July 29, 2021

Start Strong: A Back-to-School Guide

We are so excited to welcome our KIPPsters to school on August 16, and we want to ensure our families have everything they need to start the year strong! During the next two weeks, we’ll dive into all the nitty-gritty details regarding the 2021-2022 school year, but today, let’s kick things off with a broad overview.

Beginning-of-Year Website

If you’re looking for all of the back-to-school information in one place, we’ve got you covered! We launched our 2021 beginning-of-year website this week, and it’s your one-stop-shop for everything you need to know.

Limited Virtual Learning Option:

Pending approval from our Board of Directors, KIPP Texas will offer a limited virtual learning option for medically fragile students in grades K-6 and students who are quarantined across Pre-K through 12, after the start of school. KIPP Texas is forming a task force who will craft the program, create an application for families, and share details in the coming weeks. While we do not have additional details at this time, we do know that teachers who are teaching in-person will not be also teaching virtual learning students.

Academic Calendars

Want to plan a family trip, but can’t remember when your KIPPster has a three-day weekend? The 2021-2022 KIPP Texas academic calendars can always be found on our website.

Contacting your School

We know that sometimes it’s reassuring to speak with someone to get your questions answered, and we’re here to help! Click on your region’s link to find your school’s contact information.

Communications Updates

Your KIPPster’s school will reach out to the email or phone number you have provided with specific information about the upcoming school year.

Please contact your school if you need to update your email or phone number so that we can ensure you receive all family communications.
KIPP Texas utilizes SchoolMessenger, a statewide communications system to send text messages with important information about events, school closings, safety alerts and more. Please sign up for this free service (standard message and data rates may apply) by texting “Y” or “Yes” to 67587. You can also opt out of these messages at any time by simply replying “Stop” to one of our messages. You can read more details here.
Don’t forget to follow KIPP Texas on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Dates to Remember:

By Thursday, August 5, complete all registration in SchoolMint. To view a step-by-step guide on how to complete your registration click here.
Monday, August 16, is the first day of school!

Health and Safety:

The safety of our Little and Big KIPPsters remains a top priority for KIPP Texas Public Schools. To see all of KIPP Texas’ health and safety-related information for the 2021-22 school year, please click here.

#MaskUpForKIPPsters | Opt-In Program

We firmly believe that a safe, masked, in-person learning environment is what’s best for our KIPPsters. And, we know the number of students in our classrooms will increase significantly compared to last year. KIPP Texas strongly recommends the use of a face mask on our campuses and facilities while around other KIPPsters so much that we’re asking our families and staff to actively stamp their commitment by opting in to wear a mask.

Please join me in a commitment to wear a mask by submitting a Mask Opt-In form. Securing opt-ins will allow our teachers and leaders to remind our staff and students about proper mask wearing to keep our classrooms safer. Our goal is to get 100% of our Team & Family commit to keep ourselves and each other safe by wearing masks while inside our buildings.

Please consider getting the word out about our #MaskUpForKIPPsters campaign and having Little and Big KIPPsters commit to wearing a mask in KIPP buildings by sharing a picture of you wearing a mask that covers your face and mouth on social media, using #MaskUpForKIPPsters or the graphic below.

Printables

There is nothing cuter than seeing photos of our joyous, Little KIPPsters on their first day of school! To make these photo ops even more special, we have provided some fun, print out signs for our Little KIPPsters to use. Here are the steps to follow:

Select it! Select one of the three options below.
Print it! Print and fill out your selection.
Share it! Post it on social media and tag us @KIPPTexas on Facebook or Instagram!

Printable 1
Printable 2
Printable 3

What You Can Expect Moving Forward

In the upcoming weeks, we will dive deeper into specific topics regarding the upcoming school year on our blog! Tomorrow, July 29, we’ll provide information about student technology, health and safety, child nutrition, and transportation. Next week, we’ll explore KIPP Texas academics and culture. Bookmark our blog and stay up to date, or review everything on our beginning of year website.

Additionally, please know that much more information will come directly from your KIPPster’s school. Schools will reach out to inform our families about school supply lists, back-to-school orientations, and meet-the-teacher events. Stay tuned!