26-27 THE NEST PARENT NEWSLETTER
August 31st to September 4th
Principal Message
🦅 A Message from the Principal
Dear Falcon Families,
We have had an outstanding start to the school year, and I continue to be impressed by the hard work, determination, and positive attitudes our students are demonstrating each day. As we move into Week 4, our focus remains on strong academics, consistent attendance, and building meaningful partnerships between home and school.
I would like to personally invite all families to attend our Falcon Flight Plan Night (Open House & Title I Parent Engagement Meeting) on Tuesday, September 1, from 5:00 PM to 6:40 PM. This is one of the most important family engagement events of the year and provides an opportunity to meet your child's teachers, learn about classroom expectations, explore course information, and better understand how we can work together to help your student succeed.
Research consistently shows that students achieve at higher levels when schools and families work in partnership. Your presence sends a powerful message to your child that education is important and that we are united in supporting their success. We hope every family will make plans to attend.
As we continue through the semester, please remember the importance of:
✅ Daily attendance and arriving to school on time
✅ Monitoring grades and assignments regularly
✅ Encouraging students to participate in extracurricular activities
✅ Checking campus communications and newsletters for important updates and upcoming events
Thank you for your continued support of Kirby STEM Academy. Together, we are creating a school culture where every student is challenged, supported, and encouraged to achieve their full potential.
We look forward to seeing you at Falcon Flight Plan Night!
Every Falcon Soars! 🦅💙
Amber Gonzales
Principal
Kirby STEM Academy
No School Monday, September 7th
🦅 Kirby STEM Academy Assistant Principal Quick Reference Guide
Need Assistance? Please Contact Your Child's Assistant Principal Based on Grade Level
6th Grade
Mrs. Vanessa Garza
📧 vgarza@judsonisd.org
7th Grade
Dr. Brian Welch
📧 bwelch@judsonisd.org
8th Grade
Ms. Maritha Purperhart
📧 mpurperhart@judsonisd.org
Save This Information for Quick Reference!
Need assistance with registration, counseling, or student support? Here is your go-to team! 💙🦅
Ms. C. Tisdall📝 Registrar ctisdall@judsonisd.org
Mrs. R. Rodriguez-Garza❤️ Social Worker rrodriguez485@judsonisd.org
Ms. C. Rivera💙 6th Grade Counselor crivera@judsonisd.org
Mrs. A. Trevino💚 7th Grade Counselor atrevino@judsonisd.org
Ms. C. Mitchell💜 8th Grade Counselor cmitchell@judsonisd.org
Our student support team is here to help! 🦅💙
📸 Join the Yearbook Club!
Yearbook Club applications are now being accepted! If your student is interested in helping create this year's yearbook, they can stop by Room A125 to pick up an application.
🗓️ Application Deadline: Tuesday, September 8
Yearbook Club Requirements:
- ✅ Good standing with grades and discipline
- ✅ Basic computer skills
- ✅ Willingness to assist with taking photos at extracurricular activities and school events
We encourage students who are creative, responsible, and interested in photography, design, and documenting school memories to apply!
Parent Opportunity: Join the JISD Safety & Security Committee
Are you passionate about school safety and interested in helping shape a secure learning environment for all students? Judson ISD is seeking parents of currently enrolled students to serve on the 2026-2027 Safety and Security Committee.
This is a great opportunity to collaborate with district leaders, share your perspective, and contribute to ongoing efforts that support the safety and well-being of our school communities.
If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information, please contact:
Frank Garcia
Safety and Security Director
Judson Independent School District
📞 210-310-0508
We encourage interested parents to consider this important opportunity to make a difference in JISD. Your voice and involvement can help strengthen the safety of our schools for all students. 🦅
Stay Connected with the Judson ISD App
Download the Judson ISD App today!
Staying informed about your child’s school and coursework plays an important role in their success both in the classroom and at home. At Judson ISD, we’re working to make communication between families, campuses, and the district easier and more accessible.
One of the best ways to stay connected is through the Judson ISD app. If you haven’t downloaded it yet, now is the perfect time. And if you already have the app, you’re all set!
The Judson ISD app gives families one convenient place to access important information, including:
- Live feed updates
- District and school news
- Upcoming events
- Breakfast and lunch menus
- Push notifications for important and urgent announcements
The app also includes Rooms, our two-way parent-teacher communication tool. Through Rooms, families can:
- Send and receive messages with teachers and staff
- View classroom announcements, coursework reminders, and materials
- Use automatic translation features to communicate in their preferred language
With the Judson ISD app, you can stay connected with your child’s teachers and access the information you need, all in one place.
If you haven’t already, download the free Judson ISD app today and stay connected throughout the school year.
September 1st - 🦅 FALCON FLIGHT PLAN NIGHT
Open House • Title I • Parent Engagement
Falcon Families, mark your calendars! 💙 We are excited to welcome you to Kirby STEM Academy for our Falcon Flight Plan Night on Tuesday, September 1, from 5:00–6:40 PM.
This is your opportunity to experience a little bit of your Falcon’s school day! Families will begin with our Title I & Parent Engagement Presentation and then follow their student’s schedule, visiting each class throughout the evening.
📅 Tuesday, September 1, 2026
⏰ 5:00–6:40 PM
📍 Kirby STEM Academy
During the evening, you will have an opportunity to:
🦅 Meet your student’s teachers
📚 Learn about classroom expectations
🔬 Explore course information
🤝 Build connections with our staff
📅 Schedule a conference if additional time is needed
We strongly encourage all of our Falcon families to attend! Your partnership is an important part of your student’s success, and we cannot wait to welcome you to campus.
💙 Plan Your Path. Meet the Team. Soar to Success!
Every Falcon Soars! 🦅
September 9th - ☕ COFFEE WITH THE COUNSELORS ☕
We invite all families to join us for Coffee with the Counselors on Tuesday, September 9, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
This special event is an opportunity to connect with our campus team, learn about the resources and supports available to students and families, and hear important information about our school community. Families will also hear a brief presentation from the principal regarding Title I, the Parent and Family Engagement Policy, and the School-Parent Compact. In addition, parents interested in becoming more involved in campus decision-making will have an opportunity to learn about serving on the Site-Based Decision-Making Committee.
We look forward to partnering with you to support student success. Come enjoy a cup of coffee, meet our counseling team, ask questions, and learn more about the many ways we can work together to help our students thrive!
Date: September 9
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Location: Campus Library/Parent Meeting Area
We hope to see you there! ☕💙💛
🏐 LADY FALCONS VOLLEYBALL
🦅 2026 VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE
Serve • Set • Spike • SOAR! 💙🏐
Come out and support our Lady Falcons this season!
🏈 FALCON FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
🛡️Keeping Our Falcons Safe: Standard Response Protocol
The safety and security of our students and staff is always a top priority at Kirby STEM Academy. Throughout the year, our students and staff will practice the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) so everyone knows what to do and how to respond during a variety of situations.
Falcon Families, we encourage you to review the attached information so you are familiar with the terminology your student will hear at school, including Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter, as well as what parents should do during an emergency or safety event.
💙 Preparation, practice, and clear communication help keep everyone safe. Thank you for being an important partner in our campus safety efforts! 🦅🛡️
Student/Parent Reunification Information
The safety of our students is always our top priority. In the event of an emergency or situation requiring a controlled student release, our school will use the Standard Reunification Method (SRM) to safely reunite students with their families. Situations such as severe weather, power outages, hazardous conditions, or other emergencies may require students to be released through this process.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to review the attached SRM Parent Handout and become familiar with the reunification process before an emergency occurs. During reunification, families will be asked to bring a valid photo ID, follow school instructions, and be patient as staff work to ensure every student is released safely and accurately. Students will only be released to a parent, guardian, or an approved emergency contact listed in school records.
Taking a few minutes to review this information now can help make a challenging situation smoother and safer for everyone. Please ensure your student's emergency contact information is current throughout the school year.
Calendar
📅 PLAN AHEAD, FALCON FAMILIES!
We know how busy family schedules can be, so we’ve put together a 2026–2027 School Holiday Quick Look to help you plan ahead! 🦅💙
Please save this calendar for easy reference throughout the year. It highlights student holidays, extended breaks, and early-release days so your family can stay ahead of important dates.
📌 Keep it handy, mark your calendars, and remember that dates can sneak up quickly!
Planning ahead helps everyone have a successful school year! 📅✨
Upcoming Events Around Judson ISD
September: Campus Safety Awareness, Suicide Prevention, and National Hispanic Heritage Month
September 7: Labor Day Holiday
September 7-11: National Payroll Week
September 13: Grandparents day
September 13-19: National Arts in Education
September 11: Patriot Day
September 15 - Oct 15: National Hispanic Heritage Month
September 17: Regular School Board meeting
September 23: Education Technology Day
September 26: Human Resources Professional
