Comet Connections
Kiker Elementary Newsletter
Kiker Families and Caretakers,
As we wrap up February and look ahead to a busy and exciting spring, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support and partnership. Our students have been working hard, and it’s amazing to see their growth and enthusiasm for learning as well as in our Essential Areas classes. Recently, I visited a few of our 5th grade classes and feel lucky to be able to see our oldest students truly grow and mature before our eyes. 🍀 I watched as they worked together during a science investigation, admired how they challenged themselves to solve new math problems, and also observed learning through their eyes as they put their thoughts down on paper with their writing styles. What a truly outstanding group of kids! 💙
On a different note, I wanted to share that over this past weekend we were notified that there were kids on campus utilizing our picnic tables as bike ramps. ⚠️They also completely broke and destroyed many of the items on the toddler playground. We do have cameras outside and were able to identify some of the people involved. Those parents have already been notified. Moving forward, if you are out and about over the weekend and happen to see any people on campus doing things they should not be doing, please don't hesitate to send an email to administrators asap. Our PTA grounds crew has done a ton over the years to keep our campus looking amazing and they will even be up there on March 1st working on a variety of projects. Let's work together to keep eyes on our campus over the weekend and if you see something, just let us know. We are happy to follow-up.
As we transition into March, I also want to share with you that Kiker was recently recognized as one of the top three elementary schools in Austin ISD for attendance growth for the last six weeks. 🗓️This is exciting news as we know that attendance and learning often go hand in hand. This acknowledgement also came with a financial incentive from AISD that we are able to put towards curriculum and instructional materials....what a Win Win!! Thank you for doing all that you can to get our students to school!🏫🎒🏫
Hope you all have a wonderful week,
Mrs. Abrams, M.Ed.
Principal
February 27: Summer Camp Fair
March 1: Outdoor Beautification Event
March 9: Kiker Family Event: "Spring Into Art and Service" (2PM-5PM)
March 14: Student Holiday/No School
March 17-21: Spring Break
March 31: Student Holiday/No School; Inclusive Family Playdate
April 4: International Night - 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!
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.
Submitting An Absence Note
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!
Monarch Butterfly Book Series: Discover, Learn, Soar
February is Black History Month: a month celebrating and honoring the legacy of African American resistance that led to liberation, triumphs, cultural enrichment and contributions to America and the world. There are a plethora of books and resources available to our kids to help engage them in reflective discussions about the importance of this month. We encourage you to engage further outside of this book series. Check out the George Washington Carver Museum in Austin which hosts events, education series, summer camps, and tours.
The Day you Begin & Shirley Chisholm is a Verb! can be found in the Kiker Library. Other books listed can be found at the 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
Sing a Song: How “Lift Every Voice and Sing” Inspired Generations: Kelly Starling Lyons (author), Keith Mallet (illustrator)
The Day You Begin: Jacqueline Woodson (author), Rafael Lopez (illustrator)
Your Name is a Song: Jamilah Thompkins Bigelow (author), Luisa Uribe (illustrator)
Reflection Questions
-
In “Sing a Song”, in what types of situations do the characters sing? How does singing this song make them feel?
-
In “The Day You Begin”, the characters feel different because of their names, what they did over the summer, their lunch food, and other things that make them unique. How can we celebrate our differences and the ways we are alike?
-
In “Your Name is a Song”, the girl’s teachers and classmates have trouble saying her name and some make fun of her. How do you think that made her feel? How did she help them learn how to say her name?
-
What does it mean to find your voice? How can we use our voices to stand up for people and to create change?
Third - Fifth Grade Book List
Ida B. Wells Marches for the Vote: Dinah Johnson (author), Jerry Jordan (illustrator)
A Day for Rememberin’: Leah Henderson (author), Floyd Cooper (illustrator)
Shirley Chisholm is a Verb!: Veronica Chambers (author), Rachelle Baker (Illustrator)
Reflection Questions
-
Ida B. Wells was known for always doing the right thing. What things did she do that remind you of stories of other famous Black historical figures?
-
Have you ever heard this story or a similar story of the first Memorial Day? In the back of “A Day of Rememberin’” the author lists other cities besides Charleston with claims of being the birthplace of Memorial Day. Research one of these other cities and their ties to Memorial Day with your grownup.
-
Shirley Chisolm was the first Black woman elected to Congress and the first Black person to run for president. Her “Papa said everybody should be treated the same - poor, rich, Black, White.” How did those words impact her career as a politician? What do you think/feel when you read those words?
-
Black History Month is a celebration of the contributions of African Americans to the United States and around the world. Our books highlight the challenges Black Americans faced while fighting for liberation and equal rights. In what ways are people still fighting for these rights?
Want more?! Here are some additional books to read:
Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race: Megan Madison (author), Jessica Ralli (author), Isabel Roxas (illustrator)
Mae Among the Stars: Roda Ahmed (author), Stasia Burrington (illustrator)
Carter Reads the Newspaper: Deborah Hopkinson (author), Don Tate (illustrator)
Have You Thanked an Inventor Today?: Patrice McLaurin (author), Dian Wang (illustrator)
Undefeated: Kwame Alexander (author), Kadir Nelson (illustrator)
28 Days: Moments in Black History that Changed the World: Charles R. Smith (author), Shane W. Evans (illustrator)
