Blue & White Bulletin

Dear KHS Families,

Homecoming week is here! Our students and staff have brought wonderful energy to this week’s celebrations, and we’re looking forward to tonight’s parade and football game against Avon Grove. The Homecoming dance is tomorrow, October 3. Follow our Instagram page for more highlights from the week.

We’ve invited KHS alumni to join us at the Kennett High School Stadium tonight for a barbecue tailgate on the field. Advance RSVP was required. Before kickoff, we’ll honor Mr. Charles B. Lewis as a recipient of the Kennett Legends honor. An accomplished athlete and longtime educator, mentor, and coach, Mr. Lewis served KCSD students from 1961 through 1997. His induction onto the Wall of Kennett Legends recognizes more than 35 years of service and a lasting impact on our community.

As Hispanic Heritage Month continues, we’re celebrating the history, culture, and contributions of our Hispanic and Latino community. We hope you’ll enjoy the moments shared on our Instagram page and in this newsletter.

A few dates to keep in mind:

• Tuesday, October 13: Sophomores and juniors taking the PSAT will have a half day. The test helps students gauge their college readiness, and junior scores may qualify students for National Merit recognition. Seniors who preregistered for the SAT will report to KHS for testing. Freshmen and all other seniors will not have school. We encourage seniors who are not testing to use the day for college applications, career or training plans, and other steps toward life after graduation.
• Monday, Nov 2: The first marking period ends. Please encourage your student to check assignments and connect with teachers while there’s still time to finish strong.

If you haven’t already, consider downloading the TalkingPoints app to stay connected with your student’s teachers. Instructions are included below in the “Instructionally Speaking” section.

Thank you for the support you bring to our KHS community. We hope to see many of you at tonight’s Homecoming events as we celebrate Every Student. Every Day. Every Opportunity.

KHS Principals

We are thrilled to recognize Maile B. as a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist! This prestigious honor places her among the top high school students in the nation, highlighting her exceptional academic achievement, dedication, and hard work. We are so proud of Maile and excited to see what she accomplishes next!

Congratulations to our National Merit Scholar Commended Students; Jason A., Austin L., Chloe L., Poppy O. Griffin S.

Students first qualify by scoring among the highest in their state on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), usually taken in junior year. Only about the top 1% of test-takers in each state move forward. As a reminder, Sophomores and Juniors will be taking this exam on October 13th, but only the Juniors may qualify for this prestigious honor.

Congratulations to Kelly Lynd, KHS Photography and Graphic Design teacher, whose workshop was accepted for the 2027 National Art Education Association Convention in New York City! Her proposal was selected through a blind peer-review process from a pool of more than 1,600 submissions.

Kelly’s workshop, Create Collaborative Identity Portraits Inspired by Riva Lehrer That Explore Personal Identity and Relationships, will give fellow art educators an opportunity to explore creativity, identity, and connection. We’re proud to see her share her work on a national stage!

Congratulations to our Culinary Arts teacher, who received a Kennett Kudos from a parent through the Kennett Education Foundation (KEF)! We’re proud to celebrate this recognition and grateful to families who take the time to acknowledge the positive impact our teachers make on students.

On Tuesday, October 13th our 10th and 11th grade students will be taking the PSAT. We are administering this exam in classrooms to approximately 600 students. This will require us to utilize many of our classrooms as testing locations and approximately 70 of our teachers will serve as proctors. Due to the length of the exam and the resources we need to provide our students with an appropriate testing environment, we have created an adjusted schedule for this day. Please see the schedule below for your student(s):

Seniors: Only Seniors who have registered for the School Day SAT Exam are to report to KHS. The School Day SAT will take place from 7:40 - 11:00 in the Auxiliary Gym.

All other Seniors do NOT report to KHS. This day may be used as an opportunity to visit local colleges, work on college applications, or investigate internship or employment opportunities.

Sophomores and Juniors: PSAT 7:40 - 11:00. Students should arrive at their normal time and report directly to their testing location with their district-issued laptop. Students will take the PSAT with their AIE teacher.. Once testing is finished, all students will be dismissed for the day.

***TCHS students will NOT report to their programs after completing the PSAT.

Freshman: Do NOT report to KHS. All students will complete work asynchronously. Students will not be asked to complete any tests or quizzes asynchronously.

Our priority is an informed, engaged, and supported community.

TalkingPoints is a two-way, multilingual family engagement messaging platform that allows your child's teachers to communicate directly with you. TalkingPoints translates communication in 100+ languages using a combination of AI and human translation. Teachers message families in English via mobile app or web browser and messages are automatically translated to the language the parent chooses. Teachers can communicate one-on-one or send whole-class announcements.

Families receive and send messages in their home language via SMS text message or the optional, free TalkingPoints for Parents Mobile App available at the App Store or at Google Play.

Make Sure You Update Your Contact Information

In order for families to successfully use TalkingPoints, they must have a primary cell phone number listed in the Skyward Family Access Portal. You must have a primary cell number in TalkingPoints to access the platform. If you have not already done so, please be sure to complete your "homework" in Skyward to update your contact information.

How Do I Get Messages?

If you want to receive TalkingPoints messages via text, you do not have do do anything. You will receive messages via text from your classroom based on your cell phone number. Carrier rates apply. You may not initially recognize the number when you receive the text; please make sure you save the contact in your contacts on your phone.

If you prefer, you can download the TalkingPoints app for your phone. With the app, all TalkingPoints messages go to one place and it is convenient if you have multiple children in multiple classes/schools. The app can also read your messages via an audio feature and allows for "likes" and delivered receipts. Simply download the app, choose your preferred language, and find your classroom.

Please Note: Your teacher may not be checking TalkingPoints until the end of the school day. If your child will be late or needs to be dismissed early, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR SCHOOL ATTENDANCE SECRETARY. Go to the Attendance section of this website for more information on reporting late arrival or early dismissal!

Open Now!

• FAFSA Financial Aid form for College bound seniors.

October 12 at 6 p.m.

• Chester County College Fair at United Sports Training Center in Downingtown, PA.

October 20th at 6 p.m.

• Elite Collegiate Planning Night- October 20th at 6pm in the KHS Auditorium- KHS will welcome experts from Elite Collegiate Planning for a free workshop for Kennett High School freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and their families. They'll cover how the choice students make now can impact future college admissions and financial ai, along with FAFSA information and strategies for maximizing available financial aid.

November 2

• KHS College & Career Fair at KHS. Great opportunity for junior and senior students to interact with representatives from colleges, universities, military representatives, and representatives from multiple career areas. Encourage them to prepare questions to help guide their future!
• KHS Activities Fair - 9th and 10th grade students have the opportunity to learn what KHS has to offer, join and get involved with a school club or activity.
• TCHS Assembly for 9th grade students. Application to TCHS programs open on October 5th for school year 2027-2028. https://www.tchspennocks.org/admissions

The counselors just wrapped up our Senior AIE Assemblies! This gave us another opportunity to connect with our seniors, review the college application process, reinforce information shared during junior meetings and over the summer, and make sure students know their next steps as they navigate their post-secondary planning. Please remind your 12th grade student to schedule an appointment with their counselor to discuss their personal post-secondary plans. Families can review the presentation and continue the conversation at home using the link below.

Coming up next, KHS will welcome the experts from Elite Collegiate Planning for a free workshop for Kennett High School freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and their families. They'll cover how the choice students make now can impact future college admissions and financial ai, along with FAFSA information and strategies for maximizing available financial aid.

A vaccination clinic will be held at Kennett Middle School on October 15 from 3:00 PM to 6:45 PM. Register to attend at http://chesco.org/fallvaccines

El 15 de octubre, de 3:00 p. m. a 6:45 p. m., se llevará a cabo una jornada de vacunación en la escuela Kennett Middle School. Regístrese para asistir en http://chesco.org/fallvaccines

How Attendance is Calculated

Partial absences—including late arrivals, early dismissals, and missed periods—count toward attendance.

Examples:

• Missing 1 period on a 9-period day = 1/9 of a school day absent
• Missing 1 period on a 5-period day = 1/5 of a school day absent
• Partial absences accumulate and count toward full-day absences.
• Partial absences also count toward the 10 parent-excused absences allowed annually.

To avoid unexcused absences, notes must be submitted for all absences, including partial ones, within these timeframes:

• Late Arrival: Note presented upon arrival at school.
• Early Dismissal: Note submitted before leaving school.
• Full-Day Absence: Note submitted within 3 days of the absence.

Valid reasons for absences are listed on the attendance page of our website under Excused/Lawful Absences.

To help keep you informed and support student attendance, we will begin sending automated phone calls twice daily for students who are absent from school or individual classes—once in the morning and once in the afternoon.

These calls are intended to provide timely updates, ensure the safety of our students, and help families address attendance promptly. We appreciate your support in reinforcing the importance of consistent school attendance.

• Academic Competition: Put your knowledge to the test in team quiz bowl competitions.
• A Cappella: Make music with other students through unaccompanied singing.
• Aerospace Engineering Club: Explore interests in flight, space, and engineering.
• Best Buddies: Build friendships among students with and without disabilities.
• Book Club: Connect with other readers to discuss books.
• Ceramics: Create pottery and explore working with clay.
• Crochet for a Cause Club: Practice crochet while making items for a purpose.
• Debate Club: Practice researching issues, building arguments, and public speaking.
• Farrago: Review student creative writing and help produce a literary publication.
• Finance Club: Learn about saving, investing, and careers in finance.
• Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA): Connect around Christian faith, athletics, and service.
• Feminist Club: Discuss equality and organize activities that support it.
• Fishing Club: Connect with other students who enjoy fishing.
• Freshman Class Office: Represent the freshman class and help plan class activities and fundraisers.
• Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA): Explore business careers and develop leadership skills through events and competitions.
• Gaming Club: Connect with others through games and shared interests.
• Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA): Find community and discuss issues related to gender identity and sexual orientation.
• Girls Spark: Build confidence, connection, and leadership with other students.
• Girls Who Code: Explore coding and technology with peers.
• Hermanitas (Little Sisters) Leadership Program: Grow through mentorship, leadership, service, and planning for the future.
• Humanitarian Club/Mini-THON: Serve the community and support fundraising to fight childhood cancer.
• Interact Club: Take part in service projects through a Rotary-sponsored student club.
• Junior Class Office: Represent the junior class and help plan events, including prom.
• KHS Musical Production: Participate in a school musical onstage or behind the scenes.
• KTV Student Broadcast: Produce student broadcasts and learn studio skills.
• Marching Band: Perform music at school and community events.
• Medicine Club: Explore health careers and hear from people working in medicine.
• Mock Trial Club: Take on the roles of attorneys and witnesses in simulated trials.
• Model UN: Represent countries and debate real-world issues at conferences.
• Morgan’s Message: Promote awareness and conversation about student-athlete mental health.
• National Honor Society: Participate in scholarship, leadership, service, and character-building activities.
• POC Union/Ujima: Connect with peers and celebrate the histories and experiences of people of color.
• Robotics Club: Design, build, and test a robot with a team, then put it to the test in competitions.
• Rock Climbing Club: Explore rock climbing with other interested students.
• SADD: Help educate peers and promote healthy, safe decisions.
• School Store: Gain experience with sales and inventory.
• Senior Class Office: Represent seniors and help organize class events and traditions.
• Senior Video: Help create the video celebrating the graduating class.
• Sophomore Class Office: Represent the sophomore class and help plan fundraisers and events.
• String Ensemble: Perform music with a group of string players.
• Student Council: Represent student voices and help plan schoolwide activities.
• Thumbs Up, Funs Up! Club: Meet new people through food, games, and group activities.
• Unite for HER: Raise awareness and support people affected by breast and ovarian cancer.
• Video Production Club: Create videos for school events and activities.
• WIN (Walk In kNowledge) Tutoring: Get extra academic support after school.
• World Language & Culture Exploration Club: Explore languages and cultures with other students.
• Yearbook Club: Help plan and create the school yearbook.

Our food drive runs October 12–November 13, with all food collected donated to Kennett Area Community Service (KACS) to support families in our community. Every donation makes a difference! Please see the flyers below for requested items and donation details.

Order delicious Highland Orchards pies, apple cider doughnuts, and apple cider for your Thanksgiving table—or simply to enjoy this fall! Proceeds benefit KHS Best Buddies and Humanitarian Club/Mini-THON, supporting inclusion and children and families affected by childhood cancer.

Orders are due November 4, with pickup on Monday, November 23. Local delivery is also available.

Click here to place your order, or contact Megan Greener at mgreener@kcsd.org.

Thank you for supporting our students and the causes they care about!

Enjoy a photo session with our very own Shannon Somma, a talented photographer and valued member of the Kennett community! This fundraiser benefits Kennett Friends of Music, giving families a chance to capture special memories while supporting our student musicians. See the flyer below for details.

The Kennett High School Yearbook is more than just a book—it’s a limited edition keepsake that captures the stories, friendships, and milestones of the school year. Ensure your student has a copy to look back on and share with classmates for years to come!

The 2027 Yearbook is available now for $70 if purchased by Thanksgiving. After this date, the price will increase—so order early and secure a lasting collection of special memories your student will always cherish.

Important: Please don’t delay—reserve your copy now so your student doesn’t miss out.

3 Easy Ways to Order:

• Online (fastest & easiest): www.sscyearbooks.com
• Order: Complete the attached forms
• Phone: Call Student Services Company at 610-539-1330

• Parents and guardians of graduating seniors may also purchase a tribute ad featuring photos and a personal message for their student. Please see the attached tribute ad form for available sizes, pricing, and submission instructions.

  CREATE A TRIBUTE AD ->

The yearbook staff is working hard to create a publication that your student will treasure. Quantities are limited—reserve your copy today and guarantee your student’s place in Kennett history!

Please refer to our Kennett High School website for the KHS student handbook.

The impact of vaping/smoking is not only on the person smoking but on others that inhale the second-hand smoke/carcinogens that fill the washroom and hallways. Please know our KHS staff is working collaboratively to ensure the safety of our students.

Listed below are some of our proactive measures that we take as a school to prevent vaping in our building:

• In-house School Resource Officer who walks the hallways and bathrooms throughout the day.
• Teachers enter all bathrooms during class exchange and during their prep periods.
• Principals walk the hallways and enter the bathrooms throughout the day.
• Discussions with students and informing the entire student body about the measures we are taking as a school and also the consequences.

Listed below are the consequences that will be given to students who use or are in possession of a

vapor device or paraphernalia that contains a controlled substance:

• Up to 10-day suspension
• Rights and Responsibilities hearing with the Assistant Superintendent
• Criminal charges filed by the Kennett Square Police Department

Please know that we are prepared to support the students and families when these issues arise. We ask that you please speak with the children in your household and let them know the risks of using vapor devices and to please not bring them into our school. If you recognize the need for additional support, please contact your student’s school counselor.

As we wrap up an exciting fall season, we encourage families to mark their calendars for the start of our winter sports season, featuring Baseball, Basketball, Wrestling, Swimming, Track, and Ice Hockey. In the meantime, come out and cheer on our athletes at the remaining fall games—we look forward to seeing you in the stands! Please visit the website for the most updated sports schedules (photo credit: Shannon Somma)