2019-2020 Year in Review

Highlights of Events & Accomplishments Supported by the Kiker PTA

by Historian, Heidi Varga

PTA Mission: To make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.

PARENTS + TEACHERS = SUCCESSFUL KIDS!

August 2019:

• Back to school breakfast for the Teachers.
• Meet and Greet with Morning Coffee for the parents to get to know one another and the school.

September 2019:

• Kiker Comet T-Shirt Sales raised $10,070
• Meet the Admin coffee talk. 
• Fall Spirit Day
• Promoted ACPTA Back the Future event

October 2019:

• Began National PTA School of Excellence recognition process. 
• Kiker Beautification Committee Fall Cleanup day.
• The Love Your School Fundraiser raised $33,273 for the year!!
• LYS Spirit Day
• 11th Annual Scripps Spelling Bee Competition
• PTA organized a Spooky Game Night for family and friends of Kiker.  Board games, bingo, a big bubba match, food and fun was provided. 

November 2019:

• Celebrated the LYS classroom winners.
• Families & staff enjoyed a morning of fitness at the annual Fun Run!
• We thanked our teachers & staff with our fall Staff Appreciation Luncheon.
• The PTA Arts in Education Chairs organized the annual Wall of Honor of student artwork to honor Veterans on Veterans’ Day.
• Operation Gratitude’s candy buy-back program to support the troops.
• Kiker Spirit Night at Satellite

December 2019:

• PTA Night of Giving and General Membership meeting.
• PTA Coordinated our annual Sweets for Staff for the holidays. 
• Celebrated the LYS classroom winners.
• The coat & glove drive brought donations to our sister school, Allison Elementary.
• Hosted Meet and Greet with Interim Principal, Ms. Alma Chapa Moore and Substitute Assistant Principal, Ms. April Glen

January 2020:

• Kiker International Night celebrating numerous cultures throughout our community.
• The PTA teamed up with the PE Department for the 8th Annual Fun Run/Walk 
• Kiker Spirit Night at Bush’s Chicken

February 2020:

• PTA partnered with Clayton Elementary and Baldwin Elementary  for Summer Camp  & Activity Fair.
• Kiker Spirit Night at Bush’s Chicken
• Implemented a new PTA bulletin board highlighting different cultures in our community.
• We showed some love and hand delivered flowers and a note of thanks to all staff and administration to show our love and appreciation.
• A Coffee Talk about the GT Identification & Placement Process.
• Our 6th Annual Art Night & General Membership Meeting was a big success, bringing Kiker families together with a variety of artists, while also honoring the participants from the annual National PTA Reflections art contest.  

March 2020:

• Book drive for sister school Allison Elementary.
• AISD Learning At-Home began
• Hosted virtual Spirit Challenge on PTA Facebook page

April 2019:

• Hosted virtual Spirit Challenge on PTA Facebook page
• Provided families an online option to order engraved pavers for the brick area around the granite star to the entrance of Kiker.

May 2020:

• Staff and Teacher Appreciation drive thru lunch from Circle C Cafe.
• Gift certificates and treats given to Custodial crew for all of their dedicated and hard work.
• Hosted Live Incoming Kinder Parent Chat on Zoom
• Hosted PTA Q&A with new Kiker principal, Cory Matheny
• Hosted General Membership meeting via/Zoom.
• Lawson Crow and Cara Spralding were awarded the Kiker PTA’s Dr. Lori Schneider Scholarship for High School Graduates.
• Funds used for the end of year 5th grade graduation/party were allocated for a certificate and yard sign (I’m a Kiker grad!) for each 5th grade student.
• A gift of $1,000 was given from the Kiker PTA to the new Bear Creek Elementary PTA 
• Received Certificate of Recognition for participating in the National PTA School of Excellence program

PTA Fundraising Accomplishments:

 $33,273 raised from the Kiker Community during Love Your School!

$10,070 raised from Kiker Spirit T-shirt sales!

$863 raised from Box Tops!

 $493 raised from Amazon Smile

Over 28 pavers sold to add to our Kiker Star

Over $980 raised from Paving stone sales!

725  members including parents & staff

This year the Kiker PTA Proudly Funded:

• Classroom materials support for every Kiker teacher
• Outdoor equipment, storage and soccer nets for upper (1st-5th grade) playground.
• 15 Chrome Books for the 4th grade team
• STEM items and storage containers for school wide STEM Lessons
• 2 school wide science based online resources - Generation Genius and Mystery Science
• 4 new instruments (Bass Xylophone, Bass Metallophone, Alto Xylophone, Soprano Xylophone) and 2 music carts for the Music Classrooms
• Kiker Alumni Scholarship Program

The 2019-2020 PTA Also Supported:

Camp Read volunteer tutoring, Math Pentathlon, 5th Grade End of Year recognition gift for each 5th grade student,  the Comet River upkeep, the Kiker Spelling Bee, and the national Reflections Arts Recognition & Achievement Program, Staff Appreciation, Custodian Appreciation, Classroom Support, Literacy Library

BE SURE TO FOLLOW US ON Facebook!  http://www.facebook.com/KikerElementaryPTA

2019-2020 Kiker PTA Executive Board Members:

President:  Shannon Venable | kikerpta@gmail.com

Vice President:  Natalie Kifer

Co-VP Fundraising:  Amanda Hunter,  Ashley Vaccarino

Co-VP Programs:  Lisa Day, Jennifer Sparks

VP Membership:  Cori Lago

VP Communications:  Susan Crum

Treasurer:  Shari Dalchau

Secretary:  Rebecca Lusk

Kiker Beautification:  Lindsay Rerecich

Volunteer Coordinators:  LaShelle Cargil, Sarah Streif

CAC Rep (Campus Advisory Council):  Melissa Pardue

ACPTA Rep (Austin Council PTA):  Judy Kenney

Parliamentarian:  Angie Bashton

Arts in Education/Reflections:  Kristin Finan, Kate internitz

Historian:  Heidi Varga