Falcon Family Newsletter
November, 2023
Hello Falcon Families,
October has come and gone and your students have been extremely busy here at KAMS. Time is flying by as we march through the first semester. This month we have a number of events coming up that we are especially excited about.
On Friday, November 3rd, we will be sending out Progress Reports to families to notify families how their students are progressing. This is halfway through the quarter and a good time to check your student's grades and have conversations with your child about how they're doing. Families are still the number one factor that affects student achievement and we appreciate you checking in with your child!
On Thursday, November 9 we have our Annual Veteran's Day Assembly at KAMS. This is a special day for us as we celebrate and remember all of those who have served or are currently serving this country. We will have veteran family members in attendance and be able to hear from both veterans and staff on how they have been affected.
On Tuesday, November 14, we will be joining in the EGUSD recognized Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day. We will have activities during the day to honor Ruby Bridges and her civil rights movement where she stood for equality and desegregation. We are excited to have this day celebrated throughout the whole region at elementary schools as well as at Pleasant Grove High School. Please plan on wearing purple that day in support!
- Please remember that on Friday, November 10, school will be closed in remembrance of Veteran's Day.
- Monday, November 20 - Friday, November 24, school will be closed for Thanksgiving Break.
KAMS was recently notified that we were recognized by the California PBIS Coalition for successful implementation of PBIS at the GOLD level. This is the highest level we can currently achieve. We are very proud of the systems and strategies we have in place here at KAMS to support ALL our students and continue to make sure we are making students feel a part of this campus. For more information about our PBIS Program, please click HERE.
Finally, we recently completed our Schools To Watch re-designation. KAMS first received this honor back in 2011-2012. Every three years we evaluate the school and reapply for the status. This past month, our staff worked on evaluating our school and finding areas for improvement before a visiting team came to conduct a site visit. I'm extremely pleased to let you all know that we have been selected for "Redesignation" as a California School To Watch for the fourth time in school history. We have a great staff that work very hard to make sure all our students have the opportunity to succeed. The visiting committee saw this and how special our students are here at KAMS. It truly is a great day to be a Falcon!
Sincerely,
Chris Rauschenfels
KAMS Principal
Upcoming Events
Red Ribbon Week
Monday, Oct. 30 - November 3
Disney's Descendants: The Musical
Friday, Nov. 3 @ 6:00pm
Saturday Nov. 4 @ 1:00pm & 6:00pm
KAMS MP Room
KIDS CAN Collection Begins
Tuesday, Oct. 31 - Nov. 14
Veteran's Day Assembly
Thursday, Nov. 9
No School
Friday, Nov. 10
No School
Monday, Nov.20 - Friday, Nov. 24
Band Concert
Wednesday, Nov. 29
6:30pm in MP Room
Winter Dance
Friday, Dec. 1
Xanadu JR. Musical
Friday, Dec. 1 @ 6:00pm
Saturday, Dec. 2 @ 1:00pm & 6:00pm
Red Ribbon Week 10/30 - 11/3
Red Ribbon Week is a week designated to raise awareness about keeping students drug-free. During this week there are a variety of activities planned during lunch as well as spirit dress up days. Please see below for a list of spirit days.
Monday 10/30: Crazy Hat Day
Tuesday 10/31: Costume Day
Wednesday 11/1: Neon Day
Thursday 11/2: Twin Day
Friday 11/3: Tie Dye Day
Performing Arts
Advanced Musical Theatre
Our Advanced Musical Theatre has its first performance, Disney's Descendants starting Friday, November 3 at 6:00pm here at KAMS in the MP Room. There will be two shows on Saturday, November 4 at 1:00pm and at 6:00pm. Students have been working hard after school for countless hours in preparation for this show. To purchase tickets or for more information about this performance and the Katherine Albiani Theatre Company, please click HERE.
KAMS Music
Our Albiani Concert, Symphonic, & Jazz Band will have its first performance of the year on Wednesday, November 29th starting at 6:30pm in the MP Room. Our students have been working hard practicing and are excited to perform for families. This is a free event!
Family Lunch on the Quad
This month, our Family Lunch on the Quad days will be on Tuesday, Nov. 14th and Friday, Nov. 17th. 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
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.
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.
Athletic Updates
Wrestling is starting on Monday, October 30 from 2:30-4:30
- Must be cleared to participate
- Open to all 7th and 8th grade boys and girls
- Open to 4th, 5th, 6th grade boys and girls at feeder elementary schools
Clearance Info
https://kams.egusd.net/Programs/Athletics/Athletic-Offerings-and-General-Information/index.html
Basketball games
Adults $4 and Students $2
(11/2-11/16 Girls @ 4:15, Boys immediately following)
Thursday, November 2
Albiani @ Pinkerton
Tuesday, November 7
Harris @ Albiani
Thursday, November 9
Jackman @ Albiani
Tuesday, November 14
Albiani @ Rutter
(11/28-12/7 Boys @ 4:15, Girls immediately following)
Tuesday, November 28
Smedberg @ Albiani
Thursday, November 30
Albiani @ Johnson
Tuesday, December 5
Albiani @ Kerr
Thursday, December 7
Eddy @ Albiani
Academic Interventions
Academic Intervention 1st quarter grade incentive party happened at lunch on Friday 10/27. Students in the Academic Intervention Department who earned a 2.0 GPA or above, no F’s and no U’s received an invitation to join a Nacho party at lunch. We are proud of our students who work so hard!
MSAT classes area also hard at work, making sure all work is turned in for all classes. Students who have no missing assignments will get to participate in a celebration during class on Tuesday 10/31.
Library Book Fair
Get ready for the Game ON Holiday Book Fair open to KAMS students from Thursday, Nov. 30th to Friday, Dec. 8th from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Book Fair will be located at PGHS/KAMS Library! Follow the signs to find the Game ON Book Fair. Books make great holiday gifts!
- Find great teen fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, crafting, gaming books & MORE @ the Book Fair.
- Select items to purchase gifts for your English 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 free spin on our “Game Wheel” to earn more cool prizes.
- 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/kams
All proceeds from the Game ON Holiday Book Fair will help to purchase new books and supplies for PGHS/KAMS Library. Thank you for supporting our KAMS Library fundraiser.
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, Joel Kunisaki
Vice Principal, Mary DeStefano Weis
Teacher-In-Charge, Chris Woods
Principal, Chris Rauschenfels
- Any concerns that the above Administrators have not adequately addressed (including not responding to phone calls/emails within 48hrs).
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
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
Joel Kunisaki, Vice Principal
Mary DeStafano Weis, Vice Principal
Chris Woods, Teacher-In-Charge
Cheryl Russell, Secretary