The Kennel Connect Vol. 2

Dear KFHS Families,

Thank you for your support as I have transitioned into the role of principal of the Kennel. King's Fork has already become a very special place to me, and I am excited for what we will build and accomplish together this year, as a community.

We have had some challenges to start, with a major one being the efficiency of new registrations. For those who were impacted, I want to apologize and assure you that we have heard you, and now that we have a full team and everyone is caught up, your experience will be much better moving forward.

One thing I have appreciated is the partnership of the families I have had the opportunity to work with so far. If you missed Orientation and Open House, one of the things I shared is that we have to communicate. The same way you expect communication from our school is the same expectation I have for families to let us know when assistance is needed. Even when frustrated, bring us your concerns, so that we can work together on a solution. I am here to make sure all of our students are taken care of, and I appreciate you allowing me the opportunity to do so.

One major area we need to address quickly is student arrival to school. School starts at 8:25 a.m. That means we need every student in class, seated, and ready to begin at 8:25. Many of our students, especially those who drive, are coming to school as late as 8:35-8:45, but they are not coming alone. McDonalds, Starbucks, and Chick-fil-a are all preventing our students from making it to school on time. Please speak with your students about the importance of being on time to school, as tardies add up quickly and can result in disciplinary actions, to include the loss of privileges to park on campus.

This month's newsletter has a lot of information, so make sure to review it all. If you have any questions, please let us know.

Dr. Avery

One of the things we are going to do this year is talk about our data and where we need help. Below you will see discipline information from last school year. I will be sharing this information with our students during our expectation assemblies today as well. For context, a discipline incident is a recorded violation of the SPS Student Code of Conduct.

Last year, King's Fork High School had 1,303 incidents. The top five infractions from last year are below.

1. Defiance of Staff Request or Question
2. Tobacco/e-cigarette
3. Communication Devices - cell phones
4. Tardiness (Unexcused)
5. Student is not going to class as assigned

Last year, we had 15 referrals during the first week of school. Five of those were on the second day. This year, we made it through the first week with only four incidents. I am proud of our students for that. What we need to talk about is that three of the four incidents we had this last were for vaping. It's a problem.

How can you help? Check your student's bookbag. Check their bedroom. Check their jacket pockets. Check everywhere. We are doing our best to catch what we can when we can, but we need your help at home to prevent them from even making it to school. The consequences for vaping at school, or even being found with a vape at school, are steep. We want our students in school, every day.

I do not believe in comparing; I believe in dealing with what we have before us. However, I want to note that King's Fork High School had almost three times the number of incidents as the other two high schools in our division last year.

This cannot be the case this year. This will not be the case this year. Our students and our staff deserve better.

I know our students are not perfect. Mistakes will be made along the way. That said, I want to point out that most of our referrals last year were for things that are within the student's control.

1. Be respectful.
2. Don't smoke at school.
3. Keep the phone away.
4. Get to class on time.
5. Go to class.

Our school is not violent, our kids are not "bad," and I am NOT going to let that narrative stand. I have met some of the best students this past week, and they want the best for our school. Our issue is with motivating our students to come to school and take advantage of being here from 8:00-3:00. That is where I'm asking for your help. I am working with our staff to make sure that when students come here, they are treated with respect, and this is a place they can learn. I need your support in letting your student know that when they come here, I have high expectations for them, I will not bring them down, and we expect them to do their best every day.

Today during our assemblies, my message to our students is simple: We have to do better; we will do better; we will do it together.

Here is last year's data.

A removal without remediation is a recipe for recurrence.

When students make mistakes at school, we want to help them make better choices in the future. Sitting at home for out-of-school suspension is not the best situation for most of our students. When a student violates the Code of Conduct and out-of-school suspension would be the appropriate consequence, your student's administrator may suggest that the student attend the FOCUS Center for all, or some, of the student's assigned suspension.

The FOCUS Center is designed to provide students the opportunity to work on establishing replacement behaviors and ensure support in preventing additional disciplinary infractions. Students are supervised in a classroom setting with access to their assignments from their teachers. Students attending the FOCUS Center will be marked present for the day.

There FOCUS Center is housed at two locations: John Yeates Middle School and Forrest Glen Middle School. Students attending the FOCUS Center will be provided transportation home; however, a parent/guardian will be required to provide transportation to the FOCUS Center in the morning. Parents must drop off students between 6:55 a.m. and 7:10 a.m., but no later than 7:15 a.m.

Program Benefits:

• Mentorship
• Social-Emotional Skill Development
• Time and Stress Management
• Individualized Student Behavioral Action Plan
• Goal Setting
• Tutoring
• AAA Approach: Acknowledge Behavior, Accountability, Action Plan

Attached below is the SPS High School Testing Calendar for this school year. Please review the calendar in comparison to the courses your student is enrolled in to see which course-related assessments they are expected to take. If you have any questions, please contact our School Testing Coordinator at LawrenLee@spsk12.net.

All students enrolled in a course with an associated assessment are expected to take the assessment.

Attention, King’s Fork Bulldog Family!

Beginning Tuesday, September 15, 2026, King’s Fork High School will offer a 5:00 PM Activity Bus for students participating in after-school clubs and activities.

The 5:00 PM Activity Bus will operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays only.

Please note the following important information:

• All students riding the 5:00 PM Activity Bus must have a GoPass.
• GoPasses are issued by the student’s club or activity sponsor.
• Students will not be permitted to board the Activity Bus without a valid GoPass.
• A list of designated Activity Bus stops is provided below for your reference.

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation as we provide transportation opportunities for our students participating in extracurricular activities.

Go Bulldogs!

Dues are $50 and can be paid online, in cash, or check/money order made payable to KFHS. In person payments should be brought to A108. Please note the student´s shirt size.

On August 13, 2026, the Suffolk City School Board approved the attached list of new dual enrollment

courses for the 2026-2027 school year. The new dual enrollment courses will be added to the 2026-

2027 Program of Studies.

• DE Art History (3 College Credits/One High School Credit) - Grade Levels 10-11
• DE Comparative Mythology (3 College Credits/One High School Credit) - Grade Levels 10-11
• DE Principles of Public Speaking (3 College Credits/One High School Credit) - Grade Levels 10-11

If interested, please contact your student's counselor to see if these courses could fit into your student's schedule.

Did you know students can take African American Studies or AP African American Studies in the place of World History I or Honors World History I? If your student may be interested in either of these course offerings for next semester, there are limited seats available. Please contact your student's counselor to see if this course could fit into your student's schedule.

As the new school year gets started, managing the demands of work and family life can become overwhelming for parents & caregivers. Attached are some practical strategies to help you prioritize your mental wellbeing during this transition period. Utilizing these techniques will help teach your child stress management, too!

If you or your child are managing a mental health condition, transitions can be especially challenging as you work to maintain you and/or your child’s mental health in addition to making the necessary changes during the transition time. Planning ahead can help the transition go much smoother and ensure everyone can stay healthy! Seek-out additional support when needed.

Picture day is Wednesday, September 16, 2026. Students will be informed of the schedule for pictures that day as we get closer to the date. Look good, feel good!

Are you respectful, kind, and passionate about supporting classmates with unique needs? We are looking for dedicated student volunteers to partner with our KFHS champions throughout the school year.

Volunteer Opportunities:

• Peer Buddy: Build friendships and support peers during school activities.

• Classroom Helper: Assist with daily classroom routines and learning tasks.

• Reading Partner: Share the joy of reading together during designated story times.

• Special Olympics Support: Help train and cheer on athletes during events.

How to Apply:

If you are interested in making a positive impact in our school community, please fill out the Volunteer Interest Form.

JOIN US FOR OUR NEXT SEAC MEETING
September 16, 2026 - 6:30 p.m.
(King's Fork Middle School Distance Learning Lab)
• Learn about special education programs, services, and resources.
• Come join in advocating, partnering, and strengthening opportunities for students with disabilities.

Options Available:
• Virtual attendance is available for families and community members.
• Childcare will be provided during the meeting.

**Parents, encourage your student to get involved in Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)!** 🎉

FBLA is more than just a club—it’s an opportunity for students to:

• build leadership skills,
• develop confidence,
• explore careers,
• compete,
• travel when necessary (competitions),
• make new friends,
• and create lasting memories!

I look forward to working with your child. Thank you!

-Dana Bassett

KFHS Bulldogs: Get ready to get loud, speak up, and speak out!

Do you love to debate, share strong ideas, express passionate opinions, or simply have a voice that deserves to be heard? King’s Fork High School Speech & Debate Teams are looking for students who are ready to think, speak, compete, and make their voices count!

Whether your speaking experience is limited to a class presentation or you’ve confidently spoken in front of hundreds, there is a place for you on our teams. No prior Speech & Debate experience is required!

Come learn more about the teams, explore the different Speech & Debate events, meet the coaches, and discover where your voice can thrive.

📆 Interest Meetings

Wednesday, September 9
Wednesday, September 16
Immediately After School | Room A120

Come to one meeting or come to both!

For more information, please speak with Mrs. Henderson or Dr. Cordon.

This is Speech & Debate.

Think. Speak. Argue. Compete.

I wanted to share the attached flyer for the upcoming Student Athlete Leadership Conference, which will be held right here at King’s Fork High School on Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Please share the attached flyer with your student-athletes and encourage them to take advantage of this great opportunity. The conference will feature several engaging speakers and provide our student-athletes with valuable opportunities to learn, grow, and continue developing their leadership skills.

Each Suffolk high school has 200 registration spots available, and I would love to see King’s Fork make the most of our opportunity to host this event.

David Devers

Director of Student Activities

At Suffolk Public Schools, we believe that every day of learning matters. Consistent school attendance is one of the strongest predictors of academic success, helping students build essential skills, stay connected to their teachers and classmates, and remain on track for promotion and graduation.

As we prepare for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year, we want to make families aware of revisions to our Suffolk Public Schools Attendance Policy. Updated regulations are currently being finalized and will be shared with our school community soon. In advance of those updates, we would like to highlight several important changes.

Attendance Policy Revisions

Under the revised Section 9-8.1 of the Suffolk Public Schools Policy Manual, a student will be considered an attendance failure once they are deemed chronically absent. Attendance thresholds include:

17 days of absences during the school year for elementary and middle school students, as well as students enrolled in year-long high school courses.

9 days of absences per semester for students enrolled in semester-long high school courses under the 4x4 block schedule.

Opportunities to Recover Attendance Time

Recognizing that circumstances arise, Suffolk Public Schools will provide students with opportunities to earn back attendance time through participation in approved academic support programs, including:

• Saturday Academy

• Before-school tutoring

• After-school tutoring

• Additionally, attendance failure exemptions will be available for qualifying medical reasons. More information regarding eligibility, required documentation, and the exemption process will be included in the forthcoming regulations.

Our goal is not simply to enforce attendance requirements, but to partner with families in ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed. We encourage parents and guardians to make daily attendance a priority and to communicate with their child's school whenever attendance concerns arise. Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting student success. We look forward to sharing the complete attendance regulations with our school community in the coming weeks.

Parents must complete the KFHS Attendance Verification Form to request a student's absence be excused. It can be found on the school website under PARENTS and ATTENDANCE. There is also a QR code available to use for submissions at the kiosk in the front of the building.

The Code of Virginia (§22.1-254) requires that all children of compulsory school age attend school regularly. Virginia identifies students as “chronically absent” once they have missed 10% of the school year, which is approximately 8 days per semester. This total includes both excused and unexcused absences.

The KFHS Attendance Verification Form is designed to make reporting student absences quicker and easier for families. This online form helps maintain clear, timely attendance records as we work together to reduce chronic absenteeism. Parents and guardians can submit absence information from any device and upload additional information such as official court, medical, or military-related documentation as a PDF or photo.

Thank you for keeping us informed and helping ensure your child’s attendance is documented properly.

The cell phone policy is one that has polarized many students and families since it went into effect July 1, 2025. The key to successful implementation is understanding what the policy is and is not.

WHAT IT IS NOT: It is not a ban on cell phones. Students are permitted to bring their phones to school.

WHAT IT IS: A policy meant to curb distractions and unwanted behavior. The average teenager receives upwards of 100 phone notifications each hour from apps, group chats, email, FaceTime, etc. It is nearly impossible for students to fully engage in school when they are constantly checking their phone. Also, more conflict arises from group chats and social media than anywhere else. The cell phone policy is meant to refocus students' attention to what matters while they are in school: engaging in learning.

As the principal, I am asking for your support. We cannot do this alone. Please talk with your student about the policy and make sure they understand it. We will also review the policy with students multiple times during the first week of school. Know that if an administrator has to call regarding a phone, the student has been given multiple chances to make a better decision, has chosen not to follow the rules, and we need your support to work through the situation to hold them accountable to the standard, so we can keep them in school.

You can read the official language of the policy below:

Use of Cell Phones, Smart Devices and Accessories: Students are prohibited from using devices during instructional time. Upon entering the building, students must turn off and stow their devices.

Exceptions: Exceptions may be made for emergencies, instructional use (approved by teachers and principals), or accommodations outlined in a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). If, upon consultation with your child’s healthcare provider, it is determined that your child needs to have access to their personal cell phone or electronic device to manage a medical diagnosis, parents will be asked to complete a Student Cell Phone Medical Exemption Request form.

Parental Communication: Parents are encouraged to contact students through official school communication channels during the school day. This ensures the safety and accessibility of important information. Parents in need of language translation will be able to use Language Line to communicate with staff.

Student Responsibility: Students are accountable for safeguarding their devices. The school district is not responsible for theft, loss, or damage of personal devices, except in cases involving school personnel negligence.

Discipline: To uphold this policy, teachers and staff will monitor compliance. Students who violate the policy will have the initial option to turn the device in to the main office, where it will be secured until picked up by a parent/guardian. Students who choose not to turn in their device will face additional disciplinary actions.

As always, our goal is to promote a positive, distraction-free learning environment for students.

• Shirts and blouses must include at least 3" width on shoulders, garments.
• Spaghetti straps, strapless tops, muscle shirts, off-shoulder shirts, and tank tops are not allowed.
• The appropriate length of skirts, dresses and shorts will be determined by the "fingertip rule."
• The length of skirts, dresses and shorts, must extend below the student's fingertips when the student's arms are extended at his/her sides.
• Only leggings, jeggings, and yoga pants that are opaque (i.e., not able to be seen through) are allowed.
• Rips and holes in clothing are prohibited.
• Clothing must not reveal undergarments such as underwear and bras.
• This includes any article of clothing that does not cover the midriff, back, reveals cleavage, sags below the beltline, or is sheer.
• Clothing and accessories may not advertise alcohol, tobacco, vaping, cannabis, or any illegal substances, depict lewd graphics, display offensive or obscene language, promote violence, or are gang related.
• Sunglasses may not be worn within the building, unless prescribed by a doctor for a legitimate reason. Wallet chains are not permitted.
• Unless worn for religious or medical reasons, head coverings are not permitted. This includes hats, hoods, bandanas, combs, and picks. Headbands, headwraps and/or scarves as they relate to a student’s customary country of origin, religious attire or ethnic affinity are allowed.
• All shoes worn should not pose a safety concern. Slides, flip flops, and slippers are permitted. Sandals with a back strap are permitted.
• Sleepwear may be worn only during designated school functions.
• Clothing worn by a student must not cause a disruption and/or distract others from the educational process or pose a health or safety concern.

As the principal, I am asking that you please review the dress code expectations with your student. If a student happens to come to school out of dress code, we will make every attempt to provide a solution for the student so that they can remain in class; however, if an administrator does have to call because your student has not met the dress expectations, you will have to bring them a change of clothes before they will be admitted back into class, or they will be assigned to in-school suspension (ISS) for the day. The last thing we want to do is prevent a student from attending class, but students must meet the standard, and we need your support in ensuring that happens.

Students will not be called out of class to pick up food dropped off by parents. Students may pick up delivered lunches during their designated lunch period.

Volunteers who are committed to helping students succeed are important members of the school team. The Suffolk Public Schools Volunteer Connect program aims to enrich the quality of education for our students by providing opportunities for parents and community members to become actively involved - bridging the gap between school and community. Every day, students and teachers across our school division benefit from the generosity of volunteers who take the time to share their talents.

Volunteer Program Goals:

• Enrich the curriculum
• Enrich children’s learning opportunities
• Provide help for individual students
• Provide opportunities for meaningful service
• Relieve teachers of some non-instructional tasks
• Enhance a school and community partnership for quality education
• Enhance all aspects of the educational process

Who can Volunteer with Suffolk Public Schools? Any family member, guardian, community partner, or district employee at least 18 years of age who has completed the Suffolk Public Schools Volunteer Application.

• Parents
• Community members
• Business partners
• LISD staff
• Mentors and tutors
• One-time guest speakers
• Science fair judges
• Booster club members
• PTA/PTO groups
• Currently enrolled Suffolk Public Schools students may volunteer in our district under the supervision of a district employee.

To become a volunteer, you will need to create a new application for the Raptor system. If you completed the application last year, an application renewal or a new application will be required each school year. Once complete, the volunteer will receive an automatic notification to their email address letting them know that the application has been received. Once approved, the volunteer will receive an automatic email letting them know that the application has been approved, and they are authorized to volunteer. In most cases, all applications are approved, unless adverse information is disclosed in the background check.

Volunteers have the option of selecting the school they prefer to volunteer at. They can select one location, or multiple locations. Volunteers can also select the functions in which they wish to volunteer, and select one or multiple functions. An approved SPS volunteer may serve in a variety of ways depending on their interests, availability, and school needs.