Kiker Comments: August 8

2023-2024 School Year

August

9 - Class Placement Announcements via Email - Approximately 3:30-4:00

10 - Meet the Teacher Event 3:30-5:30 (3:00 orientation only for New to Kiker Families)

14 - First Day of School

22 - AISD Special Education Parent Power Hour 6-7 - See section below

24 - Back to School Night for Kinder and 1st Grade 5:30

28 - CAC Meeting - Library 3:30

September

4 - No School

5 - Back to School Night for 2nd and 3rd Grade 5:30

7 - Back to School Night for 4th and 5th Grade 5:30

13 - PTA Volunteer Expo / Meet and Greet 8:00 am

25 - Parent/Guardian/Teacher Conferences - No School For Students

As we gear up for the upcoming school year, we invite you to participate in a School Supply Drive for our sister school, Allison Elementary. Help us ensure that every student has the tools they need to succeed!

How to Contribute:

While doing your back-to-school shopping, consider purchasing extra supplies such as notebooks, pencils, erasers, glue sticks, crayons, markers, tissues, and clorox wipes. Alternatively, you can donate a gift card from HEB or Walmart to empower their teachers to buy specific supplies for their classrooms.

Drop-off Location and Deadline:

Donations can be dropped off at 10520 Galsworthy Lane through August 10th.

Do you have a couple of hours every other week to help make copies, laminate, or complete classroom projects? Being a Work Room Volunteer is an easy way to get involved in our school community and help out our teachers directly. (Training provided too!) Grab a slot at the link below.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409094BADAF2DA3F85-fall1

- Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/39VBQZ6L2R3YV?ref_=wl_share

-Drop off cardboard rolls from used paper towels or TP in the labeled bin in front of Kiker.

- Volunteer opportunities in the Lab: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdR4w7xSg-OX2A41g0uKnSKc7nnH6HJFn7yYEAzhPVyEkWvjw/viewform?usp=sf_link

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

Kiker Fall 2023 Spirit Gear is coming!

Kiker 2023-2024 Spirit gear is being ordered and prepared and we are so excited for you to see what's in store! The first round of pre-orders for t-shirts and hats has closed and all items will be available for pickup at Meet the Teacher Night on August 10th. There will be limited inventory on-hand and available for cashless purchase (Venmo/Square) at this event, as well as additional Kiker Comet Spirit items.

The NEXT PRE-ORDER OPPORTUNITY for guaranteed sizing and availability will take place during the first two weeks of school and will deliver in September - keep an eye out and stock up when you see it! Stay tuned to the Kiker Comments for up-to-date information.

• parents/guardians will drop off and pick up students outside the building
• all visitors need to check in through the front office with an ID - every time
• picking up your student early - show ID to the front office before we can get your child from class
• only cross streets and the parking lot using crosswalks
• no dogs on campus grounds - please keep leashed pets at La Crosse
• All drivers are expected to drive safely and follow school zone and safety laws. Report unsafe driving to 311 and/or 911.
• don't park in the No Parking zones or in the Circle C CDC parking lot

ARRIVAL VIDEO - Now Available

DISMISSAL VIDEO - Now Available

Doors open at 7:30 on the first day of school only

Doors open at 7:15 the rest of the school year

Avoid tardies - be in class by 7:40 when the instructional day starts

Attendance is officially counted for funding purposes at 10:30 daily

3:10 is the official end to the school day

If you have to pick your child up from school early, please do so prior to 2:30 so our staff can give their full attention to the dismissal process from 2:30-3:20. This is for the safety of all our students and staff.

At dismissal time, please have your family dismissal number for car riders and walk ups (only walk ups use the QR code - see video)

Communicate any changes directly to the classroom teacher

*Circle C CDC does not allow Kiker families to use their parking lot for drop off or pick up. So sorry!

We run two after school programs - Voyager/Third Base and Kiker Crew/CDC. In order to provide safe and quality programs, we ask that our families honor the partnerships with these programs and allow them the space they have rented. The playground is not available after school as it is part of the rental agreement with these organizations.

Thank you for your cooperation.

• Add money to your students' account and view menus at www.schoolcafe.com/Austinisd

Last year's prices - image below (updated with this year's prices)

Breakfast:

Full price - $1.75 for students, $3.25 for adults

Reduced lunch qualifiers - free

Lunch:

Full price - $3.25 for students, $5.00 for adults

Reduce lunch qualifiers - $0.40

Send an email with your student(s) name, date of absence, and reason for the absence to amy.mcgovern@austinisd.org. Please attach or forward any notes from medical providers if you have them.

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

Parent Power Hour: The ABC’s of IEPs for Families New to Special Education

This session welcomes new families to Special Education services and will cover the foundational components of a student's special education program - Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFPs), Goals, and Services. (Sessions repeat throughout the year)

• August 22: 12-1, 6-7pm - VIRTUAL: online LINK

• September 19: 6-7pm in person at Brentwood Elementary School - 6703 Yates Ave, Austin, TX 78757

Parent Power Hour: Child Find

This session will review district Child Find responsibilities - including referral, timelines, and process from evaluation to the determination of special education eligibility and services.

September 12: 12-1, 6-7pm - VIRTUAL: online LINK

Power Hour: Executive Functioning, Organizational Strategies and Study Skills to Help Your Child at Home & School

This session will provide support and resources to families regarding routines and healthy habits to build study skills and organizational routines.

September 26: 12-1, 6-7pm - VIRTUAL: online LINK

Full list linked HERE and in the PDF below. The Kiker Comments will feature those within a 4-6 week range for your planning convenience.

Registration forms for Voyager

Current space: 1st grade

Waitlist: - all other grade levels

The Austin ISD Student Success Guide (Student Code of Conduct) is now available on the Austin ISD District website for students, parents, and guardians to review. One important legislative update is that ALL e-cigarettes (THC and Tobacco) are prohibited. House Bill 114 requires a student to be placed in the District Alternative Education Program (DAEP) if the student possesses, uses, is under the influence, sells, gives, or delivers marijuana, THC, or an e-cigarette (new) while on campus, within 300 feet of school property, or at a school-related event. Under Austin ISD guidelines, this is a 20-day DAEP placement. Parents and guardians are strongly urged to talk to their students about this new policy and review the Student Success Guide to help keep our schools safe for students and staff. For resources to use when talking with your student about the harmful effects of e-cigarettes visit https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/.

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