Kimberly High School December 2025

Dear KHS Families,

Every student. Every day. This belief continues to guide our work at KHS. We know that small, consistent daily habits matter, and we remain focused on helping each student grow and succeed. Our efforts are centered on three key areas: student growth and achievement, student culture, and college and career readiness. Over the first three months of school, our students and staff have been intentional in their work around these priorities, and it is wonderful to see the progress taking place each day.

As we head toward the end of the first semester, we are already looking ahead and continuing our focus on college and career readiness. For our 9th–11th grade students, this means beginning the process of planning their 2026–2027 schedules. High school is an important time for students to explore their interests and discover new opportunities, and we are fortunate to offer a wide variety of courses. We are also excited to share that several new courses will be available next year, including Oceanography, Math 3 Essentials, FVTC Quantitative Reasoning, Math 3 Advanced, and Math 3 Modeling. More details about these courses, and all of our offerings, can be found in the Course Description Handbook available online.

Additionally, our focus on growth remains strong, with an emphasis on at least two points of growth for every student. One way we measure and support that growth is through our state assessments. Testing for students in grades 9–11 will take place in March. Specific testing dates and schedules are included later in this newsletter. To support students, we offer free ACT preparation sessions at KHS, click here for more details. In addition to our offerings, additional practice resources are available through ACT here that closely mirrors the format and content of the actual assessments. We encourage students to take advantage of these opportunities, as practice can help build confidence and readiness.

Finally, our continued growth, achievement, and excellence are closely linked to the pride and value our families and community place on education. I want to thank you for your continued support and partnership. We truly appreciate the strong sense of community that surrounds our school. On behalf of our entire staff, I wish you and your family a happy, healthy, and joy-filled holiday season.

With great Papermaker Pride,

Mrs. DePeau
Principal

Safety is Our Collective Responsibility
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.

See Something, Say Something
Safety is a shared responsibility. If your child ever sees or hears something that doesn’t seem right, whether in person or online, please encourage them to speak up to a trusted adult or report it right away. Working together we can prevent small concerns from becoming bigger problems. If you see or hear something after hours, don’t wait! Call the non-emergency line for your local police department to report the issue. They will get a hold of someone in the schools and make sure we address the issue ASAP. Together we can make a difference!

December:

15 - Holiday band concert 6:30 pm

17 - Carols in the Commons 6:00 pm

24 - Jan 4 - Winter break

January:

1-4 - Winter break

23 - End of semester

26 - Start of 2nd semester

As part of its assessment and accountability system, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction creates a School Report Card for every publicly funded school in the state. The Report Cards are intended to help all schools and districts utilize data related to student achievement to monitor their performance and target their improvement efforts. On its Report Card, a school receives a score on a scale of 0 to 100 and one of five ratings based on that score. The ratings range from Fails to Meet Expectations to Significantly Exceeds Expectations. The school’s score and rating are primarily based on the school’s performance on statewide assessments in the 2024-25 school year.

Kimberly High School’s Report Card score was 73.2 and this gave the school a rating of Exceeds Expectations. You can access Kimberly High School’s Report Card along with those for all of the district’s schools and a District Report Card on the DPI’s website:

http://dpi.wi.gov/accountability/report-cards

Report Card scores as well as other district performance reports can also be accessed from the Kimberly Area School District’s website:

http://www.kimberly.k12.wi.us/departments/about/performance-reports

On the actual Report Card, parents can review the specific student performance information that is used to calculate the school’s overall score. Keep in mind that these Report Cards are just one source of information about our school. Our staff will use the data from our Report Card as part of our continuous improvement efforts during the current school year. If you have questions about the Report Card feel free to contact me.

Jacqueline DePeau

Principal

Kimberly High School

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

December - Bryce Mengert

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.

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: Jan 7, Feb 4, 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

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!

See the instructions to purchase this on Infinite Campus through the school store here.

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

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

Great gift ideas for Papermaker Fans!

Kimberly Online store

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.

UPCOMING EVENTS

🗓️ Upcoming 10th Grade Counselor Meetings:

This December, KHS counselors will meet with 10th-grade students in small groups for academic and future planning. We will review transcripts and graduation requirements to ensure students are on track. Students will then update their "KHS Story" and explore the "KHS Paths" program. These resources are designed to help students connect their interests to meaningful course choices and understand how taking introductory courses in a path of interest can be a helpful form of career exploration. Following this meeting, students will be asked to share their updated "KHS Story" with a parent or guardian, which is a great opportunity to discuss their progress and goals at home.

Breakout sessions for Juniors and Seniors: Over the next three months, juniors and seniors will participate in breakout sessions where they can select from 50 speakers representing 16 career clusters. The breakout sessions are set up to help students explore specific careers and learn life skills based on their individual future goals.

Juniors and Seniors:

Use this checklist to serve as a planning guide as you continue through junior and senior year. Reach out to your counselor with questions.

UW-System Admissions: Find a program

There are thousands of majors and academic programs available within the UW System. Use any or all of the filters available to find the one for you! Your major/program can always be changed later by emailing the campus or at orientation. Click here to search.

UW-System Admissions: Find a program

There are thousands of majors and academic programs available within the UW System. Use any or all of the filters available to find the one for you! Your major/program can always be changed later by emailing the campus or at orientation. Click here to search.

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.

Seniors:

Seniors attending a 2 or 4 year college: Complete the FAFSA.

(Free Application for Federal Student Aid) ~ The improved FAFSA became available for students and parents on October 1st. Students who complete the form will receive a confirmation and see their estimated student aid eligibility. All families are encouraged to apply as many scholarships or programs require this information to earn other awards.

FAFSA Support Opportunities

College Goal Wisconsin

It will take more than good luck and best intentions to pay for college. You need a plan of action, and it should include College Goal Wisconsin!

College Goal Wisconsin is affiliated with a national event that provides free information and assistance to families who need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) , the federally required form for students seeking financial aid, such as grants and loans. Completing the FAFSA is the first and most important step in qualifying for aid.

College Goal Wisconsin offers the following:

• In-Person or Virtual Sessions

• English and Spanish help is available

• Attendees earn a chance for a $1000 Scholarship

Sign up to attend: Click Here

What to bring: Click Here for more information.

KHS 2026-2027 Scheduling Process

It is hard to believe that we are already thinking about scheduling classes for next year. Below is a summary of the dates when information will be shared and when students will begin the process to select their courses in Xello. A more detailed plan will be shared next month.

🎓 Important Dates by Class:

Class of 2027 (Juniors)

• Jan 6: Counselor Presentation

• Jan 6 – Feb 8: Enter requests in Xello

• Jan 27 & Feb 5: Scheduling Workdays (Report to Assigned Flex Advisors Room)

• Feb 9–10: Final submissions (Report to Assigned Flex Advisors Room)

Class of 2028 (Sophomores)

• Jan 7: Counselor Presentation

• Jan 7 – Feb 8: Enter requests in Xello

• Jan 27 & Feb 5: Scheduling Workdays (Report to Assigned Flex Advisors Room)

• Feb 9–10: Final submissions (Report to Assigned Flex Advisors Room)

Class of 2029 (Freshmen)

• Jan 8: Counselor Presentation

• Jan 8 – Feb 8: Enter requests in Xello

• Jan 27 & Feb 5: Scheduling Workdays (Report to Assigned Flex Advisors Room)

• Feb 9–10: Final submissions (Report to Assigned Flex Advisors Room)
  
  

🔄 Makeup Presentation:

Jan 12 during Flextime (Grades 9–11)

🆘 Scheduling Help Sessions (Grades 9–11):

Jan 15, 22, 29 & Feb 6 | 9:12–9:43 AM ~ Students can sign up to attend during Flextime

STUDENT WELLNESS

Looking for ways to help your teen deal with stress?

If your teen is feeling stressed out, here are some practical things they can do to feel better:

• Prioritize Physical Health: Maintain a routine of regular exercise and nutritious meals.

• Focus on Sleep: Ensure you are getting adequate rest and sticking to a consistent sleep schedule.

• Limit Stimulants: Cut back on caffeine, as too much can trigger agitation and mimic anxiety symptoms.

• Practice Mindfulness: Utilize relaxation techniques, such as deep abdominal breathing and progressive muscle relaxation.

• Manage Your Workload: Tackle overwhelming projects by breaking them down into smaller, bite-sized steps.

• Shift Your Mindset: Actively work to reduce negative inner self-talk and self-criticism.

• Disengage and Reset: Step away from stressful scenarios to recharge. Engaging in hobbies like drawing, writing, listening to music, or playing with pets can help.

• Cultivate Support: Surround yourself with a circle of friends who offer positive reinforcement and healthy coping support.

Knowing When & How to Access Extra Support: Sometimes, healthy habits aren't enough. If stress escalates to the point where it feels unmanageable or affects your student's ability to function, it is time to reach out. You do not have to navigate this alone.

Start with your KHS Counselor. Your school counselor is your primary connection to a variety of mental health resources available right here in our district. They can assess your needs and refer you to the program that fits best:

• On-Site Counseling Partners: We have therapists from PATH Counseling and Rawhide Youth Services available to see students directly at school, removing the barrier of transportation.

• Triumph Program: A specialized district mental health program for students needing higher-level intervention.

Please contact the KHS Student Services office at 920-687-3024 (Press #3) for more information regarding these resources.

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.

Come and join us to learn more about transition. As our students with disabilities get older, planning for what comes next can be stressful. We want to assist you in connecting with agencies, pertaining to guardianship and financial supports. This event will take place on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at Kimberly High School from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. There will be several guest speakers including a financial advisor and a WI Guardian Support Center Attorney. There will also be informational booths regarding day service agencies, leisure and social groups, and financial and housing supports.

Supervision will be provided for students and siblings by KASD staff and SOAR.

Please email kholtermann@kimberly.k12.wi.us, or abruyette@kimberly.k12.wi or use the QR code on the flyer to indicate you will attend and/or need supervision for students.

Parent Transition Series Flyer

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

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