Hornet Herald

This past week has been one of the most challenging in our school's history. The fire that broke out the night before our first day back left us all in shock, and the recent loss of a beloved member of our Hornet family has deepened our grief. These events have tested our strength and resilience, and I know many of us are struggling to process everything that has happened.

I want to assure you that we are here to support each other during this difficult time. We will have additional resources available for both students and staff this week, who are struggling to cope with the effects of the fire and the loss we’ve experienced. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if your child needs someone to talk to, whether it's through counseling services, a caring teacher, or simply a listening ear.

In the face of these events, I have been moved by the way our community has come together. The outpouring of support—through words of encouragement, meals for our staff, financial assistance, and simply checking in on one another—has been a light of hope during these tough days. Your kindness and solidarity remind us that we are not alone, and together, we can navigate these difficult times.

As your principal, I cannot express how much I am looking forward to having our students back in the building on Monday morning. Despite the challenges we face, I am confident that we will rise above this, stronger and more united than ever. We have always been a resilient community, and I know that we will continue to support one another as we move forward.

I also want to share some important news I received on Friday afternoon. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has granted our waiver request for all four days we missed due to the fire. This means that we will not need to add any extra minutes to our school day. Our bell schedule will remain the same, with school starting at 7:30 AM and ending at 3:00 PM.

Thank you, once again, for your unwavering support and for being such an extraordinary community.

Mr. Estes

• August 26 - First Day of School
• August 26 - 1st Football Practice
• August 27 - Cross Country Practice
• August 27 - 29 - Volleyball Tryouts
• September 2 - NO SCHOOL
• September 3 - 20 - MAP Testing Window (More Info to Come)
• September 4 - Back to School Night
• September 5 - Volleyball vs. Lamar
• September 6 - St. Andrew's Cross Country Invite
• 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 are incredibly grateful for the generous donations and support our staff has received from families, the Kealing community, and various businesses and organizations this week. The outpouring of kindness has been overwhelming, and we want to ensure that everyone is properly recognized. As donations continue to come in, we will compile a complete list to share with our families, so you can join us in expressing your gratitude.

I want to extend our gratitude to all the families who joined us for the Principal's Coffee this past Friday. It was wonderful to see so many of you and share updates on how our staff and campus are doing. If you couldn’t attend, you can access the recording here. Passcode: 9r3+Q.R!

During the Principal's Coffee, there were a few questions about asbestos and air quality that I couldn’t address at the time. I’ve since spoken with our district's Director of Emergency Management, who provided the following information:

"Belfor is currently abating asbestos from the affected area and using large commercial scrubber fans to clean and sanitize the air from the smoke. The air quality will be thoroughly evaluated to ensure safety. The air scrubbers are operating continuously, with filters being replaced in a timed rotation to maintain effective air cleaning. Additionally, Belfor is cleaning and sanitizing all electronics, light fixtures, and anything else that was exposed to the air in the affected area. The HVAC duct system, along with electrical and network cables in the affected area, is also being replaced."

Due to the fire, the student enrollment date has been changed to reflect our new start date, Monday, August 26th. However, the Frontline system currently still indicates the original start date of August 20th. AISD's Student Data Management team is actively working with Frontline to correct this error, and they expect to resolve it by this weekend. Until the issue is fixed, your child's schedule may appear incomplete or missing in Frontline. Please rest assured that this error will not negatively impact our students or our school.

Additionally, please remember that students will receive their schedules in their Advisory classes on Monday morning. There is no need for students to print or bring a copy of their schedule to school.

As the restoration company continues its work on the affected classrooms, we have temporarily relocated a few of our teachers to new classrooms. To help you stay informed, we have created a document listing all the relocated teachers and their new classroom locations.

To help students navigate their classes and adjust their routes due to the closed-off wing, we have extended Advisory to one hour on the first day of school. This will give students ample time to map out their new routes and get settled.

You can view our full bell schedule here.

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.

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.

Mark Your Calendars: The new school year will kick off on Monday, August 26, and it will be an A Day. Please make sure your students are prepared for their A Day classes on the first day of school.

Similar to last year, every Monday and Wednesday are "A" days and every Tuesday and Thursday are "B" days. Fridays will rotate.

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.

As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we want to ensure that students have all the necessary supplies for their classes. During the first week of school, teachers will provide students with a detailed list of supplies needed for their specific classes.

To help students start the school year smoothly, we encourage them to bring only a notebook and writing utensils on the first day of school. This will allow them to take notes and be prepared to jot down the required supplies for each class.

Do you have questions regarding your student's bus? Visit Austin ISD's Bus Finder Utility page to find out if your student is eligible for transportation, pickup and drop off times, and which bus they will ride. More information can be found by clicking here.

Contact AISD Transportation, 512-414-0238, if you have any questions.

We want to see our Hornet's smile. Share your back-to-school joy with us by sharing your students first day of school photos. We will post them on our social media platforms as we celebrate our students return to campus. Photos will also be shared with our Yearbook sponsor.

Add your student's back-to-school photo here.

As we approach the start of the new school year, we wanted to send a friendly reminder for students to complete their summer assignments. These assignments were designed to keep their minds active and ensure they're prepared for the upcoming academic year.

Here are a few tips to help your student stay on track:

1. Create a Schedule: Set aside specific times each day or week dedicated to working on summer assignments.
2. Set Goals: Break the assignments into smaller, manageable tasks and set goals to complete them.
3. Stay Organized: Keep all materials and notes in one place to avoid last-minute stress.

Enjoy the rest of your summer, and we look forward to seeing you in the new school year!

Eating healthy is crucial for students for several reasons that impact their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Here’s a few reasons why students should prioritize healthy eating:

1. Supports Physical Growth and Development

2. Enhances Cognitive Function and Academic Performance

3. Promotes Emotional Well-Being

4. Builds Healthy Habits for Life

Austin ISD Food Services provides healthy and delicious breakfast and lunch options for our students. Please see the attachments below for more information about AISD options.

Nutrition & Food Services | Austin ISD

SchoolCafé - AUSTIN ISD (schoolcafe.com)

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.

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

The first Cross Country practice will be held after school on Tuesday, August 27th. Please ensure that your student is ready to participate by completing the Cross Country & Run Club form before practice.

Attention all 7th and 8th grade girls!

Volleyball Tryouts will be Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday next week, afterschool from 3pm-5pm. All interested students will need a physical on file in order to participate. You can find that information HERE Please make arrangements to stay for all three tryout dates.

Contact Ms. Tasneem, tania.tasneem@austinisd.org if you have any questions.

Football practice will begin on Monday, Aug 26. If your child is planning on playing football at Kealing (or is interested) please join our team group on the SportsYou app. Our team code is KKQXV2MS

If your child is new to Kealing or you have not been getting information about Kealing football, contact Coach Gardner at justin.gardner@austinisd.org

Each player will need the following to participate:

Completed AISD Athletics physical packet (Including online forms on RankOne)
T-shirt, shorts, running shoes, and cleats

Water jug
Combination Lock

We invite all of our families to our Back to School Night on Wednesday, September 4th from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm. This is a great opportunity for you to meet your student's teachers and hear about the fun, engaging, and academically enriching activities your students will participate in this school year.

No registration is required.

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!