🌱 Students Love Forensic Science Lab Class + Report Ice Storm Damages

We made it to Friday, folks! Elaine here with news in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening in our community, including:

• Round Rock ISD vs. Austin ISD: how each city is compensating teachers for classes cancelled last week.
• Where and how to officially report damages from the ice storm.
• Teacher makes science class fun and engages with her passion for true crime.

But first, today's weather:

Winds subsiding and cooler. High: 55 Low: 32.

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Here are the top stories today in Round Rock:

1. Last week's ice storm cancelled classes for four days. Thankfully for Round Rock ISD teachers, an "emergency resolution" by the Board of Trustees will allow teachers to be compensated for all four days at their normal pay rate. Sadly, Austin ISD teachers will only be compensated for two days of cancelled classes. For more details, visit KVUE.
2. City of Round Rock’s Emergency Management Division encourages residents to report any damages, losses and help needed to Texas Department of Emergency Management’s Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT). This online system will allow "officials to determine if the damages meet federal requirements for various forms of disaster assistance." Go to City of Round Rock to view the step-by-step instructions on how to properly report the storm's impact on your property.
3. A Round Rock ISD teacher created a one-of-a-kind forensic science course that keeps many students engaged and excited to attend class. Shawn Sieber is a true-crime fan who also has an impressive background in education. Her forensic science class may alarm newcomers with seeing faux "crime scene" props scattered around the classroom, but her students rave about Sieber's passion and ability to make her class the most exciting one of the day. “I think it’s just nice to kind of open their horizons a bit and show them, you know, hey, you really like this, like, make it your career, and it’ll be fun,” she said." Read what Sieber's students had to say about her on KXAN.
4. According to Stacker, here are some of the highest-paying science jobs in the Round Rock area: Social science research assistants-$48,000, Environmental science and protection technicians, including health-$50,000, Geological technicians-$62,000, Clinical and counseling psychologists-$86,000. Pop over to Denton Record Chronicle to see other science careers that are in the highest pay bracket!
5. Austin American Statesman chatted with Round Rock senior outfielder Maddie Woodul. Some of Maddie's talents and passions go beyond her role in softball, including: Sewing her own clothes, planning to spend her summer after graduation serving a mission at a Romanian refugee camp, and wanting to use her future degree to mitigate environmental issues. To learn more about this senior's bright outlook on life, visit Austin American-Statesman.

Today in Round Rock:

• You Sleuth Augmented Reality Detective Experience *$25 Virtual* (8 a.m.)
• Driving Audio Game | Murder Mystery Detective Experience *$14.99 Virtual* (10 a.m.)
• Daddy Daughter Dance ($15) at Kalahari Resorts (6 p.m.)
• Storytime at Barnes & Noble (7 p.m.)
• "Romeo and Juliet" at Sam Bass Theatre (7:30 p.m.)
• Pre-Valentines! Galactic Love Set Blacklight!(18+ $39-$48) at Painting With a Twist (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Sending a big "thank you" to school counselors: "February 6 - 10 is National School Counselor week. Meet Anderson Mill Elementary School counselor Garrett Rimey, the Cowboy Counselor. Rimey uses music and songs about feelings to connect with students." (Round Rock ISD Facebook)
• Take care of your heart this month! "February is American #HeartMonth! Managing stress helps our hearts. We can't get rid of all stress but practicing self-care can help protect our heart health." (Williamson County and Cities Health District Facebook)
• A note from the Children's Autism Center: "To current & future BCBAs - Essential for Living (EFL) is for verbal and non-verbal children & adults with moderate to severe disabilities and limited skill repertoires. This is a great curriculum to use when teaching a variety of functions." (Children's Autism Center Facebook)
• Round Rock Public Library has tips for job seekers: "The best way to have a successful interview is to be prepared. Connect with a JobNow interview coach to practice interviewing and learn tips to help you prepare." (Round Rock Public Library Facebook)
• It's Spring soon at CHASCO Family YMCA! "Have you secured your spot for Spring Youth Sports?! The season begins the week of March 20th! Come make new friends, practice a new sport, and enjoy the beautiful spring weather!" (CHASCO Family YMCA Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday off right! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with a new update.

— Elaine Thompson

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Round Rock Patch newsletter? Contact me at RoundRock@Patch.com