KCSD & Me
October 2022 / Klamath County School District
IMPORTANT DATES
Oct. 14: No school for students. Grade prep day for teachers
Oct. 19-20: Parent teacher conferences
Oct. 20: No school for students
Oct. 21: No school.
To our KCSD community,
We've had a successful start to the new school year, welcoming 7,100-plus students into our classrooms! Some highlights so far:
- Brixner Junior High School has converted space into a robotics lab and classroom. The school is now offering robotics and engineering classes, and offers an after-school robotics competition club.
- A new project-based learning curriculum has started at our elementary schools, allowing for hands-on activities and small group academic work.
- Construction has started on a new 200-meter track at Stearns Elementary School.
- A new walking path is being used by students at Merrill Elementary School. Merrill’s PTA replanted new grass and created the gravel path around the school’s field. We appreciate their work and support!
- Teams are playing on new turf fields at Chiloquin Junior/Senior High School and Mazama High School.
Watch for more details about the above projects in future newsletters. It's going to be great year! #ProudtobeKCSD
Attendance: Our time together matters
Klamath County School District is partnering with Klamath Promise and Klamath Falls City Schools to remind families and students that attending school is key to staying on track for high school graduation. Experts define chronic absenteeism as missing 10% or more of school days. For KCSD students that equates to being absent from class for more than 17 days. We know many factors may contribute to chronic absenteeism but every day does matter. For a look at those factors and how to overcome them, check out the above video from the U.S. Department of Education or access it here: https://youtu.be/hEDQWgvJwHU
We also are kicking off a billboard attendance campaign later this month. See if you can spot our billboards on your way to class! #KCSDOurTimeTogetherMatters
New turf fields at Chiloquin, Mazama
Check out the new track and field facilities at Mazama and Chiloquin! The district used federal ESSER funds to construct a new turf field and track at Chiloquin and a new turf field at Mazama. The Klamath Tribes donated $500,000 towards the Chiloquin project.
With the ongoing drought in the Klamath Basin, the district was not able to irrigate its grass football fields. The turf fields are a long-term solution, allowing students a safer space for recess, P.E. classes and other activities. They also guarantee continued access and encourage participation in extracurricular activities that otherwise would not be available during our community’s prolonged drought conditions.
October focus: Bullying prevention
Each month, our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) team provides tips and strategies on our website to improve the well- being of students, families, and parents. October's focus is bullying.
Follow this LINK for tips, including:
- Ways to talk to your child about bullying
- Ways to prevent bullying
- How to report bullying
This information and more can be found at stopbullying.gov
Celebrating school lunch!
We have 17 school kitchens operated by 17 cook managers and 39 assistant cooks. Support staff include our nutrition supervisor, warehouse supervisor, Farm to School coordinator, two secretaries, and four warehouse attendants/truck drivers. Our district has worked hard to maintain its CEP eligibility, which allows us to feed all of our students breakfast and lunch at no cost to the students or parents.
With an active Farm to School program, we also serve and highlight an Oregon-grown food once a month. (See "Watermelon Smiles" below for a look at last month's Featured Food).
In the photo: First graders at Shasta Elementary School enjoy their school lunches.
Lost River senior organizes Ag Field Day
Watermelon smiles: Melon from local farm served in school cafeterias
A positive start: KCSD kicks off new year
Free/reduced meal benefits expanding: Do you qualify?
KCSD is implementing a new state-funded program that will make school meals available at no charge to additional students. Households that have not qualified for federal free or reduced meals benefits in the past may now qualify in a new category called The Oregon Expanded Income Eligibility Guidelines (EIG). For example, a household of four with an annual income up to $83,250 is now eligible for meals at no charge. To see if your household qualifies click here. We are encouraging all households that are eligible to take advantage of this benefit. To fill out a quick and confidential application click here.
OUR NEXT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
JOIN OUR TEAM!
Check out our job openings: KCSD Employment Opportunities
FOLLOW KCSD & ME
In our KCSD & Me district newsletters, we will provide updates as well as share news from across our district. If you need information between newsletters, go to our webpage at www.kcsd.k12.or.us and follow us on social media. Keep track of KCSD & Me newsletters at: https://www.kcsd.k12.or.us/district/kcsd--me-newsletters.cfm. Follow district news here: https://www.kcsd.k12.or.us/district/district-news.cfm
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