KMS NEWSLETTER

Dear KMS Families,

Kodiak Middle School is once again partnering with the Association of Alaska School Boards to administer the School Climate and Connectedness Survey.

We are asking each family to complete one survey by March 20. If you have more than one child at KMS, you only need to complete it once.

Last year, only 15 percent of families participated. Our goal this year is 50 percent so we can get a clearer picture of how we are doing and where we can improve. We use this feedback to guide real changes, including our recent focus on improving positive communication between school and home.

Thank you for taking a few minutes to share your perspective. Your input matters.

As a follow up to our recent FBI Internet Safety assembly, we would like to share several resources with families. Students learned about cyber hygiene, social media awareness, cyberbullying, and the growing concern of sextortion. These conversations are important, and we encourage you to continue them at home.

Here is the video link from the assembly:
Internet Safety - FBI.mp4

Additional resources shared by the FBI:

• Online Risks and Tips for Parents and Caregivers: https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/parents-and-caregivers-protecting-your-kids

• Sextortion Awareness: www.fbi.gov/sextortion

• Financially Motivated Sextortion: https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-frauds-and-scams/sextortion/financially-motivated-sextortion

• FBI Anchorage Field Office PSA on Sextortion: https://www.fbi.gov/video-repository/fbi-anchorage-sextortion-psa-101624.mp4

We appreciate your partnership in helping our students stay safe, informed, and responsible online. Please reach out if you have any questions.

Rena Rankin, Principal

Judith Bruns, Assistant Principal

MONDAY, 2/23

• STUDENT GOVT, 8:20AM, ROOM 103
• 8TH GR RECESS OPTION: CREDIT RECOVERY W/ MS. LUCY, #222, SIGN UP WITH SMART PASS
• SCIENCE CLUB, 3:50-4:20PM, ROOM 101
• CREDIT RECOVERY, 3:45-5:15PM, KMS LIBRARY

TUESDAY, 2/24

• FLEX: MATH TUTORING, ROOM 104, SIGN UP WITH SMART PASS
• FLEX: ACADEMIC ORGANIZATION WITH MS. LUCY, ROOM 222, SIGN UP WITH SMART PASS
• SCIENCE CLUB, 3:50-4:20PM, ROOM 101
• CREDIT RECOVERY, 3:45-5:15PM, KMS LIBRARY

WEDNESDAY, 2/25

• 8TH GR RECESS OPTION: CREDIT RECOVERY W/ MS. LUCY, #222, SIGN UP WITH SMART PASS
• FLEX: GRACE GROUP WITH MS. LUCY, ROOM 222, SIGN UP WITH SMART PASS
• FLEX: MATH TUTORING WITH MS. MOSELEY, ROOM 104, SIGN UP WITH SMART PASS
• EARLY RELEASE
• CREDIT RECOVERY, 2:45-4:15PM, KMS LIBRARY

THURSDAY, 2/26

• FLEX: MATH TUTORING WITH MS. MOSELEY, ROOM 104, SIGN UP WITH SMART PASS
• FLEX: CAREER EXPLORATIONS WITH MS. BRUCE, ROOM 222, SIGN UP WITH SMART PASS
• YEARBOOK COMMITTEE, 3:50-4:20, ROOM 104

• SCIENCE CLUB, 3:50-4:20PM, ROOM 101
• CREDIT RECOVERY, 3:45-5:15PM, KMS LIBRARY

FRIDAY, 2/27

• 8TH GR RECESS OPTION: CREDIT RECOVERY W/ MS. LUCY, #222, SIGN UP WITH SMART PASS
• SCIENCE CLUB, 3:50-4:20PM, ROOM 101
• CREDIT RECOVERY, 3:45-5:15PM, KMS LIBRARY
• NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM, 5:30-7:30PM, MAIN ELEMENTARY

Get ready to experience The Power of Wonder as our 8th graders showcase their hard work, creativity, and scientific thinking at the KMS 8th Grade Science Fair on Thursday, March 5 at the Gerald C Wilson Auditorium Foyer.

With over 100 student projects on display, this is shaping up to be one of the most impressive academic events of the year. Students have been researching, experimenting, building, testing, and refining their ideas, and they are excited to share their discoveries with our community.

Viewing Times:

10:00 am to 3:00 pm – Open to students

5:00 pm to 8:00 pm – Open to the public

That means families, friends, and community members are all welcome to attend during the evening session.

Visiting students will receive stickers to award to projects they find interesting, and everyone who attends will receive a fun science themed favor. We will also have awards, medals, ribbons, and certificates recognizing student achievement.

Educators are especially encouraged to stop by. There will be an Educator Table with sticky notes and pens so you can leave a message for former students on the back of their project board. You are part of their success story.

We hope you will join us on March 5 to celebrate curiosity, innovation, and the outstanding work of our KMS 8th graders. Come see why we love science at KMS!

Conferences are designed to partner together in supporting students with academic or behavioral needs. If a meeting would be helpful, your child’s teacher will reach out to schedule a time. Families are also always welcome to contact the school if they have questions or would like to request a meeting.

We warmly invite all families to stop by and visit during our open hours.

Tech Help table for PowerSchool and Schoology will be available both nights!

Thursdays, During Flex

Room #222

Sign up with Smart Pass

All Grades Welcome!

If your student did not pass a core class during Quarter 1 or 2, and you did not receive the letter of invitation for recovering that credit, please contact Judith Bruns. We want to make sure they are attending our KMS Credit Recovery program after-school every day.

During Credit Recovery in the KMS library, your student will receive extra time and support focused on filling the gaps and recovering the lost credit to avoid summer school or loss of elective options next year.

* STARTING MONDAY, FEB 16, 8TH GRADERS IN CREDIT RECOVERY ALSO HAVE THE OPTION OF WORKING TOWARDS COMPLETION DURING THEIR RECESS PERIOD ON MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, AND FRIDAYS. THEY WILL MEET IN ROOM 222 WITH MS. LUCY. SIGN UP IN SMART PASS *

Play is a spoof called "When Bad Things Happen to Good Actors" from Stage Partners.

Troy Edwards is Assistant Director.

The cast list will be posted March 11.

If someone missed auditions, we will do late auditions to fill any gaps in casting on Thursday, March 19th.

Crew is expected at 2 rehearsals per week plus Saturdays 3:30-5:30

REHEARSALS: Tu/ Th/ Fri beginning Tuesday, March 24th.

3:45-5:30 @ DRAMA POD

Shows have been moved to May 15th & 16th.

Please contact Tamie Fogle for questions/more info:

Tamie.Fogle@kibsd.org

Kodiak Middle School’s Guidelines for Success represent the core values that shape our school community: Respect, Integrity, Citizenship, and Kindness, known collectively as R.I.C.K. Each quarter, our staff highlights one of these values and selects one student from each grade level who consistently models that trait through their actions, attitude, and daily interactions.

For Quarter 2, our focus was on Kindness, and we are proud to recognize Hazel Laskie (6th grade), Holly Null (7th grade), and Landon Wisecup (8th grade) as exceptional examples of what kindness looks like at KMS. These students demonstrate compassion, include others, offer help without being asked, and contribute to a welcoming and supportive school environment.

Quarter 3, our focus has shifted to Citizenship, encouraging students to take pride in our school, contribute positively to their community, and demonstrate responsibility both inside and outside the classroom.

Congratulations and job well done for all students who earned a Grizzly Ticket for Kindness this past quarter!

8th graders volunteer at last weekend’s swim meet to help raise funds for the Art Department.

We are grateful for all the community support. Visiting families were in awe of these two awesome artists and their ability to make, sell and take orders on site.

Thanks to a fantastic collaboration with Mr. Mike from the Kodiak Public Library, Mr. Pysher’s reading students recently went on a “Blind Date with a Book.”

Students speed-dated three different books during class, sampling each one and rating their favorites. There was plenty of laughter, lively discussion, and more than a few surprise connections. Some students may have even found their perfect literary match.

MARCH

• 3/5 - KMS 8TH GRADE SCIENCE FAIR, 10-3PM FOR STUDENTS; 5-8PM FOR PUBLIC; GERALD C. WILSON AUDITORIUM FOYER
• 3/11 - 3/12 - PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
• 3/11 - KMS DRAMA CLUB CAST LIST POSTED
• 3/16 - 3/20 - NO SCHOOL; SPRING BREAK
• 3/19 - DRAMA CLUB LATE AUDITIONS
• 3/20 - DEADLINE FOR SCCS SURVEYS
• 3/20 - KODIAK LITTLE LEAGUE REGISTRATION DEADLINE
• 3/21 & 3/28 - KODIAK LITTLE LEAGUE EVALUATIONS, KMS GYM, SEE FLYER FOR TIMES
• 3/24 - DRAMA CLUB AUDITIONS START; TUE/THU/FRI @ 3:45-5:30, DRAMA POD
• 3/27 - END OF QUARTER 3
• 3/27 - KHS COUNSELORS TO VISIT MS. HARRISON'S CLASSES AT KMS (MORE INFO SOON)

APRIL

• KMS SPRING FLING, 6TH & 7TH GRADE ONLY
• 4/3 - KHS COUNSELORS TO VISIT MS. MOSELEY'S CLASSES AT KMS; COURSE REQUESTS (MORE INFO SOON)

MAY

• 5/15 & 5/16 - KMS DRAMA CLUB PRESENTS "WHEN BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD ACTORS" MORE INFO COMING SOON