AUSTIN, Texas — This year’s “Take Our Children to Work Day” activities at UT Austin on April 24 will allow children of staff and faculty to tour experimental laboratories, see demonstrations of a flight simulator and observe the wonders of archeology, robotics, music and other interesting fields of study.
The University’s event evolved from a Ms Magazine project called Take Our Daughters to Work Day. Four years ago, UT Austin developed its own model of the project to include boys, and Betty Crutcher was designated chairman of the “Take Our Children to Work Day” project. She has helped lead the committee for the UT event each year since then.
Although the national event, still sponsored by Ms Magazine, is being celebrated nationwide on April 23, UT Austin has decided on the April 24 date to coincide with schedules set by the Austin Independent School District and other area school districts.
Many Austin area school districts in past years have allowed students to visit the work sites of their parents during April as an excused absence, but this year some school districts have chosen not to allow excused absences for the event. Parents interested in having their children participate in Take Our Children to Work Day are encouraged to check with their school district to determine the district’s policy. The University will provide printed certificates to attending children to certify to their school that they participated in Take Our Children to Work Day activities.
Responses from area school districts regarding their policy included:
- Austin Independent School District — Students will have a teacher in-service day on April 24, so the students will be out of school.
- Del Valle ISD — Students are permitted one day’s excused absence between April 13th and June 19th for this event.
- Eanes ISD — With prior written notification, student requests to participate will be considered an excused absence on a case-by-case basis.
- Lake Travis ISD — Unexcused absence.
- Leander ISD — Excused absence with prior approval.
- Liberty Hill ISD — Unexcused absence.
- Manor ISD — Unexcused absence.
- Pflugerville ISD — Excused absence with prior approval.
- Round Rock ISD — Unexcused absence.
- Taylor ISD — Unexcused absence.
“This day could well assist and influence career choices for the future. Our children will be observing and participating in an aesthetic experience along with hands-on fun-filled activities,” said Crutcher. The traditional “President’s Ice Cream Social” also is on the activities list. An up-to-date listing of events can be seen on the Take Our Children to Work Website, which is http://www.ae.utexas.edu/~conley/toctwd.
