Comet Connections

Kiker Families and Caretakers,

There is a lot happening in and around our community in this newsletter so I will keep this message short and sweet. Thank you for all of your support with the APEX fundraiser. 💨🏃🏽‍♂️‍➡️ I enjoyed greeting our students on Friday morning from the roof and realized we may need some larger speakers so more people could have danced along with us! However you choose to support Kiker, please know that we are grateful for all of it. The kind words, the sweet gifts throughout the year, and even the shout-outs you send to our staff have a huge impact. Thank you.

Reminder - There is no school this Friday, November 1st as well as November 5th.

Thank you for your continued support,

Mrs. Abrams, M.Ed.

Principal

October 31: Dress Like a Book Character Day!

November: National Native American Heritage Month

November 1: No School; Student/Staff Holiday/Diwali

November 5: No School; Staff Development Day

November 10: PTA: Fall Fest

Do you celebrate Diwali? Would you like to share a video or photo with us to tell us how you celebrate? If so, please bring that to Mrs. Abrams or Mrs. Schwartz and we will share it with all students during our morning announcements.

Spelling lists have been around for decades and this year is no different! While we know that our students will have tons of technology available to them to help with their spelling as they get older we also know that there is a strong connection between reading, writing, spelling....and so the tradition continues! Please know that students get opportunities to practice their spelling lists each week so these are just extra ideas if you want to practice more at home...and keep everyone in good spirits!

1) Ask your student to write a creative story using 5 of their spelling words. (Select the ones they struggle with the most.) 🌟

2) Make letter flash cards and have your child "build" the word. Then, mix up the letters and see if they can do it faster than the first time! ⏳

3) Allow your student to type their words on a blank google doc and change color and font for each word. 💻

4) Write the word list for your students but for each word, leave out a few letters and ask them to fill in the blanks. (hint: make the vowels fill in the blank to start!) 💡

VOLY is the new parent volunteer system for AISD. Please be sure to create a VOLY account if you plan on volunteering at events throughout the school year.

LINK HERE

Our Kiker Life Skills class works on a variety of skills. One of their weekly activities includes recipe making! The kids (and teachers) have an awesome time making their recipes together. If you would like to contribute towards purchasing those ingredients and/or making a monetary donation, we have set up a system to make that easy for you to do!

LINK HERE

Kiker Elementary collaborates with outside vendors to bring a variety of experiences to our after school program. They are all individual businesses. For that reason, specific questions about clubs, schedules, etc. should be directed towards them before contacting Kiker staff as they will have the most detailed information. You can click on the title or the graphic to the right to find out all of the details!

*A link to this document will also stay in "Popular Links" at the end of this newsletter throughout the year.

Please visit the Austin ISD website's Attendance FAQs or contact the Kiker front office if you have additional questions.

• You will need your student's first and last name, student ID#, date of absence(s), reason for absence and parent/guardian name to ensure proper documentation.
• If one note covers MULTIPLE DATES, please make sure documentation specifies date range. You're not required to fill out the form multiple times.
• This form can be used to submit documentation note or picture of a note with appropriate information, signature, etc.
• Please allow 72 hours (3 business days) for attendance to be corrected. Thank you!

This is a business that is separate from Kiker and AISD. Please be sure to reach out to their coordinators with questions.

Our first PTA meeting of the year is scheduled for Wednesday, November 20th at 5pm in the Kiker Cafeteria.

🌟 Gratitude Overflowing! 🙏 We are incredibly grateful for the support of so many! 🤝 Thank you from the bottom of every heart at Kiker Elementary for making our APEX Leadership Co. Fun Run such a tremendous success in raising funds for Teacher Grants and Student Enrichment. Your generosity has truly made a difference, and our school community is stronger because of you! 💖 Please share this post with everyone who pledged and pass on our heartfelt thanks to them as well. Together, we're making a positive impact on the future! 🚀

Calling all families of veterans! We invite you to submit a photo of a veteran in your life for display on our 2024 Veterans Day Wall of Honor! Please mount your photo on a blue, red, or white piece of construction paper and include the following: student/family name; veteran's name; photo of veteran; and additional information you'd like to include. You may turn in submissions to the office starting Thursday, Oct. 31, and no later than 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8. The Veterans Day assembly will be held this year on Monday, Nov. 11, at 8:45 a.m.

Kiker Elementary's annual Veterans Day assembly will be held Monday, Nov. 11, at 8:45am. Families of Kiker students and local veterans in the community are cordially invited to join us! Light refreshments will be provided for veterans by Kiker PTA following the assembly. Please contact the Kiker office if special parking accommodations are needed. And please share this post with the Veterans you know in our community and invite them to attend!

🐝 Join us on January 16th, 2024, at 5:30 PM for the Kiker Elementary School Spelling Bee! Open to all 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students, this will be a night to celebrate hard work, community, and a love of learning. We are participating in the Scripps National Spelling Bee program, and our school champions will have a chance to advance through this respected program. Interested in participating? Complete the interest form, and our School Spelling Bee Coordinator will provide more details, including word lists, rules, practice dates and times, and key information. 🏆📚https://forms.gle/WRDfqjx68C1NmrDz8

We are thrilled to offer all of the students a very unique opportunity at this year's Fall Festival: dunk your favorite Kiker staff! Our brave and bold teachers, counselors, coaches, and staff have signed up to test their students' throwing skills. See below the dunk tank schedule so you're sure to be there when your favorite staff member is on deck!

We will see you on Sunday, November 10, from 2-5pm out on the black top! Please note that there will be a soft opening (no music or lights) from 2-3pm for our sensory sensitive friends, but all are welcome to join. Please click here to view a social story on what to expect at the Fall Festival.

And don't forget to head over to the library to check out the Fall Book Fair! You can shop great holiday favorites from Book People and support the Kiker Library.

We invite you to enter Kiker's pumpkin decorating contest! You can drop off your pumpkin at the entrance of Kiker from Wednesday, 11/6, through Friday, 11/8. Contest judging will take place at the Fall Festival on Sunday, 11/10, and winners will be announced then. There will be some great prizes to take home, too!

Note- NO *real* carved pumpkins, please!

Monarch Butterfly Book Series: Discover, Learn, Soar

October is Honoring All Abilities Month. This month we celebrate the wonderful minds and bodies that make up our community. We’ll explore stories that help us understand how neurodiversity and physical differences are a part of life and being human. All minds and bodies are good and have strengths and needs we can accommodate and celebrate.

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 Brain is Magic by Prasha Sooful (Author) and Geeta Ladi (Illustrator)

Ninja Nate by Markette Sheppard (Author) and Robert Paul Jr (Illustrator)

Song in the City By: Daniel Bernstrom (Author) and Jenin Mohammed (Illustrator)

This Is How We Play By: Jessica Slice and Caroline Cupp

Reflection Questions:

1. Your “senses” are the ways you take in information about the world around you. Touch, sight, smell, sound, and taste are all examples of your senses. Take a moment and think about how all your senses work together. What if some of your senses were different (maybe too strong or not there at all)? How would you experience things like eating, dancinging, singing, etc. differently? How did the characters in your book experience the world around them?

2. Our bodies and our brains are all ‘unique’ because no two bodies or brains are exactly the same. Sometimes we may see someone whose body looks different from ours, or who behaves in a way we didn’t expect because of their unique self. Think about your books, and talk with your grownup about ways you could be a friend to the characters in these stories, and to the people in your school community too.

3. Asking questions and being curious are both good qualities to have. If you have a question about someone who seems different to you, what should you do? Watch this video and then talk with your grown up about how you can be kind, curious, and learn more about the people around you in an appropriate way.

Third - Fifth Grade Book List

Next Level: A Hymn in Gratitude for Neurodiversity By: Samara Cole Doyon (Author) Kaylani Juanita (Illustrator)

Included By: Jayneen Sanders (author) Camilla Carrossine (illustrator)

By: (Author)

Wonder By: RJ Palacio

Reflection Questions:

1. Being “included” in a community means that we are supported, understood, and appreciated for who we are. Everyone wants to feel like they belong with the people and in the places they go! Think about your school, classroom, or extracurricular activities- are there people who might find it hard to be included in those spaces or activities? Think about the people and characters in the books you read. What about these places/activities would be difficult for them? How could you make your class/school/etc. a place where they feel like they belong too?

2. Neurodiversity means that there is a difference/variety in how our brains process information. Some friends might be startled at loud sounds or bright lights (too much information), others might need to move their bodies more often, or struggle to find a way to communicate. Do you ever feel like your brain and body need help precessing what’s happening around you? How would you like to be treated in these situations? How might you "level yourself up" in showing kindness to a friend who is having a difficult time processing information or an activity in class or on the playground?

3. Asking questions and being curious are both good qualities to have. If you have a question about someone who seems different to you, what should you do? Watch this video and then talk with your grown up about how you can be kind, curious, and learn more about the people around you in an appropriate way.

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:

My Brain Is A Racecar By: Nell Harris

What Happened To You? By: James Catchpole and Karen George

Come Over To My House By: Eliza Hull and Sally Rippin

The 2024-2025 Reflections contest submission deadline is THIS THURSDAY, October 31st. We can’t wait to celebrate all of the amazing interpretations of this year’s theme: “Accepting Imperfection.”

Please CLICK HERE for more information about rules, accessible arts, and how to submit. Email us at kikerptaarts@gmail.com with any questions!

Hey Kiker families! Election Day is almost here (November 5th) and guess what? There is NO SCHOOL that day! So, take a load off and order your family their favorite pizza at Mangierie’s from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM for Kiker Spirit Night?

Vote ✔️ Eat pizza ✔️ Support Kiker ✔️

We’ve got all the important things covered. You bring the family and let Mangierie’s bring the cheesy goodness. Just remember to tell them, "I’m with Kiker!"

P.S. Because pizza > politics… at least for one night!

Calling all Kiker families! Join us for a night of creativity and fun at The Art Garage (Circle Drive location) on November 7th from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM! Shop and create your own masterpieces while supporting Kiker Elementary—because 10% of all sales goes back to our school!

This is also the perfect opportunity to get a head start on handmade holiday gifts for those special relatives! Whether you’re a mini Picasso or just want to make something cool, it’s the perfect way to unwind, get creative and support our amazing community. Don’t forget to tell them, "I’m with Kiker!"

Kiker PTA thanks Circle C Orthodontics for sponsoring the Staff Coffee Lounge for October 2024. Dr. Jonathon Kimes and Circle C Orthodontics have created beautiful smiles for a successful future since 2010.

Is there a staff member that you'd like to give a shout-out to? This is your chance! Simply CLICK HERE and share why they are amazing. These shout-outs will be shared in the staff newsletter each week and your words are sure to put a smile on their face.

October 1= Ginny Nabers

October 4 = Raven Jeffrey

October 5 = Ashley Cross

October 11 = Veronica Taylor

October 19 = Nicole Kruszona

October 20 = Anmarie Bochey

October 23 = Patrick Kasch

October 26 = Paige Hariharan

October 26 = Seraya Vasquez

October 31 - Kim Reiman

November 25 = Suzanne Hoelzel

November 25 = Candace Cotten

November 27 = Allison Woodward

Kiker Elementary Website

Book of the Month Club - LINK HERE

After School Programs @ Kiker

AISD 2024-2025 School Calendar

AISD Parent & Family Learning Opportunities

AISD Student Success Guide

SchoolCafe - AustinISD (Lunch Menus and Accounts)