Kennedy Middle School Update

Monthly Parent Communication | April 3rd, 2024

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Greetings Crusader Families,

I hope you had a wonderful and relaxing Spring Break. Time spent with family and friends is time to rejuvenate and focus on what’s important. Now, as we return for our final quarter together, I wanted to take a moment to encourage all students to give their best efforts to finish the year. The last quarter of the school year is an important time for reflection, growth, and accomplishment. For our 8th graders, this is also a time to strengthen effective work habits that will help you hit the ground running in your high school years. Every effort you put in now will contribute to your future success, both inside and outside the classroom.

KMS staff are here to support you every step of the way. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need assistance or guidance. Together, we can overcome any obstacles and finish the school year on a high note. Let's make these last weeks of the school year count. Keep striving, keep pushing, and keep believing in yourselves.

Most Sincerely,

Jessica Gieryn

KMS Principal

262-253-3452

jgieryn@gsdwi.org

KMS SCHOOL DOCUMENTS & INFORMATION

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UPCOMING DATES - APRIL 2024

APRIL 3RD - End of 3rd Quarter
APRIL 5TH - KMS All School Dance
APRIL 9TH - Germantown Sings @ GHS Field House
APRIL 19TH - No School for Students (Professional Development)

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: 8TH GRADE PROMOTION

8th Grade Promotion 2024 - SAVE THE DATE

DATE: Thursday, June 6th, 2024

TIME: 6 PM

LOCATION: GHS Fieldhouse

Please note: 8th graders will not be required to report to school on the half day (6/7/24)

Watch your email, the monthly KMS newsletter, and the KMS website for more information on the evening's event.

We look forward to celebrating your 8th Graders!

GSD 24-25 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR

LET'S GIVE OUR NEW STAFF MEMBER A WARM WELCOME!

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Ken Keller

Our newest edition to the maintenance department at KMS. Welcome Ken!

STUDENT SERVICES ANNOUNCEMENTS

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8th Grade Promotion 2024 - SAVE THE DATE

DATE: Thursday, June 6th, 2024

TIME: 6 PM

LOCATION: GHS Fieldhouse

Please note: 8th graders will not be required to report to school on the half day (6/7/24)

Watch your email, the monthly KMS newsletter, and the KMS website for more information on the evening's event.

We look forward to celebrating your 8th Graders!

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PARENT CHAT

WHEN: Wed. April 17 at 6:30-7:30pm

WHERE: Kennedy Middle School in the GAC

Mental Health Conversation: A Parents’ Guide to Talking with Teens

With youth mental health issues increasing at an alarming rate over the last 15 years, parents having consistent and open conversations with their teens about mental health has become more important than ever. When do you start these conversations and what do you need to say? On Wednesday, April 17th, Germantown Youth Futures (GYF) will host a Parent Chat featuring Lucas Grancorvitz, Manager for General Psychiatry and Integrated Behavioral Health at Froedtert Hospital. Mr. Grancorvitz will discuss strategies to help parents and caregivers talk to teens about mental health. The parent chat will be held at Kennedy Middle School in the Gold Activity Center (GAC) from 6:30 -7:30 pm. Please see the flyer for more information and to register.

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Let’s Talk About It - Middle School Minds

Read here for monthly insight on adolescent brain development. This may include research on brain development, effects on learning and behavior, and tips for things to do at home.

Research has shown that the adolescent mind is complex. Between the ages of 11 and 15, the brain begins to rewire and neural pathways that were strong connections in the past may be destroyed. What does this mean for KMS students? Skills and other prior learning are impacted and the adolescent may have no idea why. If a decision or action does not make sense to you, it may not make sense to your child either.

Things we can do:

Recognize that brain development continues until mid-20s
Establish consistency in learning, rules, and expectations
Provide repetition to strengthen new brain connections and patterns
Have patience and understanding

Adolescence is an incredible time for growth and learning together!

ATHLETICS AND ACTIVITIES

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UPDATES - For more information about exciting activities and athletics at KMS, see the following links: KMS Activities, KMS Athletics.

Spring Track and Field will be starting early this month starting with a parent/coach/athlete meeting on Thursday, April 4th. See the KMS Athletics link for schedules.
Key Club Meeting on Tuesday, April 23rd from 2:45 - 3:45 in the GAC
Join us at Science Club every other Wednesday! At Science club we have fun learning through experiments, challenges, inventions, and current events! We meet in Ms. Schilling's room E-7 from 2:45-3:45pm. If you have any questions please see Ms. Schilling or Ms. Betanzos.
Mathcounts will meet April 8th and April 22nd from 2:45 - 3:30 in Mrs. Rohde's Room E3.
AV Club meets Tuesday and Thursdays from 2:45-4pm in room G141

REMINDERS FROM THE LIBRARY AND TECH DEPARTMENT

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Responsible care of Chromebooks is an integral part of life at KMS. Please ensure students are plugging their Chromebooks in to charge overnight and bringing them fully charged to school each morning. This will help set everyone up for success each and every day at KMS!
Having issues with Skyward? Parents and students can now use the email skywardsupport@gsdwi.org for any issues related to Skyward access or login, etc... These emails go straight to our Skyward-knowledgeable staff!

NOTES FROM OUR PTA

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Come hula with us at our Hawaiian Luau!

The KMS All School Hawaiian Luau is almost here! The dance is this Friday, April 5 from 7-8:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 in advance through April 3rd, then $10 at the door. If you are buying at the door, a parent must come in and sign off consent.

Wear your favorite Hawaiian shirts, leis, grass skirts, shorts, sunglasses, etc. Please remember to adhere to the school's dress code! Concessions will be sold at the dance for cash. Grab your

tickets here: https://kms-gtown.mem berhub.com/store?limit=21&live=true

INTERESTED IN CHAPERONING? SIGN-UP HERE:

https://signup.com/go/gJqCKJv

CONCESSIONS DONATION:

https://signup.com/go/GiKUokp

The 8th grade dance committee has begun planning. The dance will be on Wednesday, June 5. It is free for our 8th graders to attend. If you would like to donate to offset the costs of the dj, decorations, etc, feel free to do so here: https://kms-gtown.memberhub.com/store?limit=21&live=true

8th grade yard signs to celebrate our 8th graders’ graduation are on sale now. Cost is $15 each for an 18x24” sign with a metal stake. A pick up date will be scheduled in early May-more info to follow! Orders will be taken through April 5th so grab yours today. We cannot accommodate late orders. https://kms-gtown.memberhub.com/store?limit=21&live=true

Our April meeting will be Tuesday, April 23rd at 7 pm in the GAC and via zoom. We’d love to have you join us!

Our PTA treasurer has an outgoing 8th grader, so we are in need of someone to step up and take over as treasurer come June. Please contact Ann Dombroe with any questions or interest: annblomquist@yahoo.com

The PTA membership is lower than usual this year, please consider supporting us:

https://kms-gtown.memberhub.com/store?limit=21&live=true

Thanks to everyone who helped make our staff Spring Break snack buffet a huge success! We appreciate everyone who donated and helped with the event. Watch for our next hospitality event for Teacher Appreciation week in May!

KMS EVENTS & REMINDERS

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KMS TALENT SHOW AUDITIONS

If you can sing, dance, act, do Taekwondo, perform in Poms, perform comedy or magic, or solve a Rubik's cube quickly, anything that is a talent, we want to see it! The KMS talent show will be held on the evening of April 25th!

Please feel free to reach out to Ms. Buettner or Ms. Fichtner if you have any questions. Hope to see you there!

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Earth Day/Week Events

Earth Week 2024 is right around the corner! Come join the GHS event, sponsored by the Environmental Club, to get outdoors for a 5K Run/Walk! The event will take place on Sunday, April 28th, from 10-1 at Datka Stadium (Germantown High School Track). Please see the link for more information, and to sign up!!!

https://www.classmunity.com/germantownwi/view-fundraiser.php?fundraiser_id=2419

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KEY CLUB ANNOUNCEMENT

Now through April 22nd, Jr. Key Club is collecting NEW or GENTLY USED sport equipment for Cream City Charities.

Cream City Charities mission is to provide sport gear/equipment to underprivileged children and youth groups in the Greater Milwaukee Area and the State of Wisconsin.

Please bring your sport equipment donations to Student Services by April 22nd.

KMS After School Spectator Expectations

Students who are attending after school sporting events, without a parent, need to report to the designated location immediately after school. Students are encouraged to quietly work on homework or other academic tasks during this time. If students have completed all their school work they are allowed to quietly socialize with their peers. If students do not want to stay after school but would still like to attend the sporting event, they will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

During the sporting event, students are expected to sit in the student section which is supervised by KMS staff. Students will not be allowed to sit in other areas of the gym unless they are accompanied by an adult. Spectators are not allowed to sit on the players side of the gym. If a student is attending a sporting event with an adult that is not their guardian or parent, that individual is responsible for supervising that student during the event.

Cell Phone Use - We are aware that students will need access to their cell phones during these events for a variety of reasons including but not limited communication with parents when they are to be picked up, change in plans, and or for emergencies. Students' cell phones should be stored in their backpacks, which will be placed next to the bleachers, and if they need to use them they will be allowed to with the supervision of a KMS staff member. Students are allowed to come to the Gold Office throughout the day to contact parents so that plans can be made or clarified. If students are not following cell phone expectations or using their cell phones in inappropriate ways, KMS supervisors do have the right to confiscate the phones and give them to parents when the student is picked up. Students who are not following expectations for after school sporting events will meet with KMS administrators and their participation in future sporting events will be discussed.

Students who receive school-based consequences (such as an in-school suspension) during the day may not be allowed to attend after school events for that day.

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MORNING DROP-OFF

Please be kind and efficient while dropping off your child in the morning. There are two locations for drop off in the AM. You can drop off your child in the Main Office loop (south side) or the Student Services loop (west side). Here are a few reminders when dropping off students:

You may not stop or park in the Main Office loop or Student Services loop between the times of 6:45am - 7:20am and 2:43pm - 3:00pm. If you want to stop or park, please use the south parking lot.
When dropping off students, please pull all the way through the loop (by the bike rack) before dropping off.
Remind your child to be ready to exit the car upon drop off so other families are not waiting too long.

As always, be kind and courteous, thank you!

Happenings in the District & Germantown

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