Falcon Family Newsletter
April 2024
Hello Falcon Families,
Welcome to the 4th quarter! We are nearing the end of the year and are excited to celebrate our 8th graders as well as our current 7th grade class nearing the halfway point in their middle school experience. This month is packed with events and schoolwide activities and celebrations. Please read through this newsletter as there is a lot to know heading into the end of the year.
We have a number of schoolwide activities coming up this month during school. On Friday, 4/5 we are having our annual Career Day here at KAMS during lunches. Our 7th and 8th grade students will be exposed to a variety of careers to help them start thinking about their life after school. On Tuesday 4/9, our current 8th grade students will walk over the PGHS for the annual Albiani Welcome Assembly during the morning. On Thursday, 4/11 we will be having our annual Spelling Bee during both lunches.
This month will also include our annual CAASPP and SBAC testing. All students, 7th and 8th graders, will be tested in both Math and English. Our 8th grade students will also have a statewide test in Science. These tests provide valuable information about student academic progress and we ask that students do their best when taking these tests. Please reassure your child that the test will help them understand what concepts they have mastered and those they still need to learn. On testing days, please make sure your child has had a good night's rest, eats a healthy breakfast, and attends school. More testing information is contained below in this newsletter.
This past winter sports season, we were fortunate to have 2 league champions here at KAMS. Our girls 7th grade basketball team completed the perfect season and went undefeated to win the league championship. Our KAMS wrestling team were also crowned champions as they won the EGUSD wrestling championships this past season. Congratulations Falcons!
And lastly, as we enter the final two months of the year, 8th grade parents, please make sure you've read through the Promotional Ceremony Requirements. The complete description is included below for you to review. If you have any questions about participation, please reach out to your child's counselor who have been working extremely hard to support our students and communicate with our families.
Sincerely,
Chris Rauschenfels
KAMS Principal
Upcoming Events
Wednesday 4/3
Incoming 7th Grade KAMS Connections
4:00pm - 6:00pm(?)
Friday 4/5
Career Day at KAMS
During Student Lunches
Saturday 4/6
Middle Stage Fest
1:00pm - 5:00pm
Tuesday 4/9
Albiani Welcome Assembly
Current 8th Graders
Wednesday 4/10 & Thursday 4/11
Family Lunch on the Quad
8th Grade Lunch: 11:50 - 12:20pm
7th Grade Lunch: 12:50 - 1:20pm
Thursday 4/11
KAMS Spelling Bee
During Both Lunches
Saturday 4/13
EGUSD Visual Arts Showcase
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Cosumnes River College
Tuesday 4/16 - Friday 4/19
State Testing-ELA
7th and 8th Grade
Minimum Day Schedule
Tuesday 4/23 - Friday 4/26
State Testing Math
7th and 8th Grade
Minimum Day Schedule
Friday 4/26
Shakespeare in the Quad
4:00pm - 7:00pm
Tuesday 4/30
School Site Council Meeting
3:30pm - 4:30pm
Friday 5/3
Spring Carnival
Friday 5/3
Band Concert
6:30pm - 7:30pm
Family Lunch on the Quad
This month, our Family Lunch on the Quad days will be on Wednesday, April 10 and Thursday, April 11. As always, please sign in at the table when entering through the gate. Please help keep our school clean and make sure all garbage is placed in garbage cans throughout the quad. In the event of inclement weather, we will send out a message that morning if we have to cancel the event.
8th Grade Lunch: 11:50am - 12:20pm
7th Grade Lunch: 12:50pm - 1:20pm
PGHS Welcome Rally
On Tuesday, April 9 our current 8th grade students will be visiting Pleasant Grove High School (PGHS) to participate in their Welcome Assembly.
Spring Rally
On Friday, April 12th, we will be having our Spring Rally
State Testing
ELA & Math
Starting on Monday, April 15, we will begin our State Testing. All 7th and 8th grade students will be tested in English Language Arts and Math. These tests will begin Monday 4/15 and continue through 4/29.
During these weeks, Monday will have a normal bell schedule with dismissal taking place at 2:20pm. Tuesday through Friday, we will be on a minimum day bell schedule with students being dismissed at 1:10pm. District transportation will be available during these alternate schedules. Monday's transportation will come at the regular Monday time of 3:30pm. Tuesday through Friday, transportation will be here early to pick students up after dismissal at 1:10pm. Tuesday through Friday, students will only be attending three classes each day, but will have additional time in each class to allow for test completion. Below is a sample of the schedule we will be on for these two weeks.
Science
Our 8th grade students will be tested in Science beginning 4/30. This test will be administered through their 8th grade science classes. We will be on a normal bell schedule the whole week and transportation will be available at the regular times.
Information about these tests will also be sent in a separate email.
KAMS Spelling Bee
It's time to test your spelling skills. Participants at each grade level will compete against each other. The grade level winners will then participate in the School Spelling Championship.
Each grade level Spelling Bee will be held on Thursday, April 11 during both lunches.
To sign up, click HERE.
Signups will close on Friday, April 5.
If you have a question, email Mrs. Christina Hills through Synergy or at cyhills@egusd.net.
KAMS Drama and Theatre News
Theatre Arts:
Huge thank you to the Vinson family for building and donating new stairs for the MP Stage! Our performers can move more safely and confidently from the MP Room to the stage during rehearsals and performances!
- CETA's Middle Stage Fest at Katherine L. Albiani Middle School on April 6 from 1 - 5 PM. A few spaces are still available. Pre-registration required. Contact Mrs. Campbell for details.
- Shakespeare in the Quad: Much Ado About Nothing a puzzle play at Katherine L. Albiani Middle School on April 26 @ 6:00 PM, with students from Albiani, Pinkerton, Smedberg, and Toby Johnson Middle Schools. Tickets at https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/katherine-l.-albiani-theatre-company/65a9cd90f7473e7f5bab9e6c
- Beauty and The Beast JR at Katherine L. Albiani Middle School on May 10 and 11. Tickets at https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/katherine-l.-albiani-theatre-company/6606f400a6aa780e3deaef8a
- MTI's Broadway Junior Revue: Pure Imagination at Katherine L. Albiani Middle School on May 18. Tickets at https://our.show/kamstheatreco/57606.
Yearbook:
Congratulations to the nine students who make up the Falcon Nation Yearbook Staff for submitted the 2024 yearbook last week! They are now hard at work taking photos and creating layouts for the spring supplement which will cover 4th quarter events like Boys' Volleyball, Track & Field, Career Day, spring musicals, and Multi-Cultural Week.
Fewer than 100 yearbooks are available for pre-sale! Don't wait to purchase one, we usually sell out! Order today at yearbookordercenter.com and use school code 16281.
Statewide Industry Challenge Winners!
We had two students win awards in the statewide Creative Careers Leadership Lab Challenges. These students showcased their creativity, dedication, and hard work across various creative pathways.
- Micah Chanthalangsy and Elliot Lieu won the Design award for their project: Food Waste Acknowledgement.
- Ella Wurtzer, Emily Borlak, and Daisy (Pajai) Her also won the Studio Arts award for their project: One Pill Can Kill.
To view the winning projects and all other submissions on our Student Showcase Platform, click HERE.
FFA State Champion
During the recent State FFA Conference held in Sacramento, our very own Chloe Reynolds was named the state champion for her agriscience project. Chloe's project consisted of implementing industry standard nutritional supplementation into broilers (meat chickens) diet and determining the efficacy. There were over 5, 500 students participating in the conference, one of the largest student-run groups in the nation.
Chloe now competes at the national level, where if she is in the top 10, she will travel to Indianapolis next October and compete at the National FFA Conference.
Chloe was recognized in front of over 8,000 people at Golden 1 Arena. We are extremely proud of her and all the hard work she's put into her project.
KAMS Library Book Fair
Get ready for the April Book Fair open to KAMS students from Thursday, April 4th to Friday, April 12th from 8:00 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. The Book Fair will be located at KAMS Library! Follow the signs to find the Library Book Fair held at KAMS Library.
- Find great teen fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, crafting, gaming books & MORE!
- Select items to purchase gifts for your Social Science teachers from their “Teacher Wish Basket” that will be available for students to purchase at the Book Fair.
- Every “BOOK” purchase will earn students a complimentary sweet treat at the Book Fair.
- Students can participate in our lollipop pull game to win more fun prizes.
- You can view available books and purchase on our online portal and even purchase online - https://www.scholastic.com/bf/katherinealbiani
All proceeds from the April Book Fair will help to purchase new books and supplies for KAMS Library.
Thank you for supporting our KAMS Library fundraiser.
EGUSD Visual Arts Showcase
The EGUSD Visual Arts Showcase is happening Saturday April 13, 2024; 1-4pm at Cosumnes River College. Five students will represent KAMS in the competition and display. Come out and support the Visual Arts from the secondary schools across the District
8th Grade Promotional Ceremony Requirements
2024 KAMS Promotion Requirements
- Students earn credits by passing classes with grades of A, B, C, or D.
- Students earn 2.5 credits for each class passed per quarter. (5 credits per semester.
- A student can earn up to 60 credits at the end of the school year.
- A student must earn 100 credits by the end of their 8th grade year. (This total includes credits earned in both 7th grade and 8th grade.)
- Any student who is credit deficient will be notified by their counselor.
- If a student is credit deficient a quarterly credit letter will be sent home.
In order to participate, 8th grade students must also have
- No more than one academic “F” in the 4th quarter.
- No more than two citizenship “U”s during the 4th quarter.
- No more than one incident resulting in home suspension during the 4th quarter.
- No home suspensions during the last week of school.
- No outstanding fines (textbooks, uniforms, equipment, etc.)
- Returned the 8th grade letter signed by parent/guardian and student.
Counselors have been having conversations with students who are credit deficient throughout the year to ensure they have time to raise any grades. Students who made significant progress, or enrolled at KAMS after 7th grade will be reviewed by our Promotional Advocacy Committee for participation in the ceremony.
If you have any questions regarding your student's credit status, please contact your child’s counselor. The 8th Grade End of the Year Information Letter will come out in March in Advocacy with a review of this information.
KAMS Hope Squad
Hope Squad:
Our Hope Squad was busy encouraging students to write positive messages on post-its that will be used in the future. We had a lot of students coming and writing messages to their classmates.
The KAMS Hope Squad is a nationwide peer to peer suicide prevention group with a mission to promote connectedness and resilience amongst peers and this is one way our members and students are doing that!
The last week in March KAMS Hope Squad members hid Easter eggs around campus that had positive messages inside (written by KAMS students). Students had fun finding the eggs throughout the week and were able to turn the empty egg in for a piece of candy and make positive connections with other students.
Hope Squad is a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program. The purpose of this activity was for Hope Squad members to fulfill part of their mission which is:
- Connectedness—--Hope Squad members actively look for ways to support their peers & increase connectedness in their schools.
- Mental Wellness—-Hope Squad members promote resilience & self-care
- Reducing Stigma—-Hope Squad members reduce the stigma associated with mental illness & mental health & show that it’s okay to get help.
Athletic Updates
We are excited to announce that KAMS had two championship teams this past winter. The 7th grade girls basketball team completed a perfect season and won the EGUSD Championship.
The KAMS wrestling team also won their EGUSD championship this past winter. Congratulations Falcons!
All students participating must have completed the online Athletic Clearance Process (including a physical performed by a MD, DO, PA, or NP) at least one day before tryouts/practice in order to participate. Please see Athletic Clearance page.
Meet Schedule:
- Meet Start Time 4:30PM
- No Busses provided.
- Please transport your student to the meet by 3:45.
- Please be sure that your student has a ride at the conclusion of the meet.
Thursday, April 11
- Johnson and Jackman @ Albiani (Pleasant Grove HS)
Wednesday, April 17
- Albiani and Harris @ Rutter (Florin HS)
Wednesday, April 24
- Albiani and Kerr @ Pinkerton(Cosumnes Oaks HS)
Wednesday, May 1
- Albiani and Eddy @ Smedberg (Sheldon HS)
Tuesday, May 14
- Championships @ Sheldon HS
- Admission Adults $4 and Students $2
All students participating must have completed the online Athletic Clearance Process (including a physical performed by a MD, DO, PA, or NP) at least one day before tryouts/practice in order to participate. Please see Athletic Clearance page.
Game Schedule
- Thursday, April 4 - Albiani @ Pinkerton (AWAY)
- Tuesday, April 9 - Harris @ Albiani (HOME)
- Thursday, April 11 - Jackman @ Albiani (HOME)
- Tuesday, April 16 - Albiani @ Rutter (AWAY)
- Tuesday, April 23 - Smedberg @ Albiani (HOME)
- Thursday, April 25 - Albiani @ Johnson (AWAY)
- Tuesday, April 30 - Albiani @ Kerr (AWAY)
- Thursday, May 2 - Eddy @ Albiani (HOME)
For more information, please visit our Athletics webpage.
MySchoolBucks
Our school has exciting news! In the next few weeks, we will be able to take credit card payments, as well as online payments for select items. Create your free MySchoolBucks account to pay for your student items conveniently and securely online, or with the mobile app on Android or Apple devices. Online payments will allow for credit/debit card purchases as well as electronic checks.
Get Started Today!
- Go to www.myschoolbucks.com or download the mobile app on android or apple devices.
- Create your free account and select Elk Grove Unified School District, then add your student(s) using their school’s name and student ID number.
- Once our school webstore goes live, all products available for purchase will show up on the website and app!
If you need assistance with your account, you can find helpful how-to videos and answers to commonly asked questions by visiting www.myschoolbucks.com. If additional assistance is needed, please contact MySchoolBucks directly by logging into your account to start a chat conversation or give them a call at (855) 832-5226.
Student Support Groups
The two groups listed below are underway and meet weekly during school for 6 weeks. They are facilitated by the school social worker. Groups are a great way for students to connect with other students, boost student confidence and resilience, and give them the tools and strategies they need to be engaged and successful.
- Circle Group
- Young Men of Honor
New groups will start in March. Students can self-refer, be referred by a counselor, teacher, admin, or parent. Contact school counselors to get more information about joining a group.
Peer Mentors:
PGHS Peer Mentors have been trained and are available to meet with students to offer a listening ear and provide mentorship and support from a peer in a safe, supportive space. Speak to your child’s counselor for more information.
How to Support Your Children with Mental Illness
The American Psychological Association estimates that 15 million young people in the United States are diagnosed with a
mental health disorder. If your children are included in that statistic, you can support them by:
- Showing unconditional love
- Become educated on the mental illness and any warning signs that accompany it
- Give praise for their good character traits
- Communicate and spend time together
- Build trust and help them feel safe
- Be a good example by modeling positive coping skills and good self-care habits
- Remember, you need to take care of your needs so that you are able to effectively take care of your children’s needs
- Be proactive about turning to professional help, if needed
EGUSD Illness Policies
Please see the Flyer below for information on EGUSD Illness Policies. To view it larger, please click on it to open in a new window.
Bus Pass Replacement
If your child is in need of a replacement bus pass, please read below.
For a replacement card please go to our website at:
https://blogs.egusd.net/transportation/about/bus-pass-application/
Please fill out the form online if you need a replacement bus pass for a pass that is lost, stolen or no longer useable due to damage. EGUSD charges a $15 fee for replacement passes. Requests received using online form will be invoiced electronically through MySchoolBucks (MSB) via the email address that you provide. If your email address is associated with a MSB account, you will be able to login to your MSB account and make the payment once the invoice is generated. If the email used has no association with an MSB account, it may take up to 24 hours for you to receive the invoice from MSB in your email. All payments made through MySchoolBucks are subject to a 3.95% processing fee.
Replacement bus passes will be mailed to the address that we have on file for your student. If you have moved, you will need to update your address at the school site and notify us that you have moved. We will verify the address change in the school database. Please update your address at the school site before your submit your request.
Or
Please be aware that you may also handle this transaction in person at our office. This will expedite the process. We are located at 8421 Gerber Rd. Sacramento, CA 95828. Look for the radio tower! Our building is in the back of the complex directly underneath the tower, behind EGUSD Food and Nutrition Services. Payments at our office can be made by check, money order, credit/debit card. We do not accept cash.
A note about bus passes: Bus passes are considered the property of the district, pass holders are expected to safeguard them accordingly. The district assumes no responsibility for lost or stolen passes or tickets.
Tutoring
We are excited to be able to offer before and after school tutoring for students at KAMS Monday - Friday. The schedule of what subjects and when the tutoring is offered is included below. Please note, tutoring will begin on Monday, January 8th.
Students taking part in the tutoring will be asked to sign-in upon entering. Once there, students are asked to bring all materials needed including assignments/homework, questions or skills to work on, appropriate textbooks if needed, etc.
Students do not need to make appointments for the tutoring but will need to be actively working while in tutoring. Students not actively working on assignments or practicing skills will be asked to leave to ensure a productive environment for all. Students participating in the tutoring after school are asked to arrive by 3:30pm.
We look forward to offering this support to ensure our students get any support they need.
Counseling
Counseling Staff Team Members:
- Mr. Caston (M - R)
- Mr. Mendez (F - L)
- Mr. Mendoza (A - E)
- Ms. Miller (S - Z)
Other Resources and Tips:
Please visit the KAMS Counseling Connection page for articles, ideas, tips, and other resources to support you and your child in having a successful middle school experience. Please note that you do not have to have your parent account established in order to access our counseling page – just visit the KAMS homepage and click on the counseling tab.
Library
Library Hours & Services
PGHS/KAMS Library is open 30 minutes before school, during lunch breaks, and 10 minutes after school ends. While at the library, all students are expected to follow our library 3B's rules that are posted on every table in the library. Due to limited seating, we ask that students come to the library with a school-related purpose, such as:
- Quiet study of complete homework assignments
- Check out a book or textbook required for class
- Use a computer for school-related assignments
- Attend a library related event and/or library club meeting.
EGUSD Chromebooks
All KAMS students are expected to bring their EGUSD assigned Chromebooks to school daily for academic use. If you have a damaged or lost Chromebook, please come to the PGHS/KAMS Library to get a replacement. All damaged and lost Chromebook issues will be reported to EGUSD Technology Services.
PGHS/KAMS Library also provides daily Chromebook loaners for students who may have forgotten their Chromebooks at home. Students must return their daily loaner to the library at the end of the school day. (Loaners can NOT be taken home.) Students are asked to limit the number of Chromebook loaners requested from the library during the school year.
Library Website
Have you visited the library website at http://kamslibrary.info to see all the great resources available to support classroom assignments, recommend reading lists, student homework help resources, textbook information, library video, and more! The library website is available 24/7 to all KAMS students.
Athletics
Falcon Athletic Information
- KAMS Athletics Website
- Athletic Director, Traci Seto
- Please click HERE to enter the Athletic Clearance Website. (For help with the online application, please click HERE.)
ELIGIBILITY
All student athletes who wish to participate in an athletic activity in the Elk Grove Unified School District must meet the following requirements:
INITIAL ELIGIBILITY
- Have earned a 2.0 GPA or better on the previous grade of record.
CONTINUING ELIGIBILITY
- Have earned a 2.0 GPA or better on all grades of record and progress report grades.
- Satisfactory citizenship
- Must not be on No Activities list
Important Links and Documents
Key Contacts
KAMS Administration and Student Services Offices
Hours 7:30am - 4:00pm
(916)-686-5210
(916)-686-5538 fax
Activities: Donna McNeel & Mary Hazdovac
Athletics: Traci Seto
Food Services
(916)-686-7735
Student Attendance
(916)-686-5210
Synergy/ParentVue
(916)-686-5210 Student Services Office
Transportation
(916)-686-7733
Counselors-contact directly.
- Concerns about your student's performance in two or more classes.
- Concerns about your student's transition to middle school, socialization, emotional development.
- Questions about college/career guidance programs, middle school credits toward promotion, course requirements, schedule.
Teachers-contact directly
- Questions about work, student performance, or behavior.
- Questions about curriculum.
- Questions about course placement.
- Classwork/Homework/Grades
The classroom teacher should always be your first point of contact. Most times, the classroom teacher can answer your questions and address concerns. If you do not believe your child's teacher has satisfactorily resolved your concern, contact your child's counselor. If your child is having problems in several classes, you may request to meet with each teacher, and/or you may contact the counselor and request a consult regarding the next most appropriate and effective steps to take in the process of addressing the problem. It is our goal to return all calls and email messages within 48 hours. If you do not receive a response within that time, please contact administration.
Administration
(916)-686-5210 Administration
(916)-686-5538 Fax
- Concerns about discipline or negative interactions between students.
- Concerns about teachers.
Vice Principal, Rosa Laine
Vice Principal, David Pires
Principal, Chris Rauschenfels
- Any concerns that the above Administrators have not adequately addressed (including not responding to phone calls/emails within 48hrs).
2023-2024 EGUSD Calendar
Katherine Albiani Middle School
9140 Bradshaw Road
Elk Grove, CA 95624
Phone: 916-686-5210
Fax: 916-686-5538
Chris Rauschenfels, Principal
Mary DeStafano Weis, Vice Principal
David Pires, Vice Principal
Cheryl Russell, Secretary