Student Support Services

🤧 Allergy season is here!

Austin allergies can cause runny noses, itchy eyes, coughs, and itchy throats. These symptoms may be caused by allergens like pollen, grass, and molds.

If your child has known allergies, remember to send their allergy medication to school as recommended.

Wishing everyone a healthy and successful school year!

Visual Description: A woman is wearing a blue scrubs in the health center.

Transcript: Sorry, my allergies are bad right now! Hello families! So here in Austin, allergies are very common. Allergies are pollen from trees, flowers, grass, molds. Symptoms of runny nose, itchy throat, cough, itchy eyes and because of the runny nose this can also cause nausea. These symptoms don’t mean you are sick. It means you are having a reaction to the allergens in the air. Our goal is to try and keep you healthy and feeling your best to continue going to school everyday. We always recommend sending allergy medication for students if they are known to have sensitivities to allergies. For example, Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra. You can buy these in stores. Hope everyone has a great school year and good luck!

Can Deaf people drive?

OF COURSE! Deaf people can drive! Check out the reel to find out why!

Celebrate Deaf Awareness Month with us! This month, we celebrate the Deaf community, Deaf culture, and the beauty of connection through ASL.

Visual Description: The Sign Language Services logo is displayed in the top right corner. A woman is wearing a black shirt, a clear rimmed glasses, and wearing a ponytail. The background is blue.

Transcript: People have been asking... Can Deaf people drive? OF COURSE! Deaf people can drive! Did you know? The research proved that TRU BIZ Deaf people make better drivers than hearing drivers. WHY? Hearing drivers rely on ears for hearing what is going on, and not paying attention. Deaf drivers rely on eyes to pay attention and be more ALERT, more than hearing drivers.

Life can feel overwhelming, but you are NOT alone.

If you’re struggling or thinking about su***de, reach out to a trusted adult or use these resources:

Call or text 988 for the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline

Text 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor

Call 911 in an emergency

You don’t have to handle a difficult situation alone. Reach out. Ask for help. Get support.

Visual Description: A black woman wearing gray cardiagn with orange blouse with the office background. Top right corner text reads: National Su***de Prevention Month with teal and purple ribbon. Top left corner has Educational Services logo. Then, a black woman wearing white blouse with a brick background.

Transcript: Life is sometimes overwhelming and you might feel alone. Feeling confused, feeling no one will understand you. You are NOT alone.

Are you thinking about su***de? We have support available. Go to a trusted adult. They can listen, support, and help you. There are resources for support. Crisis Number is 988. You can text, call, or chat. You can also text 741741 for talk to someone back and forth. If there is an emergency, call 911. Any difficult situation comes up, you do not have to handle it alone. Reach out. Ask for help. It is important to get support.

SHAC Meeting Recap!

The TSD School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) had a successful meeting on September 14! We kicked off the year by reviewing last year’s meetings and welcoming four new SHAC members.

Looking ahead, SHAC plans to discuss:
Mental Health in Social Media Grief Education Policy Review
Summer Opportunities for Juniors & Seniors

SHAC is looking for more parents and students to share their voices, ideas, and experiences. Your perspective matters!

Our next meeting is on November 2, 2026 at AWC 210.

Parents and students, come join us at an upcoming SHAC meeting and help bring important topics and ideas to TSD. We’d love to hear from you! 🗣️

Visual Description: The reel opens with Cat (wearing glasses, black tank top and green skirt) then Ashley (wearing blue jean jacket and gray pants). The next clip features Bebe (black hair, wearing glasses, black blouse, and polka dots skirt) then lastly, Marcus (bright orange polo shirt and wearing glasses.)

Transcript:
Cat: Hello! We had a successful meeting on September 14 at 4-5PM in AWC 210. We want to recap from this meeting. We kicked off the meeting with reviewing the meetings from last year and we welcomed four new faces to SHAC! We discussed our next ideas for the rest of this year:
Ashley: This is my 3rd or 4th year attending SHAC, and I am finally seeing more parents speaking up, sharing their ideas. Parents, I need more of that! Come to SHAC!
Bebe: We will discuss two topics this year: Mental Health in Social Media Grief Education: policy review. Summer Opportunities for Seniors and Juniors. We want to keep them busy during the summer break, building the skills, gaining experience for resumes for future job opportunities. We’d love for you to join us to share your opinions and please bring your students so they can share theirs, too!
Marcus: I am one of the parents of TSD students here. I attended to SHAC meetings since last year. I have seen the topics that need to be
brought to TSD. We need more parents and students to bring their voices. Your voices are powerful for TSD’s mission. Please come and join us for SHAC meetings!

Ready to be a Deaf/Hard of Hearing entrepreneur? Unlock your inner BOSS at Discovery Retreat!

Applications are OPEN for grades 11–12 who are Deaf and hard of hearing students! Join us at Camp Champion for an exciting retreat focused on leadership, entrepreneurship, and discovering your potential.

Team Building: Build connections, trust, and leadership skills.

Entrepreneurship: Explore ideas, learn from Deaf/Hard of Hearing business owners, and turn your passion into purpose.

Discover You: Discover your strengths, gain confidence, and create your path.

Applications open: September 14

Deadline: October 24

Don't miss this opportunity to connect, grow, and unlock your inner BOSS! Apply today!

Apply: https://www.tsd.texas.gov/apps/pages/discoveryretreat

Visual Description:

Clip 1: The Discovery Retreat 2026 logo appears against a black background with blue hexagons.

Clip 2: Text reads “Ropes-Style Challenge Courses for Confidence & Leadership.” Several clips show students participating in ropes-style challenge courses.

Clip 3: Text reads “Team-Building & Problem-Solving Challenges.” Several clips show students working together, completing team-building activities, and solving challenges.

Clip 4: Text reads “Creative Activities.” Clips show students participating in archery, axe throwing, and interacting with animals.

Clip 5: Text reads “Social Time & Games to Connect with Peers.” Different clips show students spending time together, playing outside, chatting, and connecting with peers.

Clip 6: Text reads “Inspiring Deaf and Hard of Hearing Role Models Leading the Way.” Clips show Deaf and hard of hearing role models presenting workshops and sharing their experiences with students.

Clip 7: Text reads “Interested? Applications are Open Now!” The screen displays “11th–12th Grade Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students” and “November 6–8, 2026.”

Can you create your own sign name? 🤔

In Deaf culture, a sign name is given to you by a Deaf person or the Deaf community. You don’t choose it yourself!

Celebrate Deaf Awareness Month with us! This month, we celebrate the Deaf community, Deaf culture, and the beauty of connection through ASL.

Visual Description: The Sign Language Services logo is displayed in the top right corner. A woman is wearing a black shirt, orange and white earrings, and a black rimmed glasses. The background is white.

Transcript: Can you create your own sign name? The Deaf culture is you must earn your sign name by a Deaf person or the Deaf community. They will give it to you. THAT!

🎉 Cheers to Amanda for reaching 1,000 Instagram followers! Your creativity, dedication, and hard work continue to make a difference. We are so proud of you!

Here’s to the next milestone! 📸

Visual Description: Text at the top reads “1,000 followers,” with the Student Support Services logo at the bottom. Six people are cheering, dancing, and applauding a woman wearing a green tank top and flowery pants. Two people in the center are holding cupcakes with candles displaying “1,000.”

Is your child spending too much time on their phone? Share your ideas and help make a difference at TSD’s SHAC meeting!

Join us next week on September 14 from 4:00–5:00 PM, in person or on Zoom. Voice and Spanish interpreters will be available.

TSD’s School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) brings together parents, students, staff, and community members to support the health and well-being of our TSD community.

SHAC focuses on nutrition, physical activity, health education, counseling, health services, family involvement, and staff wellness.

Your voice matters! Join us, share your ideas, and help make a difference.

A parent and a TSD staff member discuss the SHAC meeting outside the building, in an elevator, and inside the building.

Transcript:
Parent: My kid is obsessed with their phone, scrolling after
school and continues into the nighttime. I tried to help him but it was not successful. Wondering if TSD can support my kid? Do they have any plans?

TSD Staff: I see you are talking to yourself, I want to let you know that YES! We need your ideas! Need support? Share with the school for support! Here is a tip: Come to the SHAC meeting!

Parent: That sounds so cool! I can share my ideas. How many times do we meet? Frequently?

TSD Staff: GREAT question! Only four times per year. There is one meeting coming up next week, September 14, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM! You can attend either in-person or in Zoom. Somtimes, we do provide refreshments! Where is the meeting located? Come, let me show you.

Parent: I know my hearing grandma will be interested to join, but she knows no sign language. Can she join?

TSD Staff: Sounds great! We do provide voice and Spanish interpreters. The SHAC meeting will be hosted here. Looking forward for you to come!

A simple conversation can make a difference. Check in, listen, and support.

Visual Description: A blonde woman wearing black rimmed glasses and olive green shirt with the white background. Top right corner text reads: National Su***de Prevention Month with teal and purple ribbon. Top left corner has Educational Services logo.

Transcript: I want to talk about Su***de Awareness Month, which is this month. What does su***de mean? Su***de means that person intentionally to end own life. I want to spread awareness. It is important to recognize the signs, support people who are struggling, and encourage them to get help. Your life matters.

AI can write, create, and answer questions…

But can AI tell us if it’s Deaf or hearing?

What do you think?!

Celebrate Deaf Awareness Month with us! This month, we celebrate the Deaf community, Deaf culture, and the beauty of connection through ASL.

Visual Description: A man is wearing a navy blue shirt and has long, wavy hair. The Sign Language Services logo is displayed in the top right corner. The background features blue and white walls.

Transcript: You know AI is trending right now? I am curious... Is AI deaf or hearing? I do not know! What do you think?