Hornet Herald

I hope this message finds you well and enjoying the extended weekend. My weekend was filled with time at the pool, watching football games, and catching up on sleep. However, you and your family spent the weekend, I hope you were able to accomplish the intended outcome.

I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt appreciation to our students, staff, and families for making the first week of school better than we could have hoped for. The way our students and staff responded to the delayed start was truly impressive. Everyone came to school ready to learn, make new friends, and embrace the new school year with enthusiasm.

You may have heard that our first day of school was filled with excitement and celebration. Our students were warmly welcomed into the building by the Hornet Cheerleaders and our mascot, Stinger. It was a heartwarming sight to see as students walked through the cheerleading tunnel, their faces lit up with big smiles.

Our teachers and staff were also treated to coffee and tea from Creature Coffee, courtesy of Austin ISD's Talent Strategy Department. We were honored to be visited by our Deputy Superintendent, Patty Rodriguez, who brought delicious treats and pastries for the staff. Dr. Holiday, our Executive Director, joined me in visiting classrooms to personally welcome students back to Kealing.

While all of these moments were special, the biggest surprise of the day was a visit from the H-E-B Buddy! Initially, I was a bit concerned that our students might feel they were too old for this experience, but to my surprise, Buddy was greeted with cheers and excitement. For a moment, I thought Beyoncé or Taylor Swift had walked in behind us! H-E-B didn't just send Buddy, they also generously provided cupcakes for students, a sheet cake for the staff, and gift cards for our teachers. This incredible support from H-E-B builds on the outpouring of generosity we've received from the Austin community.

On Friday, I had the opportunity to speak with several students and staff members about their first week of school experiences, and they shared some of their favorite moments:

• "I was a little nervous on the first day, but now I am excited. I really like Ms. Wallingsford's math class. It was so much fun" – Trae Henderson - 6th Grade Student
• "The energy from the students has been incredible, especially my 6th grade Advisory class. They're eager to learn, and it's been a joy to have students back in my classroom." – Ms. Tasneem - 8th Grade Teacher
• "I am excited. All of my classes are fun this year" – Savannah Trevino - 8th Grade Student
• "We've been discussing Kealing values Kindness, Loyalty, Respect, and Safety in class. I showed kindness when a classmate fell in class and I helped her up." – Ibrahim Haqi Isamel - 8th Grade Student
• "My highlight of the week has been seeing all of my friends." – Emory Gardner - 7th Grade Student.

As we look ahead, I want to remind you that our Back to School Night is scheduled for Wednesday, September 4th. This will be a wonderful opportunity for families to meet teachers, learn about the curriculum, and get a glimpse into your child’s daily school life. More details about the event can be found below.

Thank you once again for your support and for helping us start the school year on such a positive note. I’m looking forward to all the exciting opportunities and growth this year will bring for our school community.

Mr. Estes

• September 2 - NO SCHOOL
• September 3 - Kealing Archery Info Meeting
• September 4 - Back to School Night
• September 5 - Volleyball vs. Lamar
• September 6 - St. Andrew's Cross Country Invite
• September 9 - 20 MAP Testing
• September 12 - PTA Meeting
• September 12 - Volleyball vs. O. Henry
• September 16 - Football vs. Lamar
• September 19 - Volleyball vs. Lively
• September 23 - Football vs. Marshall (7th grade only)
• September 26 - Volleyball vs. Small
• September 30 - Football vs. Bailey

We invite you to our Back to School Night on Wednesday, September 4th, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. The evening will begin in the cafeteria with a welcome from Mr. Estes and our PTA at 5:30 pm. Afterward, you can follow your student's schedule to meet their teachers and learn about the exciting, engaging, and academically enriching activities planned for this school year.

We will email your student's schedule to you on Wednesday morning or you can access it through the Parent Portal.

Subscribe to our calendar on the Kealing website and stay up to date on all the happenings! Click Subscribe on the upper right corner to connect to the calendar platform of your choice

Students will be taking the MAP beginning-of-year assessments from September 9th to September 20th. The Math assessments will be administered from September 9th - 13th, and the Reading assessments will follow from September 16th - 20th.

MAP provides insights into each student's current knowledge, helping teachers adjust their instruction and support to meet individual needs. It also allows us to monitor academic growth throughout the year.

We’ve heard your concerns about outdoor class activities and want to clarify that teachers can indeed take their classes outside. To ensure student safety and adequate supervision, we’ve implemented a signup form that teachers must complete before any outdoor lessons. This process helps us maintain a safe and organized outdoor environment for all students.

Additionally, please note that we will not be using the courtyard for lunch to maintain safety and cleanliness. There is enough room in our cafeteria for all students to enjoy their meals comfortably.

Thank you for your understanding and support!

We are transitioning to class sets for Chromebooks as a campus! This change will help reduce the risk of devices being lost or damaged, and encourage more interactive, instructional use during class time. Instead of students receiving an individual device, Chromebooks will remain in classrooms, which promotes socialization and peer to peer interactions while minimizing non-instructional use such as gaming or watching videos.

Chromebook distribution will begin this week, starting with Math and Reading classes. Students are still welcome to bring personal devices; however, they must adhere to their teachers’ expectations and cannot use them during lunch.

Thank you for your support as we implement this new approach!

Austin ISD's Student Success Guide outlines expectations for appropriate behavior and highlights the importance of creating a positive learning environment for all students. We encourage parents and students to review the guide together to ensure everyone understands their role in fostering a respectful and supportive school community.

Regular attendance in all classes is an expectation of all Austin ISD students. State law and District policy state that students must be in attendance for 90% of the instructional days for a class to receive credit. A student who misses more days than allowed by AISD policy, excused or unexcused, may not be given credit for that class unless time and/or work is made up for the absences. Students will work with the grade level administrator to complete the appropriate steps to reach compliance.

Parents: Making sure your student is in school and on time every day is the law. For more information visit the district's attendance page.

In order to better serve AISD families, the District has created a new way for parents to report an absence. The “Report an Absence Note” Webform will allow families to report their student absence and upload documentation about their student's absences in one spot. Once you have completed the webform, we will receive the submission.

Families may complete and submit a physical note to report their student’s absence if you are unable to submit the webform.

The Gifted and Talented Nomination window has opened and will be open until Monday, October 7, 2024.

• Does your child ask questions about the world around them?

• Does your child create new things with the learnings that they have inquired about?

• Does your child tend to have a great interest in adult social topics and tends to provide you with their opinions?

Then you should nominate your child for the Gifted and Talented Program. You have until Monday, October 7th to nominate your child and complete the Parent/Caregiver GT Observation Form, CLICK HERE to access the form.

1. Please complete the form then after submitting the form there will be a Thank you at the top of your screen;

2. Please scroll down to complete the Parent/Caregiver GT Observation smartsheet. It will take less than 10 minutes to complete both parts;

If you are uncertain if your child is identified as Gifted and Talented in the next few weeks Ms. Williams will be sending out a welcome letter to let you know that your child will continue to receive advanced academic services at Kealing Middle School. If your child was identified as Gifted and Talented in elementary school then that will continue in middle and high school so there is no need to nominate your child again.

Please see this informational LINK for the district guided Virtual Information Session that will take place on September 24 at 6:00 PM or September 25 at 12:00 PM.

For more information or questions regarding the Gifted and Talented program at Kealing Middle School please contact RoLanda Hood Williams at rolanda.williams@austinisd.org.

We want to remind you of our cell phone policy to ensure a focused and productive school environment. Please be aware of the following guidelines:

• No Cell Phones on Campus: Students are not permitted to use cell phones from 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM.
• Cell Phone Storage: Cell phones should be stored away in your student's backpack or designated area of the classroom during school hours.
• Smart Watches: These should not be used like cell phones during the school day.
• Communication: Please avoid calling or texting your child during school hours; if needed, contact the main office.

Consequences for Violations:

• First Offense: The phone will be taken to the office and can be picked up at the end of the school day.
• Second Offense: The phone will be confiscated and a meeting with the student and parent/guardian may be required.
• Subsequent Offenses: Continued violations will result in a $15 fee and the phone must be picked up by a parent or guardian.

Thank you for your support and understanding as we work together to create a positive learning environment for all our students.

We want to ensure all our students have access to nutritious meals during the school day. If you haven’t already, we encourage you to apply for our free and reduced lunch program. It’s quick, confidential, and can provide significant benefits for your family.

To sign up, please visit School Cafe or contact our Main Office for assistance. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to support your child's health and learning.

Kealing Connects is a community engagement initiative, created by teachers, administrators, and the PTA to provide positive support for Kealing students. The goal is to continue to promote a culture of respect and increase well-being on campus. We are seeking volunteers to care, connect and have a consistent and positive presence on campus.

After we gather interest, we will match your availability and coordinate shifts. Volunteers are also required to complete a background check through voly.org and attend a one-hour orientation session with Kealing staff (offered monthly).

Please fill out THIS SURVEY so we can take the next steps to prepare you for your time at school.

If you are a returning volunteer, please let us know your availability for this year! You WILL NOT need to attend the orientation again. You WILL need to register and complete a background check through Voly.

Are you looking for coders just like you? Do you want to practice your coding skills?

If so, this is the place for you!

Coding Competitions Weekly!

Meeting: Wednesdays from 3:15 - 4:15 PM in Ms. Hill’s Room 201

First Meeting will be Wednesday, September 11.

Bring a Chromebook and some coding knowledge!

Python, C++, or Java knowledge required

We are excited to announce that archery is returning to Kealing! Whether you're a returning student or a complete beginner, this is a fantastic opportunity to learn a new skill and join a fun and inclusive team. We're hosting an informational meeting via Zoom on Tuesday, September 3rd for all interested students and their families. Join us to meet the coaches, learn about the program, and get answers to any questions you might have.

Zoom Link

Meeting ID: 890 5477 5592
Passcode: 033137

Good luck to our Cross Country student-athletes who will compete in their first meet of the season on September 6th at St. Andrews.

Congratulations to all of our Hornets who made the volleyball team. Their first game is on Thursday, September 5th starting at 6:00 versus Lamar. Our 8th grade team is home and the 7th grade team will travel to Lamar.

We have had a strong first week of football practices. If your child is interested in playing football at Kealing please encourage them to meet with Coach Gardner as soon as possible. Also, join our team group on the SportsYou app. Our team code is KKQXV2MS

Contact Coach Gardner at justin.gardner@austinisd.org if you have any questions.

Join the Kealing Ultimate Frisbee Mailing List!

Fill out THIS FORM to receive updates and information about Kealing Ultimate!

What is it?

The Kealing Ultimate Frisbee Team!

Ultimate is a team field sport played with a flying disc, incorporating elements of soccer, football, and basketball. Players officiate the game themselves using a code of conduct called "Spirit of the Game," encouraging athletes to develop communication, self-advocacy, and conflict-resolution skills. Kealing is the largest and longest-standing youth ultimate team in the state of Texas, with a history of regularly winning the city championship. This program's alumni includes 7 Team USA players and a long list of players who went on to play college, club, and professional ultimate (including on the Austin Torch and Austin Sol). Many Kealing Ultimate graduates are currently playing for the University of Texas Melee and TUFF, as well as teams across the country from Vermont to Colorado! Join the tradition, and be part of the legacy! Check out this highlight reel to see Kealing Ultimate alumni in action, and to get an idea what the sport looks like at the middle school and high school levels!

Who is Eligible?

• All Genders
• All Grades
• All Programs
• All Experience Levels
• The Kealing Ultimate program includes everyone who wants to play. The team holds tryouts in order to place players on multiple rosters for games, but ensures space for everyone to participate. Games are against teams from schools such as Small, Murchison, St. Francis, Lamar, and more!

When is the Season?

• Pre-Season Informational Meeting: January
• Tryouts / Team Roster Announcements: February / March
• Practices: March, April, and May (1-2 per week, after school)
• Games: Saturdays, April & May (2 games per weekend)
• The official ultimate season takes place in the spring, but stay tuned for more information about playing opportunities this fall! You can also learn more at www.tusculti.com.

Who are the Faculty Sponsors & Coaches?

• The 2024-2025 Kealing Ultimate Coaching Staff will include Kealing teachers, former Kealing faculty members, Kealing parents, and Kealing Ultimate alumni from the University of Texas.
• The 2024-2025 Kealing Ultimate Faculty Sponsor will be announced ASAP
• Contact tusculti@gmail.com with questions about Kealing Ultimate, and to learn about more playing opportunities.
• Visit www.tusculti.com and follow @tusculti (Instagram) for more information!

Where are Practices and Games?

• The Kealing Field (on campus)
• Locations in the greater Austin area (TBA)

Calla Simpao, 7th-grade student at Kealing, placed 7th in the Nation in 1 meter springboard diving at the USA Diving Junior National Championship this summer in Morgantown, WV. She also placed in semifinals in both platform and 3 meter. This is her third appearance at junior nationals.

Great Job Calla!!!

As the new school year approaches, we invite all families to join the Kealing Middle School PTA! Whether your child is starting their first year or continuing their journey, being part of the PTA is a wonderful way to support our students, teachers, and school community. Together, we can make a positive impact on our children's education and experiences. Sign up today and help us make this school year the best one yet!

We are thrilled to introduce Ms. Maricela Aleman as our new Parent Support Specialist! We’re excited to have her join the Kealing family and look forward to the positive impact she will bring.

Ms. Aleman has prepared a calendar of Family Engagement events for September to keep our families informed and engaged. Please check it out for upcoming opportunities to connect and get involved.