LN Weekly News

Big milestones of the first semester are already behind us, but there is still so much more to come! It is hard to believe that the first marking period—the halfway point of the semester—ends in less than four weeks. This is an important time for students and families to stay on top of grades and assignments and to make plans with teachers if additional support is needed. There is still plenty of time to make progress, but now is the time to act!

This week brings another important milestone: Count Day. Michigan’s Fall Student Count Day is Wednesday, October 7, 2026. Why is this day so important? Student enrollment counts play a major role in determining the funding our schools receive. That funding supports everything from buses and teacher salaries to electricity, heating, Chromebooks, textbooks, and the many programs and opportunities available to our students. It is extremely important that students are in attendance and marked present in each of their classes on Wednesday. Please help us make sure every Knight counts so that Loy Norrix and KPS receive the funding needed to provide the best possible opportunities for our students.

Finally, Kalamazoo Promise Senior Parent Meetings will take place this week. Families may attend either meeting: Wednesday, October 7, at 6:00 p.m. in the Loy Norrix Auditorium or Thursday, October 8, at 6:00 p.m. in the Kalamazoo Central Auditorium. Both meetings are open to all KPS seniors and their families, so simply attend whichever date and location work best for your schedule. Families will learn more about accessing the Kalamazoo Promise and will have an opportunity to ask questions.

Let’s continue working together and working hard for student success. Knights Rising!

Michigan's Fall Student Count day is this Wednesday. 90% of school funding comes from students in attendance on this day. Please make sure your students to come to school on Wednesday to help with this count and make sure KPS can maximize our funding and therefore opportunities for our students.

Congratulations to Carter (for leadership), Aden (for teamwork), Darrell (for leadership) and June (for persistence) for being selected by LN staff as Knights of Valor!

Congratulations to Kellen (for leadership), Jaleiya (for academics), Tarion (for thoughtfulness) and Michael (for academics) for being selected by LN staff as Knights of Valor!

Please take a few minutes to complete the Education Benefits Form—formerly known as the Free & Reduced Lunch Form. Every completed form helps Loy Norrix and KPS qualify for important additional state funding, regardless of your household income.

There is no cost to you, and completing the form is a quick and easy way to support our students and schools.

Please complete the form today:
Education Benefits Form

Once there, simply click “Apply for Benefits.”

A few minutes of your time can mean more resources for our students. Thank you for supporting KPS!

*Please note - all students currently are eligible for free lunch and breakfast regardless of income, yet these forms still unlock a lot of additional funding for KPS. Any questions? Email Mr. Aguinaga at aguinagacj@kalamazoopublicschools.net

It is important that students are picked up promptly following extracurricular activities, including games, practices, and conditioning. Please make arrangements for your student to be picked up when the activity is scheduled to end. Students should contact home well in advance if they need to arrange a ride.

Students who are left waiting for more than 15 minutes after an activity ends on more than one occasion may be restricted from attending extracurricular activities until a parent/guardian and school administration meet to develop a plan that ensures the student has appropriate transportation and supervision following future events.

Thank you for helping us ensure that all students are safely and promptly picked up after school activities.

Vision screening for 9th grade students on October 23rd, 2026.

Starts this upcoming Tuesday, 9-28-2026

We will begin a food drive this week. The food will be presented October 16th at the Wood TV8 Football Frenzy Tailgate. Class advisors will provide signs and announcements.

Counselors are assigned to counselors by their last name. All students with IEPs and multi-language learners will have Ms. Parsons.

Senior parents and guardians! Join the Grad Bash 2027 committee as we plan this fantastic after graduation event for our seniors! Our next meeting is Tuesday, October 20 at 6:15pm at Fletcher's in the Oakwood Plaza (Oakland and Whites). Join the Grad Bash 2027 Facebook Group!

Just like last year, all students and visitors to Loy Norrix will have to pass through weapon detectors. These detectors are much more advanced that regular metal detectors. They are looking for specific attributes of weapons instead of just simply metal. This allows items such as zippers, jewelry, water bottle and phones to pass through without creating an alert. Certain high density metals that are not weapons may set the devices off - especially chromebooks. For speedy entry into the building it is very important that chromebooks be removed from bags and handed to a dedicated staff member at the detector prior to a student going through the detector. If a student still sets the detector off, then they will be asked to give their bags to a staff member and walk back through it to determine if the cause of the alert was on their body. Their bags will be subject to search. This process will allow all of our students and staff at Loy Norrix to be as safe as possible. If you have questions, please call the school to speak to Mr. Aguinaga or an assistant principal for more details. Please see the attached video for how to enter the building with a backpack.

In an ongoing effort to ensure a safe, secure, and positive learning environment for everyone, the Kalamazoo Public Schools Board of Education has authorized the use of weapon detectors in its middle and high school buildings. The presence and operation of weapon detectors serve as a deterrent and a protective measure for our entire school community. This measure is an additional component to the district's comprehensive safety plan and reflects the district’s commitment to proactive violence prevention.

All individuals entering KPS buildings are subject to safety screening procedures. KPS uses the RAPTOR visitor management system. All visitors should be prepared to present a photo ID.

The weapon detection system consists of walk-through detectors at main entrances and may include the use of handheld detectors. Principals, campus safety, and other trained personnel will oversee the operation and monitoring of the detectors during school hours.

Screening Procedures for Students and Visitors

• Middle and high school students will be required to pass through the weapon detection system each day upon arrival at school.

• If an alarm is triggered, the individual will be asked to remove any metal items and pass through the detector again.

• If the alarm is triggered again, a trained staff member will conduct a secondary screening using a hand-held metal detector.

• If the handheld detector indicates the presence of a metal object, the individual will be asked to identify and safely remove it.

• A student search will be conducted only if there is reasonable suspicion that the individual is in possession of a prohibited item. Such a search will be conducted by a trained administrator or campus safety personnel of the same gender and with a witness present.

• Visitors to secondary schools, including parents, guardians, and contractors, will be required to pass through the weapon detection system and may be subject to additional screenings, including bag checks or handheld weapon detector scans.

• Visitors to elementary schools, including parents, guardians, and contractors, may be subject to safety screenings, including bag checks or handheld weapon detector scans.

Non-Compliance, Detected Weapons, and Consequences

Failure to comply with the weapon detection policy, including refusal to submit to screenings or attempting to bypass the detection system, will result in the following consequences:

• Students: Disciplinary action will be taken as outlined in the student code of conduct, and may include suspension, expulsion, or legal consequences.

• Visitors: Individuals who refuse screening may be escorted off KPS property and banned from future entry. In serious cases, local law enforcement may be contacted.

If a weapon is found during the screening process, the principal or his/her designee will immediately direct the individual to a private area for further assessment.

• The weapon will be confiscated and turned over to the appropriate school or law enforcement authority.

• For students, the incident will be addressed following the school district's code of conduct.

• Depending on the nature of the weapon, the individual who brought the weapon may face criminal charges.
  
  

Privacy and Confidentiality
The weapon detection process will respect the privacy and dignity of all individuals. Personnel will ensure that screenings are conducted discreetly and that any personal information collected (e.g., names and reasons for screening) are kept confidential in accordance with local, state, and federal privacy laws.

Data from weapon detection systems will not be stored or shared beyond what is necessary for security purposes. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) will be followed for the protection of student information.

The Knights Health Center is open at LN! This center will be able to provide a variety of health care services to our students at no cost*. Please see the attached flyer. If you want your student to be able to access these services, please fill out the attached consent form and return to the main office.

*Private insurance may be billed but no copays will be collected. Additional information can be attained by contacting the Health Center.

Now enrolling! Interesting in learning more? Email Dawn Thomas at thomasdc@kalamazoopublicschools.net

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoyNorrixHighSchool

Instagram: @loynorrixhighschool

Daily announcements are posted on our Facebook page.

Interested in LN Gear? Please click here for the LN spirit shop!

Communities in Schools, in partnership with the Family Health Center, is looking for students and family interest to bring the Mobile Dental Clinic to LN. If interested in having your student participate, please call or use the QR code from the image above.

3 days of unexcused absences in a semester

Letter or email to parent/guardian

Robo text or phone call

5 days of unexcused absences in a semester

Letter or email to parent/guardian

In person, virtual or phone conference

10 days of unexcused absences in a semester

Letter or email to parent/guardian

School attendance committee creates an individualized plan of support

15 days of unexcused absences in a semester

Letter or email to parent/guardian

Referral to central office. The central office attendance team will make further recommendations that may include:

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

Chronic Absenteeism

The state defines ‘chronic absenteeism’ as attending school less than or equal to 90% of the time. This includes all absences (excused, unexcused, suspensions, etc.). A student who misses more than half the day is considered absent for the day.

Chronic absenteeism not only impacts the absent student, it disrupts learning for an entire classroom when teachers have to repeat lessons for students returning to class.

When your student is out of school, for any reason, they are missing valuable instructional time.

Every six weeks, families will receive letters from the school if their child has an attendance rate of less than or equal to 90%.

There is an opportunity to learn about the absence procedures.

Taking Care of Your Attendance Needs

EMAIL: lnattendance@kalamazoopublicschools.net

Phone Line: 269-337-0220 Ext. 2204

Website: https://www.kalamazoopublicschools.com/
Location: 606 East Kilgore Road, Kalamazoo, MI, USA
Phone: 269-337-0200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoyNorrixHighSchool