KMS WEEKLY UPDATE

Dear KMS Families,

It is with a heavy heart that I must share some news with you all. After much consideration and reflection, I have come to the difficult decision to resign from my position as Principal of KMS for the following school year due to health-related concerns.

I want to express my sincere gratitude to each and every one of you for making my time at KMS truly unforgettable. Serving as Principal here has been the highlight of my career, and I am immensely grateful for the support and camaraderie I have experienced throughout my tenure.

One of the greatest joys of my time at KMS has been the opportunity to work alongside such a dedicated and passionate staff. The enthusiasm and commitment they bring to their work with adolescents is truly inspiring, and it has been a privilege to collaborate with them each day.

Furthermore, I have been continually amazed by the incredible students and families that make up our KMS community. Your unwavering support and involvement in your children's education have made a significant impact on our school, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of it.

While it is bittersweet to bid farewell to KMS, I am comforted by the knowledge that I leave behind a school filled with caring individuals who are committed to student success. I have no doubt that KMS will continue to thrive under new leadership, and I am excited to see all of the great things that the future holds for our school.

Thank you once again for the privilege of serving as your Principal. It has been an honor and a joy to be a part of the KMS community, and I will cherish the memories of my time here for years to come.

With warm regards,

Geoff Smith

Principal

KMS

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

The spring book fair is open from Monday, March 11 - Friday, March 15.

Students must have a pass or visit with their class during regular library times.

The Book Fair will also be open during this week's Parent/Teacher Conferences.

Please note: IEA (Native Descent) Students will receive a $20 voucher to be used on books only.

March 4, 2024

Dear Kodiak Community Member,

It has come to our attention that there has recently been some increased concern about

tuberculosis (TB) in Kodiak.

The Alaska Division of Public Health closely tracks every reported case of active TB disease across

the state. Whenever a case is reported, public health staff follow up with any individuals who

may have been exposed to make sure they are evaluated and tested.

Please be assured that there is not felt to be any significantly increased risk from tuberculosis to

the general Kodiak community at this time.

TB is a disease caused by germs spread through the air from one person to another. Getting TB

typically requires many hours of close contact with a person who is sick from TB. TB is rarely

spread to persons who spend a small amount of time with the person who is sick. It cannot be

spread by touching doorknobs, tables, utensils, or other surfaces where a patient with TB has

been.

Other important things for you to know:

• Most people who are exposed to TB do not get infected. It is not spread as easily as

illnesses like COVID-19 or flu.

• People who do get infected with TB usually do not get sick right away and, in fact,

most will never get sick from it.

• People who are infected cannot give TB to others unless they are sick with symptoms

such as cough, fever, or night sweats.

• A person who is infected but not sick can receive treatment to prevent them from

getting sick and spreading TB to family and friends in the future.

The Gulf Coast region, which includes Kodiak, has one of the lowest rates of TB in Alaska, much

lower than the overall state rate, and lower than that of the U.S. in general. The regional rate has

remained stable and has not increased in recent years.

If you have further questions or concerns about tuberculosis, please contact your medical

provider, the Kodiak Public Health Center at 907-486-3319, or the Alaska Section of

Epidemiology at 907-269-8000.

Thank you,

Michelle M. Rothoff, M.D.

TB Controller

State of Alaska, Division of Public Health

Amy Butts, BSN, RN

Public Health Nurse 3

State of Alaska, Division of Public Health

6TH GRADE

Jacob Peterson for Honesty

Carmella Suralta for Kindness

7TH GRADE

Esme Birbilas for Citizenship

Kendal Gray for Kindness & Citizenship

8TH GRADE

Louis Sholl for Academic Risk-Taking

Sebastian Saunders for Citizenship

If you can help with the Book Fair, please click here to sign up:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084DA8AC2BA3F4C70-48317278-kmsspring#/

If you can drop-off ingredients or help set up for the Teacher Dinner on Wednesday, March 13, please click here to sign up:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409094FACAE2EA1FF2-48374601-teacher?fbclid=IwAR2QC1V1l8GcUdo-CdyfRhJzDLBiPDl037gpyiqzSJwLJ0fciRnjWrw_Bvs#/

Mrs. Johnson will be selling concessions to raise funds for the STEAM & Agriculture programs.

If you can volunteer to help with, or donate/drop-off concessions, please click here:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084DA8AC2BA3F4C70-48474329-spring

If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Johnson at ajohnson04@kibsd.org

If you can help the Dance Committee decorate and/or set up, please contact Ms. Monte at cindy.monte@kibsd.org

The 6th grade PE Classes will begin their 3-week swim unit the

Monday following Spring Break, March 25.

Students will need a towel, a swimsuit, and a bag to hold their wet clothes.

We will be at the City of Kodiak Pool on Block 1 and 2 days (M, T, W)

7th grade PE will be participating in an ice-skating unit at the rink March 4th - 15th.

Take special note we will only be skating on Block 1 and 2 days since Monday and Friday are short days.

The Kodiak Middle School Industrial Arts program is at work again!

Currently, we are building nesting camp chairs for a fund-raising project. Each student is making their own and there will be many more to buy at our Spring Sales Event (date TBA).

Also, students are building Adirondack-style lawn chairs. We will be making sets of two, with one end table between the two chairs.

These are for sale as a fundraiser and if you are interested in purchasing a set please contact the instructor nicksteele@kibsd.org.

Rehearsal schedule for The Hobbit is posted below.

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Tamie Fogle

If you haven't bought a 2023-2024 KMS Yearbook yet, the deadline is soon approaching if you want the free customized pages included in your order!

You can add your own photos, memories, book signing, or design something totally different just for your book!

The cost is $25 per yearbook, and the 2 free pages are included up until MARCH 20!!

CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED!

Practices will be every Monday through Friday from 3:45pm to 5:30pm.

Travel 5/22

All paperwork and fees must be turned in before you can practice or compete.

Here you will find events that will be happening in the next couple of months, but not during the coming week.

We want to give our families plenty of time to plan around our activities and opportunities.

Details will be posted later in this newsletter and/or another newsletter in the near future.

• 
  
• 3/18-3/22: No School, Spring Break
• 3:20: Deadline to Customize Yearbook Pages
• 3/25: KMS Track & Field Begins, Coaches: Jordan Fogle & Chad Pysher
• 3/29: Spring Fling Dance - 6th & 7th Grade Only

• 4/4: KMS/KHS Orchestra Concert
• 4/12: Friday Night Live, More Info Coming Soon
• 4/19: NO SCHOOL, District-wide Inservice

RE-ENROLLING A CURRENT STUDENT

Visit the PowerSchool Parent Portal by going to https://www.kibsd.org/current-student-re-enrollment/ and enter your PowerSchool Username and Password.

If you can't recall your credentials please contact your school directly.

Select Returning Student Registration

Complete each section

Electronically sign and then click SUBMIT to complete re-enrollment.

Repeat the process for each of your students (you can switch between students by selecting each name at the top of the screen.)

If your student will not be returning to KIBSD for the 2024-25 school year, please let your school know and you can be removed from the reminder list.

ENROLL A NEW STUDENT

Begin by creating a new account at https://www.kibsd.org/enrollment/

* New student applies to all students who are not currently enrolled in KIBSD.

The Good Grade Incentive Program is designed to encourage and celebrate student success by providing a $50 cash prize for middle and high school students who maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 and above.

Please click below to read more about the guidelines, eligibility, and how to enter.

KMS Guidance Counselors would like to remind you of the free VIP membership below, called Smart Social. It's available to all KIBSD families, free of charge.

Educate yourself and your children against the dangers online.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Theresa Miller at 907-486-7471.

KIBSD Schools are excited to welcome our visitors and volunteers to the different schools.

If you have not visited one of our schools before or have been coming for a long time, we have made some minor changes to standardize our process throughout the schools.

There will now be a sign-in binder you will be asked to sign, along with the name tag you are used to wearing. We ask for your patience, if we have not seen you before, you will be asked to present an ID when you sign in.

All non-KIBSD employees in the buildings will be asked to use staff facilities, not the student washrooms.

We also want to say good-bye when you leave so we are asking everyone to stop by the office to sign out.

ATTENDANCE LINE:

Please use this option to let us know that your child is going to be absent, late, or if you're picking them up early. This is OPTION 1 when calling the school at 907-486-7460.

We check the voicemails every hour.

CHECKING STUDENTS OUT:

Please call in the morning to let us know that you will be checking your student out early. Press the attendance line (OPTION 1) to leave a message. A pass will be given to your student so they can be ready when you arrive. You will come to the front entrance, ring the bell, and sign them out in the office.

DROPPING OFF LUNCH/ITEMS TO STUDENTS:

Please be sure to drop off lunch to students PRIOR to their lunch time.

When dropping off any items to students, please do so BEFORE the class they need it, and we will call them to the front office during passing period.