Edison Academy Parent Connection
December 2023
From the Desk of the Principal
I can not believe it is December already. This school year is flying by! There are 2-1/2 weeks until we have winter break. This can be a challenging time for students. Please review our AAA expectations with them to help them be successful as we finish 2023.
A=Achievement - doing their best in class everyday
A=Attendance - being here on time and staying all day doing their job in class at least 90% of the time
A=Attitude - no major referrals in PowerSchool
There is a lot of information in this newsletter and if you have any questions or concerns, please contact the office at 269-337-0550 or at any of the contact information at the bottom of the newsletter.
Parents/Adults, anyone not a KPS employee or educational partner who want to enter the school, must stop in the office and present a drivers license or state ID to be run through our Raptor system. If you do not have an ID, please talk to Ms. Tonya or Ms. Tamra.
Included in this newsletter:
- Spirit Weeks
- Winter Music Program
- Dates to Remember
- Holiday Shop
- KPS Attendance Procedures
- Trimester 1 Report Cards
- 4/5 Basketball
- AAA Day - First Trimester Awards (parents/guardians will be invited if your student is receiving an award)
Follow Edison Academy!!
- Instragram Account (kpsedisonacademy)
- Edison Academy Facebook page (KPSEdisonAcademy)
- Our school website (https://www.kalamazoopublicschools.com/edison)
- Most announcements and information begin on Class Dojo, please be sure to connect to ClassDojo if you haven't already. You can contact the classroom teacher for more information.
Many of our announcements and updates are posted in these locations along with Robocalls and emails. It is very important that we have your most current, up-to-date contact information. If it changes, please contact the office right away so we can update it in our student information system. You can make changes in the PowerSchool Parent Portal. If you need access to the portal, please contact the office.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions or concerns you may have.
Best,
Julie McDonald, Ph.D.
Principal
NEW KPS Attendance Procedures
Attendance Procedures- Overview
The attendance procedures are designed for all students. Good attendance will help students do well in school, college, and at work. It does not matter if absences are excused or unexcused, they all represent lost time in the classroom and lost opportunity to learn. Too many absent students can impact the whole classroom.
School is students’ first and most important job. They are learning about more than math and reading. They are learning how to show up for school on time every day, so that when they graduate and get a job, they will know how to show up for work on time every day. Students who attend school regularly are more likely to graduate and find good jobs. Set an example for your child. Show your child that attendance matters to you and that you will not allow an absence unless someone is truly sick.
All students aged six to sixteen are required to be in school according to state law. Parents/guardians are required by law to make sure their children attend school on a daily basis. Kalamazoo Public Schools (KPS) expects all students to attend school. A collaborative approach is used in educating young students, which includes the utilization of family support specialists, staff members and administrators to ensure that students attend school on a daily basis.
You can view the entire attendance procedures document here on our website.
Contact your child's school if you have any specific questions.
New Attendance Expectations and Support Starting on November 27, 2023 (the first day of trimester 2)
When your student has the following number of unexcused absences in a trimester, you should expect to receive the following notifications and support.
3 days of unexcused absences in a trimester
- Letter or email to parent/guardian
- Robo text or phone call
5 days of unexcused absences in a trimester
- Letter or email to parent/guardian
- In person, virtual or phone conference
10 days of unexcused absences in a trimester
- Letter or email to parent/guardian
- School attendance committee creates and individualized plan of support
15 days of unexcused absences in a trimester
- Letter or email to parent/guardian
- Referral to central office.
The central office attendance team will make further recommendations that may include:
- wrap around services
- referrals to community support organizations
- academic interventions
- summer school attendance
- possible recommendations for grade level retention
Parent(s)’/Guardian(s)’ Responsibility:
- It is the responsibility of the parent(s) and/or guardian(s) to notify the student’s school as early as possible on the day of an absence and explain the reasons for the absence.
- Written or email verification of a student’s absence by a parent/guardian is required (unless otherwise indicated by the appropriate administrator) and should be provided to the school the day after an absence.
Student absences are considered unexcused if documentation supporting an excused absence is not provided.
After 3 consecutive absences, a medical note from a physician may be required.
It is the responsibility of the parent(s) and/or guardian(s) to make arrangements with the teacher to obtain missed assignments due to absences.
What is an excused absence?
- Student illness and/or appointment verified by the parent/guardian or medical professional
- Medically verified extended illness or hospitalization
- Attending a funeral
- Religious holiday
- Absence due to a subpoenaed court appearance
- Any time missed due to KPS school transportation issues
Chronic Absenteeism
The state defines ‘chronic absenteeism’ as attending school less than or equal to 90% of the time. This includes all absences (excused, unexcused, suspensions, etc.). A student who misses more than half the day is considered absent for the day.
Chronic absenteeism not only impacts the absent student, it disrupts learning for an entire classroom when teachers have to repeat lessons for students returning to class.
When your student is out of school, for any reason, they are missing valuable instructional time.
Every six weeks, families will receive letters from the school if their child has an attendance rate of less than or equal to 90%.
Parent(s)’/Guardian(s)’Responsibility:
It is the responsibility of the parent(s) and/or guardian(s) to notify the student’s school as early as possible on the day of an absence and explain the reasons for the absence.
Written or email verification of a student’s absence by a parent/guardian is required (unless otherwise indicated by the appropriate administrator) and should be provided to the school the day after an absence.
Student absences are considered unexcused if documentation supporting an excused absence is not provided.
After 3 consecutive absences, a medical note from a physician may be required.
It is the responsibility of the parent(s) and/or guardian(s) to make arrangements with the teacher to obtain missed assignments due to absences.
What is an excused absence?
Student illness and/or appointment verified by the parent/guardian or medical professional
Medically verified extended illness or hospitalization
Attending a funeral
Religious holiday
Absence due to a subpoenaed court appearance
Any time missed due to KPS school transportation issues
If you need support in getting your child(ren) to school. Please give us a call at 269-337-0550.
Trimester 1 Report Cards
Report Cards were sent to parent emails that are in the PowerSchool system on Thursday, November 30th. They are also available for viewing in the PowerSchool Parent Portal.
All students in grades K-5 will be assessed using Standards Based Competency Scores.
What Does That Mean?
4: ABOVE Proficient- Grade level PLUS extra details
3: PROFICIENT (This is the target!)- Meets grade level standards
2: APPROACHING PROFICIENT- Making progress, improving skills
1: BEGINNER- New skill or not yet measured
Dress for the weather!
Please be sure your students come to school dressed for the weather - with coats, hats, mittens, and boots! We go outside despite the snow (cold weather permitting).
Thanks for helping to keep our students warm and dry while they are outside playing! The only exception to going outside is a medical note from a doctor. We generally go outside until the windchill hits 0 degrees.
4th and 5th grade Premier Basketball
Premier BasketballPremier Basketball for 4th and 5th grade starts this Tuesday December 5th.
- Basketball will be Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:15-5:30pm. Coach Brown will give you a schedule of games.
- Premier Athletics is a completely separate organization outside of KPS. If you have questions about basketball practice, games etc please reach out directly to them.
- You may still sign your child up for basketball.
- Registration ends December 22nd.
AAA DAY - Second Trimester Awards Ceremonies WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13!!
Achievement matters
Attendance matters
Attitude matters
Parents/Guardians/Adults are invited to attend our ceremony in the cafeteria
- Please enter through the event doors (east set of doors facing Lake St.)
- 3-5 Assembly in the cafeteria - 9:30-10:30am
- K-2 Assembly in the cafeteria - 1:30-2:30pm
Edison Academy
Ms. Tonya Orbeck, Lead Secretary orbecktl@kalamazoopublicschools.net
Ms. Tamra Sturdivant, Pupil Accounting Secretary flowerstm@kalamazoopublicschools.net
Ms. Alexis Plair, Behavior Specialist plairan@kalamazoopublicschools.net
Mr. Cameron Massimino (Mr. M), CIS Coordinator massiminoca@kalamazoopublicschools.net
Ms. Precious Walker, CIS After School Program Coordinator walkerpd@kalamazoopublicschools.net
Email: mcdonaldja2@kalamazoopublicschools.net
Website: https://www.kalamazoopublicschools.com/Domain/11
Location: 831 Lake St, Kalamazoo, MI, USA
Phone: 269-337-0550
Facebook: facebook.com/KPSEdisonAcademy