KAMSC Newsletter
September 6, 2024
Challenge Success is a program through Standford University that KAMSC is partnering with to work on goals around student well-being, student engagement, and belonging. We have a team that oversees the work and the team consists of three students, three teachers, two parents and myself. Two weeks ago, I defined for you PDF (play time, down time, and family time) which is a Challenge Success component. Last week I described for you our new MTSS system which is one of the action items within our Challenge Success plan. This week I wanted to share with you a few resources to review.
What students wish we knew video
Throughout the year, I will continue to share our Challenge Success goals and success in reaching those goals. Overall, we are working hard on the culture at KAMSC to reduce student anxiety and increase, well-being, engagement and belonging.
Heather Kortlandt
Director, KAMSC
Freshmen Mixer
Any student in Honors Biology is welcomed and encouraged to attend a field trip to the West Lake Nature Preserve to explore a variety of ecosystems and the flora and fauna characteristics of Southwest Michigan. Each student is assigned a date based on their KAMSC group, either Sept 17, 18, or 19. The permission slip can be accessed by clicking the button below. Students will be transported by school bus from KAMSC to West Lake and back. They will leave at 8am and return at 10:15. Please dress appropriately for the weather as students will be outside for the entire time.
- No open-toed shoes or sandals
- Consider bring sunscreen or insect repellent.
- Students should also bring a notebook and writing utensil.
discuss opportunities for KAMSC students. All students and families are invited.
We also have College Admissions Representative visits: check the College Planning Calendar on our website: https://kamsc.org/college-visits/ This will be updated as visits are scheduled.
Who is Cleo? You may have met him at open house, but Cleo is a district provided therapist that KAMSC students are able to seek counseling with if needed. When I talked with Cleo this week he said that some of his busiest times last year at KAMSC were around exam times. You can imagine the type of stress students are under at that time between exams here and at their partner district. He is a wonderful resource and we want to make sure all parents and students know and understand that he is available at open lab on Wednesday nights. He can also accommodate phone or virtual appointments at other times if your student is unable to make it to open lab. Cleo is pictured here with Mrs. Joyce at Open house this week.
If you student is going to be absent from school you must notify both your partner school and KAMSC (if they are gone all day) and always KAMSC if they are gone during their KAMSC classes. Please remember that attendance is vital as the content moves fast and we want students to have as much of their classroom experience as possible. To notify KAMSC call (337-0004) or email kamsc.office@kamsc.org.
If you are dropping off or picking up your student at KAMSC, please do so at the Vine Street entrance. Please find a safe place to pull over and then have you student proceed to the Vine street entrance. If students are driving themselves:
1. They need to acquire a parking pass from the KAMSC office - please fill this out
2. They need to park by the El Sol playground off of Dutton Street (but then walk to Vine street entrance)
3. They should be reminded to not keep anything valuable in their car and to keep their cars locked at all times.
4. The building will have a campus security officer at the Vine Street entrance during times of arrivals and dismissals.
KAMSC follows the KPS code of conduct for student discipline. Please be advised of it. Specific behaviors we would love your help with talking with your child about at home are:
- Academic Integrity - cheating is rampant in many high schools today with the influx of AI tools at the disposal of students. We need students' own authentic work being handed in. Keep in mind that the real lesson here is that the person who does the learning is the person who does the work. Students ultimately cheat themselves out of learning in these scenarios.
- Bullying- We know that with so many human interactions happening from class to class and in between that students will be navigating their interpersonal/social skills. Please remind them that choosing to be nice is always the best choice. True bullying is pervasive in nature and is disruptive to the learning environment, but if we all treat each other with kindness daily, we won't venture into this territory.
- Name calling/inappropriate language - Words matter. At KAMSC we are so lucky to come together from so many different households, partner schools and backgrounds. We must be very thoughtful about the words we use so that everyone here feels safe and welcomed.
