Principal's Message

Hello Hornet Families,

I hope this message finds you relaxed, refreshed, and ready for a fantastic year ahead! It is hard to believe that the new school year is upon us. On behalf of the entire Hornet staff, I’m thrilled to have you all back this school year and to extend a very special welcome to our new students and families joining the Kealing community for the first time. We’re super excited to welcome you to the Hornet family!

The start of a new school year is always filled with energy, anticipation, nervousness (students and families), and opportunity. Whether your child is returning with a backpack full of stories from summer break or stepping into the halls of Kealing for the first time, we are here to support and challenge them every step of the way.

Our theme for the 2025-26 school year is "Proud Roots. Bold Futures." At Kealing, we honor the rich legacy of academic excellence, innovation, and community pride. Our history is a powerful foundation, and it reminds us that our students are not only a part of that legacy but also dictates what’s next. They are the future leaders, creators, problem-solvers, and change-makers of our world. As educators, it is both our privilege and responsibility to equip our Hornets with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to lead and live with purpose.

We can’t wait to see our hallways buzzing with our students again. Let’s make this year full of memorable moments, meaningful growth, and plenty of fun along the way!

See you next week!

Estes

UPCOMING EVENTS:

August 19 - First Day of School
August 19 - First Football Practice
August 20 - 22 - Volleyball Tryouts
August 21 - Cross Country Informational Meeting
August 26 - First Cross Country Practice
August 27 - Back to School Night
August 28 - Volleyball vs. Bailey
September 1 - No School/Labor Day
September 4 - Volleyball vs. O.Henry
September 9 - Football vs. Lively
September 11 - Volleyball vs. Marshall

Welcome Mrs. Corondado

Hello, my name is Adelina Coronado, and I am proud to serve as an assistant principal, supporting 6th-grade students, at Kealing Middle School. This is my 12th year in education, and I’m honored to step into this leadership role supporting students, families, and staff. My family and I love calling Austin home and being part of this vibrant community.

My passion for education is deeply rooted in my own experiences growing up. As a child, I didn’t always receive the support I needed in school, and that has fueled my commitment to ensure every student feels seen, supported, and empowered to succeed. I believe in building strong relationships, fostering a positive and inclusive school culture, and partnering with families to help all students thrive.

Kealing holds a special place in my heart—not only as an educator, but also as a parent. My daughter attended Kealing and loved her time here, and my son will be joining the Hornet family in the near future. I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact this school has on students, and I’m excited to contribute to that legacy.

I’m proud to be a Hornet and look forward to an incredible school year ahead. Go Kealing!

STUDENT SCHEDULES

Student schedules will be viewable in Frontline ERP/SIS beginning on August 15th late afternoon. Keep in mind that changes may occur before the first day of school when finalized schedules will be distributed to students during their Advisory class, first thing in the morning.

Have a concern with your schedule?
Students who would like to have their schedule reviewed by a counselor should complete this google form for one of the following reasons, only:

Missing a period (hole in the schedule)
Already taken and passed a core course currently on the schedule
Enrolled in an inappropriate level course (i.e. 6th grader in a PE 7)
Missing a required language (Applicable for: Magnet 7th/8th Grade)
Same class is listed twice
You believe you are scheduled into the wrong level Fine Arts class/missing the required Fine Arts class for 6th graders

Interested in being a Teacher’s Aide or Office Aide (7th/8th only)?
The application is open and available HERE. Completed applications will be shared with office staff/teachers to approve. If you are selected, your updated schedule will show Office Skills as the new course when student schedules are viewable in Frontline ERP/SIS. 2nd semester only requests will not be honored at this time, but there will be a second chance to apply in December for the spring. The application form will close on Monday, August 18th.

A Note About Electives
We do our best to match your student’s choice sheet to their schedule, but it is an imperfect process. Please encourage your Hornet to keep an open mind about their electives. Middle school is a wonderful time to try new things, and an unexpected class can often be a pleasant surprise.

CRAZY COURSE NAMES
When schedules populate in Frontline, you will see some very strange course titles. These are the “short description” used in the scheduling program. Don’t panic! Refer to this cheat sheet to see the name used at Kealing. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1It0H23vxVR7R8IHzl8_jJ-4kxEFb3ksEnQPgPuC1b0A/edit?usp=sharing

PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL YOUR COUNSELOR FOR SCHEDULE CHANGES.

VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball tryouts are Wednesday 8/20- Friday 8/22 after school 3-5 pm. Players must bring a completed physical prior to any play.

Volleyball virtual parent meeting for players who make the team will be Tuesday 8/26 at 6:30 pm. Link to join will be sent out closer to time through SportsYou.

Interested students must have a sports physical on file to tryout.

FOOTBALL

Football meeting/1st practice will take place on the 1st day of school, after school, in the gym. Bring completed AISD physical packet, workout clothes and shoes, and a water bottle.

Email Coach Gardner (justin.gardner@austinisd.org) if your child is planning on playing football and does not have Athletics A1.

Kealing Cross Country Wants YOU!!!

Come join the Kealing Cross Country team!!! This is a great chance to get in shape and have fun. Are you a runner? We want you! Are you a soccer player? Guess what we want you! Play basketball? Yep, you got it, we want you. Just curious about what XC is about? We want you too!!! Cross country gives you a great chance not only to be competitive, but to also build some great strength and fitness for the other sports you participate in. No experience needed. Everyone is welcome!!! And if you don't have interest in racing, that's okay. You can still train with us.

Soccer, baseball, football, tennis, ultimate frisbee would all be kinda lame without running. Make the leap. Join Kealing Cross Country!

Registration Form: https://forms.gle/6PwzTydBDaXTS9xE6

Students lined up at the race starting line

Technology Device Policy

We want to remind you of the recent Texas legislation (House Bill 1481), which prohibits students from using personal devices on district premises during school hours.

Additional information will be provided in next week's Hornet Herald after AISD Board has approved the district's new technology policy.

For now, please talk to your students about keeping their devices put away from 7:00 am - 3:00 pm.

Devices that are prohibited include, but are not limited to:

Cell Phones
Smart Watches
Tablets
Gaming Devices
Bluetooth Headphones or Earphones

Please avoid calling or texting your child during school hours; if needed, contact the main office, 512-414-3214.

Chromebooks at Kealing

Last year, we transitioned to using class sets of Chromebooks rather than assigning individual devices to students. This change had a noticeable positive impact. Students were more engaged in lessons and there was an increase in meaningful student-to-student interactions during class time. Based on this success, we will continue with this model for the 2025-2026 school year.

With class sets, Chromebooks stay in classrooms for instructional use. This not only helps reduce the risk of devices being lost or damaged, but also limits non-instructional use like gaming or video streaming, while promoting collaboration and social interaction among students.

Students with an IEP or 504 plan that includes the need for an individual Chromebook can request one through the front office or case manager.

Thank you for your continued support as we build on last year’s success!

2025-26 BELL SCHEDULES

We’re excited to welcome students back on the first day of school on Tuesday, August 19th! Please note that our first-day bell schedule will be slightly different from the regular schedule.

On Tuesday morning, all students will report to their Advisory class for 1st period. During Advisory, students will receive their class schedules, a campus map, and support in locating their classrooms. This helps ensure a smooth and confident start to the school year.

Starting Wednesday, August 20th, we will follow our regular bell schedule. You can view both schedules here.

2025-26 A/B Schedule

Eating a balanced Breakfast & Lunch

Eating healthy is crucial for students for several reasons that impact their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Here’s a few reasons why students should prioritize healthy eating:

1. Supports Physical Growth and Development

2. Enhances Cognitive Function and Academic Performance

3. Promotes Emotional Well-Being

4. Builds Healthy Habits for Life

Austin ISD Food Services provides healthy and delicious breakfast and lunch options for our students. Please see the attachments below for more information about AISD options.

Nutrition & Food Services | Austin ISD

SchoolCafé - AUSTIN ISD (schoolcafe.com )

We want to ensure all our students have access to nutritious meals during the school day. If you haven’t already, we encourage you to apply for our free and reduced lunch program. It’s quick, confidential, and can provide significant benefits for your family.

To sign up, please visit School Cafe, create an account and complete the Free and Reduced Lunch program form, or contact our Main Office for assistance. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to support your child's health and learning.

Back to School Night 2025

Back to school night flyer with a hornet and school supplies displayed

We invite all of our families to our Back to School Night on Wednesday, August 27 from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm. This is a great opportunity for you to meet your student's teachers and hear about the fun, engaging, and academically enriching activities your students will participate in this school year.

SchoolPool

To help families save time and money and help schools reduce traffic congestion and the long drop-off/pick-up experience, we’re continuing our partnership with Movability’s SchoolPool powered by Go Together. This secure, online transportation platform is accessible only to approved school community families.

Movability’s SchoolPool powered by Go Together, where you can:

Meet other parents and caregivers interested in carpooling your children to and from school and extracurricular activities—even biking or walking together!
Request and offer a ride
If you live close to school but want to switch off chaperone duties with another parent in the area, organize biking and walking matches.
Set up short-term trips for an event or trips for a season, or for the entire school year.
Web and Mobile Apps with language translation.

Registration - All families will be registered to use SchoolPool. You will receive a Welcome email with the link to start the background screening process. Once the background screening has been completed and approved, you will receive a Welcome email from Go Together notifying them that they now have full access to start searching for families and creating trips. This entire process can take up to 2 business days.

Background Screening - Any parents and other caregivers who are interested in participating in the SchoolPool to offer or seek ride support must first complete a background screening. This is a similar process to what you’d need to complete to volunteer at our school. Once the background screening has been completed and approved, you will receive a Welcome email from Go Together notifying them that they now have full access to start searching for families and creating trips. This entire process can take up to 5 business days.

Scan the attached QR code to express interests in SchoolPool.

Join Kealing's Amazing PTA

As the new school year approaches, we invite all families to join the Kealing Middle School PTA! Whether your child is starting their first year or continuing their journey, being part of the PTA is a wonderful way to support our students, teachers, and school community. Together, we can make a positive impact on our children's education and experiences. Sign up today and help us make this school year the best one yet!

Click here to join!

HORNET HERALD August 14, 2025