Falcon Chronicle
December 14, 2025
From the desk of Principal Rosas-Saunders
Closing out the semester
Hello Falcon Families:
The end of the first semester has arrived whether we are ready or not! Students will be completing their semester exams this week in all classes. It is very important that your student is present every day. If they miss semester exams and cannot make them up this week, they will have to make them up as soon as they return in January. Teachers may be reaching out to you this week about your student's grade for the 9-weeks or the semester, but grades are not officially due until we return from winter break. This week is a short week for students, they will officially finish the semester on Thursday (Thursday is a normal day) and have Friday off. They will return to start second semester on Tuesday, January 6th, 2026.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, we are having to postpone the Winter Festival. We will be moving this festival to the spring.
Please take a moment to read through the information below. We appreciate all your support, and please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions.
Sincerely,
Nicole Rosas-Saunders, Principal
210-661-1140
What is STEM?
“STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education is a method of hands-on teaching and learning where students learn to apply academic content by creatively solving real-world problems with innovative design-based thinking to prepare students for future career opportunities.”
What does STEM look like at Kirby STEM Academy?
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Critical/Creative Thinking
- Productive Struggle
At the conclusion of their 6th and 7th grade years, student will be completing a grade level project tied to a real-world scenario for the greater San Antonio area.
Theme Days
Parent Needs Assessment
Our counselors have provided a platform for parents to provide input and needs for the campus to help drive our agendas for Coffee with the Counselors and Principal. Please take a moment to click on the link if you would like to share information with us.
Tardy Sweeps....what are they and why are they done?
We have noticed that more and more students are getting to class late, because of this, we have initiated our Tardy Sweeps. Please read the information below pertaining to the process.
Tardy Sweeps:
If your student is caught in a tardy sweep, it result in a day of ISS. Tardy sweeps are announced during the passing period by admin with at least 3:00 mins left in the transition period. If your student is not in the room when the tardy bell rings, they are escorted to ISS for the remainder of the day. Admin performs these sweeps. The ISS will either be served that day or scheduled for the next day.
Outside Food for Lunches (ie from a restaurant)
Hi families-
If you dropping off food for your student for lunch that is not a packed lunch (ie. McDonalds, Chick-fil-A, etc.) your student will have to eat this food in the front office. Outside meals are not allowed to be brought into the cafeteria.
If you have a question about this process, please reach out to Mrs. Rosas-Saunders nrosassaund@judsonisd.org
25-26 School Hours
School Hours: 8:00-3:30
Early Pickup: Students will not be released for early pick up after 3:00. Please ensure if you need to pick your student up early, it is before 3:00 pm.
Morning Drop-Off: If it is 7:50 and you have not dropped your student off at the gym, please drop them off at the front office. We begin releasing from the gym at 7:45 and the doors will be locked at 7:50. As a reminder, tardies to 1st period still count, please make sure you have your student arriving on time.
School ID Pictures
ID pictures have been completed. All students are required to wear their IDs every day. IDs are required to attend any JISD athletic events at any campus. A student can be denied entry and not receive a refund for their ticket if they do not have their school ID visibly on them at the event.
Additional Forms in Skyward
Please take a moment to go into your Skyward account to complete additional forms, these include distribution of the student code of conduct, health related services, nutrition forms, etc.
We will have stations at Open House to assist with these forms if you would like help.
Weekly Events
Monday, Dec. 15th: Semester Exams, Boys Soccer vs Cortbett @ 3:50/4:50, Jazz Band Zoo Lights Performance at 5:30 at the San Antonio Zoo
Tuesday, Dec. 16th: Semester Exams, Choir Concert at 6:30 in the cafeteria
Wednesday, Dec. 17th: Semester Exams
Thursday, Dec. 18th: Semester Exams
Friday, Dec. 19th: Student Holiday
Chromebooks
8th grade are issued devices to have with them each day.
The students are not responsible for paying the $25 fee this year, but if they damage a device (their own or a class device) they will be responsible for the cost to repair the device. If the damage is done intentionally, their will also be school consequences.
Celebrations and Events
Cell Phone/Personal Electronics Policy for
Dress Code for 25-26
Please read through the JISD Student Code of Conduct for more detailed descriptions.
Tardy Policy for 25-26
The tardies do not reset for the entire 9 weeks. Below you will find the tardy policy.
TARDY POLICY: this is PER class
- 1st tardy- verbal warning
- 2nd tardy- student conference
- 3rd tardy- parent call , teacher referral and Lunch detention
- 4th tardy- verbal warning
- 5th tardy- student conference
- 6th tardy- parent call, teacher referral and ISS
- Any additional tardies will result in a parent conference
Tardy Sweeps:
If your student is caught in a tardy sweep, it result in a day of ISS. Tardy sweeps are announced during the passing period by admin with at least 3:00 mins left in the transition period. If your student is not in the room when the tardy bell rings, they are escorted to ISS for the remainder of the day. Admin performs these sweeps when we notice students are not getting to class on time. The ISS will either be served that day or scheduled for the next day.
Administrative Team Contacts
Principal Kirby STEM Academy: Nicole Rosas-Saunders - nrosassaund@judsonisd.org
Associate Principal : Florinda Cardenas- fcardenas@judsonisd.org
Principal Kirby Middle School: Taryn Bowie- tbowie@judsonisd.org
7th grade Assistant Principal: Cesar Bazan-cbazan345@judsonisd.org
6th grade Assistant Principal: Derrick Stevens- dstevens@judsonisd.org
Counselor's Corner
Cherish Mitchell (A-K)- cmitchell@judsonisd.org
Angelica Trevino (L-Z)- atrevino@judsonisd.org
Rosalinda Rodriguez-Garza (Social Worker)- rrodriguez485@judsonisd.org
Stop-It: Anonymous Reporting App for Bullying
This is the new anonymous reporting app for bullying in Judson ISD. If your student is having issues, but doesn't want to speak to a teacher, counselor or admin, please have them report all the information in this anonymous reporting app. They can provide names, details, dates, and even pictures or videos.
Standard Response Protocol
Skyward Access Information
Follow us on Social Media
Facebook: @KirbyFalcons
Twitter: @KirbyFalcons
Instagram: @KirbyFalcons
JISD webpage: kirby.judsonisd.org