Kiker Comments: September 6, 2022

September

7 - Principal Coffee Talk / Volunteer Expo

9 - Minute of Silence during Morning Announcements--Honoring Those Lost on 9/11

9 - Predicted closure of the Map Growth Testing Window

12 - through 10/14 Kindergarten TX KEA assessment window

19 - Gifted and Talented Nomination Window Opens (closes October 7)

22- Gifted and Talented Information Session via Zoom at 5:30 pm

28 -29 Evening Times Available for Parent Teacher Conferences

October

4 - Kinder and 3rd Oral Health Screening

7 - Early Release Day - 1:30 dismissal

7 - GT Nomination Window Closes at 4:00 pm

10 - PTA Apex Fun Run Kickoff - Runs through 10/21

12 - Fall Picture Day

14 - Staff Development / Student Holiday - No School

21 - PTA Apex Fun Run during your child's PE Time

The Kiker Music Department is looking for parents who are interested in helping with this year's grade level musicals (3rd and Kinder). We are in need of adults to help with speaking parts, staging, and decorations. If this is something that you may be interested in helping with please go to the following link and fill out of google form.

https://tinyurl.com/Kiker-Musical-Volunteer-2022

Want to know what's happening in the library? Follow the Bernice Kiker Library on Instagram @kikerlibrary

Kiker's Book of the Month Club

Purchase a book from our special collection of new books. Be the first to read it and donate it to the Bernice Kiker Library!

Formerly known as Birthday Books, our librarian, Ashley Cross, will present your child with the book they’ve selected, and your child will have time to enjoy the book before sending it back for everyone else to check out.

Each book is $15. A special name plate will be placed in the book showing your child’s donation to the Kiker Library. In addition, your child’s picture with their chosen book will be displayed in the hallway. You can sign your child up for as many months as you’d like (each month is an additional $15).

Ready to join?

To join the Book of the Month Club, please fill out THIS GOOGLE FORM and pay by check or austinisd.schoolcashonline.com. Your child will be called from class to choose a book and parents will be notified when this takes place. Your child will be recognized on the bulletin board outside of the library for the month.

Thank you for participating!

Ashley Cross, Bernice Kiker Librarian

We are seeing a large amount of items getting dropped off for students. Did your kid forget a Chromebook, iPad or charger? No worries, we have extras on hand they can borrow for the day. No need to do a drop off, we've got you covered.

While we'd love for all kids to have everything ready to go everyday, we understand mistakes happen and we are happy to help.

Part of what makes Kiker great is our parents. Did you know that joining our PTA is fast and easy (and best of all, no mandatory meetings!). Simply select your membership type (a single membership @$10 or a family membership @$20) and complete this form.

Our membership drive has kicked off and runs until September 9th. The PTA uses dues from our members to fund many vital projects around our school, from supplies and equipment to campus upgrades and programs. Most importantly, the PTA is a vehicle for ensuring our teachers are supported and cared for while educating and nurturing our children.

You can join here: https://kikerpta.membershiptoolkit.com/our_pta

While we understand that parking is limited for morning drop off and afternoon pick up, we ask students not be dropped off in the staff parking lot.

All students and families driving or walking to school should use the front entrance where we are staffed and ready to receive children. Street parking is available on La Crosse and Dahlgreen for our families.

If you are picking your kid(s) up for an appointment, it is helpful to notify the teacher in advance, including the approximate time you will be arriving. It helps things go smoother if students are ready to go and with their belongings if they happen to be at recess or essential areas. We don't pull students out of class until the parent/guardian arrives, but we are happy to help get backpacks ready in advance.

Please arrive before 2:30 for an early pickup. The front office staff is preparing for dismissal beginning at 2:30, and it is very challenging to get students out of class between 2:30 and 3:00.

Be sure to bring your Drivers License with you to the front office for an early pickup.

Thank you.

In the event that your child will be missing school, please follow these steps:

1) Email both your child's teacher and Ms. Amy McGovern, our registrar. Amy.mcgovern@austinisd.org

2) Please include your child's first and last name

3) Please provide the reason for the absence so we can code it correctly in our attendance system.

Students now have PE and recess everyday in Kindergarten through 5th grade and our Pre-K students get two recess times. Staying physically active is important for young bodies and wearing appropriate shoes is critical for safety. Please help your child select shoes that support daily physical activity.

Yes, we are still dealing with the virus and we still need to be vigilant to help our community.

If district protocols change, I will inform you through the Kiker Comments. Here are the district plans as of today.

Precautions on campus:

-Air purifiers in all classrooms

-Masks available for any student or staff member who would like one

-Sanitizer and wipes are available for all staff to clean heavy traffic areas in their classrooms

What we are not doing:

-Individually screen/temperature check each person entering the building.

-Mandate masks for students or staff

-Contact tracing

What to do if your student tests positive: Please email cory.matheny@austinisd.org with your child’s name, ID number, date of positive test and test type. Although not required, we encourage you to reach out to the families/students with whom your child was with most regularly in contact just prior to testing positive.

What happens next: Your student may return to campus and begin participating in extracurricular events five days after testing positive if they are feeling well and symptoms have subsided. The day of the test is day 0. So, for example, if your student isn’t feeling well Wednesday after school, and you give them a home test Thursday morning AND the test is positive, then Thursday becomes day 0. Your student is required to stay home for five days. In this example, your student may return to school on Wednesday of the following week. Please note that it is the day of the positive test, not the day symptoms started that counts as day 0.

What to expect from us when we have a positive case on campus:

Everyone will receive a district provided form letter via email letting you know we had a positive case (or the quantity if multiple cases) on campus. It isn’t meant to give you details, just a general heads-up. Classrooms/grade levels are not identified in the letter.

September

8- Zoey Franz

22 - Amanda Prickett

23- Marian Martin

23 - Niki Muller

25- Christina Haschke

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

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