KCSD & Me
March 2022/Klamath County School District
FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT: Update on masks, quarantines
Dear KCSD staff and families,
On March 2, the Oregon Department of Education released new guidance that restores decision-making power to school districts and local public health authorities. Following discussions with Klamath County Public Health, KCSD will make the following changes as of March 12:
- The wearing of masks will be optional in the Klamath County School District. This includes all buildings and school buses. Those who wish to continue wearing masks are welcome to do so. Face masks remain a recommended precautionary measure, especially for those at high risk of contracting COVID-19 and during times when COVID-19 cases are at a high level in the community. However, that decision will rest with families and individuals.
- Quarantine will no longer be required for those who have been exposed to COVID-19. Health officials believe quarantine is no longer an effective prevention tool and that other prevention strategies exist to mitigate risk that have a lesser impact on the disruption of education.
- Students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 will still be required to isolate at home for five days.
- Anyone with symptoms of illness should stay home from school or work.
With the new guidance, the district remains committed to a layered mitigation approach to preventing infections while recognizing the role of personal choice. This includes providing personal protective equipment and masks for those who want to use them, maintaining quality ventilation and airflow, continuing deep cleaning protocols and frequent sanitizing of high-touch areas, and practicing physical distancing of at least 3 feet to the greatest extent possible.
The Klamath County School District has long advocated for local control and we are grateful for the collaborative relationships that will allow us to move forward successfully.
Respectfully,
Glen Szymoniak
Superintendent
Klamath County School District
IMPORTANT DATES
March 10: Regular KCSD Board of Directors meeting
March 11: No school for students (grad prep day for teachers)
March 16-17: Parent-teacher conferences
March 17-18: No school for students
March 21-25: Spring break. No school.
HENLEY SOPHOMORE WINS YOUTH SUICIDE PREVENTION VIDEO CONTEST
Kai Crume was 12 when his basketball coach died by suicide.
After sinking into a months-long depression, Kai finally found a way out while participating in the annual Modoc Ancestral Run, a 150-mile relay from Fort Klamath to the Lava Beds. “It changed me,” he says. “Now I have confidence and perspective. I see things differently.”
The 15-year-old Henley High School sophomore used his experiences to create an award-winning suicide awareness video for the You Matter to Klamath 2021 Youth Suicide Prevention Video competition. He won first place in the contest for his 2-minute video “We Have Purpose,” which uses imagery from the Modoc Ancestral relay, native songs sung in the Klamath language, and a strong message about hope and connection.
“The message is for anyone who’s feeling down,” Kai says. “I want you to know you have meaning, that you were put on earth for a reason. … so don’t ever feel you don’t have anything, don’t ever feel like you’re alone.” Read more
STUDENT TRANSFER REQUESTS NOW OPEN
KCSD began accepting transfer requests for the 2022-23 school year on March 1. Information and links to the forms can be found on our website: Student Transfer Information.
ADULT ENGLISH LANGUAGE CLASSES OFFERED FOR PARENTS
HONORING BLACK HISTORY
Cleland's third-graders investigated slavery by reading books about the Underground Railroad. The Patchwork Path is a story that details how slaves used quilt patches with secret messages to communicate with one another on their road to freedom. Students were able to learn the meaning behind each pattern based on a guide provided in the book. They then created their own patch and students put them together to create a Freedom Quilt.
Brixner's Bridges/Goals students created a display featuring influential African-Americans. Students did the research for the piece and created banners and artwork. The displays highlight Black leaders who have helped shape the world in a positive way. Included are Martin Luther King Jr., Michael Jackson, Michelle Obama, Barack Obama, Michael Jordan, Rosa Parks, Lebron James, Kamala Harris, Harriet Tubman, Beyoncé, Serena Williams, Prince, and Muhammed Ali.
WINTER SPORTS ROUNDUP: DISTRICT CHAMPS!
Basketball: Henley boys, Mazama girls win Skyline Conference Championships
The Henley boys and Mazama girls basketball teams took home 4A Skyline Conference Championships this season.
Basketball state playoffs start this weekend. Bonanza boys, Mazama girls, and Henley boys and girls are participating in the OSAA Basketball State Championship tournaments. Brian Gailey at Klamath Sports Network has been keeping up with the action.
Swimming: Hornet girls win Special District 4
The Henley High School Girls Swim Team took home the Special District 4 Championship in February at the 4A/3A/2A/1A district meet in Cottage Grove. Senior Kinsey Hullman led the way, taking first place and qualifying for the state meet in all four of her events.
Hullman is the 2022 district champ in the 100 yard butterfly and 100 yard backstroke and was a member of the team's two first-place relays – the 200 medley and 200 yard free – with Lauren Wilkinson, Jamie Whitaker, Malia Mick, and Brenna Morgan.
This is the second year in a row Hullman was district champion in her two main events – the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke. The girls team also is repeat district champs in the 200 free relay.
Wrestling: Vikings win 4A district championship; Bonanza freshman takes a first in 1A/2A
The Mazama Vikings wrestling team won the 4A Special District 3 Championship title on Feb. 12. Mazama had five district champions among their 14 wrestlers who qualified and represented KCSD at the state tournament. District champions are:
- Hadyn Burk, champion, 113 lbs
- Ashton Lewis, champion, 120 lbs
- Treyce Horton, champion, 132 lbs (voted outstanding lightweight wrestler)
- Tanner Wood, champion, 138 lbs (first 3-time champion in school history)
- Savien Burk, champion, 145 lbs (back-to-back regional titles)
Henley placed second at the Special District 3 tournament with nine boys qualifying and competing at state. Two Henley girls – Emma Poe and MaKay Clark – qualified and competed at the girls state tournament.
In the 1A/2A, Bonanza Junior/Senior High School qualified four wrestlers for the state tournament. Freshman Joel Rodriquez wrestled for the first time and won the district championship in his weight class. Junior Brooke Mosier took third in the boy’s bracket, senior Tanner Mestas took second, and senior Thomas Henderson qualified with a second-place finish.
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Klamath County School District
Inspiring today's students to meet tomorrow's challenges!
Read our Strategic Plan
Email: kcsd_communications@kcsd.k12.or.us
Website: www.kcsd.k12.or.us
Location: 2845 Greensprings Drive, Klamath Falls, OR, USA
Phone: 541-883-5000