KSTM Newsletter November 2026

Thank you to all our families that came out to PT-Conferences this fall, we appreciated seeing you. We wanted to get out the 2nd Semester SAVE THE DATE for conferences... please mark your calendars for our Spring Conferences which will be held on Thursday, March 11th, 2027, from 12-7pm in the KSTM Gymnasium.

Also, here are a few reminders about upcoming events in November:

• Reminder there is No School on Tuesday, November 3rd. This will be used as a teacher preparation and planning day.
• Our annual Title I Parent-engagement night "HARVEST NIGHT" is on Wednesday, November 11th from 5-6:30 p.m. This is co-hosted by AIM/Wildcat Club and KSTM.
• No school the week of November 23rd for students due to Thanksgiving Recess. Students will be off from school that entire week November 23rd to November 27th. When students return on Monday, November 30th it will be an 8-period, A-day.
• Please check out the Resources for Families section - we have linked many community resources during the upcoming holidays! (Attachments included within newsletter)

#KSTMPROUD,

Jane Laughlin

Principal

Greetings everyone,

We invite you to stay up to date with all of our upcoming school events! From competition to other important happenings, our activities calendar is the place to find the latest schedules and event information.

Please visit our activities calendar create an account on BOUND and stay connected with up-to-the-minute updates, including any schedule changes or important announcements. We encourage everyone to join us in supporting all of our KING students!

https://www.gobound.com/ne/schools/kingsctechms

QUESTIONS REGARDING SPORTS OR SPORTS SCHEDULES - CALL OUR AD, Mr. Odell Santos at 531-299-3774 or email him directly at Odell.Santos@ops.org

Attention Students and Families: There are 415 minutes in the school day, and every minute counts! Tardies to class disrupt the classroom, interrupt the lesson, and put students at risk of falling behind. The school will send daily emails to parents and guardians of students who were tardy to one or more classes. BE RESPONSIBLE, WILDCATS! Get to class on time.

Our community provides many resources to assist families. You can find a list of local programs and services below. For help connecting with any of these supports, please reach out to the school social worker, Kasia Piercy, at (531) 299-8537.

Holiday Assistance

The holiday season can be a joyful time, but it can also bring added stress for families. If your family could use extra support this season, there are community resources available to help with holiday meals, gifts, and other seasonal needs.

https://www.faithwestwood.com/faithworks-pantry

Basic Community Resources

If your family needs support with everyday essentials, community resources are available to help with food, clothing, housing, utilities, transportation, and other basic needs. If you have any questions or need help connecting with resources, please feel free to reach out using the contact information below. I am happy to help!

https://www.ops.org/departments/student-and-community-services/family-community-relations/community-resource-directory

• 8th Grade / 7th Grade (K-Z) = Ms. Montre Mbachu (P) 531-299-6798 * Montre.Mbachu@ops.org
• 6th Grade / 7th Grade (A-K) = Mx. A.E. Reiff (P) 531-299-3676 * Ana.Reiff@ops.org
• Social Worker: = Ms. Kasia Piercy (P) 531-299-8027 * Kasia.Piercy@ops.org

🐾 WILDCAT CLUB NEWS!

🍂 October Adventures, Amazing Readers & November Fun!

King Science Middle School | AIM Institute | 2026–2027 School Year

Hey, Wildcats! 🐾💙🧡

October was packed with exciting adventures, new experiences, and plenty of Wildcat fun! From exploring technology to roller skating and enjoying a spooky theater performance, our Wildcats have been busy making memories. Check out what we've been up to and what's coming next!

🎉 WHAT WE DID: OCTOBER HIGHLIGHTS!

October was full of adventure! Our Wildcats had the opportunity to participate in FOUR exciting field trips and special events! Check out the fun we had!

🧠 October 2 | Brain Exchange
Our Wildcats explored technology activities and enjoyed opportunities to learn, discover, and engage in hands-on experiences!

✨ October 17 | Lights On Afterschool Celebration
We celebrated the importance of afterschool programs and all the amazing opportunities they provide for students to learn, grow, and shine!

🛼 October 22 | Skate City
Our Wildcats hit the skating rink to roll, laugh, and release some pent-up energy! It was an exciting day filled with movement, fun, and unforgettable memories!

🎭 October 23 | The Rose Theater: Bunnicula
Spooky fun was in the air as our Wildcats enjoyed a live performance of Bunnicula! The suspense, surprises, and scares kept everyone entertained. What an exciting theatrical adventure!

Four adventures. Countless smiles. Memories that will last! 💙🧡

📚 WHAT WE'RE DOING: LET'S GET READING!

🏆 WILDCAT WEEKLY READING CHALLENGE!

Calling all bookworms, future authors, and reading champions! 📖🐾 It's time to turn those pages and rack up those reading minutes!

We're challenging our Wildcats to make reading a daily habit and show off their reading power!

📌 Here's how to participate:

• 📖 Pick a book and start reading!

• ⏱️ Keep track of your reading minutes on your weekly reading log.

• 📝 Submit your completed reading log every Thursday.

• 🏅 The TOP 3 readers each week with the most minutes will win a prize!

🎉 THE BIG PRIZE ANNOUNCEMENT!

Our overall TOP 3 READERS with the most accumulated reading minutes will win special prizes on December 4!

Will YOU make the leaderboard? Challenge yourself, discover a new favorite book, and let those reading minutes add up!

📚 READ MORE. LEARN MORE. ACHIEVE MORE!

Ask WCC staff for your reading log during Wildcat Club. Happy reading, Wildcats!

🐾 STILL ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS!

🎉 DON'T MISS OUT ON THE WILDCAT CLUB FUN!

We're still welcoming new members to the Wildcat Club family! If you're looking for a place to get homework help, explore exciting enrichment activities, build friendships, and participate in amazing field trips, WCC is the place to be!

✨ Homework help and academic support
🎨 Exciting enrichment activities
🚌 Fun field trips and special events
🤝 New friendships and positive experiences
📚 Reading challenges and opportunities to shine!

📝 Where can you get an application?

Applications are available in the:

• 📚 School Library

• 🏫 Main Office

• 🍎 Cafeteria

Don't wait! Join the Wildcat Club family and be part of the adventure! 🐾

🗓️ WHAT WE'LL DO: NOVEMBER IS FULL OF FUN!

Mark your calendars, Wildcats! We've got more exciting experiences and opportunities coming your way!

🎬 Tuesday, November 3 | Field Trip to Aksarben Theaters

Lights, camera, Wildcats! We're heading to the movies for a fun non-school-day field trip. Get ready for a great movie experience with your fellow Wildcats!

🍂 Wednesday, November 11 | Harvest Night Family Night

🕔 Time: 5:00–6:30 PM

It's time to celebrate family, community, and the Wildcat spirit! Join us for Harvest Night, a special opportunity for families to connect and enjoy time together.

We look forward to celebrating with our Wildcat families!

🚨 IMPORTANT DATES: NO WILDCAT CLUB

Please make note of the following dates when Wildcat Club will not be in session:

📌 November 3 — No regular WCC programming
📌 November 11 — No regular WCC programming
📌 November 20 — No WCC
🦃 November 23–27 — Thanksgiving Break

Families, please plan accordingly! We want everyone to stay informed and prepared for the upcoming schedule.

Note: The November 3 and November 11 dates include special events listed above. Please follow the specific information provided by WCC staff regarding participation and scheduling.

🌟 WILDCAT CLUB STUDENT OF THE MONTH!

🏆 CONGRATULATIONS, AERIS CASHATT!

Let's give a big Wildcat shout-out to our October Student of the Month, Aeris Cashatt! 🎉👏

Aeris is a wonderful leader in Wildcat's Club who consistently brings a positive attitude and great energy to our program!

🧶 Aeris shares her talents with others! She enjoys teaching fellow students how to crochet and finger knit, helping them develop new skills and explore their creativity.

💙 She demonstrates leadership by helping others learn.

😊 She maintains a positive attitude.

📅 She demonstrates consistent attendance and engagement in WCC.

Aeris is a great example of how Wildcats can make a difference by sharing their talents, encouraging others, and being positive role models!

Congratulations, Aeris! Keep shining, leading, and inspiring your fellow Wildcats! 🐾🌟

💙🧡 WELCOME TO THE WILDCAT CLUB FAMILY!

👋 MEET OUR NEW SUPPORT STAFF: TAICHON GRAHAM!

We're excited to welcome Taichon Graham to the Wildcat Club team! 🎉

Taishon is a college student from Des Moines, Iowa, who enjoys reading and staying active. Her interests are a great fit for a program that encourages students to keep learning, stay engaged, and explore new opportunities!

We're thrilled to have her join our team and become part of the Wildcat Club family.

🐾 Help us give Taishon a warm Wildcat welcome! We're happy to have you on board!

🐾 THAT'S A WRAP, WILDCATS!

October brought exciting adventures, new discoveries, and opportunities for our students to shine. As we head into November, we're looking forward to more learning, family connections, reading achievements, and unforgettable experiences!

💙 Keep showing up!
🧡 Keep learning!
💙 Keep leading!
🧡 Keep being respectful, responsible, and engaged!

Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat! 🐾

📣 Have questions about Wildcat Club or want to enroll? Stop by the school library, main office, or cafeteria to pick up an application.

Let's make November another amazing month at Wildcat Club!

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s),

These are the days your teen will want to remember forever. Help make their year unforgettable by purchasing a 2026-2027 yearbook. For only $25.00, your student will have a book that will be enjoyed for years to come.

Buy Online with a credit card, debit card or PayPal at yearbookforever.com or at school with cash or check in the front office. Order now so your child won’t miss out when the books are distributed.

As an adult, you know how important memories become. Don’t let your child’s memories fade; make sure they get a yearbook today!

Sincerely,

Jennifer Buser

Yearbook Adviser, King Science Technology Middle School

8th Grade Administrators:

• Ms. LaDeidre Jackson: 531-299-4016 LaDeidre.Jackson@ops.org
• Mr. Odell Santos: 531-299-3774 Odell.Santos@ops.org

7th Grade Administrator

• Ms. Nicole Benson: 531-299-7030 Nicole.Benson@ops.org

6th Grade Administrator

• Ms. Roxana Silva: 531-299-9049 Carmen.Silva@ops.org

Instructional Facilitator (all grade levels)

• Mrs. Kelcey Schmitz, 531-299-8027 Kelcey.Schmitz@ops.org

Contact AD Odell Santos with questions regarding sports activities or events at 531-299-3774

MTSS-B stands for Multi-Tiered Systems of Support for Behavior. MTSS-B focuses on behavior Expectations that are prioritized and used all through King Science.

The framework for MTSS-B is:

• A Problem-solving framework for behavior

• A systematic standardized implementation of evidence-based practices

• A framework with standardized practices that has tiers of increasingly intensive supports that increase the likelihood students are academically, emotionally, behaviorally and socially successful.

At King Science with have two tiers of MTSS-B.

Tier 1 serves every student through our school wide expectations “The King Way”

• Be Respectful

• Be Responsible

• Be Safe

Students who show positive behaviors that match The King Way can be awarded Wildcat Bucks, which they can exchange in our Wildcat Store every few weeks.

Tier 2 serves a smaller portion of students who need more support than Tier 1. The Tier 2 team gives instruction to students on how to solve peer conflicts and helps them improve their attendance.

Attention Students: There are 415 minutes in the school day, and every minute counts! Tardies to class disrupt the classroom, interrupt the lesson, and put students at risk of falling behind. Beginning this week any student who has 3 tardies during the week will be assigned an afterschool detention the following week. BE RESPONSIBLE, WILDACTS ! Get to class on time.

• Cell Phones and Personal Devices must be off and out of sight during the school day from 7:40-3:05
• Student failure to comply may result in their personal device being confiscated by administration.
• Parent Communication and Code of Conduct consequences may be applied for repeated violations of the No Cell Phone/No personal device policy.
• If you have any questions regarding this, please call the grade level administrator.

Personal devices (headphones, earbuds, cell phones) and big backpacks are to be put away during the school day. String backpacks are available for purchase in the main office for $10 in Wildcat Bucks.

The OPS Parent Survey link is open all year long.

SURVEY LINK: http://www.tinyurl.com/OPSParentVoice