KMS Newsletter

Dear Members of the KMS Community,

As we begin the school year, I want to take a moment to emphasize the importance of regular school attendance. Consistent attendance is one of the most important factors in a student’s academic success, personal growth, and overall connection to school.

Every school day provides students with opportunities to learn new material, participate in classroom discussions, build relationships with teachers and peers, and develop the habits and skills they need for future success. When students are frequently absent, they can miss important instruction and activities that are difficult to fully make up. Even a few absences each month can quickly add up and create learning gaps.

What Is Chronic Absenteeism?

Chronic absenteeism is generally defined as missing 10% or more of the school year for any reason, including excused and unexcused absences. In a typical 180-day school year, this means missing approximately 18 or more school days.

Chronic absenteeism does not necessarily mean that a student is absent for many consecutive days. Missing a few days here and there can add up over time and significantly affect a student's education.

Why Does Attendance Matter?

Frequent absences can contribute to:

• Falling behind academically or missing essential instruction

• Difficulty keeping up with assignments and classroom expectations

• Increased stress when trying to catch up

• Reduced participation in school activities and relationships

• Difficulty developing consistent school and learning routines

• Increased risk of continued academic challenges as absences accumulate

We recognize that students sometimes need to be absent because of illness, family circumstances, appointments, or other important reasons. Our goal is not to penalize families for circumstances beyond their control. Rather, we want to partner with you to identify attendance concerns early and provide support when challenges arise.

Every day matters, and every student matters. When students are at school consistently, they are better positioned to engage in learning, build relationships, and experience the many opportunities our school has to offer.

We ask that you make regular attendance a priority and communicate with the school whenever your child is experiencing circumstances that may interfere with attending school regularly. If your family is facing barriers to consistent attendance, please reach out to us. We want to work together to find solutions and support your child.

Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to your child's education. Together, we can help ensure that every student has the opportunity to attend, learn, grow, and succeed.

Have a great week.

Sincerely,

Dennis Morrell Principal

Every School Day Matters

Regular school attendance helps students stay connected to learning, teachers, friends, and school activities. Chronic absenteeism means missing about 10% or more of the school year—roughly 18 days in a typical 180-day school year. Absences can add up quickly, even when they are excused.

Watch for These Warning Signs

Your child may be at risk for chronic absenteeism if they:

• Frequently ask to stay home or miss school

• Have repeated morning struggles or difficulty getting ready

• Miss school on the same day of the week

• Fall behind academically

• Seem worried, disconnected, or reluctant to attend

• Have transportation, health, family, or other challenges that make attendance difficult.

What Parents Can Do

1. Start the conversation.
Ask your child: “What makes it hard to get to school?” Listen without judgment and look for patterns.

2. Build a consistent routine.
Set regular bedtimes, wake-up times, and morning routines. Prepare clothing, backpacks, and lunches the night before.

3. Plan for challenges.
Have a backup plan for transportation, illness, or other unexpected problems.

4. Communicate with the school early.
If attendance is becoming difficult, contact your child's teacher, counselor, social worker, or attendance staff. Don't wait until the problem becomes serious.

5. Address the reason—not just the absence.
Ask the school about supports for academic difficulties, bullying, anxiety, health needs, transportation, family circumstances, or other barriers.

6. Celebrate progress.
Recognize your child's effort and improvement. Focus on getting back on track rather than simply counting missed days.

A Simple Attendance Check

At the end of each week, ask:

☐ How many days did my child attend?
☐ Were there any barriers to attendance?
☐ Is there a pattern we should address?
☐ Does the school know what support our family needs?
☐ What can we do next week to make attendance easier?

Talk With Your School

You don't have to solve attendance challenges alone. Schools and families can work together to identify barriers and develop an attendance plan.

Helpful resource: Attendance Works — parent resources and attendance success-planning tools
https://www.attendanceworks.org/

Remember: Missing a day happens. The goal is to notice patterns early, address barriers, and help your child get to school consistently.

Reach out to our school's guidance office at 401-245-2010 with any questions.

October 14- PTO Meeting 6pm

October 20- December 19 Community Svs Food Drive

October 22- Halloween Dance 2-4- No late bus

October 26-30- KMS Book Fair

November 3- Election Day

November 5 - Community Flu Clinic 4pm

November 10- Picture Retake Day

November 11- Veteran's Day

November 16- Color Run Fundraiser Kicks Off

November 24- Color Run Day

November 25-27 Thanksgiving Break

KMS is pleased to continue the Bike Safety Program for our grade 5 students. This program is sponsored by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation and the Office of Highway Safety. The program will run all next week, October 5-9, and will cycle through different groups of students. I have provided some information below for students and families.

1. All participants shall wear helmets in order to participate in the program:

a. Students can use their own personal helmets; however, the helmet must

be brought to each of the four sessions.

b. Rhode to Bicycle Safety participants will be issued their own helmet at

the beginning of the program.

c. Failure to bring his/her own personal helmet will result in using a helmet

provided by the State.

d. Whereby if a student elects to bring their own helmet, the helmet must fit

properly.

e. An improperly fitted helmet brought by the student will result in replacement

of that helmet to a helmet provided by the program.

2. The program is inclusive to all students, including those students who do not

know how to ride a bicycle.

3. The program is part of the requirement of fulfilling the student's physical

education or health itinerant.

4. Any student injured while participating in the program, shall be covered by

insurance provided by the school to any student injured while on their premises and

participating in a school activity.

5. All bicycles and equipment for modules will be sanitized after each session.

We are looking forward to providing this outdoor learning activity to our students!

Wednesday Word of the Day: Serendipity

A fortunate discovery or pleasant surprise that happens unexpectedly.

Dad Joke Thursday

Q. What do you get when you eat Christmas decorations?

A. "Tinsel-itis"

Trivia Friday:

Q. By square miles what is the name of the smallest town in the smallest state in the United States?

A.Warren, Rhode Island

Lunch Program Links http://www.bwrsd.org/departments1/business-finance-office/lunch-program

To put money on a student's account: www.myschoolbucks.com

Note that ALL families should complete an online application for meal benefits.

Online applications are now available https://www.myschoolapps.com/

• All students being dismissed should be sent in with a note the day of their dismissal and the main office will provide them with a dismissal note. Students will be ready for dismissal at the designated time. Please do not call ahead to have your child dismissed unless it's an emergency. We will call your child down when you arrive.

  Students are only dismissed to parents or guardians. The exceptions are as follows:

  • A student is dismissed by the nurse or administrator who has made contact with the parent/guardian to verify who will be picking up.
  • A note is sent in with the student that they are being dismissed early and the pickup person is on the emergency contact list or the parent/guardian is picking up. Students should bring the notes to the attendance clerk in the main office.
  • If there is an emergency and we cannot reach the parent/guardian, we will use the emergency contact. We will always leave a message with the parents/guardians.
  • All early dismissals must be completed by 1:45 since we begin the dismissal process at 1:50.

I have linked the district's cell phone policy for students. Note that at KMS the expectation for all students is that cell phones and smart watches must be secured in their locker. The hierarchy of consequences can be found in the Student/Family Handbook on our website.

Attention Students, Parents and Guardians: If a chromebook is left at home during the school day, the student will call a parent or guardian to have their CB dropped off at school. We do not have extra chromebooks available for students to borrow if they have forgotten theirs at home. Loaners are provided to students whose CB may be under repair.

Chromebook insurance is available for purchase. The purchase is well worth it and will cover most repairs for your student's Chromebook.

Please note ALL classrooms at KMS are Peanut/Tree Nut Free. Our Cafeteria does have designated Peanut/Tree Nut free tables for students with allergies.

Cartwheel

Cartwheel is a virtual mental health care provider and partners with school districts to deliver virtual mental health care to students and families. information and documents linked below. Please reach out to our guidance office for more details at 401-245-2010, ext 2010.