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AUTUMN NEWSLETTER
KAHLOTUS SCHOOL DISTRICT
OCTOBER 2023
Dear Kahlotus Families,
As the colors of fall fill our community, our students are enjoying fun and adventures. From tasty lunches, to playing in the sunshine, to making new friends. Our school district is also on the move with new programs and a major construction project. Here are some highlights from this newsletter.
- Construction Remodeling Project
- Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
- February Levy
- Talented and Gifted
- Assessments
- Dyslexia Screening
- FlashAlert
Construction Update
The Kahlotus School District received our official letter of award from OSPI for the planning portion of the Small District Modernization Grant (SDMG). The grant, which totals $6,000,000.00 will allow the Kahlotus School District to completely renovate buildings and replace systems such as the boiler as well as add security and access features. With the initial grant allowed, there is access to an additional $6,000,000.00 for a total budget of $12,000,000.00. A walkthrough with Dan Purefoy from Construction Services Group on October 11th included buildings, tunnels, roof tops and grounds. The surveyor looked at the conditions and ages of our structures and systems.
The information will be parlayed into the detailed project scope for both SDMG and SCAP requests. The recommendation is that we do a complete remodel and update, taking everything down to the frame. The current cost projection is $12,600,000.00. Form-calculated costs include basic design services, design services contingency, construction contingency, materials and project management. Currently the project would start in July of 2025.
SPOTLIGHT: Students Are Recognized by Staff
Collin Trainer: Student of the Month in September
Dakota Westman: Student of the Month in September
Abby Sanchez: Student of the Month in September
Gunnar Ayers: Student of the Month in September
Katelyn Williams: Student of the Month in September
Carlee Yerbich: Student of the Month in September
MULTI-TIERED SYSTEM OF SUPPORTS
As education changes to meet the needs of today's students, we continue to work toward a strong system of both academic and behavioral support and intervention with all students PreK-12. One of the ways KSD will build our system is through MTSS. The essential components of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) are interrelated, and as the needs of students increase, each of the components also increases. Staff teams share the responsibility of making decisions for student needs for school work and personal growth based on a framework. These decisions are driven by high-quality data collected over time from multiple sources. Teams engage families, students, and community partners to plan, implement, and improve all services and programs with each individual student at the heart of the work. Staff and community partners provide a continuum of supports to students through a tiered delivery system, starting with strong core instruction (Tier 1). MTSS components enable teams to work together to adapt instruction and supports to varied student needs. It is driven by a focus on equity, inclusion, and collaboration. MTSS is not new in Washington, and is used in almost all of the 295 school districts as it is required to receive federal funding. The key to benefits and support of all students is to have information/data about the individual through conversations, assessments, daily work and behavior. As we work to build full and proper supports for all our students PreK-12, staff and families have a wonderful opportunity to work together!
SPOTLIGHT: Middle & High School Students Learn About Local Industry and Careers
Students listen to professionals at Little Goose Dam talk about their jobs and skills needed to work in the waterways system.
Grades 7-12 enjoyed the tour of the Little Goose locks and dam.
Students and staff watch as water is moved in the locks for barge traffic.
Students With Exceptional Gifts
In K-12 education, our goal is to meet the unique learning needs, aptitudes and interests of all of our students. We recognize that highly capable students perform or show potential for performing at significantly advanced academic levels when compared with others of their age, experience, or environments. Outstanding abilities are recognized within students’ general academic talents, specific academic abilities, and/or creative capabilities such as with music or art. Highly capable students are present in Kindergarten through 12th grade throughout our schools and throughout all demographic groups. Students who are highly capable show learning characteristics such as:
- Capacity to learn with unusual depth of understanding, to retain what has been learned, and to transfer learning to new situations;
- Capacity and willingness to deal with increasing levels of abstraction and complexity earlier than their peers;
- Creative ability to make unusual connections among ideas and concepts;
- Ability to learn quickly in their area(s) of intellectual strength; and
- Capacity for intense concentration and/or focus.
As we provide screening for all our students during the first week of November, those with truly unique gifts will have the opportunity for enrichment, advanced learning opportunities and unique academic challenges based on their qualification for program participation. Parents will be contacted if their student qualifies for the Highly Capable program. Parents may also opt out of this screening by filling out an opt-out form in the main office. As the program is local, screening information will not be shared outside of the school and all students will have the opportunity to be considered for the Highly Capable program.
Spotlight: Community Makes Open House a Success
Show Your Koyote Pride
We have our own personal, online Koyote store for students, staff, parents and community members. Show your Koyote pride and purchase clothing with our school logo! Click on Koyote Gear and order by November 1st. All orders willl come to the school district and can be picked up or sent home from there.
Levy May be on the February Ballot for Kahlotus School District
The Kahlotus school board discussed running a levy at the October school board meeting and will listen to a levy presentation at the November 21st board meeting. The board will then entertain a resolution to run a levy measure in February, 2024. Every 2-4 years, school districts may run bonds or levies to collect money for facilities, programs, and services. Because the funding provided by the state does not cover the actual costs to operate a school district, districts often utilize bonds and levies to bridge the gap. A levy is a local property tax passed by the voters of a school district that generates revenue to fund programs and services that the state does not pay for as part of “basic education.” There are three main types of levies: enrichment, capital, and transportation levies.
Enrichment levies, also known as Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) levies and Maintenance and Operations (M&O) levies, allow a school district to provide things like teachers, support staff, supplies and materials, or services that the state only partially funds. Capital levies (which includes tech levies) fund things like modern technology, enhanced building security, and smaller renovation projects. Capital levies can be approved for up to six years. Transportation levies fund things like new buses or major repairs to older buses to prolong their useful life. Transportation levies can be approved for up to two years. Both bonds and levies require voter approval, with levies requiring a simple majority (50% +1) to pass.
Spotlight: High School Students Achieve Passing Score on the ASVAB
Dyslexia Screening Requirement Supports Students in K-2
Dyslexia is a specific learning disorder that is neurological in origin and that is characterized by unexpected difficulties with accurate or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and word decoding abilities that are not consistent with the student's intelligence, motivation, and sensory capabilities. As of fall of 2020, Washington state requires all students in grades K-2 to be screened for dyslexia according to the recommendations of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), and as of fall 2021, all schools must also utilize a multi-tiered system (MTSS) to provide support and intervention for students where there are gaps in learning or ability. Specific types of instruction must be provided for students who are identified as dyslexic. KSD will be screening for dyslexia beginning in late October and into November for all K-2 students.
ASSESSMENTS
State tests are an objective way of showing how well students met the expectations of their grade level. They are only one of many measures and aren’t meant to tell the whole story of a student’s performance. Student acheivement and progress should be combined with other information, such as report card grades, classwork and teacher observations to give families a complete picture of their child’s academic performance. Along with teacher feedback, testing measures can give families information about student performance so they can better support learning at home as well as advocate for their child. While families can opt out of assessments, which is considered a refusal by the state, opting out is highly discouraged as we work to create a whole picture of each of our students. Here are some facts about how the state test and other asssessments affect students, schools, and districts:
- Students in grades 3-8: Test results help families know if their student's learning is on track, or if extra help is needed. Some school districts use state test results to determine a student's eligibility for special programs, like accelerated learning opportunities such as Highly Capable. Please contact the district for more information.
- Students in high school: All students, regardless of which graduation pathway they intend to complete, are expected to take the appropriate Smarter Balanced Assessments in ELA and math during 10th grade, and to incorporate their results into their High School and Beyond Plan which is required for graduation.
- Schools and districts: Test refusals penalize schools and districts. Students who do not test are counted among the number of students who do not meet standard. This is reflected in the Accountability Index. Schools and districts that fall below a 95 percent participation rate on state tests jeopardize eligibility for any state or federal awards or recognitions.
While the state tests, Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) and Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS) are given only in the spring, KSD uses screeners and assessments of learning across the school year. If you would like to know more about the results for your student, please contact your childs teacher or Mr. Bitzer, the district assessment coordinator.
Spotlight: October is National Principals Month
In the Kahlotus School District, we are extremely lucky to have an amazing principal who works tirelessly to serve and support our students. Mr. Mark Bitzer has been part of student's lives in Kahlotus for 27 years, with this year being 28. We honor and celebrate our principal! THANK YOU Mr. Bitzer!
Spotlight: Kahlotus School District Welcomes Three New Staff
Aaron Wells, Maintenance
Rachel Villa, Food Services
Dr. Andie Webb, Superintendent
Spotlight: Perfect Attendance in September
Abby Sanchez: Kindergarten
Angel Westman:4th Grade
Carson Romeike: 6th Grade
Dakota Westman: 6th Grade
Victoria Romeike: 4th Grade
Erick Medina Perez: 6th Grade
Devon Palencia: 10th Grade
Gunnar Ayers: 11th Grade
Hector Medina Perez: 9th Grade
We Celebrate and Honor
American Indian Heritage Month
Connect With Kahlotus School District
There are multiple ways to connect with the Kahlotus School District including our district webpage, Facebook page, and Instagram. In addition, you can upload the App for FlashAlert in order to get updates or emergency notifications. Please click and connect with us!
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
Monday, October 23rd-November 14th Canned Food Drive
Friday, October 27th Fall Festival & ScaryWood
Tuesday, October 31 Costume Parade PreK at 10:45, Elementary at 1:15
Wednesday, November 1 First day of American Indian/Native American Heritage Month
Wednesday, November 8th Parent/Teacher Conferences 2:45-6:15 pm
Thursday, November 9th Half Day of School, Early Release
Friday, November 10th Veterans Day Observed-No School
Thursday, November 16th Community Thanksgiving Dinner 5:00-7:00 pm
Tuesday, November 21st Board Meeting 6:00 PM
Wednesday, November 22nd Early Release
Thursday/Friday, November 23-24th Thanksgiving Break
Thursday, December 14th 2nd Thursday
Friday, December 22nd Early Release
December 25- January 5th, Winter Break