Falcon Family Newsletter
October, 2023
Hello Falcon Families,
Fall is here and we are looking forward to some cooler temperatures and student activities in full swing. Last month we had Club Rush which allowed students to find a club or group that they would like to get involved with. Cross Country and Girls Volleyball are in full swing in KAMS athletics. We are fortunate to have so many opportunities for our students to get involved.
Please know that safety is always our number one concern for your students. Should an incident occur that affects the student body, we would be contacting you as soon as possible so that you are aware. Please ensure that your primary phone number and email address is updated. This can be done through ParentVue.
As we settle into our drop off and pick up routines, please keep safety at the forefront as we go about each day. Please use caution and look out for students and staff that may be crossing to get to/from school. Please ensure that you are following all traffic rules, especially when parking and waiting. We need to ensure that emergency vehicles can get where they need should a situation arise needing their assistance.
We were fortunate to have our first dance last month. We had over 750 students attend. Not only were students able to dance, but they could also engage in a variety of games and activities and eat a number of different foods.
As October 6th marks the end of Quarter 1, this is a good time to check in with your child. Grades will be coming out and counselors have been contacting students in jeopardy of not passing classes. As families have the greatest impact on student achievement, please take time to talk to your child and see how they are doing. You can always access their grades through ParentVue and this can help facilitate a discussion. Simply asking about specific classes or assignments help students see that we value their efforts at school.
Sincerely,
Chris Rauschenfels
KAMS Principal
Upcoming Events
Rocktober
Friday, Oct. 6
Minimum Day
School Dismissed at 1:10pm
End of Quarter 1
Friday, Oct. 6
Minimum Day
School Dismissed at 1:10pm
Family Lunch on the Quad
Monday, Oct. 9
8th Grade Lunch: 11:35 - 12:05
7th Grade Lunch: 12:20 - 12:50
PSAT - Minimum Day
Wednesday, Oct. 11
8th Grade Takes PSAT
School is dismissed at 1:10pm
Family Lunch on the Quad
Friday, Oct. 13
8th Grade Lunch: 11:50 - 12:20
7th Grade Lunch: 12:50 - 1:20
Pink Day - Breast Cancer Awareness
Friday, Oct. 20
School Site Council Meeting
Thursday, Oct. 24
Vision Screening
Wednesday, Oct. 25
Done in PE Classes
Pennies for Pumpkins
Thursday, Oct. 26 - Friday, October 27
Red Ribbon Week
Monday, Oct. 30 - November 3
KIDS CAN Collection Begins
Tuesday, Oct. 31 - Nov. 14
Rocktober
This month, we have "Rocktober" on Friday, October 6th. We will be on a minimum day schedule with school starting at our regular time of 8:45am and students being dismissed at 1:10pm. After lunch, students will be able to participate in a number of different activities and games celebrating the end of Quarter 1. Regular student transportation will be available at this earlier time.
Family Lunch on the Quad
We are welcoming back Family Lunch on the Quad opportunities this month. Each month we will be having two opportunities for parents/guardians to come have lunch with their student on campus. This month, we will have Family Lunch on the Quad taking place on Monday, October 9 and Friday, October 13. Next month, Family Lunch dates will be Tuesday, November 14 and Friday, November 17. We are going to be focusing on the second week of the month and we will be rotating the days to ensure all parents have the opportunity to attend. As Friday is usually the most heavily attended, we will keep Fridays as an option every time we have Family Lunch on the Quads.
PSAT for 8th Grade Students
On Wednesday, October 11th, 2023, all 8th grade students will be taking the PSAT at KAMS. EGUSD and the College Board have partnered to be able to offer this to all 8th grade students free of charge. This will be the first time the exam has been offered digitally and therefore students will need to bring their Chromebooks fully charged. Students must test on the Chromebook that has been assigned to them by the school. 8th grade students will be taking the test in their Advocacy classes and we will be on a minimum day schedule beginning at 8:45am and finishing at 1:10pm. Student transportation will be available for this early release time. Should you have any questions, please contact your student's counselor.
CA Healthy Kids Survey
On Wednesday, October 11, all 7th grade students will be asked to take part of the district's California Healthy Kids Survey sponsored by the California Department of Education. This is an important survey that will help provide data we can use to improve the learning environment and promote better health and wellbeing for our students. For more information, please open the link below.
CHKS Secondary Consent English 2023.pdf
CHKS Secondary Consent 2023_Spanish.pdf
CHKS Secondary Consent 2023_Vietnamese.pdf
CHKS Secondary Consent 2023_Chinese (1).pdf
A copy of the survey is available in the Administration Office if you would like to preview the survey.
Blue Star Moms
We are fortunate to be able to partner with PGHS for the Blue Star Moms Drive. This is a group that collects items for families that have sons/daughters in the military. Students are able to donate items in their 4th period class. The class with the most items wins! To see a full list of desired items, please click HERE. Or students can check the donation box in their 4th period for a full list.
Pennies For Pumpkins
Help raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness. Bring in a decorated pumpkin by 8:30am on Thursday, Oct. 26. Students will vote at lunch on Thursday (10/26) and Friday (10/27) by putting their donations in their favorite pumpkin.
October 7th S.P.A.R.K. Event
On October 7th, the Sacramento Asian Sports Foundation (SASF) presents a community event for everyone. "Look at Me Now: Stories of Hope" is a film that features four youth, struggling with their mental health, change their journey from a sense of despair to find their pathway to hope.
Each youth shows hope is possible. While each story is unique, they all share a powerful commonality. Talking about their struggles put them on their path to hope. We hope you will be inspired by these strong individuals and realize you are not alone, there is hope!
Please plan on attending this free showing on Saturday, October 7th at Thrive Church, 3109 Dwight Road, Elk Grove, CA.
To reserve your free tickets, please click HERE or on the photo to the right.
Red Ribbon Week
Red Ribbon Week is a week designated to raise awareness about keeping students drug-free. During this week there are a variety of activities planned during lunch as well as spirit dress up days. Please see below for a list of spirit days.
- Monday: Crazy Hat Day
- Tuesday: Costume Day
- Wednesday: Neon Day
- Thursday: Twin Day
- Friday: Tie Dye Day
Important Links and Documents
Key Contacts
KAMS Administration and Student Services Offices
Hours 7:30am - 4:00pm
(916)-686-5210
(916)-686-5538 fax
Activities: Donna McNeel & Mary Hazdovac
Athletics: Traci Seto
Food Services
(916)-686-7735
Student Attendance
(916)-686-5210
Synergy/ParentVue
(916)-686-5210 Student Services Office
Transportation
(916)-686-7733
Counselors-contact directly.
- Concerns about your student's performance in two or more classes.
- Concerns about your student's transition to middle school, socialization, emotional development.
- Questions about college/career guidance programs, middle school credits toward promotion, course requirements, schedule.
Teachers-contact directly
- Questions about work, student performance, or behavior.
- Questions about curriculum.
- Questions about course placement.
- Classwork/Homework/Grades
The classroom teacher should always be your first point of contact. Most times, the classroom teacher can answer your questions and address concerns. If you do not believe your child's teacher has satisfactorily resolved your concern, contact your child's counselor. If your child is having problems in several classes, you may request to meet with each teacher, and/or you may contact the counselor and request a consult regarding the next most appropriate and effective steps to take in the process of addressing the problem. It is our goal to return all calls and email messages within 48 hours. If you do not receive a response within that time, please contact administration.
Administration
(916)-686-5210 Administration
(916)-686-5538 Fax
- Concerns about discipline or negative interactions between students.
- Concerns about teachers.
Vice Principal, Joel Kunisaki
Vice Principal, Mary DeStefano Weis
Teacher-In-Charge, Chris Woods
Principal, Chris Rauschenfels
- Any concerns that the above Administrators have not adequately addressed (including not responding to phone calls/emails within 48hrs).
Counseling
Counseling Staff Team Members:
- Mr. Caston (M - R)
- Mr. Mendez (F - L)
- Mr. Mendoza (A - E)
- Ms. Miller (S - Z)
Other Resources and Tips:
Please visit the KAMS Counseling Connection page for articles, ideas, tips, and other resources to support you and your child in having a successful middle school experience. Please note that you do not have to have your parent account established in order to access our counseling page – just visit the KAMS homepage and click on the counseling tab.
Library
Library Hours & Services
PGHS/KAMS Library is open 30 minutes before school, during lunch breaks, and 10 minutes after school ends. While at the library, all students are expected to follow our library 3B's rules that are posted on every table in the library. Due to limited seating, we ask that students come to the library with a school-related purpose, such as:
- Quiet study of complete homework assignments
- Check out a book or textbook required for class
- Use a computer for school-related assignments
- Attend a library related event and/or library club meeting.
EGUSD Chromebooks
All KAMS students are expected to bring their EGUSD assigned Chromebooks to school daily for academic use. If you have a damaged or lost Chromebook, please come to the PGHS/KAMS Library to get a replacement. All damaged and lost Chromebook issues will be reported to EGUSD Technology Services.
PGHS/KAMS Library also provides daily Chromebook loaners for students who may have forgotten their Chromebooks at home. Students must return their daily loaner to the library at the end of the school day. (Loaners can NOT be taken home.) Students are asked to limit the number of Chromebook loaners requested from the library during the school year.
Library Website
Have you visited the library website at http://kamslibrary.info to see all the great resources available to support classroom assignments, recommend reading lists, student homework help resources, textbook information, library video, and more! The library website is available 24/7 to all KAMS students.
Athletics
Falcon Athletic Information
- KAMS Athletics Website
- Athletic Director, Traci Seto
- Please click HERE to enter the Athletic Clearance Website. (For help with the online application, please click HERE.)
ELIGIBILITY
All student athletes who wish to participate in an athletic activity in the Elk Grove Unified School District must meet the following requirements:
INITIAL ELIGIBILITY
- Have earned a 2.0 GPA or better on the previous grade of record.
CONTINUING ELIGIBILITY
- Have earned a 2.0 GPA or better on all grades of record and progress report grades.
- Satisfactory citizenship
- Must not be on No Activities list
2023-2024 EGUSD Calendar
Katherine Albiani Middle School
9140 Bradshaw Road
Elk Grove, CA 95624
Phone: 916-686-5210
Fax: 916-686-5538
Chris Rauschenfels, Principal
Joel Kunisaki, Vice Principal
Mary DeStafano Weis, Vice Principal
Chris Woods, Teacher-In-Charge
Cheryl Russell, Secretary