Panther News
October 16, 2026
Principal Message
Panther Families,
We want to make you aware of a few calendar changes for next week. Our Kindergarten Color Day has moved to Thursday, and we have added the district’s Pink Out Day on Friday. That means we have three color days next week!
Wednesday, October 21 — Unity Day: Wear orange!
Thursday, October 22 — Kindergarten Color Day: Wear black!
Friday, October 23 — District Pink Out Day: Wear pink!
We look forward to seeing our Panthers show their spirit! Have a wonderful weekend!
Shawn Maxwell, Principal
Kirsten Stone, Assistant Principal
Current Cub/Girl Scouts Needed
Current Cub/Girl Scouts needed for the Veterans Day Flag Ceremony. Use the Google Form to sign your child up.
Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind
Each month at school, we go deeper into learning about one particular habit. This month's habit is about setting goals and thinking about how our current choices now affect our future.
Habit 2 Brainstormer Activity
This month, sit down with your family and use the questions on the worksheet below to brainstorm how you can apply Habit 2 in your family!
KES Musical Theatre Club
Grab a special KES shirt and support our Musical Theatre Club! Shirts are $15, and all proceeds will help fund next year’s musical and purchase supplies for our student performers.
This is a great way to support our Panthers while keeping a little piece of the old KES with you!
Shirts will be delivered to the school in November. Revtrak Link: Revtrak
GT Parent Referral Period - Oct. 1st-31st
Parents/guardians can make a referral using THIS LINK.
Free/Reduced Meal Application
- MEAL APPLICATION: Please complete the meal application. We are asking that ALL families please complete the form since this is how our funding is determined. Meal Application
10/21 - Unity Day - Wear Orange
10/22- Kinder Color Day - Wear Black
10/23 - Hays CISD Pink Out Day
10/24 - PTA Purse Bingo
Thinks to Know/Reminders for 2026-2027 School Year
Cell Phone Policy
Beginning in 2025, the state of Texas banned the student use of personal communication devices, including cell phones, earbuds, smartwatches, and other devices, during the school day.
In compliance with the law, Hays CISD enforces a bell-to-bell ban on the use of personal communication devices, prohibiting them during the instructional day. Devices must remain powered off and stored out of sight from the first bell to the final dismissal bell, including during lunch and passing periods.
Policy Rules and Details
Prohibited Items: Cell phones, smartphones, flip phones, earbuds, smartwatches, tablets, gaming devices, smart glasses, and certain other devices capable of communication or internet access.
Storage Requirements: Upon arrival on school property and prior to the start of the instructional day, students shall: 1. Power off all personal communication devices; 2. Secure the device(s) in a backpack, purse, locker (if assigned), or other district-approved storage location; and 3. Ensure the device remains unused, unseen, and inaccessible for the duration of the school day.
Exemptions: Allowed only as specifically authorized by law, an Individualized Education Program (IEP), Section 504 Plan, physician directive, or other campus administrator approved accommodation.
Read the full district personal communication procedure online.
Delivery Service for Student Meals
As part of enhanced safety at campuses, beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, all Hays CISD campuses will no longer accept deliveries from meal delivery services or restaurants for student lunches. And, campuses will no longer have drop-off tables for meals. Parents may still bring outside food for their children if they plan to deliver the meals directly to their child’s designated lunch period. All guests are required to follow existing safety protocols and check in with ID at the front office.
Nurse Wilson
Healthy Habits at Home: Don't Let the Flu Give You a Fright!
Dear Parents and Families,
October is here, which means pumpkin, costumes, candy and unfortunately, flu season! This month we’re focusing on simple ways families can help prevent the spread of influenza and keep those spooky germs away.
The Science Behind the Scare
The flu is caused by the influenza viruses. These viruses can spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, sending tiny respiratory particles into the air. Germs can also get onto hands and surfaces and spread when we touch our eyes, nose or mouth.
The good news? Our everyday healthy habits can help fight back!
5 ways to keep that flu monster away
Wash those Hands. Don’t forget that germs are frightened by soap and water.
Cover your Cough & Sneezes. Coughing or sneezing into a tissue or elbow keeps those creepy germs contained.
Give the Flu a BOO! The flu vaccine is one of the best ways to reduce getting influenza and can also reduce the severity of the illness if someone does get sick.
Keep Germs at arm's length! Avoid close contact with those who are ill and remind children to not share cups, utensils or food. A little extra space reduces the spread.
Don’t Let the Flu Haunt the House. If your child is sick, give them time to rest, recover and stay home when appropriate. For Fever/temperature of 100℉ and up, diarrhea or vomiting, a student must remain home until free of symptoms for 24 hours without the use of any medications. And don't forget to email KES.Attendance@hayscisd.net if your child will be home sick.
Make Flu Prevention Fun
Turn your handwashing song into a spooky 20 second Halloween song to wash those monster germs down the drain
Practice the “Vampire cough” by teaching your kids to couch into the crook of their elbow.
Be a germ detective. Ask “what did your hands touch today” and see how many germ hotspots your child can identify
Remember
We can’t see most germs, but we can take steps to stop them from spreading. Handwashing, covering coughs and sneezing, staying home when sick, getting recommended vaccines and practicing health habits all work together to help protect our families and our school community.
Let's work together to keep our school happy, healthy and just the right amount of spooky.
Have a safe and healthy October!
Nurse Chelsea
Information regarding Medications at School:
Students at the elementary level must keep medication in the nurses clinic unless otherwise approved by a physician. We must have the appropriate authorizations on file for your student to be able to receive medications while at school. Medication Authorizations and Action Plans can be found here:
Medication Forms
- Medication Authorization (English/Spanish)
- Asthma Action Plan (English/Spanish)
- Seizure Action Plan (English/Spanish)
- Food Allergy Action Plan (English/Spanish)
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE NURSE MUST HAVE THE PRESCRIPTION LABEL. The prescription label must also match the healthcare provider order. Most often it is easiest to bring the prescription box to school with the medication. If you do not have a prescription label take the medication to your pharmacy as they can usually reprint a label for school. In addition, many parents administer medications at home as well as at school. A pharmacy can split medications between bottles with prescription labels on each to allow for a bottle at school.
For more information regarding the district’s policies on medications at school, please visit the website below:
https://www.hayscisd.net/page/medications-at-school
For more information about required immunizations and other student health topics, please visit the student health services website:
Counselor Corner - Ms. Echeverria
If your family needs assistance with clothing, food, school supplies, and/or mental health resources, please reach out to me via email. I would love to help however I can!
Raising Highly Capable Kids
We’re excited to resume the Raising Highly Capable Kids (RHCK) program this fall at the following campuses:
This 13 week parenting series equips families with tools to build strong relationships, raise caring, responsible, and resilient kids, and foster a sense of community along the way. Register today to join us! If you have any questions, you can contact our RHCK coordinator, Rachel Maldonado, at Rachel.maldonado@hayscisd.net.
Tuesdays at Hemphill ES 3:30-5:00 pm (English Class)
Wednesdays at Chapa MS 6pm - 730pm (English Class)
Escuela primaria de Ramage cada martes 8:00 am - 9:30 am
Histórica escuela primaria Buda cada miercoles 9:00 am - 10:30 am
Escuela secundaria de Lehman HS cada jueves 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Turkeys Tackling Hunger:
Holiday meal kits are available to families in need on a first come, first serve basis. Supplies are limited. Please click on the following link to register: https://turkeys.haysfoodbank.org/.
Attendance
School starts promptly at 7:30AM and ends at 3:00PM. Doors open at 7:05AM.
Students that are dropped off when the 7:30AM bell rings will be counted tardy. Students need to be in their classroom by 7:30AM. Students should be picked up no later than 3:15PM, unless other arrangements have been made prior to the end of the day.
If you are running late, be sure to drop off in the front. All students that arrive after 7:25, should be checked in the office with their parent. For safety and security reasons, all drop off locations will be closed promptly at 7:25 AM.
If your student is absent and did not go to the doctor and therefore does not have a doctor’s note, the parent note for their absence must be received here in our office within 5 days. After the 5th day, it will be counted as an unexcused absence with no exceptions. You can email the note to Kes.Attendance@hayscisd.net or have it hand delivered by the student or them.
Library Newsletter - Mrs. Jurek
Kyle Elem. PTA
Staff Favorites/Love Sheet
Hays CISD 2026-2027 School Calendar
WTM - Wright This Minute
Flyers
Library Parent Portal
At Hays CISD, we are dedicated to providing a safe and supportive learning environment. We recognize and value the essential role parents and guardians play in guiding their children's education.
We are excited to introduce new parental control features in our online library catalog. These tools will enable you to browse your child’s school library collection, view current checkouts, and restrict access to any materials you believe are not a good fit for your child. Click [here] to access your login credentials and begin exploring this new tool. Click [here] for more instructions on the library portal.
These features will enhance our partnership in supporting your child’s education. By tailoring library access, we aim to create a learning environment that aligns with your family’s preferences. We encourage you to utilize these tools to foster meaningful discussions with your child about their library selections.
Future Dates
10/9 - Student Holiday/Staff Workday
10/12 - Student/Staff Holiday
10/16 - Wear Brown
10/21 - Unity Day
10/23- Wear Black
10/24 - PTA Purse Bingo
10/26-10/29 - Red Ribbon Week and Book Fair
10/27 - Literacy Night - 6:00-7:00
10/29 - Storybook Character Day
10/30 - Student Holiday/Staff Workday
11/2 - Student Holiday
11/3 - Student Holiday
11/4 - Picture Retakes
11/11 - Veteran's Day
11/12 - Thanksgiving Lunch - 4th, 5th, PK, 2nd
11/13 - Thanksgiving Lunch - 3rd, Kinder, 1st
11/19 - KES Musical - PAC - 6:00 PM
11/23-11/27 - Student/Staff Holiday
11/30-12/4 - PTA Holiday Shop
12/1 - Kyle Tree Lighting
12/3 - PTA Craft Night
12/10 - 3rd Grade Field Trip
12/14-12/16 - Talent Show Tryouts
12/17 - Last Day of Semester
12/18 - Student Holiday/Staff Workday
12/21-1/1 - Winter Break
1/4 and 1/5 - Student Holiday/Staff Workday
1/6 - Students Return
About Us
Office Staff:
Shawn Maxwell, Principal
Kirsten Stone, Assistant Principal
Daniela Echeverria, Counselor
Laurie Saavedra, School Secretary
Alissa Dobbins, Attendance Clerk
Chelsea Wilson, School Nurse
School Hours:
Monday-Friday 7:05 AM - 3:30 PM
Website: https://www.hayscisd.net/o/kes
Location: 500 W Blanco Street, Kyle, TX 78640
Phone: (512) 268-3311
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KYLEESPANTHERS/?ref=embed_page