Kiker Comments: September 12, 2023
A Joint Newsletter from the Bernice Kiker Admin Team and PTA
Calendar of Events
September
13 - PTA Meet and Greet/ Volunteer Expo at Morning Drop Off
15 - K-5 Map Growth Window Closes
15 - Lockdown Drill - morning
16 - Rosh Hashanah
18 - GT Nomination Window Opens for K-1, 3-5/ALL 2nd graders will be screened (through 10/6).
19 - District Virtual Family GT Information Session (Option 1) @ 6:00 PM
20 - District Virtual Family GT Information Session (Option 2) @ 12:00 PM
22 - PreK Circle PM CLI Window Closes
22 - Kinder TX KEA Window Opens (through 10/31)
23 - AISD Campus Showcase - Kiker will have a table at the event.
25 - Conference Day - No Students (Yom Kippur)
28 - Kiker's GT Parent Information Session 5:00 pm via Zoom
PTA Meet & Greet and Volunteer Expo at Morning Drop Off
Join us for a PTA Meet & Greet and our Volunteer Expo during morning drop off on Wednesday, September 13th! We'll be outside on the big path by the flagpole and the labyrinth. Come say hi, have a cup of coffee, and browse all the ways to get involved as a volunteer at Kiker!
Spirit Wear Winners
Mrs. Hunt for Pre-k-2nd and Mrs. Boone for 3rd-5th.
We had 9 classes report 100% of their class was wearing Kiker blue! Great job showing your Kiker school spirit! The Kiker Spirit team will be visiting these classrooms this week to deliver the Spirit Stick as well as some fun surprises. We can't wait to see how many more classes come in at 100% on our October spirit day.
PTA Membership Drive Winners
KIker Elementary is SUPER!! The results of our membership drive are in, and the winning classes are Hunt (1st place), Raymond (2nd), Cardenas (3rd), McKaskle (4th), and Hariharan/Nabers tied for 5th. Thank you so much to everyone who joined and helped us promote membership.
If you missed the drive, don't worry! You can still join and support your PTA + our initiatives for this school year. https://kikerpta.membershiptoolkit.com/our_pta
Hispanic Heritage Talent Show
GT Nomination Window Opens Next Week
Gifted and Talented Nomination Window - Deadline 10/6 at 4:00 pm
New this year: ALL second graders will be pre-screened for GT testing. Any second student with a strong score on the pre-screener will be offered the forms to continue the rest of the evaluation/testing process. Families will need to fill out paperwork to continue past the screener.
For all other grades, students will only go through the GT screening process if the nomination form (coming next week) is filled out prior to 10/6.
There is only one nomination window this year for all grades. The process includes several steps: nomination, screening, and selection. Information considered in the decision includes parent/guardian and teacher input, review of other student work, and standardized assessments. The standardized assessments are all online. The GT nomination window will run through October 6 with a firm deadline of 4:00 pm on October 6.
Please note that the nomination process is time sensitive for this fall only.
* K-1 will take the NNAT assessment online
* 2-5 will take the CogAT assessment online
For more information, you are invited to attend an information session via Zoom on September 28 at 5:30 pm. Thank you!
Zoom link to come next week.
Future AISD Parent Power Hours for Special Education Information
Please RSVP for Learning and Engagement Opportunities here: RSVP form 2023-2024. Virtual and in-person sessions are available. Virtual sessions can be accessed by using this link: https://austinisd-org.zoom.us/j/88661610735 and will be recorded and posted on the Austin ISD external website. For more information or assistance with registration, please contact Lisa.Saldana-Vasquez@austinisd.org. Spanish interpretation will be provided for all sessions
Full list linked HERE and in the PDF below.
Phones, Smart Phones, Smart Watches to Remain in Backpacks
We are seeing a significant number of interruptions to daily learning due to the presence of these devices.
We are asking for your support as our teachers direct students to place their personal devices in their backpacks during the instructional day. Students can access them again at dismissal time.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Library News
DEI Book Series
Monarch Book Series
Monarch Butterfly Book Series: Discover, Learn, Soar
September introduces the topic of inclusion to our students. What does it mean to feel a sense of belonging? What does inclusion look/feel like for various students? How can we continue to show kindness, compassion, and understanding to all?
The books listed below can be found at the Kiker library, Austin Public Library, and online through AISD MackinVIA audioapp. Read Alouds can also be found on youtube or at the Austin Public Library.
Kindergarten - Second Grade Book List
Strictly No Elephants By: Lisa Mantchev
We’re All Wonders By: Palacio, R.J (author, illustrator)
Gibberish By: Young Vo
Colors of Us By: Karen Katz
Reflection Questions:
Think of your favorite friend, what are some things you have in common? What are some of your differences?
Have you ever felt like you were different? How did you feel?
How can you show kindness to someone in your class?
Third - Fifth Grade Book List
Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You By: Sonia Sotomayor
Wonder By:R.J Palacio
The Name Jar By: Yangsook Choi
Reflection Questions:
What is one unique thing about you that you are sometimes self-conscious about but also proud of?
How do our differences make our school more interesting and fun?
What might be some ways you can build relationships with people who are different from you? What did the character of your book do?
Track Progress: Students who read every month will be acknowledged and celebrated at the end of the semester and year. To track your student’s progress please complete this form.
Want more?! Here are some additional books to read:
Change Sings by Amanda Gorman (author), Loren Long (illustrator)
Giraffes Can't Dance by Gile Andreae and Guy Parker-Rees
All the Beating Hearts by Julie Folgiano (author), Julia Chien (illustrator)
Abduhl's Story by Jamilah Thompkins-Bidelow (Author) and Tiffany Rose (illustrator)
The Day You Begin by By Jacqueline Woodson
Technology Expectations
https://bit.ly/aisdtechexpectations (Updated 8.10.2023)
Device Care and Tips: https://bit.ly/AISDdevicecare
Be Safe, Be Responsible, Be Respectful.
Counselor Updates - Schwartz's Suggestions
Follow Mrs. Schwartz on Instagram @KikerSchoolCounselor
Reporting Absences / Illness Policy / Covid Policy
Celebrations
Staff Birthdays
September
1 - Erin Thomas
8 - Zoey Franz
22 - Amanda Prickett
Austin ISD uses the RAVE award to Recognize All Valuable Employees.
Did someone at Kiker do something awesome? Why not send them a RAVE?
https://www.austinisd.org/hc/aisd-employee-experience/rave
Camille Hudson
Jennifer Blake
Pooja Mulgaonker
Cynthia Gilliland
Stephanie Toman
Alma Chapa Moore
Kelly Zilem
Sarah Schwartz
Elizabeth Billman
Alondra Rocha
Alyssa Turnipseed
Candance Cotten
Julia Bown-Anderson
Jennifer Jones
Raven Jeffrey
Ashley Cross
This week:
Shawn Whitehouse
Jessica Boone
Kathryn McLaughlin
September Coffee Sponsor
Our very own Kifer Sparks Agency Real Estate is our coffee lounge sponsor for the month of September! Kifer Sparks Agency is a boutique real estate firm with a fondness for all things Austin. Started by two Kiker moms with a vision, they're here to fill a gap in a market that's too often missing a personal, problem-solving and hands-on approach.
After school enrichment
After School Enrichment Programs
Check out our new and returning after-school enrichment programs at Kiker. Enrolling now!
https://kiker.austinschools.org/after-school-programs
If your student is going to be absent from an after-school enrichment program, please correspond directly with the program so their instructors will know.
Safety Patrol for 4th and 5th Graders
This year we are encouraging 4th and 5th grade students to sign up for safety patrol for a two week block of time during the school year. Thank you for being a campus leader!
Students will drop backpack off in the front foyer/vestibule, sign in, grab a vest, and head out front. We need help waving cars to the front of the line, opening doors, and welcoming each child with a warm greeting or sending students off at the end of the day.
How To Video - This is the Training Video for Safety Patrol
AISD Master Calendar 2023 - 2024
Update to AISD Student Code of Conduct / Student Success Guide
The Austin ISD Student Success Guide (Student Code of Conduct) is now available on the Austin ISD District website for students, parents, and guardians to review. One important legislative update is that ALL e-cigarettes (THC and Tobacco) are prohibited. House Bill 114 requires a student to be placed in the District Alternative Education Program (DAEP) if the student possesses, uses, is under the influence, sells, gives, or delivers marijuana, THC, or an e-cigarette (new) while on campus, within 300 feet of school property, or at a school-related event. Under Austin ISD guidelines, this is a 20-day DAEP placement. Parents and guardians are strongly urged to talk to their students about this new policy and review the Student Success Guide to help keep our schools safe for students and staff. For resources to use when talking with your student about the harmful effects of e-cigarettes visit https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/.
Bernice Kiker Elementary Administration Team
Alma Chapa Moore - Assistant Principal
Kelly Zilem - Assistant Principal
Email: cory.matheny@austinisd.org
Website: https://kikerelementary.org/
Location: 5913 La Crosse Avenue, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-414-2584
Facebook: facebook.com/CMathenyPrincipal
Twitter: @KikerComets