KAMSC Newsletter

Good Evening Parents! We have a lot of good news to share this week. We had a tremendous turnout for the HOSA group this year and they all did such a great job at their competition last weekend. You can see more details below. We also had a student receive a social justice award that we want to highlight as well. Last weekend three of our students competed in a oratory competition of the American Legion leaving with some great prizes and recognition.

As we kick off the new semester, I want to communicate again that we will be continuing the MTSS process based on semester grades as most of our courses are year long courses with content building on itself. So we used the final semester grades to decide who could use immediate support. Believe it or not but waiting three more weeks can be detrimental all semester long to a student who needs continued support now. We have had a few Tier III meetings this week to set up more formal academic support as well as continued study table support for the Tier II support. We received great feedback from the first semester on study table support and will continue that support. Please be on the lookout for these emails and sign your students up as soon as possible so we can get the tutors in place for them.

Mrs. Chapoton, advisor of HOSA (an organization for future health professionals) and Mrs. Witt-Thomas took 40 students to the regional HOSA competition this past weekend and 35 of our 40 students qualified for the State Competition. Twenty students received Gold Medals from the event. We are so proud of them! The State event will take place April 17-18 at the Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City. If you want to learn more about HOSA, click here.

Isabella Morris was awarded the Social Justice Youth Award on Monday night by the Kalamazoo City Commission. She along with seven other students from the area will receive a scholarship and a free one-year subscription to the NAACP. These students are awarded this honor based on how they show their commitment to causes that promote social justice and equity for everyone. Isabella was nominated by Mrs. Joyce. Pictured here is the two of them from Monday's event. We are so proud of you Isabella!

Last weekend Brianna Zhang. KAMSC Junior (1st place), Janelle Yao, KAMSC Junior (2nd place)

and Rowan Harlow, KAMSC Sophomore (2nd place) all participated in the American Legion Oratory competition. Brianna's title was " “What Democracy Means". Great job!

Are you starting to plan your summer for 2025? It's never too early to think about all the things your child may want to do or experience. Mrs. Joyce has put together a beautiful lists of options in case you are looking for opportunities such as these. Click the button below.

If you or someone you know are looking for ways to give, then look no further. We are beginning to raise funds for Sizzlin Summer Science Camp 2025. Your donation will go towards the program as a whole with costs that include materials, staffing and reduced costs for families in need.

I received an email from the South Central Michigan Society of Women Engineers looking for help at an event at the Air Zoo. Here is what the email said:

"Hello, I'm looking for some High School students that would be interested in volunteering for the Corporate Engineering Challenge at the Air Zoo on February 22nd.
Anyone interested can sign up here and there are slots for HS students

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0F4EACAF23A7FD0-54185118-2025#/

Thanks so much for the help!

Michelle Scott
South Central Michigan Society of Women Engineers
CEC Chair

We have received some very positive feedback from students and families on the virtual study table that was provided for students needing just a little extra support. We also know that it frustrated a few. Please know, we are taking in all of the feedback and weighing it and discussing it. The MTSS structure is in place to help provide extra support as early as possible. We aim to be as supportive in the learning process as possible and to make students aware of support that we offer. We hope that the system forms a great check-in process with their teachers and gets students support if they are in need. To review the structure, click the button below.

As Mandated by the Michigan Department of Education, if your child is not/will not be present in any scheduled KAMSC classes on, Wednesday February 12, it is vital that you send a written notice or email to KAMSC.OFFICE@kamsc.org or to patricia.sanders@kamsc.org, stating:

1. the reason for the absence; and

2. when we may expect your student to return to his/her classes.

Please include both of these points in your email.

Also, please remind your student to check in with ALL of their KMASC teachers. This includes classes that are not normally scheduled on a Wednesday including those with 7th hours.

Thank you for your help with this important day for schools.

We are excited to announce that the KAMSC has now become certified to hand out the Presidential Volunteer Service Award (PVSA)! Thanks to the hard work of our Student Senate students for researching the program and bringing it my attention.

This award is an opportunity for all students at KAMSC to be recognized for volunteering within their communities

KAMSC plans to give out these awards, which includes a medallion, during Project Day Awards Night, after submitting the applications to the government in early-April. The PVSA is also amazing for students who want to build an application for college, or want one award to recognize all of their various volunteer engagements.

Every student is welcome to sign up to the Google Classroom, which will house each individual’s Google Sheets to keep track of their volunteer events and hours. - The Google Classroom where you will log your hours and provide your evidence is up and running and the code for that is: 2sonss5

Further information about the PVSA is available at their website: https://presidentialserviceawards.gov/

If your 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, it is linked here. Specific behaviors we would love your help with talking with your child about at home are:

• Academic Integrity
• Bullying
• Name calling/inappropriate language

Wed. Feb. 5 - Open Lab 6-7:30pm

Wed. Feb. 12 - Pupil "Count Day"

Wed. Feb. 12 - Open Lab 6-7:30pm

Wed. Feb. 19 - Open Lab 6-7:30

Wed. Feb. 19 - Parent Org Meeting 6:15-7 - all are welcome

Fri. Feb. 28 - No School for Students - Teacher Professional Development Day