From The Admin Team Aug. 2, 2021

If you are a new Kiker Family, I can't wait to meet you. If you are a returning Kiker Family, I can't wait to see you again!

As you are aware, there have been unexpected changes for the 2021-2022 school year, and our admin team is busy planning for the safest return for our students and staff within our control. AISD has shared this two page document with protocols for our school. We are committed to following the AISD guidelines for the safety of all. As we move from stage 3 to stage 4 and possibly stage 5, our district leaders are diligently reviewing the protocols, and we stand ready to make any adjustments necessary.

I want all our families, new and returning, to know that the Kiker staff will be extremely vigilant in following the AISD safety protocols. We took the safety precautions seriously last year, and our teachers did an excellent job of ensuring our students did the same. As an educator, I must accept that there are many decisions being made outside of my control. I am prepared to receive them and do my best to make them work for our school community. As a parent, I told my own daughter that she will be wearing a mask every day, and I will do the same. As your principal, I will model the district's stance of highly encouraging masks for all.

I wish I could tell you what the first day of school will look like, but as we learned from our experience last year, plans change in an instant. It is certainly an unsettling time for many but know that our admin team is committed to our community and to facing the challenges that this year may bring. Thank you for your continued grace and understanding.

Please join us for the many events this week to reconnect with our Kiker Community and welcome new families.

August

2 - 5 Registration - see below

2 - Popcorn with the Principals 5:30-6:30 pm - see flyer below

4 - Popcorn with the Principals 9:00-10:00 am - see flyer below

4 - Superintendent Town Hall 6-7 pm

5 - Q and A with Mrs. Matheny 4:00 pm - see below

12 - Teachers will reach out to the students in their class to welcome everyone

13 - 3:45-5:45 Meet the Teacher

17 - Students' first day

18 - 30 - 1st - 5th MAP Growth window - Reading and Math

September

6 - No school - Labor Day

August 2-4 from 8:00 - 4:00

We are here to support families with registration.

August 5 from 1:00 - 6:00

We are here to support families with registration.

Our registrar, Amy McGovern, has reached out to any family who is not yet finished with the registration process.

LINK TO REGISTER

AISD District will host two back-to-school town halls where families can connect directly with Dr. Elizalde and other district leaders to discuss the upcoming school year. The English language session will take place on August 4, and the Spanish language session on August 5, both from 6-7 p.m. Participants may choose to view the event virtually via Facebook Live or in-person at the Performing Arts Center, where childcare, food, and enrollment information will be available. ASL interpretation and captioning will be provided.

We know there are many questions about what school will look like and how the virtual option will affect our campus community.

Please join Mrs. Matheny on Thursday at 4 pm for a Q and A session.

Please submit your questions here: LINK

Click here to access the Zoom information: Zoom info

AISD stands with the CDC on their recommendations:

On Tuesday, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated their guidelines, recommending masks for all individuals indoors regardless of vaccination status.

Why it matters: With school starting in about three weeks, the more people who wear a mask and get vaccinated, the better position schools will be in to start. AISD strongly encourages masks, but it's up to parents and students to make sure they follow the CDC’s recommendation because Governor Greg Abbott’s order prevents mask mandates in schools.

• This change brings the CDC into alignment with Austin Public Health and the American Academy of Pediatrics, which have both previously updated their guidelines to recommend mask-wearing indoors for everyone.

Local Impact: On Monday, Alexandra Copeland, director of health services for Austin ISD, told the school board that masks were a big reason Austin classrooms were safe last school year.

To read the whole article click here

2021-22 Bus information

Families whose students are eligible for transportation will receive their bus information by email or letter on Aug 3. The district’s “Bus Stop Finder'' will be live on Aug 3rd. Families whose students have special needs will receive their information in person from their bus teams starting the second week of August.

“WheresTheBus” App for Families

AISD’s transportation team offers families the “WheresTheBus” app, which provides timely information about the location of their student’s bus, including when it will arrive at their stop.

The free app is available on any device with internet access (smartphone, tablet, personal computer, iPad)—and takes less than five minutes to install. Instructions are available at https://www.austinisd.org/transportation.

The following start and end times will be implemented across AISD campuses:

Elementary School Hours of Instruction: 7:40 am – 3:10 pm

Kiker will open its doors at 7:15 am daily.

Click here for all the information on AISD's virtual option.

• 3rd grade students will turn in iPads and get issued a Chromebook.

• iPads will be available to incoming PK thru 2nd graders at the start of the new school year.

Interested in Voyager for the 2021-2022 school year? Register here:

https://forms.gle/2NqmkgbT9V6272tJA

For more information on after school programs, be sure to checkout our Kiker website - linked below.

We would like to invite all parents/caregivers of children who receive support through SPED and/or 504 services to join our caregiver support group on Facebook. This is a supportive group where you can ask questions, take part in educational and supportive programming, and connect with other parents.

Here is the link, https://www.facebook.com/groups/1734011260202262

Last year we created videos to show the procedures for drop off and pick up and were told they were very helpful.

We will update those videos with any changes and will share with you soon.

Cory Matheny - Principal

Alma Chapa Moore - Assistant Principal

Kelly Meyer - 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