The Knightly News
Parent Newsletter - August 2022
Principal’s Message
Hello Knight Families,
I hope that your summer has been full of rest, relaxation, and fun times with family and friends. September 6 will welcome close to 1900 returning and new Knights to the Castle! This year Kellam High School is celebrating 60 years of excellence. Our SCA theme is Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow: UKnighted as One, and we look forward to a great year. In this edition of the Knightly News, we have included several important pieces of information to help prepare you and your students for a smooth school opening.
Our administrative team, faculty, and staff have worked hard to design an amazing experience that will empower future-ready learners and leaders. At Kellam High School, we aim to shape global citizens, life-long learners, difference makers, and dynamic leaders. If you are or know a Kellam graduate, then you know exactly what it means to be a Knight. However, we cannot do it alone. We need your support in the way of partnerships, sponsorships, internship opportunities, PTSA memberships, and serving on the exhibition of learning panels, just to name a few.
This year we will continue to ensure high-quality instruction for every student in a safe and inclusive environment. We appreciate your support in helping us achieve our goals by communicating how important it is for your student(s) to report to school every day on time, be prepared to engage in rigorous instruction, and be free from distractions. Please also encourage your student to find an activity to get involved with at Kellam High School. We know that involved students are more likely to succeed academically. I look forward to an amazing year, as I know that our partnership will prime our students for success.
Sincerely,
Ryan C. Schubart, Ph.D.
Principal
Don't forget to follow us on Twitter: @KellamHigh and Facebook: KellamHS. Our website is updated regularly for more information: https://kellamhs.vbschools.com/
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Kellam High School PTSA
JOIN PTSA- WENEED YOU
When you join the Kellam High School PTSA, you join a community that encourages student achievement and enriches the learning environment.
Each membership helps place funds back into the school and towards student activities such as GradFest!
You do not have to be a parent to be part of the PTA. We are open to all caregivers, family members, local businesses, and community members. Did you know the “S” in PTSA stands for students? So please sign your student up today for a membership as well.
We have exciting plans for this upcoming school year, and your support is greatly appreciated.
Looking forward to a great year!!
To purchase a membership, select here or scan the QR code.
VOLUNTEER WHEN YOU CAN
PTSA Fundraising Made EASY!
Amazon Smile will donate to Kellam PTSA with every purchase you make!
Go to smile.amazon.com.
Login using your existing Amazon account or register for a new account.
Select “Floyd E Kellam High School PTSA” as your charity.
Create a bookmark or add this to your favorites to create a shortcut.
Buy your Amazon purchases through smile.amazon.com, not through the regular Amazon site.
Re-link your Harris Teeter TIE cards to KHS PTSA! Code 5968
Givebacks
Givebacks is a magical new cashback program to help Kellam High School PTSA
as well as the community (called Backers).
Sign up for Givebacks and select Floyd E. Kellam High School PTSA as your cause.
Create an account.
Securely link your credit card by accessing your profile page. This is how the cashback is earned.
Add the browser extension if necessary and start shopping!
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Counselor's Corner
Parents 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.
Kellam Families,
We are excited about the 2022-2023 school year and know you are anxiously awaiting your schedule. To help answer some of your questions, we have created this document with key information about when schedules will be available and how to access and understand them. As the first day of school (September 6) nears, we will send out more information about transportation, open house, etc.
Availability of Schedules
Schedules will be available on August 22, 2022, after 5p in ParentVue and StudentVue. To access your schedule, follow these steps:
Login to ParentVue and/or StudentVue.
Click on Class Schedule on the right side of the navigation bar.
Review your current schedule.
**It is imperative that students check their schedules regularly as it is possible for changes to occur up to the first day of school.**
Access to ParentVue/StudentVue
If you have forgotten your password and have already registered with Self-Service Password Reset please follow the directions here to reset your password.
If you have misplaced your student ID number or password, please contact your school’s Technology Support Technician (TST).
Click HERE for directions to create your ParentVue account.
If you have an account and need support, please contact 757-263-1111 between the hours of 7:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday. Or email parentportal@vbschools.com
Flexible scheduling
While most of our classes will operate on a 4x4 (term) schedule, some courses will run on the A/B (yearlong) schedule. Students and families should check their schedules carefully to determine which classes are 4x4 and which classes are A/B. See sample schedule below.
Explanation of A/B vs. 4x4
4x4 (term) classes
4x4 (term) classes will be noted with a term delineation (S1C or S2C), a class period #, and “AB” because they meet every day.
Meet approximately 90 minutes every day for a term
Term 1: September 6, 2022 - January 27, 2023
Term 2: January 31, 2023 - June 23, 2023
Schedule Change Requests
Schedule changes can only be made for one of the following reasons:
Student is missing a graduation requirement.
Student has an incomplete schedule.
Student is in a class they previously passed.
Student failed a prerequisite course.
Student needs additional classes to meet VHSL eligibility requirements (Slide#17-#19)
**If one of the above is true, click HERE to submit a Drop/Add Request.**
Schedule changes cannot be made for the following reasons:
Student wants a different teacher.
Student wants a different block.
Student wants to rearrange schedule for an early release block.
NOTE: All schedule change requests are subject to administrative approval and are not guaranteed.
Inclusivity: Vaccination Debate
August is National Immunization Awareness Month. Vaccines prevent diseases that can cause serious illness, long-term disability, and even death. Many of these diseases have no treatment or cure, and vaccines are the only available protection. People choosing to vaccinate themselves and eventually their children were looking for ways to avoid sickness and possibly death. They wanted to be safe.
Several studies have examined why parents refuse, delay, or are hesitant to vaccinate their children. These reasons vary widely between parents. Some of the more common reasons are religious reasons, personal beliefs or philosophical reasons, safety concerns, and a desire for more information from healthcare providers. Many parents want to be able to choose what is best for them and their children.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, many unvaccinated minorities existed even in countries with high vaccine access. Consequently, public debates and protests intensified over the issue of vaccination. The government was asked in many countries to ensure that the vaccinated and unvaccinated can enjoy their fundamental rights, such as the right to education, work, and medical treatment.
They were asking for inclusivity: the practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized. It was difficult for some to see this as a human rights issue. Many could only look at it through a medical lens. As we start this new year, let's remember the lessons learned while navigating the COVID 19 pandemic. Personal security and personal choice can work together.
New Student Orientation
New Student Orientation is on August 31, 2022, between 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., with registration check-in beginning at 8:30 a.m. Students need to bring their charged Chromebook!
This event is open to all rising 9th grade students and any students new to Kellam this year.
Meet your advisory teacher, mentors, counselors, and classmates. See your classrooms, play games, get some snacks, get your questions about high school answered, take a tour of the building, and learn how to get involved!
Food Drive: Bring canned goods for the Food Bank!
This is a STUDENT ONLY event. Please register for this event below. Students must provide their own transportation to and from school.
Parents/guardians dropping off their student(s) may do so up front or park in the student's lot. Parents/guardians picking up their students should PARK in the student lot and wait for their student(s) to meet them.
New Student Chromebook pick-up will be on August 29, 2022, or August 30, 2022, between 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm. New students may pick up their Chromebooks from Mr. Fox on either of these days and times. This applies only to students who are new to VBCPS and have not yet been issued a Chromebook.
New Student Orientation Registration Form
The last day to register for this event is Friday, August 19, 2022.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. You can also visit www.kellamstudentactivities.com for additional information on our organizations. Be sure to watch for updates in this newsletter and follow us on social media. You can also visit the Kellam Touch Pro to see the accomplishments of our present and past students.
Senior Portraits
Senior Portraits will be on September 12 and 13. Please use the information in this flier to schedule your sessions: Senior Portrait Information Flier.
Underclassman Portraits
Underclassman school pictures will be on September 15 and 16. More information will be given to students when classes begin.
Fall Activity Bus Schedule
Click the link to access the schedule: Activity Bus Schedule and Routes.
Athletic and Academic Team Eligibility Requirements
All participants in a VHSL activity or sport must have passed the equivalent of 5 classes the previous semester and be enrolled in the equivalent of 5 classes for the current semester/term. Please review this presentation to explain eligibility requirements with the hybrid A/B and 4x4 schedule. Kellam High School Eligibility
Fall Sports
All sports schedules are available on the Beach District Website:
All competitions that occur in the gym or the football stadium will be live streamed on the NFHS network. Use this link to access the Kellam site: Kellam NFHS Network Page.
Tickets for Fall Sporting Events
All Varsity and JV Football games tickets are available for purchase through GoFAN. Tickets can be purchased at GOFAN.co. You can attend Field Hockey, Volleyball, Golf, and Cross Country without purchasing a ticket during the regular season. Tickets for ALL FALL SPORTS will be required for region and state events and available for purchase on GoFan. Cash will not be accepted at the gate; however, you may purchase tickets using a credit/debit card at Beach District Events.
Beach District Passes can also be purchased at GOFAN.co. Beach District passes are accepted for all regular season games at any VBCPS High School.
Pass Prices:
$60 for 3 or less
$50 for 4 or more
For easier purchasing and viewing tickets for validation, download the GoFan App in the iTunes or Google Play Store.
Important Announcements
Menus & Meal Payments
Unfortunately, federal pandemic waivers that enabled us to serve meals at no cost to all students have expired. For the 2022-2023 school year, we will be reverting back to traditional/normal operations, where meals will be charged according to student eligibility (paid, reduced, free). However, the cost of reduced-price meals is being waived by the state. So, students approved for reduced-price meals will not have to pay for meals this school year.
Breakfast:
- Full price student: $1.40
- Reduced price student: Regular $0.30* FREE 2022-2023
Lunch:
- Full price student: $2.85
- Reduced price student: Regular $0.40* FREE 2022-2023
Drop-Off and Pick-Up
Morning Drop-Off - Families dropping off their students should do so in the roundabout directly in front of the main entrance. For safety reasons, please refrain from dropping students at any other location.
Afternoon Pick-Up – Families picking up students should park in Student Lot #1 as indicated in the graphic. For safety reasons, please refrain from picking up students from any other location.
A Parent’s Guide to Grading and Reporting
Parking Passes for Seniors and Juniors
2022-2023 Kellam Parking Pass Info & Application
ONLY Seniors and Juniors are allowed to purchase decals at this time.
You must have the following:
1. Current driver's license or temporary driver's license
2. Completed parking pass application HERE and upload it to the parking pass database
3. An appointment made in the Sign-Up Genius link HERE
4. Pay with School Cash HERE receipt for $45, or $35 if you attend ATC or Career and Tech Ed Center (This will be AVAILABLE on TUESDAY, AUGUST 23)
At your appointment, you MUST have the following:
Proof of Payment - your receipt (paper or email copies are acceptable).
Current driver's license or temporary driver's license number
Current State registration card for the vehicle listed on your application.
Please ensure all spaces are completed on the application to avoid delays.
Purchase your parking decal before school starts by appointment on the following days:
Seniors: August 25 & 26 and Sept 1 & 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (closed for lunch from 11:30 to 12:00).
Juniors: Sept 1 & 2 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (closed for lunch from 11:30 to 12:00).
Decals picked up during the school year will be by appointment only; see Sign Up Genius for those appointments. E-Hall Pass is required to pick up a pass during the school day.
Parking Pass Application and Information:
Attendance
Know Kellam High School Attendance policy and procedures. Click on the quick links below:
Early Release Procedures
Early release requests must be made by completing the Early Release Request Form or emailing to KellamAttendance@vbschools.com, and these must be received by the attendance office no later than 7:20 a.m. the morning of and no earlier than 3:30 p.m. the evening before the request. Phone verification will be made before the approval of release. We do not accept last-minute requests to have students released, and the administration must approve any extenuating circumstances.
Students must have an authorized adult sign them student out at the Front Security Desk. We cannot release a student from class before the arrival of the authorized adult as they must go through the proper release format.
Authorized adults other than parents or custodial guardians must be on the student’s approved pick-up list. To add an adult to this list, please call 648-5111; a request note 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.
Tardy Policy: students are expected to be on time for school and each class. Students not in their assigned class on time for each block will be marked Tardy. Tardy will be addressed accordingly by the Discipline Guidelines.
Please encourage your student’s attendance, and inform them of its impact on a successful academic year.
Communicate with your student’s Administrator, School Counselor, or Teacher if you notice sudden changes in behavior or have issues that can potentially cause attendance issues.
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, available here, to prevent Unverified Absences (UNV).
Please get in touch with the Attendance Office at 648-5105 if you have any questions or email KellamAttendance@vbschools.com.
Cell Phone and BYOD Policy
Technology Talks
Chromebooks
Kellam High School continues to transform your child's instruction at our school. A significant part of this transformation is regularly using various digital resources and tools. To meet all students' needs, we can now provide a Chromebook to every student in grades 9-12. Students will be responsible for having their fully charged Chromebook at school daily. In addition, they will keep their assigned device for the duration of their years at Kellam High School, including summer, until graduation or relocation.
Similarly, they may be responsible for any damages to the Chromebook and loss or theft. Details of student responsibilities are delineated in the Student Digital Device Agreement, which is included in the Parent Acknowledgement Form sent home at the start of school. Parents will be contacted directly to register to receive their child's Internet browsing history and may further restrict access to sites when the device is in use off the school campus. Parent adjustments to student access do not impact the filtering in place while on school grounds. You are encouraged to review the expectations with your student. Please CLICK HERE to access the expectations, including the Acceptable Use Policy, and CLICK HERE for the Code of Student Conduct.
We recommend all students reset their passwords before the start of school. Please CLICK HERE for instructions on the proper password reset procedure using a VBCPS Chromebook.
From the Nurse's Desk
Welcome back to the 2022-2023 school year. I want to remind parents about some of our guidelines to make the beginning of the school year run smoothly. I will return to the clinic on Thursday, August 25th. Parents dropping off medications or supplies for students may do so after that date. Please be aware that the clinic will not be available to accept prescriptions on August 26th and 31st, as the clinic will be closed on those dates. Please call the clinic at 757-648-5107 before coming to the school to ensure that someone will be present in the clinic to accept your child's medication or supplies.
Another reminder for rising senior students who have not received the meningococcal vaccine. Be aware that if your student does not have the immunization documentation in the clinic before school starts, they will not be permitted to start school on the first day.
For students that obtain injuries or have injuries and will require assistive devices to get around the school. Please be aware that we need a note from your child's physician stating that they will be on crutches for an approximate time frame. Also, if your student has surgery, please contact Karen Ware RN before the surgery to make your child's return to school a smooth transition.
If you have any questions about clinic operations or policies, please get in touch with Karen Ware at 757 648 5107 beginning August 25th. I look forward to seeing you and your students and helping them have a healthy and successful school year.
Kellam Schedules
Upcoming Events
Stay connected to our calendar and mark yours!
Click HERE for all Beach District and VHSL sporting events involving YOUR Kellam Knights.
Mark your calendar:
August 19- Last Day to Register for New Student Orientation held on August 31st
August 25-26 - Senior Parking Pass Sale for Seniors ONLY (9 am - 2:30 pm)
August 26 - Football Vs. First Colonial (7 pm)
August 29-30 - New Student Chromebook pickup (12 pm - 3 pm)
August 31 - New Student Orientation (9 am - 1 pm)
September 1-2 - Senior Parking Pass Sale for Seniors and Juniors ONLY (8 am - 3 pm)
September 6 - 1st Day of School (4x4 1st Term and A day)
September 9 - Football @ Green Run (7 pm)
September 12-13 - Senior portraits
September 15-16 - Underclassmen portraits
September 21 - Open House (More Information to come)
Stay in the know: Access previous newsletters here, starting the next issue.
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