KAMSC Newsletter
August 21, 2026
Just a quick reminder that KAMSC's first day of school is Tuesday, September 1st. We look forward to seeing all of the smiling faces in the hallway and hearing the buzz of student voices! Please be extra diligent at drop off/parking for safety (see drop off procedures below) and encourage your student drivers to lock their car doors and remove valuables from their cars. Remember, no school Friday the 4th or Monday the 7th for Labor Day weekend. We hope to see all families at our open houses on September 9th here at KAMSC.
Heather Kortlandt
Director, KAMSC
Mr. Afsal left KAMSC in June and we have hired Dr. Edwards to fill the vacancy. We are excited to welcome Dr. Edwards who has a career full of computer science background including teaching AP CS A, AP CS Principles, Cybersecurity courses, supervising college level Computer Science Research projects, and technology roles in industry.
If you student is going to be absent from school you must notify both your partner school and KAMSC (if they are gone all day) and always KAMSC if they are gone during their KAMSC classes. Please remember that attendance is vital as the content moves fast and we want students to have as much of their classroom experience as possible. To notify KAMSC call (337-0004) or email kamsc.office@kamsc.org. KAMSC will now have an attendance policy that follows the state definition of chronically absent which is defined as being absent more than 10% of the school days. A full day absence = 2 KAMSC periods for KAMSC. In-person attendance is a requirement to remain in the KAMSC program. Research shows chronic absenteeism can harm academic performance. KAMSC’s collaborative, hands-on learning environment relies on active participation, rich discussions, and lab work that can't be replicated outside the classroom. Click the button below for the attendance procedures we will use in the office for students exceeding the 10%.
Juniors Marta Kellam and Mark Allabaugh are excited to serve as student co-chairs alongside Mrs. Kortlandt. Now in its second year, the annual Kilometers for KAMSC Fun Run was originally envisioned by Marta Kellam, who developed the idea and partnered with school administration to launch the inaugural event in the fall of 2025.
Join us for Kilometers for KAMSC on October 7 at Kalamazoo Central (during Open Lab). Participants can walk or run laps while learning practical Challenge Success strategies for building healthy habits and reducing stress. We hope you'll join us for an evening of fitness, fun, and community as we support KAMSC together! The event will kick off with a Cricket Match from 5:00–6:30 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Central High School baseball field. Whether you're an experienced player or simply want to cheer on the participants, everyone is welcome! Those interested in playing should sign up with Mr. Sinclair in advance. The Kilometers for KAMSC Fun Run will begin at 6:00 p.m. on the Kalamazoo Central track and continue until 7:00 p.m. Participants can run or walk at their own pace while enjoying a fun-filled evening featuring games, prizes, and activities.
We need your help to launch the event:
On behalf of our student co-chairs of the event, Mark Allabaugh and Marta Kellam, we're asking our KAMSC families to help support this year's Kilometers for KAMSC event.
If you're able to contribute, we're looking for donations of:
- Bottled water
- Individually packaged snacks
- Gift cards in $5 increments to use as participant prizes and incentives
Every donation, no matter the size, helps make this event a success while supporting our KAMSC community. If you'd like to donate, or know of a local business that would like to donate, please sign up by filling out this google form.
Thank you for your generosity and support!
Marta & Mark
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.
The KAMSC Handbook will have all of the KAMSC Guidelines. KAMSC follows the KPS code of conduct for student discipline. Please be advised of it. Specific behaviors that we would love your help with talking with your child about at home are:
- Academic Integrity - cheating is rampant in many high schools today with the influx of AI tools at the disposal of students. We need students' own authentic work being handed in. Keep in mind that the real lesson here is that the person who does the learning is the person who does the work. Students ultimately cheat themselves out of learning in these scenarios.
- Bullying- We know that with so many human interactions happening from class to class and in between that students will be navigating their interpersonal/social skills. Please remind them that choosing to be nice is always the best choice. True bullying is pervasive in nature and is disruptive to the learning environment, but if we all treat each other with kindness daily, we won't venture into this territory.
- Name calling/inappropriate language - Words matter. At KAMSC we are so lucky to come together from so many different households, partner schools and backgrounds. We must be very thoughtful about the words we use so that everyone here feels safe and welcomed.
Please note that KAMSC's first day of school is Tuesday, September 1st, which may be different from your student's partner school start date.
As you prepare for the school year, please review the following important reminders:
Transportation
For questions regarding transportation to or from KAMSC, please contact your student's partner school office.
Breakfast/Lunch Service
Breakfast/Lunch service at KAMSC will begin the week of September 1 provided we can get numbers of those interested from you.
- If you would like your student to receive breakfast items or a packed "to-go" lunch from KPS Food Service, please complete the form by clicking the button below - By Aug 24th
- Students with special dietary needs must also complete the appropriate KPS Food Service form.
Medications
If your student will need medication at school, please submit all required KAMSC medication paperwork and bring the medication to the KAMSC office before the first day of school.
Medication drop-off hours:
- Wednesday, August 19 – Friday, August 21
- 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- Medication form
- Medication for for self administration/self posession
If you have questions, please contact Ms. Pat Sanders at kamsc.office@kamsc.org.
Annual Field Trip Permission Form
KAMSC has a single, year-long field trip permission form. Families who opt in will not need to complete a separate permission slip for each trip. All field trips will continue to be announced in advance. If a specific trip arises that you prefer your student not attend, you will have the opportunity to opt out of that individual trip.
Please complete the Annual Field Trip Opt-In Form by Friday September 4th.
➡️ Click here to complete the form.
Aug 25 - 9th Grade Orientation- Kalamazoo Nature Center 2-5 pm
Aug 28 - 10th-12th grade Orientation - 12:00-2:00 pm at KAMSC
Sept 1 - First day of school at KAMSC
Sept 4 - No school
Sept 7 - No School
Sept 9 - KAMSC open house
Sept 11 - KAMSC Picture Day
Sept 16 - 9th grade mixer - 6-7:30 - 1st floor Chenery Lobby