26-27 THE NEST PARENT NEWSLETTER

A Message from the Principal - Week 6

Dear Kirby STEM Academy Families,

As we move into Week 6, I continue to be inspired by the dedication of our students, staff, and families. Every day, I see our Falcons taking ownership of their learning, supporting one another, and embracing the challenges that help them grow. The energy in our classrooms and hallways reflects the amazing things happening at Kirby STEM Academy.

September is Attendance Awareness Month, and I want to emphasize how important daily attendance is for student success. At the middle school level, every lesson builds upon the next. When students are present, they benefit from classroom discussions, hands-on STEM experiences, collaborative learning opportunities, and direct support from their teachers. We encourage all students to be at school, on time, and ready to learn each day because every minute truly matters.

Next week, our students will participate in campus-wide testing on September 14 and 15. Please help us set them up for success by ensuring they arrive at school before 8:00 a.m. each day. Additionally, all 8th-grade students should bring their Chromebooks fully charged and ready for testing. We appreciate your partnership in helping us provide a focused and uninterrupted testing environment.

I also encourage families to take advantage of the many opportunities available to our students, including tutoring, clubs, contests, and upcoming events highlighted throughout this newsletter. Student success is strongest when schools and families work together, and I am grateful for the support you provide each day.

Thank you for entrusting us with your children. It is truly a privilege to serve the students and families of Kirby STEM Academy. Together, we will continue to create a culture where every Falcon is challenged, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.

With Falcon Pride,

Amber Gonzales
Principal, Kirby STEM Academy

🦅 Falcons Learn. Falcons Lead. Falcons Soar. 🦅

📚 Important Testing Information for Kirby STEM Academy Families

Kirby STEM Academy will be conducting campus-wide testing on September 14 and September 15. To help ensure a smooth, secure, and distraction-free testing environment, we ask for your support with the following:

✅ Students should arrive at school no later than 8:00 a.m. each testing day. Late arrivals may disrupt the testing environment and impact students who are already testing.

✅ All 8th grade students must bring their Chromebook to school fully charged on both testing days. Students will need their devices for testing and should also bring their chargers as a backup.

Your partnership is essential in helping our students perform their best. Thank you for ensuring your child arrives on time, prepared, and ready for success. Let's help our Falcons soar! 🦅💙

September 14 & 15

• Be on time: Arrive by 8:00 a.m.
• 8th Grade: Bring a fully charged Chromebook
• Be ready to do your best! 🌟

To provide the best possible testing environment for our students, Kirby STEM Academy will be a closed campus on September 14 and 15 due to campus-wide testing. During these dates, visitors will not be permitted on campus unless previously approved for an official campus need.

We appreciate our families' support and understanding as we focus on creating a quiet, secure, and distraction-free environment that allows students to do their very best. Thank you for partnering with us to support student success! 💙🦅📚

Every Day Counts at Kirby STEM Academy!

September is Attendance Awareness Month, and there is no better time to emphasize the importance of being present, engaged, and ready to learn every day. Attendance is one of the strongest indicators of student success, especially during the middle school years when students are building the academic skills, habits, and responsibility needed for high school and beyond.

When students attend school regularly, they are more likely to stay on track academically, participate in meaningful classroom discussions, build positive relationships with peers and teachers, and feel connected to their school community. Even missing just a few days each semester can cause students to fall behind on important learning opportunities that cannot always be replaced.

At Kirby STEM Academy, our goal is for every Falcon to be in school, on time, and ready to learn each day. Families can support strong attendance by establishing consistent morning routines, scheduling appointments outside of school hours whenever possible, and encouraging students to make school a daily priority.

If your child is absent, please be sure to submit an excuse note as soon as possible. Parents and guardians may email attendance documentation directly to Ms. Gomez, Attendance Secretary, at magomez@judsonisd.org.

Together, we can help every Falcon maximize learning opportunities and achieve success. Thank you for making attendance a priority!

🦅 Falcons Learn. Falcons Lead. Falcons Soar. 💙

Get ready to smile! Fall Picture Day at Kirby STEM Academy is scheduled for September 21, 2026. Picture Day is a great opportunity for students to capture memories from the school year and update family photos.

Families may pre-order picture packages online through Strawbridge Studios using the order code provided on the flyer. A variety of package options, digital downloads, and personalization features are available.

Please review the attached flyer for package information, pricing, and online ordering instructions. We look forward to seeing our Falcons dressed for success and ready to say "cheese" on Picture Day! 🦅📸😊

Kirby STEM Academy is committed to helping every student succeed! We offer before-school and after-school tutoring opportunities in ELAR, Math, Science, and Social Studies for students in grades 6-8. Tutoring provides additional support, enrichment, and opportunities for students to strengthen skills, complete assignments, prepare for assessments, and build confidence in the classroom.

Families are encouraged to review the attached tutoring schedule to find their child's subject area, teacher, meeting location, and tutoring times. Consistent attendance at tutoring can make a significant difference in student achievement and academic growth.

If you have questions about tutoring or would like to know which sessions would be most beneficial for your child, please contact your child's teacher. Together, we can help our Falcons learn, lead, and soar! 🦅📚✨

We invite all parents, guardians, students, staff, and community members to join us for an important public meeting as we continue the work of strengthening and improving Kirby STEM Academy. During this meeting, we will share our priorities and goals for the 2026-2027 school year and gather valuable feedback from our school community as we develop our Turnaround Plan.

✅ Learn about our improvement efforts
✅ Share ideas and recommendations
✅ Help shape the future of Kirby STEM Academy
✅ Be part of the conversation that supports student success

📅 September 29, 2026
🕔 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
📍 Kirby STEM Academy Library
5441 Old Seguin Road
San Antonio, TX 78219

We value your partnership and want to hear your voice as we work together to ensure all Falcon students achieve success.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScMYy3IDf5IqXikFdKiYzv6Ztkcwa_O5b9FqUuFHlzwe0lpPw/viewform

Students in Ms. Pryor's STEM Lab recently participated in an exciting Paper Chain Challenge designed to strengthen teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Working in groups, students were tasked with creating the longest paper chain possible in just 20 minutes using only one piece of construction paper, scissors, and 7 inches of Scotch tape.

Through planning, testing ideas, and collaborating with teammates, students discovered how innovative thinking and effective teamwork can help maximize results even when materials are limited. This hands-on STEM activity provided an engaging opportunity for students to apply engineering and design-thinking skills while having fun and learning from one another.

We are proud of the creativity, perseverance, and collaboration demonstrated by our Falcon STEM students! 🚀🔗📏

Does your child enjoy storytelling, poetry, world-building, or creative writing? Kirby STEM Academy's Creative Writing Club is the perfect place for students to explore their imagination, develop their writing skills, and connect with fellow young writers.

The club meets every Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. in Room A106. Students will participate in writing activities, storytelling games, and creative challenges in a fun and supportive environment. Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop or notebook to each meeting.

See the attached flyer for meeting dates and additional information. We encourage all aspiring authors, poets, and storytellers to join the adventure! ✏️📚✨

Kirby STEM Academy is seeking parents and guardians interested in serving on our Site-Based Decision-Making (SBDM) Committee.

The SBDM Committee provides valuable input regarding campus goals, programs, student achievement, school improvement efforts, and family engagement. Members work alongside campus staff to review the Campus Improvement Plan, Comprehensive Needs Assessment, and other initiatives that support student success.

This is a great opportunity to share your perspective, collaborate with school leaders, and help shape the future of Kirby STEM Academy.

📅 Committee meetings are held once per month from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

📝 Interested in serving? Complete the interest form here: https://forms.gle/iDGEskY7FWqCMKAX7

✅ If selected, committee members will be notified, and the first meeting will be held in October.

Thank you for partnering with us as we continue to build a strong school community and ensure success for all Falcons!

Together, We Soar Higher! 💙💛🦅

We are excited to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a fun-filled week of school spirit, culture, and learning! 🇲🇽🇵🇷🇨🇴🇸🇻🇩🇴🇪🇸

Students are invited to participate in our Hispanic Heritage Month Dress-Up Week, September 14–18!

We can't wait to see our students celebrating culture, showing their school spirit, and learning about the incredible contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities! ❤️💛💚💙

¡Viva la cultura! ¡Viva la celebración! 🎉🌎

Need Assistance? Please Contact Your Child's Assistant Principal Based on Grade Level

6th Grade

Mrs. Vanessa Garza
📧 vgarza@judsonisd.org

7th Grade

Dr. Brian Welch
📧 bwelch@judsonisd.org

8th Grade

Ms. Maritha Purperhart
📧 mpurperhart@judsonisd.org

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and Judson ISD invites parents and students to attend an important Parent Table Talk focused on Teen Mental Health and Suicide Awareness. Learn how to recognize warning signs, support youth experiencing mental health challenges, and connect with valuable community resources.

📅 September 29, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
📍 Judson Early College Academy- 8230 Palisades Drive, Universal City, TX 78148

Families are encouraged to attend together. Pizza will be provided for attendees, and high school students can earn 3 hours of credit recovery for participating.

Working together, we can support the mental health and well-being of all students. We hope to see you there! 💜🩵

Calling all young artists! The City of San Antonio's Annual MLK Youth Art Contest is now accepting submissions. This year's theme, "40 Years Strong: Upholding a Dream," encourages students to express their creativity while honoring the legacy and vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Students who participate will have the opportunity to showcase their artistic talents and compete for exciting prizes, including a Herweck's Art Supply gift card, all-access passes to Official 2027 MLK Commission events, and more.

Artwork submissions are due by October 9. Families are encouraged to review the attached flyer for contest details, eligibility requirements, and submission information. We look forward to seeing the creativity and inspiration of our Kirby STEM artists! 🎨✨

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is offering two exciting scholarship opportunities for students interested in sharing their thoughts about the theme, "What a Veteran Taught Me About America."

Patriot's Pen Essay Contest (Grades 6-8)

Middle school students are invited to submit a 300-400 word essay for the VFW Patriot's Pen competition. Students have the opportunity to compete for scholarships and awards at the local, district, state, and national levels, including a $5,000 national first-place prize.

Voice of Democracy Audio-Essay Contest (Grades 9-12)

High school students can participate in the VFW Voice of Democracy competition by creating a 3-5 minute audio essay based on the annual theme. Scholarships and incentives are awarded at every level of competition, with the national winner receiving a $35,000 college scholarship.

All entries are due by October 31, 2026. Families are encouraged to review the attached flyers for complete contest details, entry requirements, and submission information. These contests provide an excellent opportunity for students to develop their writing and communication skills while reflecting on the impact of our nation's veterans. 🇺🇸✍️🎙️

🦅 2026 VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE

Serve • Set • Spike • SOAR! 💙🏐
Come out and support our Lady Falcons this season!

At Kirby STEM Academy, the safety and security of our students and staff remain our highest priority. As part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining a safe learning environment, we will conduct our first Lockdown Drill on Tuesday, October 6.

Safety drills are required and help ensure that students and staff know the procedures to follow in the event of an emergency. Prior to the drill, staff will review expectations with students in an age-appropriate manner to help them understand the importance of being prepared while minimizing anxiety.

Please know that this is only a drill and is designed to help us practice and improve our emergency response procedures.

We encourage families to use this opportunity to discuss the importance of school safety and preparedness with their children.

Thank you for your partnership as we work together to keep our Falcon community safe.

🦅 Safety First. Preparedness Matters. Falcon Strong. 💙🧡

Download the Judson ISD App today!

Staying informed about your child’s school and coursework plays an important role in their success both in the classroom and at home. At Judson ISD, we’re working to make communication between families, campuses, and the district easier and more accessible.

One of the best ways to stay connected is through the Judson ISD app. If you haven’t downloaded it yet, now is the perfect time. And if you already have the app, you’re all set!

The Judson ISD app gives families one convenient place to access important information, including:

• Live feed updates
• District and school news
• Upcoming events
• Breakfast and lunch menus
• Push notifications for important and urgent announcements

The app also includes Rooms, our two-way parent-teacher communication tool. Through Rooms, families can:

• Send and receive messages with teachers and staff
• View classroom announcements, coursework reminders, and materials
• Use automatic translation features to communicate in their preferred language

With the Judson ISD app, you can stay connected with your child’s teachers and access the information you need, all in one place.

If you haven’t already, download the free Judson ISD app today and stay connected throughout the school year.

iPhone App Store

Android Google Play

We know how busy family schedules can be, so we’ve put together a 2026–2027 School Holiday Quick Look to help you plan ahead! 🦅💙

Please save this calendar for easy reference throughout the year. It highlights student holidays, extended breaks, and early-release days so your family can stay ahead of important dates.

📌 Keep it handy, mark your calendars, and remember that dates can sneak up quickly!

Planning ahead helps everyone have a successful school year! 📅✨

September: Campus Safety Awareness, Suicide Prevention, and National Hispanic Heritage Month

September 7: Labor Day Holiday

September 7-11: National Payroll Week

September 13: Grandparents day

September 13-19: National Arts in Education

September 11: Patriot Day

September 15 - Oct 15: National Hispanic Heritage Month

September 17: Regular School Board meeting

September 23: Education Technology Day

September 26: Human Resources Professional

Join the Judson Education Foundation (JEF) for an evening of connection, collaboration, and community at the 2026 Fall Mixer! This event is a great opportunity to meet JEF Board members, learn more about how the foundation supports Judson ISD students and staff, and discover ways to get involved in making a difference.

Community members, educators, business partners, families, and supporters are invited to attend on Wednesday, September 30, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Olympia Clubhouse, 8442 Athenian Drive, Universal City, TX 78148. We encourage everyone who is passionate about the future of Judson ISD to come network, build relationships, and learn more about the impact of the Judson Education Foundation.

Please see the attached flyer for additional details and RSVP information. We hope to see you there!