Dear KIPP Texas Families,
It’s the last week before we all enjoy a much-needed break. I hope that you’ve got plans to rest and, if you celebrate Thanksgiving, enjoy time with loved ones even if it’s different from your traditional Thanksgiving celebrations. Personally, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year because it is time to come together and give thanks.
As we make plans and enjoy the break, I want to remind you that it takes all of us to keep our Little and Big KIPPsters safe from COVID-19 – it’s our collective responsibility as a Team and Family. Here are some tips below from the CDC on staying safe over the holidays:
- Wear a mask and be socially distant whenever possible.
- Avoid exposure to large numbers of people where individuals are not wearing masks or being socially distant.
- Follow these tips from the CDC on how to travel during the pandemic
________
Method of Learning (MOL) Survey
Please remember that the third Method of Learning Survey deadline is Wednesday, Nov. 18 for all KIPP Texas families. This is your opportunity to select whether you will change your KIPPster’s method of learning. The two options are:
- Option 1: 100% online learning, five-days-a week. This would continue virtual learning for students for the third nine week instructional cycle if parents opt into this method.
- Option 2: 100% in-person learning five-days-a-week in a classroom in a school building on our campus.
The Method of Learning survey will need to be filled out in SchoolMint (https://kipptexas.schoolmint.net/signin) for the third nine week instructional cycle. Every family must complete a Method of Learning survey even though you have completed previous surveys.
Please note: if we do not receive a response, KIPPsters will continue in the same method of learning they were in the previous nine weeks. The last day to make changes to the survey will be December 4; transportation requests after November 18 won’t be guaranteed, as mapping bus routes and balancing bus loads requires a few weeks to plan and coordinate.
New KIPPsters Recruitment Season for the 2021-2022 School Year is now Open
We know that our KIPPsters do better when they start earlier and stay with us longer. As a result, KIPP Texas is launching full-day pre-K 4 at four of our elementary schools in August 2021: KIPP Austin Comunidad, KIPP Austin Obras, and in KIPP Texas-Dallas Fort Worth at KIPP Destiny Elementary and KIPP Truth Elementary. Starting next school year, our rising 8th graders in KIPP Texas-Dallas Fort Worth will have a second KIPP high school option with the launch of our 9th grade at KIPP Pleasant Grove!
These expansions reflect our continued commitment to give our communities the opportunity for our students and families to start with KIPP earlier at more of our elementary schools and stay with our KIPP family longer.
Do you know a family who would like to experience a joyful, academically excellent, and equitable learning environment for their children? All new families can submit an application at https://kipptexas.org/enroll/.
Keep in mind that if we have more students apply than we have available seats, KIPP Texas will host a lottery for those seats on March 1, 2021. Visit the enrollment page on our website or email enrollhelp@kipptexas.org for more information or if you have any questions.
_____________
I am so thankful for you and our KIPPsters. Here is a short video of them doing a visualization exercise virtually. This Thanksgiving, I hope you and your children rest and enjoy family time. We will be ready to welcome your KIPPsters back to school on Monday, November 30.
Have a great week!
With gratitude,
Sehba Ali
Important Links
Virtual Learning Portal
At a Glance Back to School Guide
Complete Family Back to School Guide
Grab & Go meals
