Comet Connections

Dear Kiker Community,

We have a bustling week ahead! Between entering Week 2 of our APEX fundraiser, sending our 5th graders off on their overnight team-building adventure, and maintaining our high academic standards across the building, our campus is full of energy and purpose.

I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to step into several classrooms this week. In 4th grade, I watched students set personal goals and take real ownership of their learning. In 2nd grade, I arrived just in time to see students applying new strategies to produce impressive, thoughtful writing pieces. To top it off, my supervisor joined me for her monthly walk-through and shared glowing feedback about the outstanding teaching and learning happening in our classrooms which is a well-deserved win for our entire community!

As we look forward to the APEX Fun Run and Obstacle Course this Friday, we want to make arrival as seamless as possible. If you plan to attend and cheer on your student, please complete our visitor pre-check process in advance by using the link below:

‼️➡️ [APEX Visitor Pre-Check Link]⬅️‼️

Thank you for your continued partnership and support!

Ms. Abrams

Principal

🟠Wear Orange tomorrow!: Unity Day!(10.21.26)

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! (2PM-5PM)

Kiker Families,

We want to clarify a discrepancy in the fundraising totals recently shared through teacher communications.

Due to an internal reporting error by Apex, an incorrect fundraising total of $55,352 was communicated. We sincerely apologize for the confusion and take full responsibility for the mistake.

The exciting news is that Kiker's fundraising continues to grow! As of our latest update, the school has raised $44,228 towards its $75,000 goal, putting us at nearly 60% of our goal with five days remaining!

We appreciate your understanding and continued support. Let’s keep the momentum going and finish strong!

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

11:15-11:45 = Pre-K

12:25 - 1:15 = 4th Grade

1:20 - 2:10 = 5th Grade

2:15 - 3:05 = 3rd Grade

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 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!

🍂🎃 Fall fun is calling! Join us for Kiker’s Fall Fest & Book Fair Opening Night on Sunday, November 15, from 2–5 PM! 📚🐐 Enjoy a petting zoo, maze, face painting, bingo, Plinko, games, and more! Plus, CraigO’s and Kona Ice will be on-site for purchase. We can’t wait to celebrate with our Kiker families! 🧡🍁

🎨✨ Only 2 Weeks Left to Submit Your Reflections Entry! ✨🎨

Calling all Kiker creatives! 🌎🎶 There's still time to turn your big ideas into something amazing!

This year's National PTA Reflections theme, "What My Culture Means to Me," encourages students to celebrate their heritage, traditions, experiences, and the things that make them unique. ❤️

Whether your kiddo loves to draw, dance, write, take photos, make movies, or create music, there's a way for everyone to participate!

🌟 Don't miss your chance to share your creativity!

📅 Entries are due November 4th!

🔗 Find everything you need to participate here:

https://linktr.ee/KikerReflections2026

We can't wait to see how our Kiker students bring this year's theme to life! 🎨💛

Honor a Veteran: Wall of Honor Submissions

Help us celebrate the veterans in our community! Please submit your physical, printed veteran tribute posters to the designated box in the front office no later than Friday, November 6. Use your creativity and include photos, written text, anything you'd like! Posters will be displayed on our Wall of Honor for our veterans to see as we celebrate them at our annual Veterans Day Assembly on November 11. Thank you for helping us honor their service and sacrifice!

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

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)