Outback Outlook
May 25, 2023
HAVE A HAPPY SUMMER!
What a wonderful year it has been! Our students and teachers have worked so hard this year, and I could not be more proud of them. Thank you for sharing your children with us. It is always a privilege and honor to serve them. Wishing you the greatest summer ever! Hope to see you back in the Outback in August! Best wishes to our 5th graders as they move on to junior high and to our families relocating. We will miss you all.
Sincerely,
Malynn Rodriguez
OKE Principal
OUTBACKERS OF THE MONTH
Congratulations to our Outbackers of the Month for May! We are so proud of you!
Sam Rich (volunteer), Felix Wilson (5th), Jerry Xu (4th), Ava Passmore (3rd), Jacob Bu (2nd), Yusuke Toge (1st), Maram Elsaleh (Kinder), & Judith Gaudiel (staff)
SCHOOL SUPPLIES PREORDER - FINAL DEADLINE IS JUNE 19
ACCESS TO 2023 STATE TESTING RESULTS USING THE FAMILY PORTAL
The STAAR redesign was fully implemented in the spring 2023 for all grades/subjects and courses. Due to the changes, the reporting of performance standards will be later in the summer. As in previous years, the state assessment outcomes will provide families with detailed information about their student’s areas of strength, as well as any gaps in learning. Parents can access the state’s Family Portal for assessment results by using their child’s Unique Student Access Code. Parents may utilize the Parent Directions To Access State Testing Results (ENG./SPA.) document located on the Katy ISD Department of Research, Assessment, and Accountability website. Final test results will be available in the Family Portal by the end-of-day listed in the chart below:
PBIS IN THE OUTBACK
NURSE'S NOTES
As a reminder: If your student has medications at school and they won't be here for the last day, please make arrangements to pick them up from the clinic. We cannot hold onto any medications or supplies over the summer.
Additionally, if your child has a medical condition, allergies, or needs to take medications during the school day for the 23-24 school year, please visit the Kilpatrick Elementary website under Health Services to see the forms that will be needed at the start of the school year. A NEW form (dated on or after June 1, 2023) with a physician's signature will be required prior to the start of the school year. Please bring the medication with the new form on the first day of school with a parent and doctor's signature.
SUMMER READING
Summer is an important time for students to practice reading. Research consistently shows that independent reading (reading students choose to do on their own) significantly influences students’ reading performance. The amount of free reading done outside of school positively relates to growth in vocabulary, reading comprehension, verbal fluency, and general information (Cullinan 2000). Katy ISD and the Fort Bend County Library system have provided resources to promote reading with your child this summer!
Katy ISD’s 2022 Summer Reading Program (for students entering grades K-5):
Need suggestions for summer reading ideas and activities? The KISD Elementary Librarians have compiled choice boards for all elementary-age students. Bring your completed choice board to the library when we return in August to earn a “Sweet Summer Reader” dog tag and scratch-and-sniff bookmark! You can access the choice boards using the following links:
For students entering kindergarten through 2nd grade:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XeRqtwyWOkY6v1kZeeK-f2ruOxXTC8bS/view?usp=share_link
For students entering grades 3-5:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EzdaRL-Of0i42RbsPzo_0-wghY3Itpof/view?usp=share_link
Fort Bend County Public Library’s Summer Reading Challenge for Kids, Teens, and Adults:
The Fort Bend County Library system is offering special reading challenges to encourage summer reading for all ages. “All Together Now” is the theme for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.
The Summer Reading Challenge online registration will begin on Monday, May 29th and continue through Thursday, August 31st. Library programs and activities for children begin during the week of June 5th and continue through July 29th. You may register at any Fort Bend County library or you may register online by going to https://www.fortbend.lib.tx.us/ and clicking on the “SRC Sign-Up” image, which will become available on May 29th. When the online registration form has been completed, readers can record their books and reading time using the free Beanstack Tracker app (Apple App or Google Play Stores). Fort Bend County Libraries and the Summer Reading Challenge will appear as options when the program begins on May 29, 2023.
There is no charge to join the library’s summer reading program, and it is open to everyone, regardless of the county of residence.
The Cinco Ranch Public Library is located at 2620 Commercial Center Blvd., Katy.
Texas 2x2 Reading Program at Kilpatrick (for students entering grades Pre-K-2):
Students may want to get a head start on the Texas 2x2 program by reading books from the current list: https://txla.org/tools-resources/reading-lists/2x2/current-list/.
At Kilpatrick, students who read five of these titles can receive a special 2x2 reading tag! Complete the Texas 2x2 Boot by coloring in the spaces that match the books you’ve read. When five spaces are colored, bring the form to the OKE library when we return to school and receive a “Texas 2x2” reading tag!
Texas Bluebonnet Award Program at Kilpatrick (for students entering grades 3-5):
Students can also get a head start on reading the current Texas Bluebonnet Award nominees: http://txla.org/TBA-nominees. Keep track of your progress using our school’s Texas Bluebonnet brochure. Students who read five of these titles can receive a special “Texas Bluebonnet Award” reading tag and are eligible to vote for their favorite title. Students who read at least eight of these titles will receive a personalized Bluebonnet Star Reader trophy!
Sora (Access in MyKaty Cloud):
Sora is a reading and listening app from OverDrive and Katy ISD. With Sora, students and staff can access a large collection of eBooks and audiobooks for independent, self-directed, or teacher-assigned reading. Login through MyKaty Cloud. Select “Katy ISD” and start reading! To access even more titles, you can link your account to the Fort Bend County Libraries by clicking on the three horizontal lines in the upper right-hand corner of your screen and selecting “Add a Public Library.” To apply for or renew a full-service library card, please visit any Fort Bend County Library location during business hours. You MUST provide one of the following forms for valid photo ID that is not expired:
· A valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID
· Passports from any country
· Any state driver license
If the photo ID does not include your current address, bring a separate document to validate this information (mail, utility bill, etc. from the last 30 days).
Wishing you a healthy, safe, and wonderful summer! As always, Happy Reading!
Mrs. Audelo, OKE Librarian
PBIS IN THE OUTBACK
Thank you, OKE PTA, for putting together an amazing wish list for our baskets! Thank you to all the families who purchased items for our fifth graders! Our Koalas have loved winning these baskets!
LOVE & LOGIC TIP OF THE WEEK
Have you tried using small choices for children? Here are some examples:
Would you like milk or juice with dinner?
Do you want to take out the trash tonight or in the morning?
Do you want to wear your coat or carry it?
Sharing control through choices can be one of the most powerful techniques for avoiding power struggle with kids.
Want to know more about Love and Logic? Go to www.loveandlogic.com
LATE ARRIVAL UPDATE FOR 2023-2024
Beginning in August 2023, all students arriving to school after 8:30 a.m. will require a parent/guardian coming in the building (with a photo ID) to check the student in.
OKE BUILDING UPDATES
Over the summer, our campus is scheduled to get a new roof, new flooring in the gym and cafeteria, and a new boiler thanks to the voter approved Bond 2021! The campus will remain open during the construction period.
BDJH INCOMING 6TH GRADE PARENT NEWS
Dear Incoming 6th Grade Parent:
Congrats on your future Junior High student! We can't wait to meet you all. In the meantime, please find attached the BDJH PTA Newsletter filled with important information for the summer and next year:
Incoming 6th Graders Newsletter
If you have any questions, please click here: Contact Us - BDJH PTA