KPS News

The district launched the new year by holding a series of community meetings to provide information on several KPS initiatives and to seek feedback. Information on these meetings will be sent to caregivers.

Safety and Security/Weapon Detectors
Jan. 21, 6 p.m. at Loy Norrix High School Auditorium

Jan. 28, 6 p.m. at Maple Street Magnet School Library

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

Strategic Planning - Community meetings will be held in March and April. More information will be shared once the dates and locations are confirmed.

Congratulations to Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center computer science teacher Shannon Houtrouw on winning a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) from Michigan in the Mathematics award category. This achievement reflects the significant contributions he has made to the teaching profession and in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

The honor comes with a $10,000 award. The PAEMST is part of the National Science Foundation

Houtrouw has been teaching computer science (CS) and mathematics at the Kalamazoo Area Mathematics and Science Center (KAMSC) for 27 years. He came to KAMSC after teaching university mathematics and CS for eight years at Western Michigan University, Rochester University, and Harding University. Prior to teaching, he worked as a software systems engineer for General Motors and Electronic Data Systems. Shannon also taught three summer terms in Zimbabwe at Nhowe Mission Secondary School.

He developed KAMSC’s Advanced Placement CS program. He built KAMSC’s CS Teams from the ground up and has volunteered as the coach advisor for over two decades. Each year, he introduces all KAMSC sophomores to CS and programming fundamentals using C++. His junior-senior electives include AP CS-A (Java), AP CS Principles (Python), Advanced CS, and Discrete Math.

Team-building activities are woven into every CS course, so every student has the opportunity to collaboratively achieve more than they thought they could, and receive affirmation and accolades they might not get otherwise. Monthly activities include American Computer Science League and USA Computer Olympiad coding. Excitement soars during field trips to programming contests hosted at Midwest universities.

Houtrouw earned a B.S. in computer science, magna cum laude, from Oklahoma Christian University and an M.S.E. in mathematics education from Harding University. Shannon also has an M.A. in theological studies and an M.Div. in biblical studies, both from Liberty University. His certifications are in computer science and mathematics.

Kalamazoo Public Schools United Way Campaign kicks off today and will run through Friday, January 24. This year's campaign will be completed using the United Way e-pledge system, enabling you to donate electronically.

• You can sign in to the KPS pledging website at https://portal.gkuw.org/kps
• Your username is your email, and the password is LiveUnited.
• Once you sign in, you will be prompted to change your password. If doing a payroll pledge, please be sure to put the amount per payroll to be debited and the system will calculate your annual total.

The attached letter from United Way provides additional information. You can learn more about the United Way of South Central Michigan at their website.

If you have any questions, please reach out to me or Karen Townsend (k.townsend@uwscmi.org). Thank you for considering donating to this campaign and helping transform lives in our community.

Julie Rogers Davis, choir director at Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts, was selected to conduct this year's MSVMA Middle School State SA Honors Choir. Chosen by audition, this choir comprises of some of the top middle school choral students across the state of Michigan. Davis and the SA Honors Choir will perform in Grand Rapids this month during the annual Michigan Music Conference.

Davis began teaching at Maple in 2009 following seven years at Otsego Middle School. The Maple Street Choirs consistently receive high ratings at festival, are active in State Honors Choir, and perform at local events such as Kalamazoo Pride and Art on the Mall.

She has been a speaker at her alma mater, Western Michigan University, multiple times, a host to methods and intern students, a clinician at the Michigan Music Conference (on arranging pop a cappella music), and a presenter at the MSVMA Summer Conference (on the Bel Canto Solfeggio sight singing method). She is also on the directing team for the musical at Loy Norrix High School each year.

Thanks to the 23h grant in Michigan, KPS has the opportunity to train 100 teachers in Add+VantageMR (AVMR) 1 and 2 by September 2025. These trainings will be offered throughout the year and will be filled on a first come, first served basis.

According to the U.S. Math Recovery Council: AV Math Recovery is a professional development method for improving elementary numeracy instruction and student achievement.

- AVMR supports K-5 mathematics assessment and teaching through innovative approaches to understanding children's mathematical thinking.

- AVMR is not a curriculum. It teaches teachers use any curriculum package more effectively.

- AVMR teachers analyze and modify instructional tasks to meet the needs of a diverse range of students. This expertise allows teachers to customize any commercial mathematics package specifically for the individual children in their classroom.

KPS Math Coaches, Maren Tillman and Julie Woods are Certified AVMR 1 trainers for the district. They completed their Champion Course this fall. The math department is excited to continue to offer these professional development opportunities to teachers.

These teachers recently completed AVMR 1 training:

Jordyn Walters - Indian Prairie

Sarah Ekema - Greenwood

Kathreen Fahey - Spring Valley

Katherine McKinley - Spring Valley

At the Administration Building winter brunch on Dec. 20, Dawn Thomas, the director of the Loy Norrix Child Care Center, shared information about the good work the center does in the community. Here is a link to her presentation.

The Administration Building engagement committee launched a scholarship fund for KPS employees utilizing the Loy Norrix Child Care Center. The scholarships will provide tuition assistance to qualified KPS support staff members with a child or children attending LNCC. The scholarship awards will be income-based.

Donations to the scholarship fund can be made through Revtrak or cash can be given to the Business Office.

The Excellence in Special Education Award is sponsored by the Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) of Kalamazoo County to honor those persons who have gone above and beyond their role in educating and supporting students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Nominations can be completed online at www.kresa.org/PACNomination and will be automatically sent to the KRESA Special Education office. Paper nomination forms can be turned in to the local district office.

All nominations must be received by the KRESA Special Ed office by Friday, March 7, 2025, to be considered for the current school year. PDFs of nomination forms are attached below.

Feeling lost?

Find the help you need.

Call 2-1-1

It can be hard navigating thousands of health and human service organizations and programs to find help. 2-1-1 is a one-stop source that provides 24/7, free and confidential assistance. 2-1-1 connects people to local programming and resources that can support their basic needs, including housing, food, employment, childcare, substance abuse, and much more.

In crisis?

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Call 9-8-8

We all face moments of crisis but we don’t have to face them alone. 9-8-8 provides 24/7, free, and confidential support for people and their loved ones in emotional distress. If you have concerns surrounding depression, suicide, addiction, bullying, sexuality, or any other stressful situation, call or text 9-8-8 anytime. Talking with someone about your thoughts and feelings can help your overall well-being.

The local (269) 381-HELP crisis line is available 24/7/365.

THE EARLIER YOU JOIN, THE MORE YOU CAN SAVE!

January/$25 in '25: Join in January and get $25 off the monthly fee and ZERO JOINER FEE. Total savings of $85. [Discount will be applied toward your February dues.]

February: Join in February and we'll waive the joiner fee, a $60 savings.

Special Education Resource Room Paraprofessional

Kalamazoo Central High School

Job ID: 4661

Special Education Resource Room Paraprofessional

Woods Lake Elementary-A Magnet Center for the Arts

Job ID: 4708

Email: communications@kalamazoopublicschools.net

Website: https://www.kalamazoopublicschools.com/
Location: 1220 Howard St., Kalamazoo, MI, 49008
Phone: (269) 337-0100
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