KMS WEEKLY UPDATE

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are writing to inform you about an important development at Kodiak Middle School that affects a small group of students. As we prioritize the success and well-being of all our students, we want to address the academic challenges faced by a few students who are currently struggling in their classes. We understand that academic performance can fluctuate, and every student may encounter difficulties at some point in their educational journey. In an effort to provide additional support and resources to those students who are currently facing challenges and are at risk of failing their classes, we have implemented a new initiative known as the "Learning Lab Class."

The Learning Lab is a specialized program designed to offer tailored support to students who are falling behind in their coursework. This program aims to provide a supportive and structured learning environment where students can receive extra guidance, one-on-one assistance, and access to resources that will help them improve their academic performance. The Learning Lab Class is not a punishment, but rather a proactive measure to ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed academically. We believe that with the proper support and effort, students can overcome their academic difficulties and succeed.

A student will be placed in a Learning Lab if they are in danger of failing one or more of their core classes. A parent or student may also request to be placed in Learning Lab to get caught up on assignments. Learning Lab takes place during sixth period for 6th graders and seventh period for 7th & 8th graders, which is during an elective course for every student. Learning Lab is meant to be a short term placement until a student is caught up on their work. Once a student is caught up on their assignments, they will attend their regular elective class again. In some instances, Learning Lab may become a long-term placement for students who are in need of this support.

Students will automatically be placed in the Leanring Lab by teachers or counselors on a regular basis. If you would like to opt your student out of the Leanring Lab so they will not be placed into this class if/when needed, please contact the main office to opt your student out. If you do not contact our office to opt out, please know that if your student is in need extra support this year, they may be placed into the Learning Lab temporarily. If a temporary placement is not successful and a long-term placement is necessary, parents/guardians will be notified prior to a long-term placement.

If you have any concerns or questions about the Learning Lab Class, please do not hesitate to contact us. We value your input and are committed to working together to help your child reach their full potential.

Geoff Smith, Principal

Rena Rankin, Assistant Principal

Lockers are provided to students for the storage and safe-keeping of student possessions. Students are responsible for the security of their locker. Lockers should be locked at all times, except when attended to by the student.

For safety concerns, the following items are to remain in student lockers during the school day: backpacks, cell phones, and wireless headphones. Waivers for backpacks may be considered with proper documentation.

7th and 8th grade students may be issued PE lockers.

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

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

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

The KMS Spelling Bee will take place in January 2024!

Starting this week, 11/7, a new club at KMS will be geared toward helping you succeed:

The 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.

If you win your classroom Bee, you will advance to the school-wide Bee.

If you win the KMS Bee, you will advance to the district Bee.

If you win the KIBSD Bee, you will advance to the regional Bee in Anchorage!

If you win the regional bee, you could be on NATIONAL TELEVISION in National Harbor, Maryland the week of Memorial Day 2024!

Don't worry - even 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!

Get ready to flex your science muscles with weekly practice sessions every Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.

We're sharpening our skills for the Alaska Science Olympiad state tournament in Fairbanks on Feb 23-24, 2024.

And guess what?

It's all free to you!

So grab a few friends and start planning your team - you can even choose which categories you'd like to compete in!

This year, there will be 17 categories and events to choose from:

Agricultural Science

Air Trajectory

Anatomy and Physiology

Can't Judge a Powder

Codebusters

Disease Detectives

Dynamic Planet

Ecology

Experimental Design

Flight

Fossils

Meteorology

Reach for the Stars

Roller Coaster

Tower

Wheeled Vehicle

Write It Do It

ALL KMS students are invited to join! WEDNESDAYS 3:30PM ROOM 102

Dear Parents,

The cold and flu season is upon us! Here are some reminders for your family to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses or illness.

• If your child has a fever, (100.4F or higher) please do not send them back to school until they have been fever free (without the use of fever-reducing medication) for at least 24 hours. This is very important in controlling the spread of flu and flu-like viral illnesses.

• Frequently review the importance of good handwashing, covering coughs/sneezes, avoiding touching the eyes, nose, and mouth with hands, and other hygiene issues related to the spread of germs with your child. Lead by example!

• Disinfect commonly used surfaces.

• Remind children not to share foods or drinks.

• Support the immune system by ensuring everyone gets enough sleep, eats nutritious meals, and gets regular exercise.

• Consider checking if your families' immunizations are up to date. Contact your healthcare provider for more information about available vaccines for flu or COVID.

If you have any questions, especially regarding whether or not to send your child to school when he/she is ill, don’t hesitate to reach out. Additionally, please let me know if I can help with the transition back to school if students have any lingering mild symptoms.

Stay Safe & Healthy,

Nurse Amber

amber.bunker@kibsd.org

Phone: 907-486-7470

OUR CHICKENS HATCHED!

We had 5 chickens hatch this week.

The picture with the chickens in the incubator shows them sleeping as breaking through the shell is an exhausting process!

They are healthy and active and are starting to find their voice (chirping loudly in class).

We will enjoy raising them for about a week in the classroom and then we will send them back to the farm to raise them to adulthood.

It's been an incredible learning experience for all of us.

TOP L-R: Isla Robichaud, Abigail Katelnikoff, Peyton Miller, Liymoreane Abayon, Angelina Selman

BOTTOM L-R: Ivan Wellner, No Media Permissions, Kyle Carlson, Hunter Hughes, Ozzy Medoff

They came, they saw, they connected with new stories—and started some of their own. But if your child didn’t make it to the KMS Book Fair (or they missed out on a favorite), it’s not too late to make your school and your book-crazy kiddo very happy.

Our Book Fair will be open through November 5, 2023 - so you have one more day to shop 'til you drop!

Click here to get started!

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

Thank you!

During the course of the school day, teachers and staff like to recognize students who are caught exhibiting the KMS values of Respect, Integrity, Citizenship, and Kindness. We do this by giving out Grizzly Tickets. Every Grizzly Ticket goes into a bucket and from that bucket, we draw two winners per grade. The winners get to sit on the stage with up to 7 of their friends for the rest of the week!

THIS WEEK'S GRIZZLY TICKET WINNERS:

6th grade:

Table 1- Soren Hinman for Respect & Citizenship

Table 2- Peyton Miller for Kindness

7th grade:

Table 1- Noah Ross for Kindness & Leadership

Table 2- Kyah Hinman for Respect

8th grade:

Table 1- Autumn Nugent for Integrity & Citizenship

Table 2- Jillian Mahle for Kindness & Leadership

PLEASE have your students check the lost and found pile that is taking over the 6th grade hall!

Items (including jackets, gloves, water bottles, school supplies, etc.) that are not claimed will be donated. If you are missing anything, make sure your student stops by the 6th grade lost and found Monday, Nov 6, to look for it.

Thank you!!

The KMS Woodshop students are using the most common construction tools in the trade. The 7th graders are using the table saw to rip 2x4s into 2x2s for end table legs, while the 8th graders are using the worm-drive skill saw to create balance boards for KIBSD students. Everyday these students get more knowledgeable, and proficient, using these power tools and it is very rewarding to watch their progress. -Nick Steele, KMS Woodshop Teacher.

Above L-R: Jaden Rastopsoff, Shaina Alfaro, Mike Sison and Brooke Vitt safely use the table saw during 1st period Industrial Arts 7 class.

On Tuesday, Nov 7, and Thursday, Nov 9, Nurse Amber will conduct vision and hearing screens on our 7th grade students.

The screenings will take place in the KMS library, during each 7th grade PE class.

If you are able to volunteer* during this time, we would greatly appreciate some help escorting students to and from the library/gym. Please contact Nurse Amber at amber.bunker@kibsd.org for more information.

*All volunteers must be screened and approved prior to arriving at the school. If you are unsure of your status, or would like to be approved, please email kimberly.wynn@kibsd.org - it usually only takes a day or two for the online screening/approval process. We just need your full name and email address to get started.

Thank you so much!

Mrs. King’s art students collaborated in support of the KHS trunk or treat. They learned what it takes to organize and implement a community event. Students engineered decorations and interacted with their future peers.

L-R: Isla Ledbetter, Bella Hoedel, Gracelynn Sum, Leila Lovette, Ghostface, Jacob Vizcocho, and Mrs. King/Frida Kahlo

The KMS Woodshop students are using the most common construction tools in the trade. The 7th graders are using the table saw to rip 2x4s into 2x2s for end table legs, while the 8th graders are using the worm-drive skill saw to create balance boards for KIBSD students. Everyday these students get more knowledgeable, and proficient, using these power tools and it is very rewarding to watch their progress. -Nick Steele, KMS Woodshop Teacher.

L-R: Gavin Bean, Treyten Butler, and Welfred Bungay step outside to use the skill saw during 5th period Industrial Arts 8 class.

To better utilize class time for instruction and projects,

students can expect 1-2 homework assignments per week

beginning November 6.

Assignments will be due at the end of Block 2.

Assignments will be kept short and may include a brief reading passage with 2-4 comprehension questions.

They could also include an Atlas assignment, or IXL practice skill.

Atlas assignments may be checked and corrected for full credit.

Readings and comprehension questions will introduce content information that will be elaborated on in class.

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.

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.

• 11/22-11/24: No School, Thanksgiving
  
• Week of 11/27: Cookie Dough Distribution/Pick-up

• 12/5: KMS/KHS Band Winter Concert, 7pm - Gerald C Wilson Auditorium
• 12/5: KMS PTSA Meeting, 6pm - KMS Commons
• 12/7: KMS/KHS Orchestra Winter Concert, 7pm - Gerald C Wilson Auditorium
• 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

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