The following is today's Kiker Newsletter for Feb. 25, 2005.  Please
note, I neglected to post to the group last week's letter.  I will
send it out this weekend, so don't get confused.  Have a great
weekend.  -- Pamela

February 25, 2005
News from Kiker Elementary School
KIKER COMMENTS

Lori Schneider, Principal
Pamela Walsh, Editor
kikernews@...
http://www.austinschools.org/kiker/

On the Kiker Calendar

Pledge Leaders for the Week of:

• Feb. 28 – Mrs. Moss' 1st grade class
• March 7 – Ms. Pickering's 1st grade class
• March 21 – Mrs.Watson's 1st grade class

Calendar Dates to Note:
• Mar. 1 (Tues.) – Kiker Night at Cypress Grill
• Mar. 3 (Thurs.) – Keynotes Spring Concert
• Mar. 7 (Mon.) – Conference Day, No classes
•  Band Instrument selection for 5th graders going to
		  Bailey
•  Kiker Night at Craigo's
• Mar. 10 (Thurs.) – Spring Portraits and Class Photos
•  Golf Committee Meeting at Carino's, 4:15 p.m.
• Mar. 11 (Fri.) -- End of third 9 weeks grading period
• Mar. 14 -18 -- SPRING BREAK

March Birthdays
	 Happy Birthday to the following Kiker staff who will
celebrate March birthdays!
• 5-Mar  Mrs.Burke 2nd grade teacher
• 6-Mar  Mrs.Nichols Library Assistant
• 9-Mar  Mr. Rodriguez 4th grade teacher
• 16-Mar  Mrs. Kutz Educ. Psychologist
• 19-Mar  Mrs.Fraser Counselor
• 21-Mar  Mr. Corder Teaching Asst PPCD
•    25-Mar  Mrs. Mueller 4th grade teacher

Brief Comments

• Congrats to our 3rd, 4th & 5th Graders … TAKS (round 1) is
OVER!  Great Job everyone.  We appreciate the commitment by our
parents to have their students in school on testing dates.  We will
remind you of important upcoming testing dates in the newsletter.

• Kiker Nights … Daily reminders for area Kiker Nights will no
longer be sent home with the children. Please mark your calendar for
the upcoming months as the dates are listed in the blue sheet.
Please show your support of Kiker by patronizing these
establishments. The donations from these restaurants make a
difference for our children.   Reminder that Tuesday, March 1 is
Kiker Night at Giss' Cafe.

• Shop till you drop ... Our newest partner, Homespun Cottage,
is issuing a shopping card to all Kiker parents and staff for the
month of March.  If you shop in the store during our designated
month, the business will keep track of all Kiker participation.  At
the end of the month, Kiker will receive 15% of all monies spent
there!  Homespun Cottage is located at Slaughter and Manchaca in the
shopping center where Albertson's is located. Thank you for
supporting our school during the month of March!

• Incoming Kindergarteners - 2005-2006 … If you have a child
who will enter kindergarten in August 2005 and wish to be placed on
an e-mail list to be used for updates and activity notification,
send your e-mail address to ksyzdek@.... Please place "2005
Kindergarten" in the subject field. Note that the list is being
compiled by a group of mothers and is not school sponsored.

• Box Tops For Education … Congrats to Luke Benton, Henry
Benschoter, Ashley Gonzales, Lucy Benschoter and Jacob Scott winners
of last Friday's box tops drawings.  Prizes were donated by Chick
Fil A, Teacher Heaven and Terra Toys.  Keep your eye on your child's
take home folder for information on the final box tops competition
of the year.  Keep on clipping!  —Barbara Hoisington

• Blood and Tissue Center Issues Official Plea this Week: Flu
Season Hits Blood Donation - Healthy Blood Donors Needed ... The
Blood and Tissue Center is asking anyone who is healthy and eligible
to give blood.  Blood donation has been hit especially hard this
week due to the flu.  Over 150 donations of O positive and O
negative blood types are needed to adequately stock area hospitals.

Blood Drive THIS SATURDAY, February 26, 2005, 9:00 - 12:00, CC Child
Development Center parking lot; TO SIGN UP - www.lonestardonor.com –
sponsor code CIRCLEC or call the info center 288-8663

• Pennies for Patients ...  Thank you for your continued
donations for the Leukemia Association.  We will be collecting spare
change in the office through the end of next week.

• Last Call for Yearbook Orders ... The FINAL deadline to
order a Kiker yearbook is March 1.  Don't miss out on ordering your
copy.  Many people are disappointed each year when they are unable
to purchase them when the yearbooks arrive in May.

• Teaching Time... During the teaching day, please limit your
conversations with teachers, especially when discussing student
issues. Due to their many responsibilities,  they may be unable to
devote the attention you need.  Teachers are on duty during morning
assemblies, as well as at drop-off.

• Conferences Continue ... Spring conferences are going on
now.  Reminder that there will be no classes on Monday, March 7 due
to conferences.

• Kiker Classic Dinner/Dance and Golf Information Coming Home
Next Week ... Watch for team registration and sponsorship forms in
next Friday's folder.  Sunday, May 1, we will kick off the event
with our Dinner/Dance at the Salt Lick, featuring Duck Soup. (You
don't have to participate in the golf tournament to come to the
dinner!) Auction items will be on display, and open for initial
bidding that night. Classrooms are busy compling a theme basket, or
making a special item for the auction.  The 2nd Annual Kiker Classic
Golf Tournament will take place the next day on Monday, May 2 at the
Circle C Golf Club where final bids on auction items will take place.

Community Notice:
Heart Screening for Bowie Students

Championship Hearts Screening Program
Where: Bowie High School, Band Room
When: Saturday, February 26, 8 - Noon
Who:  Any interested Bowie Student

	 Susan Plumlee, the mother of Bowie band student Robert
Plumlee, is sponsoring the following free heart screening for HCM
disease for Bowie's band and athletes this Saturday at Bowie. HCM is
the disease that Robert died from during Fiesta Bowl preparations.
HCM is a silent killer that affects many young people because there
are no symptoms.

	 If you have a Bowie student, you are invited and encouraged
to attend this screening. If you are not a Bowie student, during the
Spring, Major Applewhite will be promoting this same test through
the Austin Heart Hospital with a free screening so be on the look
out for it!

Texas PTA Goes to the Capitol:
Field Trips aren't just for Kids!

	 Don't miss the day:  Texas PTA goes to the Capitol!
March 30th is "Texas PTA Day at the Capitol." We have an exciting
program scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. at the Texas Education Agency
Board Room, William B. Travis Building, 1701 N. Congress in Austin.

Participants will:
• be briefed on bills being considered by the legislature
• learn about topics affecting the PTA
• receive materials on advocacy
• get ideas for talking points on the issues
• take home tips on ways to stimulate community interest

	 After a morning of inspiration and information, we will be
off to the capitol to meet with our legislators. Get a large group
together and spend a memorable day at the capitol! Pre-registration
ends March 18th. Online registration is available at
www.formsite.com/txpta/capitol/secure_index.html. The registration
fee is $30 per person, and includes breakfast and lunch.

Stress Management

	 A lecturer, when explaining stress management to an
audience, raised a glass of water and asked, "How heavy is this
glass of water?"  Answers called out ranged from 20g to 500g.

	 The lecturer replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter.
It depends on how long you try to hold it."

	 "If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem.  If I hold
it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm.  If I hold it for
a day, you'll have to call an ambulance. In each case, it's the same
weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes."

	 He continued, "And that's the way it is with stress
management.  If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later,
as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry
on. As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while
and rest before holding it again!   When we're refreshed, we can
carry on with the burden."

	 "So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work
down.  Don't carry it home.  You can pick it up tomorrow.  Whatever
burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment if you can.
Relax...pick them up later after you've rested.  Life is short.
Enjoy it!"

	 And then he shared some ways of dealing with the burdens of
life:
• Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days
you're the statue.
• Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have
to eat them
• Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in
the middle of it.
• Drive carefully.  It's not only cars that can be recalled by
their maker.
• If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.
• If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it
was probably worth it.
• It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve
as a warning to others.
• Never buy a car you can't push.
• Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because
then you won't have a leg to stand on.
• Nobody cares if you can't dance well.  Just get up and
dance.
• When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
• Birthdays are good for you.  The more you have, the longer
you live.
• Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.
• A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a
detour.
• We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are
pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names, and all are
different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.
• And finally ... You may be only one person in the world, but
you may also be the world to one person.
Author Unknown

*** End of Kiker Comments ***

February 11, 2005
News from Kiker Elementary School
KIKER COMMENTS

Lori Schneider, Principal
Pamela Walsh, Editor
kikernews@...
http://www.austinschools.org/kiker/

On the Kiker Calendar

Pledge Leaders for the Week of:
• Feb. 14 – Mrs. Brewer's 2nd grade class
• Feb. 21 – Mrs. Burke's 2nd grade class
• Feb. 28 – Mrs. Moss' 1st grade class

Calendar Dates to Note:

• Feb 14 (Mon.) -- Valentine's Day Class Parties, No Camp Read
•  Craigo's Rebate Night

• Feb. 15 (Tues.) -- Golf Tournament Committee Meeting  at
4:00 p.m. at Johnny Carino's
•  PTA General Meeting 6:15-7:30 p.m., Speaker: Eric
Anderson
•  Kiker Night at Giss' Caf้

• Feb. 16 (Wed.) -- Student Council Meeting in the Library,
		 2:50 - 3:45 p.m.

• Feb 17 (Thurs.) -- Green Apple Deposit Day

• Feb. 18 (Fri.)  -- Gattitown Pizza Day

• Feb. 21 (Mon.) -- CAC Meeting, 3-4 p.m. in the Library

• Feb. 25 (Fri.) -- Teacher Appreciation Lunch


Brief Comments

• Happy Valentine's Day … All class parties are on Monday,
Feb. 14.  There will be NO Camp Read that day.  Also, please save
your empty heart-shaped Valentine's Day candy boxes and send them to
Mrs. Wright for Art.

• Teacher Lunches … Lunch time is often the only break
teachers get during their day, and often it's limited to 20 minutes
by the time they take their kids through the lunch line. Please
allow them an uninterrupted break, and respect their privacy in the
staff lounge.  Getting some down time allows them to recharge and be
their best for their students.

• Free Six Flags Ticket … Only one week is left to complete
the library's Six Hour Reading Club program. Students who log six
hours of non-school related reading will receive one free admission
to a Six Flags Theme Park to be used during a designated time in the
summer. Student log sheets must be signed by a parent or guardian
and are due to your child's teacher on Monday, February 21. Need a
log sheet? Come by the library to pick one up!

• Coats and Jackets … Please be sure to send your child with
the appropriate clothing so that they may enjoy their recess. Also,
remind your child to keep track of their belongings.  Check the Lost
and Found by the cafeteria entrance for missing items.

• PTA Program on Tuesday … The next PTA General Meeting is
Tues. Feb. 15 at 6:15 pm. This is a special program for parents
featuring Eric Anderson of The Flippen Group as our guest speaker.
His presentation will focus on building champions out of children
with discussion on building relationships, personal responsibility,
and how to decrease a child's social anxiety and increase
performance. Don't miss it!

• Pennies for Patients Kick-Off, Monday, Feb. 14 at
Assembly ... A representative of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
will join us as we launch our fundraising effort which runs Feb. 14 -
  March 4. Students can deposit their spare coins in a central
receptacle located in the office. Gather up your pennies, nickels,
and dimes for a great cause.

• New Partners in Education …We would like to welcome and
thank our newest Partners in Education for their support of our
school, Advanced Micro Devices and Homespun Cottage.  We look
forward to working with our new partners this spring!

• In other Partners in Education News ... Thank you Austin
Real Estate Partners! Melinda & Bob McKenna, Circle C residents and
Kiker parents, have started making contributions to the Kiker
Elementary Partners in Education program by contributing a portion
of each commission resulting from the sale or purchase of their
clients' Circle C Ranch homes. In January, Austin Reps donated $150.

• Golf Tournament Planning Meeting … There will be a meeting
of the Kiker Classic Golf Committee on Tuesday, Feb. 15 at 4:00 pm.
at Johnny Carino's in Sunset Valley. At this meeting, we will
distribute forms for underwriters, hole sponsors, and team players.

• Box Tops For Education … Congrats to Megan Brown, Colin
Barnes, and Thomas, Becca & David Heavner, winners of last Friday's
box tops drawings. Prizes were donated by Chick-Fil-A. Just a
reminder that the HE Buddy points/box tops promotion at HEB ended
Oct. 31. If you've turned in HE Buddy points past that date and
would like them returned please let me know. — Barbara Hoisington

• Creative Chinese After School Program … Look for a flyer on
this great new after school program at Kiker! We provide an
effective learning environment for all students interested in
learning Chinese. With native speakers specialized in education, we
would like to make learning Chinese fun and effective. Please
contact 576-5568 or email: samueled@... for more
details.

• Teacher and Staff Appreciation … The second Teacher & Staff
Appreciation luncheon will be Friday, Feb 25. The menu will consist
of Mexican main dishes, breads, salads, drinks, and desserts. Please
call Barbara Hoisington at 301-1828 ASAP if you are able to provide
something.

Money for Kiker and Others!  $$

	 We realize there are many pleas for you to support Kiker in
both our fundraising and charity efforts, and at times it can seem
overwhelming. While we greatly appreciate your generosity, we do not
expect you to participate in every event.

	  Please know we are committed to using your money wisely,
and do not take for granted your heartfelt support.  To that end, we
will make a concerted effort to better inform you on the ways your
contributions make a difference. Thanks to the success of our first
annual Golf Tournament last May, we were able to purchase the
following materials for our school:

• Movie Licensing
• Classroom Calculators
• Magazines
• Classroom & Cafeteria Amplification System Repairs
• Classroom Supplies for New Teachers
• Science Fair Materials
• Career Fair Materials
• Walkie Talkies for Traffic Control
• Literacy Library Books
• Nutcracker Performance
• Headsets for Computer Lab
• Optical Mice for Computer Lab & Classrooms
• Ethernet Cabling for longer network cords
• External CD Burner for Lab and Teacher use


AMD's Employee Giving Program

	 Through AMD's Employee Giving program, the company supports
employee gifts of money (Matching Gifts) and time (GIVE) to
nonprofit agencies and schools and extends the reach of AMD's
corporate giving.

	 AMD's Matching Gifts program matches employees' financial
contributions to qualified nonprofits and schools. Employees may set
up payroll deduction for on-going gifts, or request a match for a
one-time gift of at least $25.
	 Grant Incentives for Volunteer Efforts (GIVE) match
contributions of volunteer time by employees and their spouses. With
a minimum of 10 hours per year, employees may request a GIVE award
of $15 per hour for the qualifying agency or school

	 AMD employees can double their difference with AMD's support
up to $3,000 annually.  AMD Families: Please follow up with AMD to
direct your funds toward Kiker.


Chess Club: Check Us Out

	 The first meeting of the Kiker Chess Club will be on
Thursday, Feb. 24 from 2:45-3:45 in portable 311.  The chess club
will meet every Thursday afternoon.  Thanks to Circle C resident
Robert Dodd who has volunteered to teach the children, we do not
plan on charging a fee for the club unless we need additional
equipment and supplies.

	 All interested students, regardless of age and ability,
should email: nkamdar@... with the following info: name,
grade, teacher, parent/guardian phone number, emergency contact, and
who will be responsible for picking up the student.

	 This is a volunteer-run club and any help you can provide
will be greatly appreciated.  Please let us know if you can help out
on an occasional Thursday. Questions?  Call Nipoli Kamdar at 301-
4271 or Robert Dodd at 288-1066.


Health Notes

	 Clear, thin nasal drainage from the nose, may be due to a
cold or allergy. Your child may come to school with "allergic" type
drainage (clear). If your child's drainage is caused by a cold, the
drainage may change to thicker white or yellow-green color as the
cold progresses.  If your child has a fever, a cough, or headache in
addition to the drainage from the nose, keep him/her home.  If your
child is coughing or sneezing a lot, he/she may have an upper
respiratory infection and can spread the germs to other students and
faculty.

	 Covering the mouth and nose with paper tissue and good hand
washing are the best defense against the spread of germs.  If your
child's cough, sneezing and drainage become so excessive as to
interfere with learning or creates concern for infection to others,
you may be called to take your child home.

Cheryl Leggett, R.N

Student Council Supports Troops

	 The Kiker Student Council will continue collecting DVD's and
other stuff for the wounded through Monday, Feb. 14.  Duplicate
DVD's are fine, as Major Scott will make sure they are distributed
among several locations, including the staging hospital in Bilad,
Iraq, as well as for use in flight.  Below is a message from our
friend, Major Scott!

	 Note: one Kiker parent found DVD's at Walmart for $0.88/each
and at HEB 2/$10.  Also "used" DVD's are fine too.  Special thanks
to Maudie's Hacienda on Slaughter Lane who made a $100 donation to
offset the DVD shipping costs.  This donation is made on behalf of
the family of Andrea O'Daniel.


	 My name is Major Scott Galliardt (Major Scott) and I am a
nurse in the Texas Air National Guard.  I belong to the 149 Fighter
Wing in San Antonio Texas.  My wife grew up in Austin and my sister-
in-law is Julie Rosen who substitute teaches for Kiker.  I was
deployed in December to fly CCATT (Critical Care Air Transport Team)
out of Ramstein Germany AB.

	 My job is to ensure our brave young Soldiers, Sailors,
Airmen and Marines get home safely.  My team is one of several that
routinely fly into Iraq and bring back the critically injured. We
fly in within 24 hours of injury and bring them back for definitive
care.  Most of our patients are on ventilators, heart monitors, and
multiple IVs to keep them alive.  At times this is a very emotional
job, we see these kids with major injuries, yet the few who can talk
with me, just want to get back to their brothers in their company.
They feel like they let them down by not being there.

	 I bring my portable DVD player along on most of the missions
so the patients who are awake can watch a movie to pass the time.
Flying back to the states with patients takes about 11 hours. We can
go through a few movies during that time.   I also have a good
friend who is a flight surgeon deployed to Balad, Iraq.  We bring
him movies and food for his staff and patients.

	 I miss my family very much, but I am also glad that I can be
here helping to care for our wounded warriors.  Thank you very much
for your time.  Have a great day!

n Major Scott Galliardt


**** End of Kiker Comments ***

As you are aware, our Kiker Student Council is collecting DVD's for
soldiers.  I know that there are so many good causes and understand
if you are tapped out, but I also know that many of you are looking
for ways to make a difference. This is one. I started this project as
I wanted to do something for those who are serving.  Major Scott is a
friend, and the brother-in-law of Julie Rosen, who some of you may
know.  (Julie is a Circle C resident and a Kiker sub.)  So, this is a
personal project.

We are asking folks to send in DVD's and other small things for the
injured.  Please note … You don't need to go buy new DVD's to
donate.  If you're like me, you have more than a few DVD's laying
around that you don't watch and probably wouldn't even miss anyway.
Just grab one of those and send it in.  Right NOW!  We are collecting
through Monday, February 14.

Before I ship, I will be sticking labels on all of the DVD's "From
your friends at Kiker Elementary School in Austin, Texas"  So, no
matter where the movies end up – Scott is distributing them to
several locations – the soldiers will know that we care.  In closing,
let me share this email I received from Major Scott just this
weekend.

Thanks for considering this special project
– Pamela Walsh

-----Original Message-----
From: Galliardt Scott T Maj 791 EAES/CCATT
[mailto:scott.galliardt@...]
Sent: Sunday, February 06, 2005 6:51 AM
To: pwalsh@...; pwalsh@...
Subject: THANKS FROM MAJOR SCOTT

Pam,

What can I say?  I am blown away by what y'all are doing.   I have a
friend who is currently serving as a  Flight Surgeon in Balad Iraq,
he is also stationed in San Antonio.  We just got back from down
range a few hours ago and I spoke with Tom about the school.   My
team has been bringing supplies  (food, chocolate, movies to him and
his CASF staff)  Multiple DVDs (of the same title) are OK because I
have several different locations that I have contact with for injured
soldiers.

As I am sure you know I am part of a three man team  (CCATT)  We
transport the most critically injured out of theater as soon after
injury as possible.  At times this is a very emotional job,  we see
these kids with major injuries, body parts missing and the few who
can talk with me just want to get back to their brothers in their
company.  They feel like they let them down by not being there.

Julie's mom gave me a portable DVD player before I left and I have
let some of the soldiers who are on the front of the plane watch
movies when we fly to Andrews AFB.  That's about a 10 to 11 hour
flight.  (I hate that one) I will send you some pics later today or
Monday.  When we fly our average mission down range takes from 16 to
23 hours.  It can make for a real long day.  We have 7 teams here so
I fly about every 4 days or so.  So you can imagine how many flights
are out there.  Out of the patients being brought back to states we
have approximately 99.998% discharge from the hospital rate. (aka
survival rate)

Please tell the kids I say Hi and thanks.

Thank you very much

Scott
aka  Major Scott

SCOTT GALLIARDT, MAJ, NC TXANG
791 EAES  CCATT

February 4, 2005
News from Kiker Elementary School
KIKER COMMENTS

Lori Schneider, Principal
Pamela Walsh, Editor
kikernews@...
http://www.austinschools.org/kiker/

On the Kiker Calendar
Pledge Leaders for the Week of:
• Feb. 7 – Mrs. Dean's 2nd grade class
• Feb. 14 – Mrs. Brewer's 2nd grade class
• Feb. 21 – Mrs. Burke's 2nd grade class

Note the Dates:

• Feb. 10 (Thurs.) -- PTA Executive Board Meeting, 3-4 p.m.
• Feb. 11 (Fri.) -- Principal's Coffee:  Healthy Choices, 8-9
a.m. in the Library
• Feb 14 (Mon.) -- Valentine's Day Class Parties
•  Craigo's Rebate Night
• Feb. 15 (Tues.) -- PTA General Meeting 6:15-7:30 p.m.,
Speaker: Eric Anderson
•  Kiker Night at Giss' Cafe
• Feb. 16 (Wed.) -- Student Council Meeting in the Library,
2:50 - 3:45 p.m.
• Feb 17 (Thurs.) -- Green Apple Deposit Day
• Feb. 18 (Fri.)  -- Gattitown Pizza Day
• Feb. 21 (Mon.) -- CAC Meeting, 3-4 p.m. in the Library
• Feb. 25 (Fri.) -- Teacher Appreciation Lunch

***

Brief Comments

• Student Absences … Please remember to send a note to the
office when your child is absent, even if you don't take them to the
doctor.  The District sends out automated letters if absences aren't
documented in some capacity.  Also, remember to send in doctor notes
as medical appointments are excused.

• A Big Thank You from Mr. Jim & Miss Dorothy … To the many
wonderful Kiker families, we thank you for the generous holiday cash
offering to us both. We appreciate your thoughtfulness and
generosity.  Cross our Hearts!

• Sister School Meeting … Our next planning meeting will be on
Tuesday, Feb. 22, from 3-4 in the Library.  We will evaluate the
projects that we have already completed, open up the current
projects to new volunteers, and plan for this spring semester.
Everyone is welcome.  Please call Theresa Voiss if you have any
questions at 288-0837.

• Join the Kiker E-Group … If you would like to receive the
Kiker Comments electronically, you can subscribe by sending an email
to:  kikersubscribe@yahoogroups.com  Your email will not be used for
any other purpose, and you will (sometimes) receive the newsletter
before anyone else!  Now with 175 subscribers!

• Scientifically Speaking ... Special thanks to the Science
Fair set-up crew: Tammy Koelling, Mary LaVeau, Becky Conley, Janet
Palachek, Lea Lidsky, Susan Bridgers and Anne Gilbert.  Rain slicker
kudos to Anne Gilbert who braved the rain and collected all of the
Science Fair projects from the portables!

• Kiker Artists on Display … Congratulations to the following
Kiker students from Mr. Lucero's art classes whose works were chosen
to be displayed at the Professional Development Academy at 2608
Richcreek Road: Hayley Lopez, Emily Finkelstine, Samantha Naylor,
Caylin Winick, Clark Shellhorse, and Morgan Shaver. The show is
running now through the end of the month.

• Special Area Class Size Board Discussion … On Monday, Feb. 7
at 7 p.m., the AISD Board of Trustees will hold its first discussion
of next year's staffing levels in the school board auditorium.  This
will include a discussion on Special Area class sizes, and a
proposal to return these classes to "One Teacher, One Class."  For
more information, please visit with any of our special area
teachers.

• Chess Club:  Come and Play ... Open to Kiker kids of all
ages and abilities.  Know the game and want to play with others at
your level?  We'll match you up!  Want to play but don't know how?
We'll teach you!  Come learn basic moves, openings, and strategies,
but most importantly come have tons of fun!  Details about the time
and place will be available next week.  Questions?  Call Nipoli
Kamdar at 301-4271 or e-mail her at nkamdar@...

• Parents of 5th Grade Students … The Secondary School
Information Guide (SSIG) is usually available to provide additional
information when choice sheets are provided.  This year the final
version will not be ready until Feb. 21, well after choice sheets
are due.  The SSIGs will be delivered to campuses the week of March
7.  The 2005 - 2006 (SSIG) draft version is available now on the web
at: http://www.austinisd.org/academics/curriculum/school_guide/
This can be viewed for information, but is not final.  The final
version will be posted at the same website address.  Bailey choice
sheets are due to homeroom teachers on Monday, Feb. 7.  If you have
questions, please contact Randie Fraser, Counselor, 414-5353.

• Schools Transfers for 2005-2006 … AISD will accept requests
for school transfers for the 2005-2006 school year from 7-noon on
Saturday, Feb. 5, in the Auditorium (Room B100) of the Carruth
Administration Center, located at 1111 West Sixth Street. Staff from
the Office of Student Services will be available to accept requests
and answer questions. Beginning on Monday, Feb. 7, requests may be
submitted to the Office of Student Services (Room A200), Carruth
Administration Center, during regular business hours, 7:45 - 4:45
p.m. Thirty-two campuses are frozen to transfers including Kiker,
Bailey, and Bowie. However, requests for Sibling, Tracking, and
Majority-to-Minority transfers to the frozen schools will be given
priority consideration if received by 5 p.m. on February 18, 2005.

***

Career Day for Fifth Grade

	 Last Friday, 20 parents, grandparents and one mentor,
introduced our 5th grade students to the world of work. Bill
Davidson (Harris, Kira & Maeve's grandfather), a retired NASA
engineer, was our keynote speaker.  Following his presentation, each
student was able to listen and interact with 4 other speakers,
moving from class to class every 45 minutes, like they will do in
middle school.  Students were exposed to many career professionals
including: physicians, nurses, chiropractors, professors, restaurant
and business owners, realtors, bankers, attorneys, a PGA golf pro,
an industrial engineer, Major in the Army, landscape designer, home
builder, and a book writer.

	 We thank the following people for presenting on Friday:
Rubin Harris, M.D. (Victor & Dexter's dad), Dorie Gilbert Martinez,
PhD (Sarah's mom), Margaret Landewermeyer, M.D. (Andrew & James'
mom), Michelle Smith RN (Ariann's mom), Cynthia Vaughn, DC
(Cassidy's mom), Kevin Ortiz (Adam's dad), Bob McKenna (Christine's
dad), Deena Lenertz (Jenny's mentor), Sarah Morgan (Eliza's mom),
Mary Henderson (Andrew, Cameron, & Aidan's mom), Dave Baron (Brooks
& Beau's dad), Darrell Debish (Tyler's dad),  Erhan Kutanoglu
(Selin's dad), Sarah Leese (Jack's mom), Art Barkis (Emma & Edwin's
dad), Jim Brown (Megan & Ryan's dad), Ana Henriques (Antonio's mom),
Tom Van Osselaer (Trevor's dad), and Melissa Burke (Bethany's mom).

	 Thanks to Partners in Education and Randalls for
refreshments for our presenters, Danielle Wright for designing the
presenters' commemorative tile, and Karen Grant for creating the
Career Day banners.  Huge thanks to Crystal Fite for coordinating
all of the technology for the morning.  Special thanks to Career Day
committee members Pauline Davidson and Cynthia Harris, without whose
time, energy, and attention to detail, this event would not have
occurred.
Randie Fraser, Counselor

***

AISD Board News

	 Bond Construction …  A committee with representatives from
the Kiker staff, PTA, and CAC met with the architects for the Kiker
bond additions earlier this week.  Preliminary site work at Kiker
will begin over the summer with the 8-classroom wing set to open for
classes Fall 2006. Austin School Trustees have approved a so-
called "Short List" of construction management firms with whom the
District will now enter into further negotiations, as it proceeds to
develop the first 11 projects of the $519.5 million bond issue that
Austin voters overwhelmingly approved last September.  The southwest
elementary school, which will relieve Kiker, is one of these initial
projects.

	 2005-2006 School Calendar  … AISD Trustees voted to request
a waiver from the Texas Education Agency so that the 2005-2006
school year for students can begin on Tuesday, August 16, 2005.
According to the District's pending 2005-2006 school calendar, the
first semester for students would end on Thursday, December 15. The
Spring semester would begin on Tuesday, January 3, 2006, and end for
students on Wednesday, May 24, 2006.  Spring Break would be the week
of March 13-17, 2006.

	 You can visit the AISD website at: www.austinisd.org for
more information on these briefs and other district news.

***

PTAnnouncements

• PTA General Meeting ...  On Tuesday, Feb. 15 at 6:15 pm, the
Kiker PTA will have a special program for parents with Eric Anderson
of The Flippen Group as our guest speaker. His presentation,
Building Champions out of Children, will discuss building
relationships, personal responsibility, and how to decrease a
child's social anxiety and increase performance.

• Box Tops For Education …Thanks to everyone who submitted box
tops for the family competition that ended today. Winners will be
announced next Friday at morning assembly. Prizes include
Schlitterbahn, Round Rock Express and movie tickets, a Walgreens'
gift card and a Circle C Cafe Pizza and game. A final boxtops
competition starts Monday and runs through March 25. More details
soon.

• Teacher and Staff Appreciation … The second Teacher and
Staff Appreciation luncheon is scheduled for Friday, Feb 25. Watch
your child's take home folder for more information.

• Pennies for Patients ... Start gathering the spare coins
under the sofa cushions for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's annual
fundraiser next month. Students can deposit spare change in a
receptacle by the office from Feb.14-March 4. Visit www.lls.org or
contact Sarah Hahn 394-9290.

***

Student Council Projects

	 The Kiker Student Council had a great first meeting last
month, with everyone eager to start serving!  The council decided on
2 service projects.  Our first project will be to collect DVDs and
other items for our soldiers serving and wounded in Iraq.  Items
will be sent to Major Scott Galliardt of the Texas National Guard,
who was deployed to Ramstein AFB in Germany and serves as a flight
nurse with Critical Care Air Transport (C-Cat), which means he goes
on planes into Iraq (a 5-hour flight) to pick up the wounded and
care for them during their transport back to Ramstein and other
healthcare facilities, including Walter Reed in D.C.

	 They have a portable DVD player, and Major Scott uses it to
help pass the time for the crew and as a distraction for patients on
long, uncomfortable flights. We hope to increase their "in-flight
movie" choices, so please send in DVDs, new or used. Also, we are
collecting decks of playing cards, pens, notepaper, and anything
else that is small in size, but might be entertaining for someone
who's bedridden.  We are collecting new socks, boxed travel-size
toothpaste, boxed toothbrushes, deodorant, and travel-sized
mouthwash, hand sanitizer, and lotions.  Shipping is expensive so go
for lightweight items.  Major Scott will make sure the items get to
those who need them.  Please put the items in the classroom
collection boxes: "DVD's and Stuff for our Wounded Soldiers,"
collecting now through Feb. 14.  (If anyone knows of a sponsor
willing to help offset the cost of shipping our donated items for
our troops, please contact Pamela Walsh at 288-8405.)

	 The second project is a little closer to home.  The council
voted to serve our community by picking up trash at the Circle C
Park.  That will take place soon.  Our next meeting is Feb. 16 from
2:50 - 3:45 p.m., when we will decide on two more projects to do for
the remainder of the school year.

*** End of Kiker Comments ***

The following is the complete text of the January 28, 2005 Kiker
Comments … yes, that was last week (Sorry!) Additionally, all 5th
grade parents are reminded that Bailey Middle School Choice Sheets
are due to homeroom teachers tomorrow morning, Friday, February 4,
2005.  Please call Randie Fraser, Kiker Counselor, at 414-2584 if
you have any questions.

January 28, 2005
News from Kiker Elementary School
KIKER COMMENTS

Lori Schneider, Principal
Pamela Walsh, Editor
kikernews@...
http://www.austinschools.org/kiker/

On the Kiker Calendar
Pledge Leaders for the Week of:
• Jan. 31 – Mrs. Greene's 2nd grade class
• Feb. 7 – Mrs. Dean's 2nd grade class
• Feb. 14 – Mrs. Brewer's 2nd grade class

• Jan. 31 (Mon.) – No classes; Staff Development Day

• Feb. 1 (Tues.) – Kiker Night at Cypress Grill

•  Bailey Counselor visits Kiker 5th Grade; Choice
Sheet Night at Bailey

• Feb. 3 (Thurs.) – Green Apple Deposit Day

• Feb. 4 (Fri.) – Bailey Choice Sheets due to Mrs. Fraser.

• Feb. 10 (Thurs.) -- PTA Executive Board Meeting, 3-4 p.m.

• Feb 14 (Mon.) -- Valentine's Day Class Parties

•  Craigo's Rebate Night

• Feb. 15 (Tues.) -- PTA General Meeting 6:15-7:30 p.m.,
Speaker: Eric Anderson

• Feb. 16 (Wed.) -- Student Council Meeting in the Library,
2:50 - 3:45 p.m.

•  Feb 17 (Thurs.) -- Green Apple Deposit Day

February Birthdays
	 Happy Birthday to the following Kiker staff who celebrate
February birthdays:

จ Feb. 17 Mrs. Walsh Technology
จ Feb. 24 Mrs. Harr P.E.
จ Feb. 25 Mr. Vasquez Custodian
จ Feb. 26 Mr. Angell Music

Brief Comments

• Red Cross Donation … Last Monday morning, a representative
from the American Red Cross was on hand at our morning assembly to
receive a check for the money Kiker children brought in for the
tsunami victims.  A total of $3,505.49 was donated by our children.
Special thanks to Kiker parents Traudl and Barry Hunt, owners of
SignArama, for making the large presentation check which we used
that morning.

• Austin Public Library Programs …The Love of China School of
Chinese Dance will perform at the Will Hampton Branch at Oak Hill on
Tuesday, February 8, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. The puppet show, "The King's
Daughter Who Lost Her Hair" will be performed at the Hampton Branch
Library at Oak Hill on Tuesday, February 22 at 4:00 p.m. All
programs are free of charge.

• Congratulations to Jordan Kearney, a 4th grader in Mrs.
Dorman's class, who participated in the Travis County Youth Fair and
Livestock Show last week. She received 10th place with her market
goat and won class champion for the 2nd year in a row with her
colored pencil drawing.

• Thanks for Helping … Special thanks to all of the parents
and students who donated used tricycles and small plastic push-
cars!  Our PPCD students are really enjoying building their gross
motor skills and strengthening their muscles!  On a similar note, we
would like to put out the call for a gently used or old storage
building to house our outside toys and tricycles.  We have a very
primitive "chain and lock" system that has been vandalized twice
since October.  If anyone has a lockable small storage building to
donate, we would be forever grateful!  Please call Elisha at 841-
3571 if you have something to donate. We'll even bring a truck to
pick it up!

• No After School Spanish this Semester … Miriam Lee will not
be teaching Spanish this semester.  We will notify you of any
alternate opportunities if they become available.

• Lost & Found … As the weather changes, we start to see a
collection appear of coats and jackets.  The Lost & Found location
for these items is on the rack outside the student entrance to the
cafeteria.  If you FIND a coat, please take it there as we have
folks looking for missing items.  Smaller things like eyeglasses,
keys, jewelry and money should be turned in to the office.

• Pioneer Day Sticks … All third graders need to start
collecting sticks!  We need all third graders to bring in a stick
about 12" long with the diameter about the size of your thumb. These
will be used during PIONEER DAY to make a game that you'll get to
take home!  Please bring the sticks to your classroom and your
teacher can then get them to Mrs. Oz, who will have a box in her
room.  Thank you!
— The Pioneer Day Gaming Commission

• Chess Club: Let the Battle of the Wits Begin ... Plans are
underway to start an after-school chess club at Kiker. The chess
club would meet once a week for an hour.  Please call Nipoli Kamdar
at 301-4271 if you would like to participate.  We would like to get
an idea of the interest level before finalizing the details.

• Baseball/Softball Registration ... South Austin Optimist
Little League is now registering children ages 4-18.  Visit
www.southaustinoptimist.org or call 443-7873 or more details.

• Sister School Planning … We are in the process of planning
for the spring semester and we want your input.  This week we met
with Allison to get direction and to reflect on what we have already
accomplished.  The week of Feb 7, we will schedule a Kiker
volunteer/planning meeting.  We will let you know the exact date.
We are still collecting coats, clothing, and books, and we'll
collect them until the end of the year.  So far we have collected
3,735 books, 206 coats, 802 clothing items, 82 household items
(bedding, towels, and blankets), 115 miscellaneous items, 138 toys
and puzzles,  $1480 for shoes, and all of the holiday classroom
collection items which were so abundant that we lost count.  RIGHT
ON KIKER!
— Theresa Voiss and Alma Chapa Moore



PTA News

• Box Tops for Education … Congrats to Jake White, Anna
Baumgartner, Alexis Young, Garrett Baschnagel, Rachel Hahn, Lindsey
Lehman, Avani Sastry, Arnav Sastry, Matt Logan and Sara Melnick,
winners in the last two weekly Box Tops for Educatiion drawings.
Prizes were donated by Westgate Lanes, Putt Putt Golf and Games and
Terra Toys. Just one week to go in the family box tops contest.
Thanks to everyone who is participating.

• PTA General Meeting … Mark your calendars and plan to attend
the next general PTA meeting on February 15.

• Pennies for Patients ... Get ready to gather the spare coins
under the sofa cushions and on the car floor mats for the Leukemia &
Lymphoma Society's annual fundraiser next month. Students can
deposit spare change in a receptacle by the office from Feb.14-March
4. Check out: www.LLS.ORG or contact Sarah Hahn 394-9290.

• An Executive Search …The PTA executive board is continuing
the search for volunteers for positions next year. If you are
interested in serving on the executive board or in a volunteer
position, please contact Lynne Dekowski at 301-3558. You can make a
difference in not only your child's life, but in that of all of the
students at Kiker!

First Tee of Greater Austin: Kiker Elementary After School Golf
Program

	 The First Tee of Greater Austin invites your child to
participate in the 2004-2005 elementary after school program. For
only $25 your child can participate in a 6-class session. Classes
will be held at Kiker Elementary on Monday afternoons from 3:00
until 4:30pm. Dave Baron, PGA Master Professional, will conduct the
classes with a trained staff of mentors.
	 The First Tee provides opportunities for children to learn
the game of lifetime fun (golf) and at the same time provide the
tools to become great human beings. Your child will learn the
fundamentals of golf and how it parallels the 9 core values of
Respect, Courtesy, Sportsmanship, Responsibility, Confidence,
Judgment, Honesty, Integrity, and Perseverance. For more
information, visit: www.firstteeaustin.org.

Kiker Science Fair Results
	 Kiker students created some truly awesome science exhibits
and experiments. Our outside judges from the fields of nursing,
chemical engineering, and business, plus representatives from TCEQ,
and the Medical Licensing Board, had a difficult task before them.
Congratulations to the following students for their award-winning
entries:

Grand Prize Winners:
5th Experiment – Trishna Vadlamudi
5th Exhibit – Daniel Walsh
4th Experiment – David Anderson
4th Exhibit – Christopher Palachek
K-3 – Madeline McBride

	 All grand prize winning projects will go on to the city wide
fair.  Additionally, the following students' entries were also
chosen by the judges to go to the city wide fair.  From fifth grade:
Lexy Brown, Hayley Lopez, Allie Garcia, Yezen Jarrar, Karan
Chaudhary, Daniel Zhao, Mike Devenyns, and AJ LaVeau.  From fourth
grade: Caroline Klein, Rebecca Kelly, Jacob Scott, Sean Stadter, and
Julia Yates.  Good luck to you all.
	 The Science Fair Open House will continue in the cafeteria
today until 5:30 p.m.  All projects must be removed by the end of
the open house.  At our Tuesday morning (Feb. 1) assembly, these
students will be recognized.
	 Special thanks to our Science Fair committee for all of
their hard work, as well as our classroom teachers and parents for
their support.

*** End of Kiker Comments 1/28/05 ***

The following is the complete text of the Jan. 21, 2005 Kiker
newsletter.  You may not have received your hard copy yet as it was
printed late in the day Friday and did not get distributed to all
classrooms in time for dismissal.  (Yet another good reason to
subscribe to Kiker news.)

Please note there are some important dates for fifth grade families
regarding transition dates for middle school near the end of the
newsletter.  Also, room parents are asked to meet with Mrs. Lord on
Tuesday, Jan. 25 in the cafeteria at 8:10 regarding auction
information. Have a Great Weekend!  -- Pamela

January 21, 2005
News from Kiker Elementary School
KIKER COMMENTS
Lori Schneider, Principal
Pamela Walsh, Editor
kikernews@...
http://www.austinschools.org/kiker/

On the Kiker Calendar
Pledge Leaders
• Jan. 24 – Mrs. Majek's 2nd grade class

• Jan. 31 – Mrs. Greene's 2nd grade class

• Feb. 7 – Mrs. Dean's 2nd grade class

• Jan. 25 – Room Parent Meeting in the Cafeteria at 8:10 a.m.

•  Golf Committee Meeting at 4:15 p.m. at Maudie's

• Jan. 28 (Fri.) – Career Day for Fifth grade

•  Science Fair Open House, 8-5 in the Kiker Cafeteria.
All projects must be gone by 5:30 p.m.

• Jan. 31 (Mon.) – No classes; Staff Development Day

• Feb. 1 (Tues.) – Kiker Night at Cypress Grill

• Feb. 3 (Thurs.) – Green Apple Deposit Day

• Feb. 4 (Fri.) – Bailey Choice Sheets due to Mrs. Fraser.
Please see important dates for fifth grade parents in this newsletter.

• Week of Feb. 7 – National School Counselor Week

Brief Comments

• Calling all Room Parents … If you are the coordinator for
your child's classroom, please join us for a meeting next Tuesday,
Jan. 25 in the cafeteria at 8:10.  We need all room parent
coordinators to attend!  If you can't attend, please contact Terry
Lord at tlord@...  Thank you!

• Golf Committee Meeting … The Kiker Golf Committee will meet
at Maudie's on Tuesday, Jan. 25 at 4:15 p.m..  We need to finalize
information on sponsors and underwriters, at this time.  Please plan
to attend this important meeting.  If you cannot attend, call Terry
Lord at 414-2584.

• Traffic Junk … Remember that you may get in the left lane of
the circular AFTER you have gone through the crosswalk to exit the
driveway.  Cars going right should stay in the right hand lane, while
those going left should move to the left lane.  Also, to expedite
drop-off, please prompt your child to "get ready" BEFORE you get to
the front.  Say your "good-byes," give your after school
instructions, and prompt them to gather their belongings, so that
when the safety patrol opens your door, the children are ready to get
out.  The vehicles behind you really appreciate a faster drop off.
Be safe, of course, just be ready to go.

• Science Fair Projects … Well, the slow and painful misery for
parents, known as "The Science Fair Project," is about to be put to
rest for 2005.  Just hang in there for another weekend.  Science
projects for the Kiker Science Fair will be presented in class on
January 25 and 26. The projects will be set up in the cafeteria and
judged by an outside panel, on January 27. Open House for viewing the
projects will be on January 28, in the cafeteria, from 8-5.  ALL
PROJECTS MUST BE CLEARED BY 5:30 PM.

• No Morning Assembly on Friday … Due to the Science Fair,
there will be no Morning Assembly in the cafeteria on Friday, January
28.  Children should proceed to their classrooms.

• Keynotes Selected to Sing in AISD Choir … We are proud to
announce that the following Kiker Keynotes Section Leaders have been
selected to represent the school in the AISD Elementary School Honor
Choir.  They are: Varun Bhatnagar, Karan Chaudhary, Harris Davidson,
Akshay Jotwani, Kirsten Kampmeier, Rebecca Kilbourn, Max Kortum,
Chelsea Orlando, Brendan Smith, and Alex Walter.  The 300 voice Honor
Choir will perform along with the Middle School and High School Honor
Choirs on Tuesday, March 1, at the Burger Center.  Congratulations to
these talented Kiker musicians!

• CAMP READ (still) Needs Volunteers ...  If you have 30
minutes to share once a week, help us help KIKER students.  Contact
Kristy Mathieu at 301-6067.

• Open Board Positions for Kiker PTA …The PTA executive board
will need to fill a few positions for our 2005-2006 school year.
Openings to be filled are VP of programs, secretary, communications
director and an additional ACPTA representative.  If you are
interested, we have a place for you!  Please contact PTA president,
Lynne Dekowski at 301-3558, with questions or to submit your name.
The Kiker PTA is a great way to get involved in your child's
educational experience.

• Reflections 2004 – 2005: A Different Kind of Hero
Congratulations to the following students whose Reflections entries
were selected to advance from the ACPTA level to District 13
competition: Taylor Crotts (K-Edwards) Photography, Tori Davis (3-
Reiman) Photography, Sarah Martinez (4-Dworaczyk) Photography &
Literature, Aakaash Rao (2-Majek) Music, Katherine Zucker (3-Davis)
Music, Emily Kuster (1-Watson) Literature. In addition, the following
students received Merit Awards from ACPTA for their entries: Sarah
Martinez (4-Dworaczyk) Music, and Jenny Yang (5-Jesus) Music.

• College Bound Night … Mark your Calendars for the Bowie
Vertical Team Annual College Bound Night Presentation: College Bound
Night 202 Thursday , January 25 at 7:00 p.m., in the Bowie Theatre
Learn about college applications, financial aide, loans, scholarship
opportunities and more.  (Especially geared for parents of juniors
and seniors.)

• No Classes for Students of January 31 ... There will be no
school on Monday, Jan. 31 due to staff development.

Plant a Tree - Help the Land: Improve Water Quality

	 On Saturday, February 5, 2005, the City of Austin is hosting
a tree planting event on Water Quality Protection Land it owns west
of Circle C.  We need 20 volunteers to join us on this beautiful
property to install as many as 80 trees along the shores of Slaughter
Creek.

	 The event one is of several tree plantings occurring as part
of "Trees 2005", an annual winter tree-planting organized by
Treefolks, a local non-profit organization.  Individuals that would
like to sign up to plant trees on the City property need to contact
Gail McGlamery at 263-6437 or email Gail at
gail.mcglamery@... to sign up and get more information
about where to meet and what to bring.  Children are welcome but must
be under the supervision of their parents at all times

Staff Profile: Tanya Pickering, 1st Grade

Book Currently Reading (in Dec.):  The Legend of the Poinsettia
retold and illustrated by Tomie dePaola
Movie:  The last movie I watched and ENJOYED was Finding Nemo
What's in the CD player:  Pat Green
Interesting Trivia: I am a distant relative of Former President
Lyndon B. Johnson
Pet Peeve:  Water spots in the kitchen sink.  Ugh, I hate that!

Important Dates for 5th Grade Parents

Bailey Middle School Transition Dates

• Tuesday, January 25: Coffee with the Bailey principal in the
Kiker Library for 5th grade parents
• Tuesday, February 1: Bailey counselor visits Kiker 5th grade
students about choice sheets
• Tuesday, February 1: Bailey Showcase and Choice Sheet Night
• Friday, February 4: Bailey choice sheets due back to Ms.
Fraser
• Monday, March 7: Instrument selection at Bailey, 7:30 a.m. -
7:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 4:Kiker 5th grade students visit Bailey

Small Middle School Transition Dates

• Tuesday, February 8: Small Showcase and Choice Sheet Night
• Friday, April 1: Principal and Counselor meet with parents at
• Oak Hill Elementary 7:45
• Transition Camp - Tuesday, June 7 - Thursday, June 9 or
Tuesday, June 14 - Thursday, June 16

Covington Middle School Transition Dates
• Tuesday, February 8: Showcase and Choice Sheet Night

January 14, 2005
News from Kiker Elementary School
KIKER COMMENTS

Lori Schneider, Principal
Pamela Walsh, Editor
kikernews@...
http://www.austinschools.org/kiker/

No Classes Monday -- Enjoy a LONG weekend!

On the Kiker Calendar

Pledge Leaders for the Week of:
• Jan. 18 – Mrs. McCullough's 2nd grade class
• Jan. 24 – Mrs. Majek's 2nd grade class
• Jan. 31 – Mrs. Greene's 2nd grade class

Calendar Dates

• Jan. 17 (Mon.) – MLK Holiday, No classes

• Jan. 18 (Tues.) – Pizza orders due for Gattitown

•  Organizational Meeting for 3rd grade Pioneer Day, 3-
3:30 in the Library

•  Kiker Night at Giss' Caf้

• Jan. 19 (Wed.) – Student Council meeting in the Library, 2:50-
3:45

• Jan. 20 (Thurs.) – Green Apple Deposit Day

• Jan. 21 (Fri.) – Gattitown Pizza Delivery Day

• Jan. 28 (Fri.) – Career Day for fifth grade

• Feb. 1 (Tues.) – Kiker Night at Cypress Grill

•   Feb. 3 (Thurs.) – Green Apple Deposit Day

Brief Comments

• Box Tops for Education … Congratulations to Christopher
Logan, Chris Dunn, Ryan Taylor and Andrew Poveda, the winners of last
Friday's box tops drawings. There are only 3 more weeks left to
submit box tops for the second family box tops contest (ends Feb.
4th), so don't delay. Please remember that you can also turn your
Tyson Chicken labels into the Box Tops canisters. Thanks and keep on
clipping!

• Gattitown Pizza Order Next Week … Pizza orders are in Friday
folders today.  Please return your order and money on Tuesday, Jan.
18 in the morning, and a great hot pizza will be waiting for you on
Friday to pick up in front of the school!

• PTA Board Members Needed … The Kiker PTA is a great way to
get involved in your child's educational experience.  The PTA
executive board will need to fill a few positions for our 2005-2006
school year.  Openings to be filled are Treasurer, VP of Programs, VP
of Fundraising, Communications Director and an additional ACPTA
representative.  If you are interested, please contact PTA president,
Lynne Dekowski at 301-3558, with questions or to submit your name.

• Marathon Kids Deadline Approaching … The deadline to return
the Marathon Kids mile log is January 21st.  The PE teachers will
need them so they can order the T-shirts. Please turn in yours to
your PE teacher.

• Kiker Night at Giss' Caf้ … Tuesday, Jan. 18 is Kiker Night
at Giss' Cafe (located at the strip center at Escarpment and William
Cannon).  This restaurant is owned by a husband and wife team who
serves wonderful home-cooked meals and delicious desserts! Tell the
waiter you are from Kiker, and we will receive a % of the intake that
evening.

• Kiker Recognized by TEA … Kiker was among 42 Austin schools
which received acknowledgements under the Gold Performance
Acknowledgement (GPA) system of the Texas Education Agency. The
acknowledgements recognize campuses for high performance in areas
critical to the academic success of students.  Kiker earned
acknowledgements for: Commended Performance on all four subjects
covered by TAKS at the elementary level, including Reading,
Mathematics, Writing, and Science.  Principal Lori Schneider will
accept the recognitions at the January 24 AISD Board meeting.

• Artists on Display ... Congratulations to the following Kiker
students whose artwork was selected to be displayed on the 4th floor
of the Carruth Administration Building from Jan 10-31.  In
Kindergarten: Mathew Prinz, Liam Chandler, Nicole Bortfeld, Harrison
Mahoney, Lauren Aman, Claire Voiss, Michael Aman, Ashley Shymkiw,
Tyler Jean, and Emma Lopez.  In first grade: Alexis Williams, Dante
Compean, Zachary Mickelson, Zoey Franz, Jayne Kernodle, Frisoc
Koelling, Kelly Stephenson, Ethan Russo, Leah Sherman, Kylie Moore.

• Duck Soup Dinner & Dance … Be sure to circle and reserve
Sunday, May 1 for our annual Duck Soup Dinner & Dance at the Salt
Lick. Get your sitters lined up NOW!  While you are at the
dinner/dance, enjoying our own wonderful Sam Irwin and Duck Soup, you
will be able to preview and make initial bids on some fantastic
silent auction items. The following afternoon, you can submit your
final bids at the end of the end of the golf tournament. (See below.)

• Kiker Classic 2nd Annual Golf Tournament … Start thinking
about your team and head to the driving range! Our 2nd Annual Kiker
Classic Golf Tournament is scheduled for Monday, May 2.

• Camp Read Needs Volunteers … If you have 30 minutes to
share...please help us help KIKER students.  Contact Kristy Mathieu
at 301-6067.

• Partner Salute … A special thanks goes out to both Randall's
(Slaughter and Brodie and the William Cannon/MoPac locations) for
donating gift cards to help purchase food for the Career Day for 5th
grade.

• Green Apple Savings Day … Our next savings day will be
Thursday, Jan. 20.  Please remember to bring your savings account
card and bag with your deposit.  5th grade tellers will be at the
tables to assist you that morning.  A+ Federal Credit Union held a
holiday savings-coloring contest.  Second grade student, Madeline
McBride, in Mrs. Greene's class won 2nd place in the contest.
Congratulations to her on her artistic abilities!  If we had other
winners from Kiker, please let us know.

Kiker Day Care Information
	 Currently, we are working to get our on campus day-care set
up this spring and ready to open our doors in August 2005. This will
be a day-care with a set tuition for the teachers at Kiker to use.
We will have four infants ready to use the day care in August.
	 At this time we are unsure of the maximum number of infants
the day care can have.  If more infants are needed the vacancies will
be filled with other AISD employees' babies then siblings of Kiker
students. If, and when, this happens we will post these openings.
	 Please contact Angela Funderburgh at: afunderb@...
or Kim Reiman kreiman@...  at 414-2584 for all day-care
questions and donations, not the office. We will continue to take
donations throughout the semester and even after we open.

Information From the Health Room
	 We have seen a lot of red itchy eyes lately. Red eye(s) with
the yellow or green discharge may be caused by a viral or bacterial
infection. It usually last 4-7 days. The infection is easily spread
from one person to another. Frequent hand washing is very important
to control the spread of infection. A child with eye infection should
remain at home until the discharge is gone or you have a note from
your doctor stating that the child is receiving treatment and may
return to school.
	 The wonderful parents and PTA's of the schools have donated
clothes to have at school for the students when they need to have dry
clothes. Our supply of long pants are running short due to the
parents who are not returning the borrowed clothes. Please return any
clothes that you may have at home.
Thank you for all your help!
Cheryl Leggett,

2nd Annual Golf Tournament Help
	 A special thanks goes out to Don McGraw, our wonderful Kiker
parent, for donating trophies from Longhorn Trophies for the golf
tournament May 2, 2005..  We really appreciate your kind
thoughtfulness. Also, a big round of applause for A+ Federal Credit
Union!  Thanks to them we will have a large prize for the 1st place
winners!
	 If you would be willing to donate an item for the silent
auction or prizes for the golfers, please contact Terry Lord at 414-
2584.  Any and all contributions are GREATLY appreciated.
If you are interested in being out at the course, but aren't planning
on teeing up, we would LOVE to have you volunteer an hour or so of
your time to help with all the events going on.  Again, contact Mrs.
Lord.


Tsunami Donations Come in
	 Thanks to your generosity, we have already collected over
$3300 for the tsunami relief.  The heartfelt concern reaches to our
children who are doing their part.  One of Mrs. Majek's students
walked around her neighborhood with her parents and little sister and
collected over $98 for the victims of tsunami.  On his own, a six
year-old decided to bring in all the money in his piggy bank, $55,
and another student brought in proceeds from a lemonade stand. These
are some of the many efforts our children have made.
	 Many experts believe that actively involving children in
assistance efforts helps children process their own feelings and
empowers them to "do something constructive" with their concerns and
fears.  Kiker families have again risen to the occasion.

Sister School Thoughts
	 As we reflected on the time we shared with Allison Elementary
last month, we can think of many beautiful moments that made our
hearts stand still.  Which was our favorite?

• When Allison's choir and orchestra came to play for our
children on before the holidays and the Allison children and the
Kiker children all sang a few of the Christmas songs together.  960
children sang together.

• When the concert ended, our children gave them a standing
ovation.  After the concert, we privately handed Ms. Oliveri
(Allison's principal) 50 gift cards for shoes.  The child who gave
from his own bank was with us.We still have money left over to help
their children.

• The Kiker VIP room was full with donations from the
children's classrooms.  Every grade level contributed abundantly.
When the children delivered the gifts to us their faces were beaming.

• When we delivered the gifts to Allison, Ms. Schneider went
with us.  What was going to be a quick delivery was a long delivery.
We were invited to deliver the gifts to the Allison classrooms with
Ms. Oliveri.   The children thanked us in English and Spanish.  There
was one Kinder class that was so excited, that they kept trying to
peek in the boxes through the holes. That image will be etched in our
minds forever.

• When Ms. Schneider and Ms. Oliveri said a heart felt good-
bye, Ms. Oliveri said, "How can we ever thank you enough?" "You
have," was the reply.  "This has done just as much good for our
families and children."

• This note from the Allison principal:  Remember when we were
little and said "Socks? Gloves?" as if that weren't a really good
gift.  Our students said "Socks! Gloves!"  Thank you so much.  We're
overwhelmed with your kindness.

  	 Kiker parents keep coming to us to thank us for "all that
we're doing", and we continue to be a little startled by their
gratitude.  Without the love, compassion, and generosity in our Kiker
parents' hearts, there would be nothing to deliver to Allison
Elementary.  We put all of your love and kindness into action.  Thank
you for letting us do that.

-- Alma Chapa Moore & Teresa Voiss

**** End of January 14, 2005 ****

December 3, 2004
News from Kiker Elementary School
KIKER COMMENTS
Lori Schneider, Principal
Pamela Walsh, Editor
kikernews@...
http://www.austinschools.org/kiker/

On the Kiker Calendar

Pledge Leaders: Week of Dec. 6 – Mrs. Grance's 3rd grade class
•  Dec. 6 (Mon.) – Bowie Vertical Team Brown Bag Lunch
		 for Parents, 12-1 at the Bowie Career Center; Bring
		 your own lunch
• Dec. 7 (Tues.) -- Kiker Night at Cypress Grill
•  Keynotes' Winter Concert; 8:15 a.m. and 6:15 p.m.
• Dec. 8 (Wed.) – Kealing Magnet program presentation,
		  9-9:30 a.m.; and Fulmore magnet program 1-1:45
		 p.m.; Both in the cafeteria for 5th students and
		 parents
• Dec. 10 (Fri.) – Student Council Officer Installation
• Dec. 13 (Mon.) – Craig O's day for Kiker
• Dec. 14 (Tues.) – Magnet school presentations; 6:30-7:30
		 p.m. in the Cafeteria
• Dec. 15 (Wed.) – Classroom Holiday parties, various times.
		 Watch for info from your child's teacher.
• Dec. 16 (Thurs.) – Last day of classes
• Dec. 17 – Jan 3 – Student Holiday Break
• Jan. 4 (Tues.) – Classes resume
•  Vision & Hearing screening for 1st, 3rd, 5th and any
		 new students
•  Kiker Night at Cypress Grill

Brief Comments

• Camp Read Break … There will be no Camp Read the week of
December 13-16.  We wish all of our volunteers a wonderful holiday.
Enjoy your break!

• Keynotes Winter Performance … The Kiker Keynotes will perform
their 12th annual Winter Concert this coming Tuesday, Dec. 7.  The
morning show will be at 8:15 a.m. and the evening show will be at
6:15 p.m. Join us for some fun music of the season. There are rumors
that Frosty the Snowman might show up!

• Third Grade to The Nutcracker … Kiker 3rd grade classes will
be going to a performance of Ballet Austin's "The Nutcracker" on
Thurs., Dec. 9.  Parents will be getting a letter with more details
in today's take home material.

• Holiday Crossing Guard Fund … If you are interested in
donating to our annual holiday fund for our two wonderful crossing
guards, Mr. Jim & Miss Dorothy, please drop off your money to the
school office.  Any amount will be appreciated.  Last year we
collected over $700.  Cash preferred, but checks (payable to Pamela
Walsh) are okay too.

• Student Council Officer Elections … Elections were held this
week for the officers of our Kiker Student Council.  All candidates
made signs and taped video campaign speeches, which were aired for
the 2nd – 5th grade students, our electorate.  Congratulations to:
President - Varun Bhatnagar; Vice.President - Anthony Rogers;
Secretary - Ashley Laird; Treasurer - Sydney Presley; and Sergeant At
Arms - Ryan Fite.

• PTA News … The PTA General Membership meetings and the
Executive Board Meetings of the PTA scheduled for December and
January are cancelled.

• New Traffic Flow … To facilitate the exiting of the circular
drive, please follow these guidelines. If you will be turning left
(to head north on Dahlgreen towards LaCrosse) you may get in the left
lane of the drive AFTER you pass the crosswalk.  This will leave the
right lane open for anyone wanting to go right (south) towards
Galsworthy.  Additionally, those drivers headed south on Dahlgreen
from LaCrosse that want to U-Turn, please don't turn around at the
circular drive exit.  Go down further to do it. We will send home a
flyer with detailed drawings for further clarification.

• Kiker Nights at Local Restaurants … Please patronize Cypress
Grill on December 7 and Craig O's on December 13 when Kiker receives
a portion of the sales.

• Circle C Homeowner's Children's Holiday Party … There will be
a Circle C Homeowner's family event on December 11th, from 2:00 -
5:00, at the Circle C Swimming Pool. The Bowie Band will play at
2:00, followed by Kiker's own, Cowboy Mike and the Joyful Fairy (Ms.
Joy Williams, 2nd grade).  Come enjoy the festivities.

• Bowie Vertical Team Parent Brown Bag Lunch Forum … All
parents are invited to attend a Brown Bag Lunch (bring your own food)
on Monday, Dec. 6 from 12-1 in The Bowie High School College and
Career Center.  Meet your area principals and learn about our
Vertical team.  (Vertical team refers to the alignment of feeder
schools – both elementary and middle — which ultimately result in
Bowie attendance.)

• Invent Kiker Winners …The inventions were super! The
following students had projects chosen to go on to the city
competition.  In first grade: Alexis Young/Pickering; in 3rd grade:
Nick Smaus/Lehman, Dahlton Mills/Peltzman, Lisa Hsi/Grance, Michael
Orlando/Ostarticki, Brian Robinson/Reiman , Ivan France/Lord, and
Martin Pandola/Davis.

• Magnet School Information for Fifth Graders … Representatives
from the Kealing Magnet Program will be at Kiker on Wednesday,
December 8 from 9-9:30 for a brief presentation and question & answer
period.  Later that day, representatives from the Fulmore Middle
School Magnet Program will be here at 1:45 p.m. to explain their
program.  Additionally, on December 14 at 6:30 p.m. representatives
from both programs will be available to address parents and students
interested in the programs.  Fifth grade students and parents are
invited to attend.

From the Health Room

	 Most medications can be given at home, especially if they are
to be given once or twice a day.  However, if medication will need to
be administered at school a parent must fill out an authorization
form.  Please do not send medications with a note.  No medications
will be given without the proper authorization form completed.

	 All medications must be in the original container and the
dose must be age appropriate.  Adult medications cannot be
administered at school without a doctor's order.  OTC medications
necessary for more than two weeks will need a doctor's order or they
will be sent home.  Any change in dosage for prescription medications
must be authorized by a physician's written order.

	 Please remind your children to practice good hand washing,
and help prevent the spread of illness by keeping your children home
when they are running a fever.

	 Thank you for your cooperation.


Staff Profile: Mr. Minor Baker, 4th grade

	 What's currently in your CD player? The Hives --
Tyrannosaurus Hives

	 What book are you reading?  The City of Ember (children's
book, very good)

	 Pets?  One really hyperactive Vizsla dog — Sabine

	 Animal you most resemble?  Bald monkey.

	 If you could be on a reality TV show, which one would it be?
The Amazing Race, hands down the best show on TV.

	 If you could pick being invisible or having the ability to
fly, which would choose?  That is easy, flying, I like to be noticed
way to much to be completely invisible, but flying has lots of
responsibility as well, just ask Superman.

	 Worst habit? Leaving my soccer stuff all over the house.

	 What is something people would never guess about you?  I have
traveled Europe and South America in a sacred music choir
(translation: we sang really, really old music)

***

AISD Student Holiday Break -- December 17 - January 3

***

Helping Allison Elementary:  Our Sister School Update

A Note of Thanks

Dear Kiker Elementary,

	 As the counselor for Allison Elementary, I want to extend my
deepest thanks to your school during this holiday season.  Thank you
for your overwhelming acceptance of us as a very needy population.
The way you have help in so many ways:  donating clothes, furniture,
coats, and so many books, has been greatly appreciated by our staff,
our parents, and our students.

	 I have seen so many things these past few months that have
brought tears to my eyes: A little boy and girl who had few clothes
were given new wardrobes.  A third grade classroom got a new pet
guinea pig!  Children shivering in just sweaters in this cold weather
were given coats, easing the financial burden from their parents who
have trouble even keeping food on the table.

	 The books you have donated have been incredible to our staff
and students.  The teachers are forming classroom libraries (because
the district does not furnish them with one!) and the students have
taken home books, many as rewards for good behavior and participation
in Parent TAKS Nights.

	 Your generosity is amazing!  Thank you for making Allison a
very happy school.

  -- Stephanie Turner, LMSW Allison Elementary Counselor

Note from Theresa Voiss:

	 Every time we deliver items to Allison Elementary, we are all
overcome with emotion.  Sometimes our tears are hard to explain.
Maybe it is the joy of giving to someone in need.  Maybe it is just
knowing that we really are making a difference.  When we delivered
the coats and library books, there was not a dry eye to be found. 15
smiling teachers and staff from Allison greeted us, and when we
opened our bulging trunks and started to unload everyone was moved
beyond words.  Thank you, Kiker, for making this possible.


Shoes for Allison Elementary

	 There are 44 children at Allison who do not have shoes for
the winter.  We are really hoping to put shoes on their feet.  How
can they run and play?  We need families to sponsor shoes for the
children.  On Monday and Tuesday, we are going to collect donations.
I will pre-purchase 44 coupons and sell them to you.

	 Please send $20 to sponsor a pair of shoes.  I am going to
make a group purchase to get a good deal.  To make this work, I need
to do this through my business.  Please make checks payable to
Theresa Voiss Interiors.  Send it in an envelope marked "Shoes for
Allison".  I will send everyone a receipt.  Call me with any
questions 288-0837 or tvoiss@....

November 19, 2004
News from Kiker Elementary School
KIKER COMMENTS
Lori Schneider, Principal
Pamela Walsh, Editor
kikernews@...
http://www.austinschools.org/kiker/

On the Kiker Calendar

Pledge Leaders
 	 Week of November 22 – Mrs. Lord's 3rd grade class
 	 Week of November 29 – Mrs. Lehman's 3rd grade class
 	 Week of December 6 -- Mrs. Grance's 3rd grade class

• Nov. 19 (Fri.) -- Invent Kiker Open House; 10:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Science Lab portable

• Nov. 22 (Mon.) – CAC meeting, 3-4 p.m. in the Library

• Nov. 23 (Tues.) – Collegiate Spirit Day!  Wear the team
colors of the school of your choice!

• Nov. 24 – 28 (Wed.-Sun.) – Thanksgiving Holiday

• Dec. 2 (Thurs.) -- Green Apple Deposit Day

• Dec. 3 (Fri.) -- Silver Mine Jewelry sale on the stage, 10-4

• Dec. 3 (Fri.) -- PTA Executive Board Meeting, 3-4 p.m.

• Dec. 7 (Tues.) -- Kiker Night at Cypress Grill

• Dec. 7 (Tues.) -- Keynotes' Winter Concert


Brief Comments

• Spirit Day … Next Tuesday, November 23, is our annual
collegiate spirit day. Let your true colors show.  You're not limited
to Aggie Maroon or Longhorn Orange; just wear the colors of the
school team of your choice. (Note: the date was reported incorrectly
in the hard copy of the newsletter.  Spirit Day is THIS COMING
Tuesday, Nov. 23.)

• Kiker Yearbook Goes on Sale … We are already working hard
putting together a great yearbook. Lifetouch published the yearbook
two years ago and in years prior to that. We have decided to turn to
them again this year because they have done a great job in the past.
Please keep your eyes open for the yearbook sales flyer coming home
with your child. The cost will be $20/copy. Every year when the
yearbooks are delivered, we have folks scrambling to buy one of the
few extra copies, and people are left disappointed.  Don't miss out
on this great memory book. Order yours now.

• Cafeteria Kudos … A big bow to the fantastic cafeteria ladies
for their service under pressure.  On Thursday, Nov. 4, the school
was without power for over an hour in the morning during critical
food prep time.  Our wonderful staff, led by Carolyn Buckland, carted
our food over to Mills and prepared the enchiladas there, bringing
them back to Kiker and serving a hot lunch with only a 30 minute
delay in our schedule.  Thanks for keeping us well fed!

• An Umbrella Wave to the Safety Patrol … During this very wet
week, Kiker's safety patrol worked their little yellow slickers off,
opening car doors for the majority of our students several wet
mornings in a row. In their own words, "Have a nice day," kids!

• And while we're on that topic … Perhaps some of you want to
be traffic advocates for the planning of new AISD elementary
schools.  Goodness knows the District sure could use some experienced
input on parking and traffic flow around elementary schools.  Kiker
is a bottlenecked sea of SUVs on a good day; this week, it was a flat-
out traffic nightmare, rivaling the worst rush-hour snarl any day on
MoPac.

• Help the Girl Scouts Help the Homeless … Girl Scout Troop
#1692 is making toiletry stockings for the homeless. Please send any
trial size shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, deodorant, and
pocket combs to school through November 23. Look for the green
collection box in front of the office to place your donations. Thank
you for your generosity!

• Great Job Third Grade Students … Our 3rd graders did a
fantastic job on their performance this week, "Callin' the Dog!"  We
thank the third grade teaching team, the Kiker music department, and
our third grade parents for their support.

• Student Council Elections Underway … And you thought the
voting was over!  Candidates for Kiker's student council are
politicking now.  Students who have been selected by their classmates
to run for office will be videotaping their speeches on Monday to
present to the student body.  Children in grades 2-5 will vote for
our officers on December 1.  Good luck to all of their candidates.

• Morning Assembly Held from the Roof … In celebration of our
success on the magazine fundraiser, Ms. Schneider and Mr. Faulkner
conducted this morning's assembly on the rooftop of Kiker.
(Personally, I think it would have had a much more dramatic appeal if
they'd done it during the thunderstorms, but oh well!)  Thanks again
to everyone for supporting this important fundraiser.

• Invent Kiker Open House … If you're reading this newsletter
first thing Friday after school (like I'm sure you ALL do) you still
have time to visit the Invent Kiker Open House going on now through
5:30 p.m. today in the Science Lab portable, in the back 40!  Special
thanks to our staff Science committee for pulling this together and
to all the students for their creative inventions.

• Get your Kiddos to School with ALL of their Stuff! Please
help your children remember all of their belongings when they leave
for school in the morning.  We have totally lost our counter space in
the office as the counter piles up DAILY with lunchboxes, textbooks,
backpacks, coats, projects, and more.  Not only does it impinge on
office work, these late drop-offs cause countless classroom
interruptions.  Please help us out!

• Art Fundraiser Products ... Monday, Nov. 22, is the last day
to report problems with your art fundraiser products.  Also, if you
received some other child's artwork and/or products, please notify
Mrs. Wright ASAP.

Sister School Update:  Thank You, Kiker!
Allison Counselor Thanks Kiker at PTA Meeting

	 Kiker has donated 90 books from the Scholastic Book Fair,
2338 new and used books, 196 coats, 61 clothing items, and 115
miscellaneous items. Over 95% of their students are children of
poverty.  The Allison Counselor advised us that most of their
students have no books in their homes, and that many of the books we
are donating are going home with children to encourage literacy.  As
we know, teaching a child to read gives them a fundamental skill to
elevate them from a life of poverty.  The Kiker books are also going
to the teachers' classrooms. The coats are being distributed this
week.

	 Thank you Kiker families for making this program such a
success.  The Sister School Team at Kiker would also like to thank
Ms. Schneider for her continual support of this project.  Without her
support, we would not have this program.

PTA Progress

• Partners in Education (PIE) Update … Please take time to
visit the PIE display area in the main hallway leading to the
cafeteria. Many Partners offer special promotions available only to
Kiker families. Don't forget about the monthly Kiker Nights at
Cypress Grill, Craig O's, and GISS'S CAFE!

• CAMP READ has a few volunteer opportunities open. Please call
Kristy Mathieu at 301-6067 if you are interested in helping a child
on their adventure in reading 30 minutes per week.

• Box Tops for Education …Winners for the week ending 11/5 were
Dominick Caputo, David Patton, Andrew Poveda, Sam Bridgers, and Zach
Franz. Winners for last week were McKenzie Simons, Eliza Parker, Sara
Melnick, David Patton, and Yulduz Nasafi. Congrats to all. Keep on
clipping for your chance to win. Information on the next box tops
contest is coming soon. Barbara Hoisington 301-1828

Health Note

	 The flu season is upon us and we have a vaccine shortage.  A
lot of people will not be vaccinated this year.  Help us keep all
students and staff healthy by following our school health
guidelines.  Please do not send your child to school ill.  With a
temperature of 100.4 degrees by mouth or 99 degrees under the arm,
children should not attend school.

	 Because infections are most contagious during the fever
stage, you will be asked to pick up your child if they develop a
fever at school.  Please be sure to provide the school office with
current phone numbers where you (or another contact) can be reached
during school hours.  The child may return to school after a period
of 24 hours fever-free without medication.

	 Avoid close contact with people who are sick.  Cover your
nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.  Good hand
washing is the best defense against the spread of germs.  Your
adherence to these guidelines will help us all stay healthy this
season.
-- Cheryl Leggett, Kiker Nurse


December Birthdays

	 Happy Birthday to the following Kiker staff who celebrate
December birthdays:

4-Dec Mrs. McGovern Office
5-Dec Mrs. Gordon PE
9-Dec Ms. Pickering 1st
12-Dec Mrs. Rocha Head Custodian
13-Dec Mrs. Peltzman 3rd
23-Dec Mr. Faulkner Assistant Principal
28-Dec Mrs. Cardiel 1st
28-Dec Mrs. Fernandez 5th

Blue Santa News & Events

	 The annual Chuy's Children Giving to Children Parade
benefiting Operation Blue Santa is scheduled for Nov. 27, 2004, 11
a.m. and will assemble at the Capitol parking garage at 8 a.m. The
parade starts at 9th St. and San Jacinto Waterloo Park and winds its
way to Republic Square Park.

	 Spectators are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to
donate during the event for children in need. Kids will enjoy seeing
giant inflatable balloons like Elmo & Miss Piggy, marching bands,
holiday floats, and characters like Snow White, Teenage Mutant Ninja
Turtles, & SpongeBob SquarePants.  Bring the whole family and enjoy
the fun.  It is a great way to kick off the holiday season!

	 Also this Saturday, Nov. 20, it's the Longhorn-Aggie Old
Timer's game benefiting Operation Blue Santa.  Old timer's come
together for a Longhorn-Aggie flag football game to benefit Austin's
Operation Blue Santa. Longhorn alumni including James Brown, Mike
Adams, Shon Mitchell and Jamel Thompson will take to the field in
competition with former Aggie's Branndon Stewart, Matt Bumgardner,
Billy Mitchell and Junior White in a spirited football game.

	 Longhorn and Aggie fans are invited to fill the stands and
show their team spirit prior to the annual Thanksgiving tradition to
be held here in Austin.  Held at the Burger Center, gates open at 2
p.m., kick off at 3.  Admission is a donation of $5 or new unwrapped
toy.

Magnet School Evening at Kiker

	 Mary Anne Wilkinson, Magnet Director of Fulmore Middle
School, and Jeanne Goks, Magnet Director of Kealing Middle School,
will be speaking with students and parents at Kiker on Tuesday
December 14 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria about their
schools' programs.  All fifth grade parents and students who are
interested in learning more about magnet school opportunities are
invited to attend.  You can learn more about Fulmore at
http://www.austinschools.org/fulmore and click on the magnet link.

	 Additionally, AISD will host a Magnet School Fair at Kealing
Middle School on Saturday, December 4 from 9-12. Kealing will also
host 30-minute presentations on December 8; one at Boone Elementary
at 8 a.m. and one at Menchaca Elementary at 2:00 p.m. in the event
you can't attend the Dec. 14 presentation at Kiker.

*** END OF NEWSLETTER ***

There will be no newsletter next week.  Happy Thanksgiving!  -- Pamela

November 12, 2004
News from Kiker Elementary School
KIKER COMMENTS

Lori Schneider, Principal
Pamela Walsh, Editor
kikernews@...
http://www.austinschools.org/kiker/

On the Kiker Calendar

Pledge Leaders
 	 Week of November 15 – Mrs. Ostarticki's 3rd grade class
 	 Week of November 22 – Mrs. Lord's 3rd grade class
 	 Week of November 29 – Mrs. Lehman's 3rd Grade class

 	 Nov.  15 (Mon.) – PTA Executive Board Meeting, 3-4 p.m.

 	 Nov. 16 (Tues.) – Third Grade Performances, 1:30 p.m. & 6:30
p.m. PTA General meeting prior to the evening performance

 		 Kiker Night at Giss's Cafe

 	 Nov. 17 (Wed.) – Picture retakes; Return your portrait
packages on this date for retakes

 	 Nov. 18 (Thurs.) – Green Apple Deposit Day

 	 Nov. 19 (Fri.) – Principal's Talk in the Library, 8-9 a.m.:
TAKS: What does it mean for your Child?"

 	 Nov. 22 (Mon.) – CAC meeting, 3-4 p.m. in the Library

 	 Nov. 24 – 28 (Wed.-Sun.) – Thanksgiving Holiday

Brief Comments

• Picture Retakes … On Wednesday, Nov. 17, Lifetouch will be at
Kiker for retakes.  Please be sure to send in your child's portrait
package if you would like a retake.  Additionally, if any child
missed our first portrait day, they may have their picture taken that
day.

• Third Grade Performances … Kiker 3rd grade students are busy
preparing for their grade level show: "Callin' the Dog," a
celebration of Texas Tall Tales. Please make sure your children have
their costumes at school both Monday and Tuesday.  On Monday, there
will be a dress rehearsal at 1:30.  On Tuesday, there will be two
performances: 1:30 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. Parents, please have your child
in Mr. Jones' room by 6:10 dressed and ready to go on stage. Thanks
so much!

• Keynotes Community Performance ... Members of the Kiker
Keynotes will be performing this evening at the HEB at the Oak
Hill "Y".  They are one of our Partners in Education and have invited
us and the 3 other elementary schools that are also partnered with
them.  The Mills choir sings at 6:00. We sing at 6:15.  Oak Hill and
Patton follow us.  The theme is "Home for the Holidays".  So, come,
listen to some great music, and buy some groceries!

• Voting News … With the election now behind us, we want to
thank everyone for their cooperation and patience last week as we had
nearly 1,000 voters cast their ballots at Kiker.  According to the
Oak Hill Gazette, the Kiker precincts saw 80% of registered voters
participate in the election.

• Recycling at Kiker ... The bins in the back of the school are
for school use only.  Please do not bring items from home to put in
the school recycling bins.

• Invent Kiker Update …If your child is participating in Invent
Kiker, all projects are due next week.  Check with your child's
teacher about date of presentation to the class. There will be an
Open House on the Friday, November 19th.  It will be held in the
Science Lab from 10:00 - 5:30 p.m.

• Help Us Help the Homeless … Girl Scout Troop #1692 is making
toiletry stockings for the homeless. Please send any trial size
shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, deodorant, and pocket combs
to school now through November 19. Look for the green collection box
in front of the office to place your donations. Thank you for your
generosity!

• Our Read, White & Blue Book Fair: A Banner Success! ...
Thanks to all who bought books, purchased wish books for the
teachers, and new books for Allison Elementary. It is so wonderful to
see children get excited about reading.    We could not have been
successful without the dedicated volunteer crew that worked endlessly
to set up the fair, run the cash registers, help students find books,
and take down the fair. We raised almost $7500 for our library.  Many
thanks to all!

• Allison Book Fair Donations & Coat Drive Going Strong ... The
Allison librarian, Mr. Ramos, selected various books for the Allison
library on Monday morning.  He seemed delighted to be adding Captain
Underpants, Harry Potter, and current best sellers to his library
collection.  Mr. Ramos shared with us, "You have no idea how many
children your community has touched by their generous donations."  As
of Thursday, we had collected 164 coats to deliver to Allison.
Because of your compassion, 164 children and adults will stay warm
this winter. Thank you, again, Kiker community, for your never-ending
generosity.

• Pick-Up … Please refrain from having discussions with your
child's teacher while you are in the fire lane. Not only do teachers
need to focus on the safe dismissal of all students, conversations
while in the line tend to back up traffic.

• Vandalism & Theft … Sometime over the Halloween weekend,
goblins broke the locks chaining up the PPCD tricycles and riding
toys at the back entrance to the school.  Many of the riding toys
were damaged beyond repair.  One of the metal tricycles was stolen.
It is difficult to explain to children why someone would hurt their
toys (and it's hard for their teachers to understand why someone
would be so malicious).   When you visit the school over the weekends
to enjoy the playgrounds with your children, please help them
understand that these riding toys are essential for the gross motor
development of our preschool students.  And if you spy our red metal
tricycle (brand: Classroom Select) around the neighborhood, we'd love
to see it returned to us.  Thanks for helping us take care of our
toys.

Art Products Sent Home Today
	 The art fundraiser orders are going home today!  Please,
contact Mrs. Wright next week if there is a problem with your order.
We hope you enjoy and celebrate your child's creativity.
	 The art department would like to extend our sincere gratitude
for your outstanding support of the arts at Kiker. We are pleased to
announce that we raised over $6,000.  It is through your phenomenal
support that we are able to give your children the exemplary art
education they receive at Kiker.
	 Furthermore, the art department would like to thank our
superb volunteer coordinator, Pauline Davidson.  Once again, she has
done an excellent job of organizing volunteers and processing
orders.  We salute Pauline and her awesome troop of volunteers.  We
could not do this fundraiser without your loyal support.  With much
gratitude and respect we thank you all.
  — Danielle Wright, Nancy Hallmark, & AD Lucero Kiker Art Teachers

Reflections: "A Different Kind of Hero"
	 Thank you to everyone who participated in this year's PTA
Reflections program. We had 169 entries this year, and the hard work
of the students really showed in their work. Congratulations to the
following students whose work was selected to advance to the ACPTA
competition:
	 Eric Dekowski (2/Majek) Literature; Reagan Hahn (2/Majek)
Literature; Emily Kuster (1/Watson) Literature; Ashley Laird
(5/Jesus) Literature; Alexandra Craig (4/Baker) Literature; Sarah
Martinez (4/Dworaczyk) Literature, Visual Arts, & Music; Sammy Jarrar
(2 /Greene) Visual Arts; Kelly Stephenson (1/Moss) Visual Arts;
Andrew Poveda (2/Burke) Visual Arts; Katherine Klein (3/Davis) Visual
Arts; Caylin Winick (5/Buddecke) Visual Arts; Alexa Castaneda
(1/Robillard) Photography; Taylor Crotts (K/Edwards) Photography;
Jackie Singer (2/Greene) Photography; Tori Davis (3/Reiman)
Photography; Tessa Conners (5/Fernandez) Photography; Jordan Herbert
(3/Davis) Photography; Aakaash Rao (2/Majek) 3 Music Entries; Jenny
Yang (5/Jesus) Music and Kathrine Zucker (3/Davis) Music.
	 Congratulations, also, to Mrs. Greene's 2nd grade class for
having the highest participation level in the school with 59% of the
students participating. They received a basket of classroom goodies
for their great effort. Thank you to everyone who helped with the
program this year!
n Lisa Laird, Reflections Chairperson

*****

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is
the home of the brave."
~Elmer Davis

*****

PTA Progress

• Campbells' Labels for Education ...We just sent in 3790
labels. We scored double points for all the Goldfish, Chicken Noodle
Soup, and Spaghettios labels in October. Keep on collecting! Please
send the whole label for all canned products. Many people just
clipped the small labels for education piece which is not eligible
for redemption. Canned and juice items need the whole front label to
be counted. Goldfish and other Pepperidge Farm products need the UPC
code. Pace salsa and picante need the lids. You can check the website
for more information on eligible items and which piece to save at
http://www.labelsforeducation.com/eligible_products.asp  or call
Maureen Pandola at 301-2692.

• Pull Tabs Help ... Kiker has already collected 30 pounds of
silver beverage tabs for Ronald McDonald House. The tabs are recycled
and the Ronald McDonald House receives the funds to pay for items
needed by families staying there while they seek medical treatment
for a critically ill child. Remember, silver tabs pulled from
aluminum drink, tuna, and pet food cans can make the difference in
the lives of the families at the Ronald McDonald House. The House is
a non-profit organization operated solely by funds raised through
special events, individuals and corporations. You can touch a life
with a simple act. Please pull your tabs! (Tabs are sharp so please
pull them for your children.)

• Upcoming Kiker Nights … On Tuesday, November 16, it's Kiker
Night at GISS'S CAFE (Be sure to take blue ticket provided in
October.)  On Friday, Nov. 19, it's another Gattitown Pizza pickup at
school. Be sure to turn in your order form (in today's folder) no
later than Tuesday, Nov. 16.

• Box Tops for Education … Congrats to the winners of the first
Box Tops for Education contest. During the contest period, we
collected over 11,500 box tops and had almost 280 students
participate! Thank you to everyone who clipped! Prizes were awarded
to Tyler Green (512 box tops - 2 passes to Austin Rock Gym), Ivan
France (360 box tops - 4 Games of Blazer Tag), Phoebe Presley (249
box tops - $25 Walmart Giftcard), Ben Patterson (244 box tops - 2
haircuts at Cool Cuts for Kids) and Nicholas Hoisington (242 box
tops - 4 Games of Golf at Austin Park `n Pizza). Honorable mentions
were: Zachary Mickelson (195 box tops), Edison Bertotti (162 box
tops) and Michael Guzaldo (162 box tops). A special thanks to the
companies who donated the prizes. Keep on clipping!

• Gift Wrap-Up ... Congratulations to the top sellers for the
gift-wrap fundraiser! As previously announced at morning assembly,
the following students were the top sellers:
จ School: Paul Mawdsley, 5th-Webber; electric scooter
จ Family: Clark and Paige Shellhorse; DVD player
จ Kindergarten: Sydney Strock, (Kietlinski) $50.00
จ First grade: Emily Kuster, (Watson) $50.00
จ Second grade: Eric Dekowski, (Majek) $50.00
จ Third grade: Spencer Moore, (Lehman) $50.00
จ Fourth grade: Alyssa Thorp, (Rodriguez) $50.00
จ Fifth grade: Christine McKenna, (Fernandez) $50.00
	 Thank you to all of the students for participating and making
this years fund-raiser a success!  REMEMBER: Kiker continues to earn
50% profit on every purchase made on www.innisbrook.com  Kiker's
customer # is 103578.

*** END of November 12, 2004 Newsletter ***

Due to technical difficulties with the Hotmail server, I am unable to
retrieve newsletter information needed for today's newsletter.
Therefore, there will not be a blue sheet today.  We will most likely
send one home on Monday, November 8, so look for it then.

Have a nice weekend.
Pamela

October 29, 2004
News from Kiker Elementary School
KIKER COMMENTS
Have a Safe & Happy Halloween!

Lori Schneider, Principal
Pamela Walsh, Editor
kikernews@...
http://www.austinschools.org/kiker/

On the Kiker Calendar
Pledge Leaders
 	 Week of November 1 –  Mrs. Reiman's 3rd grade class
 	 Week of November 8 – Mrs. Peltzman's 3rd grade class
 	 Week of November 15 – Mrs. Ostarticki's 3rd grade class

 	 Oct. 31 (Sun.) – Happy Halloween!
 		 End of Daylight Saving time, Set clocks back one hour
 	 Nov. 1-5 -- Read, White & Blue Kiker Book Fair;
		 Times listed on the back of the newsletter
 	 Nov. 2 (Tues.) – Election Day! Be sure to vote! 7 am. - 7 pm
 		 Kiker Night at Cypress Grill
 	 Nov. 3 (Wed.) -- Tech Night, 6:30 p.m. Portable #7A
 	 Nov. 4 (Thurs.) – Green Apple Saving Deposit Day
 	 Nov. 8 (Mon.) – Kiker Night at Craigo's
 	 Nov. 11 (Thurs.) – Veteran's Day, No Classes, Staff
		 development day!
 	 Nov. 15 (Mon.) – PTA Executive Board Meeting, 3-4 p.m.
 	 Nov. 16 (Tues.) – Third Grade Performances, 8:15 a.m.
		 and 6:15 p.m. PTA General meeting prior to the
		 evening performance
 	 Nov. 17 (Wed.) – Picture retakes; Return your portrait
		 packages on this date
 	 Nov. 18 (Thurs.) – Green Apple Deposit Day
 	 Nov. 19 (Fri.) – Principal's Talk in the Library, 8-9 a.m.,
		 TAKS: What does it mean for your Child?"
 	 Nov. 24 – 28 -- Thanksgiving Holiday

Brief Comments

 	 Book Fair … The library has been transformed into an awesome
READ, WHITE & BLUE book fair. Take time out of your busy schedules to
visit the fair. Our goal is to promote reading, and a portion of all
sales will benefit our library. The fair will be open late Tuesday
and Thursday, and open early on Wednesday. Cash, checks, and credit
cards accepted.  Monday is Read , White, and Blue dress up day in
honor of the Kiker Book Fair and the upcoming presidential election.
Show your school spirit by wearing red, white, and blue!

 	 Pioneer Dresses Needed … If you have pioneer dresses from
previous Pioneer Day activities, please consider loaning them to
students for our third grade play on Nov. 16. Contact a 3rd grade
teacher if you are able to help.

 	 Red Ribbon Thanks … Thanks to everyone who participated in
dressing up this week in recognition of Red Ribbon Week, a drug
awareness event.  Special thanks to Jack Brown Cleaners for donating
all of the safety pins, and to our wonderful VIP ladies who untangled
& sorted the pins.

 	 Kiker Gives to Sister School … This past week I was truly
touched by one of our own students.  A third grade girl came to me to
let me know that for her birthday this year she asked that her
friends bring a book for Allison, instead of a gift for her. When she
handed me "her gifts" and gave me the sweetest smile, I knew from the
look on her face how important this was to her.  I realized that
Kiker had given her gentle heart a voice. This is a quiet voice, but
it is one that gives our children strength.  When they help others,
they learn that they have the power to effect other peoples' lives,
right now, at their age.  As parents, we tend to do it all, so please
remember to let your children participate too. We will have a
donation box at the Book Fair. All of the Allison donations will go
to their library. After the coat drive and the book fair we are going
to deliver all the items that we have collected. If  you would like
to join us with your children, we are going to deliver to Allison on
Friday, Nov. 5 at 3:00.  Please RSVP to Theresa Voiss at
tvoiss@...   – Theresa Voiss

 	 Vote this Week … Surprise! Election Day is this coming week!
Be aware that Kiker is a voting location.  With the Book Fair and
voting, Tuesday's traffic and parking will be challenging. Be patient
and use good sense.

 	 Join the Kiker E-Group … For those Fridays when the Kiker
Comments comes out late in the day and may not get distributed until
Monday, you can still have yours on time.  Receive the newsletter
electronically each week  just as soon as it's approved by
subscribing to our Yahoo group. You'll never again have to worry that
your  OOPS was an "Uh-Oh"!  To join, send an email to:
kiker-subscribe@yahoogroups.com, already 168 strong. Email addresses
are not used for any other purpose.


 	 Kiker Directories on Sale … Need a back up directory for the
upstairs phone, or better yet, want to keep one in the car? Purchase
additional directories for $1 each from the office while supplies
last.  Thanks to all of our wonderful advertisers whose support
helped offset the cost of the directory.

 	 Tech Night on Wednesday … Volunteers needed to assist with
technology issues on Wednesday, Nov 3 at 6:30 p.m.   We will be
meeting in the "way back" portable #7A, across from Camp Read to
organize and test computer "junk." For more information, contact
Pamela Walsh at 415-7631.

 	 AISD PowWow and Heritage Festival … In an educational gift to
the community, Great Promise For American Indians, the Austin I.S.D.
Parents' Committee, and the Powwow Committee  present the 13th Annual
Austin Powwow and American Indian Heritage Festival.  Admission to
the family event is FREE! More than a dozen tribes will merge at
Toney Burger Center on Nov. 6, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. to celebrate their
history and to compete with each other in ten dance events.  For more
information, visit: www.austinpowwow.org

Kiker Comments: Voted Best School Newsletter in AISD
(Okay, so maybe not, but it should be!)

	 Now in it's TENTH year, the Kiker Comments is your weekly
source for school news.  From calendar dates to PTA points … where
else can you find volunteer kudos, teacher birthdays, trivia,
district updates and my personal rantings about parking, safety, and
occasionally my husband (who doesn't read it anyway)?
	 Information comes from a wide range of sources – Principal,
Parents, PTA, and some who like to remain anonymous. Please send
BRIEF (synonym here is "short") items of interest to
kikernews@...  Things may be edited as space – and my general
mood – allows.  Always looking for new "Parent's Point of View"
topics, especially those which commend the fine writing in this
newsletter.
-- Pamela Walsh, Editor in Chief, 1995 – Present

Kiker's Partners in Education
	 Please support and thank our wonderful partners:
   A+ Credit Union
   AustinReps
   Austin Sonics, Inc.
   Baskin Robbins
   Black Belt Academy
   Brick Oven
   Camp On the Move
   Circle C Tennis Club
   Craig O's Pizza & Pastaria
   Cypress Grill
   Dylan Brooke's Salon
    Gattitown
   GISS'S CAFE
   The Golf Club at Circle C
   HEB Oak Hill
   Johnny Carino's
   KaleidoScoops Ice Cream
   Seton Southwest
   Taco Bell - Slaughter Ln.

Community Halloween Events for Kids:
All on Sunday, October 31, 2004

Zilker Park Trick or Treat Trail, 2-5 pm, Zilker Park, Austin Parks
and Recreation Entertainment for kids, trick or treating, costume
contest and prizes. For more information, call 974-6700

Halloween Carnival at Seton Southwest Healthcare Center, 5:30 - 8:30
pm; Join Seton for a night of safe trick-or-treating. There will be a
costume contest, games and activities, food and drinks (for a small
fee) and a silent auction. All children must be accompanied by an
adult. Free parking is available in the Seton Southwest Healthcare
Center parking lot. Please call 324-9039 for more information.

BookKids Halloween Party: 6 p.m. BookPeople (603 N. Lamar) FREE Dress
up as your favorite character in a book and join the fun. For more
information, call 472-5045.


Texas Book Festival going on now through Oct. 31; Capitol Grounds,
various activities for kids. For a complete schedule, visit their
site at: www.texasbookfestival.org


Kiker's Book Fair Hours: Nov. 1 - 5

ป Monday  7:45 – 4:00
ป Tuesday         7:45 – 7:00
ป Wednesday 7:15 – 4:00
ป Thursday 7:45 – 7:00
ป Friday  7:45 – 4:00

November Birthdays
	 Happy Birthday to the following Kiker staff who celebrate
November birthdays!

	 8 Nov. Mrs. Bollinger Special Ed
	 8 Nov. Ms. Edwards Kinder
	 10 Nov. Ms. Wisdom Teaching Assistant
	 14 Nov. Mrs. Dorman 4th
	 15 Nov. Mrs. Onion Teaching Assistant
	 25 Nov. Mrs. Wright Art

PTA Progress

 	 Teacher and Staff Appreciation Luncheon … Thank you to
everyone who helped make the Teacher and Staff Appreciation luncheon
on October  15 a success. We could not have done it without the
generous food and monetary donations from our Kiker parents. A
special thanks to the ladies who helped with set-up, serving and
clean-up during the luncheon: Carla Vilas, Susan Wash, Monica Kovacs-
Barnes, Julie Farrell, Nancy Slight, and Cheryl Green. — Barbara
Hoisington, Teacher Appreciation


 	 Spanish Update ... The Spanish Task Force took a staff survey
to determine support within the faculty for tuition- based Spanish
within the school day. At this time, the faculty feels that our
attention is better focused on core academic subjects. While we
understand and feel that learning another language would be a
valuable asset to our students, we are concerned about the time
constraints within our day in which we must comply with state and
district mandates. However, there continues to be opportunities
available at Kiker for Spanish instruction after school. If you want
to find out more about this after-school program, please call Miriam
Lee at 301-7721.

 	 Box Tops for Education  ... Last Friday's box top winners
were: Ivan France, Alex Koke, Vanna Hovanky, Cameron Mata, and Parker
Hilbert. Prizes were donated by Chick-Fil-A and Putt Putt Golf &
Games. Congrats! Keep clipping box tops for your chance at a weekly
prize.

 	 Tyson Project A+  … Don't forget to turn in the Tyson Project
A+ labels from various Tyson products to the Box Tops for Education
canister in the cafeteria and office. Please remember to cut along
the dotted lines as Tyson will only accept entire labels. These
labels are worth 24 cents each to Kiker.

 	 Long Sleeve T-shirts … Many who were interested in long
sleeve t-shirts came out of the woodwork after the interest survey
was complete.  So, the PTA will have a long sleeve t-shirt available
for sale. The order form should be in your Friday folder today.
Please complete and return the form no later than next Friday, Nov. 5.

 	 Giftwrap Fundraiser News … At morning assembly on Friday,
November 5, the winners of the gift-wrap sales prizes will be
announced. At lunch time that day, all students will be presented
with a frozen fruit bar in celebration of meeting our fund-raising
goal! If there is any reason that your child may not have a fruit
bar, please notify your child's teacher.


****** END ******

The following is the complete next of the October 22, 2004 Kiker
newsletter.  In addition to the newsletter, please look for
information in your child's folder about next week's recognition of
Red Ribbon Week.  Each day, students are encouraged to wear different
spirit items – funny socks, crazy socks, etc. – as specified.  I
neglected to get the information in the newsletter, so be sure to
look for a separate flyer.

Have a great weekend!
Pamela
kikernews@...

*******

October 22, 2004
News from Kiker Elementary School
KIKER COMMENTS
Lori Schneider, Principal
Pamela Walsh, Editor
kikernews@...
http://www.austinschools.org/kiker/


On the Kiker Calendar
Pledge Leaders
• Week of October 25 – Mr. Baker's 4th grade class
• Week of November 1 –  Mrs. Reiman's 3rd grade class
• Oct. 25 (Mon.) – CAC meeting, 5-6 p.m. in the Library
• Oct. 26 (Tues.) -- Kiker night at Cypress Grill
• Oct. 27 (Wed.) – Circle C HOA meeting in the cafeteria,
		 6:30 –9:30  p.m. in the cafeteria
• Oct. 28 (Thurs.) – Keynotes concert. 8:15 a.m., and 6:30p.m.
•  Kiker PTA Meeting prior to concert
•  Bowie Carnival for kids, 5-8 p.m.
• Oct. 31 (Sun.) – Happy Halloween!
•  Halloween carnival at Seton Southwest
•  End of Daylight Saving time and the beginning of my
		 husband's winter melancholy
• Nov. 1-5 -- Read, White & Blue Kiker Book Fair; watch for
		 times and dates in next week's newsletter
• Nov. 2 (Tues.) – Election Day! Be sure to vote.
•  Kiker Night at Cypress Grill
• Nov. 4 (Thurs.) – Green Apple Saving Deposit Day
• Nov. 8 (Mon.) – Kiker Night at Craigo's
• Nov. 11 (Thurs.) – Veteran's Day, No SCHOOL!

Brief Comments
• School Pictures have been sent home with every student who
pre-purchased packages.  If you do not care for your child's photo,
retakes are scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 17.  Be sure to return your
pictures that day.

• Keynotes Concert … The Kiker Keynotes are presenting their
first concert of the year on Thursday, October 28.  The shows will be
at 8:15 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. Our theme is "Kiker On
Broadway" and will include many familiar Broadway tunes.  Also, for
the first time in many years, we will have a combined performance
with members of the Bailey Middle School Choir. We will begin the
show with our National Anthem; parents and teachers can sing along!
It marks the initiation of the Kiker Music Department's local
participation in The National Anthem Project.  For details on The
National Anthem Project, go to www.thenationanthemproject.org

• Reflections entries, "A Different Kind of Hero" Entries are
due on Wednesday, Oct 27 between 7:30am - 9:30am in the library.

• Morning Drop Off ...  Our Early Childhood unit, now known as
PPCD (Program for Preschool Children with Disabilities), has students
as young as 3 and 4 year-olds. Cars marked with a PPCD sign may take
longer to drop off their kids, and parents may assist their children
out of the vehicle. Please be patient and, if a car is parked,
please go around them. If you are not a PPCD parent, do not park in
the circle drive.

• Report Cards Issued ... Check today's take home folder, and
sign the envelope and return to your child's teacher.

• Student Directories Published … WOW!  Thanks to the efforts
of Amy Zahorik and her wonderful team Kiker directories have been
distributed to every student and teacher.  This year's advertisers
have completely subsidized the cost of the directory.  Please support
these local businesses whenever possible and tell them thank you from
Kiker!

• Keeping Up with the Kiker Calendar … If you're looking for
Kiker dates, check out the link on the Kiker website:
http://www.austinschools.org/kiker  Special thanks to Maureen Pandola
for taking over the updating of this calendar.

• Sam's Club Update …Thanks to all of you who went to Sam's on
Oct. 9 to sign up for our school to be adopted by Sam's Club.
Unfortunately, we came in 2nd place behind Williams Elementary by
only 5 votes!  We'll have to work to have a HUGE crowd there next
year, and no sleeping in! Again, thank you so much for trying!

• Read, White, & Blue Book Fair … Only one more week until our
book fair.  Teachers will be making "Wish Boxes" which contain books
they would like to have for their classrooms.  The books will be
available for purchase during the book fair and  make great holiday
gifts.

• Invent Kiker … Information about Invent Kiker is in today's
folder.  Invent Kiker challenges students to create an invention
showing the student's ability to identify and solve problems.
Projects are due mid-November.  All third grade students are required
to participate; it is optional for first grade.  All other grades
will be involved in Science Fair, but may opt to participate in
Invent Kiker, as well.  If you are interested in more information, be
sure to return the request for an information handbook slip in
today's folder.

• Kiker Comets for Komen 1st Team is poised and ready! Thank
you to all who joined the Kiker Comets for Komen team to walk or run
in the Race for the Cure, benefiting breast cancer research. We are
honored to have a survivor walking with us and we are also walking in
memory of some loved ones. If you aren't going to be able to walk or
run this year, perhaps you'll consider sponsoring some of the team
members listed here. Our inaugural team is comprised of: Lynne & Eric
Dekowski, Peggy Chesson, Jane, Mary & Sarah Dworaczyk, Tara Muldrow,
Jodi Roman, and Catherine Lehman. October 18 was the last day to sign
up for teams however, you may still join as an individual (and still
walk with our group!) by logging onto www.komenaustin.org to register.

PTA Progress

• Landscapers Challenge … Thank you to all of you who expressed
an interest in  submitting a landscape design plan for the front of
the school.  If you are interested in having your ideas considered by
the landscape committee, please provide your plans to Brenda Shaver
by November 5.

• Kiker Keynotes and the PTA – What a combo!...The next general
PTA meeting is Thursday, October 28 at 6:15pm followed by the Kiker
Keynotes concert.  Please come, see what's going on and hear some
wonderful music!

• PTA Bulletin Board … Stay current on what the PTA is working
on for Kiker.  Check out the bulletin board across from the office.
You'll find the treasurer's report, minutes from executive and
general meetings, a listing of upcoming meetings and committee head
names and phone numbers.

• Box Tops for Education …Last Friday's box top winners were
Keegan Callahan, Phoebe Presley, Lauren Conley, Aaron Perrine and
Annie Keeler. Congrats! Prizes were donated by Chick-Fil-A and
Westgate Lanes. The winners of the first box tops competition will be
announced next week. The top five kids who submitted the most box
tops through Friday, Oct. 22nd will be awarded prizes. Details on the
second box tops competition will be coming soon. Don't forget to
begin your online shopping trip at the Box Tops Marketplace
(www.boxtops4education.com ). Kiker will earn up to 8% on qualifying
purchases at over 200 online stores. — Barbara Hoisington, 301-1828

• Kiker Spirit Days  … Students are invited to participate in
spirit day each Friday, by wearing a Kiker t-shirt or school colors
(blue & white). Additionally, various theme days will be set up
throughout the year to foster school connectivity.

	 * November 1: Read, White, and Blue Dress Up Day!
	 * December 3: Spirit of Giving Day (ex. Bring a book for our
sister school)
	 * March 24: College Fan Day (Favorite Schools or Alumni Wear)!
	 * May 20: Hawaiian Day!

• Gift Wrap Update … PROJECTED delivery date is Monday, Nov. 8.
Our profit was over $16,000! Winners will be announced soon. Many
thanks to all the volunteers that helped me throughout the last
several months! -- Laura Goodwin

• Congratulations to our Kiker families! We met our PTA fund-
raising goal with the gift wrap sale. The proceeds from all of our
fundraisers go for several different items, such as the landscaping
fund, teacher stipends, classroom publications, the amplification
systems, and much more. Because of all of your hard work, we can
continue to assist Kiker with many projects! Parents, we understand
that you are asked to contribute to many different fundraisers, most
of which take place early in the school year. Not only does the PTA
ask you for help, but the school administration asks you to
participate in the magazine fundraiser, the art department holds
their annual fundraiser, and many different scouting troops hold
theirs as well. We greatly appreciate your continued support.  It
really does make a difference!
— The PTA Executive Board

Kiker Collects Coats for our Sister School
	 We are currently collecting new and gently used coats,
jackets and sweaters for the children at Allison Elementary.  If you
have extra adult coats and sweaters, feel free to put them in also.
There are over 400 children of poverty at Allison and these donations
do make a difference in their lives.
 	 Last Friday, we received a phone call from a social worker at
Allison. They had a 10-year old boy who was in need of clothes.  His
17-year old married sister had taken over his guardianship, as his
parents were no longer available for him. He had almost no clothing
when he went to live with her.  It was a cold Friday, so his sister
lent him one of her sweaters. The children teased him.  That's when
the staff phoned us.  We made a few phone calls looking for outgrown
clothing.  Monday morning we delivered 21 pairs of pants, 3 jackets,
and 24 shirts. He was able to pick his favorites and the rest was
distributed to others.   His school became a warm and caring place.
	 Also last week Allison opened a new Pre-K class. Many of the
Pre-K books that were donated went to the new teacher's class
library. Allison had a huge turnout for their PTA meeting.  Everyone
who came got to take a book home for each of their children,
including one family of 9.  The Dad said he couldn't wait to get home
and read all the books to his 7 children!  The principal said the
books mean so much to their families.  Thanks, Kiker, for your
kindness and generosity.

Staff Trivia: Did You Know That …

* "Dian(n)e" is the middle name! Teachers Diane Henry (1st),
Dianne Cardiel (1st), and Diane Majek (2nd) are all known by their
middle name.  Their given names are: Linda, Madeline, and Lily,
respectively.

* Pattye Glenn (office) is the first cousin of renowned
journalist Linda Ellerbee, now producing Nick news.

*       The brother of Melody Crowther  (4th) was a member of the
storied 1988 Odessa Permian Panthers football team featured in Friday
Night Lights.

* Irma Webber (5th) was the first woman athlete  named to the
Latin American Athletes International Hall of Fame after a high
school career which included honors as state champion high jump, and
All-Star recognition for track and volleyball.

First Tee of Greater Austin: Golf Program
	 The First Tee of Greater Austin, www.firstteeaustin.org
invites your child to participate in this year's elementary after
school program. For only $25, your child can participate in a 6-class
session. Classes will be held at Kiker Elementary on Monday
afternoons from 3-4:30pm. Dave Baron, PGA Master Professional, will
conduct the classes with a trained staff of mentors. Sessions start
in November, January, and March.
	 The First Tee provides opportunities for children to learn
the game of lifetime fun (golf) and at the same time provide the
tools to become great human beings. Your child will learn the
fundamentals of golf and how it parallels the 9 core values of
Respect, Courtesy, Sportsmanship, Responsibility, Confidence,
Judgment, Honesty, Integrity, and Perseverance.
	 Class size is limited so sign up early! Student to teacher
ratio is 4-1. Call Dave Baron at 771-5230 or email
dbarongolf@...  to register.

***** End of Newsletter *****

October 15, 2004
News from Kiker Elementary School
KIKER COMMENTS

Lori Schneider, Principal
Pamela Walsh, Editor
kikernews@...
http://www.austinschools.org/kiker/

On the Kiker Calendar

Pledge Schedule:
• Week of October 18 – Mrs. Crowther's 4th grade class
• Week of October 25 – Mr. Baker's 4th grade class

• Oct. 15 (Fri.) – End of first 9 weeks grading period

•  Destination Imagination Sign Up 6-7 cafeteria

• Week of Oct 18 – 5th Grade to Camp Allen, Different
		 dates

• Oct. 21 (Thurs.) – Green Apple Deposit Day

• Oct. 22 (Fri.) – Gattitown Pizza Day

•  Report cards issued.

• Week of Oct 25 – Red Ribbon Week; Watch for more
		 details about specific theme days!

• Oct. 28 (Thurs.) – General Meeting of the PTA
•  Keynotes FIRST concert

• Nov. 1 (Mon.) – Book Fair begins!  Schedule to be posted.


Brief Comments

• Bond Implementation Update …The elementary school that is
being built to relieve Kiker is scheduled to be completed by August
2006. Boundaries will be considered 9-12 months before the school
opens.  The Kiker wing with 8 additional classrooms will be completed
by 2006.  The middle school for the area is scheduled to be opened by
2010.  However, there is flexibility in schedule if the demographer
that looks at enrollment and projections each March, feels there
needs to be acceleration of this plan.

• Reflections 2004–2005: A Different Kind of Hero …If your
child plans on participating in the Reflections program this year,
please make sure that you have received a complete packet from the
teacher. Entries are due on Wednesday, October 27 between 7:30am and
9:30am in the Kiker Library. If you have any questions about the
program, please contact Lisa Laird at 301-9670 or at lklaird@....

• Measure Up … Looking to measure something but you don't have
a ruler?  Did you know a standard check in your checkbook is exactly
6"? Okay, so this wouldn't be a really good way to measure your
height— FYI, I am 13 checks high — but it has it's applications.

• Hey, Fifth Graders … Have a great time at Camp Allen, and
please bring back Mr. Faulkner in ONE piece this year!

• Austin Cave Festival … Booths, live bats, cave adventures,
native plant seedlings!  On October 30, 9-4 at the Villages of
Western Oaks Karst Preserve (Davis Lane and La Cresada just west of
MoPac)  FREE!  For more information, call 282-8441 or visit
www.bseacd.org

• Great Lunch … Special thanks to the PTA and all of the
generous folks who contributed to the staff lunch today.  It is such
a treat to have food prepared for you, and we are so grateful that
you keep our blood sugar up with all the wonderful goodies.

• Cartridge Recylcing … Do you know that Kiker receives $2 for
every inkjet cartridge we recycle? This money helps to offset the
cost of new cartridges purchases.  Please send in your cartridges (in
a Ziploc bag) to the recycle box in the office.

• Traffic Complaints … Okay, for something new, I'm not writing
about anything.  I'm not even going to mention the drivers of those
big SUV's that park at the exit of the circular drive at dismissal
time and make it impossible to safely pull out of the drive. I'm
taking the week off.

• Kiker's Website is Changing … Take a look and see what's new
on the Kiker website: www.austinschools.org/kiker  Special thanks to
Crystal Fite and Angela Schuckle who have been working with the
teachers to update their individual pages.

• Book Fair Volunteers and Decorations Needed …Only two weeks
until our Scholastic Book Fair begins! Volunteer coordinator Sarah
Leese is busy scheduling volunteers. If you would like to help
before, during or after the fair, email Sarah at
bookfairhelp@...  This year's theme is Read, White and Blue.
If you have patriotic decorations you would be willing to loan please
contact Ms. A at 414-5360.

• Cafeteria Volunteers Needed…Tuesday - Friday one hour shifts
available beginning at 10:30 am - 12noon. Please contact Nancy Slight
at leeslight@... or 288-8801.

• Technically Speaking … Much thanks to those rowdy volunteers
who showed up for our first tech night: Maureen & Marty Pandola,
Crystal Fite, Dianne France, Elizabeth Leight, Melinda Klein, Lea
Lidsky, and Angela Schuckle.  Our next evening of fun and frivolity
will be on Wednesday, Nov. 3.  If you would like to help with various
tech issues on campus, please come!  Or contact Pamela Walsh at
pwalsh@...  for more information.

PTA Progress

• Box Tops for Education … Last Friday's winners in the box
tops drawings were Jordan Sanders, Andrew Poveda, Sami Naylor,
Zachary Mickelson and Austin Hewitt. Prizes included Chick-Fil-A
Kid's meals and golf at Putt Putt Golf and Games. Only one week to go
in the first box tops challenge. Don't forget to send in your HE
Buddy points. The deadline to receive box tops for these points is
Oct. 31st. Keep on clipping! — Barbara Hoisington, Box Tops
Coordinator

• Attention Grocery Shoppers …   Be sure to have your Randall's
Remarkable Card linked to the Kiker PTA code number.  On your next
visit, go by the customer service desk and ask to have your
Remarkable Card coded to the Kiker PTA number.  1% of your grocery
total will be donated to the PTA.  Last year, this amounted to
$5236.48 that was used to provide services to Kiker students and
staff!  Thank you Randall's and thank you Remarkable Card users.
Albertson's has a similar program so please check with their customer
service desk for the Kiker PTA number.  Thank you Albertson's!

• Wondering when is the next PTA meeting?  ...Or what happened
at the last executive board meeting?  How much money is in our bank
account?  It's all up on the PTA bulletin board located across from
the office.  Minutes, budget and other timely information will be
updated monthly, so check it out.  Next scheduled Executive Board
Meeting is on Monday, October 18, with the General Meeting set for
October 28 prior to the Keynotes concert

• Kiker Long Sleeve T-Shirts … The Kiker PTA did not receive
enough response with our long sleeve t-shirt interest survey so we
will not be ordering long sleeve t-shirts this year. Start
brainstorming about a design for next year's Kiker's school t-shirt
contest. We will hold our annual contest in March.

• Community Blood Drive, Oct 16 – sign up on-line at
www.lonestardonor.com  sponsor code CIRCLEC or call CC Info Center at
288-8663.

• Kiker Comets for Komen  … 6 people have joined the Kiker
team: Lynne & Eric Dekowski, Peggy Chesson (Early Childhood Teacher
and Survivor!), Tara Muldrow, Jodi Roman, and Catherine Lehman.
Please consider joining or sponsoring us. Fight Breast cancer – sign
up or make a donation for the team at www.komenaustin.org –
see "Kiker Comets" – app's also available in the office. (Already
signed up but want to change to Kiker Comets team? Just send an email
to www.komenaustin.org  with your request!)

• Labels Bonus … There is a special bonus for the labels for
education program….Double label bonus items through 10/31/2004 are:
Campbell's™ SpaghettiOsฎ pastas , Pepperidge Farmฎ Goldfishฎ
crackers, and Campbell'sฎ Condensed Chicken Noodle soup.  Please cut
out your labels or proof of purchase on the Goldfish and put it in
the Campbell's collection container in the cafeteria.  We get double
points for all labels postmarked by 10/31/2004.  Thanks for helping
our school earn free stuff!

Vote for the Austin Zoo
	 Drumming up excitement for the release of the best-selling
Windowsฎ game Zoo Tycoon™ 2, Microsoftฎ Game Studios today announced
15 semi-finalists in the search for America's Favorite Zoo. Finalists
were selected based on their scores in seven different categories:
habitats/exhibits; educational programs; awards and recognition;
staff highlights, recognition or commendations; community events;
involvement or service; other visitor programs, activities or
attractions; and organizational partnerships and affiliations. The
winning zoo will not only boast the title of America's Favorite Zoo,
but will also earn a $25,000 grant.
	 We are excited to announce that the Austin Zoo was among the
finalist.  The fate of the 15 semi-finalists now rests in your hands.
From Oct. 4 to Oct. 29, zoo fans will have the chance to vote for
their favorite zoo right here.  Go to: http://www.austinzoo.com/ and
follow the link.  Five finalists will be announced on November 1, and
online voting will resume to determine America's Favorite Zoo. The
winner will be announced Nov. 16, 2004.

Sister School Update
	 Our first delivery of books to Allison was a profoundly
touching experience.  We delivered 914 books.  Their administration
was visibly moved and truly excited.  There were tears of joy and ear-
to-ear smiles.  Our group was moved.  Kiker Families … Thank you for
your generous hearts.  Your donations are truly appreciated and
genuinely needed.
 	 On Mon., Oct. 18, we will begin our 2-week coat drive for
Allison kids.  This will be instead of Coats for Kids.  Parents and
children are in need of coats, jackets, sweaters, and gloves.
Collection containers will be near the office.  Everything donated
must come already laundered or cleaned.  We have warmed their hearts,
so let's warm their bodies! Surplus coats will be donated to Coats
for Kids. If you have any questions, call Theresa Voiss at 288-0837
or Alma Moore at 288-9730.

Head Lice (It ain't Nice!)
	 This is the time of year when the Health Room starts to see
students with head lice.  Head lice are parasitic insects that live
on the scalp.  Signs and symptoms of head lice are: itching and
scratching of the scalp; presence of live lice about the size of a
sesame seed on the scalp; and/or nits (lice eggs) on the hair shaft
about ผ inch from the scalp.  Nits are shiny, grayish and look like
dandruff, but will not flick off.
	 Killing lice is only half of the problem.  You must also
removed the eggs the produce the lice.  If all the nits are not
completely removed, the lice will come back.  Head lice do not hop,
jump, or fly.  They crawl from one person to another by direct
contact and by the use of infected articles.  To avoid lice, do not
share hats, coats, headgear, combs, or brushes. Inspect hair daily to
weekly for the presence of lice and nits.  Treat promptly if you find
lice or nits, and contact the school nurse.
	 Children with head lice are not allowed to return to school
until they have received the recommended treatment.  They will also
be checked by the Health Room staff for five days to be assured they
are nit free.
-- Cheryl Leggett, R.N.

The following is the complete text of the October 1, 2004, Kiker Comments
newsletter.  Please spread the word of the Kiker E-Group, now boasting 164
members and growing.  To subscribe, tell them to send an email to
kiker-subscribe@.... Thanks for your ongoing encouragement for this
group and youโ€™re your positive feedback  Donโ€™t forget to visit our
wonderful Kiker website, link below.

Have a beautiful October weekend!

Pamela Walsh

******
October 1, 2004
News from Kiker Elementary School
Kiker Comments

Lori Schneider, Principal
Pamela Walsh, Editor
kikernews@...
http://www.austinschools.org/kiker/

On the Kiker Calendar

โ€ข Oct. 6 (Wed.) -- Tech Night at 6:30 p.m., Computer Lab

โ€ข Oct.  7 (Thurs.) -- Green Apple Deposit Day

โ€ข Oct. 11 (Mon.) -- No classes; Parent/Teacher Conference Day

โ€ข Oct. 9 (Sat.) -- Sign up at Samโ€™s Club

โ€ข Oct. 14 (Thurs.) -- Craigoโ€™s Night for Kiker


October Birthdays

       Happy  Birthday  to  the  following Kiker staff who celebrate October
birthdays:

โ€ข     19-Oct      Mr. Baker   4th Grade
โ€ข     23-Oct      Mrs. Brewer 2nd Grade
โ€ข     28-Oct      Mrs. Lord   3rd Grade
โ€ข     31-Oct      Mrs. Reiman 3rd Grade

Brief Comments

โ€ข     Gift & Talented Nomination โ€ฆ Parents that are interested in
nominating their children for G/T consideration may pick up nomination
forms from the office beginning Monday, October 4.  Forms are due back to
their childโ€™s classroom teacher by Friday, October 22.  If you have any
questions, contact Warren Faulkner at 414-5258.

โ€ข     Green Apple Savings Day will be this next Thursday, Oct. 7 from 7:10
- 7:35 in the morning.  Please remember to bring your savings bag and
deposit slip with you.

โ€ข     OOPS Update... Parents if you are wondering what the OOPS sticker on
your child's take-home folder means, it is to designate the child in your
family that should not receive school wide papers from Kiker.  This is the
first week that we are actually trying to implement the program, so please
be patient with us as we iron out the kinks.

โ€ข     Research Databases for AISD Families โ€ฆ Need to access World Book
Encyclopedia or Britannica? Searching for a newspaper or magazine article
on a particular subject? Need a current map of Africa? Thanks to AISD, your
children have access to some wonderful Internet web sites that provide a
wealth of information. Look for the blue Research Databases brochure in
your childโ€™s folder. Post it near your computer for easy access to user
names and passwords.

โ€ข     Fridge Needed โ€ฆ Does anyone have a clean, working refrigerator to
donate for the teacherโ€™s lounge?  With staff growing, itโ€™s difficult to get
all of our lunches in the one we have and even harder to later find your
lunch.  Call Sylvia at 414-5354 if you have something you think we could
use.

โ€ข     Samโ€™s Club Partnership โ€ฆ Make plans to get up EARLY on Sat., Oct. 9
and RUSH over to Samโ€™s Club to sign up in the competition to have our
school WIN a partnership with Samโ€™s again this year.  The school with the
most signatures will become a Partner in Education with Samโ€™s Club this
school year.  As you remember, we won by a landslide last year, and DO NOT
want to be outdone this year!  We have a reputation to uphold! As you are
drinking your coffee and waiting to sign, I believe they are giving out
goody bags and will have door prizes, a cakewalk, lots of fun planned!
Look in next Fridayโ€™s newsletter for the times.

โ€ข     Wildlife Expo โ€ฆ Americaโ€™s largest free, family-oriented festival of
the outdoors takes place the Austin headquarters of the Texas Parks and
Wildlife Department this weekend, Oct. 2โ€“3. The 13th annual Texas Parks &
Wildlife Expo will allow tens of thousands of visitors to try fishing,
shooting, kayaking, mountain biking, rock climbing and more, all at no
cost.  For more information visit:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/news/news/040907a.phtml

โ€ข     Reflections 2004 - 2005 โ€ฆ A Different Kind of Hero Reflections is an
arts-in-education program sponsored by the PTA each year that allows
students to express themselves through art, literature, music, and
photography. This yearโ€™s theme is โ€œA Different Kind of Hero.โ€ Next week,
volunteers will be visiting the classrooms at Kiker to explain the program
and provide permission slips for the students who wish to participate. In
the past years, Kiker has had a high level of participation. This year, we
hope to continue the trend with an even greater number of students
participating. This year, entries will be collected on Wednesday, October
27. If you are interested in helping with this program or have any
questions, please contact Lisa Laird at 301-9670 or at lklaird@....

โ€ข     Destination Imagination ... Teams originally scheduled to meet today,
October 1, have been postponed until October 15 at 6 p.m. in the Kiker
cafeteria.

โ€ข     Tech Night โ€ฆ Our first Tech night of the school year will be on
Wednesday, October 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the Computer Lab.  Come join us to
learn about the many ways you can help support technology programs on our
campus.  For more information, email Pamela Walsh at pwalsh@...
or call 288-8405.

โ€ข     Art Update โ€ฆ All students should have their artwork and fund-raiser
packets today. There are many cute items available for wonderful holiday
gifts.  The sale, benefiting Kiker Art, will be three days only: Monday,
Oct. 4, Wed., Oct. 6, and ending Friday, Oct. 8.  Students wanting to
participate need to return their art, order forms, and money in the plastic
bag to their classroom teacher next week.   Please celebrate your childโ€™s
creativity. They are great young artists that put a lot of hard work into
their art.  Special Ordering Information for the Art Fund Raiser The
jewelry pin is a brand new item and is listed on the pink price sheet but
not listed on the order form.  If you would like to order a pin just write
it in the blank line at the bottom of the order form.

PTA Progress

โ€ข     Box Tops for Education โ€ฆ Congratulations to: Garritt McGraw, Sydney
Zahorik, Samuel Milne, James Landwermeyer, and Lewis M. They were the lucky
winners of last weekโ€™s box tops drawings. Prizes included Chick-Fil-A Kids
meals and games from Putt Putt Golf and Games. Weโ€™ve had a great response
to the box tops contest.      As of last Friday weโ€™ve collected over 5,400
box tops.Our goal this year is to collect 40,000 box tops and we need
everyoneโ€™s participation to get there.

โ€ข     HEBuddy Points ... Donโ€™t forget to send in your HE Buddy points from
HEB. These points can be found on the back of HE Buddy products. Clip the
circle with the big number 10 and put it in the box tops canister. This
promotion only runs through October so get them in soon. 10 buddy points
will also count as 10 box tops during the contest. So make sure you write
your information on back.
  Barbara Hoisington, 301-1828

  โ€ข    โ€œRace for the Cureโ€ with KIKER COMETS FOR KOMEN โ€ฆ Join the โ€œRace
For
the Cureโ€ sponsored by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation on Sun.,
Nov. 7. You can walk or run, sign the kids up and stroll them, or even
enter the race in the newest category, SLEEP IN FOR THE CURE!  If youโ€™d
like to register on-line, please do so at www.komenaustin.org and sign up
with Kiker Comets for Komen. The team registration deadline has been
extended thru October 18.  We will have a registration and information
table at Kiker on Friday (Oct 1) and Monday (Oct 4) both morning and
afternoon.  Look for the โ€œpink ribbonโ€ table!
-- Angela Schuckle, Komen Registration Volunteer

โ€ข     Marquee sign โ€“ Itโ€™s fixed! โ€ฆ The plastic protective covering for
the
side of the marquee facing the LaCrosse/Dahlgreen intersection was torn off
this summer.  The replacement piece arrived and installed on Wednesday.
Now, youโ€™ll get news and reminders on both sides again.

โ€ข     Wrapping It Up โ€ฆ Our PTA fund-raiser has come to an end.  I know all
of you hate to see it go!  If you have not turned in your orders-Monday at
8:00 a.m. is the latest! You may still place Internet orders throughout the
year.
-- Laura Goodwin, Gift Wrap Coordinator

โ€ข     Community Blood Drive โ€ฆ Oct 16, Swim Center Parking lot, 9:00 - 1:00.
To make an appointment, please call the CC Info Center at 288-8663 or try
the new on-line registration at:  www.lonestardonor.com. You register just
once, and you may even choose to get a reminder notice put on your
calendar.  Our โ€œsponsor codeโ€ is CIRCLEC.  Thank you for becoming a donor!
If you have any questions, e-mail me at aschuckle@....
  --Angela Schuckle, Community Blood Drive Chairperson

โ€ข     PTA Membership ... 540 members strong to date! What a wonderful
beginning, and beats last years numbers by more than 10%.  The first batch
of PTA Membership cards were sent home in your childrenโ€™s folders last
week.  Please check your information.  If you are unsure as to whether or
not you joined, please contact me at aschuckle@....
  -- Angela Schuckle, PTA VP,Membership

โ€ข     Teacher Appreciation โ€ฆ The first PTA sponsored teacher and staff
appreciation luncheon is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 15. Please look for the
memo in your students take home folder for more information. The menu will
include sub sandwiches purchased by the PTA. We need parent volunteers to
provide the rest - drinks, chips, fruit, cut vegetables and desserts.
Please contact me  if you can provide something. Barbara Hoisington,
301-1828, bhoisington@...

Sister School Update
       Kiker, you are awesome!  The book bins are overflowing.  At last
count, there are over 300 books.  Our team has set a calendar with our
projects for this year.  These projects are our main focus.  We have had
several people ask us if they can provide more; so to communicate
effectively with everyone, we will let you know of additional needs in the
blue sheet.  Please remember this is voluntary.
       The Allison counselors let us know that 43 children started the year
without tennis shoes.  We have a plan for new shoes.  If you would like
more information call Alma Chapa Moore 288-9730 or Theresa Voiss 288-083.
Vouchers from Payless Shoes are the most helpful.

Sister School Plan 2004-2005
ยท     Year Round - Collect gently used and new books for Allison teachers
to use and children to take home.
ยท     October 18 - Drive for used and new sweaters and coats for both
children and adults.
ยท     November  - Scholastic Book Fair; Books for Allisonโ€™s Library
ยท     December - Gift Exchange (Participating classes only)
ยท     Spring - Allison Teacher Appreciation Luncheon.

Long Sleeve T-shirt Interest Survey
The PTA is considering ordering long sleeve Kiker t-shirts for the winter
months. We would like to get your input before we put in our order. If we
get 210 yes responses we will make an order. Please complete the following
and return it to school. There will be a basket in the office for your
survey, or you can email: amills433@...  (Estimated cost per
shirt is around $14.)

________    Yes, I would order a long sleeve t-shirt for my child.

              No payment NOW, this is just an interest survey!


*********

The following is the complete text of the FRIDAY (yes, I actually got
it out TODAY), September 17, 2004 Kiker Comments Newsletter.  Thank
you for sending me information and ideas to include each week.  I use
your information  Please mail newsletter info to:
kikernews@...

There is no additional information in this email other than today's
newsletter.  Have a great weekend, and thanks for subscribing to our
E-Group.  Spread the word!

Pamela Walsh

********

September 17, 2004
News from Kiker Elementary School
KIKER COMMENTS

Lori Schneider, Principal
Pamela Walsh, Editor
kikernews@...
http://www.austinschools.org/kiker/

On the Kiker Calendar
• Week of Sept. 20 – Pledge Leaders: Mrs. Buddecke's class
• Week of Sept. 27 – Pledge Leaders: Mr. Rodriguez's class
• Sept. 18 (Sat.) -- MS. SCHNEIDER'S Birthday! --
		 Happy Birthday, Old Girl!

• Sept. 21 (Tues.) -- PTA General Meeting at 6:15 p.m.

• Sept. 23 (Thurs.)  -- Green Apple Savings Deposit Day
		 before Morning Assembly

• Sept. 29 (Wed..) -- Fall pictures for all students

Brief Comments

• Read, White and Blue Book Fair … This year's Book Fair
is November 1 - 5 and our theme is "Read, White and Blue." A
Book Fair Volunteer Coordinator is needed. We will also be looking
for items with a patriotic theme to help decorate the fair. Please
call Ms. Ammenheuser at 414-5360 if you can help.

• Water Damaged Books … Please protect your Kiker textbooks
and library books from water damage.  We are having the most problems
with leaking water bottles.  Keep your child's water bottle
separate from the books, or seal the water bottle in a newspaper
plastic bag. Encourage your child to dump out remaining water before
they pack up for the afternoon.  You will be asked  to pay for water-
damaged books.

• Cafeteria Accounts … Did you know that you can also go to
www.mylunchmoney.com and set up an account for your child(ren)?  You
can put any amount in their "account" by credit card.  It is
a wonderful system and any balances will carry over to the next year.

• Good Web Sites … Please check out the Austin Independent
School District's website, where you will find links to all sorts
of useful information.  The district's website address has changed
to: www.austinisd.org  Additionally, visit our own Kiker website with
individuals pages for each classroom at:  www.austinschools.org/kiker

• Teacher Interruptions … Every interruption in the day takes
away valuable classroom or planning time. Help your child gets out
the door every day with the supplies and materials needed.  Further,
ask your teacher what is their preferred communication method –
email, written notes, or voice mails – and then be sure to give
them appropriate time to respond after you make contact. They are
teaching all day and often do not have time to respond immediately.
Recognize that voice messages may not be picked up until late in the
day. Schedule time to discuss your concerns as opposed to stopping
the teacher in hall for "one quick question."  Teachers need
their (brief) lunch periods to regroup so that they can be at their
best with your children.  Your consideration is greatly appreciated.

• Green Apple Deposit day is Thursday, Sept. 23 at 7:10 a.m.
Bring your money and deposit slips in before assembly.  If you still
have your deposit bag (from last year) bring that along. Sign up
forms are in the Friday Take Home folder to complete. You may take
them by the A+ Credit Union personally, or return them to your
child's teacher on Monday morning.  The A+ Credit Union is
located at the intersection of William Cannon and Escarpment (next to
Walgreen's).

• Parents at Morning Assembly … We are so glad to have you
join us for morning assembly.  To allow students to get to their
areas and hear their teachers, we ask that you please go to the back
of gym during this time and help us set a good example for the kids
by not talking during announcements.

• School Email Addresses Changed … Effectively immediately,
the domain name has changed for all AISD employees in the district
from: austin.isd.tenet.edu to: austinisd.org  The first part of the
email before the "@" sign remains the same.

• New Uses for Old Toys … Our Early Childhood unit could
greatly benefit from your gently-used toys that your children may
have outgrown.  Our students have a range of developmental abilities,
and we could use items geared for the very young (even 6-9 months)
through school-aged.  We would love additional tricycles or
plastic "vehicles" for our outside play.  A large appliance
box that could be turned into a cozy fort would also be awesome.
Please drop off your generous donations at one of the EC classrooms
directly across from the VIP room.  If you have any questions, call
an EC teacher, Peggy Chesson or Elisha Fontenot, at 414-2584. Many
thanks!

• OOPS:  Don't forget to send in your form …  If you
forgot to submit your "OOPS" form so that you only receive
one set of papers from Kiker per week, fear not!  There are extras in
the office, and you can drop it off there.  This new system has
already allowed us to decrease the number of school-wide copies by
125.  This translates into a yearly total decrease anywhere from
13,000-25,000 depending on how many items are sent home each week!
Think of how much money and waste we are saving!  Every little bit
helps!

• Destination Imagination …A new, exciting, after school
program is coming to Kiker. Please attend the Destination Imagination
Information Night on Thursday, Sept. 23rd at 6:30 P.M. in the Kiker
cafeteria.  Destination Imagination is one of the world's largest
creativity and problem solving programs.  Teams meet after school to
solve `challenges' that are structural, technical or
theatrical.  Look for more information in your child's Friday
folder.

• Snake Notice ... Please be aware that coral snakes have been
found in an area adjacent to Kiker.  Please talk to your children
about safety precautions regarding snakes.

PTAnnouncements

• CAMP Read…Come join us on an adventure in reading!!
…YOU can make a difference in a child's life by giving 30
minutes of your time each week.  Camp Read is a pre-designed program
that helps children improve their reading fluency and comprehension
by providing 1:1 attention. We need close to 100 volunteers to
service all of the children.  Please contact Kristy Mathieu at 301-
6067 or kmathieu@...

• Remarkable Funds … Have you tied your Randall's
Remarkable Card to the Kiker PTA yet?  It's simple, just visit
the Customer Service Desk on your next visit and ask them to have
your Remarkable Card associated with the Kiker PTA.  1% of your
grocery total will then be donated to the PTA.  Last year, this
amounted to $5236.48 that was used to provide services to Kiker
students and staff!!! Thank you Randall's and thank you
Remarkable
Card users!

• Gift Wrap Fund-raiser … A Totally Awesome Sale is underway!
Kiker receives a 53% profit from our main order to support PTA
projects such as Camp Read, teacher appreciation events, and new
landscape plans for our school. We need your help. Support our school
by using our Innisbrook Wraps fundraiser to buy gifts you'll use
throughout the year! If you own or manage a business, please consider
the items offered in this fundraiser as corporate gifts for your
employees. It will make your holiday shopping quick and easy and our
school receives some of the profit! Don't forget to Surf Crazy!
Out of town friends and family can support our school by ordering
online at www.innisbrook.com. Our school number is #103578.

• Box Tops for Education  … Last Friday's winners in the
box tops drawings were Diego Compean, Jonathan Woo, Kelly Stephensen,
Nicole Zahorik, and Randa Tavitas.  Prizes were donated by Westgate
Lanes and Terra Toys.  In the coming weeks we'll have prizes from
Putt-Putt Golf and Chick-Fil-A.  Don't forget to look for General
Mills box tops on Go-gurt and Trix yogurts.  Details on the first box
tops competition will be distributed next week.  Keep on clipping!

— Barbara Hoisington, Box Tops Coordinator

AISD Bond Election Means $$ for Kiker

	 Thanks to Austin voters, the comprehensive $519 million bond
initiatives all passed, including the new southwest middle school.
The following details the $2.2 million scope of work planned for
Kiker.  For more information, visit the AISD website.

	 * Construct eight-classroom addition.
	 * Improve storm/ site drainage in selected areas.
	 * Repair / replace roofing over entry vestibule and
		  canopies.
	 * Repair / refurbish ceilings, walls, and floor
		 coverings at entry, administration area, and
		 art room.
	 * Install new HVAC system equipment to serve
		  kitchen, cafeteria, administration area, and
		  computer lab
	 * Install playslab cover.
	 * Install Safety & Security enhancements.

QSP Fund-Raiser Success
	 Thanks to your support, we met both our school wide goal and
our super goal.  Mr. Faulkner and Ms. Schneider will be doing a
morning assembly from the Kiker  rooftop, date to be announced.
Please pay your bills as soon as they come, as  the school will not
get proceeds until bills are paid.  If everyone gets their money in,
Kiker will receive over $14,000. WOW! The top selling classroom was
Mrs. Reiman's, who won a giant orangutan.

	 Thanks to all of our wonderful volunteers who helped with
this fund-raiser, including:  Cynthia Grimm, Robin Wurzel, Christi
Webster, Shelley Kilbourn, Tracy Palrang, Jody Crawford, Savita Raj,
Maureen Pandola, Andrea O'Daniel Crotts, Diane Ray, Lynn
Dekowski, Gina Bench, Suzy Klein, Arantza Garcia, Connie Presley,
Stacey Moore, Pauline Davidson.  Couldn't have done it without
your
help!
— Sylvia Abalos

Safety Concern from a Parent's View

*The following came in from a parent to our newsletter email
account:  kikernews@...  It highlights an important safety
issue.

	 "I feel saddened to think that it is truly going to take an
accident involving one of our most precious students to stress the
importance of following the Kiker safety rules. It is our
responsibility to keep them safe."

	 "As I exited the circle drive at Kiker today I encountered
three bike riders. A pair of them crossed in front and then continued
on in a safe manner, the third child crossed in front of my car and
then lifted his bike off of the sidewalk and onto the street. I
quickly rolled my window down to remind him to be safe and cross at
the crosswalk when I heard a voice full of frustration hollering at
his son to cross the street. There were cars leaving the Kiker drive,
two opposing lanes of traffic, parked cars and trees, many obstacles
for a child to avoid. As the driver, I'm so grateful that I saw
him and waited for him to cross. It could have turned out
differently."

	 "It is ALL of our responsibility to keep these amazing young
people safe. It is our responsibility to educate ANYONE who will be
picking up Kiker students. That includes moms, dads, grandparents,
sitters. Please do this for the safe keeping of all our
children."

Kiker E-Group
	 We now have over 150 folks who receive the newsletter
electronically, as well as other news relevant to our school.  This
group has proved a valuable resource for our staff that have needed
volunteers for different projects (quickly).  We have sent out emails
and have always had more than enough folks step up to the plate.
Thank you so much!

	 To subscribe, send an email  from the address you want to
receive messages to:

kiker-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Effectively immediately, the domain name has changed for all AISD
employees in the district from: austin.isd.tenet.edu  to:
austinisd.org   The front part of the email remains the same.  So,
for example, my school email address is now:  pwalsh@...

You may want to adjust your "Contact" list accordingly.  It
is my understanding that there will be a period of time (didn't
say how long) where both domains will work, but since the new one has
taken effect, you should begin using it now.

News for the Kiker Comments information should continue to go to:
kikernews@...

The following is excerpted from the AISD website, and includes the
specific scope of work for Kiker, Bailey, & Bowie:

Austin Voters Approve All Six School Bond Propositions -
With Overwhelming Community Support Austin voters gave overwhelming
approval to the Austin School District's six bond propositions
totaling $519.5 million. The election win will enable AISD to:

• Build nine new schools and 92 additional classrooms to relieve
overcrowding.
• Renovate existing campuses and facilities.
• Purchase land for future schools.
• Upgrade campus security measures.
• Purchase low-emission school buses.
• Refinance District debt.

"On behalf of my fellows Trustees — and of the students,
parents, and
staff of the Austin School District — I say thank you to the
citizens
of Austin for this overwhelming success," AISD Board of Trustees
President Doyle Valdez said.

"A hallmark of this community is its support for education —
and these results bear that out. Citizens — parents and
non-parents
alike — understood the facility needs of our children and voted
for their future."

Unofficial election returns showed a total of 26,369 votes cast.
Voters approved the propositions as follows:

Proposition 1 —Relief for Overcrowded Schools/Provision of
Equitable Facilities Districtwide
FOR — 72% AGAINST — 28%

Proposition 2 — Academic and Building Infrastructure Renovations
to safeguard Investments in District Campuses, Facilities and Sites
and Invest in Environmental Health Initiatives and Standards
FOR — 74% AGAINST — 26%

Proposition 3 — Safety and Security, Environmental Health, and
Districtwide Facilities
FOR — 73% AGAINST — 27%

Proposition 4 — Athletics and Physical Education Including the
Efficient Utilization of Taxpayers' Dollars Through Sharing
Facilities Among Governmental Entities Relief for Overcrowding and
Partial Funding for a Districtwide Performing Arts Center
FOR — 68% AGAINST — 32%

Proposition 5 — Relief for Overcrowding and Partial Funding for a
Districtwide Performing Arts Center
FOR — 61% AGAINST — 39%

Proposition 6 — Refinancing of Contractual Obligations
FOR — 70% AGAINST — 30%

WHAT DO THE BONDS MEAN TO THE KIKER COMMUNITY?

Kiker Elementary School 5913 La Crosse Ave. 414-2584 Lori Schneider,
Principal Date Established: 1992 Date Built: 1992

Scope of Work
* Construct eight-classroom addition.
* Improve storm/ site drainage in selected areas.
* Repair / replace roofing over entry vestibule and canopies.
* Repair / refurbish ceilings, walls, and floor coverings at
entry, administration area, and art room.
* Install new HVAC system equipment to serve kitchen,
cafeteria, administration area, and computer lab
* Install playslab cover.
* Install Safety & Security enhancements.
Total $2,231,670

Bailey Middle School 4020 Lost Oasis Hollow 414-4990 Julia Hankins,
Principal Date Established: 1993 Date Built: 1993
Scope of Work
* Install additional exterior security lighting.
* Connect roof downspouts to underground collector system.
* Repair / re-establish stormwater detention / filtration pond.
* Repair / refinish exterior stucco.
* Construct art room kiln ventilation hood system.
* Replace large gym sound system.
* Install Safety & Security enhancements.
Total $289,800

Bowie High School 4103 Slaughter Ln. 414-5247 Kent Ewing, Principal
Date Established: 1988 Date Built: 1988
Scope of Work
* Install additional exterior security lighting.
* Improve storm/ site drainage at building perimeter.
* Excavate and re-establish stormwater detention/ filltration pond.
* Repair / replace damaged ceilings & soffits below built-in gutters.
* Replace deteriorated exterior doors, frames, and hardware.
* Replace exterior soffit panels.
* Repair standing seam metal roof in various locations.
* Repair / replace approximately 25,000 SF of built-up roofing.
* Replace damaged wall panels in corridors and entry ways.
* Replace clock system.
* Renovate / refurbish student restrooms.
* Refurbish/replace HVAC system cooling tower, one chiller, one
boiler, and selected equipment.
* Rebuild/replace HVAC system circulating pumps.
* Refurbish/replace greenhouse HVAC controls.
* Replace deteriorated HV AC system controls and connect to BEMS.
* Convert two art rooms to biology classrooms.
* Install Safety & Security enhancements.
Total $2,638,700

Additionally, the bonds will cover construction of a new southwest
elementary (potentially two) and a new southwest middle school.
Complete bond information can be found on the AISD web site at:
http://www.austin.isd.tenet.edu/about/initiatives/bond2004/blue_book.p
html

The following is the Kiker Comments newsletter for September 10,
2004.  The copy machine was down on Friday, so this newsletter did
not come home in your child's Friday folder.  It will be issued
on Monday, Sept. 13, 2004.  This means you are one of the FIRST folks
to see the newsletter, yet another good reason to subscribe to the
Kiker E-Group.  Spread the word.

** All SIX AISD Bond Propositions passed by large margins in the
election yesterday!

September 10, 2004
News from Kiker Elementary School
KIKER COMMENTS
Lori Schneider, Principal
Pamela Walsh, Editor
kikernews@...
http://www.austinschools.org/kiker/

On the Kiker Calendar

• Sept. 13 (Mon.) -- Kiker Night at Craigo's

• Sept. 15 (Wed.) -- Room Parent Meeting in Cafeteria,  8-9 a.m.

•  PTA Gift-Wrap Fund-raiser Kick-Off Assembly,  2-2:45

• Sept. 16 (Thurs.) -- PTA Executive Board Meeting, 3-4 p.m.

• Sept. 17 (Fri.) -- Gattitown Pizza Order Pick Up Day

• Sept. 18 (Sat.) -- MS. SCHNEIDER'S Birthday!

• Sept. 29 (Wed.) -- Fall pictures for all students

Brief Comments
• School Bond Vote ... Saturday, September 11, is the Election
DAY for the AISD School bond issue.  Please vote in this important
election for the future of our schools!
• Support Kiker, Eat at Craig O's …  On Monday, Sept. 13,
eat dinner there, call for take-out, or Craig O's will deliver to
your home, and Kiker will receive a portion of all the proceeds taken
in that evening!  Please help the school while you enjoy some
delicious food.  Mark your calendar for the 2nd Tuesday of each
month, which will be Kiker's Craig O's night!  Contact Terry Lord if
you have questions.
• Gattitown Pizza Orders … Gattitown Pizza is working as a
Partner with Kiker again this year.  Each month, we have a Gattitown
pizza order.  On Friday afternoon of that week, pizzas will be
delivered out front after school.  Please look in your child's
Friday folder for the order form.  Our first order is next week.
Orders are due on Tuesday, Sept. 14th. Pick-up will be Friday, Sept.
17th in the afternoon at 2:45 out front.  Kiker is given a percentage
of the money taken in from the pizza sales.  Contact Terry Lord if
you would be interested in helping with this fund-raiser.
• Green Apple Savings … Kiker and A+ Federal Credit Union
(formerly Austin Area Teachers Federal Credit) are working together
to help our children learn the value of saving for the future.  Look
for a green flyer in your child's Friday Folder.  If you are
already
a member, please just check the first blank and fill your child's
name and teacher's name.  If you are interested in opening an
account
for your child, please mark that you'd like more information and
fill
in the necessary info.  We will get a packet out to you.  Kiker will
have two deposits a month right here at school!!  Our first deposit
day is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 23rd. Please contact third grade
teacher,  Terry Lord, if you have questions.
• Math Pentathlon Adds Up to Fun … Math Pentathlon is a
program
of interactive problem-solving games that meets after school, and
culminates in a tournament with other schools in the Spring.  Second
and Third grade students are supervised by Mrs. Greene. This year,
third graders will meet Mondays, and second graders will meet
Tuesdays starting Oct 18/19.  The after school club for 4th and 5th
graders will be holding a parent/student orientation on September
23rd at 3:00 in room 505.  We will be meeting every Thursday after
school.  Watch for more information to come home about your
child's
age group.
• Join the Kiker E-group ... Receive this newsletter
electronically, be notified of volunteer opportunities and needs,
find out about last minute calendar changes -- all by email.  To
subscribe, send an email to: kiker-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
No email addresses are shared and emails are sent only from approved
Kiker personnel (me)!
• Who is Sammy? … The circle drive in front of the school now
has a street sign, "Sammy's Circle."  Where did this come
from, you
wonder?  Well, at our golf tournament and auction last spring, one of
the hottest items up for bid was the privilege of naming the drive
for a year.  At a high bid of $450, the rights went to the Irwin
family.  And so, in honor of their youngest (and 4th child to go
through Kiker), the Irwin's named it Sammy's Circle.  Sammy
is a 4th
grader in Mr. Rodriguez class.  Save your money now for the right to
rename the drive at the golf tournament next Spring.
• Student Directory Ads … Last chance to advertise or sponsor
the 2004-2005 school directory! Deadline for turning in your ad is
Friday September 17th.  If you have any questions, please call Amy
Zahorik at 301-9732.
• Information from the Kiker Counselor ... With the anniversary
of September 11 upon us and the ending of the school seige in Russia,
children may be expressing concerns and fears.  Our counselor, Randie
Fraser, has written some helpful information on how to deal with
these issues. Please look for these letters in your child's
folder.
• Magazine Fund-raiser ... Thanks to everyone for their support
of the Principal's magazine fund-raiser.  We had a very large
turn in
day on Wednesday, and appreciate your support.  Special thanks to the
ladies who assisted with the order processing.  Final totals to come.
• Cafeteria Accounts ... You may pre-pay for your child's
lunches and snacks.  Please send in an envelope --  CASH only, no
checks --  to the Kiker Cafeteria with your child's information,
including their Student PIN number.  Thanks for keeping accounts
current.

PTAnnouncements
• If you joined the Kiker PTA this school year, you were
eligible for a special drawing that was held on Sept. 9 at the PTA
General Meeting!  Two PTA members each won a special gift certificate
from the Circle C Golf Club for a round of golf for two! Thank you,
Circle C Golf Club & Chip Gist, for yet another generous gift to
Kiker Elementary. All members who joined the 2004-2005 Kiker PTA by
the end of Back-to-School-Night on Sept. 2nd were eligible for the
drawing. Winners' names (along with their children's names)
will
appear in the Kiker Comments blue sheet on Friday, Sept. 17. When you
visit the Circle C Golf Club, please tell them you are from Kiker and
how much we appreciate their support . Thank you for your support of
the 2004/2005 Kiker PTA.     — Angela Schuckle, VP, Membership
• CAMP Read …Come Join Us on an Adventure in Reading!!  YOU
can
make a difference in a child's life by giving 30 minutes of your
time
each week.  Camp Read is a pre-designed program that helps children
improve their reading fluency and comprehension by providing 1:1
attention. Please contact Kristy Mathieu at 301-6067 or by email at
kmathieu@... for more details or to volunteer.
• PTA's Extreme Fund-raiser is about to begin … The
PTA's gift-
wrap sale will begin Sept. 15 and run through Sept. 29. We are always
in need of volunteers, and are looking for "that special person
or
persons" to be the gift-wrap chairperson or co-chair for next
year.
Now would be a great time to call so you can have "hands-on"
experience with this year's sale!!!!  —Laura Goodwin 288-5274
• Kiker T-shirts Available … If you still need a Kiker school
t-
shirt for Friday Spirit Days go by the office and fill out a T-shirt
order form.  Give the form and money to office personnel.  A limited
number of the following sizes are available: Youth Mediums & Larges,
Adult Smalls, Mediums, and XX Large.  Don't forget to show your
spirit on Fridays by wearing your Kiker t-shirt or school colors blue
and white!!!!!!
• Landscapers Take Note …The PTA is currently seeking plans
for
improving and beautifying the front of the school.  If you would like
to be considered, please contact Brenda Shaver at 301-1682 by Sept.
17.
• Box Tops for Education Drawing Winners… Congratulations to
Brooke Teston, Evan Samon, Tyler Debish, Justin Zeng, and Andrew
Landwermeyer, the winners in last Friday's box tops drawings.
Special thanks to Westgate Lanes for donating free games of bowling
and Terra Toys for donating a puzzle and a whistle.  We have some
great prizes to give away in the next few weeks, so keep clipping box
tops for your chance to win.

  ****** End of September 10, 2004 Newsletter ******

Message from Mr. Jones, Keynotes Director ...

I am collecting the activity fees for those who made it in Kiker
Keynotes.  I need a parent volunteer each morning (around
9:30-10:00) to help me put all the paperwork together for the
deposits.  We now have to get all checks to Sylvia Abalos by 11
AM, and I teach from 8 to 11.  The parent doesn't necessarily need
to have a child in Keynotes.  I only need one each day.  If
there is a parent who could come by my room any day from today to
Sept. 17, could you e-mail me at my home e-mail
address:  dryljones@...  tonight.  THANKS!!!!

Daryl L. Jones
Kiker Music

As you know, the Principal's Fundraiser QSP Magazines, is underway.  I know
we all hate fundraisers but these funds are  what allow us to provide many
special things here at Kiker.  It pays for field trips for each grade
level, class t-shirts, special school programs like Physics circus,
amplification system repairs and replacement parts and many more things.
But I do need some extra help to process orders on three diferrent dates:

September 1     8:00 - 11:00ish     (or any amount of time between these
hours)

September 8     8:00 - 11:00ish     (or any amount of time between these
hours)

On these two days, we will be processed.  Basically, looking over order
phones, making sure all required information is complete and giving prize
beads to students for orders placed these days. This year we are tyring a
slightly different program from QSP so THERE IS NO MONEY TO COUNT!!   I've
never done it without collecting money so it is very possible that it could
take even less time.


September 10   10:00-2:00     (or any amount of time between these hours)

Help with prize store.  Students will come in during their recess time and
select their prizes.  There will be a tally sheet of total # of tickets
they earned to help determine what prizes they are eligible for.  Prizes
will be out on display starting today until Prize Store Day so students are
able to see and (hopefully) know what they want when they come to the prize
store.  This should help speed the store up.

  I know that the Sept 1 date is short notice but I don't have enough people
and I'm panicking.  I want to make this as painless and quick for everyone.
Call me and let me know if you can help with this important activity.  You
can reach me at 414-5354.

As always, thank you for everything you do to make Kiker a great place.


Sylvia Abalos

And the countdown continues … Just under 3 weeks until school
starts!

Volunteers Needed – Help unpack and sort teacher supplies from
the warehouse on Monday, August 2 from 6-10 p.m.  Pizza & drinks
provided.  Call Pattye in the office at 414-5357.  For safety
concerns and efficiency, we ask that you do not bring young children.

Kiker New Student Registration – Wednesday, August 4
from 8:00 – 6:00 p.m.  Volunteers are needed for 2 hour shifts.
If you are available to help, please call the school office at 414-
2584.  Please share registration information with your new
neighbors.  To register, the enroller must bring in the following:
*Proof of residency (such as driver's license, utility bill,
closing papers)
*Student Birth Certificate
*Student Social Security Card
*Immunization Record
*Last Report Card
*Person enrolling must also show Driver's License

School supply sale is on Friday, August 6 from 2 – 7 p.m. in the
Cafeteria.  If you can help, please contact:  Lesley MacDonald at 301-
9316.

Who's My Teacher?
Teachers will be calling their students on Friday, August 13 to
introduce themselves.  All class lists will be posted on the front
doors of the schools by 4:00 p.m. that afternoon. Because teachers
have between 20-30 phone calls to make that day, please keep your
conversations brief.  You will have an opportunity for more extensive
conversation and questions at Back to School Nights.

Open House – Monday, August 16, 3-5 p.m.
Bring your child to Kiker to find their new classroom, meet their
teacher, and drop off their school supplies.

No Morning Assembly on August 17!  Children may proceed directly to
the classroom on the first day of school.  We will hold a
"practice" assembly that afternoon to familiarize the
children with their class location in the cafeteria.

PTA Coffee – The PTA will hold a "Welcome Back" coffee on
the first day of school at 7:45 a.m. on the deck.  Please drop off
your children and join us on the deck to allow the teachers to begin
orienting the students to their new routine.

Back to School Nights – Join your child's teacher to hear
important classroom information and have your questions answered.
All nights begin at 6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria and end at 7:00 p.m.
Mark your calendars:
August 31st (Tues.) – Kinder & 3rd Grades
Sept. 1 (Wed.) – 1st & 4th Grades
Sept. 2 (Thurs.) – 2nd & 5th Grades (5th grade will also receive
information about Camp Allen

Magazine Fund-raiser will be held in September.  As you get your
renewal notices, please hold off until this event where 40% of all
sales stay at Kiker!

Important information about immunizations and the new AISD dress code
for students can be found on the AISD website at:
www.austin.isd.tenet.edu  Please make sure your child is up to date
on all required immunizations BEFORE school starts on August 17th.
This year's initiative:  No Shots! No Classes!

School Bond Election is September 11.  Eligible voters must be
registered to vote 30 days in advance of the election.  To register,
click on the "Register to Vote" link at:
www.austinkidsareworthit.org

Join the Kiker E-Group, one of the best ways to get up-to-date
information.  To subscribe, send an email to:
kiker-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Please watch the Kiker marquee, and/or the Kiker Comments newsletter,
for any changes or corrections to the information above.

See you in 3-2-1 weeks!
Pamela Walsh

The first day of school for Austin ISD is Tuesday, August 17, 2004.
Registration for new students will held the first week in August.
(More details will be sent out later with specific date & time.)
Volunteers may be needed to assist with registration.

School Supply Sale:  A Message from Lesley MacDonald

As you may know, the school supply sale is on August 6th from 2-7pm.
We are looking for volunteers who would be able to work a 2 hour
shift helping to man the tables and  handing out supplies etc. If you
are able to volunteer, please e-mail me back with your preferred
time. We will be working 3 shifts:
1:30 – 3:30 pm
3:30 – 5:30 pm
5:30 – 7:30 pm
This is a fun afternoon as everyone is excited about going back to
school and meeting up with friends. We hope to see you there!

Lesley MacDonald
tel: 301-9316
email: lesleymacdonald@...

School Bond News
The AISD School Bond election is set for September 11, 2004.
Specific items of interest to our community include classroom
additions to Kiker (included in Prop 1) and a new southwest middle
school (Prop 5).  The DEADLINE to register to vote is August 1.  This
date is fast approaching.  Please encourage your neighbors and
friends to register (and then vote) in the election on September 11.
You are encouraged to share this information with folks, especially
those who have younger children not yet in school.

What's New at Kiker:  Staff Changes & Additions
The following is staff changes (as I remember them to be at the end
of the school year.  There may be others.)
Office:  Mrs. Esther Bull has been hired to help in the office.
Early Childhood:  A new classroom and teacher has been added. (Sorry,
I don't have her name!)
Special Education:  Travis Irby has moved from part-time to full-time
1st Grade:  Mrs. GeriLynn Moss (a permanent sub) and Ms. Tanya
Pickering (of Kentucky) have joined the first grade team.
2nd Grade:  Mrs. Lisa Brewer has been hired.  Mrs. Brewer previously
taught first grade at Kiker
3rd Grade: Mrs. Anne Ostartiki has moved from 4th grade to the 3rd
grade team.

We will also be adding a portable (or two) to accommodate our growth!

Join the Kiker E-Group!  -- Share this resource with other Kiker
families.  To subscribe, folks just need to send an email to: kiker-
subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Hope you all are enjoying a safe, restful, and very fun summer.  We
have just about a month to go before the school bell rings!

Pamela Walsh

The following is the complete text of the May 21 Kiker Comments.  Sorry for
the delay in posting.  Please remind folks to subscribe to our Kiker
E-Group by sending an email to:  kiker-subscribe@yahoogroups.com  Thanks,
Pamela Walsh

May 21, 2004
News from Kiker Elementary School
Kiker Comments
Lori Schneider, Principal
Pamela Walsh, Editor
kikernews@...
http://www.austinschools.org/kiker/

On the Kiker Calendar

? May 24 (Mon.)  -- 1st Grade Awards Program, 8:15-8:45, & 2nd Grade Awards
   Program, 9:00-9:30

? May 25 (Tues.) -- 3rd Grade Awards Program, 8:15-8:45 & 4th Grade Awards
   Program, 9:00-9:30

? May 26 (Wed.) -- 5th Grade Graduation 8:30-9:30, Last day of school

Brief Comments
?      Got  an incoming Kindergartener? Or know someone who does? Well then
come  out  and  meet  other new Kiker Comets under the shaded playground of
Slaughter  Creek  Metropolitan Park, (also known as Circle C Park), on June
15 and July 20 from 9-10:30am. Questions? Call Sarah Hahn 394-9290. Keep up
with  other  grade  level  play  dates and activities on the Kiker Website:
www.Austinschools.org/Kiker
?      Cookie  Dough  Kudos  ...  Thanks  goes  to  Ruth Estes who was also
instrumental in the 4th grade cookie sales.
?      Bond  Package  Update  ...  The  AISD  board  voted  to  include the
construction  of the new southwest middle school in one of the propositions
which  will  be  voted on in September.  It will appear on the ballot along
with  the  McCallum  Performing  Arts  Center.   We  encourage  everyone to
register  to  vote  this  summer  in anticipation of the bond election next
fall.
?     Fifth Grade Walk the Halls ... Please join us on Wednesday morning as
we  honor  our  outgoing  5th  graders  with their final "Walk of the Kiker
Halls" immediately following graduation ceremonies.
?     Summer Library Program ...  We have lots of students participating in
this summer's program.  Volunteers are needed to help shelve books.  Please
call Ms. A at 414-5360.

Spanish Survey Results
       The  Spanish  Task  Force  is  pleased to announce the results of our
survey.  A  total of 342 surveys were returned. 5th grade families were not
included  in  the  survey. Of that total, 276 (81%) support the program and
are  willing  to  pay  the  proposed  yearly tuition of $90 - 100. 34 (10%)
respondents  support  the  program  but  cannot or will not pay for it. The
remaining 32 (9%) are not in favor of a Spanish program at this time.
       It  appears  that a large majority of Kiker parents would like to see
Spanish  introduced  to  our  students.  However, a few questions about the
program  were  repeated  on  several  of  the surveys, and we would like to
address  these  before we proceed. As we are at the end of the school year,
it  has  been  decided  that  we will take up this issue again in August in
order  to  further  educate  Kiker  families about the proposed program and
answer any remaining questions. We would also like to survey parents of new
students.   Many  thanks  you  to all who participated in the survey! Feliz
verano!
The Spanish Task Force

AISD Dress Code Implemented
       The  student's  dress and grooming shall not lead school officials to
believe that such dress and grooming will disrupt, interfere with, disturb,
or  detract  from  school activities. Additionally, the student's dress and
grooming  shall  not  create a health hazard to the student's safety or the
safety  of  others.   Shoes  should  be  worn  at  all  times.  Examples of
inappropriate  dress  at  the  elementary  level  shall include, but not be
limited to:
?     Improperly fitting clothing; baggy pants, oversized shirts, elongated
armholes,  overly  tight  garments, and clothes that improperly expose body
parts;
?      Tops  that  are strapless or backless, spaghetti straps, or have low
cut necklines;
?     Shorts and skirts that are short enough to be distracting;
?     Makeup and artificial nails;
?     Slippers and thong-type flip-flop shoes;
?     Gang associated clothing or colors;
?       Hat  or  caps  worn  inside  the  building  (except  for  religious
requirements);
?      Emblems  or  writings  that  are  obscene  or that may reasonably be
expected  to  cause  a  disruption  of,  or  interfere  with  normal school
operations should not be displayed on clothing.
?      Clothing  advertising, condoning, depicting, or promoting the use of
alcohol,  tobacco  or controlled substances, or displaying vulgar language,
that detract from the learning environment shall not be worn.

Golf Tournament Success
       Many  thanks to everyone who participated in, or sponsored, our First
Annual  Kiker Classic Golf Tournament and auction on Monday.  The event was
a  HUGE success, surpassing our goal to raise $10,000!  Thanks to everybody
and  their  dog who had a hand (or paw) in this!  You know who you are, but
especially  a  huge  hooray for Terry Lord, a woman with phenomenal energy,
resources and enthusiasm.  More later.


Only 3 more days of school!

*** End of Newsletter ***

May 14, 2004 KIKER COMMENTS
News from Kiker Elementary School

Lori Schneider, Principal
Pamela Walsh, Editor
kikernews@...
http://www.austinschools.org/kiker/

On the Kiker Calendar

• May 15 (Sat.) - AISD Trustee Election; Kiker is a voting
		 location

• May 17 (Mon.) -- Kiker Classic Golf Tournament,
		 Dinner & Silent Auction

• May 20 (Thurs.) -- Green Apple Deposit Day

• May 21 (Fri.) -- Fifth Grade Pool Party

• May 21 (Fri.) -- Kindergarten Awards, 8:30-9:30 a.m.

• May 24 (Mon.)  -- 1st, 8:15-8:45 & 2nd, 9:00-9:30

• May 25 (Tues.) -- 3rd, 8:15-8:45 & 4th, 9:00-9:30

• May 26 (Wed.) --5th Grade 8:30-9:30, Last day of school

Brief Comments

• Principal Appointment Official …We are so pleased to
announce that Ms. Lori Schneider was appointed Kiker's principal
by the Board of Trustees at Monday evening's AISD Board meeting.
Ms. Schneider is excited to continue her work at Kiker, and looks
forward to a long tenure with our community. Congratulations, Ms.
Schneider!

• Kiker Voyager 2004-05 ... It's not too late to register
your child for the Voyager after school program.  Registration forms
are available in the school office.  Classes do fill up fast.  If you
have any questions, just page 935-5828.

• Kiker Classic Silent Auction, Dinner & Golf Tournament …
Tired of those Golf Tournament updates? Well, this is it.  Monday,
May 17 is the date.  Come on out to the Circle C Golf Club and see
how our team of Kiker teachers – Ms. Schneider, Mrs. Lord, Mr.
Baker and Mrs. Mueller – fare up against some of our parents.
Don't miss out on the exciting silent auction, while your kids
participate in some fun activities.  Help raise money for our school.

• Green Apple Deposit Day… Thursday, May 20 will be our last
school day deposit.  We encourage students to continue making
deposits at the credit union this summer.  The program will resume in
the fall.

• Dylan Brooks Salon … Thanks to one of Partners in
Education, there is a $5 off coupon in each student's folder
today. Additionally, for every coupon used, $1 will be given back to
Kiker.

• CraigO's Night … Kiker came through again, raising $185
during our last CraigO's night.  Thanks for supporting this
dining effort.  CraigO's will continue this great "school
rebate" next Fall.

• Last Gatti's Order for the Year … Look for an order
form on Monday for the final pizza school delivery, which will be
next Friday.  Orders are due in on Tuesday.

• Cookie Dough Sales …Much thanks to the following fourth
grade moms for helping with the Cookie Dough fundraiser: Melanie
Elequin, Mary LaVeau, Wendy Tarrant, Trace Gray, Jeannette Davis,
Lisa Howard,and Kathy Hill.  We were very successful and raised over
$4,800 to offset the cost for Camp Allen. Cookie dough will be
delivered on the Wednesday, May 19. We appreciate everyone's
efforts to sell!

• Note from Kiker PTA … Please look for a flyer in
today's folder from the Kiker PTA regarding news on the upcoming
Bond election.  Be sure to vote tomorrow, Saturday, May 15, in the
AISD Trustee election.

• Kiker Library Open in the Summer … We are pleased to open
the Kiker library on Fridays this summer for students to check out
books.  Please look for more information in your folder.

• E-Kiker Group ... Receive Kiker news electronically,
including the weekly newsletter.  Already 57 members.  Send an email
to: kiker-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

• Alert on Children's Grape Motrin Tablets …  McNeil
Pharmaceuticals is alerting consumers that one manufacturing lot of
Children's Motrin Grape Chewable Tablets may mistakenly contain
Tylenol 8-Hourฎ extended release geltabs. For more information,
check the consumer link at www.motrin.com

• Community Blood Drive ... May 15, 2004, 9am to 12pm, Circle C
Child Development Parking Lot. Call 288-8663 to reserve a spot.
Donors are desperately needed.


AISD in the News
	 May 17 marks the 50th anniversary of the historic Brown v.
Board of Education decision from the U.S. Supreme Court that ordered
an end to racial segregation in our nation's public schools.
	 This landmark court ruling — and how it impacted the Austin
School District — will be the subject of an upcoming Austin Now
program on KLRU-TV that will air at both noon and at 9 p.m. on
Friday, May 14, and again at 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 16.  I invite you
to watch this program to learn about the struggle to achieve
educational excellence for all children right here in our own city
— and about the dedicated individuals who persevered through a
time of critical change.
	 Austin's schools are better and stronger today because of
their vision, courage, and commitment.  Please join me in honoring
them by watching this Austin Now program at one of its broadcast
times — noon and at 9 p.m. on Friday, May 14, and again at 5 p.m.
on Sunday, May 16.
-- Dr. Pat Forgione, Superintendent

Silent Auction Flyer

On Monday, May 17, please join us at the Circle C Golf Club for an
opportunity to bid on some great auction items.  You don't have
to play golf, or even eat dinner.  Just come on over around 5:00 p.m.
to bid.  There will be a few extra pizzas and fajita dinners if
you're hungry.  Let the kids have some fun with the karaoke
machine, bean bag toss, and putting course, while you shop for some
great deals!

Dinner served beginning at:  5:00 p.m.
Children's Activities: 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Auction Items Include:
o Southwest Airline Tickets (2 pairs and 4 singles)
o Rounds of Golf at Terra Vista, Circle C, & Legends Golf Club
o Jewelry
o Seiko Watches (Man's & Woman's)
o Capitol Cleaners Gift Certificates
o Circle C Grill Gift Certificates
o Entertainment Basket
o Purse
o Photography sitting
o Landscape Design service
o Backyard Crawfish Boil for 25 from Cypress Grill
o Klingemann Car Care Gift Certificates
o Pool Toys
o White Horse Playhouse
o Sports Bag
o Tanning Gift Certificate
o Round Rock Express Tickets

Don't forget to spread the news about this E-Kiker group.  Forward to
your friends!

We are pleased to announce that Ms. Lori Schneider was appointed
Kiker's principal by the Board of Trustees at last night's
AISD Board meeting.  Ms. Schneider is excited to continue her work at
Kiker, and looks forward to a long tenure with our community.
Congratulations, Ms. Schneider!

In other Board news ... the Southwest Middle School construction WILL
be included in the fall bond package.  The bond will be split 6 ways,
and one proposal for the voters will be the SW middle school.  This
means that the school stands or falls alone, with no other investment
included.

The following is the complete text of today's newsletter. There is
no additional information in this email other than the newsletter.
Have a good weekend and spread the E-Kiker word!  - Pamela

*****
May 7, 2004
News from Kiker Elementary School
KIKER COMMENTS
Lori Schneider, Principal
Pamela Walsh, Editor
kikernews@...
http://www.austinschools.org/kiker/

*****

Brief Comments
• Registration Packages Due In … Reenrollment papers for next
fall were due in today.  If you did not return your child's
packet, please get it in on Monday.  Even students who will not be
returning to Kiker next year should return the packet, marked "Not
Returning."

• Cookie Dough Sale … Fourth graders are selling cookie dough
to help raise money for their Camp Allen trip next year.  All money
and order forms must be completed and turned into the office by 8:00
a.m. on Tuesday, May 11.

• Library Books … Reminder that all student books will be due
on Friday, May 14!

• Large Shopping Bags Needed … Mr. Lucero's art students
should remember to bring a large paper shopping bag or sack to carry
all their art work home safely on May 25 for "C" day and May
26 for "A"day.

• Support our Soldiers Drive … Reminder that our Leadership
group is collecting lightweight items to send to our troops in Iraq.
We are collecting now through Friday, May 14.  Please bring to the
stage, items such as: instant and regular coffee (lightweight
packets), hot chocolate packets, beef jerky, Slim Jims, cereal bars,
granola bars, packs of gum, trail mix, etc., antibacterial wipes,
small tubes of toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant soap, shampoo, eye
drops, small containers of Tylenol, Motrin, asprin, etc., combs, lip
balm, band-aids, cough lozenges, small packs of Kleenex, pens, paper,
and envelopes.

• Summer Vacation Activity/Software Packages … Please review
the software and activity book.  You will need to return either the
complete package, a check for the package, or a combination of the
package and a check.

• Design Kiker T-shirt Winners … The PTA would like to thank
all of the wonderful artists who entered this year's "Design
the Kiker t-shirt" contest.  The winners are: 1st place -Ben
Feicht,2nd - Tricia Wojtisek, and 3rd - Cameron Lorenz. Next
year's t-shirt will be a combined design with elements from all
three winners work. The "draft" design will be displayed in
the hallway next to all the winning artwork.

• Kinder Round-Up Kudos ... Thanks to all of the volunteers who
assisted with Kinder registration on Tuesday.  We registered almost
100 new kindergartners for next year!

• Seal Out Tooth Decay … Children will receive FREE dental
examination, oral hygiene instruction, sealants to prevent cavities
where needed, handouts, and giveaways at the 6th Annual Seal Out
Decay, Saturday, May 8 from 8:30-12 noon at Seton South Community
Health Center, 3706 South 1st Street.  For children ages 7 and over;
no appointment necessary.

• CraigO's Night on Monday... This coming Monday, May 10 is
Kiker's CraigO's night.  Dine in, take out, or delivery and
Kiker benefits.  Our last efforts raised $200 for Kiker.  Let's
do it
again!

• Kiker's Early Childhood Teacher chosen "Teacher  of
Promise ... Congratulations to Ms. Elisha Fontenot, who was chosen
AISD's "Teacher of Promise," an award which recognizes
the efforts of first year teachers.  Ms. Fontenot was honored by Dr.
Forgione and the AISD Board of Trustees in a ceremony last week.

• Summer Camp Flyers … The office has many flyers for summer
camp opportunities.  Please stop by and pick up those that interest
you.

• Yearbooks Distributed to those who Preordered … Yearbooks
have been out for over a week.  If you preordered and did not receive
your yearbook, please contact the office with a copy of your
cancelled check (It would have been written in October, payable to
Interstate.)  Additionally, if you have a defective yearbook, please
get it to the office immediately. There is a waiting list for those
who would like to purchase one. Beginning on Tuesday, the waiting
list will be notified of available yearbooks until all copies are
sold.  There are a very limited number of books.

• National School Nurse Day is May 12th ... Much appreciation
to our wonderful nurses, Cheryl Leggett and Vicki Eggimann for taking
such good care of us all year!

• Congratulations to Ms. Schneider for being chosen to speak at
the UT Leadership Development Academy on May 4.  Ms. Schneider
addressed a pool of Vice Principals on "Creating and Having a
Vision for High Standards."

• E-Kiker Group, a New Way for Information ... Get up-to-date
school info and reminders, all by email. Be one of the first to
receive your weekly edition of the Kiker Comments (Shouldn't that
be enough right there?!)  To join, send an email to: kiker-
subscribe@yahoogroups.com  No additional information is needed.
Email addresses will be protected and not used for any other
purpose.   Any questions, contact Pamela Walsh at
pwalsh@...

*****

On the Kiker Calendar

May 9 (Sun.) -- Happy Mother's Day!

May 11 (Tues.) --PTA General Meeting, 2:15-3:15

May 12 (Wed.) -- National School Nurse Day

May 13 (Thurs.) -- CAC meeting at 3:15

May 17 (Mon.) -- Kiker Classic Golf Tournament, Dinner & Silent
Auction

May 21 (Fri.) -- Fifth Grade Pool Party

*****

Year End Programs
• Friday, May 21: Kindergarten, 8:30-9:30
• Monday, May 24: 1st, 8:15-8:45 & 2nd, 9:00-9:30
• Tuesday, May 25: 3rd, 8:15-8:45 & 4th, 9:00-9:30
• Wednesday, May 26: 5th Graduation, 8:30-9:30

*****

Community Blood Drive
May 15, 2004
9am to 12pm
Circle C Child Development Parking Lot

	 Call 288-8663 to reserve a spot. Please remember to eat a
good breakfast the morning of the drive. Bring your ID to your
appointment.

*****

A Freudian slip is when you say one thing, but mean your mother.
~ Author Unknown

*****

Third Grade Pioneer Day Success
	 Third grade students had a wonderful, educational experience,
not to mention a lot of fun, at last week's Pioneer Day.  The
rain held off and the kids enjoyed a great day of Pioneer life.  Even
the Austin American Statesman captured the fun with a photo in
Saturday's (5/1/04) edition.
	 Thank you to everyone who contributed!  A big thank you to
all the third grade parents who gave their time to man the stations
as well as those who did the prep work. The third grade room moms did
a wonderful job coordinating their activities. Hats off to Jeanne
Irwin, Shelley Chasey, Monica Lawson, Lea Irons, Miriam Lee and Anna
Baker.  Much appreciation to Esther Bull for running the museum, Kim
Swift for coordinating the games, Doug Jansen who kept our high tech
Pioneer photo lab running, and Nancy Oliphant, who helped us out
again this year!
	 We really appreciate Mrs. Greene (2nd grade) who took the
time to teach the third graders quilting.  Thank you to Melissa and
Sean Burke and Tracy and Vince Rawl who treated all the third grade
kids to an exciting performance by a professional roper.  Two Bowie
students, Jason Post and Kyle Henry, volunteered all day to teach the
kids roping. We so appreciate the volunteers who have children in
other grades as well as volunteers from outside of Kiker.  The
success of the day would not have been possible without all of you.
	 We are so fortunate to have a third grade team willing to do
the work it takes to sponsor this event each year.  The hands on
learning the kids experienced today is long remembered and so much
fun!  Thank you, all!
– Pauline Davidson, Coordinator

* And a VERY special thank you to Pauline, who worked for months to
pull together Pioneer Day.  You would have made a pioneer woman
proud, Pauline!

*****
Math Pentathlon: 4th & 5th Grades
	 Congratulations to all of our 4th and 5th grade Math
Pentathletes for wrapping up a year of playing math games at the math
pentathlon tournament this past Saturday.  Their pledge to commitment
and persistence creates a winner in everyone of them.  We salute:
• Hall of Fame/Gold Medal – Dylan Carroll
• Gold Medal – Nathan Elequin
• Silver Medal – Varun Bhatnagar
• Bronze Medals – David Hsi & Sammy Melnick
• Honorable Mentions – Joe Gilbert, Akshay Jotwani, Haley
Lopez, Smadar Ronen & Brendan Smith
• Pentathletes – Brendan Barry, Paul Campbell, Braden Crone,
David Cornyn, Harris Davidson, Luke Davis, Henry Klein, Sara Petrich,
Cailynn Ponciroli, Mark Proctor, Madelyn Serrano & Emily Wright
	 Mucho gracias to Mrs. Jesus for sponsoring this group and
allowing us to use her classroom every week and to Mrs. Greene for
keeping the parent coordinators in line and informed throughout the
year!!
-- Lisa Carroll and Anne Gilbert

*****

Silent Auction Donations Growing
	 Please join us for dinner and a silent auction on May 17 at
5:00 p.m. at the Circle C Golf Club, immediately following the Kiker
Classic Golf Tournament.  Some of the auction items include airline
tickets to anywhere Southwest flies, jewelry, restaurant gift
certificates, a backyard crawfish boil from Cypress Grill, rounds of
golf, personal care services, and more.
	 There will be free children's activities from 5:30 – 6:30,
including karaoke, a putting competition, hula-hoops, bean bag throw,
and a karate demonstration.  Turn in your dinner reservations by
Wednesday, May 12.  There is still room for a few more teams to play
in the tournament.  Get your registration form in now!
	 Thank you to our sponsors and donors including:
• Austin Area Teachers Federal Credit
• Austin Coca-Cola
• Austin Real Estate Partners,Melinda and Bob McKenna
• Circle C Catering
• Circle C Landscaping
• Circle C Tennis
• CMA Engineering
• Costco Wholesale
• Cypress Grill, John Haug
• Donald Abrams & Shirley Werner
• Dr. Bryan Koopmann, DDS
• Dr. Scott Branyon, DDS
• Dr. William Lawson, Chiropractor
• Duck Soup
• HEB
• Keller-Williams/Mary Lynne Gibbs
• Klingemann American Car Care System
• Longhorn Trophies
• Marriton Limousine Service, Tony Franzetti
• Matt Rienstra, Attorney
• REMAX/Jaymes Willoughby Team
• REMAX/Tara & Chad Goldwasser
• Round Rock Express
• SAM'S Club
• Samuel's Jewelers
• Stanberry & Associates, Bill Stanberry
• Wachovia, Craig Fylling, Tournament Underwriter
• Wachovia, Terry Burnet
• Washing Equipment of Texas
• Wilshire /HearthstoneVenture Union

*****
END OF MAY 7, 2004 NEWSLETTER
*****