Kiker Comments: October 24, 2023

October

24 - Love Your Brain Week - Your Future is Bright - WEAR NEON

24 - Evacuation Drill - Morning

26 - Read for the Record

26 - Love Your Brain Week - Hug Your Brain - WEAR A HAT

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)

November

5 - Daylight Savings Ends - Fall Back

6 - Art Fundraiser (through 11/17)

6 - CAC Meeting 3:30 library

9 - Author Visit: Christina Soontornvat

10 - Reflections Art Competition Due Date

10 - Veteran’s Day Assembly 8:45 (3rd grade performs)

12 -19 Diwali

13 - Staff Professional Development Day - No Students

14 - Shelter (tornado) and Evacuation (fire) Drills

15 - 2nd Grade Balloon Parade 2:20

16 - Student Council Meeting 3:15

17 - PreK Fancy Day and Parade

17 - Art Fundraiser Ends

20 - Thanksgiving Week (through 11/24)

27 - K-5 Map Growth - (through 12/15

27 - DEI Meeting 5:30 Zoom

28 - HSR Parent Information Session Evening for K-4

28 - HSR Opt-in K-4 in Comments (through 12/6)

Dec

7 - Picture Retakes

On October 26th, people across the country, including Pre-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.

The Monster Mash will open with a PTA general membership meeting. The agenda is above.

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**

We hope to see you THIS FRIDAY 10/27 at the 2023 Monster Mash! Check out the flyer for all of the newest gory details. It’s going to be a ghoulish good time for the whole fam!

We are in need of some awesome volunteers to help make this event a success. Please consider signing up for a quick 30-minute time slot HERE. Grab a friend to join you, too! Thank you in advance for signing up to help!

Also, our friends at The Dive have finalized a great food menu just for us! Pre-orders are open HERE (scroll to the bottom of the site to get to our Monster Mash menu) and 10% goes back to Kiker with the code Boo2023. *pre-order through EOD Wednesday, after that you can order at the event*

Thank you to the families who made our wonderful ofrenda in the library.

Reflections

The Reflections art contest deadline is quickly approaching! We're accepting submissions for dance choreography, film, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts. This is open to K to 5th grade. The entry requirement is that Parents/Grandparents be a current PTA member. Email kikerptaarts@gmail if you have any questions about entering your little artist.

For additional information, please see the Contest rules

Submissions can be made here (due by November 10th!)

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

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

Please look for your child's Kiker Art Fundraiser order form to be sent home on Friday, November 3rd. This brochure features your child's artwork, ordering code, and instructions for placing orders online. If families lose their brochures, please contact Ms. Swint at danielle.swint@austinisd.org for assistance.

The sale, benefitting the Kiker Art Department,

will begin Friday, November 3rd, and end Tuesday, November 14th, for early ordering.

There are two ordering periods.

1. Early orders placed during the November 3rd to 14th dates will arrive before the winter break.

2. Late orders placed from November 15th to December 4th will ship out after the winter break.

Please celebrate your child's creativity! They are great young artists who put a lot of hard work into their art. Thank you and enjoy!

The 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders will participate in an author visit with Christina Soontorvat on November 9. Books that are purchased through Book People will signed by the author - see QR code above.

Honor a veteran in your life by contributing to Kiker's Veterans Day Wall. We will accept submissions Nov. 1-9. Please drop off in the box located near the front office.

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.

This is open to 4th and 5th graders. Kiker can submit three finalists, so share any submissions with Mrs. Matheny at cory.matheny@austinisd.org. We will notify you if you are one of our three finalists.

The Annual Trail of Lights Essay Contest is now accepting submissions. Students in grades 4 and 5 are encouraged to enter this year’s contest. The essay prompt is: During the holidays, there is a lot of talk about gifts. What do you consider nature’s greatest gift and what does it mean to you?

See the flyer above to join in the conversations for AISD's equity assessment.

AISD and Kiker's Whole Child/Every Child is a focus, which includes a plan for integrating the Anti-Defamation League's No Place for Hate campaign. The campaign highlights student coalitions that plan and implement projects and activities, resulting in students owning the projects and being responsible for enacting the campaign's main beliefs. No Place for Hate was developed to organize schools to work together and develop projects that enhance the appreciation of the lived experiences of all and foster harmony among different groups of people. The campaign empowers schools to promote respect for individual and group differences while challenging prejudice and bigotry.

To support our work, we complete a minimum of four targeted, campus-wide activities to promote harmony, empathy, and acceptance of all individuals. See below for our first activity of the year.

This activity worked to show the power of our words and the impact words can have on us and others.

Thank you from the bottom of every heart at Kiker Elementary for making our APEX Leadership Co Fun Run such a success to raise funds for Outdoor Science Initiatives and Campus Restorations. Please pass on our thanks to everyone who made a donation or pledge on behalf of your student as well. We are so grateful for the support of so many! Our school is better because of you!

Stay tuned in the coming days for class leaderboard winners, recaps, fun run photos, videos, and more on how we plan to put some of the amazing funds to good use!

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.

The 2023-2024 Bluebonnet Contest has begun for our 3rd-5th graders. Here's how it works:

Read 5 books= vote in the statewide contest for the best Bluebonnet Book of the year

Read 8 books= vote in the contest AND attend the Bluebonnet Breakfast in the spring

What will you choose to read?

After a student finishes a book, they need to fill out my Bluebonnet Google Form on my BLEND homepage. Click the Bluebonnet Books to take you to the form. This contest is optional!

Happy Bluebonnet Reading!

Monarch Butterfly Book Series: Discover, Learn, Soar

October is National Hispanic Heritage month. This month celebrates the contribution and achievement of Hispanic American individuals, authors, and illustrators who have influenced and enriched our society. These stories allow us all to take a journey into a different culture, language, and experience.

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 Two Border Towns By: David Bowles (author) Erika Meza (illustrator)

Mariana and her Familia By: Monica Mancillas (author) Erika Meza (illustrator)

Alma and How she got her name By: Juana Martinez-Neal (Author & Illustrator)

Reflection Questions:

1. What does family mean? Can you describe who is in your family? Do you think that all families look the same?

2. What is one thing you learned about Hispanic Culture from your books?

3. Being a good friend and helper often means looking for ways to show kindness to the people in your life. How did the characters in your story help others or show kindness? How can you be a helper in your family, with your friends, or in your classroom?

Third - Fifth Grade Book List

The Little House of Hope By: Terry Catasús Jennings (Author) Raúl Colón (Illustrator)

Sonia Sotomayer By: Jonah Winter (Author) Edel Rodriquez (Illustrator)

Solimar: The Sword of the Monarchs By: Pam Munoz Ryan (Author)

Reflection Questions:

1. Many families have stories that connect them to different cultures and places. What are some of the special places, cultures, and stories that your family shares? What were some of the special places and parts of Hispanic culture shared in your books?

2. Barriers are obstacles that limit movement or progress. What are some barriers experienced by the character of your book? Are there any barriers you experience in your life?

3. Individuals who consistently work hard to overcome challenges (barriers) are known to have perseverance. When was the last time that you showed perseverance? How did the character of your book demonstrate perseverance?

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:

9 Kilometers By: Claudio Aguilera (Author) Gabriela Lyon (Illustrator)

The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora By: Pablo Cartaya

Latinitas: Celebrating 40 Big Dreamers By: Juliet Menéndez

Where are you from? By: Yamile Saied Méndez (author) Jaime Kim (Illustrator)

Kiker PTA thanks Kiely Wolters - Roots Residential at Compass for sponsoring the Staff Coffee Lounge for the month of October.

Kiely's down-to-earth nature, dedication, integrity and masterful negotiation skills make her a natural choice for discerning clients. As a proud Kiker mom and resident of Circle C for 17 years, she understands how important community and location can be. Kiely sees real estate as more than just a transaction but an opportunity to help clients live out their dreams, empower financial security, and create lasting connections. She is a member of Roots Residential at Compass: ABJ'S #5 team in Austin and #6 group at Compass Austin and is a certified negotiation expert.

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

If you have a change in pickup plans, please notify both the teacher and Ms. Amy McGovern so we can ensure that we have the communication in the front office as well as with the teacher.

Thank you

Child find laws ensure that any family that has concerns about their child's development can reach out to the school to inquire about a special education evaluation.

The Austin ISD Board of Trustees is resuming conversations about the superintendent profile and hiring process.

Interim Superintendent Segura’s contract is currently set to expire June 30. The board is seeking community input to consider next steps.

Community Conversations

• Monday, Oct. 23, 5:30–6:30 p.m. (English), 7–8 p.m. (Spanish)

• Join via Zoom: http://bit.ly/3tnKHbR

• Wednesday, Oct. 25, 10:30–11:30 a.m. (Spanish), 12–1 p.m. (English)

• Join via Zoom: http://bit.ly/3tpm1zS

Captioning will be provided. Please contact cynthia.dacarett@austinisd.org at least three days in advance to request interpretation into other languages.

The Bowie High School Starlight Theatre Company Proudly Presents Theatre for Young Audiences. These student-directed shows will run from Wednesday, 11/1, to Sunday, 11/5 in Bowie's Starlight Theatre. Each day will feature 4-7 shows that are appropriate for all ages (approximately 20 minutes per show). Shows start at 7:00PM W-F and 2:00PM Sat/Sun. Please visit https://our.show/jamesbowiestc/TYA2023 for more information or to purchase tickets in advance.

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 X 2

Maria Cuchillo

Ginny Monger X 2

Paige Hariharan

Alma Chapa Moore

Edward Swan

Erin Thomas

Sarah Schwartz

Carolyn McKaskle

Rhonda Vasquez

Tori Peterson

Abby Raymond

Lisa Youngblood

Danielle Swint

Stefanie Toman

Gini Nabers

Zoey Franz

Jessica Boone

Amy McGovern

Nicole Kruszona

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

New After-School Enrichment Sessions!!

• ATX Ballers has added dates starting October 30th.
• Young Rembrandts has added dates starting November 28th.
• Mad Science - NEW! Classes start Oct 31/Nov 3

For registration information, visit our website - 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