Comet Connections

Kiker Families and Caretakers,

Over the last week our students have been loving their APEX visits, enjoying *slightly* cooler mornings, and learning new things! Since our last newsletter I've had the opportunity to visit several Kindergarten classrooms where students are reading and writing new words every day! I have been amazed at their ability to begin to put letters and sounds together and it is really neat to watch their academic growth. ✏️I was also lucky enough to visit 3rd grade and watch as students enter the world of multiplication. ✖️It's way more than flashcards when many of us were in school and the students are thriving! (See photos below)

Thank you to everyone who has contributed in any way to the PTA APEX fundraiser and also to those of you who sent in gift cards for our staff fun week leading up to Halloween. On behalf of all of the Kiker staff, we thank you!!

🌟Remember to scroll slowly through the newsletter so you don't miss anything!

🎨Check out the Kiker Art Fundraiser Information

Thank you for your continued support,

Mrs. Abrams, M.Ed.

Principal

Our first big event of the year is here! The APEX Fun Run will take place this Friday, October 25th and parents and caregivers are invited to attend and cheer on your runner(s). Posters and pompoms welcome!

As with all events, we wouldn't be able to pull them off without the help of our wonderful volunteers. We have several different volunteer categories available and shifts are broken down by grade level, so feel free to sign up during your student(s) run time, or any other time you may have available that day.

If you are interested in volunteering, please visit this link. Thank you!

October 23: Spirit Night at Cabo Bobs* (NEW DATE)

October 25: APEX Fun Run

October 29: Fall Picture Retakes

October 31: Dress Like a Book Character Day!

November: National Native American Heritage Month

November 1: No School; Student/Staff Holiday/Diwali

November 5: No School; Staff Development Day

November 10: PTA: Fall Fest

Do you celebrate Diwali? Would you like to share a video or photo with us to tell us how you celebrate? If so, please bring that to Mrs. Abrams or Mrs. Schwartz and we will share it with all students during our morning announcements.

Spelling lists have been around for decades and this year is no different! While we know that our students will have tons of technology available to them to help with their spelling as they get older we also know that there is a strong connection between reading, writing, spelling....and so the tradition continues! Please know that students get opportunities to practice their spelling lists each week so these are just extra ideas if you want to practice more at home...and keep everyone in good spirits!

1) Ask your student to write a creative story using 5 of their spelling words. (Select the ones they struggle with the most.) 🌟

2) Make letter flash cards and have your child "build" the word. Then, mix up the letters and see if they can do it faster than the first time! ⏳

3) Allow your student to type their words on a blank google doc and change color and font for each word. 💻

4) Write the word list for your students but for each word, leave out a few letters and ask them to fill in the blanks. (hint: make the vowels fill in the blank to start!) 💡

VOLY is the new parent volunteer system for AISD. Please be sure to create a VOLY account if you plan on volunteering at events throughout the school year.

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!

LINK HERE

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.

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!

This is a business that is separate from Kiker and AISD. Please be sure to reach out to their coordinators with questions.

🐝 Join us on January 16th, 2024, at 5:30 PM for the Kiker Elementary School Spelling Bee! Open to all 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students, this will be a night to celebrate hard work, community, and a love of learning. We are participating in the Scripps National Spelling Bee program, and our school champions will have a chance to advance through this respected program. Interested in participating? Complete the interest form, and our School Spelling Bee Coordinator will provide more details, including word lists, rules, practice dates and times, and key information. 🏆📚https://forms.gle/WRDfqjx68C1NmrDz8

The wait is over! Cabo Bob's is THIS WEEK, Wednesday, October 23rd, from 5:00 to 9:00 PM. To help Kiker earn 34% of your total purchase, make sure to save the Cabo Bob's graphic to your mobile device and show it to the cashier when you pay at the restaurant.

SPIRIT NIGHT IMPORTANT DETAILS: The drive-thru will be for online order pickups only. If you are ordering online and using the drive-thru to pick up your order, select "PAY AT RESTAURANT" when placing your order online and present the graphic to the cashier to ensure Kiker gets credit for your purchase. PLEASE NOTE: There is no way to link Kiker to your online order if you select “Pay Now” when placing an order online —it must be done manually in person when you pay at the store using the QR code on the front of the graphic.

We are gearing up for the Fall Festival on Sunday, November 10, from 2-5pm and are excited to share all the fun things we have planned for you! There will be games and activities galore, delicious bites from our food vendors, and don’t forget about the Kiker Book Fair that’ll be open for shopping too!

*Please note that there will be a soft opening (no music or lights) from 2-3pm for our sensory sensitive friends, but all are welcome.

We invite you to enter Kiker's pumpkin decorating contest! Put together your most creative design and enter a chance to win one of the following categories:

• Most Creative

• Spookiest

• Silliest

• Original Character

• Overall

You can drop off your pumpkin at the entrance of Kiker from Wednesday, 11/6, through Friday, 11/8. Contest judging will take place at the Fall Festival on Sunday, 11/10, and winners will be announced then. There will be some great prizes to take home, too!

Note- NO *real* carved pumpkins, please!

Monarch Butterfly Book Series: Discover, Learn, Soar

October is Honoring All Abilities Month. This month we celebrate the wonderful minds and bodies that make up our community. We’ll explore stories that help us understand how neurodiversity and physical differences are a part of life and being human. All minds and bodies are good and have strengths and needs we can accommodate and celebrate.

The books listed below can be found at the Kiker library, 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

My Brain is Magic by Prasha Sooful (Author) and Geeta Ladi (Illustrator)

Ninja Nate by Markette Sheppard (Author) and Robert Paul Jr (Illustrator)

Song in the City By: Daniel Bernstrom (Author) and Jenin Mohammed (Illustrator)

This Is How We Play By: Jessica Slice and Caroline Cupp

Reflection Questions:

1. Your “senses” are the ways you take in information about the world around you. Touch, sight, smell, sound, and taste are all examples of your senses. Take a moment and think about how all your senses work together. What if some of your senses were different (maybe too strong or not there at all)? How would you experience things like eating, dancinging, singing, etc. differently? How did the characters in your book experience the world around them?

2. Our bodies and our brains are all ‘unique’ because no two bodies or brains are exactly the same. Sometimes we may see someone whose body looks different from ours, or who behaves in a way we didn’t expect because of their unique self. Think about your books, and talk with your grownup about ways you could be a friend to the characters in these stories, and to the people in your school community too.

3. Asking questions and being curious are both good qualities to have. If you have a question about someone who seems different to you, what should you do? Watch this video and then talk with your grown up about how you can be kind, curious, and learn more about the people around you in an appropriate way.

Third - Fifth Grade Book List

Next Level: A Hymn in Gratitude for Neurodiversity By: Samara Cole Doyon (Author) Kaylani Juanita (Illustrator)

Included By: Jayneen Sanders (author) Camilla Carrossine (illustrator)

By: (Author)

Wonder By: RJ Palacio

Reflection Questions:

1. Being “included” in a community means that we are supported, understood, and appreciated for who we are. Everyone wants to feel like they belong with the people and in the places they go! Think about your school, classroom, or extracurricular activities- are there people who might find it hard to be included in those spaces or activities? Think about the people and characters in the books you read. What about these places/activities would be difficult for them? How could you make your class/school/etc. a place where they feel like they belong too?

2. Neurodiversity means that there is a difference/variety in how our brains process information. Some friends might be startled at loud sounds or bright lights (too much information), others might need to move their bodies more often, or struggle to find a way to communicate. Do you ever feel like your brain and body need help precessing what’s happening around you? How would you like to be treated in these situations? How might you "level yourself up" in showing kindness to a friend who is having a difficult time processing information or an activity in class or on the playground?

3. Asking questions and being curious are both good qualities to have. If you have a question about someone who seems different to you, what should you do? Watch this video and then talk with your grown up about how you can be kind, curious, and learn more about the people around you in an appropriate way.

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:

My Brain Is A Racecar By: Nell Harris

What Happened To You? By: James Catchpole and Karen George

Come Over To My House By: Eliza Hull and Sally Rippin

The 2024-2025 Reflections program is now open for submissions. The theme this year is “Accepting Imperfection.” Please scan the QR code on the flyer, or visit the link below for more information about rules, accessible arts, and how to submit. Email us at kikerptaarts@gmail.com with any questions!

More Info Here!

Kiker PTA thanks Circle C Orthodontics for sponsoring the Staff Coffee Lounge for October 2024. Dr. Jonathon Kimes and Circle C Orthodontics have created beautiful smiles for a successful future since 2010.

Is there a staff member that you'd like to give a shout-out to? This is your chance! Simply CLICK HERE and share why they are amazing. These shout-outs will be shared in the staff newsletter each week and your words are sure to put a smile on their face.

September 1 = Erin Thomas

September 8 = Zoey Franz

September 22 = Amanda Prickett

October 1= Ginny Nabers

October 4 = Raven Jeffrey

October 5 = Ashley Cross

October 11 = Veronica Taylor

October 19 = Nicole Kruszona

October 20 = Anmarie Bochey

October 23 = Patrick Kasch

October 26 = Paige Hariharan

October 26 = Seraya Vasquez

October 31 - Kim Reiman

Kiker Elementary Website

Book of the Month Club - LINK HERE

After School Programs @ Kiker

AISD 2024-2025 School Calendar

AISD Parent & Family Learning Opportunities

AISD Student Success Guide

SchoolCafe - AustinISD (Lunch Menus and Accounts)