Kingsley Connection
August Edition - Back in the building
Be sure to mark school holidays, teacher institute days, and early release days on your calendar!
Daily Announcements are shown each lunch period daily & posted on the main page of the KJHS website.
Dates to note:
August
12-14: Open Doors at KJHS (1:30 - 4:30 pm)
18: KJHS Back to School Bash (5:30 - 7:30 pm)
21: First Day of School (8:45 am)
26: 100 Caring Adults Morning (Celebrate our students when they arrive to school, more information and sign up below)
26: School Picture Day
September
1: Labor Day (No School)
9: Early Release (11:45 am)
26: No School (Teacher Institute Day)
Kim Johnson - School Counselor
This is my 10th year at KJHS. I earned my teaching degree from Illinois State University and my Master’s in Counseling from the University of Illinois, Springfield. My husband, Trent, serves in the Army, which has given our family the chance to live in some wonderful places, including Germany. We’ve been married for 17 years and have two children—Heidi, a freshman at BHS, and Kent, a 6th grader at BJHS. Outside of school. I enjoy reading, solving murder mystery games, spending time with loved ones, and cheering on my kids in their many activities.
The best part of my work as a middle school counselor is building connections with students and supporting them as they navigate the challenges and opportunities of this unique stage in life.
Mrs. Schwarz - School Counselor
Hi, I’m Mrs. Schwarz, and I’m proud to serve as one of the school counselors at Kingsley Junior High! I support students with last names L–Z, helping them grow not only academically, but also socially and emotionally. My goal every day is to make sure students feel seen, supported, and confident in their ability to succeed.
Before joining the Kingsley family, I wore a couple of different hats at Monmouth-Roseville High School—first as a Spanish teacher and later as a school counselor. I earned my Bachelor’s degree from Monmouth College, then followed my passion for guiding students by completing my Master’s in School Counseling at Western Illinois University.
The best part of my job? Hands down, it’s empowering students to push through challenges and helping them discover their own voice through self-advocacy. Watching them grow into strong, confident individuals is what inspires me every single day.
When I’m not at school, you can usually find me spending time with my husband and our two wonderful kids, Stanton and Stella. As a family, we love to travel, catch live concerts, and enjoy as much time as possible with our friends and loved ones.
Kingsley Junior High School is Calling All Caring Adults!
Join us for our annual 100 Caring Adults Day as we welcome students back to school with love, encouragement, and a whole lot of energy!
Date: 8/26/2025
Time: 8:15 am - 8:45 am
Location: Kingsley Junior High School located at 303 Kingsley Street, Normal, 61761
We believe every student deserves to start the school year knowing their community is cheering them on. Your presence can make all the difference.
Wear your school spirit gear and bring your best high-fives, smiles, and signs of support!
RSVP at Kingsley Sign Up
Together, we are the Promise. Together, we are 100 Caring Adults.
STAR Testing
Starting next week, students at Kingsley Junior High will participate in STAR assessments for Reading and Math. We give these assessments three times a year to monitor student growth, guide classroom instruction, and identify areas where additional support may be needed.
What is STAR?
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STAR is a computer-adaptive test, which means the questions adjust to each student’s responses.
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It is not a graded test, but it provides us valuable information about how your child is progressing in reading and math.
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Results help us match instruction and interventions to student needs.
How Families Can Help
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Ensure your child brings a charged Chromebook to school during testing days.
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Encourage your child to get a good night’s rest and eat breakfast.
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Remind them to take their time and do their best.
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Reassure them that this is just one of many tools teachers use to support learning.
Why It Matters
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STAR data helps us monitor growth over time.
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Teachers use results to adjust classroom instruction and set goals.
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It also helps us celebrate student progress throughout the year.
Thank you for your support in making STAR testing a positive experience for your student. Together, we can ensure our students have the best opportunity to show what they know and continue to grow.
Dear Kingsley Students and Families,
Welcome back to another exciting school year at Kingsley Junior High! We hope you had a restful and enjoyable summer. We are thrilled to welcome our students back and can’t wait to see the energy, curiosity, and enthusiasm you bring to our halls.
At Kingsley, we are focused on growing together, supporting one another, and making every day count. One of the most important steps toward success is showing up—every day and on time. Regular attendance builds strong habits, keeps students connected to their learning community, and helps ensure steady academic progress. Each day at school is a valuable opportunity to learn, grow, and shine.
Let’s make 2025–2026 one of our best years yet by committing to:
✔ Being present and on time
✔ Getting involved in school life
✔ Supporting each other as one school community
We’re so glad to have you back and are here to support you every step of the way. Let’s make it a great year—together!
With excitement,
KJHS Attendance Team
Cell Phones
Cell phones and other mobile devices can be disruptive to the learning environment. According to the Unit 5 handbook, students may use mobile devices before 8:45 am and after 3:45 pm, as long as they do not cause any disruptions.
To clarify, cell phones, wireless earbuds, or headphones must not be visible or used between 8:45 am and 3:45 pm.
With staff permission, students may use wired headphones in the classroom when connected to their Chromebook. Smartwatches should not be used for communication between 8:45 am and 3:45 pm.
If you need to contact your student, please call the KJHS main office at (309) 557-4407. If your student needs to reach you, they will be sent to the office to make a call.
1st 5, Last 5
Instructional time is essential. To maximize learning, students are not permitted to leave class during the first or last five minutes of the period. Passing periods should be used to gather materials and use the restroom as needed.
Student IDs
Student ID Update
This year, each student has been issued two student IDs:
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One ID is to be worn at school at all times. Students will also use this ID in the lunch line.
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One ID is for bus transportation and should be kept with them for daily travel.
Students will be asked to swipe their ID when entering the main office, visiting the nurse, accessing student services, and when getting on the bus.
⚠️ Lost IDs: If an ID is lost, a replacement can be purchased in the office for $3.00.
Why this matters:
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Safety: Ensures we know where students are during the school day and helps account for all students quickly in emergencies.
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Attendance: Provides an accurate record of student movement in and out of key areas.
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Efficiency: Streamlines lunch service, bus boarding, and check-ins so more time is spent on learning.
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Accountability: Helps build responsibility in students to keep track of and wear their ID daily.
Thank you for helping us reinforce these expectations with your student—consistent use of IDs is one more way we are keeping Kingsley safe, organized, and focused on learning.
Dress Code
Discussing the dress code can be challenging, and KJ staff hope to avoid conversations about inappropriate attire. You can support us by helping your student recognize which clothing is appropriate for school and which items are not. The Unit 5 Student Handbook provides specific guidelines about what students are not permitted to wear. Please review the list below, identify any clothing or accessories in your student's wardrobe that do not meet these guidelines, and talk with your student about them.
● Student dress (including accessories) must not display lewd, vulgar, obscene, or offensive language or symbols, including gang-related symbols.
● Coats and sunglasses are not to be worn inside the building during the school day.
● Metal studs, chains longer than standard jewelry, and any objects that could be used as weapons or that may pose a hazard to people or property are specifically prohibited.
● Clothing that does not adequately cover the body, or that is torn or altered in an explicit or suggestive manner, will not be permitted.
● Appropriate footwear must be worn at all times. Slippers and shoes with wheels are not permitted.
● If there is any doubt about dress or appearance, the building administration will make the final decision.
● A student whose dress causes a substantial disruption to the orderly process of school functions or endangers the health or safety of the student, other students, staff, or others may be subject to disciplinary action.
PE Uniforms
We have a new online PE clothes ordering process through Select Spiritwear. The webstore will be open from July 23 to September 19. Please note that we will not have P.E. uniforms in the main office for students to purchase. Students may also purchase their own black athletic shorts and a gray T-shirt to wear as their PE uniform.
You will need to search Kingsley Junior High once in the website. We offer shorts, tee-shirts and a sweatshirt.
PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) is a proactive, school-wide framework for improving student behavior, creating a positive school climate, and increasing academic success.
Please help support our PBIS Program at KJHS
Knowing who to contact at KJHS about certain issues can be challenging. We hope this mini-guide helps as to who to contact first when you need help.
Absences (partial or full day): KJHS Attendance line (309-557-4456)
Classroom level issues (grades, behavior, etc.): Your student's teacher(s)
General questions about KJHS: KJHS Main Office line (309-557-4407)
Student information/registration updates: KJHS Guidance office (557-4899)
Sports-related questions: Mrs. Menken (557-4862 or menkenk@unit5.org) or Mr. Davis (557 - 4962 or davissy@unit5.org)
Student behavior issues: Student's AP
6th & 7th Grade: Mr. Larson (557-4858 or larsond@unit5.org)
8th Grade: Mr. Davis (55 -4962 or davissy@unit5.org)
Student's emotional or social issues: Student's Guidance Counselor
Last Name A-K: Mrs. Kimberly Johnson (johnsonk@unit5.org)
Last Name L-Z: Mrs. Breanna Schwarz (schwarb@unit5.org)
Student schedules: KJHS Guidance office (557-4899)
Student support services: KJHS Guidance office (557-4899)
Issues with KJHS staff member: Mrs. Kelly Fitzgerald (fitzgeke@unit5.org; 557-4574)
Curriculum questions: Mrs. Kelly Fitzgerald (fitzgeke@unit5.org; 557-4574)
Connect with Kingsley!
Email: fitzgeke@unit5.org
Website: https://kingsleyjhs.unit5.org/
Location: 303 Kingsley Street, Normal, IL 61761
Phone: 309-557-4407
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kingsleyjhs/
To stay connected to our Kingsley community, follow us on Facebook