Winter | Family Smore 2024

Dear Wildcat Families,

We’re thrilled to bring you the latest edition of our Wildcat Wire: Family Edition! In this issue you'll find photos from a few of our recent district events to showcase the smiles, laughter, and achievements of our amazing students. These snapshots are a testament to the vibrant community we have in Kennedale ISD. We’ve also included important information and friendly reminders about upcoming learning opportunities, resources for families, and key dates to mark on your calendar for the spring. Our goal is to ensure you have the details you need to support your child's learning journey and stay connected within our KISD community.

We hope you enjoy scrolling through this newsletter as much as we enjoyed putting it together! Your ongoing support and partnerships are invaluable, and we look forward to continuing to work together this spring.

Dr. Julie Vu

Assistant Superintendent

Curriculum & Student Services

February 16: Student Holiday - Staff Development Day

February 19: Holiday - President's Day

March 11-15: Spring Break

March 29: Student and Staff Holiday

The Ascender Parent Portal allows parents to set alerts for grades and attendance and view report cards and progress reports. Parents may also email their child’s teacher from within the Ascender Parent Portal. Simply click on the teacher’s name from the student’s class schedule.

Parents may view the Ascender Parent guide HERE.

Did you know that students in KISD can access 24/7 online homework help through an online platform?

Beginning this January, students can access Varsity Tutors through their student Clever accounts. Varsity Tutors is an online platform that offers on-demand tutoring and homework help to students 24 hours a day/7 days a week. Students will have the same access for online tutoring support as they had in the fall through Tutoring.com, including on-demand help for all core subject areas, on-demand essay editing and coaching, as well as college prep and admissions resources.

Click HERE to learn more about this new opportunity for KISD students!

TEA has released the list of instructional resources that will be considered for classroom adoption later this year. The implementation of these materials in KISD classrooms begins next fall. We invite all parents to view the online samples provided by TEA and submit feedback to inform KISD's decision-making committee as they determine which materials will be meet the needs of our students.

Click the following link to review the released materials and provide feedback by January 31:

Parent Pre-Adoption Feedback

Did you know that NWEA MAP has a Family Toolkit to help parents and guardians have a better understanding of how the MAP assessment supports academic growth?

KISD students in grades K-10 take NWEA MAP Growth assessments three times a year in various subjects, including math, reading, language arts, and science. The Family Toolkit provides answers to common questions about MAP Growth and explains how to read the Family Report and use the information to support your child.

Click HERE to access the Family Toolkit.

Did you know that if your student in grades 2-12 participates in our ESL or bilingual programs, they have access to Summit K12?

Summit K12 is a fantastic online resource that helps your child build foundational language skills, expand their vocabulary, develop content knowledge, and improve their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills while also preparing them for the annual TELPAS state assessment.

Students can access Summit K12 at school or at home through student Clever accounts.

KISD aims to ensure that English learners and immigrant students attain English proficiency and develop high levels of academic success. Please join us for our upcoming parent session on fostering connections with the community. REGISTER today!

R.F. Patterson Elementary, James F. Delaney Elementary, and Kennedale Junior High School held their annual Spelling Bee competitions this past month!

The first place winner from each campus will go on to compete at the Area Bee hosted by Burleson ISD in February. Second place winners will accompany them to gain a better understanding of the process and cheer on their classmates!

Congratulations to all of our winners. Best of luck at the Area Spelling Bee!

Our AVID students embarked on a college visit to UTA (University of Texas at Arlington) that opened their eyes to the possibilities of higher education. During the visit, students had the opportunity to participate in a self-guided tour of the campus and hear from students and staff on their insights into college life. This experience was an essential step in their college readiness journey, inspiring them to pursue their educational dreams.

Our AVID students also had the opportunity to participate in the Student For A Day program at TCU. This program enabled them to set foot on a college campus and get a firsthand taste of the college experience. During their visit, KISD AVID students took a self-guided tour of the campus and participating in a variety of campus activities. They also had the chance to attend a football game and immerse themselves in the energetic atmosphere of college athletics. It was an unforgettable experience that ignited their enthusiasm for higher education. The goal of these college visits is to inspire AVID students to dream big and broaden their horizons. We are immensely proud of their enthusiasm and the curiosity they exhibited throughout the day, and we look forward to providing more exciting opportunities to empower AVID students and lay the groundwork for their future success.

Our AVID students volunteered their time and helped unload shipping containers, box trucks, crates, and food drive donations to prepare for the Thanksgiving outreach program. By engaging in meaningful service, students learned the importance of giving back and gained a deeper appreciation for the impact they can make in the lives of others.

Self-paced PSAT, SAT, ACT, and TSI preparation courses are available at no charge to any student enrolled at Kennedale ISD. Texas A&M is offering an SAT/ACT information meeting virtually for parents and students to learn more about this opportunity. Two meeting dates are available, February 10th and April 13th, from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM. Registration for the Zoom meeting is required.

Contact Denell Dickey for registration information.

We are thrilled to announce the return of the "Raising Highly Capable Kids" parenting program!

This 10-week, evidence-backed parenting course is designed to strengthen family bonds by equipping parents with the knowledge and skills necessary to nurture healthy, empathetic, and responsible children. Rooted in the Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets, this program has a track record of enhancing parental involvement, boosting children's resilience, and improving academic performance.

The sessions begin on January 10th and will take place on Wednesday afternoons from 12:00-1:30 at R.F. Patterson Elementary School. They will be led by KISD Counseling Services Staff, Ms. Kenya Evans, Intervention Counselor, and Maddi Rabel, Social Worker.

For more details on the program, including informational sessions and dates, please refer to the accompanying flyers included below.

We are proud to announce an important step forward in our commitment to student well-being and mental health. Kennedale ISD has partnered with Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (TCHATT), a program under the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium (TCMHCC), to bring vital mental health services to our students.

**Our Partnership and Mission**

Through this collaboration, we aim to address the growing need for comprehensive mental health services in our schools. TCHATT provides an innovative telemedicine program, focusing on identifying and addressing the behavioral health needs of children and adolescents. This initiative aligns with the efforts of TCMHCC, established by the 86th Texas Legislature, to improve mental health care systems for young Texans. The Consortium's work was further strengthened in 2021 with the Texas Legislature's approval of federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act.

**Accessing TCHATT Services in Kennedale ISD**

To access TCHATT's telehealth services, parents, guardians, and students in Kennedale ISD can connect with their school counselor. Our counselors are equipped to guide families through the process and facilitate referrals to TCHATT if our school is part of this partnership. This program represents a crucial resource in our ongoing efforts to support the mental health and well-being of our students.

We look forward to the positive impact this partnership will have on our school community and remain dedicated to providing the best possible support to our students and their families.

Supplemental Special Education Services (SSES) are available for eligible parents/caregivers of eligible students served by special education that have been impacted by COVID-19 school closures. This $1,500 one-time on-line grant can be used to obtain educational materials and resources and/or services such as additional speech therapy or other specific services.

To see if you qualify, apply on the TEA Supplemental Special Education Services website.

Visit the SPEDTEX Information Center for resources, including understanding the Special Education process, understanding your rights, information regarding various disabilities, and more.

Families can register for an account HERE.

Visit the Parent Resources section of the Kennedale ISD website to find previous versions of the Wildcat Wire!

Follow KISD Curriculum and Student Services on Facebook and Twitter!

Email: CSS@kisdtx.net
Website: kennedaleisd.net
Location: 140 West Kennedale Parkway, Kennedale, TX, USA
Phone: 817.563.8000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KennedaleISDCurriculum
Twitter: @KennedaleCSS