KMS NEWSLETTER

Dear KMS Families,

Scheduling for next year is underway, and we want to share a few important changes and reminders! KMS Counselors will visit 6th and 7th Grade classrooms on April 6 to share information about available courses.

Current 6th graders will continue taking separate Reading and Writing classes in 7th grade. The improvement we have seen in student MAP scores and overall performance confirms that dividing ELA into its two core subjects is the right move. This change applies to 7th grade only, as 8th grade will focus on preparing students for high school English.

Because of this change, next year's 7th graders will have room in their schedule for either:

- one year-long music course

OR

- two semester-long electives.

Current 6th graders interested in advanced coursework may sign up for Honors 7th Grade Reading, Writing, and/or Math. Current 7th graders will have similar options, with Honors 8th Grade ELA and Algebra I available to them. Letters with more detailed information went home last week and are attached to this newsletter.

Counselors are speaking with students about these options tomorrow. Students can sign up through their grade-level Schoology course page, or when counselors return to classrooms on Monday, April 13, to finalize registration. Please call your student's counselor or email KMSCounseling@kibsd.org with any questions or concerns.

Parents and guardians, please take a moment to review the Semester 1 and Quarter 3 grades sent home this past Wednesday. If your student has a failing ELA and/or Math grade, reach out to their grade-level counselor to discuss next steps, including Summer School. As noted in the Student Handbook, students who fail ELA and/or Math and do not attend or pass Credit Recovery or Summer School will need to retake that course the following year in place of an elective.

AK STAR State Testing kicks off this Wednesday, and we'd love your help setting your student up for success! Please remind them to charge their iPad overnight, get plenty of sleep, and start each testing day with a healthful breakfast. On our end, we'll be kicking off each testing morning with a 10-minute walk and a snack to help students arrive at their tests feeling their best.

Please don't hesitate to reach out to your student's counselor with any questions or concerns.

Rena Rankin, Principal

Judith Bruns, Assistant Principal

Free & Reduced Lunches

Families affected by a government shutdown may submit a meal application reflecting their current income status. As with all applications, they will be processed based on the information provided. Approved application are good for the entirety of the school year.

Here is the online application: https://www.schoolcafe.com/

MONDAY, 4/6

• MODIFIED SCHEDULE FOR AFTERNOON PEP RALLY
• STUDENT GOVT, 8:20AM, ROOM 103
• KMS COUNSELORS TO 6TH & 7TH GRADE CLASSES RE: COURSE REGISTRATION INFO
• SCIENCE CLUB, 3:50-4:20PM, #101

TUESDAY, 4/7

• MODIFIED SCHEDULE
• 7TH & 8TH GRADE LUNCH BUNCH, LIBRARY CLASSROOM, LUNCH & RECESS
• DRAMA CLUB REHEARSALS, TUE/THU/FRI @ 3:45-5:30, DRAMA POD
• SCIENCE CLUB, 3:50-4:20PM, #101

WEDNESDAY, 4/8

• MODIFIED SCHEDULE, AK STAR TESTING: ELA
• EARLY RELEASE

THURSDAY, 4/9

• MODIFIED SCHEDULE, AK STAR TESTING: ELA
• 7TH & 8TH GRADE LUNCH BUNCH, LIBRARY CLASSROOM, LUNCH & RECESS
• SCIENCE CLUB, 3:50-4:20PM, #101
• DEADLINE FOR CITY OF KODIAK SOCCER REGISTRATION

FRIDAY, 4/10

• DEADLINE FOR 8TH GRADE CLASS TSHIRT DESIGN SUBMISSIONS
• DEADLINE FOR 8TH GRADE BABY PICTURES FOR YEARBOOK
• SCIENCE CLUB, 3:50-4:20PM, #101

Students had a limited amount of time and materials to make the tallest tower. The winning team, Travis Squartsoff Ibarra, Zachary Holt, Nathan Galleto, and Micah Polhemus, built a tower taller than 4 ft! The second place team was Owen Button, and Arlo Pysher.

Applications for eligibility open on Wednesday, April 1st.

https://foodbankofalaska.org/meals-to-you

The Kodiak Island Borough School District is proud to support our communicty by collecting shelf-stable food items for the Salvation Army. Donations will help stock the local food pantry and provide essential support to families in need throughout Kodiak.

Most needed items: peanut butter, canned tuna, canned vegetables, dried beans, canned beans, oatmeal packets, canned chili/soup, and other non-perishable items.

Collection boxes will be provided at KMS and you can send items in with your student to drop off in any box in the hallways.

APRIL

• 4/13 - KMS COUNSELORS VISIT 6TH & 7TH GRADE TO REGISTER FOR NEXT YEARS CLASSES
• 4/13 - ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT ASSEMBLY; MODIFIED SCHEDULE, MORE INFO SOON
• 4/27 - SPRING CHORAL CONCERT, 6:30PM, GERALD C. WILSON AUDITORIUM
• 4/28 - SPRING BAND CONCERT, 6:30PM, GERALD C. WILSON AUDITORIUM
• 4/29 - SPRING ORCHESTRA CONCERT, 6:30PM, GERALD C. WILSON AUDITORIUM

MAY

• 5/1 - ALASKA AIRLINES AVIATION DAY, ANCHORAGE, AK, REGISTRATION REQUIRED
• 5/15 & 5/16 - KMS DRAMA CLUB PRESENTS "WHEN BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD ACTORS" MORE INFO COMING SOON