The Knightly News
Parent Newsletter - January/February 2022
Principal’s Message
Happy New Year Knight Families!
I hope that everyone had a restful and enjoyable winter break. As we continue to grapple with challenges that new variants pose, I appreciate your patience in navigating new procedures with regards to isolation/quarantine, and your support in ensuring your students arrive at school on time, symptom-free, and with a proper-fitting mask. Our goal continues to be providing five days of quality, in-person instruction per week. Your support helps keep our students and staff healthy so that operations can remain uninterrupted. In the event that a teacher must be out, quality lessons and substitutes are being provided. When feasible, absent teachers are touching base with their students virtually to ensure students are receiving the support they need.
Recently, you received an update from VBCPS regarding Executive Order Number Two:
Virginia’s new governor signed Executive Order Number Two yesterday, which terminates the previous administration’s policy regarding face coverings in a K-12 public school environment. This order is due to go into effect on Monday, Jan. 24.
Our existing rules regarding masks will remain in place as classes resume this coming week while we work with the Virginia Beach Department of Public Health, Virginia Department of Education, and our own health services team on how this order impacts us and how to best comply.
We will keep you informed as to how masking rules for VBCPS may change as soon as we have more information on the new executive order. In the meantime, please refer to our COVID-19 website for the latest on our safety strategies and for access to the COVID-19 Dashboard.
Please be on the lookout for updated information from VBCPS around any changes to masking rules.
As a reminder, high school students who are asymptomatic are not required to quarantine from classes no matter their vaccination status. High school students who have tested positive for COVID-19 will now be able to return to school after five days of isolation as long as they are asymptomatic or have been fever-free for more than 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing drugs and are able to wear a mask effectively. Students participating in athletics or conditioning may not participate in these activities during the 10 days following the onset of symptoms (isolation period) or 10 days following their last close contact exposure (if they are unvaccinated or have not had COVID-19 in the last 90 days) due to their inability to wear a mask effectively during play.
In early January, Kellam High School was proud to be a satellite host for the 14th Annual African American Male Summit. Students from the Kellam, Ocean Lakes, and First Colonial feeder patterns came together to celebrate the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Junior.
January 17 marked our national celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Junior’s birthday. This year as we continue our work in creating an inclusive environment for each and every student at Kellam High School, we are mindful of Dr. King’s warning that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” To that end, we strive for action. Earlier this year, we revealed our new crest signifying our approach to unify through a set of core values. Leadership, integrity, and unity are what we stand for as Knights. I challenge our community to reflect upon how we can breathe life into these core values. Through our Castle Keepers program, we have recognized several staff members and students who have done just that. Let us continue to exhibit small acts each day that make all feel as though they belong.
School Counselors have been meeting with students to select courses for the 2022-23 school year. As part of the VBCPS High School Redesign initiative to empower future ready learners, VBCPS is considering a flexible scheduling model that maximizes the opportunities provided for students to engage in advanced courses, electives, remedial coursework, and work-based learning experiences. Some courses may be taught on a 4x4 schedule while others may be taught on an "A/B" schedule. The VBCPS School Board heard an initial presentation at its Nov 9, 2021 workshop found here. They further reviewed this initiative in detail during their January 11, 2022 meeting. Click here for the link to the webinar on January 19 from 6-7PM. In anticipation of potential changes to the schedule format, Kellam HS course registration guidelines have been altered. Please check out the Course Registration Hub for information on your student’s 2022-23 course selection.
As we approach the end of the first semester, continue to check with your students to ensure they are completing assignments and are prepared for any semester course final assessments. We have a myriad of supports available to students who are experiencing challenges.
I wish everyone a strong finish to the first semester and look forward to seeing you at our many Winter sporting events and activities.
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/
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
AP exams will be administered from May 2 to May 13, 2022 (see the testing schedule here). If your student registered for an AP exam with a deposit, the remaining balance is due no later than March 8, 2022. Please log into Total Registration to pay your balance.
February is…
Academic Advising & Course Registration Meetings
African American History Month
Career & Technical Education Month
International Boost Self Esteem Month
National Children’s Dental Health Month
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
- National Signing Day
Kellam will be recognizing all of our athletes moving on to compete at the next level on February 2, 2022 at 10:20 AM in the auditorium. Please complete this google form if your athlete would like to participate in our ceremony: National Signing Day Information Sheet. Further details will be communicated after the break.
Senior Cap and Gown
Date: Thursday, February 3, 2022 at Kellam
Schedule your session at https://schedule.prestigeportraits.com/schedule/home.html
Sitting Fee is $10 and can be paid online or cash to the photographer on the 3rd.
Use this link for additional information on how to dress:
Kellam Cap and Gown Picture Information Sheet
*This is not the senior drape photo for the yearbook. This is an additional opportunity for a Cap and Gown Photo of your senior. It will not be in the yearbook.
Senior Recognition Ads for the Yearbook
Parents can 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 is located in the resources on the HKL Grade 12 Schoology Group page.
Letter Jackets
The time to order your student’s Kellam High School letter jacket has arrived. Letter jackets will ship directly to your home. Use this link: Kellam Letter Jacket Order Link to place your order today.
Junior Class Rings
Kellam has a time-honored tradition of receiving class rings during Junior year, and we will be continuing this tradition for the class of 2023. 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.
Athletic Events
We are excited to have all our winter teams competing!
Click here to view schedules for all of our teams: 2021-2022 Sports Schedules.
Athlete COVID Testing
Athletes who are participating in sports that require a VHSL physical (in season and out of season conditioning) will need to submit a copy of their of COVID vaccination to the school nurse or consent to weekly COVID testing. All athletes who will be testing need to submit a paper copy of this consent form Kellam COVID Testing Consent Form to the school nurse and also complete the MAKO Medical registration link: MAKO Medical Registration Link. Athlete testing is at Kellam on Tuesday from 10:40 AM-12:40 PM.
VBCPS COVID mitigations for indoor events:
Indoor events are limited to 25% of the capacity for the venue (example: the gym, cafe commons, auditorium). All tickets for athletic events and fine arts performances will be sold online through GoFan. All spectators, participants, 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. There will also be no concessions at the indoor winter events.
All competitions that occur in the gym 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.
Winter Activity Bus Schedule
Click the link to access the schedule: Winter Activity Bus Schedule and Routes
Spring Sports Tryouts
Spring team tryouts will begin on February 22. Please contact the coach of that sport for additional information. There will be information released to students through the Google announcements slideshow posted on the ALL HKL Schoology page daily. Please review this information on student athlete eligibility: Student Athlete Eligibility Presentation. All spring athletes must have passed 5 classes 1st semester and also be enrolled in 5 classes for the 2nd semester.
Spring Sports Coaching Staff
- Girls Soccer Mario Hurdle, Mario.hurdle@vbschools.com
- JV Girls Soccer
- Boys Soccer Craig Powers,Craig.powers@vbschools.com
- JV Boys Soccer
- Baseball St. Clair Jones, St.Clair.jones@vbschools.com
- JV Baseball Richard DeJesus,Richard.dejesus@vbschools.com
- B/G Outdoor Track Bill Bernard, kellamtrack@icloud.com
- Softball Lori Gavin, Lori.gavin@vbschools.com
- JV Softball Adam Henry adam.henry@vbschools.com
- Boys Tennis Scott Hoffman, Alex.hoffman@vbschools.com
- Girls Tennis James Yermal, jmyermal11@gmail.com
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow, tis the season to bring in notes…
Know Kellam High School Attendance policy and procedures: Information can be found on the Kellam Website under the Parents Tab-Attendance.
You may have received attendance letter(s) regarding absences/truancy. Please see the information below regarding students who are directed to quarantine due to COVID-19.
Students who are not ill and are able to participate can access remote asynchronous learning if available.
Students who access remote asynchronous learning will be counted present if work is accessed daily.
Please notify teachers if students were able to access asynchronous learning for that day, so that accurate attendance code can be reflected.
If you have any questions, please contact the school.
Attendance Waiver for the First Semester is around the corner. Please find the links below to the Parent Letter and Attendance Waiver Form.
Please know that Attendance Waiver Form must be completed for all students having more than six (6) absences from class (excused or unexcused) within a given semester.
If absences were due to quarantine, please note it on the Attendance Waiver Form.
Check on your student’s attendance periodically. To access your student’s attendance profile, log into Parent Portal or ParentVue Mobile App.
Provide parent verification of absences by completing the electronic Kellam Absence Form, click here, to prevent Unverified Absences (UNV).
Please contact the Attendance Office if you have any questions at 648-5105 or email KellamAttendance@vbschools.com.
Important Announcements
PSAT 8/9 and PSAT 10
Due to current health conditions, staffing concerns and logistics, the PSAT 8/9 and 10 will not be administered as scheduled for the 2021-2022 school year. This is a one-year decision and is not intended to carry over into future years.
English 11 SOL Writing test
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:
January 1 - Happy New Year
January 5 - Adjusted Dismissal
January 8 - African-American Male Summit - Kellam HS 9-12 pm
January 12 - Adjusted Dismissal
January 17- Martin Luther King Day- No School
January 17-21 - Student Activities Coordinators Week
January 26 - Adjusted Dismissal
February 1 Chinese New Year
February. 2 - Quarter 3 begins; Groundhog Day; Job Shadow Day
February 4 - Wear Red Day
February 7 - 11 - National School Counseling Week!!!
February 7 Quarter 2 report cards released
February 8- Kellam AVID Student Application Due
February. 9 - TCE Virtual Open House @ 6pm
February. 14 - Valentine’s Day
February 14 - 18 Random Acts of Kindness Week
February 21 - Presidents Day (school closed)
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