Kuehnle Koala Chronicle
22/23 Issue 7
2022-2023 School Hours
School Ends at 3:25 pm.
Students are allowed to enter building at 7:45 am.
We kindly request that you do not enter the car rider line PRIOR to 7:30 AM. The line backs up and then our staff can not get into the parking lot to park their cars and get to their classroom and morning duty assignments to welcome and supervise students.
REMINDER: Thank you for helping everyone stay safe by not dropping off your child prior to 7:45 a.m. Supervision of students does not begin until 7:45 a.m. If you need before school care, please contact the front office about Koala Kare or go to their website for information https://www.koalakare-llc.com/
Kuehnle Front Office Hours:
7:45- am to 4:10 pm
DATES TO REMEMBER
Feb 1: 100th day of School
Feb 3: End of PTO Spring Fundraiser
Feb. 10: Student Valentine's Exchange Day
Feb. 13 & 14: Staff Development and Student Holiday-no school for students
Feb. 15-17: Mid-Winter Break-no school
Feb 23: 4th grade Wunderlich Farms Field trip & 2nd grade music program at 7pm
March 3: Kuehnle Hoedown
March 9th: SAVE THE DATE for Spring Open House 6-7pm-more details coming
February is Parent-Teacher Conference Month at Kuehnle!
At Kuehnle, we are committed to our vision The Koala Way: Learning, Serving, and Leading. In February we will be demonstrating "serving" by being a collaborative community skillfully communicating through parent-teacher conferences. Teachers will have current information on your child's progress to share. Parents should have received an email from their child's teacher with information on how to sign up for a virtual conference prior to February 1st.
Our teachers know that it is important for them to share this data with you so that you are fully informed of your child's progress so far this year.
Conferences will be held virtually via TEAMS throughout February. February 13th is a student holiday but a teacher workday. This day will be dedicated for teachers to hold parent conferences virtually.
February 10th-Student Valentine Exchange Day
Due to the health and safety for all students but also for students with allergies, please do not send any food, treats, candy, goodie bags, etc. Those items will not be distributed and will be returned to you by the teacher. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we keep all of our Koalas safe.
**PTO Board voted to hold a Spring event instead of a Valentine Party. Please reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator if you'd like to help planning or working that event later in the year. kuehnlevol@gmail.com
Your Fundraising dollars in action!
We love being able to allocate fundraising dollars to resources that go straight into the hands of students! Once again, we were able to purchase additional "Take Home Readers" for students in grades K-2. These resources will allow students to continue reading at home as they work on accuracy, building fluency, and applying comprehension strategies from the classroom. Our Kuehnle Koalas are forever learners and know readers are leaders! Thank you for your support.
Fundraising Dollars At Work! Students in our Kuehnle Library taking full advantage of our NEW Clear Touch tabletop
Students are enjoying our new Clear Touch tabletop panel during Library Makerspace! The panel has 4 different touch screen zones to maximize learning. Using the educational app Snowflake, our Koalas can do puzzles, complete online lessons, play games, and conduct research. Fundraiser dollars help make new opportunities like this possible here at Kuehnle!
Annual Kuehnle Hoedown
Howdy, Cowgirls and Cowboys!! The Kuehnle Hoedown is Friday, March 3, 2023.
Parents and guardians, you are welcome to come watch your little darlins’ have a boot scootin’, toe tappin’, good time. Make sure you RSVP by noon on 2/28/23 or else you’ll be flounderin’ in a long line and you don't want to miss your cowgirls and cowboys.
Dress in your best western duds, but leave your spurs & toy guns back at the ranch!
If your driver’s license has been scanned this year, you may RSVP. If it has not, please come to the front office no later than Feb. 28th to have it scanned. Badges cannot be printed if your license has not been scanned.
The RSVP will close on Feb 28th at noon.
Parents/guardians will pick up their pre-printed badges outside at the table in the front of the school and proceed to the gym. Please wait outside the gym until you are directed to enter for your child’s designated Hoedown time.
Click HERE to RSVP!
Click HERE for the Hoedown schedule
Jogging Club Information
Attention all Kuehnle Koalas! We are so excited to begin our 2022-2023 Jogging Club.
Jogging club is a club for anyone who wants to come out and jog/walk on the path. Students earn recognition for miles jogged and awards at the end of the year.
3rd, 4th & 5th grade will jog on WEDNESDAYS from 7:35-8:05 beginning October 19
1st and 2nd grade will jog on MONDAYS from 7:35-8:05 beginning October 24
Koalas who are interested in joining Jogging Club should register using this link:
Students must be registered to participate. Parents should join the Remind to be notified of weather cancellations.
Text @jclub22-23 to 81010
Hope to see you out on the track!
~Mrs. Koonts, Mrs. Morris & Mrs. Barthelemy
Student Birthdays
1. Distribution of Birthday invitations (see below for details)
2. Bringing toys or outside birthday treats for other students
3. Bringing Birthday Balloons to the cafeteria
As always parents are welcome to eat lunch with their child at the parent table and bring a special treat or lunch for their own personal child.
Help us make the afternoon car pool line go smoothly!
Please note that if you do not have the ORANGE car rider tag, you will be directed to go the front office to sign your student out for the day. Don't get stuck and have to go through the car rider line just to go to the front office.
Help us help you get through the car rider line quicky.
- Have your ORANGE car rider tag (2022-2023). If you do not have the orange one you will be directed to go to the front office (safety and security). Don't get stuck in the line.
- Have your ORANGE car rider tag hanging from your rearview mirror. We can not see the tag/number on your dashboard.
- Keep your car rider tag hanging UNTIL your child gets into your car. Remove once the get in. This helps our staff see quickly if you are still waiting on our child. We need to see the number to call for your child.
- If your child does not exit in time, please pull around with your tag still hanging and we will call for your child using the number.
- Please pull all the way forward as close as you can to the car in front of you so that we can get as many cars as we can through the car rider line in each group.
Thank you for assistance in helping us get your child to your car safely and quickly. Our staff is working hard outdoors and greatly appreciates your patience.
*AM Car Rider line is at the front of the school near the flag pole.
*PM Car Rider line is near the cafeteria.
Safety Procedures & Visitors to Campus
In accordance with KISD safe and secure policies, A valid driver’s license must be shown at the front door before entering the building. Please see the attached Entry Procedure sign displayed at our front door. All visitors to our campus must ring the doorbell, identify yourself, give student's name, provide reason for visit, and show your valid photo I.D. Please do not allow individuals not in your group to enter behind you. Once inside the building check in at our front office and your license will be scanned if you are visiting any area past the front office. Name tags will be provided which should be visible on the front of the shirt and worn AT ALL TIMES by all visitors. Please use the main entrance (near the flagpole) to enter and exit the building. We thank you for following these procedures.
Birthday Snacks
KISD permits parents / guardians or grandparents to supply birthday snacks for their child’s birthday through the KISD Food Service Department.
- Birthday snacks will be distributed for the entire class at the end of the lunch period, after students have had a nutritious meal as defined by the School Lunch Program and Texas Department of Agriculture.
- Written consent from a parent / guardian must be obtained before a student will be permitted to have a birthday treat. (Sent in the 1st day packet.)
- Two weeks notice is required for ordering birthday snacks through Klein ISD. Please call our food service manager at 832-484-6630 for more information or for a list of items that Food Services can supply.
Beginning the 22-23 school year, USDA will no longer offer waivers allowing all students to eat for free. Students will be charged according to their eligibility. Prices for the new school year are the following:
Student lunches cost $2.50. Breakfast is $1.50
This year Klein ISD will be using Schoolcafe for lunch accounts.
NEW Schoolcafe
- SchoolCafe, an all-in-one portal that allows families to complete meal benefits applications, deposit funds to their student’s lunch account, view meal transaction information in real- time and more!
- Please click on links below for how to sign up and set up your account.
How to apply for meal benefits: Click HERE Or HERE
How to make payments in Schoolcafe: Click Video How TO
What information do parents need to register students?
● 6 digit student ID* Skyward includes an “s”. Do not include this when enrolling in SchoolCafe
● Last name of student
● Enrolled campus
Where can parents find their child’s ID Number? Skyward which is located at https://www.kleinisd.net/familynet
When sending money for your student’s account, please place the money or check in a sealed envelope and label with the following : Child’s First and Last Name, Teacher’s Name, Grade and Amount Enclosed.
Invitations to Outside Events
Important Information for Parents & Guardians
Visitors to Campus
All visitors to our campus must check in at our front office. A valid driver’s license must be shown at the front door before entering the building and will be needed to check in to visit any area past the front office. Name tags will be provided and should be worn at all times by all visitors. Please use the main entrance (near the flagpole) to enter and exit the building.
Rights of Possessory Conservator
The school district does not have the obligation to contact the managing conservator when the possessory conservator requests permission to review the child’s records and/or consult with the teacher.
Any conflicts between the two parents should be handled outside the school and we should be advised of any limitations of contact that might ultimately be established in the divorce decree; i.e., a visit with the child exclusive of a review of the records, etc.
Custody Issues
Please assist us in the handling of custody related issues. It is the responsibility of the parents to provide the registrar a certified copy of the most recent court order affecting any other person’s right to their children. Should you have any question, please call the school and ask for Julia Funk, Principal.
Car Pool
Please remember to have the car rider number tag hanging from your rear view mirror. Make sure you turn off your cell phone while in the carpool line. For morning drop-offs, please follow the directions of the staff members and drop your student off when the line stops. This helps to expedite the traffic flow.
Early Dismissal by 2:45 pm
All early dismissals must occur before 2:45p.m. If you need to pick your child up before the end of the school day please send a note to the front office in the morning. Please come to the front office at the requested time to sign him/her out. After 2:45 p.m. students will only be released following their normally dismissal routine. You can email Kuehnlefrontdesk@kleinisd.net
Transportation Changes by 2:45 pm
All changes to a child’s normal means of afternoon transportation must be received in the front office no later than 2:45 pm to allow time to get the updated information to the teacher in time for dismissal. You can email Kuehnlefrontdesk@kleinisd.net. Transportation changes must be requested in writing.
Medication at School
All medication, prescription and over the counter, must be delivered to the clinic by a parent or guardian. Prescription medications must be in the original container with prescription label. Most pharmacies will provide you with an extra bottle when you fill prescriptions if you ask them. Over the counter medications must have a dosage for the child by age or weight and can only be given for 2 weeks without a doctor’s note. Unused medication can not be sent home with the student. If the parent or guardian cannot pick up medication, you may make arrangements with the nurse for another adult to pick up medication. No vitamins, health food, or herbal preparations may be given.
KISD Smart Tag ID System
The district purchased the first lanyard, card and plastic cover for every student. The school staff will place them on your child's backpack where instructed by Klein ISD Transportation Department. Please do not remove them unless you need to attach to a new backpack.
Parents will be required to pay for replacement cards, plastic protective covers, or lanyards if they are broken, lost, or stolen. Every student is required to have a Smart Tag.
Replacement costs are as follows:
-lanyard = $2.00
-plastic protective cover = $1.00
-Smart Tag = $5.00
Parents will be contacted by our front office staff when a replacement is needed. Parents will need to pay for the replacement via School Cash Online. A link will be sent to you for payment.
Once payment has been received the front office will provide the replacement. Parents will continue to receive reminders until the fee is paid. Remember, this is a requirement for all elementary students who ride the bus even once.
Dismissal - Safety is our Priority!
Parents, please help us with the following:
Car Riders:
1. Official school car rider number tags must be displayed in the front windshield.
2. Please keep your car rider number tag displayed until your child gets in your car. After your child enters your car, please remove your carpool card from the windshield. This is our signal that your child is loaded.
3. Please be patient in the car line. Remember that SAFETY is always a priority at Kuehnle. Be mindful that students are still moving until we give the go ahead to move cars forward.
4. Please refrain from using your cell phone in a School Zone, including waiting in the car rider line. There are Texas State Laws which prohibit the use of cell phones while in a school zone.
Walkers/Bike Riders:
1. Walkers will be issued a ‘dismissal card’ by their teacher
2. Walkers will turn this card in to the staff member on duty at the assigned walker exit. This will be the student’s ‘ticket’ to leave the school building at the end of each day.
3. Walkers do not walk to cars in the parking lot. Any student leaving school grounds in a car must be picked up in the Car Rider line.
4. For safety reasons, do not park your car in the parking lot during dismissal unless you are required to come into the building.
Bus Riders and Bus Rules:
Students will receive a bus card which must be attached to his/her backpack the entire year. Please do not remove this card.
· Students must remain seated at all times.
· Students must keep hands, feet and objects to themselves.
· Refer to the Klein ISD Student Handbook for a more detailed list.
Parents, please plan ahead with your child for rainy days. Consider packing a raincoat or umbrella for them to use. All changes to a student’s regular means of dismissal must be received in the front office by 2:45 pm. Written notice is required. You may email kuehnlefrontdesk@kleinisd.net
Reporting Student Absences
All student absences must have an excuse note from the parent/guardian within 5 days of the student's return to school.
How do I submit an excuse note?
Entering an absence in Skyward is Klein ISD's preferred method of communication for absence reporting.
Other acceptable methods of notification are:
- Hand written note from parent/guardian
- A note from a medical professional
We cannot accept the following communication methods:
- No emails to the front office, registrar, teacher or other staff member
- No Remind messages
- No Dojo message
See the Attendance Policy section of the Klein ISD Student Handbook for more information.
USE OF CELLPHONES DURING SCHOOL
Please note the following information regarding the use of cell phones during school. This information is from the 2022-2023 KISD Elementary Student Handbook pages 64-65.
Electronic Devices and Technology Resources (All Grade Levels)
Possession and Use of Personal Telecommunications Devices, Including Cell Phones, and Other Electronic Devices
The district permits students to possess personal cell phones for safety purposes; however, these devices must remain turned off during the instructional day, including during all testing, unless they are being used for approved instructional purposes.
A student must have approval to possess other personal telecommunications devices on campus such as laptops, tablets, or other portable computers.
Without such permission, teachers will collect the items and turn them in to the principal’s office. The principal will determine whether to return items to students at the end of the day or to contact parents to pick up the items.
The use of cell phones or any device capable of capturing images is strictly prohibited in locker rooms or restroom areas while at school or at a school-related or school-sponsored event.
If a student uses a telecommunications device without authorization during the school day, the device will be confiscated. The parent may pick up the confiscated telecommunications device from the principal’s office.
Confiscated telecommunications devices that are not retrieved by the student or the student’s parent will be disposed of after the notice required by law.
In limited circumstances and in accordance with law, a student’s personal telecommunications device may be searched by authorized personnel.
Any disciplinary action will be in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. The district is not responsible for damaged, lost, or stolen telecommunications devices.
Kuehnle SCHOOL STORE
Selective school supply items and novelty items will be available in our school store most mornings from 7:45-8:10 a.m.
Kuehnle PTO Online Spirit Store
Special Discount Pricing on Most items in the Spirit Store!!! Buy your items TODAY!
Visit the PTO website HERE to get all your Kuehnle gear!
PTO FUNDRAISER
The PTO Spring Calendar Fundraiser is running NOW and ends Friday, February 3rd. Please have your child collect their donations and bring in their calendars on Friday to collect their prizes! 100% of the proceeds go back to Kuehnle Elementary!
5th Grade End of Year Party!
Would you like to make a donation to our 5th Grade End of Year Party? Help us end the year with an awesome celebration before sending them off to middle school! Please click the link to donate!
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=NXBN977RXHNXS
PTO Open Positions for 2023-24
We have a few amazing 5th grade parents leaving our PTO Board this upcoming year. WE NEED YOU! Please consider joining our wonderful PTO Board. We have a lot of FUN planning fun things for our students and staff. JOIN US! You can even partner with another Kuehnle Parent for some positions, if you like! Please email kuehnlepres@gmail.com if you are interested in helping!
Koala Birthday Visit
Does your child love the Kuehnle Koala? Give your child the gift of a Kuehnle Koala visit at lunchtime for their Birthday! Birthday visits begin August 29, 2022. Visit our online Spirit Shop HERE and purchase a visit on an available date. 100% of the proceeds benefit Kuehnle Elementary! You may also purchase class birthday treats through the cafeteria for an additional price by emailing the Cafeteria Manager HERE. We can’t wait to celebrate with our Kuehnle students!
Textile Donation Bin at Kuehnle
The Green City Recycling Program is a great way to educate kids about textile recycling. Bring your Donation items to the Kuehnle donation bin conveniently located on the grass between the Kuehnle parking lot near the cafeteria and the fire station on Winding Ridge Drive.
Acceptable donations: Clothing - Shoes - Toys - Hats - Belts - Purses - Linens and Small Home Décor.
No Large items allowed - such as: furniture, mattresses, electronics, appliances and PLEASE NO TRASH.
Subscribe to the Kuehnle PTO Calendar and REMIND Group:
Click HERE for a link to Kuehnle PTO’s Public Google Calendar. You can subscribe to the calendar to see upcoming events on your preferred calendar app.
Join our REMIND Group by texting @998ka43 to 81010
UPCOMING PTO EVENTS
2/1/23 Deliver Gift-A-Cups for February
2/3/23 END Fundraiser Calendar
2/9/23 PTO Meeting 1pm-3pm
2/13/-2/17 Mid-Winter Break - NO SCHOOL (Valentine's day)