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NEWSLETTER
AUGUST 2026
Welcome Back to School
A brand-new school year is here, and we couldn't be more excited! This year is filled with incredible opportunities for students to learn, create, explore, and grow in Music, Art, and Physical Education. As part of the Kocurek family, every child will experience the creativity, energy, and fun that make our Essential Areas such an important part of each school day.
Our Essential Areas help students discover new talents, build confidence, and develop skills that last a lifetime. In Music, students will sing, play instruments, move, create, and explore the exciting world of rhythm and melody. In Art, they'll experiment with a variety of materials and techniques while expressing their creativity in unique ways. In Physical Education, students will stay active as they build strength, coordination, teamwork, and healthy habits through engaging games and activities.
Throughout the school year, this newsletter will keep your family connected with everything happening in our Essential Areas. You'll find classroom highlights, student celebrations, upcoming performances and events, important reminders, and simple ways to support your child's learning and creativity at home.
We're so glad you're part of the Kocurek Koala family! Here's to an amazing year filled with music, creativity, movement, and unforgettable learning experiences. We can't wait to share all the exciting moments with you!
Updates on Our Team
As we begin another exciting school year, we'd like to share a few updates about our Essential Areas Team.
This year we say goodbye to two wonderful team members who have made a lasting impact on our Kocurek community.
Coach S. has relocated to the New England area with her family. We are incredibly grateful for the care, enthusiasm, and dedication she brought to our students each day, and we wish her and her family all the best as they begin this new adventure.
We also celebrate the retirement of Coach Rendon. After years of inspiring and encouraging our students, she is beginning a well-earned new chapter. While we will certainly miss her on campus, we are excited for everything that lies ahead and wish her a happy, healthy, and relaxing retirement.
As we say farewell to these amazing educators, we are also excited to welcome Coach X to the Kocurek family as our new Physical Education teacher. We know our students will enjoy getting to know him, and we look forward to an outstanding school year together.
Your Essential Areas Team
Music Notes: Melodies Unleashed
Welcome to the vibrant world of Music Classes at Kocurek Elementary School! Our program is open to students from kindergarten through 5th grade, where they embark on an exciting musical journey. Throughout the school year, we explore a diverse range of music skills, starting from simple techniques like tapping the steady beat and progressing to more complex abilities such as reading and writing music.In particular, our 3rd-5th Grade students will have the unique opportunity to learn and play music using the soprano recorder, honing their musical prowess.
For our younger grades, they will have a blast exploring various classroom instruments, fostering their creativity and love for music.Additionally, we are thrilled to offer a fantastic choir program exclusively for students in 3rd-5th grades. Here, young voices come together to harmonize and create beautiful melodies, providing an enriching experience in the world of choral music.At Kocurek Elementary, our Music Classes and choir program aim to inspire a lifelong passion for music, encourage self-expression, and cultivate a deep appreciation for the arts. So get ready to make wonderful music, explore your musical talents, and sing your heart out in our engaging and fun-filled music program!
Artistic Expressions: Beyond Brushstrokes
Welcome to the captivating world of Art Classes at Kocurek Elementary School! Our program is open to students from kindergarten through 5th grade, where they embark on an exciting artistic journey. Throughout the school year, we delve into a diverse range of artistic skills, starting from the basics like learning about lines and shapes and progressing to more intricate techniques such as pottery and weaving.
But that's not all! In addition to honing their technical abilities, students also explore the fascinating realm of artistic expression, discovering how mood and emotions can be beautifully displayed through art.They are introduced to a variety of influential artists and the masterpieces they created, opening their minds to the rich history and creativity of the art world.
At Kocurek Elementary, our Art Classes aim to inspire young artists, encourage creative thinking, and foster a deep appreciation for the beauty of visual expression. So get ready to paint your imagination, sculpt your dreams, and weave your artistic talents in our engaging and fun-filled art program!
PE Chronicles: Adventures in Motion
Welcome to the dynamic world of PE classes at Kocurek Elementary School! Our program caters to students from kindergarten through 5th grade, ensuring that every young athlete gets a chance to be active and have fun. Throughout the school year, we embark on an exciting journey, covering a wide variety of athletic skills, both locomotor and non-locomotor.
But that's not all! In addition to honing their physical abilities, students also learn about the importance of nutrition and positive exercise habits, instilling a holistic approach to health and well-being. Our curriculum is designed to foster teamwork and movement, encouraging students to work together, support one another, and experience the joy of staying active.
At Kocurek Elementary, our PE classes are more than just games and exercises; they are about building strong bodies, fostering healthy habits, and promoting a sense of unity through movement. So get ready to run, jump, and play your way to a healthier and happier you in our engaging and fun-filled PE program!
New Koala Choir Season Set to Begin
Get ready, Koalas! The Koala Choir is getting ready to kick off an exciting 2026–2027 season, and we can’t wait to start making music together again.
The Koala Choir is a fun and energetic opportunity for students to sing, perform, build confidence, make new friends, and represent Kocurek through music. Throughout the year, choir members will participate in weekly rehearsals and at least 2 concerts (one in the fall and one in the spring) and memorable musical experiences that help students grow as musicians and leaders.
Additional information about our program can be found HERE.
If your child will be in 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade this year and is interested in auditioning for the Koala Choir, please be sure to complete the registration form by Friday, August 28th.
The Koala Choir Rocked Their Spring Concert (May 2026)
As prescribed in the Texas Education Code, Section 25.092 and Senate Bill (SB) 140 of the 82nd Legislative Session, a student must attend 90% of a given class in order to receive a grade.
Grading and Attendance
Each student in kindergarten through 5th grade will receive a grade in Music, Art and PE each 9 weeks. In order to receive grades as prescribed in the Texas Education Code, Section 25.092 and Senate Bill (SB) 140 of the 82nd Legislative Session, a student must attend 90% of the given class. Each student will attend Music, Art, and PE approximately 15 times per 9 weeks. This means they need to be in attendance for 13 of the 15 classes to receive a grade. Students that do not reach the minimum attendance will receive a NA in lieu of the numerical or alphabetic grade.
