Kimberly High School September 2026

Hello KHS families and welcome to a new school year!

I hope you enjoyed a restful and rejuvenating summer break. As we prepare to open our doors and welcome students back next week, I am thrilled to kick things off with some outstanding news: Kimberly High School has once again earned a spot on U.S. News & World Report’s "America's Best High Schools" list. This incredible honor is a direct reflection of the hard work of our amazing students and dedicated staff.

Our success as a school is rooted in a simple commitment: helping every student grow. We know that growth doesn’t happen all at once. It happens through consistent effort, meaningful support, and a willingness to keep getting better.

Academically, our goal remains focused on continuous improvement, with the aim of helping every student grow by at least two points in each subject area on the PreACT Secure and ACT. But student success is about more than a test score. We also want every student to be involved, feel connected to our school community, and develop a meaningful plan for their future. Every student’s path looks a little different, and that’s exactly why our focus remains the same: meeting students where they are, helping them take their next step, and continuing to get better together, every day.

In addition, ensuring our students feel safe, welcomed, and represented is our absolute top priority. A critical component of this well-being is maintaining a learning space free from drugs and alcohol. I am absolutely thrilled to share that nearly 800 students have already joined PromiseMakers—an increase of over 240 students compared to this time last year! This remarkable commitment by our students and families to remain free of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and vaping products is truly inspiring, and we can't wait to watch that number grow.

As I step into my 9th year as principal of KHS and my 21st year in education, I can honestly say the back-to-school anticipation never fades. To our returning families, welcome back. To our new families, welcome to a community that champions excellence and cares deeply for one another. I am immensely grateful to be part of this community.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. Thank you for your continued partnership, and here’s to a phenomenal year ahead!

With great Papermaker Pride,

Mrs. DePeau

Principal

As we continue to see an increase in the use of e-bikes and e-scooters, we want to inform families of our “Walk Your Wheels” safety expectation at KHS. To help keep everyone safe during arrival and dismissal, all wheels—including bikes, e-bikes, scooters, and skateboards—must be walked while on school property. Students who do not follow this expectation may receive a behavior referral and could lose the privilege of bringing their bike or scooter to school. Students are also responsible for properly securing and locking their bike or scooter on the bike racks while it is stored on campus. Thank you for helping us keep KHS safe for everyone!

September:

1 - First Day of School

1 - Pictures for anyone who was not able to make picture days in August

7 - No School for Labor Day

25 - Early Release

October

7 - Homecoming Parade

9 - Homecoming Football Game

10 - Homecoming Dance

12 - Picture Retake Day

14 - Parent Teacher Conferences - 2:00 PM release for Students

29-30 - No School

August 29, 2026

Dear Kimberly High School Parent or Guardian,

This spring all public school students will once again participate in state assessments as outlined in the Wisconsin Student Assessment System (WSAS). The WSAS is a statewide program that has outlined required assessments in core academic areas. State assessments are required by both state (Wis. Stat. § 118.30) and federal ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) laws. Required testing at the high school level includes the following:

• Pre ACT Secure - grades nine and ten

• Wisconsin Forward - grade ten

• ACT Plus Writing & PreACT/ACT practice test - grade eleven

PreACT Secure is an online test that covers the subjects of English, reading, mathematics, and science and is aligned to the ACT that is taken during a student’s 11th grade year, and it will include a predicted score for the ACT exam. Grades 9 and 10 will complete PreACT Secure testing on March 16th (grades 11 and 12 will not report on this day). Sophomores will also take the Wisconsin Forward Exam, a social studies test, that will be administered by computer as well. This assessment will be completed within an extended Flex Period schedule on April 6th, and none of the other grades will be impacted.

Juniors in the state of Wisconsin are required to take the ACT assessment. This year, that test will be held on March 9th at KHS. Juniors will be the only class to report on March 9th. Grades 9,10, and 12 will not report on that day. All juniors will also be involved in taking a PreACT/ACT practice test that will occur during the morning of September 25th within our half day schedule; no other grade levels will be impacted.

The following page outlines each of these state testing dates as well as MAP testing in English and math classes for grades 9 and 10.

Additional information about these assessments will be shared as the dates get closer. Please keep these dates in mind when scheduling planned absences for your student. If you have questions about any of our assessments for the year, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Kaaren Weyers

Kimberly High School

Assistant Principal

kweyers@kimberly.k12.wi.us

920.423.4152

Please see this additional document for important dates and information

Testing dates and NWEA MAP

Each fall, spring, and winter, the Kimberly Area School District administers the MAP tests in mathematics and reading. At KHS, MAP testing is conducted in grades 9 and 10 math and English courses. The MAP test is a computer-delivered adaptive test. The results identify your child's achievement differently than a typical test. Rather than measuring based on grade-level expectations, it measures continuous academic growth from fall to spring and from one year to the next. It is one of many tools used to shape our instruction to meet your child's needs. The MAP testing window for the 26-27 academic year is outlined below. Please click HERE for more details. Please contact your child's teacher if you have any questions regarding testing.

MAP Testing Windows:

Fall: September 8th-18th

Winter: January 11th-January 22nd (semester 1 classes & English 9)

January 25th-February 5th (semester 2 classes)

Spring: May 10th-May 21st

Nominate an Exceptional Teacher or Principal

Tuesday, September 1, 2026 - 07:00 am

Do you know an exceptional teacher or principal? Nominate them for the Herb Kohl Teacher Fellowship Award or the Herb Kohl Principal Leadership Award!

Nomination deadline is Oct. 2 and application deadline is Jan. 5, 2027.

Teacher Awards

Each year, 100 educators are selected as Herb Kohl Fellowship recipients, recognized for their excellence and innovation. Selected educators receive a one-time $6,000 award and their school receives a matching grant intended to enhance learning opportunities.

Public school recipients of the award are automatically entered into the running to become a Wisconsin Teacher of the Year. Five Teachers of the Year are chosen annually by a state selection committee, with one teacher moving on to become Wisconsin’s nominee to the National Teacher of the Year program.

View the nomination process and additional details on the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Teacher Fellowship website.

Principal Awards

Each year, up to 17 public and private school principals are selected for this award, recognized for their strong leadership and dedication to education. Selected principals receive a $6,000 grant to enhance educational excellence and leadership development.

The Association of Wisconsin School Administrators chooses the Elementary and Secondary Principals of the Year from among the public school recipients.

View the nomination process and additional details on the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Principal Leadership website.

The deadline for submitting your senior picture for the yearbook is October 31, 2026. You can use this QR code to submit your senior picture. Please see this Senior Class Graduation & Yearbook Information document for more detailed information regarding senior photos and graduation celebration.

If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to Kelly Jansen at kjansen@kimberly.k12.wi.us or Carrie Raminger at craminger@kimberly.k12.wi.us

Don't forget to order your KHS 26-27 yearbooks now! You can do so in infinite campus under fees and optional payments. Yearbooks are $55. Reminder that KHS 25-26 yearbooks are officially in and can be picked up in the main office!

Please remember the following when dropping off or picking your student up in the front of the high school:

-Do not utilize the left lane to pick up or drop off students. This will help with back-ups and create a safer environment.

-Please be patient as a large number of new drivers with limited driving experience are entering and leaving the parking lot

Reminder from Outagamie County Sheriff's office-Do not pick up/drop off your children on the residential streets of Combined Locks before or after school.

Resources:

Post Secondary Events, Representative Visits, Open Houses, Career Fairs, Etc:

Events/Recruiter Visits

Post Secondary Planning Items and Resources:

Post Secondary Planning Checklist

Class News:

To start the year, all students will be either creating or adding to their My KHS Story resume.

Senior:

• Large group counselor meetings will take place between September 15 and 22. Please check your Flex App to view your specific scheduled time.

• FAFSA - The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), will open up to Seniors beginning on October 1st, 2026. More information regarding FAFSA can be found by visiting their website.

• Transcripts- required for college applications and other institutions must be ordered through Xello. Log into Xello through Classlink using your Kimberly Google Sign-in. Instructions can be found here.

Junior:

• Juniors will participate in a Junior Conference with their counselor.

• All juniors will take the state required ACT on March 9 at Kimberly High School.

• Click HERE for the link for National Test Dates for the ACT. Students must register to take the test at www.actstudent.org. Fee waivers for the ACT are available for students who qualify. Please email your counselor to request a fee waiver.

Sophomore:

• Sophomores will learn about all of the 4 post-secondary paths (college, technical college, military and apprenticeships/employment.) These rotations will take place on October 13 & 20, November 10 & 16.

• FOCUS Program- SAVE THE DATE On Thursday October 15, 2026 our tenth grade students will be attending the ThedaCare FOCUS Program at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center. We will be leaving around 8:30 am, and returning around 11:00am. More information will be sent to families in September.

Freshmen:

• Freshmen will meet with their counselors in small groups to discuss their transition to high school. They will also learn about extracurricular opportunities they can get involved in while at Kimberly High School.

Other News:

Direct Admit Wisconsin Information Sessions for Students & Families

High school students and their families are invited to learn how Direct Admit Wisconsin can simplify the admissions process to the Universities of Wisconsin, and get questions answered by the Direct Admit Wisconsin team, at these 45-minute virtual sessions (one geared towards current high school juniors and families, the other for seniors and families).

• For Juniors: Monday, September 21 @ 6 p.m. REGISTER

• For Seniors: Monday, October 19 @ 6 p.m. REGISTER

CAMP HOPE- Fall Registration Now Open

Camp HOPE is a non-profit organization that provides free weekend bereavement camps for grieving children and teens and their families. For the past 34 years, Camp HOPE has offered spring, fall and winter weekend camps.

The 2026 fall camp runs Saturday, October 3 at 9:00am through Sunday, October 4 at 3:00pm. Registration for kids 5-18 is now open. Because of generous donations and contributions, there is no cost to attend Camp and transportation may be made available at no cost if pre-arranged through contacting us. Camp welcomes all genders, races, sexual orientations, religions, and is nondiscriminatory. For more information or to register, go to their website: https://www.camphopeforkids.org/

For any questions, please contact marialoy@camphopeforkids.org

Kimberly Area School District is seeking support from our community. Make a difference and consider becoming a substitute teacher or a substitute paraprofessional

Flexible and Rewarding

• Earn extra income while your child is at school.
• Turn your volunteer hours into a paid position.
• No prior teaching experience is needed.
• Maintain a flexible work schedule.
• Help students succeed.

Apply here today!

Do you love to volunteer and help others? Then, KEY CLUB is for you! "Caring is our way of life" is our club's motto. Learn about the club here and how to join this school year!

Join Creative Writing Club to collaborate with other writers, share your work, give/receive constructive feedback, play writing games, enter writing contests, and meet published authors. We meet during Flex every other Thursday and after school every Thursday in room 2066. Contact advisor Ms. Nokes for more information: lnokes@kimberly.k12.wi.us

Emergency Medications

Emergency medications kept at school are only available during school hours. They will not be accessible before or after school. Parents and students must ensure emergency medication is available for school activities outside regular hours, such as clubs or sports. If there is an emergency and the student does not have their medication, 911 will be called.

Immunization for future 12th Graders:

If your child is starting 12th grade for the 2026-2027 school year, they will need 1 booster dose of the Meningococcal ACWY vaccine. If your child received this immunization, please provide documentation to the school office.

*Please note that students who did not receive their 1st dose of MenACWY-containing vaccine by age 16 should only receive 1 dose.

Families of Bus Riders – If your child(ren) will ride the bus at any time during the 2026-27 school year, please review the Transportation Handbook to ensure you’re familiar with our safety rules and expectations. After reviewing the handbook, please complete and sign a copy of the agreement on the last page for each student riding the bus and return it to their school’s secretary no later than 9/18/2026. Thank you for helping us keep transportation safe and respectful for everyone.

Each year the Kimberly Area School District must inform all families and staff of certain

information. The updated Public Notices document can be found on our website at

https://www.kimberly.k12.wi.us/departments/pupil-services/notices

If you need a printed copy, you can download it from the District website or request one from any school office or the District Administration Office.

Below are the links for our Free and Reduced Lunch program. If you are approved for Free and Reduce lunch, and would also like to have fees waived, it is necessary to also fill out the Sharing of Information form.

Free and Reduced School Meals - Application

Free and Reduced School Meals - Information

Free and Reduced School Meals - Sharing Information with Other Programs