Falcon Family Newsletter
February 2024
Hello Falcon Families,
Happy February! This month is packed with events, three-day weekends, and fun activities for students. Please read through the entire newsletter for information from different departments and information on school-wide events.
PGHS Incoming Parent Night & Course Registration
For our 8th grade families, please mark Tuesday, February 27th on your calendar. Pleasant Grove High School (PGHS) is hosting their annual Incoming 9th Grade Parent Night, beginning at 5:00pm. From 5:00pm - 5:45pm, the PGHS Counseling team will present information for our current 8th graders in the Small Gym on the PGHS campus. From 5:45pm - 6:30pm, Academies, AVID, and Agriculture programs will have informational tables set up to answer any questions you may have about their specific programs.
On Wednesday, February 28th, PGHS counselors will be going into our 8th grade science classes for course selection where 8th grade students will pick their 9th grade classes. On Friday, March 1st, PGHS counselors will return to our 8th grade science classes to have quick 1:1 meetings with each 8th grade student to make sure they completed the course selection successfully and answer any questions.
Quarter 3 Progress
We are halfway through Quarter 3. Please check in with your student on their progress. We always recommend being active on ParentVue and having conversations with your child about their classes. For our 8th grade parents, please remember that there are academic requirements for students to participate in the 8th Grade Promotional Ceremony. Please see below for more information.
Sincerely,
Chris Rauschenfels
KAMS Principal
Upcoming Events
1/29 - 2/9
Gift of Love
Partnership with Shriners Hospital
See below for more information
2/1 & 2/2
Middle School Improvapalooza
6:00pm
Elizabeth Pinkerton Middle School
(More information below)
Thursday 2/8
Jazz Band Performance
PGHS MP Room
6:25pm
Monday 2/12
No School
Monday 2/19
No School
Wednesday 2/21
KAMS ELAC Awards Ceremony
7:45am - 8:15am
Wednesday 2/21
Understanding & Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth
6:00pm - 7:00pm
More information below
Friday 2/23
Spring Dance
3:20pm - 5:30pm
Tuesday 2/27
School Site Council Meeting
3:30pm - 4:30pm
Tuesday 2/27
PGHS Open House
(Including current 8th grade student)
More information below
Friday 3/1
Shakespeare in the Quad Information Meeting
3:30pm - 4:30pm
MC - 6
Family Lunch on the Quad
This month, our Family Lunch on the Quad days will be on Thursday, February 15th and Friday, February 16th. As always, please sign in at the table when entering through the gate. 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 Open House
Coming up on February 27, please save the date as Pleasant Grove High School will be having an Open House and inviting all families in the region to check out the programs available. The Open House will go from 5:00pm - 6:30pm. Various programs will have information and demonstrations for our region's students to see what they can expect when they get to PGHS.
KAMS/PGHS ELAC Meeting
On Wednesday, February 21, we will be having our English Learner Advisory Committee meeting at 7:45am at the PGHS Career Center. These meetings are designed for parents of English Learners to provide advice to the principal and school staff to improve learning for EL students. It is also an opportunity to learn more about the programs available for students and to participate in the school-wide assessment of the needs of students, parents, and teachers.
At this meeting we will be celebrating our English Language Learners and meeting with families to celebrate all the progress made this year! A light breakfast will be available-plan on joining us!
KAMS Jazz Band
Thursday, February 8th, KAMS Jazz Band will perform at the Pleasant Grove HS Jazz Festival. Our performance time is at 6:25pm in the PGHS MP Room. The event is free-come join us for some amazing musical performances!
Valentine's Grams
We are raising money for KAMS Theatre Arts through the sale of Valentine's Grams. For $3 students can purchase a note and a carnation for a friend at the Student Store windows. Grams will be delivered during 6th period on Valentine's Day. Students must know the first and last name and the 6th period teacher of the person they wish to send a Gram to.
Middle School Improvapalooza
Thursday (2/1) and Friday (2/2), KAMS Drama will have two teams of students competing in Improvapalooza at Elizabeth Pinkerton Middle School.
Come cheer them on! Buy your tickets HERE.
Understanding & Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth
EGUSD Youth Development Office is hosting a virtual family workshop to help families understand differences in gender, gender identity, etc.; how educators and families can affirm students; and resources available for LGBTQ+ youth and families. It takes place on Wednesday, February 21 from 6:00pm - 7:00pm. To register for this free workshop, please click HERE.
KAMS GATE
The Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program at KAMS will be accepting ability referrals and portfolios to identify students with exceptional ability for this program. If you are interested in applying, please click HERE for more information.
Interested in the GATE program, click HERE for information on the program.
KAMS Physical Education
Please remind your students to lock up their belongings in the locker room. We have had incidents where students are leaving things in their lockers unlocked or pretending to lock their lockers and items go missing. It is important to not only put any valuables in lockers but to also LOCK their lockers. We have adults in the locker rooms supervising students and want to make sure all our students are keeping their possessions safe.
Gift of Love
We are collecting items through 4th period classes to donate to children at Shriner's Hospital for Valentine's Day.
Every day, kids at Shriners Hospitals for Children are receiving the care they need to recover from severe burns...to walk again...or to just enjoy a more normal childhood. One of the fondest childhood memories is exchanging gifts and valentines from your classmates and friends on Valentine's Day. Imagine missing this experience because you were in a hospital receiving medical care and not able to attend school.
Katherine Albiani Middle School would like to help these children experience the excitement of this special holiday.
Please help us put a smile on a child's face with a new toy donation and/ or create a homemade Valentine's Day Card.
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 new Hope Squad members are being trained in how to recognize warning signs of suicide and connect their peers with support and help. As a parent, there are several strategies you can implement to help prevent suicide.
• Open mental health conversations.
• Take any statements about suicide seriously.
• Watch for warning signs of suicide .
• Be aware of any risk factors for suicide in your children’s life, and try to increase protective factors.
• Take action! If your children are at risk for attempting suicide, call 911 or take them to your local hospital. If there’s not an immediate crisis, reach out to your children’s doctor or a local mental health provider for help.
• Encourage your children to practice good self-care, including exercising, eating healthy, and getting enough sleep.
Our Hope Squad members will be in the quad during lunches later this month with some fun hands on activities students can participate in to help spread hope and kindness throughout the campus.
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
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.
Athletic Updates
7th Grade Basketball
Boys 4:15 / Girls 5:15
Thursday, 2/1 Scrimmage @ McCaffrey
Tuesday, 2/6 HOME vs Smedberg
Thursday, 2/8 AWAY @ Johnson
Tuesday, 2/13 AWAY @ Kerr
Thursday, 2/15 HOME vs Eddy
Playoffs*
Tuesday, 2/20 - Girls First Round @ Smedberg
Tuesday, 2/20 - Boys First Round @ Pinkerton
Thursday, 2/22 - Championships @ MTHS
*if KAMS qualifies
Promotional Requirements
Students in 8th grade have the opportunity to participate in the end of year Promotional Ceremony taking place on May 24. In order to be eligible to participate in this ceremony, there are requirements that need to be met. Please see below for what your child needs to do in order to participate.
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 midway through the quarter (Progress Report time) 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.
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, 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