KAMSC Newsletter

In the month of February the KAMSC staff are hyper focused on two challenge success topics. One is sleep and the other is student engagement in the classroom. This week I will focus on sleep and next week I will share more about engagement.

Starting Monday, Feb. 17th we are officially kicking off a two-week sleep campaign where we work hard to educate parents, students and staff on the benefits of sleep. We had an assembly today for the scheduling of classes for next year where I took the opportunity to share some data with our students on the average amount of sleep KAMSC students are getting per night. In short, from a survey taken last spring only 1.5% of our students reported getting the recommended number of hours that adolescents should per night (9 hours). According to our data, the average number of hours KAMSC students are sleeping is about 6.7 hours per night. Sleep not only refreshes and rejuvenates us, but our brains actually consolidate learning that way. There have been many studies on the power of sleep and learning and it is critically important. So, how can your family emphasize this and actually put this into the "homework routine"? I'll let you discuss that at home. But to kick off the first day (Monday) of the campaign we will have an all KAMSC pajama day! So, we hope kids will wear their PJs and get in the mindset that sleep matters!

One more KAMSC statistic from our students last spring: When asked where students keep their phones when they are sleeping at night, 81% of KAMSC students said their bedroom.

Are you interested in helping work with a group of 5th graders as they rotate through stations here at KAMSC to learn about Math, Science, and Research? We will be hosting approximately 70 5th graders on Monday, Feb. 24th from 2-3:30 pm and need volunteers to help lead small groups of about 10 students through rotations. Please email Sophia Barnard or Eloise Dunfee if you are interested in volunteering for this event.

Making it in College: Life Skills that Lead to Achievement - Below is a link to a flyer on an event at WMU that parents and students are invited to attend.

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.

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. 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