Outback Outlook
March 27, 2024
SCHOOL HOLIDAY FRIDAY, MARCH 29 & MONDAY, APRIL 1
Friday, March 29th and Monday, April 1st are school holidays. We hope you enjoy your long weekend. Classes will resume on Tuesday, April 2nd.
SPRING CREEK BARBEQUE SPIRIT NIGHT APRIL 2ND
PTA WORK PARTY - APRIL 2ND
SOLAR ECLIPSE - APRIL 8TH
On Monday, April 8, 2024, an astronomical event – a total solar eclipse – is set to occur, and Katy ISD is near the path of totality. This is an exciting time for science! A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, blocking or partially blocking the sun's light. This can result in a partial or total obscuration of the sun. This rare occurrence presents a unique educational opportunity for students to connect classroom teachings with real-world phenomena. For many students, this is a singular event in their lifetime and can offer an unforgettable experience. Additional information can be accessed through the National Science Teaching Association.
Safety is paramount when viewing a solar eclipse. Parents are encouraged to review the following safety information regarding the April 8, 2024 total eclipse. Here are some essential safety guidelines for anyone planning to witness this memorable event: eng-2024-eclipse-safety-sheet.pdf (nasa.gov)
OKE 5th grade students will be taking part in this event after lunches end (approximately 1:35 p.m.) 5th grade students and teachers will spend approximately 20 minutes outside, and students will be provided solar eclipse viewers to witness this event. Prior to this event, our science teachers will teach students and staff about proper safety procedures for this event. If parents would like their 5th fifth grade student to participate, a signed OPT IN form must be completed and turned in to the student's homeroom teacher by Thursday, April 4th.
PreK-4th will have the opportunity to participate in this historical event as well. Our classrooms at these grade levels will be viewing the solar eclipse via a livestream with NASA and access to other various resources.
HAVE YOU MOVED OR ARE YOU MOVING?
Please complete the form below by Friday, May 10, 2024 if either of the below statements apply to your child.
- Will your child/children will be attending an elementary school other than Kilpatrick Elementary for the 2024-2025 school year?
- Have you moved into a new home that is zoned to Kilpatrick Elementary? If so, please send an updated electric, gas, or water bill when prompted. Information provided in the form.
PREKINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
Online registration for the Katy Independent School District Prekindergarten program for the 2024-2025 school year will open April 1, 2024. Parents must complete the online registration process through Katy ISD’s PowerSchool Registration website in order for their child to be screened for program eligibility.
The Katy ISD Prekindergarten program follows the state Pre-K guidelines which focus on oral language development, reading and math readiness, as well as science and social studies knowledge and skills. Click the Katy ISD Prekindergarten program link for a list of eligibility requirements or call the Office of Interventions, at 281-237-7062.
OKE PTA NOMINATION REPORT
LUNCH VISITOR GUIDELINES
LUNCH VISITORS:
Lunch is one of the most exciting parts of the day for kids! It is a time when students get to talk with their friends and take a mental break from the classroom. Lunch is a time when children can develop friendships and feel connected to others. Allowing students this time to interact with their classmates and other students helps develop their social skills by learning to listen, interact with others, and develop qualities such as empathy and understanding toward others. Practicing and building these social‐emotional skills outside of the
classroom is a critical component of a child’s development.
Lunch visitor guidelines are in place to provide students with an opportunity for social interaction time with their peers and to foster social learning opportunities. We will begin accepting lunch visitors on Tuesday, September 5, 2023. The last day for lunch visitors will be Tuesday, May 7, 2024
‐ Parents/Grandparents (with parental permission) may have lunch with their child one (1) time per week. By limiting this, the parent and child visits become more memorable and special. Lunch visitors must check in at the front office before your child’s scheduled lunch time to secure a spot (photo I.D. required.) You will be given a Raptor badge and a numbered badge. Both must be worn while in the building.
‐ No lunch visitors on Mondays. This gives students an opportunity to catch up with their friends after the weekend and socialize with peers around them.
‐ No lunch visitors on special event days. These days will be listed in the Outback Outlook newsletter, on our campus website, and communicated by teachers.
‐ Guests will sit at the visitor table with their child. Parent seating is limited and will fill up quickly. If the parent table is full, you will have to wait until seating becomes available. Visitors are not permitted to sit at the student tables. Friends of your student are not allowed to be invited to the visitor table. A student must stay with their visitor while the visitor is present. A student may not go back and forth between the student/visitor tables.
‐ Parents should never approach other students. Parents are requested to talk with a cafeteria monitor should there be any concerns. Parents may not go to the student tables.
‐ Preschool aged children or below must remain with their parent at all times. Due to space limitations, school-aged or older siblings are not permitted.
‐ The cafeteria is a NO‐PHONE ZONE. No pictures or videoing will be allowed.
These procedures will help alleviate overcrowding in the cafeteria. As always, we appreciate your continued support.
OKE MUSIC UPDATES
Parents of Rising 4th and 5th Graders,
Katy ISD is known for their strong music programs. We are offering a music camp for student that will be in 4th or 5th grade for the 2024-2025 school year. Please see the flyer below for more information. This will be a wonderful opportunity!
TARDIES
Our doors open at 8:10 a.m. Your child(ren) should be in their classroom by 8:20 a.m. Students are preparing for the day and starting morning warm ups at this time. Your child is tardy at 8:30 a.m.
Please have your child ready to exit the car when you are in position to unload. Your child is encouraged to exit on his/her own. Do not drop your children off prior to 8:10 a.m. as there will be no adults on duty to supervise before that time.
If your student arrives at school at 8:30 a.m. or later, you will need to park and escort your child into the front office to sign him/her in. A tardy sign will be placed in the car rider drop-off line each morning promptly at 8:30 a.m. We appreciate your assistance with getting your student to school on time each day.
ATTEND TODAY, ACHIEVE TOMRROW!
Missing a day of school here and there may not seem like much, but absences add up!
Attendance Reminders:
- Students are considered tardy if they are not in class when the 8:30 a.m. bell rings.
- Students are counted absent if they are not in attendance at school by 9:55 a.m.
- A parent or guardian should notify the school when a student is absent for any reason.
- Students need to bring a doctor's note in order to have their absence excused for a healthcare appointment of any kind.
- Students must be in attendance 90% of the school year or retention is considered by the Attendance Review Committee.
Check out this past week's attendance:
Thursday, March 21 - 96.41%
Friday, March 22 - 97.18%
Monday, March 25 - 96.70%
Tuesday, March 26 - 96.30%
LOVE AND LOGIC TIP OF THE MONTH
There is nothing more exciting to a difficult child than an adult angered and frustrated by back-talk.
KILPATRICK BIRTHDAY BOOK CLUB
OKE BIRTHDAY MARQUEE REQUEST
LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The Kilpatrick Library is in need of library volunteers. We prefer our volunteers to commit to one hour per week on a regular basis.
The library currently needs one or two volunteers first thing in the morning: 8:10 a.m. to
9:30 a.m.
The duties would include helping students locate and choose books, checking books in and out to students, shelving books, keeping the library organized, and more.
Library volunteers allow Kilpatrick to keep the library opened for circulation all day long. With library volunteers we are able to offer more library activities and programs.
If you would like to volunteer, please email:
Kristen Adams; Library Liaison at kadams26@gmail.com or Prudence Johnson; Library Aide at prudencesjohnson@katyisd.org
Thank you,
Sharon Audelo, Librarian
Prudence Johnson, Library Aide
Thursday, March 28
- Rotation Day 3
Friday, March 29
- Good Friday
- SCHOOL HOLIDAY
Monday, April 1
- SCHOOL HOLIDAY
Tuesday, April 2
- Rotation Day 1
- PTA Executive Board Meeting - 9:30 a.m.
- PTA Work Party - 10:30 a.m.
- Katy Robotics - 3:40-5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 3
- Rotation Day 2
- Watch DOGS
Thursday, April 4
- No Lunch Visitors
- Rotation Day 3
- 5th Grade Choir Concert - 9:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m., & 6:00 p.m. (Gym)
- PTA General Meeting - 5:15 p.m. (Gym)
Friday, April 5
- Rotation Day 4
- Watch DOGS
- 1st Grade Field Trip to Blessington Farms
SAFETY TIPS FOR KIDS WALKING/RIDING BIKES TO SCHOOL
Parents, please review the following tips with your students…
• Cross at a crosswalk and follow the instructions of the crossing guard or the walk/don’t walk signal while preparing to cross the street.
• Always look left, right, left before crossing.
• Only cross streets at the cross walks. Walk your bike/scooter when using cross walks.
• Always wait until there is no oncoming traffic before crossing.
• Walk, don’t run across the street.
• Don’t walk while using ear buds, texting, or doing anything else that may prevent you from hearing traffic or distract your attention.
• Pay close attention to your surroundings.
• Always walk with a buddy.
• Avoid using secluded shortcuts.
• Never approach a vehicle.
• Never talk or take rides from strangers, or even people you know, without permission from your parents.
• If someone calls out to you or approaches you, quickly get to the nearest adult you trust and tell them what happened.
CAR RIDER REMINDERS
Here are a few friendly reminders that we would like to share about the car rider line at arrival and dismissal times. Our school doors open at 8:10 a.m. and the tardy bell rings at 8:30 a.m. Students need to be seated in their homeroom classes by 8:30 a.m. Students arriving after 8:30 a.m. will receive a tardy slip from the front office. Please allow sufficient time so that your student can be ready and in place for school each day.
Dismissal for students begins at 3:40 p.m. Please make sure you are in the car rider line by that time. If you arrive after 3:55 p.m. when our staff members have finished taking down car tag numbers, you will need to park and come into the building with your ID to pick up your student(s). Late arrivals are documented and monitored.
Some helpful tips for creating a safe and smooth running environment during car rider arrival and dismissal:
- Please refrain from parking in front of the school and walking across the car rider line during arrival/dismissal to drop student(s) off at the front door or to pick them up from the front door. If you would like to walk to the front, you will need to come as a walker in the morning and/or park your car off campus and cross at the crosswalk.
- Please remain in your car at all times during arrival and dismissal. We have adults and eventually safety patrol students that are happy to assist your student(s) getting in and out of the car. Students should exit the door on the passenger side of the vehicle only.
- Please make sure you are remaining in the right lane the entire time. We should only have one lane of traffic flowing. The 2nd lane should not be utilized during arrival or dismissal. This lane is for emergency personnel only.
- Please keep your car rider tag displayed throughout the car rider line until you have your student(s) in your vehicle with you.
- Parents picking students up through the car rider line must enter the line at the END of the line, which forms on Gaston Road, north of Cinco Ranch Blvd.
TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICES
Telecommunication devices are defined as items such as, but not limited to, cell phones, smart phones, smart watches, electronic readers, and laptops with the capability of sending and receiving messages or information, and any related accessories (including but not limited to wires, headphones, and ear clips).
Elementary students in Pre-K, K, and 1st grade shall not possess a telecommunication device during the instructional day (8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.), while riding to/from school on District transportations, during tutorials or detention, or while participating in a school-sponsored extracurricular activity on or off school property. For example, an elementary student performing at a PTA meeting or on a field trip to the zoo may not be in possession of a telecommunication device; however, an elementary student could possess a telecommunication device at an event open to the public (in which the student is not performing) such as at a carnival or a sporting event.
Elementary students in grades 2-5 may possess telecommunication devices; however, these devices are only to be used for instructional purposes under the direction of a teacher. These devices should be turned off and not visible at all times during the school day on school property, including on school transportation.
Students who bring devices from home will be asked to keep them in their backpacks shut off unless directed by the teacher to be used for instructional purposes.