KMS 6th Grade Parent Update

Starting on Monday, February the 6th from 2:30p to 3:30p in Room 206 (WIN Cafe), Laura Griffin, Kodiak Island Borough School District School Social Worker & Family Resource Center Coordinator, will be having a grief/loss group for KMS students. This group is for students who have lost a parent, a guardian, grandparent, sibling, a friend or have an incarcerated parent. This grief/loss group will provide students with a space and time to grieve the loss. This will be an ongoing group that will meet every Monday. If you have any questions, please see the counseling department. Students will need a parent pick-up at 3:30 pm

6th grade Only

Monday-Friday

7:45 - 8:15 a.m.

Meet at 6th grade parent drop-off/walker entrance

(Parents drop off at the Playground or on Powell St.)

All are welcome, no physical or sign-up needed.

Tuesday, 3:30-4:15 p.m.

Students meet in room 217

Mr. Hinman: Yearbook Advisor

Wednesday 3:30-5:00 p.m.

Meet in Auditorium Foyer

KHS Room 127

Meets Wednesday 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Room 103

Mr. Freeman/Mr. Hodge: Advisors

Practice Monday-Friday

3:45-5:00 p.m.

KHS Mat Room

Monday 2:45 - 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday/Thursday 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Friday Performances as scheduled

February 16

7:00 p.m.

Kodiak High School Commons

The Kodiak Island Borough School District is partnering with the Association of Alaska School Boards to conduct the School Climate and Connectedness Survey ©, a statewide survey taken by students, staff, and families. This survey measures their perceptions of each school’s climate including the engagement of students, staff, and families.

You are an important partner as we work to continually improve each school’s environment. Each parent/guardian is asked to complete one survey during February. If you have more than one child attending this school, you only need to fill out one survey. You may access the survey using the survey button below.

Results from this survey will be used to identify student, staff and family perceptions of school climate issues within our school(s). KMS staff use the results to inform their efforts to ensure schools are safe, supportive, and caring places for all students.

Thank you for your support of Kodiak Middle School.

Basketball

Board Games

WIN (Whatever Is Needed)

Music (keyboarding and guitar)

Diversity Club

All students have the option to sign up for a club during recess time. If they don't sign up for a club, they go outside for recess. Some clubs run every-day, some are on certain days. On days where the club does not meet, students will go outside for recess.

KMS had a busy start to February. On Thursday afternoon, February 2, we recognized student achievement in three different areas, High Honor Roll, Honor Roll, and those who demonstrated an 85% growth between their Fall and Winter Fastbridge test scores. The Auditorium was packed with students and parents. We finished the afternoon with a Grizzly Ticket prize drawing.

TONIGHT, February 3 from 6:00-8:00 p.m., the PTSA is hosting a Winter Friday Night Live for all KMS students. KMS PTSA is a great group! They actively support students and KMS staff through events, fundraisers, and providing the occasional meal. PTSA is always on the lookout for new members and volunteers to help. Check out the link on the KMS Website under Parents and PTSA to join or for more information.

Last week we got our feet wet with analytically and deeply reading Freak the Mighty. I think students are beginning to see the importance of reading slowly and trying to “figure out” what the narrator is saying and what it all means. We will be having our first comprehension formative quiz on Monday, so students can get a feel for if they need to be rereading the book at home. There may be an occasional chapter to read at home, but students are encouraged to follow along with me while I read on the videos I have posted on Schoology and the Youtube page. We will be discussing characterization next week and plot development next week!

Students spent the week learning how to use the design website, Canva. They created a postcard that showcases the country they researched. Then they wrote a letter describing the country and addressed it. We are printing these at school and students will have the choice to send them in the mail if they want. The completed postcard was due Friday, Feb 3.

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Coming up on February 15, 6th grade students in Mr. Bechtol's PE class will split up to take part in a Health presentation on puberty as part of the KIBSD Health curriculum. Female students will meet with Mrs. Sheila (6th grade counselor) and KMS Nurse Chloe Nelson, while male students will meet with Mr. Bechtol (6th grade PE teacher) and Mr. Greg Walter (Nurse practitioner from KANA).

This presentation focuses on reproductive body parts and their functions with an emphasis on puberty. Please contact Mrs. Sheila Beardsley with questions.

sbeardsley01@kibsd.org or call 486-7471.

This week's prize was provided by The Islander Bookshop and the winning team members were

Mason Glade!

Congratulations, Mason!!

We have some amazing students here at KMS and we love to recognize them and show our appreciation!! When a middle school faculty or staff member observes a student exhibiting positive characteristics or behaviors, he/she can write that student a Grizzly Ticket. Then, at the end of each week, one of our administrators will draw ONE ticket from each grade, awarded for kindness, citizenship, respect, integrity, or some other positive action or trait.

This week's winner was....

DAVID BOSKOFSKY

for voluntarily helping to clean in the lunchroom.

These weekly winners (one per grade) get to spend the following week at the KING/QUEEN GRIZZLY lunch table. This table is the first in line, and the first to be dismissed. Occasionally, King or Queen Grizzly will get to use the microphone to dismiss all the other tables, too! ALL Grizzly Tickets awarded since the start of the school year will be entered in a big prize drawing in May!

In addition, we are currently in the middle of a Grizzly Ticket Challenge! Each grade is competing as a team to be the first to collectively earn 90 Grizzly Tickets and win a special treat for their entire grade!

Current Standings:

6th grade - 58

7th grade - 31

8th grade - 18

Keep it up, 6th graders!! You are doing an amazing job!!!

During lunch, students may sit with their friends. Tables are grouped by colors to assist with lunch pick-up and dismissal. This week students were introduced to a point system for volume, keeping hands and feet to self, clean tables, and "High Five". Tables can earn or lose points based upon:

1. volume at their tables (no yelling/screeching)
2. Clean tables (garbage is picked up on top of the table and on the floor)
3. Students keep their hands and feet to themselves (no pushing, shoving or rough play)
4. "High Five" (student voices are off, a hand is raised, and eyes are on the teacher)

At the end of the month, the table with the most points wins Pizza from the Principals.

Students are showing their competitive spirit and the volume has dropped noticeably in the cafeteria.

1. Email volunteer@kibsd.org that you are interested in becoming a volunteer and let them know which volunteer opportunity you’re interested in.

2. Check your email for a message from Sterling Volunteers (TheAdvocates@sterlingvolunteers.com) and follow the steps in the email. If you don’t receive the email within 3 business days, please contact volunteer@kibsd.org

3. You will receive an email once your background check is complete, with instructions to visit a school site, complete a volunteer agreement form and present your ID to the secretary.

4. Start volunteering!

5. Any questions? Contact KMS Secretary Amanda Transano (Amanda.Transano@kibsd.org)

Email: hnorton01@kibsd.org
Website: www.kibsd.org/kms
Location: 722 Mill Bay Road, Kodiak, AK, USA
Phone: (907) 486-7459