Kimberly High School October 2024

Hello Kimberly High School families,

I hope this message finds you well. It’s hard to believe that the end of the first quarter is nearly upon us. As I reflect on the past few weeks, I am filled with pride for the hard work and dedication that I see from our students and staff every day. Visiting classrooms has been a wonderful reminder of the incredible learning and engagement happening throughout our school.

Equally impressive is the level of involvement in all aspects of school life. It’s what makes our school community so special. We strive to ensure that every student feels a true sense of belonging, and it’s rewarding to see so many students actively engaged in music, theater, clubs, and athletics. Thank you for your continued support in encouraging your child’s involvement at KHS. Your involvement matters deeply and makes a difference.

The pace of daily life can often feel overwhelming, and that’s not just true for adults—our students feel it too. They give their best every day at school, and many immediately head to jobs, practice, or rehearsals, where they pour even more energy into their commitments. Balancing all of these responsibilities is challenging, and helping our students manage the stresses of high school is an ongoing conversation we must have. In the busy months ahead, please continue to check in with your student(s) about how they’re managing the demands of school, extracurriculars, and their own well-being. We encourage you to reach out to our administration, counselors, or teachers if there is any way we can assist your child in navigating these challenges.

One of the most impactful things we can do as a school community is to take time each day to acknowledge the positive contributions our students are making. There are so many good things happening here—let’s continue to celebrate those moments. I am incredibly proud of the dedication and resilience I see from our students and staff, and I am grateful for all that you do at home to support their growth.

As we move into November, I encourage you to find the good in each day—whether it's sharing a word of thanks, finding something to laugh about, or recognizing someone who has made a positive impact. Let’s hold on to those good things, especially during life’s busiest moments..

Thank you for your continued partnership in making our school a place where every student can thrive.

With Great Papermaker Pride,

Mrs. DePeau

Principal

Kimberly School Board Announces Dr. Holly Prast as its Next Superintendent

The Kimberly Area School District (KASD) Board of Education announced Monday evening, October 14, 2024, that Dr. Holly Prast will be the next Superintendent of Schools. Prast will replace Dr. Robert Mayfield, who will retire after 32 years of service at the end of the 2024-25 school year.

“With a rich background in educational leadership and a proven commitment to student success, I have confidence Dr. Prast will continue leading the District toward excellence and growth,” said Mary Pribbenow, President of the KASD Board of Education.

Dr. Prast has spent the past 11 years as Assistant Superintendent for KASD. Prior to that, she held leadership positions as both the Executive Director of Administration and the Director of Assessment, Improvement, and Communications for the Oshkosh Area School District.

“The Kimberly Area School District has a long-standing reputation of excellence. I am honored that the Board has selected me to continue working with our students, families, administrators, teachers, staff and community to maintain our excellence, and build upon it moving forward,” said Dr. Prast. “My goal will be to foster a culture where students see the connection between themselves, their experiences here in KASD, and the world beyond our doors. I look forward to serving our Papermaker Community in this new role.”

Dr. Prast earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from UW-Green Bay, a Master of Educational Administration degree from Marian College, and a Doctoral degree from Cardinal Stritch University. Prast was previously named Wisconsin State Reading Administrator of the Year, and she is a member of the State Reading Advisory Council and the Wisconsin Early Literacy Curriculum Council.

November:

6 - End of quarter 1

12 - Choir concert at 6:00 pm

15 - Early release

21 - Fall Jazz Band concert at 7:00 pm

28 & 29 - No school

December:

12 - Holiday Band concert at 7:00 pm

23-January 1 - Holiday break

The Darboy Kiwanis Club and the Times Village announce the KHS Student of the Month!

Alex Scheberl for the month of September

Madison Lotten for the month of October

Graduation Celebration is the time-honored drug and alcohol free Post Grad Party. Seniors should register now for the best after party filled with food, games, prizes and fun!

See the instructions to purchase this on Infinite Campus through the school store here.

Parents of Seniors- graduation will be here before you know it! Please join us starting in January to help plan the best Post Grad party around for the Class of 2025. Meetings will be help in the KHS LMC from 6:00-7:00 pm on January 8, February 5, March 5, April 9 and May 7. Please contact Kelly Jansen kjansen@kimberly.k12.wi.us to sign up!

March 11, 2025 is ACT day!

The ACT is a challenging three hour test that covers English, Math, Reading, and Science. The scores matter for college admissions (technical, two-year, and university programs), military scholarship, educational scholarship, even the workforce.

The KHS ACT Preparation Program is a FREE opportunity for all 11th grade students at KHS to understand the test, analyze their performance, set appropriate goals, and train for the ACT.

All KHS 11th grade students took the PreACT test on September 27.

Once the scores come in, our work begins!

Join our Google Classroom

View our program calendar

Career Planning

• Freshman students started their 3 month rotation learning and hearing from departments/KHS Paths they are interested in at KHS. This will help students see what opportunities and class options they have as they prepare to schedule their classes in the next couple of months.
• Sophomore students continued their rotations learning about all the post-secondary options (employment, apprenticeship, military, technical college and 4 year college). Learning about all post-secondary options will help them find a path that fits best!
• Juniors and Seniors have an opportunity to pick a breakout session that will help them learn about a specific career or help them learn about a life skill based on their own individual plan for the future.

Juniors and Seniors: Use the checklist to serve as a planning guide as you continue through junior and senior year. Reach out to your counselor with questions. As a reminder, be sure to check with colleges on individual deadlines, etc.

Junior Meetings

High School counselors will begin Junior Meetings during the month of October. Each 11th grade student will have an individual meeting. Topics to be discussed will include the following:

• Post-High School Information/Resources related to their plan

• High School Transcript

• Planning Checklist

• KHS Graduation Requirements

• Student Services QR Codes

If you have any questions related to the junior meetings, please reach out to your student's school counselor.

Community Foundation Scholarships: A representative from Community Foundation Choua Schommer will be here on January 8, 2025 at 1:30 pm to speak to the Class of 2025 about the universal application used to apply for multiple scholarships. Please click here on the sign up link to attend. This will take place in the LGI.

Scholarship Presentation: We will be holding a scholarship presentation for the Class of 2025 on December 11th at 1:45 pm it will take place in the auditorium. . Students are welcome to look at the scholarship link now.

COLLEGE PLANNING STRATEGIES WORKSHOP for Grades 10-12

Date: Tuesday, November 19, Time: 6:00 p.m. CST - a link will be sent prior to the event. Please click here to register. You only need to complete one registration per household.

Need help with planning to pay for college? Then you will want to attend the Thrivent's College Planning Strategies Workshop for Parents & Students being offered virtually on Tuesday, November 19th at 6:00 p.m. This free workshop is open to all grade levels, but will be most useful for grades 10-12. It will help to address parents’/students’ questions regarding the steps to take when planning for the future. Topics will include: Financial Aid, School Selections, the Admissions Process, and etc. Advance registration is requested so we can send you the link to join.

FAFSA ~ Free Application for Federal Student Aid is being updated and will not be available until December 1st. More information will be shared as it is released regarding when students can apply.

Need help with FAFSA, use these resources:

FAFSA Thursdays - this resource is at FVTC, but can be used by anyone.

Career Interest/Aptitude Test

ASVAB Offered at KHS- The ASVAB, a military career exploration assessment, will be offered at Kimberly High School for juniors and seniors. The ASVAB Program is helpful to all students, whether they are planning on immediate employment after high school in civilian or military occupations, or further education. However, no one is under obligation to the military as a result of taking the ASVAB. If you are interested please stop into Student Services to sign up.

Accuplacer: Need to take the Accuplacer for technical college admission? Stop into Student Services to sign up by December 1st or if you have questions about the exam.

TRANSCRIPT REQUESTS

Transcripts required for college applications and other institutions must be ordered through Xello. Log into Xello through Classlink using your Kimberly Google Sign-in.

Contact Student Services if you have any questions. Any transcripts requested are sent electronically. If a university has an application tracker, it may take 1 - 2 weeks to show up on the tracker.

Student Wellness

Have you noticed that your student seems to be overwhelmed since school started and they are stressed out?

Click here to learn 8 Ways to Lower Stress while in High School.

KHS 2025-2026 Scheduling Process

It is hard to believe that we are already thinking about scheduling classes for next year. Below is a summary of the dates when information will be shared and when students will begin the process to select their courses in Xello. A more detailed plan will be shared next month.

** Junior (Class of 2026) Scheduling Information **

• January 6 ~ Counselors meet with all juniors in the Auditorium to hand out scheduling materials and provide a demonstration on how to input course selections in Xello.

• January 28 ~ KHS Career Planning Work Day - Students will have time to explore options, ask questions and enter requests into Xello.

• February 11 ~ All KHS student course requests are submitted into Xello.

** Sophomore (Class of 2027) Scheduling Information **

• January 7 ~ Counselors meet with all sophomores in the Auditorium to hand out scheduling materials and provide a demonstration on how to input course selections in Xello.

• January 28 ~ KHS Career Planning Work Day - Students will have time to explore options, ask questions and enter requests into Xello.

• February 11 ~ All KHS student course requests are submitted into Xello.

** Freshmen (Class of 2028) Scheduling Information **

• January 9 ~ Counselors meet with all freshmen in the Auditorium to hand out scheduling materials and provide a demonstration on how to input course selections in Xello.

• January 28 ~ KHS Career Planning Work Day - Students will have time to explore options, ask questions and enter requests into Xello.

• February 11 ~ All KHS student course requests are submitted into Xello.

Scheduling Help Sessions

Students can stop in Student Services (bring a device) to ask questions and get help regarding their course selections with a counselor on any of the following dates/times during Extended Learning Time:

• Jan 15th ~ 2:10—3:00 PM

• Jan. 22nd ~ 2:10—3:00 PM

• Jan. 29th ~ 2:10—3:00 PM

• Feb. 5th ~ 2:10—3:00 PM

** 8th Grade (Class of 2029) Scheduling Information **

January 21 ~ High School Counselors are at JRG and will meet with all 8th graders to present the scheduling information.

February 3 ~ All JRG student course requests are submitted into Xello.

Kimberly Area School District is seeking support from our community. Make a difference and consider becoming a substitute teacher or a substitute paraprofessional

Flexible and Rewarding

• Earn extra income while your child is at school.
• Turn your volunteer hours into a paid position.
• No prior teaching experience is needed.
• Maintain a flexible work schedule.
• Help students succeed.

Apply here today!

Pertussis Update

We want to let you know there have been cases of pertussis (whooping cough) reported in our community. The health of our students, staff, and families is a top priority, so we want to keep you informed.

What is Pertussis?
Pertussis is a contagious respiratory illness that spreads through droplets from coughs and sneezes. It can affect anyone, but young children and infants are especially at risk.

Symptoms:
Early symptoms may resemble a cold and last 1-2 weeks:

· Runny nose

· Sneezing

· Low-grade fever (between 99.5°F and 100.3°F)

· Mild occasional cough

Later symptoms include severe coughing fits, a "whoop" sound when breathing, or vomiting.

Preventive Measures:

1. Monitor Symptoms: If your child shows symptoms, please consult your healthcare provider and keep them home if symptomatic.

2. Hygiene: Remind children to wash hands frequently, cover coughs, and avoid close contact with the sick.

See the DHS fact sheet for more information. If you have questions please contact your health care provider, Outagamie Public Health Department @ (920) 832-5100, or your school nurse. Thank you for your diligence in helping to control the spread of infections at school and in the community.

Below are the links for our Free and Reduced Lunch program. If you are approved for Free and Reduce lunch, and would also like to have fees waived, it is necessary to also fill out the Sharing of Information form.

Monthly Food Service Newsletter

Free and Reduced School Meals - Application

Free and Reduced School Meals - Information

Free and Reduced School Meals - Sharing Information with Other Programs