
Hornet Herald
December 3, 2023
Hello Hornet Families!!!
I hope everyone had a chance to get out and enjoy the sunshine and warm weather this weekend. It brings me great joy when talking to my family back in Illinois while they are complaining of having to go out in the snow. Meanwhile my family and I are enjoying fresh air while walking the trails near our home. I am sure we will have our share of cold, wintery weather this year, so let's make the most of the wonderful weather while we can by getting out with our families.
This past week at the Hornets Nest was filled with our students and staff demonstrating amazing talents and work in the classroom. I had the pleasure of visiting a few of Mr. Natenberg's SMIA classes and enjoying educational presentations from his students. The research projects focused on actions that would help solve problems related to greenhouse effects, global warming, greenhouse gases, and fossil fuels. The groups did a tremendous job presenting their projects and provided simply strategies we could all do to positively impact our planet.
I also had the chance to visit Ms. Tasneem's Science classroom where she partnered with University of Texas' Cockrell School of Engineering to provide an engaging lesson for our students. The activity centered around students using critical thinking skills and their creativity to design propeller cars. It was extremely gratifying watching our Hornets interact with UT students to develop their cars.
Additionally, I had the great honor of participating in AVID Night and the National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony. Both Mr. McCormick and Ms. Chambers put on wonderful events to recognize students' hard work and dedication to their academics and positively impacting the Kealing community. These are just a few of the many aspects that make Kealing so special.
This week, the fun continues as students begin wrapping up Map Testing, our High School course students continue preparing for finals, 6th grade students continue perfecting their Science Fair projects, we begin our "Thriving in Winter Wonderland" Spirit Days, a Theater Production performance, Kealing Band hosts their Winter Concert, and we conclude the week with our Candyland Winter Dance. If you have time and are looking to support our Hornets, come out to one of the many events happening this week.
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
- December 4 - 8 - MAP Testing
- December 5 - Bowie High School Visit (8th Grade Only)
- December 5 - Production Theater Winter Performance (7:00 - 8:00pm)
- December 6 - Winter Band Concert (6:30 @ AISD PAC)
- 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
- December 14 - CAC Meeting
- December 14 - Crockett High School Showcase (5:30-7pm)
- December 20 - Last Day of School
- December 21 - January 8 - Winter Break
- January 9 - First Day of Spring Semester
STINGER SALUTES
From Ms. Bazan: Jaylee Cruz has been doing a great job stepping up in class and taking on leadership roles.
From Ms. Bazan: Bailee Carter consistently helps motivate her peers and has been a great leader in both World Cultures & Speech & Debate.
From Ms. Sheeran: Mary Stewart shows loyalty to her learning by working with excellence and asking questions. I am so proud of all of her hard work!
From Mr. Estes: Henry Harris for showing kindness every day with everyone he interacts with and for supporting substitute teachers carry out his teachers' lesson goals.
From Ms. Garcia: Desi'Nae Jones for her loyalty and ownership of learning by putting forth her best every single day…she is the master of the “ final trigraph t c h” rule amongst many others!!
CONGRATULATIONS to this week's Stinger Salute recipients!!!
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.
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.
Monday - Play to be Plaid/Wear Flannel or Fleece
Tuesday - Tacky Tourist Tuesday
Wednesday - Ghosts of Holiday's Past/Decades Day
Thursday - Let it Snow/Wear all white
Friday - Deck the Halls/Wear Silver and Gold
CANDYLAND WINTER DANCE VOLUNTEERS & DONATIONS NEEDED
Don't miss the chance to see our students smiling, laughing, and cutting a rug! This fun event is only possible with lots of volunteer support, so please SIGN UP HERE for set up, supervising, and the parent after party, aka clean up-crew!
Concessions donations also needed! Please consider donating sodas, waters, full size candy bars, chips, and other snacks for us to sell at the dance. They can be dropped off at the front office or delivered. Please label FOR DANCE. Thanks in advance!
Questions? sarah.waggoner@austinisd.org or megan.lorenz@austinisd.org
COURTYARD KARAOKE
Shout out to Mr. Jones for volunteering his lunch hour singing tunes with students in the Courtyard. This provided students with another activity to engage in during lunch. Special thanks to Dezel for showing off his vocals and to his peers for joining in the fun.
UT's CROCKELL SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING VISITS KEALING
Ms. Kiersten Fernandez and University of Texas' Cockrell School of Engineering recently visited Kealing and Ms. Tasneem's Science classes. UT's Engineering students helped our Hornets design propeller cars. This vehicle is a simple four wheeled propeller driven device. The propeller is driven by a small battery powered electric motor. The major aspects of this project are the planning, design, construction, and assembly stages of the propeller driven car. The Engineering students from UT were blown away by our Hornet's creativity.
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). Kealing will continue offering our high school credit math courses (Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II).
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
GUITAR AND ORCHESTRA PERFORMANCES
Congratulations to Kealing's All-Region Guitar students on their phenomenal concert on Friday evening. We are proud of all of your hard work and dedication.
We'd also love to give a shout out to one of our orchestra violists, Finn Perez, on a fantastic performance with Austin Youth Orchestra's top ensemble on their side-by-side concert with the University of Texas Symphony Orchestra in Bates Concert Hall on Friday evening as well.
Mr. Gmitter and Ms. Riley
GIRL'S BASKETBALL
Congratulations to our 7th grade "A" and "B" teams who took care of their home court in beating Lively Middle School this past week. Our 8th grade teams traveled to Lively and fought hard until the last second losing by a basket in both games.
This week out 8th grade team is home and 7th grade is away as we take on O'Henry Middle School.
BOYS SOCCER
Some exciting soccer took place this past Saturday during the Boys' matches against Lamar. Our "A" team won 5-4 and 7th grade put on a strong showing before falling 3-2.
This week, we take on Lively Middle School this Saturday, December 2nd at Travis High School. The first game will start at 9:00.
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
MAKE A DIFFERENCE WITH KEALING CONNECTS!
2025 EF TOUR
It’s hard to believe we’re almost to winter break! Are you still looking for the perfect holiday gift? Give the gift of travel this year! We are excited to announce our educational trip to Italy, France, & Monaco with parents and students in the summer of 2025! Our 9-day tour will allow students to connect more deeply with a foreign culture and history and will showcase a glimpse of so much of what this unique country has to offer. We’ll stroll the French Riviera, see the beautiful Northern coastal region of Italy, live like royals in Monaco, and, of course, eat our weight in pasta and gelato!
This trip will fill up quickly, so please join our informational meeting where we’ll discuss:
● Where and when we’re going
● What we’ll see and do
● Travel logistics
● How your child can earn academic credit
● Flexible payment options that keep the tour affordable
We’ll also share details about how to sign up (space is limited!) and answer any questions you might have.
Meeting Details & Registration (must register to enroll): https://bit.ly/3T2NcuS
KEALING PTA
GRADE LEVEL T-SHIRTS
We are excited to announce that the PTA is gifting all students a grade-level shirt! However, we need your help with collecting sizes! Please fill out your student's t-shirt size in this form as soon as possible. Our order deadline is the end of the day Monday.
Thank you for your cooperation and support.
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.