KMS NEWSLETTER

Dear Kodiak Middle School Students, Staff, and Families,

As I prepare to transition to Peterson Elementary on April 27th, I want to take a moment to

express my sincere gratitude to this incredible school community. Serving at Kodiak Middle School over the past six years has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.

I have had the privilege of working alongside dedicated educators, supportive families, and

resilient, inspiring students, first in the gifted and talented program, then as assistant principal,

and most recently as principal. Each role has allowed me to grow as an educator and leader, and I

am deeply thankful for the trust, collaboration, and commitment that define this school.

Kodiak Middle School is a special place because of its people. I am proud of all that we have

accomplished together and confident that the strong foundation here will continue to support

student success for years to come.

While I am excited for this next chapter, it is not easy to say goodbye. Kodiak Middle School has

meant so much to me, both professionally and personally, and I will always carry my time here

with great appreciation.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. It has truly been an honor.

With gratitude,

Rena Rankin

Kodiak Middle School Principal

MONDAY, 4/20

• SPIRIT WEEK: DRESS LIKE A FIRST GRADER
• STUDENT GOVT, 8:20AM, ROOM 103
• SCIENCE CLUB, 3:50-4:20PM, #101
• CREDIT RECOVERY, 3:50-5:15, KMS LIBRARY

TUESDAY, 4/21

• SPIRIT WEEK: NERD ALERT
• 8TH GRADE AK STAR ASSESSMENT: SCIENCE, DURING SCIENCE CLASSES
• DRAMA CLUB REHEARSALS, TUE/THU/FRI @ 3:45-5:30, DRAMA POD
• SCIENCE CLUB, 3:50-4:20PM, #101
• CREDIT RECOVERY, 3:50-5:15, KMS LIBRARY

WEDNESDAY, 4/22

• SPIRIT WEEK: EARTH DAY
• 8TH GRADE AK STAR ASSESSMENT: SCIENCE, DURING SCIENCE CLASSES
• EARLY RELEASE
• CREDIT RECOVERY, 2:50-4:15, KMS LIBRARY

THURSDAY, 4/23

• SPIRIT WEEK: PURPLE UP
• 8TH GRADE AK STAR ASSESSMENT: SCIENCE, DURING SCIENCE CLASSES
• SCIENCE CLUB, 3:50-4:20PM, #101
• CREDIT RECOVERY, 3:50-5:15, KMS LIBRARY

FRIDAY, 4/24 - MODIFIED SCHEDULE FOR RAFFLE DRAWING

• SPIRIT WEEK: BACK TO THE 90S
• 8TH GRADE AK STAR ASSESSMENT: SCIENCE, DURING SCIENCE CLASSES
• SCIENCE CLUB, 3:50-4:20PM, #101
• CREDIT RECOVERY, 3:50-5:15, KMS LIBRARY

SATURDAY, 4/25

• SATURDAY SCHOOL, 8:00-12:00 NOON, KMS LIBRARY

Each year students in 5th, 8th, and 10th grades take the AK Science Assessment.

This week, whatever days your student normally has science class, is when their assessments will be administered.

Please make sure they are at school on time, with a charged iPad, and a good-start breakfast.

We will still provide a snack for each session.

Thank you!

After 3 weeks of state testing, it's time to celebrate! Students who showed up on time, had their iPad charged, and did their best work earned raffle tickets each day of whole-school testing.

They put their tickets into a prize bucket of their choice.

Friday, we will gather in the gym at the end of the day to draw the winners of each of those prizes.

Good luck, students!! We appreciate your hard work and earnest effort!

We have had reports of not being able to add this year's yearbook to your order, and we hope this troubleshooting graphic helps.

Make sure you "add new school" and choose KMS, then "add new year" - if you still have issues, feel free to email Ms Moseley!

We’re excited to celebrate our 8th grade graduates! To make this graduation dance successful, we’re asking families to help by contributing food items.

Please sign up below to bring a dish. If time is tight, feel free to donate one of the needed items listed. Your support helps us create a memorable celebration for our students—thank you for being part of this milestone!

Potluck items can be dropped off at the Middle School Commons Door between 5-5:30 pm before graduation. If this is inconvenient, items can be dropped off earlier in the day to KMS front office.

SIGN UP TO BRING A DISH - CLICK HERE

JOIN OUR FACEBOOK PAGE - CLICK HERE

COME TO OUR NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, April 21, 6pm, KMS Commons

I wanted to share a report on our middle school group that attended the Native Youth Olympics Traditional Games in Juneau.

We traveled with four student-athletes: 8th graders Jacob Peterson, Abi Katelnikoff, and Mikayla Barcelon, along with 7th grader Lucas Kenshalo. We also had 5 KHS students.

Event Participation Highlights:

• Jacob Peterson: Scissor Broad Jump (15’ 11”), Dene Stick Pull, Inuit Stick Pull
• Mikayla Barcelon: Scissor Broad Jump (17’ 5.5”), Dene Stick Pull, One-Foot High Kick (56”)
• Abi Katelnikoff: Dene Stick Pull, Inuit Stick Pull, One-Foot High Kick (40”)
• Lucas Kenshalo: Scissor Broad Jump (19’ 2”), One-Foot High Kick (62”), One-Hand Reach, Seal Hop

This group of middle schoolers represented our school very well. They were eager to participate, demonstrated strong sportsmanship, and did an excellent job listening to coaches, peers, and presenters throughout the trip. Jacob and Abi, in particular, did a great job connecting and bonding with students from a variety of towns and villages, helping build positive relationships beyond our own team.

Beyond competition, students engaged in a variety of cultural learning opportunities, including workshops and demonstrations connected to Indigenous games and traditions. These experiences are a core part of the Traditional Games event and provided valuable opportunities for students to learn from and alongside other communities. While the majority of students demonstrated strong engagement in both competition and cultural activities, this trip also provided valuable opportunities for growth in understanding expectations around participation and focus during cultural events. We have KANA, Native Village of Afognak, Koniag, and Natives of Kodiak, in addition to KIBSD Federal Programs, and Tania Silva-Johnson, to thank for making this trip financially possible.

Individually, Abi was a strong support to the group and helped with overall flow and organization. Lucas consistently showed enthusiasm, a willingness to improve, and gave strong effort in every event he entered.

Overall, this group represented our school community with pride and returned with new skills, meaningful cultural experiences, and positive connections with peers from across the state.

Thank you for your support,

Taylor Holen

NYO Coach

Congratulations to our KMS Artists who placed in the 2026 National Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest!

You can see these fantastic entries displayed at theWildlife Refuge Visitor’s Center during Crab Fest, so be sure to stop by!

Well done, artists!!

FREE opportunity for parents/guardians and community members to participate in.

This particular session is adults only.

We will be offering trainings for students ages 15 & up next year.

STAR Alaska is visiting KMS on April 30 and May 1 to provide age-appropriate instruction on topics including sexual assault awareness, consent, responding to unsafe situations, and identifying trusted adults.

STAR is a long-standing, school board-approved partner of KIBSD.

Please see the attached letter for the full schedule and details, and reach out to your student's school counselor or our district-wide school social worker with any questions.

Applications for eligibility open on Wednesday, April 1st.

https://foodbankofalaska.org/meals-to-you

APRIL

• 4/27 - SPRING CHORAL CONCERT, 6:30PM, GERALD C. WILSON AUDITORIUM
• 4/28 - SPRING BAND CONCERT, 6:30PM, GERALD C. WILSON AUDITORIUM
• 4/29 - SPRING ORCHESTRA CONCERT, 6:30PM, GERALD C. WILSON AUDITORIUM
• 4/30 - STAR ALASKA KMS 6TH GRADE PRESENTATION

MAY

• 5/1 - STAR ALASKA KMS 7TH & 8TH GRADE PRESENTATION
• 5/1 - ALASKA AIRLINES AVIATION DAY, ANCHORAGE, AK, REGISTRATION REQUIRED
• 5/1 & 5/2 - KMS DRAMA CLUB PRESENTS "WHEN BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD ACTORS" MORE INFO COMING SOON

JUNE

• 6/2-6/5 - KODIAK YOUTH BASKETBALL & ATHLETIC DEVELOPMENT CAMP (SEE FLYER)