
Hornet Herald
September 24, 2023
Hello Hornet Families!!!
As crazy as it sounds, we just completed our 6th week of the school year. This means, the second Progress Reports for the first grading period will be made available this week and your student has three weeks left before the grading period ends. Encourage your student to finish off strong and be sure to attend their teachers' Office Hours for extra support. The Office Hours schedule is towards the bottom of this newsletter.
Homecoming will also take place this week. It has been such a joy seeing the excitement of our students as they have prepared for this fun week. Our Hornet student-athletes will be in action as our football takes on Lively Tuesday evening and the Lady Hornets volleyball team tries to make it three wins in a row when they take on O'Henry Thursday evening. Additionally, we will have a Pep-Rally Tuesday and student dress up days (I truly hope no-one tells me they dress up as Mr. Estes for senior citizen day).
I hope you all have a safe and productive week. Just a reminder, there is NO-SCHOOL for students on Monday, September 25th.
Mr. Estes
Campus Information
Upcoming Dates
- September 25 - NO SCHOOL
- September 26-29 - Homecoming Week
- September 26 - Football vs. Lively
- September 28 - Volleyball vs O'Henry
- September 30 - ORANGE Day
- October 2 - Football vs. Lamar
- October 3 - Band Concert @ Huston-Tillotson
- October 9 - NO SCHOOL
STINGER SALUTES
From Ms. Randolph: Evy Leon has demonstrated the ability to come to class every day prepared, participate in discussions and answer questions, and help others around her. I am so proud of Evy’s progress so far!
From Ms. Bazan: Lizzie Mistrot helped out in Speech and Debate by showcasing her amazing speech from last year as an example for her 6th grade class she TA’s for. Thank you to the other guest students who helped Lizzie with the presentation.
From Ms. Randolph: Baylor Huh deserves a shout-out for his dedication, respect, and drive in the Social Studies classroom. He is always kind and polite to others around him and excels at keeping his peers on-task!
From Ms. Devall & Mr. Hinojosa: Skylar Solis have demonstrated strong leadership qualities in our Concert Band by performing with confidence and great tone quality!
From Ms. Lorenz: Nathan Murillo always models the value of Respect by showing class on time and completing his work. Nathan is always kind and polite, helping his friends whenever possible. He is a natural leader and a pleasure to have in class.
From Ms. Crouch: Gabby Zarate showed tremendous maturity and loyalty to her learning by coming up with her own solution to avoid the temptation to use her phone in class.
From Ms. Jaworski: Nick Rinehart is an outstanding student who comes prepared to learn every day. He not only produces top quality work, he is kind, polite, respectful and helpful to his classmates.
From Coach Brynie: Denzel Hardeman shows loyalty and respect everyday in PE. He is helpful to his peers and coach and is willing to do whatever to help out the class
Diana Hernandez Perez is always so kind and polite. She helps keep her table on task and stayed after class to help me clean up my room.
Emilio Flores is always on time to class, always is kind to his classmates, helping others that need help getting started. Great at setting the example of hard work and perseverance.
CONGRATULATIONS to this week's Stinger Salute recipients!!!
PAINT THE DAY AWAY
Please sign up HERE to volunteer on September 30th. We will start at 9:00am and work until it's done! Students and parents are welcome. If you have a ladder, please bring it. All other supplies will be provided.
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 - October 15. We observe National Hispanic Heritage month by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
Each week, AISD will focus on specific themes. This week's theme is Heroes de tu Comunidad - Austin ISD Hometown Heroes. Here is a KVUE special about local leaders.
AISD will conduct a monthlong profile series spotlighting Hispanic heroes and path breakers who have influenced Austin ISD in some way. Here is this week's spotlight.
ORANGE SHIRT DAY
Established in 2013 as a Canadian observance, Orange Shirt Day was started by Phyllis (Jack) Webstad, who left her home on the Dog Creek reserve in Canada in 1973 to attend boarding school. When she got to school, she was stripped and her clothing, including her favorite orange shirt given to her by her grandmother, was taken away.
September 30 is National Day of Remembrance for U.S. Indian Boarding Schools. In 2023, September 30 falls on a Saturday. AISD will observe Orange Shirt Day on Friday, September 29, 2023. On Orange Shirt Day, AISD recognizes the damage the residential school system did to Indigenous children, lifeways, and cultures.
GIFTED & TALENTED NOMINATIONS
Does your child continually ask questions, head stuck in a book, take things apart then possibly put them back together? Then your child should go through the GT nomination process.
GT Nomination window is from September 18-October 6
Students, parents, administrators, and staff can nominate students
A committee will be put together and they will go through a specific process to determine eligibility
Reason for identifying GT students is to make sure students are provided with the opportunity to experience high achieving academic courses
Please complete the form below if you would like to nominate your student to be screened for the GT process.
For more information on Advanced Academics please visit the link below or contact Ms. Williams, rolanda.williams@austinisd.org:
MAKE IT in TEXAS
The Make It Movement is inviting all high and middle school campuses in our district to participate in the inaugural “Make It in Texas” week celebration on October 2-6, 2023.
The goal of the week is to help young Texans start to discover their purpose, learn more about the fast-growing skilled career opportunities across the state, and connect them to resources -- while they are in school -- that will help them Make It In Texas.
Our CTE courses will participate in the Make It in Texas and will spend time this week focusing on:
Monday, 10/02
CELEBRATE YOUR BRIGHT FUTURE
Tuesday, 10/03
WHAT DO YOU LOVE TO DO?
Wednesday, 10/04
THE MANY WAYS YOU CAN MAKE IT IN TEXAS
Thursday, 10/05
START NOW, WHILE YOU'RE IN SCHOOL
Friday, 10/06
MAKE IT IN TEXAS SUMMIT LIVESTREAM
HORNET VOLLEYBALL
It was another strong week for Hornet Volleyball teams as they sweep Lively in all four games.
This Thursday, we look forward to taking on O'Henry. 8th grade plays at home while 7th grade is on the road. Come out and support these hard-working student-athletes.
- Coach Brynie
KEALING FOOTBALL TICKETS
We are all excited to cheer on our football players each week. Just a reminder to purchase football tickets in advance by going to GoFan.co. AISD no longer accepts at the gate.
2023-24 HOMECOMING
Our Lady Hornets Volleyball team's homecoming game will take place on Thursday, September 28th vs. Lively. Come cheer them on as they attempt to extend their winning streak before heading into the End of Season Tournament.
In addition to the football & volleyball games, we are also planning Spirit Days, Pep Rallys, etc.
AISD SHOWCASE
We had a ball yesterday at the AISD Showcase. We were able to meet so many families and potential Hornets throughout the day. If you were able to attend, we hope you enjoyed yourself as much as we did and hopefully you stopped by to say hello.
Special Shout Outs to our very own Pep Band who kicked off the morning with a performance, our AMAZING PTA and WONDERFUL students who helped out at the table, and member of the BEST STAFF in AISD, Mr. McCormick, Ms. Lorenz, Ms. Strickland, and Ms. Williams for giving up their Saturday to represent Kealing at the showcase.
BIKE CLUB
COACHING CORNER
FREE & REDUCE LUNCH
TIME IS RUNNING OUT!!!! DO NOT HESITATE, SUBMIT YOUR STUDENT'S LUNCH FORM TODAY.
Last year’s free or reduced-price status will expire on September 26 and students will return to a full paid status unless their families either complete a meal application or they are approved for state funded meal benefits. We ask that you apply for benefits for this school year as soon as possible so there is not an interruption to your student's lunch status.
- Families may apply for state funded benefits, such as SNAP, at www.yourtexasbenefits.com.
- Families may apply for district level meal benefits at www.SchoolCafe.com/AustinISD or by submitting a paper application.
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.
GARDEN WORK DAY
Join us for the first Garden Work Day
Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 30th, from 9:00 am to 11:30 am, and join us for a morning of community engagement! New families, students, and alumni -- all are welcome to be a part of this event. NJHS students can also earn service hours. Sign up here.
Questions? Contact Kate Svedersky, PTA Grounds & Urban Garden chair at grounds@kealingpta.org