PANTHER PRESS
January 29, 2021
Panther Families~
It is hard to believe it is almost February! We have had 3 snow days this month, and students will be happy to know that they will not need to be made up. Hopefully the winter weather will be mild for the next few weeks!
Below is the draft for the 2021-2022 KCSD Calendar that will be proposed to the school board at their meeting on February 8. If you have any questions, please email me. You'll notice that calendar looks very similar to our current one.
Our COVID positivity rate remains low, and we are glad to see the county is also improving. We anticipate more vaccines being available in the next few months to our staff and our community members. At this time, we have about 85% of our staff that have signed up to receive the vaccine. The numbers in the table below are only a 3-day average this week due to our snow days.
Thursday, we opened bids on six more packages for the new middle school. Our construction management team is verifying the low bids and will be recommending contracts at the February 8 board meeting. Overall, the project is right on budget which is great news considering some recent increases in construction costs. More details will be available next week.
This weekend we have several student groups competing and performing. Go Panthers!
Cassi Pearson, KCSD Superintendent
309 W Main Street, Knoxville, IA 50138
o: (641) 842-6551
Covid-19 Reporting Form
In an effort to better respond to families and streamline the reporting of COVID-19 cases, the Knoxville Community School District has created a new Google form for parents to use. We ask that parents or guardians complete this form if their child has tested positive or has been exposed to a positive case.
You may access the form at this link: https://forms.gle/bdXnZbHkegqo4p918
In addition to completing this form, we ask parents/guardians to contact their students’ coaches or sponsors if they are involved in 7th- through 12th-grade extracurricular activities.
Finally, please note that anyone who has been exposed to COVID-19, but has not developed any symptoms, may return to school after Day 10 of their quarantine. These students will not be able to participate in extracurricular activities until after Day 14, but they can come back to school and attend activities—they just cannot participate until after Day 14.
We appreciate your support as we work to serve the needs of our students and families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Friendly (Non-Covid) Reminders From the Nurse:
Kindergarten: An eye exam and a dental exam are required for Kindergarten. If you have not turned in the forms, please do so. Call your dentist and/or eye doctor to have them fax the forms to school. If your child hasn't been to the dentist or eye doctor, please make the appointments now. Thanks!
Preschool Practices Yoga
Our preschool students were able to practice yoga poses and breathing exercises to calm and relieve anxieties. Students are enjoying the strategies and exercises while learning some awesome skills.
Northstar Guidance News
Northstar students are celebrating kindness week with some kindness related dress up days and activities. Mrs. Mitrisin's class is showing off their compli-mats! Students got to go around the room and write compliments on everyone's mats.
Also, an update on Theo...he is quickly becoming the most popular employee at Northstar. The students (and staff) love to spend time with him and he is so excited about coming to work!
7th Graders Learn About Poetry
Scholarship Opportunities
DMACC Last Dollar Scholarships
Even students who typically receive no federal or state aid- the Last Dollar Scholarship program can pay their entire tuition. That’s right, regardless of their personal income situation, they could pay no tuition costs.
Here’s how it works:
Students complete their FAFSA by July 1, 2021
Students are accepted/enrolled in one of DMACC’s Eligible Programs
Financial Aid calculates the student’s award and any remaining balance beyond the eligible aid is COVERED by the SCHOLARSHIP!
Upcoming Home Events
Sat, Jan. 30: Dance Team Showcase Night, 7:00 PM @Knoxville (High School)
Mon, Feb. 1: 8/7 BBB v. Centerville @Knoxville (Middle School), 4:15 PM
Mon, Feb. 1: JV2/JV1/V BBB v. Grinnell @Knoxville (High School), 5:00 PM
Tue, Feb. 2: JV1/V G/V B BB v. Albia @Knoxville (High School), 5:00 PM
Tue, Feb. 2: JV1/JV2 B/JV2 G BB v. Albia @Knoxville (Middle School), 5:00 PM
Thu, Feb. 4: 7 BBB v. Grinnell @Knoxville (Middle School), 4:30 PM
Fri, Feb. 5: JV1/V G/V B BB v. E-B-F @Knoxville (High School), 5:00 PM
Fri, Feb. 5: JV1/JV2 B/JV2 G BB v. E-B-F @Knoxville (Middle School), 5:00 PM
Sat, Feb. 6: V WR - Sectionals @Knoxville (High School), 12:00 PM
Quick Hits!
Coaches v. Cancer was a major success! A huge thank you to Jim and Angie Uitermarkt for all the time and effort they put into coordinating this awesome community event.
Our girls basketball team won 2 more conference games last week - Davis County and Chariton
Our boys swimming team defeated Newton, Oskaloosa, and Grinnell at last week’s home meet
Our boys basketball team picked up 2 conference wins last week defeating Davis County and Chariton
Our wrestling picked up a conference win over Clarke last Thursday, and also went 4-1 at the Colfax-Mingo Duals; picking up wins over Colfax-Mingo, Hinton, Newton, and North Mahaska
The Postseason is almost here!
With the middle of January brings the upcoming postseason series for many of our teams. Upcoming postseason events:
Sat, Jan. 30: State Jazz Band Contest @Pella
Sat, Feb. 6: Wrestling Sectionals @Knoxville
Sat, Feb. 6: Boys Swimming Districts @Altoona
Fri, Feb. 12: FFA Subdistricts @Moulton
Sat, Feb. 13: Girls Basketball Regionals
Tue, Feb. 16: Girls/Boys Bowling State Qualifying Meet
Mon, Feb. 22: Boys Basketball Districts
Sat, Feb. 27: District Individual Speech Contest
Governor’s Proclamation
Governor Reynolds has issued a Proclamation that does not restrict how many spectators can attend extra-curricular events. After consultation with Marion County Public Health and a review of data, KCSD will not restrict the number of fans that can attend our home extra-curricular events.
A couple of requirements for fans wishing to attend our home events:
Masks are still required.
Groups of spectators must social distance.
If you do not feel well - stay home.
For those interested, there will still be a free live stream option to view our home high school events.
We will continue to monitor our data and make adjustments as needed to ensure the health and safety of our students, families, and community.
The Knoxville Store
In partnership with Ramaeker Enterprises Inc., we are excited to offer the Knoxville Store - the online apparel store for Knoxville Panther gear!
This link can be found on our school website: https://www.knoxville.k12.ia.us/ and then click on the "Knoxville Store."
This store features apparel/gear with items from our new brand system with logo marks that have never been on the market! These are exclusive Knoxville Panther items you will only find here!
Some items on this store will stay from month to month - some items will change so that there are constantly new items to choose from for Panther fans!
Orders will be processed twice a month - on the 15th and at the end of the month and Ramaeker Enterprises will email you when your order is ready.
Activity Schedules
Get schedules for all extra-curricular middle school and high school activities by going to www.knoxville.k12.ia.us and then clicking on "Activities Calendar". You can even sign-up for email notifications so whenever we make a change to a schedule - you can be notified immediately.
Follow the Knoxville Activities Department on Instagram! @knoxvilleactivities
News from the Transportation Department
Winter Reminders
We would like to remind parents and students to be aware of slick spots when approaching, loading and unloading the bus. Take small steps and don’t run to the bus.
Here is the link for Hard Surface pickup stops and times if needed this winter. This can also be found on the District website under Transportation.
BUS SAFETY RULES
Wait quietly for the bus, stay a safe distance from the road.
Keep out of the Danger Zone, which is 10 feet all around the bus.
Stay in your seat.
Don’t put anything out the window.
Keep your school bag and other belongings out of the aisle.
Keep your mask on at all times.
No food or drink on the bus.
Respect the driver and other bus riders.
Wait your turn to get on or off the bus.
Brenda Dunkin, Transportation Director & Bill Burkhart, Mechanic
Sign Up To Receive Alerts
Sign up and/or update your subscription to receive alerts regarding school cancellations/delay and/or activity changes, you will need to subscribe to this service through GovDelivery. You can choose to receive text messages, email messages, or both. Please don’t delay, sign up today: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/IAEDU3375/subscriber/new
Track Your Student's Meals
2020-21 KCSD Academic Calendar
One Spring Session Offered Beginning Thursday, February 25th.
KCSD Admin. Office
The Panther Press is a weekly collective newsletter for parents & community members. If you have an article or flyer to share, please submit to knoxville@kcsd.k12.ia.us for consideration. We love to hear from you so please send us your submissions and feedback. The regular weekly deadline is Thursday at noon.
Stay connected by frequenting our website or following us on social media!
- KHS: www.facebook.com/KHSPanthers/ & twitter.com/KHS_Panthers
- KMS: www.facebook.com/PanthersKMS/ & twitter.com/Panthers_KMS
- Northstar: www.facebook.com/NorthstarElementary/ & twitter.com/MrKeitges
- West: www.facebook.com/knoxvillewestelementary/ & twitter.com/pantherswest
Rate us on greatschools.org!
Email: knoxville@kcsd.k12.ia.us
Website: https://www.knoxville.k12.ia.us/departments/district-office/people/1988396/lisa-willis
Location: 309 W Main St, Knoxville, IA, United States
Phone: 641-842-6551
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KnoxvilleCSD
Twitter: @KCSD_Panthers
Have you Downloaded the KCSD App?
The Knoxville Community School District launched its newly designed website and mobile app in June. The website provides a seamless user experience, allowing visitors to more quickly access important information and updates.
In addition, KCSD launched its first-ever mobile app, available for download on both iOS and Android devices. The app includes push notifications for alerts, news, events, schedule changes and more.
The app allows our families, students and community members to receive push notifications for news, events, schedule changes and more! Download it today!