The Knightly News
Parent Newsletter - November 2021
Principal’s Message
Hello Knight Families,
Fall is in full swing and we are rapidly approaching the end to the first quarter. Please be sure to talk with your students about their progress over the past few weeks to ensure they have addressed any missing work with their teachers. Many of our fall athletic teams are also reaching the conclusion to their seasons. We’d like to congratulate everyone on a safe and successful season and wish many of our teams good luck in postseason play. Additionally, please be sure to check your emails for the message sent out on October 29 regarding our vaccination and testing requirements for all winter athletes. November is full of holidays and adjusted dismissal days, so be sure to mark your calendars for the following dates:
Nov 2: Election Day (School Closed)
Nov 5: R.E.D Military Appreciation Day (Wear Red)
Nov 11: Veterans Day (Schools Closed)
Nov 12: Adjusted Dismissal @ 11:35 AM (End of Quarter 1)
Nov 17: 2-Hour Early Release @ 12:00 PM
Nov 18: Report Cards Issued (ParentVue)
Nov 24-26: Thanksgiving Holiday (Schools Closed)
At Kellam, we value leadership, integrity, and unity. We strive to operate as a family. As such, we would like to extend our most sincere appreciation to our students belonging to military families, especially those who have family members deployed. We also honor our staff, parents, guardians, and community members who served to protect our freedoms as we observe Veterans Day. Additionally, I wish each of you a Happy Thanksgiving and hope that you are able to spend time with family and friends while enjoying all that you are thankful for.
Sincerely,
Ryan Schubart
Principal
Kellam High School
Don't forget to follow us on Twitter: @KellamHigh and Facebook: KellamHS. Our website is updated regularly for more information: https://kellamhs.vbschools.com/
Kellam High School PTSA
HELP US HELP YOU!
The more members we have, the more people we represent, and the louder our collective voice is to make things happen for our kids.
HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD! CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE PTSA!
WHERE DOES MY $7.00 PTSA MEMBERSHIP FEE GO?
And that is why we have a STRESS-FREE Fundraiser!
It has become increasingly difficult to fully underwrite all the services we support and provide for the school. From providing grants to teachers to enhance their classroom experience, to supporting events for the school’s clubs, and even improving the Kellam’s outward appearance, the PTSA’s scope of contributions knows no end.
Kellam High School is fortunate to have many clubs and groups that have fundraising projects during the year to support their numerous activities, including statewide travel for competitions as well as helping to support the many philanthropic agencies in the area. Out of respect, we have always strived not to hold “selling-type” fundraisers. The Kellam PTSA does not and will not ask families to sell wrapping paper, candles, or cookie dough.
We kindly ask you to consider contributing at least $25 in honor of your Kellam student, but please give as much as you are able. Your stress-free donation goes to the Kellam PTSA and is 100% tax-deductible.
Your canceled checks can serve as receipts (Tax ID# 54-1260742), but should you require additional documentation, we would be happy to provide such.
Remember to re-link your Harris Teeter TIE cards to Kellam High School PTSA!
Code 5968
Link with Amazon Smile.
Amazon Smile will donate to Kellam PTSA with each and every purchase you make!
Inclusivity: Finding the Middle Ground (Part 2- of 3)
In the last article, the discussion examined “No Brainers” ideas that most people would agree to support (i.e., Equal pay for equal work). However, our inability to seek out middle ground compromise has created a disconnect on how to move forward through complex issues facing our citizens. Today, let’s examine main reasons this wall of discord has been woven into the fabric of our great nation. Perhaps then we can clearly understand why no one wants to budge on his/her personal stance not even for the greater good.
The greatest divide that exists today has to be that seen in the political arena of conservative vs liberal. This article will take no side nor state who is right or wrong but will focus on finding the middle ground solutions needed to move forward. What will be deliberated is the dramatic change of both sides when it comes to the greater good. In the past, our country faced and solved many issues that stood in the way of moving towards progress. However, the manner that was taken to solve each issue either created short or long periods of growing pains. This is no longer the approach taken; no one wants to deal with the growing pains that push us forward as a country. What will it take for those in opposition to reflect on past issues and actions to find a way forward from the state that we are in? The past holds the key to solutions that should lead us forward to an era of togetherness or at least away from self-destruction.
There was a time that it was thought to treat your neighbor as you wanted to be treated was considered respectful. Now we must treat our neighbor the way that he/she wants to be treated provides the adjustment needed to be current. This modest change gives the statement a more complex meaning that was not thought about or needed years ago. This country is changing and with that change, it has to be recognized that everyone does not want to be treated the same.
During the early years of this country, one blueprint was created, and everyone was expected to copy this style in order to be a part of the American way. Recently, that framework has become outdated and obsolete as a result of the growth that’s taking place. Whether you agree with these changes are a personal choice, but you cannot deny this is happening. With this being said, how do we move forward to a country where everyone can live his/her truth while treating others the way they want to be treated? That indeed is the question that should be asked and answered personally and socially…
Parents: How do you discuss the importance and impact of respecting other’s viewpoints and differences with your children? The following questions might help to create the conversation needed to introduce this topic:
1. How can learning from the past help us navigate our current situation?
2. Does my ideology creates a positive environment for all people?
Counselor's Corner
Parents, as a reminder, www.kellamcounselor.com is a great source of information for all things coming through the counseling office. Please visit the site to see some of our valuable resources for academic and career planning and social-emotional response.
Juniors and Seniors, please check out THIS LINK for an updated calendar of all our College Representatives coming to the Castle.
AP Testing
Registration for AP exams is now open and will close on November 8th. AP exams cost $96, with the exception of AP Seminar and AP Research, which cost $144. This year, Kellam is lucky to be participating with NMSI, the National Math and Science Initiative, that among other things, will cover half of the cost of AP Math, AP Science, AP Computer Science, and AP English Language exams, so the cost of these exams for families will be $48.
AP exam registration is a two-step process. Teachers will guide all students through step 1, joining their AP Classrooms in their College Board accounts, during class. If students plan to take the AP exam in May, step 2, registration and payment for exam fees in Total Registration, must be completed at home by the November 8th deadline. Families will have the option to register with a $40 deposit per exam and pay the remaining balance by March 8, 2022.
HERE you will find this year’s AP letter with more details. Please reach out to your student’s teacher or Kellam’s AP coordinator, Juliana Caruso, with any questions.
PARENTS: If your student is taking a CURRENT Dual Enrollment Course and HAS NOT PAID, please see below!
Semester 1- Dual Enrollment Payments -due November 5, 2021
Payment is due Friday, November 5th
DE Payment Information :
Payment Link: https://virginiabeach.revtrak.net/
Students will need to create an account if they have not already done so.
Choose DUAL ENROLLMENT
Select the course(s) you are taking and proceed to checkout
In support of ALL Knights’ academic achievement, post-secondary planning, and social/emotional development, the Kellam Counselors would like to share some important information and dates with our community. We invite you to visit our website, www.kellamcounselor.com, and to follow us on Twitter and Instagram @KellamCounselor for more and continuous dissemination of information. Finally, please contact your student’s school counselor if you have any questions or need additional information.
November is:
Adoption Awareness Month
Career Development Month
Homeless Youth Awareness & Runaway Prevention Month
Military Family Appreciation Month
Native American Heritage Month
Important dates:
Nov. 1st TCE application window opens (for more info visit www.kellamcounselor.com or https://techcenter.vbschools.com/)
Nov. 2nd Election Day, school closed
Nov. 4th Diwali
Nov. 5th Remember Everyone Deployed (wear RED in support of the 10,000 VBCPS students with active-duty family members)
Nov. 8th AP Exam Registration Closes
Nov. 11th Veterans Day, school closed
Nov. 12th Drop deadline; Quarter 1 ends; adjusted dismissal
Nov. 13th World Kindness Day
Nov. 13th - 21st National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week
Nov. 16th ASVAB @ Kellam & International Day for Tolerance
Nov. 17th Adjusted dismissal
Nov. 18th Q1 Report cards published
Nov. 19th International Men’s Day
Nov. 20th Transgender Day of Remembrance
Nov. 24th – 26th Thanksgiving Break
Nov. 26th Native American Heritage Day
Nov. 28th – Dec. 6th Chanukkah
Student Activities Update
The Student Activities department is working to create opportunities for our students to connect and be a part of all that Kellam has to offer. Please visit our Student Activities Resource Guide to explore opportunities in activities and athletics. Be sure to watch for updates in this newsletter and follow us on social media.
Twitter: @KellamHigh
Instagram: kellamhigh
Facebook: Floyd E. Kellam High School
Prestige by Lifetouch Senior Portraits
Casual and Formal Senior Portraits can be taken at the Prestige Studios. Use this link: Senior Portrait Information Sheet to reserve a time. On October 21 and November 29, there will be FORMAL ONLY pictures taken at Kellam during the school day. If you would like to only take a formal picture that will be the picture in the yearbook, there is a sign-up list in the main office.
- Senior Portraits for the Yearbook
Parents can also purchase a senior recognition ad to be in the yearbook using the following link: Senior yearbook recognition ad
Senior Scoop
Use this link: The Kellam Senior Scoop is the place to find important information for seniors. It will be updated regularly and located in the resources on the HKL Grade 12 Schoology Group page.
Junior Class Rings
Important information for our Kellam Juniors!
Kellam has a time-honored tradition of receiving your class ring during your Junior year, and we will be continuing this tradition for the class of 2022. You can visit www.jostens.com and start designing and even order your ring today!.
If you have any questions, email Eric Harvell at eric.harvell@jostens.com.
- Fall Athletic Events
Click here to view schedules for all of our teams: 2021-2022 Sports Schedules
COVID Mitigations
For outdoor events:
We ask that individuals socially distance themselves from others who are not part of their immediate group. There are currently no restrictions on fan attendance.
For indoor events:
Indoor events are limited to 100 spectators. Athletes will be given tickets for the games to share with their families. All spectators, coaches, event staff, and athletes not competing must wear masks regardless of vaccination status. All spectators should socially distance themselves from people who are not part of their immediate group.
All competitions that occur in the gym or the football stadium will be live streamed on the NFHS network. Use this link to access the Kellam site: Kellam NFHS Network Page.
Buy your VBCPS High School Athletic Pass and Individual Tickets on GoFAN!
Pass Prices:
$60 for 3 or less $50 for 4 or more
https://gofan.co/app/school/VA12895
Or download the GoFan App in the iTunes or Google Play Stores
Passes and tickets will be saved and viewed via the APP to be validated at the pass gate for admission to games.
Underclassman Picture Day
Underclassman pictures are scheduled for October 18. More information will be given to students through classes and Schoology.
Winter Sports Tryouts
Winter team tryouts will begin on November 8. Please contact the coach of that sport for additional information. There will be information released to students through announcements and Schoology.
Winter Sports Coaches
- Girls Basketball Brook Parker, coachp1977@hotmail.com
- JV Girls Basketball Raeanna Casady, raeanna@indpants.com
- Boys Basketball Norm Hassell, Norman.hassellsr@vbschools.com
JV Boys Basketball Aaron McCoy, dblaron31@gmail.com
Gymnastics Marianna Parker, maparker@vbschools.com, Alanna Parker, alannakparker@gmail.com
Swimming/Dive Susan Bailey, susan.bailey@vbschools.com, Kathleen Lambert, Kathleen.lambert@vbschools.com, Katie Lorenz (dive), kelorenz89@gmail.com
Wrestling Mike Benzel, Michael.benzel@vbschools.com
JV Wrestling Ross Benzel, ross.benzel@vbschools.com
B/G Indoor Track Bill Bernard, kellamtrack@icloud.com
Fall Activity Bus Schedule
Click the link to access the schedule: Fall Activity Bus Schedule and Routes
SCA News
Thank you for your support in celebrating our 60th Homecoming on October 29.
The SCA is now planning for December Spirit Days and Love Kellam Week, which will take place in February.
We are also hard at work planning this year’s Leadership Workshop, slated for March 6, 2022.
The Senior Signature Experience
Senior Students have begun working on their Signature Experience!
Virginia Beach City Public Schools and Kellam High School believe a Signature Experience can serve as the culmination of a students’ education within our division. This exciting project is completed with the assistance of teachers, mentors, and the signature experience coordinator, and is designed to showcase our students’ strengths, skills, and interests in a particular topic. Students will be able to demonstrate their ability to apply, analyze, synthesize and evaluate information and communicate this knowledge to an audience. Most importantly, the signature experience should apply student learning to real-life situations and experiences beyond the curriculum and school building.
For students enrolled in English 12, the student may use his/her Passion Project as a Signature Project. For students enrolled in AP Literature or Dual Enrollment, the project will be independent and student-driven. The project is not mandatory; however, we feel strongly in its value to round out our students’ high school experiences.
We are excited to announce that our Signature Design Lab will have its Grand Opening for teachers on November 30!
There are many things students are already doing that they may choose to share as their signature project. Please feel free to view our Google Site, and contact Ms. McGee Mrs. Serino, or Mrs. Hoffman with any questions.
Important Announcements
- Gifted Education - Who can refer students? A teacher, parent/guardian, peer, the student support team, the student or any person who has knowledge of the student’s abilities may refer a student by contacting the school’s gifted resource teacher (GRT). Applications may be accessed at giftedapplication.vbcps.com.Gifted Education Information
Masking: For the safety of students, staff, and the community at large and in accordance with Virginia law we will continue to follow the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Virginia Department of Health.
Food Services: As our schools welcome back students Sept. 9, please know that VBCPS will be providing free breakfast and lunch meals for ALL students. Food Services will be operating under the National School Lunch Program’s (NSLP) Seamless Summer Option (SSO). This program will be in effect for the entire 2021-22 school year.
The Kellam Peer Tutoring Center
The Kellam Peer Tutoring Center opened its doors to all students beginning OCTOBER 19th during Block 3A. Students in 3A Academic Support Blocks and at Lunch can make tutoring appointments in advance, or they can “walk in” to our Peer Tutoring Center For more information click HERE.
Upcoming Events
Stay connected to our calendar and mark yours!
For all Beach District and VHSL sporting events involving YOUR Kellam Knights, click HERE.
Mark your calendar:
November 2- Election Day, school closed
November 5 - Remember Everyone Deployed -wear RED
December 1- Next Edition the Knightly News
Stay in the know: Access prior issues by clicking on the month below:
The Knightly News
Email: ryan.schubart@vbschools.com
Website: http://www.kellamhs.vbschools.com
Location: 2665 West Neck Road, Virginia Beach, VA, United States
Phone: (757) 648-5100
Facebook: facebook.com/KellamHS
Twitter: @KellamHigh