KMS WEEKLY UPDATE

Dear KMS Families,

At this time, Learning Lab is no longer accepting new students, except those who are continuing their current enrollment.

Details about enrollment for Quarter 2 and beyond will be provided in the next weekly KMS Newsletter.

It is important to note that parent requests for Learning Lab will still be honored.

Geoff Smith, Principal

Rena Rankin, Assistant Principal

This is where we will have a quick reference for the upcoming week. More info is usually listed lower in the newsletter, if needed.

KIBSD wants to encourage all of our students families to visit their student’s school. Whether it is to drop something off, eat lunch with your student, or maybe contact your students teacher or administrator - we welcome you! When you come to the school, if it is during regular school hours, you will likely find the front doors locked, but please do not let this deter you. Look for the doorbell camera (pictured) next to the school front door which will be answered by school staff who will be happy to assist you.

Unfortunately, in today's world it is necessary that we take appropriate precautions to make sure your student is in a safe location. This means keeping the exterior doors locked to limit the access to the building for people who do not have a legitimate reason to be in our schools. We want our students to be in an environment where they will be able to focus on learning. To achieve this, we start with ensuring their school space is safe. We are following federal education and safety experts recommendations to increase school safety by having secured, monitored, and controlled entrances.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact your school administrator or KIBSD Director of Safety Kat Gambling at kathleen.gambling@kibsd.org or 907-486-7424.

Treering is an awesome yearbook company that plants 1 tree for every book sold.

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When you order online, you get 2 FREE customized pages that will only show in YOUR yearbook!

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Mr. Hodge is organizing a weekly practice session every Wednesday, starting at 3:30 p.m.

We're preparing for the Alaska Science Olympiad state competition in Fairbanks, scheduled for Feb 23-24, 2024.

The best part? It's completely free!

Our first introductory gathering will be on Nov 8th, 2023.

All KMS students are encouraged to attend.

Please visit Mr. Hodge in Room 102 to obtain further information.

Starting November 7, you'll have the chance to become part of the legendary Bee Team!

This after-school club is a buzzing hive of activity, where you'll get to sharpen your spelling skills for the Scripp's National Spelling Bee.

Don't worry if you're not planning to enter the Bee - all students are welcome to join, and let's face it, spelling is a life skill that'll come in handy in all sorts of other situations. Imagine nailing those test scores, boosting your comprehension, and writing like a pro!

Embrace the power of words and join THE BEE TEAM!

Tuesdays, 3:30-4:15pm

Room 102

See Mr. Hodge, Mrs. Lhotka, or Mrs. Kim for more info!

Please make sure your student has a reusable water bottle to bring to school each day.

Thank you!

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES AND ACTIVITIES

Ms. Grizz and Ms. Lhotka’s 6th grade English/Language Arts classes participated in a Spooky Story Contest during the final weeks of October.

By October 30th six volunteer KMS staff members will select the top three 6th grade stories for special prizes.

We will announce the top three stories on Tuesday, October 31st and 6th grade advisories will read the winning entries on Friday, November 3rd.

Ms. Doud is looking for a parent volunteer to come in on Friday 11/3 to help with an activity.

(Students will be calculating the distance of the planets in the hallway).

You would need a background check on file.

Please email Ms. Doud at ella.doud@kibsd.org if you are able to help out.

Thank you!

Hold onto your lab coats and get ready to shrink down to the size of a cell!

Our seventh-graders are about to deepen their understanding of cells as we blast off into the microscopic world of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells!

Sign up with Mrs. Norton or call Kodiak Teen Court office at 486-3550 and leave a message to enroll in this year's class beginning Monday, November 6, 2023.

Classes will be Monday and Wednesday nights from 6-8pm at the Kodiak High School/Auditorium Choral Pod from November 6, 2023 - January 24, 2024.

The Swearing-In Ceremony will be in January 2024.

Participate in your first court case by February 2024!!

Kodiak Teen Court is a state-approved program in which youths serve as judges, prosecuting attorneys, and defense attorneys (as well as court bailiffs, court clerks and jurors) in real criminal cases involving youths under the age of 18. These programs are also called "Youth Courts" or "Community Diversion" courts. To become a Kodiak Teen Court Lawyer, you must be under the age of 18, in at least the 8th grade, and complete the Kodiak Teen Court class, bar examination, and related training exercises.

Kodiak Teen Court accepts cases that are referred from the Alaska State Court system, and from the Alaska Department of Juvenile Justice. These cases typically involve minors who have committed misdemeanor offenses or offenses involving alcohol such as "MIP" (Minor In Possesion of Alcohol) offenses. These "Defendants" have voluntarily chosen to have their case handled by Teen Court.

When you are sworn in as a member of the Kodiak Teen Court Bar Association, you will enjoy the challenge and excitement of handling "live" cases involving real people and real crimes. Whether you choose to prosecute, to defend, or even to pursue the privilege of becoming a Teen Court judge or board member, you will learn and benefit from your experience. You will learn about the legal system, sharpen your reasoning skills, and become more comfortable with speaking in public. You will also serve your community by providing valuable work service and a positive example for your peers.

Dear KMS choir students and parents,

I hope you all have been doing well so far this year.

The choir students have been working very hard on their music in preparation for their concert!

I am exploring the idea of doing Christmas Caroling within KMS and/or KHS, or out in the community. Please be on the lookout for information on that.

December 12th at 7PM, KHS and KMS choirs will be having a winter concert! It will be in the Gerald C. Wilson Auditorium. Students need to be in the Choral Pod by 5:30PM, in their concert attire. Dress Rehearsal will be the night before, December 11th at 6:30, and will go until about 8.

Please prepare black dress clothes. These will need to be approved by Mrs. Bercy the week before.

Examples:

Long-sleeve blouse or dress shirt with dress pants

Long dress with long sleeves

Short dress with black leggings

Black dress shoes with black socks

*You may choose to have a splash of a school color: Blue or Yellow.

Examples: scarf, tie, headband, bracelet, belt, etc.

Participation is expected for both the dress rehearsal and concert. It is part of the students’ grade. If a student is not able to attend the concert for any reason, the student and/or parent must contact Mrs. Bercy ahead of time.

Concert expectations:

Students will be sitting in a designated area in the audience during the concert when they are not performing. They will be listening along with the audience to support the other choirs.

Family, friends, and anyone in the community are highly encouraged to attend. Admission is free, so tickets do not need to be purchased ahead of time. Donations will be welcome.

If you have any questions, you can contact me at sarah.bercy@kibsd.org. We are so excited to show you what we’ve been working on!

Sincerely,

Sarah Bercy

Kodiak High & Middle Schools Choir Teacher

This week, students in Intermediate Orchestra studied the history and story of the song “By the Waters of Babylon”, which is based on Psalm 137:1-4.

They split into trios and quartets and wrote their own versions of the song, with each person playing a different part.

L-R: Brett Delgado, (No Media Permission), Yakov Wood

The KHS Orchestra & KMS Advanced Orchestra Fall Concert will be this Wednesday, November 1st at 7pm in the Gerald C. Wilson Auditorium Drama Pod.

All members of the community are invited to attend this free concert.

Thank you to KMS orchestra student Kirana Sanjoyo for creating the concert poster!

Here, we will post a variety opportunities for all families to support KMS.

If you are interested in how you can pitch in, keep an eye out for something that works for you!

We appreciate ALL support, no matter what form it takes.

Thank you!!!

If you would like to help with donations, we have an Amazon Wishlist posted HERE.

Also- gently used clothing, especially bottoms, all sizes.

We are happy to launder them.

Donations can be dropped off at the main office.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

Here you will find events that will be happening in the next couple of months, but not during the coming week.

We want to give our families plenty of time to plan around our activities and opportunities.

Details will be posted later in this newsletter and/or another newsletter in the near future.

• 11/1: KMS Orchestra Fall Showcase, Gerald C Wilson Auditorium
• 11/6: Kodiak Teen Court class begins
• 11/7: First Bee Team Meeting, 3:30 - Room 102
• 11/7: School Picture Re-Takes
• 11/8: First Science Olympiad Meeting, 3:30 - Room 102
• 11/9: No School, District In-Service
• 11/22-11/24: No School, Thanksgiving
• Week of 11/27: Cookie Dough Distribution/Pick-up

• 12/5: KMS PTSA Meeting, 6pm - KMS Commons
• 12/8: Friday Night Live
• 12/12: KMS/KHS Choir Winter Concert, 7pm - Gerald C. Wilson Auditorium
• 12/18-1/1: No School, Winter Break

• KMS Spelling Bee
• Volleyball - Information coming soon
• Wrestling - Information coming soon

• 3/18-3/22: No School, Spring Break
• Track - Information coming soon

If you want to re-take school pictures, we have a date!

Re-takes will start first thing in the morning on November 7.

Here we will post announcements, opportunities, and resources for our KMS Parents and Guardians.

• Academic Reading & Notetaking - Tuesday & Thursday, 12 pm - 1 pm

• Beginning English Language (ELL) - Monday, 7 pm - 8:30 pm

• English for CDL - late starting - Thursday, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

• English for Citizenship - late starting - Wednesday, 7 pm - 8:30 pm

• English for the Health Care Workplace: 1 free CEU - Tuesday & Thursday, 10 am - 12 pm

• Intermediate English Language (ELL) - Monday, 7 pm - 8:30 pm

• Tuesday Evening Topics - Tuesday, 7 pm - 8:30 pm

Academic Reading and Notetaking

• T & Th, 12 pm - 1 pm

Alternative High School Diploma Topics

• Science, Social Studies, Language Arts: Intensive RLA Prep -
• In-person & distance options island-wide
• Free practice & test vouchers, & more!

.

• Customized Study Plan
• Taught in 2 - 3 week units
• M & W, 9 am - 10:30 am, or M, 7 pm - 8:30 pm

• Thursday, 6:30 - 8:00 pm

• 1 free CEU
• 10 hours
• TBA T & Th

• Thursday, 3:00 - 4:00 pm

Building Strong Readers at Home

Tuesdays @ 5:30pm

Main Elementary Cafeteria

Enter through the door in the courtyard (down the stairs)

For more info, email Angie Hietala

*If your student arrives after the morning bell please direct them to the main office entrance, to see the attendance secretary, Mrs. Tricia. All tardies will be marked unexcused unless a parent calls the attendance line (907-486-7460) and leave a message to excuse them.

Students will not be marked tardy if there is a bus delay.

Your student's lunch account can be paid via cash/check to main office, or online via the PowerSchool Parent Portal.

FOR INFO ON FREE/REDUCED MEALS, CLICK HERE

Click the button below for directions to set up a new account, check balance, or add funds.

To make sure you are receiving all communication from KMS, please take a moment to verify that your emails and phone numbers are correct in the PowerSchool Parent Portal.

This is the main way we will send home general school-wide information.

If you do not have a PowerSchool Parent Account, click <<HERE>> for instructions on how to set one up.

If you do not know the ACCESS ID and Password for first-time set-up, please call our main office secretary at 907-486-7460.

If you have already set up your PowerSchool Parent Portal, click <<HERE>> to sign in.

Feel free to bookmark this link for a quick way to see your student's :

• grades
• assignments
• lunch balance, etc.

If your student has an allergy or asthma that is not on file, please call our school nurse and update your student's info.

KIBSD-issued iPads are to ensure each student has the technology to participate and complete the coursework for each of their classes. If you would like to enable parental controls to manage your student's device, the app below is free to use and compatible with iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Android.

The graphic below is clickable, as well.