KAMSC Newsletter

Last weekend, a team from our school—two of our teachers, three incredible student leaders, and myself—had the inspiring opportunity to attend the Challenge Success Conference at Stanford University.

The conference gave us space to dive deep into what truly drives student success: strong wellbeing, meaningful engagement, and a deep sense of belonging. During dedicated team time with our Challenge Success coach, we worked closely to outline concrete ways to bring these ideas home. We returned with renewed energy and a solid list of fresh initiatives for our community.

A big part of putting these ideas into practice starts right away with Kilometers for KAMSC.

This event is designed to support total student wellbeing. We will focus on physical health through our evening walk/run and cricket game, alongside student leaders who will be sharing key announcements on the importance of sleep, stress management, and maintaining a balanced life.

Academic dedication is a hallmark of our school, but we know that healthy habits, rest, and connection are just as essential to student achievement as homework and classwork. When students feel supported, rested, and connected, everything else falls into place.

Thank you for your continued partnership as we work together to cultivate an environment where our students can excel both academically and personally!

Heather Kortlandt

Director, KAMSC

If you feel moved to support the event with some donations of water, snacks and prizes, please click the sign up genius link below. If possible, we ask that donations be dropped off at K central track at 5:00pm. If that is not possible, you may bring it to school.

Help us reach our goal of raising $15,000! Currently we have 44 students registered on Fundhub, 32 donations from 13 different states totaling $6680 raised (this includes money raised outside of Fundhub as well)-- A huge thank you to those that have signed up and sent out the link! We hope to get 100 students signed up by Monday!

Join us for Kilometers for KAMSC on October 7 at Kalamazoo Central. Participants can walk or run laps while learning practical Challenge Success strategies for building healthy habits and reducing stress. We hope you'll join us for an evening of fitness, fun, and community as we support KAMSC together! The event will kick off with a Cricket Match from 5:00–6:30 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Central High School baseball field. Whether you're an experienced player or simply want to cheer on the participants, everyone is welcome! Those interested in playing should sign up with Mr. Sinclair in advance. The Kilometers for KAMSC Fun Run will begin at 6:00 p.m. on the Kalamazoo Central track and continue until 7:00 p.m. Participants can run or walk at their own pace while enjoying a fun-filled evening featuring games, prizes, and activities.

KAMSC families are warmly invited and encouraged to join us for this exciting community event. We look forward to celebrating health, wellness, and school spirit together!

Funds raised through Fund Hub will support a variety of KAMSC programs and student needs, including our annual student planner project, research and classroom supplies, food for school events, lab aide positions, and other important initiatives.

How to Participate

• Please register your child by clicking on this link.
• Share your student's fundraising page with at least 10 friends or family members via email.
• Donations by check are also welcome. Please make checks payable to KAMSC and bring into the office. Please include the student's name so fundraising totals can be credited. Student fundraisers will be eligible for prizes.

Mrs. Hindman will be in the presentation center on October 6 to present and conduct relaxation techniques/mindfulness strategies for those that are interested. She will be running the session from 11:00-11:15 am for any interested juniors or seniors.

Every year Ms. Joyce sets up many visits from College reps here at KAMSC. Click the button below to view the schedule so that you can come speak to them. Please note that the document attached to the button below has been updated to include Princeton University who will have a rep to talk with students on 10/7 from 2:15-2:50 in room 343

Last year three of our students in HOSA, Hannah Bippley, Sarah Cho, and Aichatou Salifou presented at an open lab alongside the Alzheimer's association on connections between healthy lifestyle choices to Alzheimer's prevention. They announced at that time that they would be forming a KAMSC team to participate in the Kalamazoo walk to fight and end Alzheimer's Please see their flyer below and consider signing up to join the team in the walk and to donate to the great cause. The walk is: Saturday, October 17th at Bronson Park, 200 S Rose Street, Kalamazoo, MI.

Tutoring is available now. If you are in need, click the button below and sign up!

Handbook and sign the acceptance form through PowerSchool. Here is a direct link to it again. I would invite you to be sure that you have read through the MTSS support procedures. I will pull grades to see what students have a C or lower in any class which indicates a need for support to us or if a teacher recommends additional support regardless of grades. If your child is showing that need, Mrs. Allbee or I will email you and the child to set up support provided by KAMSC. This is required for a three week interval and then we pull grades again to review. Our hope is always that that three week interval is enough support but students will sometimes move in and out of support throughout a semester. Please know, that this is meant to be a supportive measure. We take our responsibility of helping your child achieve the high standards of KAMSC seriously.

We wanted to institute a private way that you could report any type of bullying at KAMSC. Mrs. Allbee has created a report form to do so. Either she or Mrs. Kortlandt will follow up if enough information is provided. We have not had an issue with bullying at KAMSC but we want to make sure there are channels open for reporting in case there were to ever be an incident. This will live in our newsletter, every, single week.

If you are dropping off or picking up your student at KAMSC, please do so at the Vine Street entrance. Please find a safe place to pull over and then have you student proceed to the Vine street entrance. If students are driving themselves:

1. They need to acquire a parking pass from the KAMSC office - please fill this out

2. They need to park by the El Sol playground off of Dutton Street (but then walk to Vine street entrance)

3. They should be reminded to not keep anything valuable in their car and to keep their cars locked at all times.

4. The building will have a campus security officer at the Vine Street entrance during times of arrivals and dismissals.

Wed. Oct 7 - Kilometers for KAMSC Kalamazoo Central - Cricket begins at 5 and the fun run begins at 6.

Friday Oct 9 - Fundraising closes for Kilometers for KAMSC

Wed. Oct. 14 - Open Lab - Study Skills Session provided for students 6-7:30

Wed. Oct 14 - APES to travel to Bird Sanctuary 11-2pm

Sat. Oct. 17 - Alzheimer's KAMSC Team walk

Wed. Oct 21 - Open Lab 6-7:30

Wed. Oct. 21 Parent Org Meeting 6:15-7:15

Tues Oct 27 - APES field trip to Cemetery

Wed. Oct 28 - Open Lab 6-7:30

Friday Oct 30 - No students, Teacher Records Day