Kiker Comments: February 14, 2023

February

15 - School Assembly; Guest Quan Cosby

15 - Evening Parent Teacher Conferences Available

16 - Evening Parent Teacher Conferences Available

17 - No PE

17 - Early Release Day - 1:30 Dismissal

20 - No School, Staff/Student Holiday

22 - Guest Author visit for 1st -3rd Grades, Dan Yaccarino and his new book, City Under the City

March

6 - CAC meeting, library 3:30

6-10 Book Fair

9 - Kiker Keynotes Concert

10 - Spirit Night at Epic Fun 3:15 - 8:00

13 - 17 Spring Break

20 -24 Career Week

20-31 Map Growth testing window for Reading and Math K-5

24 - International Night

31 - Cesar Chavez/Dolores Huerta Day - No School

April

3 - CAC Meeting, Library 3:30

3-14 - Window for Kindergarten Map Growth Fluency Screeners

14 - Field Day

15 - AISD Career Fair - Help Recruit Future Kiker Teachers and Staff

18 - STAAR Testing - Language Arts - 3rd, 4th, 5th

19 - STAAR Testing - Language Arts make up day

20 - PTA STEAM / Art Night

21 - Student Council Movie Night (not a drop off event)

25 - STAAR Testing - Science - 5th grade only

26 - STAAR Testing - Science - make up day

May

1 - CAC

2 - STAAR Testing - Math - 3rd, 4th, 5th

3 - STAAR Testing - Math - make up day

23 - PTA Meeting and Principal Coffee Talk

24- Senior Walk afternoon time TBD

25 - Last Day for Students

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.

We are still waiting to hear from TEA if the waiver has been approved for make up days. At this time we will continue to use the 22-23 approved calendar. If the waiver isn't approved, we will notify families immediately for any changes.

Please honor the no parking zones. It is a safety issue, and we need everyone's help. Please do not park (or drop off) in the no parking zone on La Crosse right at the entry to the circle drive. Each time someone parks there, it limits the visibility of those that are entering the circle drive and puts our staff, students, and families at risk.

It is better to be late than to put others' safety at risk!

The Kiker cafeteria manager has shared with us the following menu adjustments. Please reference the red February lunch menu for all side items that accompany these main course options.

2/15 - Spaghetti and chicken meatballs or manicotti (see menu 2/8)

2/16 - Chicken burger or veggie burger (see menu 2/9)

2/17 - Turkey pepperoni pizza or cheese pizza (see menu 2/10)

Beginning on 2/21 we will be back on track and aligned with the paper menu.

In addition to the classroom curriculum and activities, your students and families can join the remaining district event:

Community Experience Opportunity:

• African-American Heritage Celebration at the Austin ISD Performing Arts Center

• February 24, 2023 | 6:30 p.m.

• Location: Austin ISD Performing Arts Center, 1500 Barbara Jordan Blvd, Austin, TX 78723

• Featuring student performances and student hosts from Travis Early College High School

The Kiker Diversity and Inclusion Committee is excited to welcome Longhorn legend and former NFL football player Quan Cosby to campus on Feb. 15 for an inspirational presentation on the Power of Dreaming Big. The committee is also always looking for new members who are interested in creating initiatives that encourage an open and inclusive school community. If you'd like more information or want to be involved, please email Kristin Finan at kristinfinan@yahoo.com.

The Kiker Library is excited to host award-winning children’s book creator, Dan Yaccarino, on Wednesday, February 22nd! Known for his many children's picture books and TV shows (Doug Unplugs, Backyardigans), Dan will be visiting with Kiker’s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades to share his latest book: City Under the City, a science fiction adventure that's anchored by the power of a child’s independent choices, a love for libraries, and a quest for true connection.

Thanks to BookPeople, Dan will also be signing/personalizing copies of this book for families who wish to purchase a copy. *Please note: Only books purchased in advance through our event link below will be signed/personalized (not Amazon); a special code at checkout is NOT necessary. In the “Comments” field of your order, please include your student’s name and teacher’s name, as well as any requests for personalization. Purchased books will be delivered directly to Kiker and sent home with students after the author visit.

To learn more about City Under the City, and to order a copy to be signed by Dan Yaccarino, click here:

https://www.bookpeople.com/school-events/spring23/event/kkr/dan-yaccarino

If you have any questions, please email: ashley.cross@austinisd.org.

Volunteers needed for the Spring Book Fair:

The Spring Book Fair is coming March 6th-10th and the library is looking for volunteers. If you'd like to sign up to work a register, please sign up HERE.

We will be hosting Career Week March 20-24th! Wednesday, March 22nd from 8:15am to 10:15am we will be having a Career Fair for 3rd-5th grade students. If you would like to be a part of this event, please fill out this google form! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

*If selected to present, presenters will have a station in the gym/cafeteria for students to rotate through. Presenters may bring any tools, examples, photographs or any other helpful materials to give a complete picture of your work.

March 24th is Kiker International Night which is kicked off with a morning assembly. There are many ways for you and your kiddos to get involved and celebrate and showcase the diversity of our school. Visit our site to sign up by Feb 28th to host a booth, have your kiddo participate in the morning parade, and/or pre-record a greeting for morning assemblies leading up to the event.

Click here to sign up!

2023 Yearbook On Sale Now! Don't miss out, order your yearbook today! jostensyearbooks.com

For questions about these meetings, please email us at budget@austinisd.org or visit https://www.austinisd.org/budget for more information.

ALL CURRENT STUDENTS RETURNING TO AISD FOR THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR MUST COMPLETE ONLINE REGISTRATION.

PRE-K4 Registration will open in April. More information to come.

Please follow the link below to sign into your Parent Portal to complete this process.

1. Enrollment landing page: https://www.austinisd.org/enroll

2. Important dates and deadlines: https://www.austinisd.org/transfer/dates-deadlines

3. For questions, please contact Let’s Talk https://www.austinisd.org/letstalk and click on “Student Services: Enrollment, Records, & Transfers."

February

9 - Tarren Kingsley

11 - Tori Peterson

23 - Somin Lee

25 - Alberto Vasquez

26 - Vicente Macias

We have been working with various businesses and clubs to get new sessions for the spring. Check out the new and updated options.

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