
Hornet Herald
November 26, 2023
Hello Hornet Families!!!
I hope this newsletter finds you all refreshed and filled with joy as we conclude Thanksgiving break. I particularly enjoyed having some time off to take a quick trip back to Illinois and return to Austin to spend time with my family. Although we did not do anything "special" it was nice to sit down as a family to play some games and catch up after a busy semester. However you and you families spent the break, I hope it was enjoyable and filled with love.
As we approach the end of 2023, our teachers and staff members are planning exciting events and learning opportunities for our students. From spirit days and a winter dance to class projects and high school course finals, we want to make the remaining weeks prior to winter break an enjoyable and engaging academic experience for our Hornets. You can find information on these and other events below.
We are excited about what lies ahead and appreciate your partnerships in the success of our Hornets. Let's make these next few weeks great.
Mr. Estes
Campus Information
Upcoming Dates
- November 27 - December 15 - MAP Testing Window
- November 27 - NJHS Induction Ceremony RSVPs Due
- November 27 - December 3 - Book People Fundraiser
- November 30 - Girls' Basketball vs. Lively
- November 30 - AVID Family Night/Title I Engagement Night
- December 2 - Boys' Soccer vs Lamar
- December 7 - Kealing Connects Orientation
- December 7 - Girls' Basketball vs. O'Henry
- December 8 - Candyland Winter Dance
- December 9 - Boys' Soccer vs. Lamar
- December 11-14 High School Course Finals
STINGER SALUTES
From Ms. Tasneem: Ethan Gormley & Liam Kemp, thank you for such kind notes of gratitude. It's been an absolute privilege to be your advisory teacher these 3 years! Hurdle House 4-eva!
From Ms. Rieck: Oliver Saucedo and Trey Moore, thank you for repping Wells-Spears in the basketball game! You rock!
From Ms. Garcia: Shout out to Apollo Griffin for your honesty in returning an item borrowed during class and for your loyalty to arriving on time every time, ready to learn & grow!
From Mr. Felan: Chase Turner for being a great young man who is always in a great mood with something nice to say.
From Ms. Krumrey: I appreciate Kat Kittrel's kindness and her warm spirit. She is a hard worker and a deep thinker
From Ms. Krumrey: Jace Chen always has a kind and sincere greeting. I also appreciate Jace’s thoughtful participation in class.
CONGRATULATIONS to this week's Stinger Salute recipients!!!
THE GREAT DEBATE
Our students really enjoyed this event and have offered suggestions for our next whole school debate. Be on the lookout for the next Kealing challenge.
US NEWS & WORLD REPORT
US News & World Report published their 2024 Best Middle Schools, and the news is good for Kealing as we placed among the top 40% of Middle schools in the state of Texas, making us a U.S. News Best Middle School.
This is a testament to all of teachers and staff's hard work in leading our students through their educational journey.
Here’s a look at our ranking.
HIGH SCHOOL COURSE FINALS
Students currently enrolled in a high school credit class (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Spanish, French, German, Latin, and/or Japanese) will take their course final December 11th - 14th. This week, we will operate a Final's Bell Schedule to allow students plenty of time to complete their final. We wish all of our students participating in finals, the best of luck.
SPRING TEACHER ASSISTANT REQUESTS
Over the next few weeks, we will be adjusting schedules for any student who has a “hole” or a missing period in their schedule for the second semester. Because of limited space and restrictions on moving into year-long classes, we will not be holding an add-drop period for the spring. The only changes allowed will be for students requested TA/Office Aide positions prior to the December 1st deadline.
TEACHER’S ASSISTANT/OFFICE AIDE POSITIONS: 7th and 8th Graders Only
Teachers may request up to 2 TAs per class period. TA forms must be signed by the teacher and parent and submitted prior to the designated deadline.
Front Office staff will select up to 4 students per class period as office aides. Interested students need to see Ms. Luna in the front office for approval/availability.
TA forms will be available via the Counseling BLEND page or in the Program Office beginning Thursday, November 16th. Paper forms must be returned to the program office by 3pm on Friday, December 1st, and MUST be signed by hosting teacher and parent.
Incomplete forms will not be processed.
THRIVING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND
To help us get excited and prepare for Winter Break, we have created a month of spirit days to start the first full week of December. We cannot wait to see all of students and staff show off their school spirit by participating in Kealing's - Thriving in a Winter Wonderland.
CANDYLAND WINTER DANCE
Student Council and Cheer are hosting the Candyland Winter Dance on Friday, December 8th from 6:00-8:00. Tickets will go on sale the day of the dance and can be purchased for $5 during lunch and at the door. Behavior and attendance expectations for eligibility to attend were communicated last week through advisory and will continue to be reinforced.
In order to ensure that fun is had by all, we would appreciate your help! We need help setting up, chaperoning, selling tickets, working the concessions and/or cleaning up.
Please see the CANDYLAND VOLUNTEER link HERE. If you have any questions, please contact megan.lorenz@austinisd.org or sarah.waggoner@austinisd.org. We really look forward to hosting this event and appreciate your support.
BOOK PEOPLE FUNDRAISER
From November 27th - December 3rd, 20% of all purchases made at BookPeople by Kealing friends and family will be donated back to our PTA. Purchases can be made in-person or online. While checking out, make sure to mention Kealing! Get you holiday gifts and support Kealing's students and staff at the same time.
STUDENTS VS. STAFF BASKETBALL GAME
Prior to Thanksgiving Break, Kealing students and staff participated in a friendly game of basketball for bragging rights. A ton of fun was had by students and staff as well as those in crowd. In the end, Kealing Staff came out on top.
Students who earned over 25 Hornet Tokens were able to sign up at our Stinger Store that is open every Friday. There will be other opportunities for students to take on Kealing staff members this school year in basketball, volleyball, and soccer.
CHANGES TO AUSTIN ISD MATH OFFERINGS
Austin ISD Office of Academics is making changes to middle school Math offerings beginning next school year. Instead of there being three levels of math offerings per grade level, middle schools will now only offer two (On-Level and Advanced).
Please see the message detailing the changes from Dr. Diaz, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Academics. She has scheduled virtual meetings for AISD families, teachers, and community members to learn more about the changes.
NJHS WINTER WEAR DRIVE
We'll be accepting all winter clothing in ALL sizes (kids, teens, adults XS- 4XL). Coats, jackets/hoodies, long-sleeve shirts, hats, scarves, gloves/mittens, jeans/pants can be new OR gently used, but socks and underwear will need to be in original packaging.
Students can deliver items to their advisory teacher, and a few NJHS members will pick up donations every Friday during advisory. Parents can send donations with their student or drop them off in the main office for Chambers/NJHS.
There will also be large boxes in the library and program office, but we encourage students to donate through their advisory teacher. This is because the advisory with the highest number of donations will have a donut/breakfast treat party in their advisory (at a time/date decided by their advisory teacher).
NJHS INDUCTION CEREMONY
KEALING MATHCOUNTS
GIRL'S BASKETBALL
This week, our Girls' Basketball team takes on Lively Middle School on Thursday, November 30th starting at 6:00pm. The 7th grade team will be home and 8th grade is on the road. Come out and cheer on our Hornets.
BOYS SOCCER
GIRLS' SOCCER
Are you interested in trying out for the KMS Girls’ Soccer Team?
Tryouts will be held at the KMS soccer field from 3-4:45 PM on:
Tuesday, January 9th
Wednesday, January 10th
Thursday, January 11th
You MUST have a current AISD athletics physical by tryouts. Additionally, make sure you have filled out the google form below before tryouts. Contact keri.jaworski@austinisd.org with any questions.
Link to form: https://forms.gle/4krzFfxgkJRdbfAU6
KEALING REFLECTIONS
Prior to Thanksgiving Break, several Kealing Hornets submitted their project for Kealing Reflections. Each submission were nothing short of amazing. Congratulations to each student who showcased their talented works of art.
The following students will advance to the regional level for most successfully addressing the prompt, "I Am Hopeful Because..." both in their artist statement and their creative piece:
Visual Arts:
Hannah Hua: “Colors of Taiwan”
Cora Truskett: “Rain”
Miles Waitzkin: “Music Man”
Eleanor Cook: “Hopeful Mistakes”
Chloe Jones: “Sunny Night”
Film Production:
Lily Pate: “A Drop in the River"
Music Composition:
Coral Pettiss: “Won’t Lose Hope”
Literature:
Ellis Reddam: “Change is Coming"
GET INVOLVED! KEALING CONNECTS SEEKS VOLUNTEERS
KEALING PTA
KEALING'S PTA
Some of the ways the PTA has helped Kealing students, staff, and administration get the year started include:
- Partnered with Kealing administration to support New Student Orientation.
- Purchased “Thrive in the Hive” staff shirts.
- Hosted two Teacher Appreciation luncheons.
- Hosted Welcome Back Sunset Cruise for teachers.
- Partnered with administration to support Back to School Night.
- Kicked off the Secret Pals Program
- Purchased Spanish software subscriptions.
- Purchased classroom supplies for teachers.
- Purchased tools and novels for ELA classrooms
Your membership empowers us to continue these efforts. Join us today and help make a difference in your child's education.