King Philip Regional High School
Week of December 1, 2024
January 31, 2025
Principal's Message
Greetings KP Community,
As we begin the second half of the year, I want to take a moment to emphasize the critical role that consistent attendance plays in student success. Research overwhelmingly shows a direct correlation between regular school attendance and academic achievement. The next few months can be challenging, in particular for seniors, and it is important that we partner with families to ensure students are present and engaged in their classes each day. Thanks to the hard work of the community, our students categorized as chronically absent (defined as 18 or more absences, regardless of the reason) was reduced by 4.2% from the previous school year. Keep in mind that missing just two days a month can lead to 20 absences over the course of the year. Families can always monitor attendance through the Infinite Campus portal.
We sincerely appreciate everything you do to ensure your student’s regular attendance. Consistent attendance benefits your student academically, socially, and emotionally—and it’s a priority for us as well. At KPRHS, we are committed to supporting every student in achieving their full potential. While we understand that illnesses and emergencies happen, we recognize that every school day offers valuable opportunities for learning, collaboration, and growth—both academically and socially.
Our school counseling department is working with administration on a regular basis to review attendance and send notifications to families when students have reached 5 or more absences and then will continue to send notifications as absences increase. If you have any questions about attendance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your student’s Assistant Principal or contact the main office directly.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership.
Nicole Bottomley
Principal
King Philip Regional High School
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Upcoming Dates
February 3 : School Committee Meeting 7:00-9:00 pm, HS Library
February 4 : MCAS Bio/Physics Retake
February 5 : MCAS Bio/Physics Retake
February 10 : Senior Supper
February 17 - February 21: No School - Vacation Week
February 24 : School Committee Meeting 7:00-9:00 pm, HS Library
February 25 : DECA Parent Meeting 6:30-7:30 pm, HS Auditorium
February 27 : People of Prosperity Cultural Night 5:00-7:00 pm, HS Library
February 27 : DECA States Competition
February 27 : DECA States Competition
Follow the following social media accounts-- @kphighschool, @kpcares, @kpstuco, @kphsathletics and Arbiter Live for sports schedules.
LAST CALL FOR SENIORS TO ORDER GRADUATION REGALIA
LAST CALL FOR ORDERING GRADUATION REGALIA.
The link below is for the required regalia to walk at graduation:
cap, gown, tassel and a KP Class of 2025 stole.
This package is $32.00.
If you have any questions please stop by or email Ms. Sloan at sloana@kingphilip.org
LAST CHANCE TO ORDER! ALL STUDENTS WHO WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN GRADUATION MUST ORDER THE ABOVE PACKAGE BY 2/6/2025.
Senior Class of 2025
KPSN - Weekly Student Broadcast - Athletics
Important Athletics Links
Valentine's Day Fundraiser Class of 2025
Student Council News
It's back for its 4th year!! Friday Night Live! Student Council is looking for unique, serious, fun and weird school appropriate performances. Consider doing a skit, a dance, bring your band, magic, put together a group and do a dance...There are all sorts of ideas on the internet.
Student Council will be giving out $1000 in prizes. Performances will be judged independently of anyone associated with student council.
MA Student Council and Special Olympics/Unified Sports Annual Bocce Tournament
Several members of our student body participated in the Massachusetts Student Council and Special Olympics/Unified Sports Annual Bocce Tournament on Saturday, January 25. This annual tournament began in 2010 and is still going strong! Everyone had a great time!
KP Drama News
KPHS's Spring play, Clue: Onstage High School Edition!
King Philip Drama Program is excited to announce auditions for the KPHS's Spring play, Clue: Onstage High School Edition! Auditions will be Feb. 4th at 3pm in the theatre with invited callbacks on Thurs. Feb 6th at 3pm. They are open to all current KPHS students. If interested, please join our Google Classroom ( wc2dehd ) and fill out the Actor Application and Conflict form. Interested in Tech? Join the Classroom and stay tuned for upcoming information.
Performances will be May 3rd and May 4th. Got questions?
Please reach out to Ms. Courtney Bottomley, Director bottomleyc@kingphilip.org
Seniors - Counseling Updates
Do you need assistance completing the FAFSA, the form required to apply for college financial aid?
Join MEFA for a virtual FAFSA Festival on January 15th or February 11th from 4-6pm.
You can log in anytime and you will be paired with an expert who can answer your FAFSA questions and help you complete the online application. Before you join us, we encourage you to start filling out the FAFSA at fafsa.gov.
If you’re an undocumented student not eligible for federal financial aid, we will also be able to assist you with the MASFA, the MA state financial aid form for undocumented students. Sign up link is HERE!
MEFA Financial Aid Information
MEFA, Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority, provides informative webinars and virtual community events on a range of topics, that include Financial Aid 101. MEFA’s Financial Aid 101 webinar series presentation provides a helpful overview of the entire financial aid process, and includes information on financial aid applications and eligibility, types of financial aid, and how colleges determine the details of financial aid offers. Weekly webinars will continue through mid-December.
View English Financial Aid 101 webinars
To register for an upcoming live webinar, click HERE.
To view a recorded webinar, please view the MEFA Videos page HERE.
General Counseling Updates
Youth Connections:
Upcoming Career Events
Students will be able to register for events via their graduating class' Google Classroom
February 13th:
Career Workshop: Mock Interviews at KP
February 27th:
Career Speaker: Reliant (medical group)
Massachusetts Community Colleges are now FREE to MA residents!
Mass Educate provides FREE community college tuition and fees for all Massachusetts students
Building on the success of Mass Reconnect, which made community college free for students 25 years and older, the Healey-Driscoll Administration and state Legislature made public community college FREE for students of any age and income in Massachusetts.
Mass Educate covers the full cost of tuition and fees for all eligible students. For more information and how to apply see the Office of Student Financial Assistance website: https://www.mass.edu/osfa/programs/masseducate.asp
Level Changes
Academic level change requests occur during the first two weeks of a course or with administrative approval. It is important that students spend sufficient time in a course before an academic level change is requested so that they and the teacher have the opportunity to determine the appropriateness of the placement.
Any level change that occurs after the first two weeks of the beginning of the course will require an Academic Level Change Request Form. Academic Level Change Request Forms are available in the School Counseling Office and require the student to get the signature of the current teacher and a parent/guardian.
Moving up a level only occurs within the first term. Any exceptions require administrative approval.
All courses dropped after the add/drop period will result in the appearance of a Withdrawal “WP” or “WF” on the student’s transcript. No schedule changes will take place during the last three weeks of a term.
The Massachusetts Port Authority and the Federal Aviation Administration are hosting an Aviation and Maritime STEM Expo at Logan Airport on Thursday, May 29, 2024, from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.
This Expo is open to 8th grade and high school students.
Please click the link to RSVP by Friday, February 16. https://forms.office.com/r/0MrsUrNRJz
If you have any questions, please contact STEMEXPO@massport.com.
Important Notice: Signs of Suicide (SOS) Training and Screening
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We hope this email finds you well. We are reaching out to inform you that on February 10-12, 2025 students in 9th grade will participate in the Signs of Suicide (SOS) training and screening program at King Philip Regional High School.
The SOS program is designed to increase awareness of suicide risk and depression among students and to provide them with tools to respond to signs of crisis in themselves or their peers. This program is an essential component of our commitment to creating a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.
As part of the training, students will receive valuable information on recognizing the signs of suicide and depression, as well as guidance on how to seek help for themselves or their friends. The screening is a proactive measure aimed at identifying students who may be at risk and connecting them with appropriate support services. We encourage you to visit www.sossignsofsuicide.org/parent for information on warning signs for youth suicide, to access useful resources, and to learn more about the key message all students will learn in class.
We understand that this is a sensitive topic, and we respect the individual preferences of our families. If you do not wish for your student to participate in the SOS training and screening, please take a moment to complete the opt-out form here. Opt-out requests must be received by February 3, 2025 to ensure appropriate arrangements.
We appreciate your understanding and collaboration in our efforts to prioritize the well-being of our students. If you have any questions or concerns about the SOS program, please do not hesitate to contact your student’s counselor.
Thank you for your ongoing support,
The King Philip Regional High School School Counseling Department
Mallory Connors A-C ConnorsM@kingphilip.org
Marissa Falcone D-J FalconeM@kingphilip.org
Carissa Turenne K-M TurenneC@kingphilip.org
Samantha Hilton N-R HiltonS@kingphilip.org
Jess Nutter T-Z NutterJ@kingphilip.org
SAT Prep Courses
Information on the Spring 2025 SAT Preparation Courses, to be held at Bridgewater State University, can be found by clicking on the link below.
https://www.bridgew.edu/ccs/SAT-Preparation
All registrations are to be done online.
If you have any questions, please email me at: d2marks@bridgew.edu.
Student Driver Information
Getting your permit?
If you need residency documentation to obtain your Learner’s Permit or Driver’s License, the Massachusetts RMV requires the following items:
- An Official Transcript
- A Letter of Residency (which includes student’s DOB and current residential address)
- To have these items prepared, please complete a Transcript Request Form, check off the RVM box, and submit it to the Guidance Office Secretary, Mrs. Ludwig or email it to ludwigm@kingphilip.org
Purchase a Parking Spot
Once you have passed the Road Test you may register for a parking spot in the KP parking lot. To find more information about parking spots and to register click here: Student Parking
Important Flu A Update from the King Philip Health Office
Dear King Philip Families,
We are currently experiencing an increase in Flu A cases at King Philip High School, and we need your help to prevent the spread of illness within our school community. Please review and follow these important guidelines to help protect your child and others:
Stay Home if Sick: If your child shows symptoms of the flu, such as fever, cough, sore throat, or body aches, please keep them home from school to prevent spreading the illness.
Monitor Symptoms: Please check your child’s health before sending them to school each day. If they feel unwell, it’s best to keep them home to recover.
Fever: Children with a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher should stay home until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
Vomiting or Diarrhea: If your child has symptoms of vomiting or diarrhea, they should stay home until they have been symptom-free for 24 hours.
Other Symptoms: Children with additional flu symptoms like a cough, runny or stuffy nose, headache, stomach ache, or sore throat should remain at home.
Medical Documentation: As per state requirements and our school handbook, we still require medical documentation to excuse any absences related to flu symptoms or illness. Please ensure a doctor’s note is provided.
Wash Hands Frequently: Encourage your child to wash their hands frequently throughout the day, especially before meals and after using the restroom. Avoid touching their face, eyes, nose, or mouth.
Cover Mouth and Nose: Remind your child to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or their elbow when sneezing or coughing.
Get Vaccinated: The flu vaccine is the best way to help protect your child from the flu and reduce the spread of illness.
Please see the linked CDC Flu Guide for parents: https://www.mass.gov/doc/the-flu-a-guide-for-parents-mdph-0/download.
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our school community safe and healthy. We appreciate your help in preventing the spread of flu A at King Philip High School.
Sincerely, Nurse Charrel and Nurse Tara, King Philip High School
Family Wellness News
Dismissal Reminders
If you need to dismiss your student during the school day please email hsattendance@kingphilip.org. If at all possible, please do this at the beginning of the school day. Only excused absences allow students to make up missed work.The KPRHS Student Handbook lists what constitutes an excused absence.
Please note: Juniors do not have 'senior' privileges and are not allowed to leave during the school day. The consequence for any student leaving school without permission is a Saturday Detention for the first offense.
also
"Students misusing their parking privileges by leaving school grounds before the end of the school day may be subject to having their parking privileges revoked."
Mobile Internet Available
King Philip Regional Schools offers the following program to those who may not have internet access available for their KP student.The device provided is a modified mobile hotspot providing filtered internet intended for educational purposes.
To access the program please fill out the following form and return it to the Technology Department.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1goM-YWK8gCQEZUmk2gWFTnCdzDbk93S1/view?usp=sharing
The form is also available in printed format in the tech office at each building.
School Meals & Free and Reduced Meal Applications
If your student is eligible for Free & Reduced Meals, with their parents permission, KPHS Administration is able to share their information with other departments to offer discounted pricing on other things such as Prom tickets, SAT tests, club activities and more. If you are interesting in sharing this information please complete the attached form Sharing Information Form
Universal Free School Meals for All Students
Governor Healey and the Massachusetts Legislature have made Massachusetts the 8th state to make School Meals for All permanent, beginning immediately for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year! School meals will be offered at no cost to all students.
Free and Reduced Cost Meals Application
Please note that even though meals will be free for all, it is very important for families in need to still complete the household Application for Free and Reduced Price Meals for the 2023-2024 school year. This allows districts to establish eligibility for other federal benefits and school programs. Families who have been eligible for Free and Reduced Meals in the past must apply again for 2023-2024. Please know that the application is confidential with only the Director of Food Services and administrators having access. All students receive the same meals.
King Philip Free and Reduced Meals Application
For more information on the School Meals Program, please visit the food services page on the district's website, King Philip Schools Food Services Department.
About King Philip Regional High School
We establish high academic standards and expectations for personal responsibility. Students are encouraged to become lifelong learners, to be productive contributors to society, to set ambitious goals, and to use all available resources.
Principal: Nicole Bottomley
Assistant Principal: Kip Lewis
Assistant Principal: Karen Archambault
Assistant Principal: Jill Poirier
Athletic Director: Gary Brown
Website: https://www.kingphilip.org/high-school/
Twitter: @KingPhilipHS
Instagram: KPHighSchool
Location: 201 Franklin St, Wrentham MA 02093
Phone: 508-384-1000