KSTM Newsletter September 2025

We are off to a great start for the 2025-2026 school year at KSTM. Keeping it rolling, there are many exciting events happening in September and we want to make sure that all are informed. Please review our September newsletter for upcoming events - here are a few highlights:

• Reminder there is No School on Monday, September 1st, for Labor Day. It will be an "A" on Tuesday, September 2nd when students return.
• School Picture Day is September 5th, 2025 - Pictures will take place during the block 1/2 and 3/4 on Friday. Picture packets provided to students next week via advisements and will also be available the day of pictures.
  

• KSTM Hullabaloo is September 12th, 2025 - The Fall Hullabaloo is a fundraiser from 3:30-5:05. Tickets are 5 dollars to attend. See below for more information.
  

• The HOMEWORK HELP ROOM is available after school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays until 5:15pm. It takes place is room 217. If you have questions about Homework Help or Tutoring, call Ms. Nicole Benson at 531-299-7030. Tutoring will begin in October.

• FALL SPORTS season has started - the calendar is up to date on the KSTM Website, and the current schedule is provided within this newsletter. Please be sure to check the King Science website for upcoming events, the staff directory, and other important information.
• Next week we will be celebrating ATTENDANCE AWARENESS WEEK at KSTM. There will be a series of activities and announcements for students to highlight the importance of attending school every day! EVERY MINUTE MATTERS!

#KSTMPROUD,

Jane Laughlin

Principal

Picture day is Sep 5. Pre-order is now live. Keyword: King https://bit.ly/4flZdUX

This summer, our district notified families that students at King Science will continue to receive lunch at no cost, regardless of income, through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).

We encourage our families to complete an Educational Benefits Form by Sept. 24 to see if they qualify for additional benefits including:

• Discounted home internet services

• Discounted or waived fees for SAT, PSAT, ACT, AP and other academic tests

• Waived or reduced college and postsecondary application and course fees

• Scholarship options

• Access to career, internship and other community programs

Log in to SchoolCafe and click “Apply for Benefits” to complete the form. It only takes a few minutes to complete if you have your household income details handy.

One form covers all students in your household. If you have already completed an Educational Benefits Form or Free and Reduced Meal Application through SchoolCafe, you can check your eligibility status on your account dashboard.

Please reach out to our office if you need help completing your application.

The KSTM HULLABALOO is a KSTM Fundraiser event for students - all proceeds of the event go to our KSTM Scholarship. Cost of the event is $5.00 plus any concessions purchased. This is a cash only event.

3:05 to 5:05 p.m.

Late Bus Available for students who ride the bus

Hullabaloo Events:

• Gym: Basketball, Volleyball, other open gym events
• Cafetorium: DJ & Concessions - Concessions cost extra
• Library: quiet hangout space
• Courtyard: quiet hangout space (pending weather!)
• Hallway between Gym & Cafetorium: games

Tickets are $5.00 for entry to event!

• Cash Only!
• Tickets will be sold during lunch September 8th-11th
• No Tickets will be sold the day of the event

NOTICE TO STUDENTS: Students who are involved in Code of Conduct violations the week of the Hullabaloo may lose the privilege to attend this event. Refunds only issued if a student cannot attend because of a referral.

Fall MAP Testing: Students will be taking the fall reading MAP test in their ELA class the week of September 8 and the fall math MAP test in their math classes the week of September 15. The MAP test is a great opportunity for students and families to see how much growth a student experiences over the course of the year. Be sure to get a good night's sleep and a healthy breakfast before testing. Please reach out to Kelcey Schmitz via email at Kelcey.schmitz@ops.org or via phone at 531-299-8027 with any questions.

🐾 Wildcats Club — Join the Fun! 🐾

What’s Happening Now:
Wildcats Club is still accepting applications!
Join us Monday–Friday, 3:05–5:30 PM for:
✅ Academic support
✅ A hot meal
✅ Enrichment activities with amazing community partners
✅ Fun and fellowship with friends and staff

📌 Apply today!

• Online application: Click here to apply

• Paper applications: Available from Ms. Wise, Ms. Benson, or in the main office with Ms. Ledesma

📅 Coming Soon — Mark Your Calendars!

Sept 2 — Homework Help & Tutoring Kickoff!
We’re partnering with KSTM to offer homework help and tutoring for WCC students. Hot meals will be served before we get to work. Don’t miss out—complete your WCC application today!

Sept 4, 11, 18, & 25 — Virtual WCC Orientation (Mandatory)
6:00–6:30 PM via Google Meet
Meet the team, learn program expectations, and get ready for an amazing year.

Sept 4 — Book Tasting
Get a “taste” of some exciting books as we gear up for our Sip, Read, Repeat Book Club!

Sept 8–Nov 8 — Book It! Challenge
Earn a FREE Panda Express meal by completing 320 minutes of reading!
📚 Top 3 readers will win a special prize (TBA)!

Sept 12 — Hullabaloo Tickets for WCC Students!
WCC will purchase tickets for all students with qualifying attendance:

• Attend 3 days/week (Mon–Thurs)

• Or, if a student-athlete, sign in 3 times/week (Mon–Thurs)
  (Note: No WCC this day)

Sept 15 — WCC Family Advisory Board Announcement
Interested in serving? Email Staci Wise at swise@aiminstitute.org.

Dear 7th grade Families:

We are so excited to welcome your student to 7th grade this fall! We are sending this reminder message to all incoming 7th grade families that students need a physical exam and to be up to date on all immunizations before school begins. This is a requirement based on Nebraska state law. We recommend contacting your child’s healthcare provider now, as spots can fill up quickly. Families can also visit a school-based health center. Bring copies of health information to school prior to the start of the school year OR have the health care provider fax records to the school – Attention: School Nurse. If you have already submitted this information, no additional paperwork is needed. If you have any questions, please contact the school and ask to speak with the school nurse.

The phone number for the nurse's offices is 531-299-2381

Estimadas familias de estudiantes de 7º grado:

¡Estamos muy emocionados de darle la bienvenida a su estudiante al 7o grado este otoño! Enviamos este mensaje a todas las familias que ingresan al 7º grado como recordatorio de que los estudiantes necesitan un examen físico y estar al día con todas las vacunas antes de que comiencen las clases. Este es un requisito basado en la ley estatal de Nebraska. Le recomendamos que se comunique con el proveedor de atención médica de su hijo ahora, ya que los lugares pueden llenarse rápidamente. Las familias también pueden visitar un Centro de salud en las escuelas. Traiga copias de la información de salud a la escuela antes del comienzo del año escolar o haga que el proveedor de atención médica envíe por fax los registros a la escuela – Dirigido al: Enfermero(a) escolar. Si ya ha enviado esta información, no se necesita papeleo adicional. Si tiene alguna pregunta, comuníquese con la escuela de su hijo. Tenga en cuenta que las llamadas se responderán esporádicamente mientras el personal esté de vacaciones de verano. Las secretarias escolares regresan el 1ro de agosto.

8th Grade Administrators:

• Ms. LaDeidre Jackson: 531-299-4016 LaDeidre.Jackson@ops.org
• Mr. Odell Santos: 531-299-3774 Odell.Santos@ops.org

7th Grade Administrator

• Ms. Nicole Benson: 531-299-7030 Nicole.Benson@ops.org

6th Grade Administrator

• Ms. Roxana Silva: 531-299-9049 Carmen.Silva@ops.org

Instructional Facilitator (all grade levels)

• Mrs. Kelcey Schmitz, 531-299-8027 Kelcey.Schmitz@ops.org

Contact AD Odell Santos with questions regarding sports activities or events at 531-299-3774

MTSS-B stands for Multi-Tiered Systems of Support for Behavior. MTSS-B focuses on behavior Expectations that are prioritized and used all through King Science.

The framework for MTSS-B is:

• A Problem-solving framework for behavior

• A systematic standardized implementation of evidence-based practices

• A framework with standardized practices that has tiers of increasingly intensive supports that increase the likelihood students are academically, emotionally, behaviorally and socially successful.

At King Science with have two tiers of MTSS-B.

Tier 1 serves every student through our school wide expectations “The King Way”

• Be Respectful

• Be Responsible

• Be Safe

Students who show positive behaviors that match The King Way can be awarded Wildcat Bucks, which they can exchange in our Wildcat Store every few weeks.

Tier 2 serves a smaller portion of students who need more support than Tier 1. The Tier 2 team gives instruction to students on how to solve peer conflicts and helps them improve their attendance.

Attention Students: There are 415 minutes in the school day, and every minute counts! Tardies to class disrupt the classroom, interrupt the lesson, and put students at risk of falling behind. Beginning this week any student who has 3 tardies during the week will be assigned an afterschool detention the following week. BE RESPONSIBLE, WILDACTS ! Get to class on time.

• Cell Phones and Personal Devices must be off and out of sight during the school day from 7:40-3:05
• Student failure to comply may result in their personal device being confiscated by administration.
• Parent Communication and Code of Conduct consequences may be applied for repeated violations of the No Cell Phone/No personal device policy.
• If you have any questions regarding this, please call the grade level administrator.

The OPS Parent Survey link is open all year long.

SURVEY LINK: http://www.tinyurl.com/OPSParentVoice