KSTM Back to School Newsletter

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year!

It is with great pride and excitement that I write this letter to welcome you to the 2024-2025 school year. I hope that this note finds you healthy and well. I am honored to have the opportunity to lead a school with an extremely dedicated staff and a supportive school community.

I view education as a life-long process and expect that I will continue to learn much about the uniqueness of our community this year and in the years to come. Most importantly, I bring a belief that students are at the center of all school-related decisions. I am excited to unite my experience, my openness to learn, and my child-centered approach to support our students. Because the relationships between families and school staff are vital to the success of our students, I encourage you to become involved in every way possible. As the principal, I look forward to working with you to make this year a fabulous year.

• Please drop off your students only on Florence Blvd (the EAST side of the building).
• Students may begin entering the building at 7:10 if they would like to eat breakfast.
• When students arrive in the morning, they must report to either the cafeteria, gym/track (weather depending), or library.
• Our 6th grade students' first day of school is Wednesday, 8/14. On this day, all 6th graders should report to the cafeteria in the morning.
• We will see all of our wildcat students (6-8 graders) on Thursday, 8/15.

Students will be dismissed at 3:05.

• If you are picking up your student after school, please do so only on Florence Blvd. (east side of the building) due to bus pickup on Pratt St. and 22nd St.
• Students riding a school bus will find their bus either on Pratt St. (south side of the building) or 22nd St. (west side of the building). Buses leave promptly at 3:10; please go directly to your bus after school.

• Schedule - you can view your class schedule on your iPad via the Infinite Campus app.
• Suggested school supplies (see list below)
• iPad and charger
• Water bottle (optional)

Below is a suggested list of school supplies for KSTM students:

• Notebooks
• Writing Utensils (pens/pencils)

Individual teachers may have a more specific list of suggested supplies for their classroom which will be communicated with students during the first days of school.

REMINDER: All students are expected to bring their OPS iPad and charger to school daily!

8th Grade Administrators:

• Ms. LaDeidre Jackson: 531-299-4016 LaDeidre.Jackson@ops.org
• Mr. Odell Santos: 531-299-3774 Odell.Santos@ops.org

7th Grade Administrator

• Ms. Nicole Benson: 531-299-7030 Nicole.Benson@ops.org

6th Grade Administrator

• Ms. Roxana Silva: 531-299-9049 Carmen.Silva@ops.org

Instructional Facilitator (all grade levels)

• Mrs. Kelcey Schmitz, 531299-8027 Kelcey.Schmitz@ops.org

Contact AD Odell Santos with questions regarding sports activities or events at 531-299-3774

Contact AP-DP Ms. LaDeidre Jackson at 531-299-4016 w/ questions regarding the Parent Portal

CLICKHERETOLINKTOTHEOPSPARENTPORTAL

Please be advised, food is to only be consumed in the cafeteria. The use of microwaves by students is not permitted. Students are not allowed to DoorDash/Uber Eats/Grubhub or order food delivery. If a parent/guardian would like to arrange a special lunch for their student, please contact their grade level administrator to make these arrangements. As always, students are permitted to bring cold lunches from home. Thank you for supporting this KSTM procedure.

All students will have the option to use an assigned hallway locker this school year.

All students will be given one draw string backpack to start the school year to carry with them from class to class. They may also carry with them small purses, lunch bags, or small side bags. All large items, included large personal backpacks and coats, must be stored in the school issued locker or not brought to school. Items that are not allowed in the classroom, will be taken by school administration or leadership designee and returned to the student the student at the end of the day.

Per the OPS Student Code of Conduct: Student lockers, desks, and other such property are owned by the school. The school exercises exclusive control over this property, and students should not expect privacy regarding items placed in school property because school property is subject to search at any time by school officials. Students are responsible for whatever is contained in desks, lockers, and district owned electronics issued by the school.

Attendance is being taken in every class, every day, for all students. If your student will be absent, please contact the school's attendance secretary before 7:40 a.m. by calling 531-299-2389. If you leave a voicemail, please include your student's name and the reason for the absence.

Regular school attendance is crucial to the development and education of students. Daily engagement will ensure students are on track and prepared, especially as we look toward a return to in-person learning when it is possible. We expect all of our students to arrive on time every day to every class. We appreciate your partnership and support!

At King Science, we expect all students to demonstrate the King Way every day:

• Respectful
• Responsible
• Safe

We would love to see your first day of school pictures! Follow us below and use the hashtag #KSTMProud. We will be on the lookout for your photos!