Kiker Comments: October 3, 2023

October

5 - Author Visit - Brenden Wenzel for Kinder, 1st, and 2nd

5 - Picture Day - Individual photos by Lifetouch

5 - Last day to submit an entry for the Hispanic Heritage Month Talent Show

6 - Spirit Day - wear blue

9 - PD day, no children

10 - APEX full school assembly 1:45

11 - APEX class visits day 1

12 - APEX class visits day 2

12 - Kiker Keynotes 6:30

13 - Kiker Keynotes assembly/performance for the student body 8:30 am

13 - APEX class visit day 3 - wear blue and orange for the weekend send off

16 - APEX class visit day 4

17 - APEX class visit day 5

17 - Evening program for Parents of Special Education Students - guest speaker on executive functioning

18 - APEX class visit day 6

19 - APEX Fun Run

24 - Love your brain week - Your Future is Bright - wear neon

26 - Read for the Record

26 - Love your brain week - Hug Your Brain - wear a hat

27 - PTA sponsored Monster Mash and General Membership Meeting 5:30-7:30

31 - Dress like a book character day

31 - Fall Centers (for some grades)

K-2nd will have Brendan Wenzel in October.

3rd - 5th will have Christina Soontornvat in November. More information to come.

The 2023 Hispanic Heritage Talent Show is open for entries. We encourage your students to submit entries by October 5. Please see the attached flyers. Here is the link to participate.

We are beginning the gifted and talented identification process at Kiker Elementary School. 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, collection of a portfolio of 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.

New this year: ALL second graders will be pre-screened for GT testing. Any second grade student with a strong score on the pre-screener will be offered the forms to continue with the rest of the evaluation/testing process.

For all other grades, students will only go through the GT screening process if the nomination form below is filled out prior to 10/6. After completing the nomination form, a second form, the Parent Observation Checklist, will be emailed to you and is a required component of the student portfolio.

The Referral form is district created and NEW. Some of the questions are worded to be from a parent/caregiver and some are worded to be from a staff member. Feel free to skip the questions that aren't required if they are not a parent/caregiver question.

Click Here for the Nomination Form

* K-1 will take the NNAT assessment online

* 2-5 will take the CogAT assessment online

Calling all artists! Submissions are now open for the 2023-2024 Reflections program, an event through Texas PTA designed to showcase the creative potential of students across the state. This year's theme is "I am Hopeful Because..."

Submissions are due November 10th.

Here are the contest rules: https://www.txpta.org/reflections

Submissions can be made here: http://bit.ly/reflections-entry-form

Important note: You must be a member of PTA to enter the contest. Not signed up yet? No problem! Joining is quick and easy: https://kikerpta.membershiptoolkit.com/our_pta

Order today and save yourself the worry in May! You'll thank yourself at the end of the year!

**One slot left!**

In early March of 2020, Kiker PTA introduced a new bulletin board in the entry of the school. The purpose of the new bulletin board was to help introduce the big world to little eyes. PTA is revitalizing this bulletin in our Kiker community and we need your help! Please sign up for a month to create a bulletin board representing a country of your choice with culture, traditions, colors, pictures, food, etc. You can sign up and find additional details HERE. November spot is still available!

Save the date! Our school is about to embark on a Powerful journey with our APEX Fun Run fundraiser from 10/10-10/21 to raise money for Outdoor Science Initiatives and Campus Restorations.

The first event will be a Pep Rally during school on Tuesday, Oct 10th! (Students only)

Check out this quick video and stay tuned for more info on how to support us!

The Monster Mash ‘23 Pumpkin Decorating Contest is coming soon!

Design and decorate your silliest, spookiest pumpkins and show off your creations! Drop off will be at the front entrance beginning Monday October 23rd through Thursday, October 26th. Winners and prizes will be announced at the Monster Mash on Friday, October 27th. Make it a family-friendly fright for the win!

**please no carved pumpkins**

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.

Park meet up - changed to Dick Nichols. See below.

On October 26th, people across the country, including K-2 classrooms in AISD, will unite to read the children’s book With Lots of Love by author Jenny Torres Sanchez. By highlighting reading around the world, we hope to draw attention to the importance of literacy.

Through this partnership we will address bicycle and crosswalk safety in our PE lessons. The lessons will occur October 16-18 in our ABC rotation classes.

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.

In order to serve on the Community Textbook Adoption Committee, the candidate must:

• Be the parent/legal guardian of one or more children enrolled in Austin ISD schools;

• Not have received any kind of remuneration during the past three years from the publishers of the textbooks being considered for adoption;

• Attend an orientation meeting on Tuesday, November 14 (location TBD) from 5-7 p.m.; further meeting dates and information will be shared at that time.

Use this link for interested caregivers/parents/guardians. It must be received by Friday October 5, 2023.

Austin ISD is hosting a series of Mental Health and School Safety Community Conversations over the next month.

Why it matters: Our students, families and staff have valuable insights into how we can prevent and respond to critical incidents and we want to hear from you.

• Let’s work together to create physically and psychologically safe schools.

What to expect: Come talk with district leaders about:

• Mental health support and resources;
• Preventing and responding to critical incidents; and
• How we’re investing in school safety and mental health.

We’ll start the conversation Monday, Sept. 25! Emmy award-winning anchor and reporter for Spectrum News, Dr. Nicole Cross, will help us kickoff the conversation in English. Emmy Award-winning TV and radio host and emotional intelligence coach, Leslie Montoya, will host the conversation in Spanish.

• 6–7 p.m. Join via Zoom (English)
• 7–8 p.m. Join via Zoom (Spanish)

Additional events:

• Wednesday, Sept. 27, 6–7:30 p.m., Bowie HS
• Tuesday, Oct. 3, 6–7:30 p.m., Travis ECHS
• Tuesday, Oct. 10, 6–7:30 p.m., Eastside ECHS
• Wednesday, Oct. 11, 6–7:30 p.m., LBJ ECHS
• Tuesday, Oct. 17, 6–7:30 p.m., Anderson HS
• Wednesday, Oct. 18, 6–7 p.m., Join via Zoom (English)
• Wednesday, Oct. 18, 7–8 p.m., Join via Zoom (Spanish)

All events will have ASL interpretation, and in-person events will have small groups facilitated in English and Spanish.

Monarch Butterfly Book Series: Discover, Learn, Soar

October is National Hispanic Heritage month. This month celebrates the contribution and achievement of Hispanic American individuals, authors, and illustrators who have influenced and enriched our society. These stories allow us all to take a journey into a different culture, language, and experience.

The books listed below can be found at the Kiker library, Austin Public Library, and online through AISD MackinVIA audio app. Read Alouds can also be found on youtube or at the Austin Public Library.

Kindergarten - Second Grade Book List

My Two Border Towns By: David Bowles (author) Erika Meza (illustrator)

Mariana and her Familia By: Monica Mancillas (author) Erika Meza (illustrator)

Alma and How she got her name By: Juana Martinez-Neal (Author & Illustrator)

Reflection Questions:

1. What does family mean? Can you describe who is in your family? Do you think that all families look the same?

2. What is one thing you learned about Hispanic Culture from your books?

3. Being a good friend and helper often means looking for ways to show kindness to the people in your life. How did the characters in your story help others or show kindness? How can you be a helper in your family, with your friends, or in your classroom?

Third - Fifth Grade Book List

The Little House of Hope By: Terry Catasús Jennings (Author) Raúl Colón (Illustrator)

Sonia Sotomayer By: Jonah Winter (Author) Edel Rodriquez (Illustrator)

Solimar: The Sword of the Monarchs By: Pam Munoz Ryan (Author)

Reflection Questions:

1. Many families have stories that connect them to different cultures and places. What are some of the special places, cultures, and stories that your family shares? What were some of the special places and parts of Hispanic culture shared in your books?

2. Barriers are obstacles that limit movement or progress. What are some barriers experienced by the character of your book? Are there any barriers you experience in your life?

3. Individuals who consistently work hard to overcome challenges (barriers) are known to have perseverance. When was the last time that you showed perseverance? How did the character of your book demonstrate perseverance?

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:

9 Kilometers By: Claudio Aguilera (Author) Gabriela Lyon (Illustrator)

The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora By: Pablo Cartaya

Latinitas: Celebrating 40 Big Dreamers By: Juliet Menéndez

Where are you from? By: Yamile Saied Méndez (author) Jaime Kim (Illustrator)

Kiker PTA thanks Kiely Wolters - Roots Residential at Compass for sponsoring the Staff Coffee Lounge for the month of October.

Kiely's down-to-earth nature, dedication, integrity and masterful negotiation skills make her a natural choice for discerning clients. As a proud Kiker mom and resident of Circle C for 17 years, she understands how important community and location can be. Kiely sees real estate as more than just a transaction but an opportunity to help clients live out their dreams, empower financial security, and create lasting connections. She is a member of Roots Residential at Compass: ABJ'S #5 team in Austin and #6 group at Compass Austin and is a certified negotiation expert.

Click below for a refresher of all the policies and procedures.

If you have a change in pickup plans, please notify both the teacher and Ms. Amy McGovern so we can ensure that we have the communication in the front office as well as with the teacher.

Thank you

October

1 - Donna Kilpatrick

2 - Gini Nabers

4 - Raven Jeffrey

5 - Ashley Cross

11 - Veronica Taylor

11 - Inga Zlatogorskaja

19 - Nicole Kruszona

20 - Anmarie Bochey

26 - Seraya Vasquez

26 - Paige Hariharan

31 - Kim Reiman

Did someone at Kiker do something awesome? Why not send them a RAVE?

https://www.austinisd.org/hc/aisd-employee-experience/rave

Look who got a RAVE:

Megan Escalante X 2

Maria Cuchillo

Ginny Monger

Paige Hariharan

Alma Chapa Moore

Edward Swan

Erin Thomas

Sarah Schwartz

Carolyn McKaskle

Rhonda Vasquez

Tori Peterson

Abby Raymond

Lisa Youngblood

Danielle Swint

Our teachers and staff are the heart of Austin ISD. Each and every one of us can think back to a teacher or staff member who has made a profound impact, shaping who we are and how we see the world in ways both big and small. The Austin ISD Office of Talent Strategy is committed to sharing these stories and celebrating the wonderful things you all are doing in our district.

If you are a current or former student, or the parent/caregiver on behalf of a student, we invite you to honor an AISD teacher or staff member by telling the story of the impact that they have had on you. After you submit, they will receive a copy of their Honor Story in an email as well as the opportunity to have their story published on our website.

Link: https://www.austinisd.org/honor-stories

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.

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.

SIgn Up Genius Link

How To Video - This is the Training Video for Safety Patrol

https://bit.ly/aisdtechexpectations (Updated 8.10.2023)

Device Care and Tips: https://bit.ly/AISDdevicecare

Be Safe, Be Responsible, Be Respectful.

AISD school buses are an extension of the classrooms—and student safety and behavior on buses are a top priority. Please review the duties and responsibilities of students, drivers, parents, and administrators to ensure the safety of our students, which are available at https://www.austinisd.org/transportation

Cory Matheny - Principal

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