KMS NEWSLETTER

Dear KMS Families,

I am reaching out to discuss important matters that affect our entire school community. As partners in your child’s education, we believe that fostering a safe and positive school culture requires collaboration between home and school. Together, we can create an environment where all students feel respected and valued.

Kodiak Middle School’s guidelines for success include respect, integrity citizenship, and kindness. To start this school year, we have emphasized kindness with our students. Unfortunately, we have noticed an increase in unkind and disrespectful behaviors, including racial and ethnic comments, body shaming, and name-calling. Some students are even vandalizing our school bathrooms with hurtful words (6th & 7th grade boys bathrooms). Such actions not only violate our school’s code of conduct but also undermine the values of respect and inclusivity that we strive to uphold. It is essential that our students learn to treat each other with kindness and understanding, regardless of their differences.

Additionally, we have seen a rise in the possession of vapes on campus. As a reminder, these devices are illegal for students, and our campus is a tobacco-free environment. The health risks associated with vaping are well-documented, and we are committed to ensuring that our students are aware of these dangers.

We believe that open communication between home and school is vital in addressing these challenges. We encourage you to discuss these issues with your child and reinforce the importance of respect and responsibility. If your student sees others engaging in any unsafe or unkind actions, please ask them to see the front office to fill out a witness statement report so administrators can investigate the concern. Together, we can help our students develop the values that will guide them throughout their lives.

Thank you for your support in creating a positive school culture. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Rena Rankin, Principal

Judith Bruns, Assistant Principal

This is where we will have a quick reference for the upcoming week. More info is usually listed lower in the newsletter, if needed.

OCTOBER 28-NOVEMBER 1

RED RIBBON SPIRIT WEEK! SEE FLYER BELOW

MONDAY (10/28):

STUDENT GOV'T, 3:40-4:40, RM 103

TUESDAY (10/29):

FILM CLUB, 3:30-4:30, RM 219
CHESS CLUB, 3:30-5PM, MEET IN AUDITORIUM

WEDNESDAY (10/30):

EARLY RELEASE

THURSDAY (10/31):

FILM CLUB, 3:30-4:30, RM 219

FRIDAY (11/1):

END OF FIRST QUARTER

HAND, FOOT, AND MOUTH DISEASE

Dear Parent/Guardian,

A very contagious, yet relatively benign, virus is circulating Kodiak called Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease. The symptoms include tiny blisters on the hands and feet, as well as sores in the mouth. Young children may get a slight to moderate fever. The State of Alaska Epidemiology Dept. states that it is NOT required that kids with this virus stay home from school since the virus does not cause any severe symptoms or consequences. It is similar to a common cold. If your child has a fever and is not feeling well, or has weeping blisters, they need to stay home until the fever is gone for 24 hours without medication and until the blisters have dried up.

Although the symptoms are generally gone in 3-5 days, the virus actually remains in the stool for several more weeks. Thus, good hand washing is the key to stopping the spread of this virus. Please review good hand washing techniques with your children.

Good Hand Washing Techniques:

Wash with soap and warm water for 30 seconds. (sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice)
Wash all surfaces thoroughly between the fingers, under fingernails, palms, wrists and back of hands before rinsing off soap.
Rinse well and dry hands.
Turn off the faucet with a paper towel after drying your hands thoroughly.

When to wash hands

After using the bathroom or changing diapers
After handling raw meat, fish, or poultry
Before eating
After coughing, blowing nose or sneezing into tissue
After caring for sick people
After touching suspected contaminated objects
After playing with pets
After playing outside or playing sports

It is also helpful to avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth, and to disinfect commonly used surfaces.

Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

Amber Bunker RN, BSN

Kodiak Middle School Nurse

Old Harbor School Nurse

amber.bunker@kibsd.org

Phone: (907) 486-7470

Fax: (907) 481-2201

A SPECIAL THANK YOU

We weren't sure we would be able to have a Book Fair this year, after losing our full-time librarian.

But tons of thanks to these special people for making it happen:

Elizabeth Bender

Daisy Briones

Mrs. Norton and the 8th Grade Citizenship Project Student Volunteers

Community, Family, and PTSA Adult Volunteers

KMS Admin, ELA Teachers, and KMS Lunch/Recess Duty Workers

As a team, we pulled it off!

Thank you so much for your participation!

CLICK FOR MENUS, PRICES, INCOME GUIDELINES, & FREE/REDUCED MEAL APPLICATIONS

DIRECTIONS TO SET UP NEW ACCOUNT, CHECK LUNCH BALANCE, OR ADD FUNDS

MR. DAVIS' ELA CLASS

Here are my students working through a game of “Count to Ten” where they pass the ball 10 times with increasingly difficult requirements such as throwing with the non-dominant hand, catching without hands, etc. Dog tax included.