Hello Kellogg School District Families!
Can you believe it? We've entered the home stretch of the 2024-2025 school year! Time truly flies when you're having fun and learning a lot. We want to send a huge thank you to all of you for your incredible support in making this year a success, especially your commitment to getting your students to school. Our average daily attendance has been a major focus, and we're so grateful for your partnership!
Looking ahead, we're also thrilled to announce that the 4-day school week will continue for the 2025-2026 school year! We know this is exciting news for many of you. Included in this newsletter is the district calendar for 25-26 for your reference. The newsletter can also be found HERE.
May is always a busy month, with so many exciting events, activities, and celebrations happening across the district. To make sure you don't miss a single moment of the fun, please keep a close eye on your school's website and social media pages. There's something for everyone!
Finally, next week, May 5-8, is Teacher Appreciation Week! Let's take this opportunity to show our gratitude for the amazing educators, bus drivers, custodians, and school cooks who dedicate their time and energy to our students every day. They are invaluable members of our special Kellogg community. Please take a moment to thank them!
KHS & KMS Bands Join Forces for Apple Blossom Festival Performance
The Kellogg High School (KHS) Band and Kellogg Middle School (KMS) Band are striking a new chord of collaboration in preparation for the upcoming Apple Blossom Festival. Under the leadership of Mr. Strobel and Mr. Ream, the KHS Band has dedicated their rehearsal time to working alongside their middle school counterparts. High school students are leading sectionals, sharing their musical expertise, and helping the younger students hone their skills for the festival performance. This unique partnership marks the first time the two bands will join forces for an out-of-state parade, promising a powerful and unified musical presence.
This collaboration extends beyond simply preparing for a performance. It's a valuable opportunity for KHS students to develop leadership skills, mentor younger musicians, and foster a deeper appreciation for music across grade levels. The initiative also helps to strengthen the bond between the middle and high schools, creating a supportive and collaborative environment. By working together, the students are building relationships and cultivating a shared passion that will enrich the school community for years to come.
The combined bands are set to showcase their hard work and talent at the Apple Blossom Festival on May 3rd. This event will not only be a celebration of music but also a testament to the power of collaboration and mentorship within the Kellogg School District. The district looks forward to sharing photos and videos of the performance, highlighting the dedication and talent of these young musicians.
"🌱🍅🌻 Get ready for the Green Thumb Extravaganza at Kellogg Middle School!
Our 'Students Learning By Doing' program is excited to host a greenhouse sale featuring a variety of plants that our students have lovingly nurtured.
From the robust 'Big Daddy' to the early bloomer 'Early Treat', and the ever so sweet 'Super Sweet' tomatoes, we've got your salad needs covered. But that's not all! We also have green and yellow zucchinis, aromatic basil, refreshing lemon cucumbers, juicy watermelons, sunny sunflowers, and festive jack-o-lanterns.
Mark your calendars for May 9th, from 12 PM to 7 PM, and May 10th, from 9 AM to 2 PM. All plants are priced at just $4 each.
Come support our students and leave with some fantastic plants for your garden.
See you there! 🌱🍅🌻"
Middle School Jr. Tackle Football Program Reinstated!
The Kellogg School District Board of Trustees has unanimously approved the reinstatement of a Kellogg Middle School (KMS) football program for 7th and 8th-grade students, effective for the 2025-2026 school year! This exciting development, approved at the board meeting on April 8th, promises to bring a new level of competitive opportunity and skill development to our young athletes.
For the past several seasons, our middle school-aged players have participated in the Coeur d’Alene Junior Tackle Program, competing against teams from much larger schools in the Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Rathdrum, Spirit Lake, and Sandpoint areas. While we appreciate the efforts of the Junior Tackle program, the reality is that our smaller Kellogg teams, often fielding only 15-20 players per grade level, have faced a significant competitive disadvantage against opposing teams boasting around 40 players. This has unfortunately resulted in winless seasons at both the 7th and 8th-grade levels for the past three-plus years.
Recognizing the need for a more equitable and developmentally focused environment, the district began exploring the possibility of bringing middle school football under the school’s umbrella. Research revealed that nearly every other member of the Central Idaho League (CIL), including St. Maries, Priest River, Orofino, and Grangeville, sponsors their own middle school football programs, allowing them to compete against schools of similar size. Even Sandpoint, along with smaller 8-man schools like Wallace and Clark Fork, offer middle school football opportunities.
The primary goal of reinstating KMS Football is to provide our student-athletes with a more competitive platform where they have a legitimate chance to experience success against schools of similar size and demographics. This shift will also allow the school district to have direct oversight of the program, ensuring better coaching, consistent expectations regarding technique and fundamental skill development, and control over scheduling.
The plan involves fielding one combined 7th and 8th-grade team, which is projected to have a roster of 40 to 45 students. This combined team will create a more robust and competitive unit.
Excitingly, scheduling opportunities are already taking shape! St. Maries and Priest River have proactively offered home-and-away games, guaranteeing at least four contests. With interest also expressed by Orofino and Grangeville, a six-game schedule is readily achievable, with the potential for up to eight games if desired. Sandpoint has also indicated interest in playing both our combined team and their individual 7th and 8th-grade teams.
Thanks to the proactive efforts of Kellogg High School Assistant Football Coach Tim Kimberling, the program has already secured 28 matching home and away uniforms. Furthermore, Kyle Mann, President of the Kellogg Youth Football (formerly Storm) organization, has generously offered the immediate use of helmets and pads that were previously allocated to the 7th and 8th-grade youth teams. This means the program is well-equipped to hit the ground running.
The district will be moving forward with the hiring process for a head coach and one assistant coach for the KMS Football program. Mr. Mann has already presented this plan to parents within the youth football program, and there has been an overwhelming positive response, including significant interest in the coaching positions. The district anticipates a strong pool of qualified applicants.
The groundwork for this exciting initiative began last fall when concerns arose regarding the competitive imbalance our middle schoolers faced. Initial discussions with then-Storm Football President Corey Reed sparked the idea of transitioning middle school football to the school. Subsequent conversations with Athletic Directors Dakota Wickard of St. Maries and Crosby Tajan of Sandpoint provided valuable insights into the structure and benefits of school-sponsored middle school football programs, particularly emphasizing the importance of qualified coaching and skill development.
Superintendent Lance Pearson has expressed his strong support for this move, recognizing the positive impact it will have on our students by providing enhanced opportunities, greater oversight, and a more level playing field compared to the current out-of-district program. Collaboration with current Kellogg Youth Football President Kyle Mann has been instrumental in bringing this vision to fruition, with his board and parents enthusiastically endorsing the plan.
This reinstatement of middle school football marks an exciting new chapter for our young athletes at Kellogg Middle School. It underscores the district's commitment to providing comprehensive athletic opportunities that foster skill development, teamwork, and a positive competitive spirit. We look forward to cheering on our KMS Wildcats on the gridiron!
Celebrate your graduate in the Shoshone News-Press Salute to the Class of 2025 Special Edition!
Each Senior Spotlight includes:
A childhood photo
A senior photo
A personal message to your graduate (200 words or less)
Senior Spotlight Cost: $25
Publication Date: May 28, 2025
Order Deadline: May 8, 2025
Add-On Keepsakes:
Commemorative Plaque (8.5" x 11") – $100 (Example attached)
Senior Spotlight Yard Sign – $50
Honor their journey—order your spotlight and optional keepsakes today!
CLICK TO ORDER HERE
👀Check out Kaia Palmer in Chemistry class...
Mastering the art of acid-base titrations! This week, students have been learning how to prepare solutions, like the acid solution Kaia is working on here. Titration is a key method for analyzing the concentration of acids and bases through carefully controlled reactions. Safety first with those goggles!
