Georgetown ISD officials are working to provide additional support and intervention at five elementary schools with low academic performance.

What happened: At a Dec. 1 workshop, district officials discussed their plans to invest in Cooper, Frost, Mitchell, Purl and Williams Elementary schools, which have been identified as high-priority campuses. The district has hired more staff across the schools and considered implementing stipends for instructional leaders and principals.

The big picture: Frost, Mitchell, Purl and Williams have received multiple D or F ratings from the Texas Education Agency over the last three years. Cooper received its third consecutive F rating in 2024 but earned a C grade in 2025.

Across the five campuses, GISD has hired the following additional staff members totaling $1.02 million for fiscal year 2025-26:

• Four assistant principals each with a salary of $80,000
• Two instructional coaches each with a salary of $70,000
• Four interventionists each with a salary of $70,000
• Eight Literacy First staff members each with a salary of $35,000

The sub sandwich franchise, Jersey Mike’s Subs, will open at Parmer Ranch Marketplace on Dec. 3.

The details: The Parmer Ranch location marks the company’s third Georgetown location. It is owned by franchisee Corby Cronin.

What's happening: Cronin will hold a grand opening fundraiser from Dec. 3-7 to support the Helping Hand Home of Austin, according to a company news release. Customers who receive a fundraising coupon prior to the store’s opening can make a minimum $2 donation to the nonprofit in exchange for a regular sub.

About the business: Jersey Mike’s offers fresh-sliced and grilled subs made from a selection of meats, cheeses, vegetables and condiments, and served on in-store baked bread.

• 10104 RM 2338, Ste. 150, Georgetown

Round Rock gained a new Vietnamese restaurant in November with the opening of Noble Pho in the University Commons retail center.

About the business: The menu includes a variety of appetizers including spring rolls, egg rolls, chicken wings and poached eggs; main dishes such as beef broth pho, oxtail pho, vegan broth pho, bánh mi sandwiches, fried rice, rice plates and vermicelli bowls; and boba tea, as well as Vietnamese coffee.

About the owner: Noble Pho is a northern-style Vietnamese restaurant owned and operated by three friends who share a passion for pho. The restaurant is owned by Candice Lui, Eunice Tsang, and chef Jenna Choe, who are residents of Austin and Round Rock.

• 200 University Blvd., Ste. 530, Round Rock

Austin’s annual New Year’s event with Visit Austin has made some upgrades to this year’s experience with a drone show and expanded media coverage from national outlets.

What to know: Community members can check out headliners The Head and the Heart, who will be joined by local musicians Chaparelle, Tameca Jones and The Point. Locals and visitors alike can enjoy the experience with bites from local food trucks, nonalcoholic and alcoholic beverages and a drone show. 

Presented by Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, the drone show will be a first in Austin’s New Year’s celebration and will kick off the lighting of the downtown skyline with a fireworks finale. As part of their national New Year’s Eve coverage, CNN will broadcast live from Austin.

Stay tuned: The city will share the full lineup of artists in December. Individuals looking to attend the event can also expect transportation and general event tips to be posted on the website in the near future.

• Auditorium Shores, 900 W. Riverside Drive, Austin