Comet Connections

Kiker Community,

I hope you are all having a wonderful week and enjoyed the long weekend!

So far this week, I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to visit several of our Dyslexia classes as well as our Pre-K classrooms. Watching how each student interacts with their teachers, collaborates with peers, and fearlessly explores new ideas has truly been a highlight! As we embrace our theme this year, Adventure Awaits, it has been wonderful to see our students and staff bring that spirit of curiosity and growth into our classrooms every single day.

Speaking of exciting adventures, we are thrilled to officially kick off our PTA APEX Fundraiser this year! The APEX program is a fantastic journey that builds leadership, character, and school spirit while raising vital funds to support our students and classrooms. Please be sure to check out the important updates section later in this newsletter for key details (and some slight changes) on how your student can join in on the fun and how you can support our school community.

Additionally, I want to send a heartfelt thank you to all the families who are working with our teachers to schedule their parent-teacher conferences this month. Navigating your child’s educational journey is a team effort, and we hope this dedicated time has been helpful in charting a course for a successful school year.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement!

Ms. Abrams

Principal

🚗If you park in the back of our campus in the morning, please be sure it is not along the curb. We need these spots for busses and emergency vehicles.

📷Picture Retakes: Thursday, Nov. 5th

You can still order Fall pictures by phone 512-610-9990 or email tonya@1stphototexas.com.

October 13 - October 23 - PTA APEX Fundraiser

October 21 - Unity Day! (Wear Orange!)

October 22 - Report Cards Available Online - 1st Nine Weeks

October 23 - APEX Fun Run/Obstacle Course (During Grade Level Essential Areas Time)

October 26-30 = Love Your Brain Week!

October 30 - Art Fundraiser Begins

October 30 - Book Character Dress-Up Day

November 2 - No School/Student Holiday

November 3 - No School/ Staff Development Day

November 5 - "Apps w/ Abrams" - "Protecting Children Online" @ 8:30AM; 📷Picture Retakes!

November 6 - Spirit Day - Wear Blue!

November 11 - Veterans' Day Assembly w/ 3rd Grade Music Performance 2 8:30AM

November 15 - PTA Fall Festival + Book Fair Opening Day!

This year we’re doing things a little different. Instead of the usual APEX individual fundraising prizes, our PTA is giving every student at Kiker an individual prize pack at the end of our fundraising window! That’s more money for our community, and less tears to manage at home. A real Kiker win-win!

Of course, beloved classroom level rewards, lessons, and obstacle course from Apex will continue as well!

APEX Fun Run/Obstacle Course = October 23rd during grade level essential area times

Money fundraised will go towards areas such as student enrichment, teachers and classroom funds, school wide improvements, campus beautification, and community events and grants.

Help us make this year’s fundraiser a success and give today!

Essential Areas Times:

7:45 - 8:35 = 2nd Grade

8:40 - 9:30 = Kindergarten

9:35 - 10:25 = 1st Grade

12:25 - 1:15 = 4th Grade

1:20 - 2:10 = 5th Grade

2:15 - 3:05 = 3rd Grade

*Pre-K Schedule Coming Soon!

It's time to buy the yearbook - go ahead and check it off your to do list!

Until 11/30/2026, you can purchase yearbooks for $35. Click here

No worries! Join us virtually for our final Virtual Informational Session before the 2027 Kiker Science Fair. We’ll walk families through how the Kiker Science Fair works, registration, getting started, important dates, and helpful resources.

Virtual Informational Session
October 28
5:30–6:00 PM
Virtual Informational Session Zoom Registration Link

Still have questions as your student works on their project? We’ll also host a Science Fair Q&A on December 8 specifically for questions about projects, timelines, and those last-minute details. Stay tuned for registration details for the December Virtual Q&A!

Get informed. Get inspired. Get ready for the Kiker Science Fair!

Parents, We Need You!

It takes many helping hands to make the Kiker Science Fair a success! We’re looking for parent volunteers to judge student projects, assist on judging day, and help with Science Fair & STEM Night setup. There’s a role for everyone—and you don’t need a science background to help unless you are judging. We will kindly ask that judges be in a STEM field or have a STEM background. Please sign up to volunteer by October 16.

Register for Science Fair

• Please publish this on September 29 through the December 15 newsletter. The 15th will be the last newsletter to publish this information in.

• Here is the Register Your Student for the Kiker Science Fair

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Register Your Student for the Kiker Science Fair!

Big questions, creative ideas, and curious minds are welcome! All Kiker students, Pre-K through 5th grade, are invited to participate in the 2027 Kiker Science Fair. No project idea is needed to register—there is plenty of time to explore and find the perfect question! Register at kikersciencefair.org by the end of the day on December 18.

The Bluebonnet Book contest is here for our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders! Students can easily get books from Kiker or the public library. After each book is read, students need to complete this google form, which is also available in your child's Google Classroom. This contest is completely optional for your child.

More info on the contest below:

5 books read- vote in statewide contest

8 books read- Bluebonnet Breakfast in February

20 books read- Bluebonnet Field Trip to Central Library in March

*Books must be read and google forms submitted by January 25th!

The Austin Bike Bus is coming to Kiker Elementary! Want to be part of Kiker Bike Bus? We'd love to have you! If you are interested in participating please complete the short google form below:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeeU-Vw1TQBN9mVnqavwjCWBWZWe_CnlNA8C-ewyF6YKbderw/viewform

For more information about the Austin Bike Bus, click here here

Hi Kiker Families!

International Night & Parade of Nations returns this school year!!!

International night: Friday Feb 12, 2027 5:30-7:30pm

Parade of Nations: Thurs Feb 11, 2027 8:30am during school assembly.

There are multiple components to this event. We would love Volunteers to join our Committees leading up to the event (flexible time commitment) and/or

https://forms.gle/654TgfNS7yYfx3P46

The Kiker Elementary Spelling Bee is happening this December! Open to all 3rd–5th graders, our school champion will advance through the Scripps National Spelling Bee program.

COMPLETE THIS FORM TO REGISTER AND RECEIVE MORE INFORMATION. SPOTS ARE LIMITED.

You can also share these shout-outs at the district level with a RAVE!

Oct 3: Elise Magdaleno

Oct 4: Raven Jeffrey

Oct 5: Ashley Cross

Oct 8: Sandy Aluru

Oct 11: Veronica Taylor

Oct 15: Jenna Simpson

Oct 19: Nicole Kruszona

Oct 20: Anmarie Bochey

Oct 21: Demauria Loyd (Coach D)

Oct 23: Patrick Kasch

Oct 31: Kim Reiman

Nov 16: Jenn Chavez

Nov 25: Candace Cotten

Nov 25: Danielle Swint

Nov 25: Suzanne Hoelzel

Nov 27: Allison Woodward

Kiker Elementary Website

After School Programs @ Kiker

AISD 2026-2027 School Calendar

AISD Parent & Family Learning Opportunities

AISD Student Success Guide

SchoolCafe - AustinISD (Lunch Menus and Accounts)