Welcome to April: A Month of Awareness and Celebrations

KIPP Texas Families,

Welcome to April! This month is bee-sy–pun intended–and buzzing! While the saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers,” I find it a time to say that as we pour into our Little KIPPsters these last two months, we will see them grow and bloom as they show what they know, and we celebrate their many successes. Thank you for pouring into our Little KIPPsters as we are entering the STAAR testing season with our first round for high school English this week. Our KIPPsters will no doubt rock the STAAR!

Ramadan Mubarak

The holy month of Ramadan, a month for reflection, prayer, and community, is upon us during this month of April and we wish our Muslim friends and family a Happy Ramadan. For our Muslim families, we are aware of the late nights, early mornings, and fasting during this month. We will be mindful of our Little KIPPsters in support of their commitment to the month of Ramadan. To all who celebrate, including my own family, Ramadan Mubarak!

Transgender Day of Visibility

In our schools, everyone belongs. We stand with our transgender students, our entire transgender community, and our transgender allies today and every day. International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31 is a reminder to convey to our transgender Team & Family and Little KIPPsters that we stand behind them. We see you, and we support you.  

National Autism Awareness Month


As we enter into Autism Awareness Month, I am proud to shine the light on the equitable learning environments we provide at KIPP Texas. This week we honor Erick, a Little KIPPster from KIPP Austin Comunidad, and his mom and fellow Big KIPPster, Lili. Erik and Lili’s story fills my heart with joy!

 

National Assistant Principal Week

The celebrations keep coming! It’s National Assistant Principal Week, and I celebrate each of them! I appreciate the support our KIPP Texas Assistant Principals provide our schools. Their commitment and contributions to our Little KIPPsters’ success are greatly appreciated. If you know your Little KIPPster’s Assistant Principal, I invite you to reach out and celebrate them this week.

COVID Updates

Each week we will share an update on where each of our KIPP region’s current levels stands according to the CDC Community Levels tool. As of 6 am on April 4, the levels are as follows:

Austin: LOW Masks are strongly recommended but not required in KIPP schools or offices. Masks are still required in healthcare areas.

Dallas: LOW Masks are strongly recommended but not required in KIPP schools or offices. Masks are still required in healthcare areas.

Houston: LOW Masks are strongly recommended but not required in KIPP schools or offices. Masks are still required in healthcare areas.

San Antonio: LOW Masks are strongly recommended but not required in KIPP schools or offices. Masks are still required in healthcare areas.

Please follow our Health & Safety Guidelines found here according to the level in your region. 

If during the school week, the CDC updates their COVID-19 Community Levels where our schools are located, we will not change our Health & Safety Guidelines until the following week unless the update involves a medium (yellow) or high (orange) threat level. In this instance, same-day communication will be shared with regional staff and families, and the appropriate Health & Safety Guidelines will be effective immediately.

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With gratitude,

Sehba Ali