KAMSC Newsletter

Finding Balance

Between schoolwork, sports, jobs, and family responsibilities, student life can quickly feel overwhelming. To help students build healthier, more balanced schedules, Challenge Success (an affiliate of the Stanford Graduate School of Education) highlights four key areas to map out across a typical 7-day week:

1. School & Homework: Understanding total academic load—including realistic nightly homework expectations—helps prevent overcommitment.

2. Extracurriculars & Structured Activities: Time management isn't just about scheduling every open minute—it’s also about deciding what not to do so students can focus on what they genuinely enjoy.

3. Unstructured Time (PDF: Playtime, Downtime, & Family Time): Restorative, unstructured moments are essential for long-term mental well-being and building sustainable habits for adulthood.

4. Sleep (Non-Negotiable Health): High schoolers need 8–10 hours of sleep per night, and middle schoolers need 9–11 hours. If a student's weekly schedule leaves no room for proper sleep, it’s a clear signal to adjust other commitments.

Resource Highlight: Challenge Success offers a free printable Time Management Worksheet to help families and students visually map out their weekly commitments and prioritize balance.

At KAMSC focusing on purposeful balance is what leads not only to success in school but also finding joy outside of school. We have seen students work on this masterfully and they fully enjoy their KAMSC experience, but it starts with looking at the whole picture, selecting priorities and then making decisions on how you want to spend your time. Mrs. Allbee and Ms. Joyce are always happy to help students talk through the stressors of life and help students prioritize. Please encourage your student to meet with them if you sense they need support in this area. Mr. Kaliati and Mrs. Hindman are also available upon request as well. Please use all of our resources as we work hard to support our students and want to be there for them.

Heather Kortlandt

Director, KAMSC

Our fall KAMSC Dance is November 14th from 8-11 pm here at CEC in the gym. We are still in need of 5 parent volunteers. Please click the button below and sign up.

Seniors only are allowed to invite a non KAMSC guest to the fall dance. However, if you do not have the guest pass signed by all parties indicated (including your friend's school's principal) then your friend will not be allowed into the event that night. Click the button below to obtain the guest pass.

APES students will be recording the birth and death years for the population of the Grand Prairie cemetery. Then the students will construct a survivorship curve for two different time periods that they choose. They will see if they are different. Students may choose a significant year in the world to compare the before and after. Students will meet there and then after a 30 minute activity drive back to KAMSC.

Many of you may have already heard the exciting news—KAMSC is celebrating 40 years!

To mark this incredible milestone, we’re hosting a special anniversary event on Tuesday, November 24th, at Chenery Auditorium, and you’re warmly invited.

Here’s what we have planned:

• 5:00 PM – KAMSC Tours: Alumni and community members are invited upstairs for student-led tours of the center.

• 6:00 PM – Reception & Festivities (Room 130): Enjoy hors d'oeuvres, browse silent auction items, snap a few photos at the photo booth, and catch up with old friends.

• 7:00 PM – Main Program (Chenery Auditorium): Head inside the auditorium for an inspiring evening featuring KAMSC alumni, a look back at our history, and a glimpse into our future.

Join us for an unforgettable night of Investing in Innovation!

Click the image below to purchase your tickets:

We have several student volunteer spots open for the 40th anniversary event on November 24th. If you sign up to volunteer you will get free entry to the event (and snacks). Click the button below to sign up.

Mental Health Matters: "You Good?": Fostering Connection and Hope for Suicide Awareness and Prevention

Fall is here and winter is coming. During this time of year students can often feel overwhelmed and in need of a break. The stress of everyday school is settling in and for teens the highest rates of suicide occur in the late fall months. For young people navigating the pressures of school, friendships, and life, it is a crucial reminder that mental health matters and that support is always available.

In this Mental Health Matters resource, learn about the risk factors specific to high achieving students, warning signs, learning how to help yourself or someone else and resources for support and immediate intervention.

Registration Closes November 2nd!

What is Innovation Expo? K-12 and WMU students compete for awards by presenting their products, models and prototypes to a panel of judges and the community.

Who should participate? Any K-12 student teams and WMU student teams with an innovative product or service may participate. Educators, students, families, community members and entrepreneurs are invited to attend and encourage the teams.

How are winners selected? A panel of community judges select the top three teams from each age group. A Popular Vote award is given to the team that receives the most Innovation Dollars. Guests and participants receive a package of these innovation dollars to vote for their favorite projects.

If you would like to register through KAMSC please see Ms. Joyce for support.

Tutoring is available now. If you are in need, click the button below and sign up!

Handbook and sign the acceptance form through PowerSchool. Here is a direct link to it again. I would invite you to be sure that you have read through the MTSS support procedures. I will pull grades to see what students have a C or lower in any class which indicates a need for support to us or if a teacher recommends additional support regardless of grades. If your child is showing that need, Mrs. Allbee or I will email you and the child to set up support provided by KAMSC. This is required for a three week interval and then we pull grades again to review. Our hope is always that that three week interval is enough support but students will sometimes move in and out of support throughout a semester. Please know, that this is meant to be a supportive measure. We take our responsibility of helping your child achieve the high standards of KAMSC seriously.

We have completed our first attendance pull to monitor cronic Absenteeism. Our next review of that data will be November 20th. Please remember that it is vital for your student to attend daily as our curriculum relies on active participation, rich discussions, and lab work that can't be replicated outside the classroom

We wanted to institute a private way that you could report any type of bullying at KAMSC. Mrs. Allbee has created a report form to do so. Either she or Mrs. Kortlandt will follow up if enough information is provided. We have not had an issue with bullying at KAMSC but we want to make sure there are channels open for reporting in case there were to ever be an incident. This will live in our newsletter, every, single week.

If you are dropping off or picking up your student at KAMSC, please do so at the Vine Street entrance. Please find a safe place to pull over and then have you student proceed to the Vine street entrance. If students are driving themselves:

1. They need to acquire a parking pass from the KAMSC office - please fill this out

2. They need to park by the El Sol playground off of Dutton Street (but then walk to Vine street entrance)

3. They should be reminded to not keep anything valuable in their car and to keep their cars locked at all times.

4. The building will have a campus security officer at the Vine Street entrance during times of arrivals and dismissals.

Tues Nov 3 - APES field trip to Cemetery

Thur. Nov 5 - Parent teacher conferences 5:30-8:30pm - Virtual

Fri. Nov 6 - Virtual Parent-Teacher conferences 7:30-10:30 am & 11:30-2:30pm -- N0 School for students

Wed. Nov 11 - MSO Potluck 5:30-6:00pm

Wed. Nov 11 - Open lab6-7:30pm

Sat. Nov. 14 Class Clash (Time TBD) and Dance (8-11 pm)

Wed. Nov 18 - Open lab and sophomore mixer 6-7:30pm

Wed. Nov 18 - Parent Org meeting 6:15-7:15pm

Tues. Nov 24 - KAMSC 40th Anniversary Celebration and Fundraiser - Chenery Aud - 6pm hors d'oeuvres and silent auction; 7-8 event in Chenery

Wed - Fri - No school for students Thanksgiving break