Service Members for our Veterans Day Celebration. Read about all of this and more below.

FACT: Charter schools are public schools by law and in practice. Public charter schools are just that—public. They are authorized by the state, open to any student who wants to enroll, and do not charge tuition.

Families apply for seats at charters using short, simple applications. If there are more applicants than available seats at a charter school, then the school holds a random lottery to determine admission.

Charter students must take the same state tests and meet the same graduation requirements as ISDs.

Charter schools comply with the same open government laws. Charter schools are measured by the same A-F standards.

But, charters in Texas are held to even higher standards when it comes to performance. For example: Unlike traditional ISDs, any charter that receives a failing grade from TEA for three years must close—no exceptions.

For more information about charter schools, please visit txcharterschools.org.