KAMSC Newsletter

In last week's newsletter I introduced to you the acronym KAMSC CORE as seen in our new logo. This week I want to introduce to you an acronym to help you remember the three tenants of Challenge Success which is WEB. This stands for wellbeing, engagement, and belonging. I'm constantly thinking about these three big ideas and asking myself, how I think we are doing. This week I'm feeling especially good around belonging and some things we are working on to this end. First of all, our multicultural club did a fantastic job putting on their second annual potluck to celebrate diversity in our food traditions. We are also actively working on selecting a speaker for our students on cultural sensitivity. This was a goal lifted by the school last year when they dug into the survey data that was given last spring to students, staff and parents. Another aspect of belonging that our teachers work hard at with students is the idea of imposter syndrome. KAMSC is rigorous and often the first time some of our students are really challenged. Some begin to question whether they belong here. We want students to know they are supported if they struggle. This is our "why" behind our new MTSS system. Please reiterate at home that it is ok to struggle. The struggle is where learning occurs! This is to be celebrated and we are here to support!

This marks the 9th annual Giving Tuesday, a movement to promote "radical generosity". If you are looking for ways to give this year on giving Tuesday, then look no further! We are beginning to raise funds for our Sizzlin Summer Science Camp for 2025. Your donation will go directly to all things for this program such as materials, costs for students that can't afford the fee as well as staffing. We are looking for ways to help support the program without raising costs too much at one time for families. This provides safe, fun, and STEM based educational opportunities for area kids in the summertime. If you donate, you will receive a donation letter for your tax purposes.

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. Here’s how it works:

1. Students age 15 and under need a minimum of 50 hours within the last 12 months to receive the bronze medal.

2. Students 16 and above need a minimum of 100 hours within the last 12 months to receive the bronze medal.

A more descriptive table is in the picture below:

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. Students will be asked to provide information, such as each volunteer event, time allotted, contact information for the event, etc. The age category that each applicant falls under will depend on their age at the time of submitting this sheet in early April.

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

As a reminder when KPS students have a half day the bus picks up the morning students a bit earlier, around 10:10 and then there is no bussing for afternoon students. KAMSC is in session a full day for all students, please plan accordingly.

All Freshman will leave KAMSC and visit WMU library. They will leave at 8 am and return at 10:15. They will use this time to learn about doing research at a college library. Please fill out the permission slip that was sent digitally to your child. They will submit it through their Google Classroom.

On Wednesday December 4th we will be hosting an open house for 8th graders and their parents around the county to kick off "application season". We are in need of the following parents to serve in a classroom after the main presentation is finished to answer parent and student questions. You will also be paired with at least one student and they will likely be able to answer most of the questions. Use the sign up below to sign up. If you don't see your school on the sign up it is because we already have a parent that has volunteered through the parent org meeting this week.

If you are a parent of an 8th grader or know one that you want to encourage to apply, they can visit our website kamsc.org/apply for information.

On Friday, May 2nd KAMSC staff will put on a conference for all KAMSC students called Searching for Health. There are dynamic keynote speakers and breakout sessions planned for our students to attend. More to come on that as we get closer. But, in preparation, perhaps you would be willing to sign up to volunteer set up, organizer, serve and clear up lunch. It is a fairly easy job with usually box lunches available to students. We are looking for 10 parent volunteers. Please use the button below to sign up.

Mr. Houtrouw took approximately 45 students to U of M Flint for a programming competition last Friday and we had several KAMSC students place at the competition. In the novice division we took 10th, 5th, 4th and 2nd. In the experienced division we had groups that took 5th, 4th, 3rd, and 2nd place!

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.

For those that drop off and pick students up, if you choose to pull into the CEC parking lot off of vine, please pull all the way in (and do a quick loop and then back out) and either drop students off in the parking lot or drop them off on your way back out. I have received some feedback that since it is such a blind entrance that this would be a safer scenario, rather than pulling in part way, dropping off, then backing out. Thank you for your understanding as we are trying to keep everyone safe and traffic flowing especially as the mornings are getting darker now.

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, 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

Sun. Nov. 24th - Senor Mentor Tea 2:00-4:00

Wed. Nov. 27th - Fri Nov. 29th - No KAMSC Classes due to Thanksgiving break

Dec 3-5th - Freshman to visit WMU library

Wed. Dec 4th - 8th grade open house 6-7pm - no open lab