Kirk Elementary
Tiger Tales 9.27.22
School Information
Email: Kirk@cfisd.net
Website: https://www.cfisd.net/Kirk
Location: 12421 Tanner Road, Houston, TX, USA
Phone: 713-849-8250
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KirkElementary/
Twitter: @KirkElementary
Principal's Corner
I can’t believe we are nearing the end of September. We have had many things to celebrate over the past 5 weeks. We had an incredible ice cream social, curriculum nights, and a building full of parent volunteers. Thank you to everyone for a great start to the school year.
Did you hear that Kirk Elementary is receiving another donation of $250,000? We will receive 62,500 each year for the next 4 years from Eagle Burgmann. With these funds, we will be continuing to enhance our instructional strategies with technology and blended learning, support positive behaviors through PBIS and continue to provide high quality professional development opportunities for teachers. We are excited about the work that can be done. I know that the entire Kirk community is so thankful for their continued partnership.
Katie Ford
Principal
PBIS
The Mighty Tigers have been using their Kirk Cash to shop at our school store. Many of our Tigers see the benefit of being K.I.R.K. When we are K.I.R.K, we are displaying leadership qualities.
Our students all work to be kind by displaying the following behaviors in the classroom. At home, look for your Mighty Tiger exhibiting kindness by using the “Kind at Home Matrix”.
If your Tiger is displaying kind behavior at home, please fill out this Google Form. They will receive a special incentive from Mrs. Sanchez.
BOTB
Our Mighty Tigers have been doing an amazing job showing their School Pride through their actions and words. One more way they can show School Pride is to wear a spirit shirt on Friday or our school colors (red, white and blue).
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.
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:
General Information
October Calendar
Library Corner
Tigers!
We are getting so close to having a finished library. Don’t forget you can still access our Learning Resources even if the library is currently under construction. Just go to My.cfisd.net -> Library Resources -> Destiny Library. You can access digital books on Capstone, TumbleBooks, and PebbleGo.
Don’t forget to stop by the Mobile Library on October 8th. I will be there passing out Kirk Cash for any Kirk student that stops by.
Your Librarian,
Mrs. Gallegos
Mobile Library
Primary Practices
Our Kirk Tigers have been hard at work! It is exciting to see them engaged and learning throughout the day. As we continue through the year please remember to read with your child for 20 minutes a day.
Our students are fortunate to each have a Chromebook, below are some district resources that can be used at home.The resources below can be found in your student’s portal.
ST Math
Amplify (for Reading)
The district also provides content specific resources. Below are the links for each grade level.
First and Second Grade Curriculum & Course Descriptions / Pre-Kindergarten Curriculum De Math
Adventures in Mathematics
Second and Fourth grade students are diving into Place Value as well as Adding and Subtracting. Students use many different manipulatives to support them during this unit including, base ten blocks, counters, and unifix cubes. Second grade students are practicing adding and subtracting numbers from within 999. Fourth grade is practicing with whole numbers within 999,999. Checkout this link for ideas on how to use manipulatives to solve addition and subtraction.
Third graders are building foundations with multiplication. Students are learning that multiplication can be described as equal groups of numbers and using repeated addition as a method of solving. Check out this video about the Progression of Multiplication.
Fifth graders are expanding their knowledge of fractions with adding and subtracting fractions. Students struggle to remember the vocabulary that goes with fractions and how to apply it when adding and subtracting them. This video focuses on tricks that can confuse students and how to help move past the confusion.
Science Scholars
In Second and Third grade, students are continuing to learn about Matter. At the end of this unit, students will apply their knowledge of solids, liquids and gases by learning about mixtures. A mixture is matter that is combined but not chemically bonded. You can reinforce this at home by creating a mixture with different snack products. Trail mix is a great example of a mixture.
In Fourth and Fifth grade, students are continuing to learn about Life Science. Students are learning about plant and animal structures(part of a plant or animal) and functions(how that part helps them survive). Vocabulary practice is an important piece to this unit and some words that students will see are prey, predator, producer, consumer, ecosystem, environment, traits. Quizlet is a great resource to practice vocabulary. Check out this study set!
Loving Literacy
Our Kirk Tigers have been hard at work! It is exciting to see them engaged and learning throughout the day. As we continue through the year please remember to read with your child for 20 minutes a day.
Our students are fortunate to each have a Chromebook, below are some district resources that can be used at home.The resources below can be found in your student’s portal.
Amplify (for Reading)
Scholastic Literacy Pro
Tiger Technobytes
Home Access Center allows parents and students to view student registration, scheduling, attendance, classwork assignments and grade information.
https://launchpad.classlink.com/cfisdparents for parents
https://launchpad.classlink.com/cfisd/ for students
Home Access Center Parent Instructions
If you have any questions, please call the Customer Care Center at 281-897-4357 or an email to isupport@cfisd.net.
Chromebook Information/Reminders
A Chromebook is checked out to each CFISD student for daily use within our classrooms. Through ClassLink (my.cfisd.net), our students have access to their schoolwork (Schoology) and various District approved online resources.
Additional information about our Chromebook:
A Chromebook with an attached protective case and a charger are checked out to each student. Some students have the older Chromebook without a case. If they have a Chromebook with a case, then they are to leave the case on.
Each Chromebook has a student identification sticker on the front and a District asset tag on the back. DO NOT remove these stickers. If a Chromebook needs to be returned for any reason, these stickers help us insure it is linked to the correct student’s account.
Chargers are to remain at home, unless the teacher has instructed your student differently. Chromebooks should be charged at home and come to school fully charged.
Students should not place stickers or draw on any part of the Chromebook. Remember it is a device loaned to students by CFISD.
Students log onto their Chromebook using their Google ID and password. This information will be provided by your child’s teacher. Please keep it in a safe place at home.
If a password needs to be changed, go to stugo.cfisd.net on any device and follow the directions to change their password.
If a student has an issue with their Chromebook (lost/cracked screen, missing keys, not working), he/she will need to create a Happy Fox ticket through their ClassLink (my.cfisd.net) account by logging in with their Google ID/password. Remember, if the device is intentionally damaged, a replacement charge will be assessed through SchoolCash.
If a student leaves CFISD, all devices MUST be returned to the campus—Chromebook, protective case, charger, and hot spot (if assigned). A charge will be assessed for any items not returned.
If a student leaves Kirk and transfers to another CFISD school, the device will go with them to their new school.
More information about the 1:1 Program can be found on the CFISD web site, www.cfisd.net, under the Instructional Technology Department.
Nurse’s Corner
Thank you very much to our wonderful PTO and many parent volunteers! I really appreciate your help and hard work. Our Vision and Hearing Screening was very successful. You should receive letters home starting this week if your student did not pass their Vision Exam.
Counselor Corner
When your child is experiencing big, upset feelings, their brain cannot listen or learn at that moment. Rather than negotiating with or punishing them, help your child to name their feelings. Have a discussion about how their feelings are causing them to act and why. Afterwards, practice a calming skill. This could include counting backwards from 10, slow, deep breaths, getting some fresh air, or drinking water and hydrating.
What’s happening in Large Group?
Musical Magic
Hello Kirk Mighty Tigers!
All music classes will be focusing on Rhythm. We have the beat, now we will add the rhythm. As always, we will have lots of fun while learning.
Ms. Craig
PE
Hello Kirk Tigers! I am so proud of you for all the hard work you’ve done since day one. We will continue to work on our P.E. skills with some fun activities, focusing on hand eye coordination.I am also excited to start our Boosterthon Color Run event. And always remember to keep moving so we can stay strong, healthy and fit!
Coach Mati
Art
Hello Kirk artists! Students have done a fabulous job with our Dot Day display. Kinder and 1st grade practiced creating lines with primary colors, as well as practiced cutting out circles for caterpillars. 2nd and 3rd grade created monochromatic circles to incorporate into a rainbow using tempera paints. 4th and 5th grade created radial design flowers with tempera paint sticks and oil pastels. I look forward to seeing our next masterpieces!
Ms. Kranson
PTO
The Houston Texans are excited to welcome the Kirk Elementary Tigers to NRG Stadium during the 2022 NFL Season! Through this special offer, all Kirk Elementary Families and Friends will have access to a preferred ticket rate with a portion of the ticket cost going back to the Kirk Elementary PTO.
https://fevo.me/kirkelementarymt
Kirk Elementary parents and families—this year’s main event is the Kirk Mighty Tiger Color Run! Our goal is to raise $20,000 for school enhancements and playground equipment and to strengthen our school community.
🗓 Save the Dates!
🗓 💻 Registration on MYBOOSTER.COM opens on 10/03/2022
🏁 Kirk Mighty Tiger Color Run starts off on 10/17/2022
🎉 Event Day on 10/28/2022
Thanks for your support—here’s to a GREAT event!