The Knightly News
Parent Newsletter for Kellam High School - October 2019
A Golden Start to a New Year!
Hello Parents,
Our fall sports season is in full swing and we have taken our SCA theme to heart. Several of our teams are “going for the gold” and representing Kellam proudly. In a few days, our golf team will travel to Franklin County to participate in the regional tournament. Both our girls and boys volleyball teams are ranked atop the area and look to make a strong surge into postseason play. Our field hockey team has played well and also looks to make a postseason run. Our Cross Country teams have been competing at a high level and have the potential to make it to the state meet. Our Football team had an amazing home win versus Bayside, and our cheerleaders have been keeping everyone in the spirit. Our competition cheer team will participate in their first competition of the year at Tallwood High School on October 2 at 6:00pm, so be sure to come out and support them.
Our Fine Arts department has also been working hard this month, so be on the lookout for several opportunities to see our talented musicians and performers shine. Our Marching Band has shown well during the competition season and, of course, has provided fabulous entertainment during our football games. Our choral department is preparing for their fall concert on October 10, and our theatre department is preparing for the fall show taking place November 7-9. We are truly fortunate to have so many high quality opportunities for students to get involved outside of the classroom. I hope you will encourage your student to consider getting involved in a sport or activity if they are not already.
I’ve also had the opportunity to visit several classrooms over the past month and I am excited about the level of high quality instruction taking place. Our teachers are truly passionate and dedicated to providing students with the skills they need to be successful in life. I am sure you would agree that, after meeting them at our Open House, we have the best teachers at the beach!
On Wednesday, October 16, our 9-11 grade students will take the PSAT test. This is an excellent opportunity for upperclassmen to compete for scholarship opportunities, while our freshmen gain valuable experience that will prepare them to take the SAT. This opportunity is fully funded by VBCPS, so please encourage your students to do their best. There will be several opportunities planned for seniors during this adjusted-schedule day.
On a final note, we are approaching the midpoint of the quarter. I would encourage you to check with your student about how they are performing in their classes. Access Parent Portal or ask to see your student’s Schoology class pages. Encourage your student to communicate with their teachers if they are having difficulties. We want to ensure your student is successful, and self-advocacy is a crucial part of that.
I continue to look for opportunities to meet more of the Kellam family. Please introduce yourself as you see me at many of the exciting events taking place around The Castle.
Ryan Schubart
Principal
Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA)
Please welcome our newly elected board members! They are ready to support students and staff this year and please look for opportunities to volunteer and to support their fundraising events.
Executive Board:
President: Christine Fisk
Program Vice President: Karyn Burnett
Membership Vice President: Jen Worthley
Treasurer: Melissa Wooten
Corresponding Secretary:
Recording Secretary: Jessie Lindsey
Reflections Contest
The Theme for the 2019-2020 Reflections Contest is Look Within. More information will be forthcoming on due date of application.
https://www.vapta.org/programs/arts-and-education/reflections-top
How can you be a part of the PTSA?
You can join the PTSA by clicking on the link below for the membership form.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vtQJ4cBftyo67p7XGQ75o17zE58ri9KQ/view?usp=sharing
Knight Trials
PSAT on October 16
On Wednesday, October 16, 2019, all 9th, 10th, and 11th graders will take the PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test). This test provides practice for the SAT, as well as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT). It measures reading, mathematics, and writing and language skills.
Although we will have an adjusted schedule, all students will report to school at the regular time.
Progress Reports
This year, all Progress Reports (PR) will be delivered electronically. Check your email for Quarter 1 PRs on Monday, October 7, 2019, between 6:00am and 3:30pm. If you do not receive a PR for each of your student’s classes, please contact the teacher directly. As a reminder, you may check on the progress of your student at any time using Parent Vue or the Parent Vue mobile app.Counselors' Corner
IMPORTANT AP INFORMATION:
This year, the College Board has moved the AP exam registration process to the fall. Students may register for AP exams now. The deadline to register for all AP exams is Monday, November 4 at 11:59 pm. Students will again use the Total Registration website to register and pay for exams, and will also need to indicate their intent to test in their College Board myAP portal. Students should have already set up their myAP portal with their teachers during class. Families have the option of registering for exams with a $40 deposit. This deposit is non-refundable after the registration deadline, and all outstanding balances must be paid by March 6, 2020.
Should you have any questions, please contact Juliana Caruso or Dave Bunting in the School Counseling office.
Please see the following Important AP Testing Dates:
September 3, 2019: Total Registration opens for exam registration
November 4, 2019: Registration Deadline, in both Total Registration and the myAP Student Portal
**Registrations after this date incur a $40 late fee per exam
January 17, 2020: Deadline to apply for testing accommodations with College Board for the 2020 AP exams
March 6, 2020: Account balances must be paid in full or exams will be cancelled
**All cancellations incur a $40 cancellation fee
May 4-15, 2020: AP exams administered
May 15, 2020: Last day to cancel an exam and receive a refund, minus the $40 cancellation fee. You may request the cancellation in Total Registration.
July 2020: AP exam scores available via your online College Board account
As a reminder, counselor assignments and contact information is below. Schedules should be set in place now as the add deadline was the end of September. Students can submit to level change or drop an AP Course (drop only if they are enrolled in at least 6 other credits) at the beginning of the second 9 weeks. The purple request form should be submitted to the counselor and approval by the administration will be granted based on availability in the level change requested course.
Culturally Speaking - Our Behaviors, Our Beliefs, and Our Values
A culture is a way of life of a group of people—the behaviors, beliefs, values, and symbols that they accept, generally without thinking about them, and that are passed along by communication and imitation from one generation to the next.
How would someone describe the culture at Kellam High school? How would you describe it? Would you be proud to describe our culture? Is there any part of it that you would like to change, or even dismiss?
As the adults that our students imitate, it is our responsibility to communicate and model our beliefs, values and norms. We set the pace. It is our traditions, our celebrations, and our everyday interactions that tell the world, but more importantly our children, who we are as school…a family.
What I have noticed since becoming a Knight is that Knights stick together. Knights are helpers and givers. If you need something, ask a Knight. We share. Knights donate to food banks and will offer a helping hand to our brothers in our school, our states, and even other countries. More recently, the Knights were asked to donate to the victims in the Bahamas and they stepped right up to the plate and hit a homerun; even before major organizations like the Red Cross chimed in, the Knights had already organized and collected hundreds of pounds of supplies.
Knights have strong traditions. Win, lose, or draw, we believe that we can win. We show up to support our students as they play games. We join the PTA, attend Open House, sell out the shows in the Drama department, and we wear our Black and Gold with pride. We come back to Kellam and we give back, and we truly believe that “Once a Knight Always A Knight” means something.
If there are things associated with the Knight culture that do not sit well with you, it is up to you to call it out. Ignoring it, denying it, or sitting back is the same as accepting it and condoning it!
As we celebrate homecoming, and we do CELEBRATE HOMECOMING, let us remember to remind our students of the other things that we believe, and of the high standards that we have set as part of our Knight Culture.
Attendance Matters: What You Can Do Helps!
Know the Kellam High School Attendance policy and procedures: click on the quick links below:
Please review the procedures below regarding late arrival and early release.
Late Arrival and Early Releases
All students who arrive late or leave early are required to sign in and out at the Front Security Desk and provide a note of reason in order to be eligible for consideration of an excused absence. Students leaving the campus without following proper procedures will be considered as class cutting (CUT).
Early release requests must be done in writing or email and received by the attendance office no later than 7:20am the morning of, and no earlier than the night before the request. A phone verification will be made prior to approval of release. We do not accept last minute requests to have students released and any extenuating circumstances are to be approved by administration.
Students are required to have an authorized adult sign the student out at the Front Security Desk. We cannot release a student from class prior to the arrival of the authorized adult as they must go through proper release format.
Authorized adults other than a parent or custodial guardian must be on the student’s approved pick up list. To add an adult to this list, please call 648-511. A note of request must be submitted along with a phone verification for addition. Authorized adults must be at least 18 years of age and cannot be a student at Kellam High School.
Please note that students arriving to school more than 15 minutes late (after 7:35am), are considered absent from that class or (CAU/CAE). This absence is calculated within the excessive absence policy.
Parking 101
High school students who meet the requirements and accept the responsibilities of driving private automobiles to school are permitted to do so (subject to availability of parking spaces). This privilege depends upon the student's willingness to follow the parking and vehicle usage regulations as prescribed by the individual high school. Failure to adhere to these regulations could result in forfeiture of the privilege of parking a motor vehicle on school property or, in the case of a parking violation, having one's vehicle ticketed and/or towed from the premises at the operator's expense.
Due to the limited number of parking spaces and the large number of students desiring parking spaces, decals will be available to SENIORS and JUNIORS only. There are roughly 500 parking spaces designated for student use, and 100 additional parking spots have been designated for use by students in the teacher lot in front of the school. The remaining areas are designated for staff, visitors, and handicapped parking.
Once parking decals are SOLD OUT, no other students will be allowed to purchase a decal or park on school property without a decal. There are currently still parking decals available. If your student has not purchased a decal, please encourage them to do so on Tuesday of every week until they are SOLD OUT. For safety reasons, student drop offs should be made using the first entrance, dropping students off at the front door, NOT in the staff parking lot.
Kellam High School has been contacted by the Great Neck Community directly across the street. In the past, there have been many students using this neighborhood as an overflow parking area. While parking on both sides of the street is not illegal, it is not desirable or safe. Having students parked in this manner virtually makes this narrow street a one-way street. The parents dropping off students for daycare, the buses that enter to pick up elementary and middle school students, as well as the trash and recycle vehicles, have great difficulty navigating this street. Please encourage your student to purchase a decal and refrain from parking in the neighborhood; we do want to be good neighbors.
From the Desk of K Cos, Student Activities Coordinator
Orders will be taken for Senior cap and gowns, as well as other graduation items on Tuesday, 10/8, Wednesday, 10/9 and Thursday, 10/10 during lunch. On Wednesday, October 9, Jostens will also have representatives in the Kellam café commons from 6:00pm - 8:00pm to help seniors and their parents with their graduation order. Seniors will receive their graduation orders this spring. Please call 1-800-Jostens for additional information.
Junior class ring orders will be taken Tuesday, 10/1, Wednesday 10/2, and Thursday, 10/3 during lunch. On Wednesday, 10/2, orders will also be taken from 6:00pm - 8:00pm in the Kellam High School Café Commons. Jostens representatives will be on site to assist with orders and will have class ring samples and sizers. Juniors will receive their rings this spring. Please call 1-800-Jostens for additional information.
Underclass make-up picture day is Tuesday, October 22 from 7:00am - 2:00pm in the Schola.
The first day of winter sports tryouts will be Nov. 11. All participants must have a physical on a VHSL form that is dated after May 1, 2019.
Homecoming Activities
Homecoming will be here soon! This year's theme is "A Knight through the Decades."
Our Homecoming Dance will be October 5th from 7-10! Snacks will be provided, and there will be a FREE Photo Booth!
Spirit Days:
Monday, October 7 is Neon Day
Tuesday, October 8 is Spooky Day
Wednesday, October 9 is Decades Day
Thursday, October 10 is Dynamic Duo Day
Friday, October 11 is Floyd E. Friday.
A Word from the Senior Class Sponsors:
Amanda Willoughby and Meredyth Parker are looking for donations for homecoming decorations and homecoming floats from senior parents. The senior class has chosen to represent the 1960s, and if you have anything around the house you are willing to donate please contact us at Amanda.kelly@vbschools.com or meredyth.parker@vbschools.com
Items we are looking for:
Paint (bright colors as well as white, and black)
Paint brushes
Old records (that you don’t mind not getting back)
Anything 1960s themed or retro
Balloons of various bright colors
Activity Bus Schedule
Fall Activity Bus Schedule (through the end of October)
Monday 4:45 PM and 5:45 PM
Tuesday 4:45 PM and 5:45 PM
Wednesday 4:45 PM ONLY
Thursday 4:45 PM ONLY
Friday 4:45 PM ONLY
Busses will be located outside of the gym.
KELLAM HS ACTIVITY ROUTES 2019-2020
BUS 567 – Allison Briggs – Victoria Park, Courthouse Estates, Courthouse Woods, North Landing Rd, Indian River Rd, N Muddy Creek, Indian River Plantation, New Bridge Rd
BUS 062 – Wendy Harris – Christopher Farms, PA Crossing, Buyrn Farm, Holland Woods, Holland Rd, PA Rd including: PA Quarters, Highgate Greens, Three Oaks, Highgate Crossing, Southgate, Hunt Club area to London Bridge Rd
BUS 063 – Cheryl Crayle – Asheville Park, Sherwood Lakes, Redmill, Lag O Mar, Heritage Park, Sandbridge
BUS 434 – Diana Hall – West Neck Rd & Blackwater to NC line, North Landing Rd from Indian River to Chesapeake line
BUS 852 – Robin Burnette – PA Woods, Seaboard Rd, Foxfire, Pungo to Knotts Island
**Students riding for the first time should check with the driver to make sure they are on the correct bus. Busses will deliver students to the intersection nearest their homes. Students should not have to walk more than approximately 1.5 miles.
Division News
The third annual Navigating the Journey, a Pre K-12 Resource Fair, will take place Thursday, Oct.17,
at the Virginia Beach Convention Center from 5:30 – 8 pm. The purpose of this event is to assist in
making students, parents and community members aware of all that is offered to students across the
division. Information tables will be set up in the main ballroom, and breakout sessions will be held in
the second-floor meeting spaces. See the flyer below for more information.
OWN-ITT Watershed Competition
Click here for more information on this year's OWN-ITT Watershed Competition. You will also be able to see last year's winning submission from Chris Freeman and Laura Howell!
Competition Schedule September 23, 2019 .......... Competition Announcement
November 25, 2019 ...................................................End of Registration Period
April 1, 2020 ...............................................................Submission Deadline
April 22, 2020 .............................................................Selection Committee Convenes
May 1, 2020 ................................................................Winners Announced
TBD ………………...............................................................Award Presentation
Mark Your Calendar
Upcoming Events
For all Beach District and VHSL sporting events involving YOUR Kellam Knights, click HERE.
For sports results and standings, click HERE.
October 5 - Homecoming Dance
October 7-11 Homecoming Week
October 11 - Homecoming Football Game vs. Green High School
October 14 - Staff Day (No school for students)/Virtual Day
October 16 - PSAT Testing (See Alternate schedule here)
October 25 - Next issue of The Knightly News
November 5 - Staff Day (No school for students)/Virtual Day
Stay in-the-know:
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