Linden Grove Middle School

​Here are the names and email addresses of the support staff who work with students.

Tamica Frison- Assistant Principal frisontl@kalamazoopublicschools.net

Amanda Swan-Counselor- 8th grade and Cheetahs swanaj@kalamazoopublicschools.net

Nora Snead-Counselor-7th grade and Bobcats sneadna@kalamazoopublicschools.net

Jen Eubanks-Head Secretary eubanksjm@kalamazoopublicschools.net

Brenna Smith-Child Accounting Secretary smithb@kalamazoopublicschools.net

Jamie Korinek-Climate and Culture Coach korinekjr@kalamazoopublicschools.net

Leo Gray- Behavior Interventionist, grade 7 graylc@kalamazoopublicschools.net

Jeff Hoskins-Behavior Interventionist, grade 6 hoskinsandersonjg@kalamazoopublicschools.net

Each year, we have a group of students who are performing near grade-level expectations but fail to reach proficiency on the state assessment (M-STEP). To help these students bridge the gap, we are teaching a specialized second-semester Algebra Readiness course. Students who score between the 40th and 55th percentile on the Fall NWEA MAP Math test will be on a watch list for enrollment in this course.

In January, students will take the Winter NWEA MAP Math test. Students from the fall watch list who score between the 40th and 55th percentile on the Winter test will be automatically enrolled in the Algebra Readiness course for the second semester. Because our school day has a fixed number of periods, this class will be one of their second-semester electives.

How You Can Help Your Child Maintain Their Elective

Every student at our school has a personalized NWEA MAP Pathway on IXL. This pathway automatically takes your child’s individual NWEA test results and creates a custom list of short, targeted skills they need to practice to grow.

Here is how you can support them between now and January:

1. Set an IXL Routine: Have your child log into IXL at home for 15 to 20 minutes, 3 to 4 times a week. Consistent, short practice is much more effective than cramming.

2. Focus on the Diagnostic/NWEA Plan: Have them navigate to their "Learning" tab, click "Recommendations," and look for their MAP Growth Study Plan.

3. Encourage "SmartScore" Goals: On IXL, students should aim for a "SmartScore" of 80 (Proficiency) on their recommended skills. They do not need a 100 to make great progress!

By focusing on these personalized gaps now, your child can enter the Winter NWEA testing window feeling confident, sharp, and ready to demonstrate that they are on track—allowing them to keep their elective schedule intact for the second semester.

Forms come home this week. You can order online at mylifetouch.com. Use picture day code EVTCHNHP4.

Students and guests must pass through a weapons detector durning normal school hours.

Linden Grove Wildcats focus on the C.A.T.S. expectations, which means we are caring, accountable, trustworthy and safe in everything we do. We will be talking to students about the C.A.T.S. expectations and how to meet them during the first week and throughout the year.

Honor Guard students are identified based on their use of the CATS (caring, accountability, trustworthiness, safety) expectations. Each teacher rates each student on their team using a simple rubric. Students must score “mostly” or “often” in each category for each class. Students identified for Honor Guard are given additional privileges, like going through the lunch line first, and are offered some additional fun opportunities. Honor Guard students are selected every 6 weeks. Honor Guard students can lose the distinction for behavior infractions.

This year we will be instituting a House System with our teams. Teams will compete within their own grades and against all other grades to be the “House” or “Team” of the year. Some of the areas the Houses will compete in are: attendance, grade point average, tardies, citizenship, and cleanliness. There will also be monthly spirit assemblies where Houses will compete in a hands-on activity. Every student will get a House-specific T-shirt and will be to encouraged to wear it to the monthly assembly. We hope to inject a lot of fun and school spirit with this initiative. We will post more information about the House system throughout the school year.

As we prepare our students for the increased academic demands of high school and beyond, our primary goal is to foster accountability, strong study habits, and a commitment to academic excellence.To support this goal, we are updating the eligibility requirements for our end-of-year 8th-grade completion ceremony.

Starting this school year, 8th-grade students must earn a passing Y1 cumulative grade in all core academic courses (Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies) to participate in the completion ceremony.

Why This Change Matters

The middle school completion ceremony is a celebration of readiness for high school. We want this milestone to be deeply meaningful. By raising the bar, we aim to motivate students to take their daily coursework seriously from day one, understanding that their effort throughout the year impacts their celebration at the end.

Keeping You Informed

We view you as our most important partner in your child's education. We want to ensure that every single student has the opportunity to walk across the stage. To prevent any surprises, we will be implementing an early-warning system:

• Progress Monitoring: Teachers and counselors will closely monitor student grades throughout the year.

• Warning Letters: If a student’s cumulative grade puts them at risk of failing a core class, a formal warning letter will be included with their report card.

• Action Plans: These letters are not just notifications—they are an invitation to collaborate. Every warning letter will outline specific steps, such as tutoring or academic check-ins, to help your child get back on track.

Next Steps

We ask that you sit down with your child this week to discuss these new expectations. Remind them that consistency matters, and that the choices they make in the first quarter build the foundation for their completion in the spring.

If your child is struggling at any point in the year, please reach out to their teachers or our counseling department immediately. We are fully committed to providing the resources, extra help, and encouragement our students need to succeed.

Thank you for your continued support in raising the bar for our students. Together, we can ensure they all reach their full potential.

All students enrolled in KPS schools can receive a healthy breakfast and lunch at no charge.

It is critical that all households, regardless of income, fill out and sign the Education Benefit Form (EBF). The information gathered from the Educational Benefit Form is crucial in determining the amount of money that our school receives from a variety of State and Federal supplemental programs like Title I A, At-Risk (31a), Title II A, E-Rate, etc.

These supplemental programs have the potential to offer supports and services for our students including, but not limited to:

• Instructional supports (staff, supplies & materials, etc.)

• Non-instructional services (counseling, social work, health services, etc.)

• Professional Learning for staff

• Parent and Community engagement supplies and activities

• Technology

We are asking that you complete and submit this as soon as possible to ensure that additional funding for our schools is available to meet the needs of our students. All information on the report is confidential.

Without your assistance in completing and returning the Educational Benefit Form, our schools will be unable to maximize the use of available State and Federal funds.

6th grade- cheetahs and bobcats

7th grade- cougars and leopards

8th grade- lynx and panthers

Students may use their cell phones during breakfast, until 8:03. After 8:03

there is no student cell phone usage allowed at Linden Grove. After 8:03 cell phones are expected to be silenced and stored out of sight. The safest place for a cell phone is at home. The next safest place is locked in the pod locker. Cell phones may not be carried in hands. If a student violates the cell phone policy the phone is confiscated for the day and returned at the flag pole at dismissal. The following additional consequences apply for cell phone violations:

1st violation- reminder

2nd violation- parent meeting required.

3rd violation- 1 week cell phone turn in at the start of the school day. Turn in duration increases 5 days with every third violation.

1: Students may not wear hats, hoods, or head coverings after 8:03

2: Shirts must cover the naval.

3: Bookbags and jackets must be stored in lockers. Small bags can be carried.

4: The school reserves the right to ask a student to change if the student's outfit is causing a disruption to the learning environment.

Students in violation of the dress code are offered an item from the school or can call home to have an adult bring a change of clothes. Students who refuse either option will be sent home.

Responsible gum chewing is allowed at Linden Grove.

Students can bring food and drinks to be eaten at lunch. No food or drinks, with the exception of water, can be eaten in the pods or duirng passing times.

Any staff member can assign this conseqeunce. Dententions must be served within 24 hours of the infraction (next school day). Parents will be notified of the assigned detention by email.

If there is an issue with a specific class, please contact the teacher first by email. Teachers will respond within 24 hours. If there is a non-classroom issue, you can email the teacher, Mr. Hughes, Ms. Frison or call the main office.

All student athletes must have a sports physical dated after April 15, 2026, before they are allowed to participate. Bronson urgent care on West Main and on Gull Rd. charge $50 for a walk in sports physical. They may be able to find something cheaper at a different med. center. If you have a regular pediatrician, they may sign off on a sports physical form if the child has been seen recently.

2. All students must pay a one-time supplemental insurance fee of $30. This can be paid online using the KPS website. Go to "family resources" tab and choose "Revtrack" $30 pay online. Students can also bring a check made out to "Linden Grove Athletics" or pay cash.