Kimberly High School February 2026

Dear KHS Families,

As we move into the second semester, this time of year brings both excitement and uncertainty, especially for our seniors and their families. No matter where your student is in their journey, please know that we are in this together and here to support every student, every step of the way. Below you’ll find important dates and updates for the weeks ahead. As always, don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.

General information and important dates to note…

• Students will be finishing and finalizing course selections for the 2026-27 school year during Flex on February 9th and 10th. Please encourage your child to contact their school counselor if they have any questions on course selection.

• Parent Teacher Conferences are scheduled for February 11th. Conferences will be held virtually. Additional information is included in this newsletter. Sign up begins February 2nd!

• Juniors will be taking the State required ACT Test on March 10th. Only juniors need to report to school that day. This year, we have seen record numbers in our ACT Prep Program. I am proud of our staff and students for all the time and effort they are putting in. Please check out the opportunities to prepare for the ACT test that were shared via emails and newsletters.

• Freshmen and sophomores will be taking the PreACT Secure test on March 17th. Juniors and seniors will not report on this day, and testing will be divided into AM and PM sessions. Please refer to the KHS Testing Dates link in this newsletter for specifics regarding times and bussing.

• Seniors–We are rapidly approaching deadlines for many scholarships. Please be sure to check in Student Services and check your email, as new scholarships arrive weekly. There will also be a graduation meeting for all seniors on March 24th during Flex. Parents, we will be sending out our End of Year Senior Parent Letter following this meeting. This letter will contain important dates and information leading up to graduation.

One year ago, I shared that we would be implementing Flex Time into our daily schedule. After completing our first full semester, we are already seeing meaningful and positive impacts on both our students and our school community. Flex Time has created dedicated opportunities for students to connect with teachers for additional academic support, engage in enrichment activities, and explore their interests in new ways. This time has also allowed clubs and activities to meet consistently, leading to increased student participation and involvement. In addition, students are now able to meet with postsecondary representatives and recruiters during the school day without missing class, and these sessions have been consistently well attended.

While the system is not perfect and we continue to learn and make adjustments, I am proud of our students and staff for the flexibility and commitment they have shown in making the most of this change. Flex Time provides student-focused opportunities every day, and I look forward to its continued growth and evolution.

As always, thank you for your continued support and partnership. I hope you have a wonderful February!

With Great Papermaker Pride,

Mrs. DePeau

Principal

At the Kimberly Area School District, the safety of our students and staff is our top priority. Through proactive measures, staff and student training, and strong partnerships with families and the community, we work together to ensure that safety is our collective responsibility.

Mental Health Safety
Mental health is just as important as physical safety. Encourage your child to share their feelings, and remind them it’s always okay to ask for help if they feel stressed, sad, or overwhelmed. Parents can support by listening without judgment, watching for changes in behavior, and reaching out to school staff or professionals when extra help is needed. Because taking care of our minds keeps us safe and strong. Together we can make a difference!

February:

11 - Spring parent/teacher conferences

13 - Early Release

21 - Spree Dance

March:

10 - ACT Testing - Only Juniors report to school on this day

13 - Early Release

17 - PreACT Secure Testing - Only Freshmen and Sophomores report to school on this day

30 - April 5 - Spring Break

Please see this notice of the Public Nature of School Events.

Virtual Parent Teacher Conference Information for 2/11/2026 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Conferences this Spring will be virtual.

Here is the sign up process:

• Sign up begins on Monday, February 2nd
• Go to www.myconferencetime.com/kimberlyhs
• Click on the name of the teacher you would like a conference with
• Select the desired time for your conference by clicking on "Sign Up"
• Submit the requested information

Please make sure that you complete all the necessary information such as email and phone number because we will need those to complete the virtual conference process.

Complete this process for every teacher you would like to meet with. After you reserve your time, the selected teacher will create a "Google Meeting" and you will be emailed a "Google Invitation" that will have a link attached to it. You can either select the computer link or the telephone link if you don't have computer access. These are the links that you will have to use the evening of your conference with the teacher.

The time allotted for each conference is 5 minutes. If you feel like you will need longer than 5 minutes, please communicate that with the teacher to set up a longer conference.

Educational options for children who reside in the Kimberly Area School District

The Darboy Kiwanis Club and the Times Village announce the KHS Student of the Month!

February - Jack Tiedeman

How to order a yearbook: Orders for a yearbook can be placed through Infinite Campus under "Fees" on the left, then "My Accounts" on the right, and "Optional Fees" on the left. The cost of the yearbook is $55. You can also order in the Main Office with cash or check made out to KHS.

Share your photos from the year for use in the yearbook: Yearbook is always collecting photos! If you have photos from dances, clubs, sporting events, or candid photos, you can share them via this QR code.

Optional Senior Submission: Like last year, we will be devoting a few pages in the yearbook to photos of seniors as children. This year, we would like to create pages that showcase seniors on their first day of elementary school and pages that showcase seniors as babies and toddlers. Seniors can submit a photo for one or both kinds of pages. Submission is completely voluntary and space is limited. We hope to cover as many students as possible. Yearbook is collecting photos of seniors as babies and toddlers (ages 0-3) AND/OR photos of seniors on a first day of school (4K to grade 2). If you would like to participate, please use this QR code. We are collecting photos through the end of April.

Graduation Celebration is the time-honored drug and alcohol free Post Grad Party. Seniors should register now for the best after party filled with food, games, prizes and fun!

Graduation Celebration can be purchased through Infinite Campus under "Fees" on the left, then "My Accounts" on the right, and "Optional Fees" on the left. It is called "Senior Grad Celebration" in fees. The cost of the Graduation Celebration is $20. You can also purchase this in the Main Office with cash or check made out to KHS.

Parents of Seniors - we are looking for volunteers to help plan GRADUATION CELEBRATION for the Class of 2026. Meeting dates are as follows from 6:00-7:00pm at KHS: Feb 10, March 4, April 8, May 6. Please email Kelly Jansen if you can help plan this drug and alcohol free event for our seniors! kjansen@kimberly.k12.wi.us

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) Law. Required testing at the high school level includes the following:

• Pre ACT Secure - grades nine and ten

• Wisconsin Forward - grade ten

• ACT Plus Writing - grade eleven

Pre ACT 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 17th (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 our Career Planning schedule on April 7th, 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 10th at KHS. Juniors will be the only class to report on March 10th. Grades 9,10, and 12 will not report on that day.

The following page has each of these state testing dates listed for your convenience as well as additional testing that is conducted. Additional testing for grades 9 and 10 involves MAP testing, and this occurs within students’ English and math classes. For grade 11, students will soon be taking a practice test for the ACT. This will occur during the morning of September 26th within our half day schedule, and no other grade levels will be impacted. Please note these dates and do your best to avoid them for scheduled absences for your student.

Additional information about these assessments will be shared as the dates get closer. 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 these documents for important dates and information

KHS Important Testing Dates at a Glance

NWEA MAP Measures of Academic Progress Information Sheet

KHS State Testing 2025-26 Student Schedules

Click on this testing document to view schedules for each of our test dates. This document is three pages long to represent each testing date. Please scroll down to see each schedule.

March 10, 2026 is ACT day!

The ACT is a challenging three hour test that covers English, Math, Reading, and Science. The scores matter for college admissions (technical, two-year, and university programs), military scholarship, educational scholarship, even the workforce.

The KHS ACT Preparation Program is a FREE opportunity for all 11th grade students at KHS to understand the test, analyze their performance, set appropriate goals, and train for the ACT.

All KHS 11th grade students took the PreACT test on September 26th.

Once the scores come in, our work begins!

Join our Google Classroom

View our program calendar

The Academic Resource Center (ARC) is home to the Academic Ambassadors. We offer free tutoring services before school, during lunch, and after school. Visit KHSLMC.org to request a tutor! While there, register for a Writing Center appointment with Mr. Holschuh; visit the Kimberly Companion (our new resource for learning tips and hints); and access our Research Center. Our Ambassadors also support our free ACT Prep Program.

10th and 11th grade students who are interested in becoming an Academic Ambassador can look for applications to open in May of this year. Keep and eye on announcements!

Kimberly Online store

New items, new designs, youth sizes, 1/4 zips & more! Online Store open March 1-15.

When dropping students off at the start of the day in the font of the school or picking them up in the front of the school at the end of the day please remember the following:

• Please don’t utilize the left lane to pick up or drop off students. This will help with backups within the parking lot 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.

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

The Positive Post-it Project is coming to KHS on Friday, February 13th. This activity is being offered to encourage students and staff to share small moments of kindness through written messages. Participants are invited to write positive or uplifting notes on Post-it notes, which will be collected in the Library, Student Services, and the lunchroom, then displayed in a window in Student Services for the entire community to see.

The goal of this project is to promote connection, positivity, and emotional well-being by reminding students and staff that their words matter and can have a meaningful impact on others. In a busy school environment, even a simple message can brighten someone’s day, offer encouragement, and help create a more supportive and welcoming atmosphere for everyone. Please join us in celebrating all of the great things that happen in our school/community by sharing something positive with each other!

Updates from Student Services

Juniors and Seniors: Use the checklist to serve as a planning guide as you continue through junior and senior year. Reach out to your counselor with questions. (As a reminder, be sure to check with colleges on individual deadlines, etc.)

Juniors: Exploration is key to finding the right college fit. Please encourage your students to take some time to discover our UW universities, explore programs, and choose from a variety of visit options (such as campus tours, visit programs, and admitted student days!) to see campus life up close.

Schedule a campus visit today today: Dates can fill up!

University of Wisconsin System: Campus Visits

Wisconsin Private Colleges: Campus Visits (Select school of interest and

choose Schedule a Campus Visit.

Wisconsin Technical Colleges: Campus Visits (Select school of interest and choose

Campus Tour or Preview Days).

Student/Parent Resource Guide to a Campus Visit ~ What should you experience while on campus and suggested questions to ask.

Seniors: will be sharing their goals for the future and what their plans are post-graduation. We will continue to help prepare them for the next step after high school.

Scholarships

Please plan ahead when applying for scholarships. Apply as early as possible and allow the counselors a minimum of three days to complete any evaluations. Some evaluations are quite lengthy and require a great amount of time to complete. When requesting letters of recommendation, please allow the recommender a minimum of two weeks to complete your letters. It is your student’s responsibility to mail scholarship applications and to meet the deadlines.

Now is the time to work on scholarships! A scholarship presentation is linked to this to give you details on how to apply to certain scholarships.

University of Wisconsin Scholarships

All UW universities offer scholarships to incoming students. Some are automatically awarded based on academic profile, while others are awarded based on a scholarship application review. Many scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Encourage students to research available opportunities, meet deadlines, and apply to every scholarship they qualify for.

Explore UW university scholarships today: go.wisconsin.edu/pay-for-college/explore-financial-aid/scholarships-and-grants

Juniors/Seniors (who plan to play sports in college)

If you think that you might play sports at an NCAA Division I or II college, you must start by registering for a Certification account with the NCAA Eligibility Center. Colleges cannot give you athletic scholarships until you have completed this process and are cleared by the NCAA. Students who plan to play sports at Division III colleges do not have to do this. If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Allison Baerenwald.

Seniors attending 2 or 4 Year College! ~ Apply for your FAFSA!!!!!

Each academic year, the deadlines for FAFSA remain relatively similar: Applications open on December 1 and close on June 30. Even with that window, it's a good idea to submit your FAFSA as early as possible because many schools distribute funding on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here to apply.

Reciprocity with Minnesota ~ Wisconsin residents who plan to attend a Minnesota institution at in-state tuition rates must apply for tuition reciprocity. Reciprocity applications for Fall 2026 will open on February 1, 2026. Applications for Spring 2027 will be available beginning October 1, 2026.

Learn more about MN–WI reciprocity and eligibility requirements at the following link: wisconsin.edu/reciprocity

Fox Valley Technical College Open House ~ Tuesday, March 3rd 3 - 6 p.m.

Location: Appleton Campus

Learn what Fox Valley Tech has to offer.

• Explore options for in-demand careers

• Tour the campus: get a first-hand look at high-tech labs & classrooms

• Talk with students & faculty

• Learn about dual credit, financial aid & scholarships

• Attend free info session: How to Pay for College

Note: Seniors can apply for Free for fall of 2026!

UW JOURNEY/UW HELP

UW Journey guides potential students on their venture to college. The goal is to inform prospective students and their families of the tremendous opportunities that exist at our UW campuses. Prospects can find the UW campus that best fits their individual needs, navigate the application process, and explore options to pay for college. UW Journey enables users to view and compare all campuses’ offerings, including both academic and campus life characteristics, to create the most informed choice about which campus to attend. Finally, UW Journey guides prospects through the entire college process, showing the steps to take, and enabling further direction in the form of reminders, checklists, and calendar events. Click here for more information.

Assessments/Exams

UW Placement Testing: Most University of Wisconsin System campuses require students to take placement tests. The majority of students will take the exams the spring before their freshman year during the Regional Testing Program. Regional Testing registration begins in Mid-March each year, and various testing dates are offered throughout spring and summer. Students who don't test during the Regional Testing Program must make arrangements with the campus they are attending to take the test at other times of the year. Please refer to your admissions letter or contact the campus you plan on attending for information about which placement tests you are required to take. Click here to determine which tests you will need to take and how to sign up for your test date.placement tests you are required to take.

🎓 KHS Scheduling for the 2026-27 School Year

The scheduling process for the upcoming school year is officially underway! All students have now attended a Scheduling Presentation, and families have received an email on January 9th with detailed information to help navigate the upcoming selection process.

📚 Explore Your Options

We encourage students and parents to review the Course Book together to explore available opportunities.

• Digital Resources: All materials are available on our Website.

• Printed Copies: A limited number of physical Course Books are available in Student Services. Students are welcome to stop by and pick one up.

• Planning Tools: Use the 4-year plan in Xello to guide your academic path. Please pay close attention to prerequisites when selecting your primary courses and alternates in Xello.

🗓️ Important Dates & Deadlines during Flex

• Jan 15, 22, 26 & Feb 6 - Counselor Help Sessions

• Jan 27 & Feb 5 - Scheduling Workdays

• Feb 9 & 10 - Final Submit Days

📞 Need Assistance?

If you have questions or need guidance, our Student Services team is here to help!

• Phone: (920) 687-3024, Press #3

• Email: Contact your student’s counselor directly.

• Tracie Halfmann A-E

• Sara Siegesmund F-Le

• Katie Phillip Li - Schi

• Alli Baerenwald Schm - Z

Triumph Program

The Triumph Program is a short-term (typically 9-12 weeks) mental health intervention for students in grades 9-12 from Kimberly, Kaukauna, and Little Chute High Schools. The Triumph program provides a balanced approach to address student mental health needs while supporting their academic progress. With a small academic class size, individualized therapy, daily group sessions, and focused academic support students are able to be fully supported and succeed. Students attend Triumph for a half day programming (Blocks 1 & 2 or Blocks 3 & 4) and Kimberly High School for the other half of their day. Triumph programming is offered free of charge for qualifying students in these districts. The Triumph program was established in January of 2017 and has served over 400 students. If you believe your student would benefit from the Triumph program, please reach out to your child's school counselor for more information.

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!

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.

As we head into the winter months, we want to remind all families about best practices for managing illnesses to keep our students and staff as healthy as possible. Your partnership is essential in minimizing the spread of illness at school. Please see this "When Should Your Student Stay Home" link

Chartwells February 2026 Newsletter

Below are the links for our Free and Reduced Lunch program. If you are approved for Free and Reduced 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