Hornet Herald

Great afternoon fantastic families,

We are now entering week 5 and I couldn't be more excited. Classroom communities have formed, new friendships have started, and we are all building our endurance to perform at a high level. This upcoming week we have the AISD Hispanic Heritage Month Kickoff on Monday, Back to school night on Tuesday, Hornet Football Wednesday, and Lady Hornet Volleyball & our first Campus Advisory Committee Meeting Thursday. This is a full week for sure. I am excited about it, it always warms my heart to see our scholars both inside and outside of the classroom tapping into those other talents and interests. This past weekend I had the opportunity to take my family out to see our Road Runner Cross Country Club compete. I want to give special kudos to both coaches Shannon Jones and Gwendolyn Kinsman for the incredible work they have done with our teams. Our girls runners finished in 3rd place and our boys runners finished in 5th place. These were great accomplishments I'm proud of because our scholars ran hard and competed at a high level. It was great to share that hornet spirit with my family on Saturday morning. I hope everyone has time to spend with family today and look forward to a full and productive week.

#ProgressNotPerfection

#BEGREATmentality.

1.) Open your newsletter on the Smore website by clicking on the link provided at the top of the email or anywhere on the screenshot provided in the emailed newsletter.

2.) Once you've clicked on the emailed newsletter, a new tab will automatically open on your browser, and you will be able to find the translation feature on the right side of the newsletter.

- This is where you will see the "Translate" option in the black bar.

Instructional Initiatives

1.) Daily Formative Assessment

2.) Literacy in Every Classroom

3.) Standards Aligned Instruction

4.) Progress Monitoring

Academic Goal

Utilizing an array of assessments (MAP- Measure of Academic Progress, SCA - AISD Short Course Assessment, and STAAR - State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness), the percentage of each demographic/special group of students performing at the meets level in Math & English will increase by at least 5% - 10% from August 17th, 2021 to May 27th,2022.

Social Goal

- TBA (we are still working on this but planning to look at the types of counseling visits our students are requesting)

9/13 - 9/17 - CSH Kick-Off Week (Sponsored by the Health and PE Department)

9/17 - Marathon Kids Kick-Off Day

More Information can be found (here)

All Day

Mask wearing is mandatory

Before School

All staff, students, and visitors are encouraged to self screen for COVID 19 symptoms before entering into a campus or other Austin ISD Facilities each day

Arrival

- We will maintain outdoor markers to social distance

Transition

- we will encourage moving halls where students are encourage to not stop while transitioning to classes

Classrooms

- We are space seating/desks at least 3 feet apart when feasible

- Each classroom will have a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filtration unit

- Personal Protective Equipment will be available in each room

Breakfast & Lunch

- students are allowed to eat lunch both inside the cafeteria and outside in the courtyard

Dismissal

- we will have staggered dismissal where scholars will be dismissed by areas of the building to reduce traffic.

Monday - September 13th - A Day

Hispanic Heritage Month Kickoff Celebration (Details below)

Tuesday - September 14th - B Day

Back to school night 6p - 7:30p

Wednesday - September 15th - A Day

Hornet Football vs O'Henry Middle School, 7:30p @ House Stadium

Kealing Vaccine Clinic, 4p - 8p - Hornet Cafeteria

Thursday - September 16th - B Day

Lady Hornet Volleyball vs Lamar M.S. @6p, 8th grade will be at Kealing, 7th grade will be at Lamar Middle School

Friday - September 17th - A Day

Saturday - September 18th -

Monday - September 20th - Virtual Parent Meeting

Join us as we build the foundation for our 2022 Long-range Plan and our next bond! Featuring a community panel discussing their experiences with historic inequities in the district and how we can begin to rebuild trust.

Monday, Sept. 13 - 6–8 p.m. (English with Spanish interpretation)

Register: https://bit.ly/2WOCpd8

Tuesday, Sept. 14 6–8 p.m. (Spanish with English interpretation)

Register: https://bit.ly/3zHrvE7

Saturday, Sept. 18 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. (English with Spanish interpretation)

Register: https://bit.ly/3gWc5on

All meetings will offer small group discussions facilitated in English and Spanish. Please email karla.rivera@austinisd.org or call (512) 414-9773 to request interpretation in other languages.

Find the above message in Spanish along with flyers in English and Spanish in this folder.

Please direct any questions to Karla Rivera and Ali Ghilarducci at karla.rivera-figueroa@austinisd.org and alison.ghilarducci@austinisd.org.

What: Parent Night

When: 9/20 @ 6p - 7p

Where: Virtual, link will be posted

Purpose: Share Title I information with families

What: Hispanic Heritage Month Kickoff Celebration

This event was created to highlight Hispanic diversity throughout our district. Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde will also make an open call to all schools to celebrate the National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15) as we recognize the rich Hispanic cultures represented in AISD.

We will enjoy special performances by Lamar Guitar ensemble, Roy Lozano´s Ballet Folklorico de Texas and the Guateque Son band.

When: Monday, September 13, from 11 a.m. to noon.

How to watch: Tune in to AISD.TV or visit Facebook.com/AustinISD

For additional information, please contact Norma Garza Mittanck, Multicultural Outreach coordinator, at norma.garzamittanck@austinisd.org or 512-414-0023.

The Parent Support Specialist office offers food pantry services every Friday for those families that may need additional nutritional support. We supply canned foods and other food items. If you or your family are in need, please contact Ms. Perez @512-414-6700 or come by room 109A. Feel free to email me adrianna.perez@austinisd.org. If you are in need clothes, please come by and see me.

Football families, if you have not already, please complete this Google Survey by the end of the day on Monday, September 13. This will help us ensure our players and coaches are well fed and game-ready!

Thank You!

Jamie Heilingoetter

The PTA would like to thank Artifcts, Inc. for their generous Honor Roll business sponsorship. Ellen Goodwin is the mother of a 6th grade Kealing student.

Not only does Artifcts make it easy for you to digitize special and meaningful objects (from kids' art to heirlooms to sentimental pieces), the website and app allow you to capture the stories behind the objects. Save your special memories, declutter, and purge without worry or guilt. Share your stories with friends and family and ensure they live on for generations.

To learn more visit the website at artifcts.com or contact Hello@Artifcts.com

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Our school is pleased to announce that nominations for gifted and talented (GT) students are being accepted until September 25th. Please visit our Kealing GT website for more information.

You can learn more about nomination process on the Kealing GT website. Interested parents and guardians may also contact Jenna Martin, at jenna.martin@austinisd.org for additional information. Please note the following before contacting Ms. Martin:

• If your student was tested for GT at another AISD campus AND was identified, you DO NOT need to have your child tested again. The records accompany your child during his/her/their AISD career.

• If your student was tested for GT on a campus outside of Austin Independent School District AND was identified GT, you need to email that campus to get your student's GT records transferred to Linda Rivera at linda.rivera@austinisd.org.

• Being identified as GT is NOT part of the LASA application requirement or process. However, being identified as GT, does ensure proper placement in advanced courses as your student matriculates to high school at an AISD campus.

In order to nominate your child, please fill out this NOMINATION FORM.

GT screening and testing requires parent/guardian permission by the campus deadline, September 25th. A variety of measures are used for screening and testing including assessments for bilingual students.

For more information about the Austin ISD gifted program, please visit the Austin ISD tinyurl.com/AISDadvanced.

Help us envision our AISD future! The district’s draft facility assessment reports and Educational Specification updates are ready for your feedback!

Check out our school’s reports by visiting www.austinisdplanningtogether.com and fill out the feedback form no later than Sunday, Sept. 26

Visit https://bit.ly/3DntgJ2 to learn more about how these documents fit into the district’s long-range planning process—which will help determine which improvements and new facilities are included in our next bond!

The above message is also available in Spanish.

Please direct any questions to Karla Rivera and Ali Ghilarducci at karla.rivera-figueroa@austinisd.org and alison.ghilarducci@austinisd.org.

The teachers have put together a wish list on Amazon of school supplies to ensure all students have what they need to complete their work. If you'd like to buy something and have it shipped right to the school, please take a look at the list. While you're in Amazon, why don't you use smile.amazon.com and set Kealing Middle School PTA as your benefiting charity?

Kealing Supply List 2021-2022

Hello Everyone,

We are still trying to fill our vacant DAC positions. Please reach out to your staff and parents to apply for membership to this committee. Our first meeting will be on September 14th, 4:30 - 6:00 via zoom.

need:

Two Teachers and One Parent

Standard Membership Form (English)

Standard Membership Form (Spanish)

The Kealing PTA Secret Pal Program was created to help our hard-working teachers and staff feel a bit more appreciated throughout the year. The guidelines are general, but suggestions are to provide snacks, treats, small gifts, supplies or support to show our appreciation. There are 3 planned 'drop' dates to deliver gifts/treats: November, February, and April. Reminders will be sent out prior to drop dates. Please remember, Pals should be kept a secret!

Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0E4AADAC29ABFD0-thekms

Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/KealingMS/

Hornet Herald - http://www.kealingmiddleschool.org/parents/hornet-herald

Twitter - @KTXHornets

Webpage - https://kealing.austinschools.org/