Kirk Elementary
September Tiger Tales
School Information
Email: Kirk@cfisd.net
Website: https://kirk.cfisd.net/en/
Location: 12421 Tanner Road, Houston, TX, USA
Phone: 713-849-8250
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KirkElementary/
Twitter: @KirkElementary
Captain’s Quarters
Ahoy Mateys!
Summer seems to be a distant memory for us at Kirk. Our Mighty Tigers didn’t waste any time getting back into the swing of things. I’m sure you’ve heard by now that our theme this year is Teach like a Pirate. While we Teach Like a Pirate, we expect our students to Learn Like a Pirate. Feel free to check out what that means to our students every day.
Tiger Thursdays
Did you know that this school year we started a new tradition of giving birthday books to all of our students during the week of their birthday? This is our new Tiger Thursday tradition and we are so excited to have students come to the library and choose a new book of their choice. It's been heart-warming for us to see the smiles on the students' faces and a joy for us to continue to spread the love of reading. We know that readers are leaders, and at Kirk Elementary we are learning today to lead tomorrow. Here are our Birthday Book recipients so far.
I want to personally thank all of you for working with us to ensure that Kirk remains a safe learning environment for our students and staff. Here’s how you can partner with us to keep our school safe:
Always bring a valid ID with you when visiting the campus. Please continue to be patient with the front office staff who may take a minute or two to buzz you in when you ring the bell.
When visiting for lunch, please remember to say your goodbyes when the teachers announce that it is Silent Chew. Students will return to sit with their classmates and you can return your badge to the front office and exit through the front doors. This will ensure that our hallways are clear for our teachers to monitor students as they transition back to class.
Be sure that your child has his/her ID every day as he/she is walking out the door. Knowing that we can account for each child daily will help us tremendously. ID badges are needed for breakfast and lunch, access to the bus, as well as for checking in/out books in the library and visiting the nurse.
If ever you are on campus when a crisis drill is conducted, please be sure to follow the requests of our staff members.
If you haven’t already done so, please take a minute to look at the revised safety updates for this year.
Lastly, I want to encourage each of you to support our PTO this year. Our PTO is such an important part of our crew. It doesn’t cost anything to join the PTO, so please consider joining to receive PTO updates and find out ways that you can support them as they support your children and our staff.
So arrrr’ you ready for a year filled with adventure? We arrrr’ and we’re so glad to have you on board.
With gratitude,
Onica L. Mayers
#LeadLearner
Important Dates to Remember
- September 18 Title 1 Parent Meeting 6:00 PM, Open House A-L 6:45 PM
- September 25 Title 1 Parent Meeting 9:00 AM & 6:00 PM, Open House M-Z 6:45 PM
- September 26 Progress Reports Go Home
- October 4 Donuts with Dad A-L 7:30 AM
- October 5 Donuts with Dad M-Z 7:30 AM
- October 8 Parent/Teacher Conference Day (Student Holiday)
- October 10 Fall Picture Day
- October 16 Dinner with a Gentleman (Watch D.O.G.S. Dad Kick Off) 6:30 PM
- October 22 Red Ribbon Week
- October 26 Character Day Parade
Parent Information
Notice to Parents
As a parent of a student at a campus receiving Title I funds, federal law allows you to ask for information about the certification, college major, and advanced degrees of your child’s teacher(s). You also have the right to request information about the qualifications of a teacher aide or paraprofessional providing direct services to your child. If you would like to receive this information, you may contact the Cypress-Fairbanks I.S.D. Human Resources Department at 281-897-4099.
2018 ‑ 2019 Superintendent’s Parent Leadership Committee (SPLC) Representative
If you would like to represent Kirk Elementary for the 2018 - 2019 Superintendent’s Parent Leadership Committee (SPLC), please contact Jerri St. John at 713-849-8250.
Parents will have opportunity to meet with Dr. Henry and other CFISD administrators at the SPLC meetings to discuss districtwide issues and acquire useful district and community information. The committee will meet at the ISC Board Room at 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM, or at the Berry Center at 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM on October 24th , January 23rd and March 26th.
Parent Advisory Council Volunteers
Parent Advisory Council is the District Title I Committee – we meet twice per school year to review Title I Survey results, provide feedback on Title I funding and ideas for spending, ways to increase Parent and Family Engagement. If you would like to represent Kirk, please contact Jerri St. John at 713-849-8250. Child care will be provided.
District Volunteer Opportunities
The district’s Community Engagement department offers several training opportunities for volunteers throughout the school year. October’s Volunteer Calendar has been included below. For additional information about volunteering, please visit the district’s website at https://www.cfisd.net/en/community-involvement/community-engagement/volunteer/
School Messenger: Text Message Sign Up
The directions for adding text messages to your School Messenger account are in the link below. All parents need to update their School Messenger Information:
http://www.cfisd.net/en/parents-students/contacts-communications/schoolmessenger/
Library Corner
Author visits create a lasting impression on students. They build relationships between kids and the written word, inspire them to pursue creative endeavors, and connect lessons learned in the classroom with the wider world” (J. Anderson Coats). On October 19, 2018 author, Phil Bildner, will be visiting Kirk Elementary Library to speak to our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders about how to transform their ideas into a written work of art.
Click on the link below to learn more about the benefits of author visits.
http://www.jandersoncoats.com/author-visits/benefits-of-author-visits/
Coming soon...information about how to purchase an autographed copy of a Phil Bildner book.
Read Aloud of the Month: Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima.
Ms. Stanton
Brain Matter
What is Action Based Learning?
Action Based Learning (ABL) is academic learning using purposeful movement. It utilizes the natural link between the brain and the body to maximize learning. Brain research shows that when kids move, learning improves. Kirk has taken this research and is putting it into action through movement in the classroom and in the Brain Lab. The lab is based on brain research that supports the link of movement to increased academic performance. The lab is a series of progressions, each designed to prepare the brain for learning.
What does Action Based Learning look like at Kirk?
Kinesthetic furniture in the classrooms - different seating options that allow more movement for students
Action Based Learning lab - physical movement is layered with academic practice to increase academic success and positive behaviors in the classroom.
Brain boosts throughout the school day - research shows that continuous sitting makes the brain sleepy and it is not as prepared to learn
Morning activity - using movement to stimulate the brain gets students ready for learning.
Tiger Technobytes
Here at Kirk, students are learning how to become 21st Century Learners and one way to do that is through the use of technology. Our Mighty Tigers will use technology as a tool to:
● Connect with community,
● collaborate with others
● think critically, and
● be creative.
In our classrooms, students have access to chromebooks and ipads. First through fifth grade students are able to bring their own device if a parent/guardian signs a form giving permission. This year, students have been logging into the online programs and taking their pre-assessments. This is one way that allows the teacher to get to know students’ performance levels. While we do not assign traditional homework, students may login to the online programs at home, if so desired. Be on the lookout for student login information from your child’s teacher.
Nurse’s Corner
Welcome back Kirk Mighty Tigers! It is a wonderful sight to see so many of our Kirk Mighty Tigers on board this year. The flu season is fast approaching. In an effort to keep our schools healthy, CFISD has partnered with Healthy Schools to provide no-cost flu shots on campus to our students on October 22nd. The information and consent forms have been sent home. You can also sign up online at cyfairisdflu.com. More information is available at www.healthyschoolsllc.com or call 1-800-566-0596 . The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the most important step in preventing influenza infection. Learn more: https;//www.cdc.gov/flu/.
Important dates to remember.
October 22 Students Flu Shot clinic
November 7 Vision, Hearing, AN and Spinal Screening
November 8 Vision, Hearing, AN and Spinal Screening
November 30 Growth and Development for Fourth and Fifth grades
Nurse Scanterbury
Calling all Dads!
October 16th @ 6:30 PM, Kirk Elementary will be hosting “Dinner with a Gentleman” night. This event will be an opportunity for dads and male figures to have dinner with their child(ren) and hear about the Watch Dogs Dad program. You will learn about the activities you can participate in with your child in their classroom as well as how you can support other students here at Kirk Elementary. We will have a giant calendar here for you to sign up for one day (or multiple days) to come in to volunteer and you can also order your Watch Dogs Dad T-shirt. Look for a colored flyer to come home to reserve you and your child(ren)’s spot for this FUN night!
Thank you,
WatchDog Dad coordinator
Debbie Parker
Counselor Corner
What do Elementary School Counselors do?
- Teach monthly classroom guidance lessons
- Provide immediate and short term individual counseling
- Facilitate short-term small group counseling sessions
- Consult with parents
- Work collaboratively with teachers and staff
- Provide information/referrals to outside community resources
- Understand the self and develop a positive self-image
- Show respect for the feelings of others
Monthly Character Trait:
Initiative - Seeing what needs to be done and doing it.
Ms. Campbell
ESL Classes for Parents
What’s happening in Large Group?
Musical Magic
As school begins, music classes will focus on the steady beat and tempo. All students will demonstrate the steady beat through movement and playing the steady beat on rhythm instruments in the classroom. All students will start reading music notations and applying this skill through creativity in performances.
Students will also demonstrate their music concepts by dancing and playing musical games that require students to use critical thinking skills and analyze rhythm patterns utilizing different tempos.You can be sure the students will have engaging activities during each music class, in a joyful, fun, learning environment.
Students will also be having fun in music during Genius Hour. Do you have an extra keyboard, or know of a family member willing to donate one? Almost 30 students wanted to do piano classes for Genius Hour, but we only have 3 keyboards. I am gladly accepting any keyboard donations. Please contact me at deborah.craig@cfisd.net.
Ms. Craig
Active Pirate in PE
School is now in full swing and so is our physical education classes. We have started getting your children active by providing physical education three days a week. One of our goals is to not only get your them active during school but also to incorporate healthy food choices as well. Our ‘Garden Fresh Food of The Month’ was a watermelon. Please review this presentation to learn about what we shared with your child in class https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1OgS-tvBYTqLcLU8bKTG6zPu3Sg7mzx6GKBGaSWtPhSI/edit?usp=sharing.
Please remind your child to bring his/her tennis shoes to class so he/she can fully participate in PE. If your child has a health concern, please send a doctor’s note expressing that concern.
Conferences are coming up on Monday, Oct. 8th and I will be available to visit with you and your child. We have been doing some great things in physical education and can’t wait to share. I am looking forward to meeting all of you.
Have a safe and active September!
Coach Humphrey
Paint Like a Pirate (Art)
We are excited about another great year in the art room. Kirk’s artists are starting the year working on fall projects. They will be creating and learning about the Principles and Elements of Art. There will be two contests we will be entering this fall. The Superintendent’s Holiday Card Contest and the TASA/TASB art contest. Everyone is always amazed at the creative and beautiful art work Kirk’s students create. When you’re on campus, please take some time to look at the beautiful artwork displayed in the hall. Our Mighty Tigers are very proud of what they have created. It’s going to be a great year in the art room.
Ms. Eller
PTO Corner
Welcome back! Support the PTO & show your school spirit and purchase a new spirit t-shirt. T-shirt sales are going on now and the deadline to submit your order is September 28th!
Mark your calendar for our back-to-school spirit skate night at Bear Creek Skating Rink on Thursday, September 20th from 6-8 PM. The cost is only $7 (this includes shoe rental).
Don’t forget to turn in your PTO Membership form to get all the updates from the PTO. You can help make the PTO activities a success and volunteer a little bit of your time. Want to learn how to get more involved with Kirk? Be a part of the PTO and stay updated on all the events at Kirk. For more information on the PTO, please email us at kirkptopresident@gmail.com.