October 7, 2025

Kalamazoo Promise Senior Parent Meeting: Wed, Oct 15th 6:00pm - 7:00pm

No School Wed, Oct. 22nd.

Records Day: Friday Oct 31st- 1/2 day for all students.

Seniors, if you are eligible for The Kalamazoo Promise, please make sure you have registered your account and completed your kalamazoo promise application. There will be a Parents meetings October 15 at 6pm in the KC Auditorium and October 16 in the Loy Norrix Auditorium. If you have questions or need assistance, please reach out to your Promise Pathway Coach, Ms. Trenae Dunigan"

The Band performed at the Hastings Marching Invitational Saturday and received their highest score of the season. The band also received “Awards of Excellence” in all 4 areas of adjudication: Music, Marching, Percussion, and Color Guard, scoring at least 85% proficiency in each of those areas. Way to go, band!

We are 50 days away from the start of the Men’s Swim and Dive 2025-26 Season! Anyone interested in being a part of this growing team, please contact Coach Center at james.center@wmich.edu for more information. You do not need to know how to swim, but you must not be afraid to put your face in the water or of hard work. If you possess those characteristics, you will be taught everything else. Join and make a difference in yourself and the team.

Students, there is a new Reading Prize opportunity for you all. In the library there are book marks and a box, when you read a book - any book - fill out the book mark and put it in the box. We will draw winners every month. All books, graphic novels, and audiobooks are accepted. Just read, fill out the bookmark, put it in the box, and may the odds be ever in your favor!

The Family Health Center Mobile Health Clinic is offering services at Kalamazoo Central! The services offered through the clinic are well-child visits, sick visits, sports physicals, and immunizations. The also offer dental services such as dental screening, dental cleanings, fluoride application, and sealants

Save yourself a trip to the doctors office and sign your student up using this link! https://form.jotform.com/231327122384146

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Students are only allowed on their district approved Chromebooks during class time. iPads, personal laptops, and any other technology are not allowed.

"The Personal Finance Club will meet next month on Thursday, October 23rd after school in room 244 until about 3:15 pm. Stop by room 244 with questions."

Kalamazoo Valley Community College will be hosting our annual High School College Night on Monday, October 6, 2025, from 6:00–7:30 p.m. at our Texas Township Campus (6767 W O Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49009).

This event is primarily geared toward 11th and 12th grade students, but all are welcome. It’s a great opportunity for students and their families to connect with over 60 colleges, universities, and institutions—all in one place!

Event Details:

• When: Monday, October 6, 2025 | 6:00–7:30 p.m.

• Where: Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Texas Township Campus (6767 W O Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49009)

• Who: Primarily for 11th & 12th graders, but open to all students

• Why: A chance to meet with 60+ institutions and gather valuable information in one evening

Students are encouraged to register ahead of time by visiting https://app.strivescan.com. On-site registration will also be available.

As of now, Courseware is on a pause. We are waiting on a few things from the district before Mr C and Ms. Casanto can start after school courseware. Please do not email either of them, Mrs Mentzer or your counselor. As soon as we are able to start supporting you through the courseware, we will let you know.

All schedules have been finalized. Students may not change classes for semester 1. Please do not email your counselor or Ms. Mentzer.

"There will be an informational meeting regarding the Heyl Scholarship at Kalamazoo College in the Dow Science Center, Room 232, on Thursday, October 9th, 2025 at 5:30 pm. For registration and questions, see Mr. Soulier in room 244."

Hello Class of 2026!

We’re excited to announce that we have 50 seats available for the MI GEAR UP Kick-Off to College Event on September 18th!

This is a special opportunity for seniors to connect with representatives from multiple colleges and universities across Michigan. You’ll be able to ask questions, explore your options, and gather valuable information to help with your next steps after graduation.

If you’re interested or would like more details, please see Mrs. Yarbrough or stop by the main office.

Let’s make this a fun and meaningful experience as we prepare for life after high school!

All attendees must pass through a weapon detector for entry to games.

Bags AND Backpacks are banned, Though exceptions are made for certain items like diaper bags after inspection.

Students in kindergarten through 8th grade must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to enter.

Students in grades 9-12 must show a student ID or have a parent/guardian present.

Students who violate rules or fail to behave appropriately will be removed from the venue and may face further disciplinary action from the administration.

Students that are not picked up after events in a timely fashion will be uninvited to the next event.

Welcome to the second week of school. Your footprints truly resonate with excellence, and we can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.

A few important reminders for entering the building each morning:

• School ID: You must have your school ID visible around your neck at all times.

  • If you forget your ID, you must report to the Student Entrance and purchase a replacement ID for $5.00.

  • Only students with IDs are permitted to enter the building.

• Main Entrance & Weapons Detector: All students must enter through the main entrance and walk through the weapons detector.

  • This is a reminder that students may not enter through any door other than the main entrance or the student entrance.

  • Students may not open doors for any visitor or exit out of any side doors not staffed by KC staff.

  • Opening doors for other students or adults will result in an out-of-school suspension for creating a safety risk.

• Chromebooks: Please remove your Chromebook from your backpack before entering. No other items need to be removed from your backpack or your pockets.

  • If you are using the right-hand entrance, hold your Chromebook in your right hand.

  • If you are using the left-hand entrance, hold your Chromebook in your left hand.

  • As you walk through, you will pass your Chromebook to Campus Safety. They will hand it back to you immediately after you go through the detector.

• Passing Time & Restrooms: Students have five minutes of passing time to use the restroom, stop at their locker, and still arrive to class on time. All students are expected to be in class promptly when the bell rings.

  • No passes will be given in the first fifteen or last fifteen minutes of class in order to establish consistency, safety, and smooth procedures.

• Breakfast: After entry, head directly upstairs for breakfast before class.

Thank you for helping us keep the day running smoothly, safely, and with Giant Pride.

We want to make sure everyone has a smooth and safe school day, so here’s a quick reminder about our food procedures:

No DoorDash, Grubhub, or Fast-Food Deliveries – Managing food deliveries during the school day is a safety issue and disrupts the routine. We also cannot call students out of class to pick up food.

Packed Lunches from Home Are Allowed – Students are welcome to bring lunch from home, but outside food purchased during the school day cannot be brought into the building.

Food Brought in Will Be Discarded – To keep things running smoothly, any outside food arriving during school hours must be thrown away.

Thank you for understanding and helping us keep our school safe and focused on learning!

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 allow them to exit and do not cut them off.
• 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.

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, opening doors, entering unauthorized doors, and any form of physical or verbal aggression.

• Hats, Hoods of 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.

For years, I have thought about how to honor our parents and guardians with a title that truly fits the role you play in the life of Kalamazoo Central. Our students are World Changers: bold, brilliant, and determined to make an impact. Our staff are Life Changers: pouring knowledge, guidance, and care into each day. Our community is Giant Nation: a strong and united force that rallies behind our school.

And at the heart of it all are our parents and guardians our Legacy Builders.

You are the foundation upon which greatness stands. You instill values, nurture dreams, and remind our World Changers of who they are and whose they are. Your sacrifices, your encouragement, and your unwavering presence are what allow seeds of excellence to grow.

Legacy Builders: You are the steady roots that allow our Giants to rise tall and strong. Thank you for the love you give, the guidance you provide, and the legacy you are building with us every day.

Together World Changers, Life Changers, Giant Nation, and Legacy Builders we are writing a story of excellence that will echo for generations.

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.