Outback Outlook
May 1, 2024
OUTBACKERS OF THE MONTH
Congratulations to our Outbackers of the Month for April! We are so proud of you!
Ashley Martinez (staff), Blaire Thompson (4th), Chandana Anand (3rd), Amira Talghani (2nd), Daniel Philip (5th), Wright Hunt (1st), Claire Blauser (Kinder), & Andrea Schawe (volunteer)
OKE GRANT WINNERS
Congratulations to Mrs. Hellman, Mrs. Jackson, Mrs. Thomas, Ms. Brown, & Ms. Oalmann for being awarded a $5,000 grant from Katy ISD's Education Foundation! We are so excited for you and can't wait to see the great things you will do!
BONZER BASH THIS FRIDAY
TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK
LIBRARY UPDATE
The library is going to extend the last day to check out and return library books by two additional school days.
- The last day to check out library books will be Tuesday, April 30th.
- All library books will be due on Tuesday, May 7th.
UPCOMING CELEBRATIONS IN THE OUTBACK
We have many wonderful Celebrations of Learning and Completion Ceremonies coming up in the Outback! Our students are so excited about this and we know you are as well.
We are requesting that balloons, flowers, gifts, etc. not be brought to these events. If these items are brought to school, you will be asked to leave them in the front office while you attend the celebration/ceremony. You may collect your items when you exit the school.
For the Celebrations of Learning for ECSE-4th grade, school-aged siblings will not be allowed to be checked out to attend these celebrations. This includes junior high and high school siblings as well.
For the 5th Grade Completion Ceremony, high school siblings if accompanied by a parent and shows a student I.D. will be permitted to attend the 5th grade completion ceremony pending the student is on a modified school schedule and not missing class. Junior high students are still in session, therefore will not be allowed to attend.
Thank you for assistance in this matter. It is much appreciated.
You must have a Raptor badge to attend any of the end of year celebration events. If you would like a pre-printed badge please complete the appropriate Raptor form below. Please remember you must have had your license scanned into the Raptor system in order for you to receive a pre-printed badge. A picture identification will be required to receive your pre-printed badge at check-in on the day of the event.
ECSE Celebration of Learning Raptor RSVP - Monday, May 13 - 10:30 a.m.
Pre-K Celebration of Learning Raptor RSVP - Monday, May 13 - 9:30 a.m.
Kindergarten Celebration of Learning Raptor RSVP - Tuesday, May 14 - 9:30 a.m.
Life Skills Celebration of Learning Raptor RSVP - Tuesday, May 14 - 10:30 a.m.
1st Grade Celebration of Learning Raptor RSVP - Wednesday, May 15 - 9:30 a.m.
2nd Grade Celebration of Learning Raptor RSVP - Thursday, May 16 - 9:30 a.m.
3rd Grade Celebration of Learning Raptor RSVP - Friday, May 17 - 9:30 a.m.
4th Grade Celebration of Learning Raptor RSVP - Monday, May 20 - 9:30 a.m.
5th Grade Completion Ceremony Raptor RSVP - Wednesday, May 22 - 1:30 p.m.
HELP US REACH 100% PTA MEMBERSHIP
SCHOOL SUPPY PACKS ON SALE NOW FOR 2024-2025
HAVE YOU MOVED OR ARE YOU MOVING?
Please complete the form below by Friday, May 10, 2024 if either of the below statements apply to your child.
- Will your child/children will be attending an elementary school other than Kilpatrick Elementary for the 2024-2025 school year?
- Have you moved into a new home that is zoned to Kilpatrick Elementary? If so, please send an updated electric, gas, or water bill when prompted. Information provided in the form.
PREKINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
Online registration for the Katy Independent School District Prekindergarten program for the 2024-2025 school year will open April 1, 2024. Parents must complete the online registration process through Katy ISD’s PowerSchool Registration website in order for their child to be screened for program eligibility.
The Katy ISD Prekindergarten program follows the state Pre-K guidelines which focus on oral language development, reading and math readiness, as well as science and social studies knowledge and skills. Click the Katy ISD Prekindergarten program link for a list of eligibility requirements or call the Office of Interventions, at 281-237-7062.
LUNCH VISITOR GUIDELINES
LUNCH VISITORS:
Lunch is one of the most exciting parts of the day for kids! It is a time when students get to talk with their friends and take a mental break from the classroom. Lunch is a time when children can develop friendships and feel connected to others. Allowing students this time to interact with their classmates and other students helps develop their social skills by learning to listen, interact with others, and develop qualities such as empathy and understanding toward others. Practicing and building these social‐emotional skills outside of the
classroom is a critical component of a child’s development.
Lunch visitor guidelines are in place to provide students with an opportunity for social interaction time with their peers and to foster social learning opportunities. We will begin accepting lunch visitors on Tuesday, September 5, 2023. The last day for lunch visitors will be Friday, May 3, 2024.
‐ Parents/Grandparents (with parental permission) may have lunch with their child one (1) time per week. By limiting this, the parent and child visits become more memorable and special. Lunch visitors must check in at the front office before your child’s scheduled lunch time to secure a spot (photo I.D. required.) You will be given a Raptor badge and a numbered badge. Both must be worn while in the building.
‐ No lunch visitors on Mondays. This gives students an opportunity to catch up with their friends after the weekend and socialize with peers around them.
‐ No lunch visitors on special event days. These days will be listed in the Outback Outlook newsletter, on our campus website, and communicated by teachers.
‐ Guests will sit at the visitor table with their child. Parent seating is limited and will fill up quickly. If the parent table is full, you will have to wait until seating becomes available. Visitors are not permitted to sit at the student tables. Friends of your student are not allowed to be invited to the visitor table. A student must stay with their visitor while the visitor is present. A student may not go back and forth between the student/visitor tables.
‐ Parents should never approach other students. Parents are requested to talk with a cafeteria monitor should there be any concerns. Parents may not go to the student tables.
‐ Preschool aged children or below must remain with their parent at all times. Due to space limitations, school-aged or older siblings are not permitted.
‐ The cafeteria is a NO‐PHONE ZONE. No pictures or videoing will be allowed.
These procedures will help alleviate overcrowding in the cafeteria. As always, we appreciate your continued support.
PTA-SPONSORED 5TH GRADE PARTY
OKE YEARBOOKS
FORMER KOALA CLASS OF 2024 SENIOR CLAP OUT
TARDIES
Our doors open at 8:10 a.m. Your child(ren) should be in their classroom by 8:20 a.m. Students are preparing for the day and starting morning warm ups at this time. Your child is tardy at 8:30 a.m.
Please have your child ready to exit the car when you are in position to unload. Your child is encouraged to exit on his/her own. Do not drop your children off prior to 8:10 a.m. as there will be no adults on duty to supervise before that time.
If your student arrives at school at 8:30 a.m. or later, you will need to park and escort your child into the front office to sign him/her in. A tardy sign will be placed in the car rider drop-off line each morning promptly at 8:30 a.m. We appreciate your assistance with getting your student to school on time each day.
ATTEND TODAY, ACHIEVE TOMRROW!
Missing a day of school here and there may not seem like much, but absences add up!
Attendance Reminders:
- Students are considered tardy if they are not in class when the 8:30 a.m. bell rings.
- Students are counted absent if they are not in attendance at school by 9:55 a.m.
- A parent or guardian should notify the school when a student is absent for any reason.
- Students need to bring a doctor's note in order to have their absence excused for a healthcare appointment of any kind.
- Students must be in attendance 90% of the school year or retention is considered by the Attendance Review Committee.
Check out this past week's attendance:
Thursday, April 25 - 97.10%
Friday, April 26 - 94.48%
Monday, April 29 - 94.87%
Tuesday, April 30 - 96.81%
LOVE AND LOGIC TIP OF THE MONTH
There is nothing more exciting to a difficult child than an adult angered and frustrated by back-talk.
OKE BIRTHDAY MARQUEE REQUEST
Thursday, May 2
- Rotation Day 2
Friday, May 3
- Last Day for Lunch Visitors
- Spirit Day
- Rotation Day 3
- School Lunch Hero Day
- Watch DOGS
- 5th Grade Field Day - 9:00-10:30 a.m.
- Bonzer Bash - 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Monday, May 6
- Rotation Day 4
- Teacher Appreciation Week (May 6-10)
Tuesday, May 7
- Rotation Day 1
- Library Books Due
- PTA Executive Board Meetings
- Current Board: 9:30 a.m. (OLA)
- New Board: 11:00 a.m. (OLA)
Wednesday, May 8
- National School Nurse Day
- Public School Paraprofessional Day
- Rotation Day 2
- Watch DOGS
Thursday, May 9
- Rotation Day 3
Friday, May 10
- Rotation Day 4
- Kinder Muffins & Makeovers - 9:30 a.m.
- JA in a Day (2nd, 4th, & 5th)
Monday, May 13
- Rotation Day 1
- PreK Celebration of Learning - 9:30 a.m.
- ECSE Celebration of Learning - 10:30 a.m.
Tuesday, May 14
- Rotation Day 2
- Life Skills Celebration of Learning - 9:30 a.m.
- Kinder Celebration of Learning - 9:30 a.m.
Wednesday, May 15
- Rotation Day 3
- 1st Grade Celebration of Learning - 9:30 a.m.
Thursday, May 16
- Rotation Day 4
- 2nd Grade Celebration of Learning - 9:30 a.m.
Friday, May 17
- Rotation Day 1
- Spirit Day
- 3rd Grade Celebration of Learning - 9:30 a.m.
Monday, May 20
- Rotation Day 2
- 4th Grade Celebration of Learning - 9:30 a.m.
Tuesday, May 21
- Rotation Day 3
- Free Day
- Senior Koala Reception & Clap-out - 2:00-3:00 p.m. (Gym)
Wednesday, May 22
- Rotation Day 4
- 5th Grade Completion Ceremony - 1:30 p.m. (Gym)
- PTA Sponsored 5th Grade Party
Thursday, May 23
- Last Day of School
- Early Dismissal - 12:45 p.m.
- No Specials
SAFETY TIPS FOR KIDS WALKING/RIDING BIKES TO SCHOOL
Parents, please review the following tips with your students…
• Cross at a crosswalk and follow the instructions of the crossing guard or the walk/don’t walk signal while preparing to cross the street.
• Always look left, right, left before crossing.
• Only cross streets at the cross walks. Walk your bike/scooter when using cross walks.
• Always wait until there is no oncoming traffic before crossing.
• Walk, don’t run across the street.
• Don’t walk while using ear buds, texting, or doing anything else that may prevent you from hearing traffic or distract your attention.
• Pay close attention to your surroundings.
• Always walk with a buddy.
• Avoid using secluded shortcuts.
• Never approach a vehicle.
• Never talk or take rides from strangers, or even people you know, without permission from your parents.
• If someone calls out to you or approaches you, quickly get to the nearest adult you trust and tell them what happened.
CAR RIDER REMINDERS
Here are a few friendly reminders that we would like to share about the car rider line at arrival and dismissal times. Our school doors open at 8:10 a.m. and the tardy bell rings at 8:30 a.m. Students need to be seated in their homeroom classes by 8:30 a.m. Students arriving after 8:30 a.m. will receive a tardy slip from the front office. Please allow sufficient time so that your student can be ready and in place for school each day.
Dismissal for students begins at 3:40 p.m. Please make sure you are in the car rider line by that time. If you arrive after 3:55 p.m. when our staff members have finished taking down car tag numbers, you will need to park and come into the building with your ID to pick up your student(s). Late arrivals are documented and monitored.
Some helpful tips for creating a safe and smooth running environment during car rider arrival and dismissal:
- Please refrain from parking in front of the school and walking across the car rider line during arrival/dismissal to drop student(s) off at the front door or to pick them up from the front door. If you would like to walk to the front, you will need to come as a walker in the morning and/or park your car off campus and cross at the crosswalk.
- Please remain in your car at all times during arrival and dismissal. We have adults and eventually safety patrol students that are happy to assist your student(s) getting in and out of the car. Students should exit the door on the passenger side of the vehicle only.
- Please make sure you are remaining in the right lane the entire time. We should only have one lane of traffic flowing. The 2nd lane should not be utilized during arrival or dismissal. This lane is for emergency personnel only.
- Please keep your car rider tag displayed throughout the car rider line until you have your student(s) in your vehicle with you.
- Parents picking students up through the car rider line must enter the line at the END of the line, which forms on Gaston Road, north of Cinco Ranch Blvd.
TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICES
Telecommunication devices are defined as items such as, but not limited to, cell phones, smart phones, smart watches, electronic readers, and laptops with the capability of sending and receiving messages or information, and any related accessories (including but not limited to wires, headphones, and ear clips).
Elementary students in Pre-K, K, and 1st grade shall not possess a telecommunication device during the instructional day (8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.), while riding to/from school on District transportations, during tutorials or detention, or while participating in a school-sponsored extracurricular activity on or off school property. For example, an elementary student performing at a PTA meeting or on a field trip to the zoo may not be in possession of a telecommunication device; however, an elementary student could possess a telecommunication device at an event open to the public (in which the student is not performing) such as at a carnival or a sporting event.
Elementary students in grades 2-5 may possess telecommunication devices; however, these devices are only to be used for instructional purposes under the direction of a teacher. These devices should be turned off and not visible at all times during the school day on school property, including on school transportation.
Students who bring devices from home will be asked to keep them in their backpacks shut off unless directed by the teacher to be used for instructional purposes.
GOVERNMENT IDENTIFICATION FOR CAMPUS VISITORS
Physical/Hard Copy Government-Issued Identifications
As Katy ISD continues its review of safety practices and protocols, it's essential to stress the significance of physical/hard copy government-issued identifications for accessing campuses/facilities, student registration, and student pickup.
The district is strictly enforcing this requirement and will no longer accept paper or digital copies of driver's licenses, visas, and passports at any of its campuses or facilities, for these purposes. Katy ISD greatly appreciates the community's cooperation with these safety procedures and the ongoing partnership to maintain safe and secure environments across campuses.
STUDENT BADGES
BECKENDORFF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL SUPPLY PACKS
Parents,
It’s time to order School Supplies for 2024-2025!
We have managed to secure 1st Day School Supplies company to provide and deliver top quality items directly to our students’ homes.
- You spoke and we listened, so this year we have not included hand sanitizer, tissues or paper towels in the packs. Please look out for any requests from individual teachers for these or other items and provide them when required.
- As always, our supply packs do not include pencil bags or planners, as we know Junior High students generally prefer to personalize these items, rather than using the generic ones offered.
- Note: your student will need WIRED earbuds/headphones. If you don't have those already, you will have the option to add them at checkout.
- Includes one BDJH PTA Membership per pack.
- Remember to order for the grade your student will be entering in August 2024.
Order today! Sales are open until June 28th. Any items ordered between June 28th and July 12th will have a $5 late order surcharge.
Click on the link below. (NO extra kits will be sold at Bear Blast this year)
Contact Sharon Kelly at bdjhptamembership@gmail.com with any questions.