Kiker Comments: September 26, 2023

September

28 - Kiker's GT Parent Information Session 5:30 pm via Zoom

October

2 - CAC library 3:30

5 - Author Visit - Brenden Wenzel for Kinder, 1st, and 2nd

5 - Picture Day - Individual photos by Lifetouch

5 - Last day to submit an entry for the Hispanic Heritage Month Talent Show

6 - Spirit Day - wear blue

9 - PD day, no children

10 - APEX full school assembly 1:45

11 - APEX class visits day 1

12 - APEX class visits day 2

12 - Kiker Keynotes 6:30

13 - Kiker Keynotes assembly/performance for the student body 8:30 am

13 - APEX class visit day 3 - wear blue and orange for the weekend send off

16 - APEX class visit day 4

17 - APEX class visit day 5

17 - Evening program for Parents of Special Education Students - guest speaker on executive functioning

18 - APEX class visit day 6

19 - APEX Fun Run

26 - Read for the Record

27 - PTA sponsored Monster Mash and General Membership Meeting 5:30-7:30

31 - Dress like a book character day

31 - Fall Centers (for some grades)

Order today and save yourself the worry in May! You'll thank yourself at the end of the year!

In early March of 2020, Kiker PTA introduced a new bulletin board in the entry of the school. The purpose of the new bulletin board was to help introduce the big world to little eyes. PTA is revitalizing this bulletin in our Kiker community and we need your help! Please sign up for a month to create a bulletin board representing a country of your choice with culture, traditions, colors, pictures, food, etc. Additional details can be found in the sign up genius. Spots available October-May!

Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0544ABAA23A4FA7-44485998-ptainternational

To prevent the risk of broken glass in the cafeteria and on the playground, please consider sending lunch and snack items in non breakable containers.

Thank you!

The 2023 Hispanic Heritage Talent Show is open for entries. We encourage your students to submit entries by October 5. Please see the attached flyers. Here is the link to participate.

We are beginning the gifted and talented identification process at Kiker Elementary School. There is only one nomination window this year for all grades. The process includes several steps: nomination, screening, and selection. Information considered in the decision includes parent/guardian and teacher input, collection of a portfolio of student work, and standardized assessments. The standardized assessments are all online. The GT nomination window will run through October 6 with a firm deadline of 4:00 pm on October 6.

Please note that the nomination process is time sensitive for this fall only.

New this year: ALL second graders will be pre-screened for GT testing. Any second grade student with a strong score on the pre-screener will be offered the forms to continue with the rest of the evaluation/testing process.

For all other grades, students will only go through the GT screening process if the nomination form below is filled out prior to 10/6. After completing the nomination form, a second form, the Parent Observation Checklist, will be emailed to you and is a required component of the student portfolio.

The Referral form is district created and NEW. Some of the questions are worded to be from a parent/caregiver and some are worded to be from a staff member. Feel free to skip the questions that aren't required if they are not a parent/caregiver question.

Click Here for the Nomination Form

* K-1 will take the NNAT assessment online

* 2-5 will take the CogAT assessment online

For more information, you are invited to attend an information session via Zoom on September 28 at 5:30 pm. Thank you!

Zoom link HERE

Calling all artists! Submissions are now open for the 2023-2024 Reflections program, an event through Texas PTA designed to showcase the creative potential of students across the state. This year's theme is "I am Hopeful Because..."

Submissions are due November 10th.

Here are the contest rules: https://www.txpta.org/reflections

Submissions can be made here: http://bit.ly/reflections-entry-form

Important note: You must be a member of PTA to enter the contest. Not signed up yet? No problem! Joining is quick and easy: https://kikerpta.membershiptoolkit.com/our_pta

Have you heard? We’re launching our @apexleadershipcomany Fun Run fundraiser on 10/10/2023. We’re going to have so much fun learning and working as a team as we raise money for Outdoor Science Initiatives and Campus Restorations. Join us!

The Monster Mash ‘23 Pumpkin Decorating Contest is coming soon!

Design and decorate your silliest, spookiest pumpkins and show off your creations! Drop off will be at the front entrance beginning Monday October 23rd through Thursday, October 26th. Winners and prizes will be announced at the Monster Mash on Friday, October 27th. Make it a family-friendly fright for the win!

**please no carved pumpkins**

Please RSVP for Learning and Engagement Opportunities here: RSVP form 2023-2024. Virtual and in-person sessions are available. Virtual sessions can be accessed by using this link: https://austinisd-org.zoom.us/j/88661610735 and will be recorded and posted on the Austin ISD external website. For more information or assistance with registration, please contact Lisa.Saldana-Vasquez@austinisd.org. Spanish interpretation will be provided for all sessions

Full list linked HERE and in the PDF below.

Park meet up - changed to Dick Nichols. See below.

On October 26th, people across the country, including K-2 classrooms in AISD, will unite to read the children’s book With Lots of Love by author Jenny Torres Sanchez. By highlighting reading around the world, we hope to draw attention to the importance of literacy.

We are seeing a significant number of interruptions to daily learning due to the presence of these devices.

We are asking for your support as our teachers direct students to place their personal devices in their backpacks during the instructional day. Students can access them again at dismissal time.

Thank you for your cooperation.

In order to serve on the Community Textbook Adoption Committee, the candidate must:

• Be the parent/legal guardian of one or more children enrolled in Austin ISD schools;

• Not have received any kind of remuneration during the past three years from the publishers of the textbooks being considered for adoption;

• Attend an orientation meeting on Tuesday, November 14 (location TBD) from 5-7 p.m.; further meeting dates and information will be shared at that time.

Use this link for interested caregivers/parents/guardians. It must be received by Friday October 5, 2023.

Austin ISD is hosting a series of Mental Health and School Safety Community Conversations over the next month.

Why it matters: Our students, families and staff have valuable insights into how we can prevent and respond to critical incidents and we want to hear from you.

• Let’s work together to create physically and psychologically safe schools.

What to expect: Come talk with district leaders about:

• Mental health support and resources;
• Preventing and responding to critical incidents; and
• How we’re investing in school safety and mental health.

We’ll start the conversation Monday, Sept. 25! Emmy award-winning anchor and reporter for Spectrum News, Dr. Nicole Cross, will help us kickoff the conversation in English. Emmy Award-winning TV and radio host and emotional intelligence coach, Leslie Montoya, will host the conversation in Spanish.

• 6–7 p.m. Join via Zoom (English)
• 7–8 p.m. Join via Zoom (Spanish)

Additional events:

• Wednesday, Sept. 27, 6–7:30 p.m., Bowie HS
• Tuesday, Oct. 3, 6–7:30 p.m., Travis ECHS
• Tuesday, Oct. 10, 6–7:30 p.m., Eastside ECHS
• Wednesday, Oct. 11, 6–7:30 p.m., LBJ ECHS
• Tuesday, Oct. 17, 6–7:30 p.m., Anderson HS
• Wednesday, Oct. 18, 6–7 p.m., Join via Zoom (English)
• Wednesday, Oct. 18, 7–8 p.m., Join via Zoom (Spanish)

All events will have ASL interpretation, and in-person events will have small groups facilitated in English and Spanish.

K-2nd will have Brendan Wenzel in October.

3rd - 5th will have Christina Soontornvat in November. More information to come.

Monarch Butterfly Book Series: Discover, Learn, Soar

September introduces the topic of inclusion to our students. What does it mean to feel a sense of belonging? What does inclusion look/feel like for various students? How can we continue to show kindness, compassion, and understanding to all?

The books listed below can be found at the Kiker library, Austin Public Library, and online through AISD MackinVIA audioapp. Read Alouds can also be found on youtube or at the Austin Public Library.

Kindergarten - Second Grade Book List

Strictly No Elephants By: Lisa Mantchev

We’re All Wonders By: Palacio, R.J (author, illustrator)

Gibberish By: Young Vo

Colors of Us By: Karen Katz

Reflection Questions:

1. Think of your favorite friend, what are some things you have in common? What are some of your differences?

2. Have you ever felt like you were different? How did you feel?

3. How can you show kindness to someone in your class?

Third - Fifth Grade Book List

Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You By: Sonia Sotomayor

Wonder By:R.J Palacio

The Name Jar By: Yangsook Choi

Reflection Questions:

1. What is one unique thing about you that you are sometimes self-conscious about but also proud of?

2. How do our differences make our school more interesting and fun?

3. What might be some ways you can build relationships with people who are different from you? What did the character of your book do?

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:

Change Sings by Amanda Gorman (author), Loren Long (illustrator)

Giraffes Can't Dance by Gile Andreae and Guy Parker-Rees

All the Beating Hearts by Julie Folgiano (author), Julia Chien (illustrator)

Abduhl's Story by Jamilah Thompkins-Bidelow (Author) and Tiffany Rose (illustrator)

The Day You Begin by By Jacqueline Woodson

Click below for a refresher of all the policies and procedures.

October

1 - Donna Kilpatrick

2 - Gini Nabers

4 - Raven Jeffrey

5 - Ashley Cross

11 - Veronica Taylor

11 - Inga Zlatogorskaja

19 - Nicole Kruszona

20 - Anmarie Bochey

26 - Seraya Vasquez

26 - Paige Hariharan

31 - Kim Reiman

Did someone at Kiker do something awesome? Why not send them a RAVE?

https://www.austinisd.org/hc/aisd-employee-experience/rave

Look who got a RAVE:

Megan Escalante

Maria Cuchillo

Ginny Monger

Paige Hariharan

Alma Chapa Moore

Edward Swan

Erin Thomas

Our teachers and staff are the heart of Austin ISD. Each and every one of us can think back to a teacher or staff member who has made a profound impact, shaping who we are and how we see the world in ways both big and small. The Austin ISD Office of Talent Strategy is committed to sharing these stories and celebrating the wonderful things you all are doing in our district.

If you are a current or former student, or the parent/caregiver on behalf of a student, we invite you to honor an AISD teacher or staff member by telling the story of the impact that they have had on you. After you submit, they will receive a copy of their Honor Story in an email as well as the opportunity to have their story published on our website.

Link: https://www.austinisd.org/honor-stories

Our very own Kifer Sparks Agency Real Estate is our coffee lounge sponsor for the month of September! Kifer Sparks Agency is a boutique real estate firm with a fondness for all things Austin. Started by two Kiker moms with a vision, they're here to fill a gap in a market that's too often missing a personal, problem-solving and hands-on approach.

https://www.ksarealtors.com/

***TODAY is the FINAL DAY to get your staff member(s) entered into the coffee card raffle!***

In addition to being the September coffee sponsor, Kifer Sparks Agency is hosting a raffle to give STARbucks cards to ten of our amazing Kiker employees this month! Simply visit the raffle post on the Kiker PTA Facebook page to see how you can get your teacher(s) and other staff entered. Be sure to read through the comments too, we love hearing about Kiker’s rockSTAR team!

The raffle will stay open for a few more hours and the drawing will be LIVE at 3:20pm on Wed, Sept 27th via the Kiker PTA Facebook page

Check out our new and returning after-school enrichment programs at Kiker. Enrolling now!

https://kiker.austinschools.org/after-school-programs

If your student is going to be absent from an after-school enrichment program, please correspond directly with the program so their instructors will know.

This year we are encouraging 4th and 5th grade students to sign up for safety patrol for a two week block of time during the school year. Thank you for being a campus leader!

Students will drop backpack off in the front foyer/vestibule, sign in, grab a vest, and head out front. We need help waving cars to the front of the line, opening doors, and welcoming each child with a warm greeting or sending students off at the end of the day.

SIgn Up Genius Link

How To Video - This is the Training Video for Safety Patrol

https://bit.ly/aisdtechexpectations (Updated 8.10.2023)

Device Care and Tips: https://bit.ly/AISDdevicecare

Be Safe, Be Responsible, Be Respectful.

AISD school buses are an extension of the classrooms—and student safety and behavior on buses are a top priority. Please review the duties and responsibilities of students, drivers, parents, and administrators to ensure the safety of our students, which are available at https://www.austinisd.org/transportation

Cory Matheny - Principal

Alma Chapa Moore - Assistant Principal

Kelly Zilem - Assistant Principal

Email: cory.matheny@austinisd.org
Website: https://kikerelementary.org/
Location: 5913 La Crosse Avenue, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-414-2584
Facebook: facebook.com/CMathenyPrincipal
Twitter: @KikerComets