Kiker Comments: February 22, 2023

February

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

March

1-31 GT Showcase Submissions - more info to come

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

20-24 - AISD Pride 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

5 - Early Learning Registration Day (for rising PreK4 and rising Kindergarten families)

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

With many Austin ISD students living in food-insecure households, access to healthy food may be challenging when the district is closed. Families can use the community resources below to find free meals in their area while Austin ISD offices and schools are closed for Spring Break:

• Central Texas Food Bank (www.centraltexasfoodbank.org)

• United Way for Greater Austin - ConnectATX (www.connectatx.org)

• Texas Health and Human Services - Call 2-1-1 or (877) 541-7905 to speak to a live operator.

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.

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!

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 theme for this year's GT Showcase is "Find the Good." More information will be coming out shortly, but students will be able to submit work to be included in the showcase during the month of March. All submissions will be uploaded via 'one link per project.'

Check out next week's Kiker Comments for more information on how to submit work.

To increase Pre-K and kindergarten enrollment and support families with registration, elementary campuses will host a districtwide Early Learning Day on April 5. Please save this date and share with your families and spread the word in the community.

On this day, families of rising PreK4 students and rising Kindergarteners will have the opportunity to:

• Take campus and classroom tours that highlight culture and student experience

• Complete online registration

• Complete the Pre-K screener

• Meet the principal and/or other administrative staff and teachers

Families, community members, and staff are invited to attend the upcoming Power Hour learning opportunities hosted by the Austin ISD Special Education Department.

Dan St. Romain, a national education consultant with roots in special education support and development, will be presenting virtually on goal setting and positive behavior supports. These are two different sessions in February and March, which are repeated with lunchtime and evening virtual offerings. Interpretation services will be provided. Please share information with families and with staff.

Date: February 23, 2023

Time: 12-1 pm, 6-7 pm

Zoom Link: Zoom Link

Topic & Flyer :Accentuate the Positive: Assets Students Need for Success

• English / Spanish Flyers

RSVP Link: RSVP Link

Date: March 30, 2023

Time: 12-1 pm, 6-7 pm

Zoom link: Zoom Link

Topic and Flyer: Avoiding Power Struggles

• English / Spanish Flyers

RSVP Link: RSVP Link

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.

Do you know a graduating senior who attended Kiker? Please share this information with anyone you know who might be eligible.

Kiker Elementary PTA’s Dr. Lori Schneider Scholarship for High School Graduates honors one of Kiker's former principals who valued education and left a legacy of kindness, dignity and respect (KDR) during her 14-year tenure as principal of the school. The scholarship also celebrates high school graduates who are committed to education and who embody KDR.
Applicants must have attended Kiker Elementary School. Application window opens March 1, 2023. Please see link for more details.

https://kikerpta.membershiptoolkit.com/dr_schneider_scholarship

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."

Alondra Rocha

Carolyn McKaskle

Amanda Prickett

Cory Matheny

Afternoon Outdoor Dismissal Team

Raven Jeffrey

Paige Hariharan

Nicole Kruszona

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