February 5, 2025

Hello Parents and Guardians of our World Changers,

Today we have the make-up evening of Conferences. If you are in need of assistance from an administrator, please use this link. We will be available for you. Thank you for all that you do for your student(s).

KC Administration Team

Parent- Teacher Conferences *Administrator Link
Wednesday, February 5 · 4:00 – 7:00pm
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/sii-sojt-pyv

As part of the Giant Nation, we come together this month to celebrate and honor the incredible contributions of Black individuals throughout history. Black History Month is an important time to reflect on the strength, resilience, and creativity that has shaped our world, our country, and our community.

At Kalamazoo Central, we recognize that Black history is not just a part of the past—it’s a vital piece of who we are today. Throughout February, we will highlight the achievements, stories, and cultures of Black Americans, acknowledging both the challenges and triumphs that continue to inspire us.

Let’s embrace this month as a time to learn, share, and grow together, with the spirit of excellence that defines our Giant Nation. As we celebrate, we remind ourselves of the ongoing journey toward equality and unity.

Here’s to honoring Black history—today and every day.

Congratulations to both our Girls and Boys Basketball teams for a clean sweep against the Huskies of Portage Northern.

They Boys take on the Knights of Loy Norrix at Norrix on Thursday and the Lady Giants take on the Knights at home on Friday! Come out and support all of our hard working teams.

For any students wishing to join the track and field team this spring, you can sign up on Wednesday. Coach Germain will be on the gym side of the cafeteria during all three lunches for you to sign up. Stop by, bring a friend, and become a champion!

Feb. 10, 6 p.m. at Kalamazoo Central High School Auditorium

Dr. Slade is hosting this Community Meeting. All parents are encouraged to attend this meeting. Dr. Slade will be sharing information on this initiative and is seeking feedback.

Due to this meeting the February Parents Advisory Counsel Meeting is cancelled. Please attend Dr. Slade's presentation.

ATTENTION GIANT NATION!

Tomorrow night at 7 PM, our Maroon Giants take on crosstown rival Loy Norrix in a massive showdown as we look to complete the series sweep and defend the Zoo. With our UNDEFEATED conference record on the line, this game is about more than just basketball—it’s about pride, dominance, and proving once again who runs Kalamazoo. We need every single one of you in the stands, loud and locked in, to help us take over Norrix’s gym and bring home another win!

Theme: Maroon & White

• Seniors & Freshmen: Maroon

• Juniors & Sophomores: White

Game Time: 7 PM at Loy Norrix. See you there, Giant Nation!

"History club will be meeting this Thursday and every Thursday in February in Mr. Ihrcke's room. We are getting close to Regionals, so be sure to check in!"

“Kalamazoo United woman’s lacrosse is looking for more athletes interested in joining! Conditionings are Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at Maple St middle school from 7-9pm now until the end of February. Spring season starts March 10th and there are no try outs! Come check out this sport and join the team!!”

KC Women's Advocacy is meeting this Thursday after school until 3:30 in Mrs. Dodson’s room (359). We will discuss upcoming plans, including our period product drive and Women’s History Month projects. Everyone is welcome! Come, share your thoughts, and get involved! We hope to see you there!

Good morning seniors please stop by the athletic office to pick up your box of chocolate. You need to sell the whole box and return the money once you’re done. This is one of our biggest fundraisers so we need all of your support.

Parent(s)’/Guardian(s)’ Responsibility:

• It is the responsibility of the parent(s) and/or guardian(s) to notify the student’s school as early as possible on the day of an absence and explain the reasons for the absence.

• Written or email verification of a student’s absence by a parent/guardian is required (unless otherwise indicated by the appropriate administrator) and should be provided to the school the day after an absence.

• Student absences are considered unexcused if documentation supporting an excused absence is not provided.

• After 3 consecutive absences, a medical note from a physician may be required.

• It is the responsibility of the parent(s) and/or guardian(s) to make arrangements with the teacher to obtain missed assignments due to absences.

What is an excused absence?

• Student illness and/or appointment verified by the parent/guardian or medical professional

• Medically verified extended illness or hospitalization

• Attending a funeral

• Religious holiday

• Absence due to a subpoenaed court appearance

• Any time missed due to KPS school transportation issues

Please send email absence excuses to chsattendance@kalamazoopublicschools.net

We ask for your support in reinforcing the following school expectations with your children:

• Chromebooks: Students must bring a fully charged Chromebook to class daily. All Chromebook issues will be handled in the Chromebook Room during lunch

• ID Visibility: Students are required to wear their ID visible around their neck at all times. Pulling them out of pockets or backpacks is unacceptable. IDs are required to gain entrance into the building. They must be worn at all times around your neck and displayed. You may purchase an extra ID from Mrs. Garza for five dollars.

• Lunch Procedure: Each student is allowed to take only one lunch. Students who violate will serve dention and/or suspension

• Timeliness: Students must arrive to classes on time. Pattern of behavior will result in student loss of privileges up to and including suspension.

• Respectful Behavior: Students should keep their hands to themselves. Any physical aggression will be treated as an individual fight and students will be suspended.

• Detentions: Students must serve assigned detentions; failure to do so may result in suspension.

• Clean Environment: Students must throw away their trash after breakfast and lunch. They must also respect the bathrooms by putting paper towels in the trash can, flushing the toilet, and reporting vandalism. Students may receive lunch duty and other consequences.

• Safety and Welfare: Students can be suspended for behaviors that interfere with the safety and welfare of others, including walking the halls, vaping, attending more than one lunch, and any form of physical or verbal aggression.

• Hats, Hoodies, or Bonnets: are not allowed to be worn in the building at any time.

• Cell Phones may not be used during class time or while on bathroom breaks. Students may use cell phones before school, passing time, lunch, and after school.

• Attendance: To send in all student absences to CHSattendance@kalamazoopublicschools.net. If the absence is for a doctor's visit please remember to send in the doctor's office note with your email.

We appreciate your help in encouraging students to adhere to these expectations.

Arrival

• Please drop off students in the front of the building, not the back.
• Buses have a limited time for picking up, dropping off, and transporting students to the elementary schools.
• If you are dropping off your student at the curb please drop off and pull away from the curb. If you are planning on waiting until the doors open please pull into a parking spot. It creates a traffic jam and is unsafe for our students walking into the building.

Dismissal

• To ensure a safe and efficient pick-up process, please adhere to the following guidelines:
  1. Pick up students in the front of the building.
  2. Do not cut in front of buses.
  3. If picking up after 2:45 PM, you may pick up in the back.

Safety Matters
Students darting between buses can create an unsafe environment. Let's work together to maintain a safe and orderly dismissal process.

Softball winter workouts are starting. They are Sunday 3-6 and Wednesdays 6-8. Please join us!

Speed Club is back! Any athlete wanting to get faster and more explosive should plan to attend the Maroon Giants Speed club on Mondays and Wednesdays starting next week, Monday, January 13th. Speed Club meets in room 254 right after school. We begin at 2:45 sharp, and will be done no later than 3:45.

All track and field athletes: now is the time to begin preparing for greatness. Pre-season training schedules are available outside Coach Germain's door. Stop by and grab one any time!

Seniors! The Kalamazoo Promise Pathway Coaches will be hosting Open Labs every third Wednesday in lab 553. Starting November 20th. Open Lab is a one stop for everything post secondary. Applying to college, trade programs, promise paperwork, FAFSA and more. You will need a pass to and from Open Labs. Reach out to your Promise Coach, Ms. Trenae Dunigan, with questions and for more information.

If you are interested in joining upper bound applications are now being taken. Please use the link attached to apply today. Please see flyer today for more information.

As the weather turns colder it is very tempting to bring a blanket to school to snuggle in. Please leave it at home on your bed or couch to be ready for you when you get home and read a book. We do not allow students to use blankets as an alternative to coats or sweatshirts. Our HVAC system was upgraded this last year so we should be toasty all Fall/Winter long.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our students’ educational journey. We want to emphasize the importance of academic success and the role homework plays in achieving it.

Students are expected to complete their homework daily, as this work is important for understanding the material and preparing for quizzes, test, & state assessments. Help your student to set aside dedicated time and space each day for studying, which will help them stay on track. They can also stay after school for tutoring with our WMU tutors, CIS tutors, and KC Teachers.

Our goal is for every student to pass all their classes and earn the necessary credits toward high school graduation. Your encouragement at home can make a significant difference in their efforts.

Thank you for your partnership and being a part of our Giant Nation!

Attention CTE, KAMSC, and Dual Enrollment students, please pick up your yellow ID's in the Main Office, this will indicate to KC staff that you are allowed to leave campus and re-enter the building

Please be sure your are in the google classroom for the class of 2025 and that your have joined remind to receive text notifications.

If you have questions please see your advisors Mrs. Yarbrough and Ms.Bell

Aunt Flows Lockers are officially stocked! If you need any period products look for the lockers next to Women's restrooms marked with pink tape. If you need a more consistent supply of products don't hesitate to get in touch with kcwomensadvocacy@gmail.com.

State Representative Julie Rogers is seeking enthusiastic students to join her Youth Advisory Board! This is a fantastic opportunity to learn about government and make your voice heard. Interested? Check out the application linked below! For more information or questions, contact Kaitlyn Ozanich, who participated last year. Don’t miss your chance to get involved!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeUHZeK5sEB68_rrDK_-AQmRmAYiC6QIDahsFhGGnPfXbl48Q/viewform