01-30 - Weekly Newsletter

-- January 26th - January 30th. 2026 --

Hello T-Bird Families,

I hope everyone stayed warm and safe during our ice event this past weekend. I also wanted to take a moment to recognize that there is so many challenging things happening in our world right now, so I hope that you and your loved ones are safe. Today marks the last day of January. Next week, we start a new month, and get one month closer to STAAR testing. Our Juniors get closer to being Seniors and our other grades get closer to advancement as well. Next week, we have a STAAR Field Test for our 7th grade students, which is a practice STAAR test required by the state of Texas. Also, 7th graders had perfect attendance on Thursday 1/29 so they will have dress down on Monday 2/2.

Our teachers are reporting an increase in seeing headphones and cell phones out in class. I want to remind every family that our cell phone policy is a state law. Anytime a student has headphones or a cell phone that are NOT off and in their backpack, they will be confiscated. Parents must pick up these items at the end of the school day. These are not optional policies. This is the law. While I know that several families have struggled with cell phone expectations, this is not a place for students to use phones. They have access to a computer daily and should be focusing on learning.

On a difficult note, we have had an increase of students mocking each other under the guise of “We are friends; we are just joking”. I have had to respond with an increase of investigations of these incidents, issue consequences, and schedule parent meetings. Please have conversations with your children about being unkind. This includes inappropriate hitting, jabbing, touching, body shaming, mocking and mimicking, and even being dismissive of students making comments about suicide. I will be holding an assembly for our grade levels.

We have some exciting events coming up for our kids and families:

• Valentine’s Bash 1:30-3:30 on 2/6 (students only)
• Book Fair 2/9-2/13
• Awards Ceremony 2/17

For any event that we sell tickets or snacks, we are a cashless school, so please call the front office if you have any questions. I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Best,

Maritza Gonzalez

Principal

Hello KPR Families,

Beginning February 9th, students will be completing our winter Student Needs Assessment. This survey provides students with the opportunity to share their school experiences and helps our campus better understand student strengths, challenges, and areas of need.

The Student Needs Assessment includes questions related to several areas including Growth Mindset, Sense of Belonging, Social Awareness, Access to Food, Access to Health Care, and Mental Health & Wellbeing. Student responses help our school identify trends, strengthen current supports, and plan additional resources to better meet the academic, social, emotional, and basic needs of our students.

ALL students will be prepared for the Student Needs Assessment during advisory spaces the week of February 5th, where they will be reminded of the purpose of the survey and what to expect. Students who were opted out of the survey by caregivers during school enrollment will not complete the Student Needs Assessment. Students who joined KPR after the first day of school will also not have the ability to complete the survey.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out via email rebecca.coy@kipptexas.org or text 737-297-9771.

Thank you!

Ms. Coy

Keep an eye out for posters in hall/RR and social media stories so you don't miss the chance to get our valentines goodies!

Sometimes learning flows in different ways in classes! Check out these awesome drawings from the AP US History Juniors!

Congratulations to our lady thunderbirds on their soccer win this week! A 3-2 victory!!

Here's where we will post all the fun attendance wins or the helps we might need with attendance!

Right now we have a quarterly competition going on. This competition is based on daily attendance points for a quarter long competition! Attendance is one of if not the MOST crucial part of a students academic success.

Dear Families,

We want to thank all of our students who have shown up every day! The Hot Chocolate attendance competition is now over, and we are thrilled to announce that our winning advisory is The Champs. Congratulations to our 7G advisory with Ms. Owen for their outstanding attendance! They have earned a delicious treat to keep them warm while at school, which they will receive on Monday. We are super excited about their achievement and look forward to our February attendance incentive. Thank you for your continued support in ensuring your students are present and ready to learn each day.

🎓 Important for Juniors: SAT Diagnostic Updates

Due to the school closures this week, we have adjusted the SAT Diagnostic schedule for juniors.

New testing window:
📅 January 26 – February 7
🕒 During Junior Seminar

It is important that all juniors are present during this window so we can:

• Understand where each student currently stands

• Identify strengths and areas for growth

• Build targeted SAT and ACT prep plans leading into the spring School-Day exams

Please help ensure your student is on time and in attendance.

🎓 Current Scholarships & Summer Opportunities

1. BigFuture Scholarships (Grades 10–11)

No essay, no GPA requirement — students earn scholarship entries by completing college-planning steps.

2. Live Más Scholarship (Ages 16–26)

Students submit a 2-minute passion video. No GPA or test score requirement.

3. Science Ambassador Scholarship (Women in STEM, Grades 9–12)

Full-tuition scholarship; submit a 3-minute video teaching a STEM topic.

4. JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest (Grades 9–12)

Annual national essay competition open to all high school students.

5. Doodle for Google (Grades K–12)

Art-based scholarship competition with prizes up to $30,000 + tech for schools.

☀️ Summer Programs for High School Students

1. UT Austin High School Research & STEM Camps

A variety of STEM, engineering, and research-based summer programs.

2. Texas State University Summer Programs

Music, theatre, STEM, leadership, and academic camps.

3. ACC Summer Youth College Programs

Career exploration, technology, design, and dual credit readiness opportunities.

4. Camp Code for Girls – Texas

Free coding camps hosted across Texas (including Austin).

5. Girls Who Code Summer Programs

Free virtual or low-cost in-person computer science programs.

🧾 Special Note for 11th Grade Families: Financial Aid Preparation

It’s officially tax season, which means now is the perfect time to begin preparing for your student’s financial aid application.

💡 Submitting a financial aid application (FAFSA/TASFA) will be a graduation requirement next year.
So even though your student is a junior, this is the BEST time to:

• Learn about FAFSA/TASFA

• Gather required documents

• Ask questions

• Become familiar with timelines

Preparing early helps ensure a smooth, stress-free senior year.

🤝 We’re Here to Support You

If you have questions about SAT/ACT prep, financial aid, scholarships, résumé building, or your student’s long-term postsecondary plans, please reach out anytime. Your partnership is essential as we help our Thunderbirds prepare for their brightest futures.

✈️ Every intentional step today sets students up for tomorrow’s opportunities.

Make sure you set up your students eWallet to have them be able to attend our fair, no payment no permission to go! Previews are around school and can be seen online through our portal down below.

KPR is having a Valentine's Day Bash for students on 2/6 from 1:30-3:30. This will include music, food for purchase, phones, games, henna, face painting, and more! order to attend, students must be passing all classes and must purchase a wristband ($4) prior to the event. Wristbands and tickets to buy food will be available for purchase before school and during lunch. Only card or tap is accepted. If you have any questions, reach out to Ms. Pokala at ramya.pokala@kipptexas.org!

Bookfair is coming!

The award ceremony for Q2 and S1 has been rescheduled for February 17th, we appreciate your patience with all the delays that have had to happen.

As a reminder each student is responsible for their chromebook, this included on days they are absent which is why attendance is also so critical! Accidents happen but any damages must be paid to be fixed and any missing ones must be paid to be replaced.

Remember this rating is as a whole school, not just focused on one section or person! Tell us your overall experience with us HERE!

Please fill this form out for the Thunderbird Parent Association! Even if you're already a member please fill the form out.

Your Parent Portal is SO important and crucial to know what's happening in your students day to day school life, on knowing who's teaching your students and so much more!

In addition to reviewing Attendance, Grades, Schedule etc, parents will also be able to update their Address, Contact Information and approved student pickup order.

Login Instructions

In order to sign the consent or check the reports you'll need to login to skyward! I know not everybody knows how to yet so here is a one pager on instructions of how to sign in, and how to reset your password if necessary.

English How-to, EN - Reset Password

Spanish How-to, SP - Reset Password