KMS NEWSLETTER

Dear KMS Families,

Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s Fall Ball such a fun and successful event! We appreciate our volunteers for their time and energy, and we’re proud of our students for showing such positive behavior throughout the evening.

Our recent attendance update shows a downward trend compared to last month. Currently, 61% of students have regular attendance (greater than 95%), which is a decrease from September’s 67%. Meanwhile, the percentage of students in the “At Risk” and “Chronic Absenteeism” categories has increased. Regular attendance is one of the most important factors in academic success, and we encourage families to help students attend every day possible. Even occasional absences can make it harder for students to keep up with lessons and classroom routines.

As the holiday season approaches, please remember that if your family plans to travel or remove your student from school for three or more weeks, you’ll need to schedule a meeting with building administration before the absence. Together, we can create an educational plan to help your student stay on track while away.

With winter weather arriving, we also want to remind families that KIBSD may delay or cancel school when travel conditions are unsafe. Notifications will be shared through SchoolMessenger, the KIBSD Facebook page, and local radio stations. Please ensure your contact information in PowerSchool is up to date so you receive timely alerts. And since we continue to hold outdoor recess whenever possible, please send your student to school with appropriate warm or rain gear.

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation,

Rena Rankin, Principal

Judith Bruns, Assistant Principal

MONDAY, 11/10

• STUDENT GOV'T, 8:20AM, KMS 103

TUESDAY, 11/11

• ACADEMIC ORGANIZATION WITH MS. LUCY DURING FLEX, KMS 202
• KMS WRESTLING PRE-SEASON MEETING, 3:45, KMS COMMONS

WEDNESDAY, 11/12

• GRACE GROUP WITH MS. LUCY DURING FLEX, KMS 202

THURSDAY, 11/13

• 6TH GR FLEX WITH MRS. BRUCE, KMS LIBRARY CLASSROOM 201

FRIDAY, 11/14

• KMS DRAMA CLUB PRESENTS _THE DAY THE INTERNET DIED_ @ 7PM, CHORAL POD, AUDITORIUM
• FEDERAL AID SURVEY FORMS: DEADLINE TO RETURN

SATURDAY, 11/15

• KMS DRAMA CLUB PRESENTS _THE DAY THE INTERNET DIED_ @ 7PM, CHORAL POD, AUDITORIUM

SUNDAY, 11/16

Kodiak Middle School’s Guidelines for Success represent the core values that shape our school community: Respect, Integrity, Citizenship, and Kindness (R.I.C.K.). Each quarter, staff members focus on one of these guidelines and select one student from each grade who has consistently demonstrated that value in their actions, attitude, and interactions with others. For Quarter 1, our focus was on Respect, and we are proud to recognize Kendra Pastor (6th grade), Max White (7th grade), and Isla Cook (8th grade) as outstanding examples of what it means to show respect at KMS. As we move into Quarter 2, our focus will shift to Kindness, encouraging students to continue building a positive and supportive school culture.

Congratulations and job well done for all students who earned a Grizzly Ticket for Respect this past quarter!

All KMS families are reminded to return their Federal Impact Aid survey forms by Friday, November 14. These forms help our district receive important federal funding that supports our schools and students.

The first grade level to reach 100% returned forms will earn Spirit Points. The 8th grade is currently in the lead but there's still time!!

Thank you for taking a few minutes to complete and return your form!

Tuesday, 11/11

3:45pm

KMS Commons

7pm Friday and Saturday,

November 14 & 15

Doors of auditorium drama pod open at 6:30pm.

$3 seniors/ students and $5 adults.

Director Tamie Everton Fogle. Produced by Stage Partners.

Ms. Leisure’s 6th Grade Science class learned about rock strata and relative age dating by going on a Jenga block expedition as archeologists and geologists. These young scientists also taught each other about the principles of relative age dating using models they created out of LEGO bricks. Just another day in the Pokélab!

Also, check out 6th Grade Scientists’ Galactic Recipes in the Kodiak Art Council’s Artist Trading Show happening now. Scientific artists created trading cards around the theme “recipe” using the concepts learned about galaxies. Scholars learned galaxies are made of multiple components, known as celestial bodies. Using this idea, students made cards representing some kind of galactic recipe.

The 7th grade Social Studies classes recently transformed their lessons on Ancient Egypt into an incredible pyramid gallery. Each student designed and built their own pyramid, combining historical information with artistic creativity. Throughout the day, staff members and classmates visited the display to admire the projects and award stickers in four categories: effort, writing, artistry, and construction. As one of the visitors, I can personally say it was nearly impossible to pick just one winner in each category. The level of talent and detail was outstanding. Great job, 7th graders!

8th grader Olvis Roldan-Lozano chose the volunteer option for his 8th grade social studies community service project, earning hours by helping in the KMS lunchroom. His efforts support our staff and students each day while putting the value of Citizenship into practice. At KMS, we’re proud to see students like Olvis choosing to serve others and make a difference in our school community.

Some of our top cookie dough sellers chose a private lunch and recess party as their prize for all their hard work. Each winner invited up to nine friends to join the fun, with plenty of good food, music, air hockey, foosball, and laughter. Congratulations to our awesome sellers for helping make this year’s fundraiser a success.

Kodiak Middle School has established the Guardian Fund to support students in need by helping with lunch balances, warm clothing, and outerwear during the colder months. Donations to this fund can be made at any time, and every contribution goes directly toward assisting students with the greatest financial need.

Our goal is to make sure every KMS student is well-fed, warm, and ready to learn—no matter their circumstances.

For more information or questions about contributing, please contact the KMS office at 907-486-7460.

The holiday season can be especially difficult for students who are grieving. While this time of year often focuses on joy and celebration, many young people may instead experience sadness, loneliness, or confusion as memories and emotions connected to loss resurface. Middle schoolers, in particular, may struggle to express these complex feelings and might show their grief through changes in behavior, mood, or engagement. Adults can support them by maintaining consistent routines, offering gentle opportunities to talk, and validating that it’s normal to feel both joy and sadness during the holidays.

For additional support and insight, The Dougy Center offers excellent online resources for families, educators, and counselors at www.dougy.org. They are also hosting a free webinar in honor of Children’s Grief Awareness Day on November 20, 2025, from 10:00–11:30 a.m. PST. The session will explore how teens experience and express grief, dispel common myths, and share strategies for creating safe spaces where they feel seen, heard, and supported.

Pre-registration is required, and registration closes at 10:00 a.m. PST on November 19, 2025.

Donate non-perishable items or Safeway gift cards from 11/3-11/14

Drop-off Locations:

KIBSD Central Office

KHS Counseling Suite

KMS Counseling Office

East Elementary Library Loft

Right now, many families at KMS are facing food insecurity. Your contribution to our food pantry can make a real difference. We're collecting non-perishable food items throughout the entire school year to fill our pantry and provide meals for those KMS families in need to take home every Friday.

Drop-off at KMS:

Monday-Friday

8:30am - 4:00pm

For questions contact:

Nurse Amber

907-486-7470

amber.bunker@kibsd.org

• 11/17 - 6TH GRADE BASKETBALL BEGINS
• 11/18 - KMS PTSA Cookie Dough Pick-Up - PTSA Facebook Page for updates
• 11/26-11/28 - NO SCHOOL, Thanksgiving Break

• 12/5 - KMS Arm Wrestling Tournament, 4pm, KMS Commons
• 12/8 & 12/9 - KMS Music Concerts, 7-9pm, Gerald C. Wilson Auditorium
• 12/9-12/11 - Winter MAP Testing
• 12/22/25-1/2/26 - NO SCHOOL, Winter Break

• 1/5 - NO SCHOOL, KIBSD InService
• 1/6 - KMS WRESTLING PRACTICE BEGINS, 4-6PM, KHS MAT ROOM