Kimberly High School August 2024
Family Newsletter
Hello KHS Families,
Welcome to the start of a new school year! I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying these final days of summer. We are looking forward to having students back next week. We have an incredible staff who pride themselves on helping every student grow and reach their full potential in academics, arts and co-curriculars.
As I begin my seventh year as the principal of Kimberly high school and my 19th year overall in education, I can honestly say that the excitement and energy around the start of a new school year never gets old. To our families who will have students at KHS for the first time, welcome. You are joining a school community that prides itself on a commitment to excellence.
Our commitment to excellence at KHS starts with our grounding principles, and these principles guide our work each and every day. It is important that our students, staff, and families know and understand these principles as well.
First, our stories matter. Everyone has a story, and everyone’s story matters. One of the greatest parts of being an educator is getting to know our students’ stories. We are so fortunate to be a part of your student’s story, and we are honored to have that responsibility.
All students can achieve at a high level, and we will do everything we can to continue to support all students in their journey.
The safety and well-being of our students and staff is at the forefront of our planning and daily work. We will continue to be diligent in our efforts to ensure all students feel safe, welcome, and represented at KHS. Ensuring our students attend a school that is free of drugs and alcohol is a major piece of creating a safe learning environment. PromiseMakers is a group of students and families who have committed to remaining free of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and all vape products. I am proud to say we have over 560 students already signed up and look forward to continuing to see that number grow.
Finally, our response matters. This is true in everything we do. We are all surrounded daily with choices and circumstances that require a response. The ability to slow down, listen, and respond productively in those moments is critical. I shared the below message with our staff during our welcome back meeting and I think it is an important reminder for all of us..
Be The Best You Can Be In The Moment You Are In
I am beyond grateful to be a Papermaker and to be part of a community that cares so much. Please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have. Thank you for all you do, and I am excited for the year ahead.
With great Papermaker Pride,
Mrs. DePeau
Principal
Parking at KHS is a privilege! Parking is regulated with parking permit hang tags (application below) which must be hung on the rearview mirror. Parking is strictly limited to the student parking area (west lot or church lot). The parking lot is patrolled so that vehicles belonging to our school community may be identified and to ensure that the parking lot is utilized to the maximum benefit.
Parking Permits will be limited to the space available in the lots
• Students can obtain a permit when presenting the below form and a valid driver's license.
• Notify the office immediately if your permit is lost or stolen.
Dear Kimberly High School Parent or Guardian,
This spring all public school students will once again participate in state assessments as outlined in the Wisconsin Student Assessment System (WSAS). The WSAS is a statewide program that has outlined required assessments in core academic areas. State assessments are required by both State (Wis. Stat. § 118.30) and Federal ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) Law. Required testing at the high school level includes the following:
Pre ACT Secure - grades nine and ten
Wisconsin Forward - grade ten
ACT Plus Writing - grade eleven
Pre ACT Secure is an online test that covers the subjects of English, reading, mathematics, and science and is aligned to the ACT that is taken during a student’s 11th grade year, and it will include a predicted score for the ACT exam. Grades 9 and 10 will complete PreACT Secure testing on March 18th (grades 11 and 12 will not report on this day). Sophomores will also take the Wisconsin Forward Exam, a social studies test, that will be administered by computer as well. This assessment will be completed within our Career Planning schedule on April 8th, and none of the other grades will be impacted.
Juniors in the state of Wisconsin are required to take the ACT assessment. This year, that test will be held on March 11th at KHS. Juniors will be the only class to report on March 11th. Grades 9,10, and 12 will not report on that day.
For your convenience utilize the 2024-2025 State Testing overview which has each of these dates listed in addition to the testing windows for our district MAP testing. One change that is important to note for this year is that a practice test for the ACT will replace MAP testing for our juniors. This will occur during the morning of September 27th within our half day schedule, and no other grade levels will be impacted. Please note these dates and do your best to avoid them for scheduled absences for your student.
Additional information about these assessments will be shared as the dates get closer. If you have questions about any of our assessments for the year, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Kaaren Weyers
Kimberly High School
Assistant Principal
920.423.4152
Neo-Futurism Workshop
KHS Theatre is hosting a Neo-Futurist workshop on September 20 from 5:30-8:00pm and September 21 from 9:00am-8:00pm Workshop participants will be guided by several KHS alumni Neo-Futurists in creating, rehearsing, and performing their own Neo-Futurist plays, all within one day (and a few hours). If you are interested in learning more about the style, this will be a fun, engaging, and energetic way to do it with a group of top-notch alumni playwright/actors! This workshop is open to all KHS students who want to learn more about Neo-Futurism! Learn more and sign up at www.kimberlytheatre.com.
Fishing Team - New this year to KHS!
The Kimberly High School Fishing Team is dedicated to promoting the sport of fishing while providing students with opportunities to explore career pathways in fishing-related fields. Through active participation in local and regional fishing competitions organized by the Wisconsin Interscholastic Fishing Association (WIFA), our team strives to enhance skills, foster teamwork, and encourage environmental stewardship. With a focus on both competitive and recreational fishing, the team aims to inspire a lifelong passion for the sport and open doors to future careers in the fishing industry. For more information see the Fishing Team announcement.