The Knightly News
Parent Newsletter - February 2023
Principal’s Message
Hello Knight Families,
Hello Knight Families,
February brings a new term and semester. This means many of our students are beginning new courses with new teachers. Please check in with your student if they have new courses and review course expectations. We want to be sure everyone gets off to a great start.
Also this month, we are very excited to celebrate Love Kellam Week February 13-17. During this week we acknowledge what it means to be a Knight and have planned several events to highlight leadership, integrity, and unity. Students and faculty will hear from guest speakers in the Kellam community, participate in community service projects, and engage in class competitions. Thank you to all of our community partners who have volunteered to assist in this event.
On January 31, our block schedule changed to include a common Lunch for all students. Students will have a 50-minute lunch period between 11:40 and 12:30. This represents a shift to a pre Covid-19 schedule, and is designed to provide opportunities for students to participate in extracurricular activities, and receive additional academic support. All teachers have designated office hours, and we have a writing and math lab open one day each week. Additionally, peer tutors are available to assist students.
February is Black History Month, and this year we are celebrating inclusivity in many ways. At Kellam we value differences, as we know that is what makes us stronger. Each of us have different life experiences that have shaped who we are. Nevertheless, we unite through core values of leadership, integrity, and unity. Regardless of our differences, we are all Knights! Thank you for reinforcing respect, tolerance, kindness, and empathy for others with your own students.
As we wind down our winter athletic, academic, and performing arts competition season, we wish everyone good luck in postseason play. I hope to see you at region and state competitions. Go Knights!
Dr. Ryan Schubart
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/
PTSA Update
CALLING The Class of 2023
Copies of the 2022-2023 Kellam PTSA Scholarship Application can be found in the Counseling department or on Scholarship Central.
The deadline for all applications is April 21, 2023. No late applications will be accepted. For any questions, please feel free to email Pamula.poteet@gmail.com.
THE PTSA IS IN NEED OF VOLUNTEERS TO FILL THE FOLLOWING
POSITIONS FOR THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR.
President
Responsible for leading the PTSA and is the association's presiding officer and official representative.
Vice-President (Membership)
Plans and promotes membership campaigns and events; maintains the membership database
Treasurer
Manages the PTSA finances by keeping accurate financial records and preparing for the annual audit.
GradFest Coordinator
Manages the all-Knight celebration for the Senior Class; coordinates with vendors to secure a venue and sponsorships; organizes Grad-Fest details and logistics; develops and oversees fundraising opportunities.
If you are interested in any of these positions and have any questions/concerns regarding these positions, please get in touch with any PTSA Board Member – KellamKnightsPTSA@outlook.com
Culturally Speaking: What is Social Justice?
We are diverse! We may be inclusive, but have we achieved Social Justice?
Social justice asks so many different questions than those about diversity or inclusion.
Diversity and inclusion say to get every child into the room. They all belong in the room. But social justice asks, “Whose presence in the room is under constant threat of erasure?”
Diversity and inclusion say to allow every child to share their truth. They deserve to be heard. Social justice asks, “Whose ideas won’t be taken as seriously because they aren’t in the majority?”
How do you get there? How can we answer the questions that social justice asks? The groundwork of diversity and inclusion was laid out in the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The reference to ‘all’ means ALL people. It means ALL races, ALL economic designations, ALL genders, ALL groups…ALL. The mention of ‘equitable access and treated fairly’ is referencing inclusion. Include those who look like you, those who do not, those who think like you, those who do not, those who dress the way you dress, eat what you eat, feel like you feel, and those who do not.
But social justice is different. Social justice is about equity. It’s hard. It’s ever-changing. Social justice is the belief that everyone deserves equal access and participation in our community and economic, political, and social rights. There are no simple suggestions. But, there are simple opportunities for actions that will build the cultures within our school.
Attendance Reminders
Early Release Requests
All Early Release Requests received prior to 7:20 a.m. will be verified by the Attendance Office by a phone call to the parent or guardian’s phone number on file. All students who leave early are required to sign out at the Front Security Desk using the QR code located at the front desk before they leave the school building. Any student leaving the building without fulfilling the sign out procedure and proper authorization will be marked as CUT and referred to an Administrator.
For the Early Release Request Form, CLICK HERE or scan the QR Code below:
Morning Drop-Off
Please help us keep the traffic pattern flowing by not waiting in the drop-off loop until the building is open. If you wish to arrive early, and do not want to drop your student off, please wait in a parking space. Thank you for your cooperation.
Attendance Requirement
All attendance guidelines and procedures as well as Absence and Early Release forms are located on our school website in the Parents tab and hereKellam Attendance Guidelines & Procedures
FREE AP Tutoring
PSAT DAY is COMING AGAIN!!
Student Activities Update
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 Kellam Student Activities Info Site 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.
Twitter: @KellamHigh
Instagram: kellamhigh
Facebook: Floyd E. Kellam High School
Senior Scoop
Use this link, Kellam Senior Scoop, 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.
Kellam Letter Jacket
You can order your Kellam Letter Jacket using the Jostens Letter Jacket Link.
You can watch this video for additional information: How to Order a Letter Jacket Video from Jostens.
Activity Bus Schedule
2023 Yearbooks for Sale
Tickets for Sporting Events
Click the link to access the schedule: Activity Bus Schedule and Routes
Order your 2022-2023 yearbook using this link: 2022-2023 Yearbook Order Link
All tickets to attend Varsity and JV Football games 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, WINTER, and SPRINGS SPORTS will be required for region and state events and available for purchase on GoFan. There will not be cash accepted at the gate; however, purchasing a ticket using a credit/debit card will be available 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.
Tickets for regional games will be available on Gofan.co. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for students. ALL REGIONAL EVENTS WILL REQUIRE A TICKET FOR ADMITTANCE.
All state tournament information is available on the VHSL Website.
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 courses for the current semester/term. Please review this presentation for an explanation of eligibility requirements with the hybrid A/B and 4x4 schedule.
Kellam High School Eligibility
Athletic Schedules
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.
Use this link to access and purchase.
Important Announcements
2nd Semester Student Parking Decal Lottery
SENIORS AND JUNIORS ONLY (Please read carefully and entirely.)
We have limited decals that have become available due to early graduates. The recipients of these decals will be chosen via a lottery.
To enter the lottery, complete the Parking Pass Application.
If you previously completed an application, you will need to complete a new one. The drawing will be held on February 10, 2023. You will be notified the day after the lottery if you are selected. Be sure your contact information is correct on the application.
The cost is $45.00. Bring your receipt if you paid for one earlier using School Cash. If you have not already paid, you will pay at pick-up time. CASH or CHECK only.
When picking up your decal, have the following with you:
Current driver's license or temporary driver's license
Current Vehicle registration for the vehicle listed on the application
Proof of Insurance
$45.00 payment (CASH OR CHECK ONLY)
If you paid before the lottery using school cash, plan to provide proof of that payment.
If you are not selected for a decal in this drawing and paid using School Cash, you may request a refund by emailing tarice@vbschools.com.
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 calendars:
February 1 - National Signing Day
February 1- Wrestling Senior Knight
February 3- Beach District Dive Meet
February 4 - Beach District Swim Meet
February 6-10- School Counseling Week
February 13-17- Love Kellam Week
February 20 - President's Day (School Closed)
February 22- PTSA Testing Day
March 1-Next Edition of the Knightly News
Stay in the know: Previous newsletters can be accessed here:
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