The Knightly News
Parent Newsletter - May 2022
Principal’s Message
Hello Knight Families,
We are rapidly approaching the conclusion of the 2021-22 school year, and yet there is still much to accomplish, including spring sports, AP testing, SOL testing, ring dance, prom, senior awards, and, of course, graduation. We want all of our Knights to finish strong, so please have a conversation with your students about their current progress and what supports they need for the remainder of the school year. Our counselors and teachers are standing by with tutoring opportunities and additional interventions to assist students as needed.
Schedules for AP and SOL testing are included in this edition of the Knightly News, so please be sure to review those applicable to your student. I also want to make all senior parents aware of our Senior Scoop website. Here you will find information about graduation, prom, gradfest, transcripts, and additional information your senior needs for the myriad of events taking place between now and June 17. As a reminder, Kellam High School’s commencement ceremony will take place on June 17 at 6 p.m. at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. All students qualifying for graduation will receive 9 tickets to share with their families. We encourage you to monitor the Senior Scoop page frequently as we approach graduation to ensure you have the most up-to-date information. Seniors will take exams the week of June 6-9, and graduation practice along with the senior picnic will take place on June 10, which will be the last day for seniors.
As we focus our attention on finishing strong, we are also making plans for summer school and the 2022-23 school year. Please be sure to work with your student’s counselor to ensure they are taking advantage of boost and recovery opportunities over the summer, and that you have made plans for your students to register for any courses they might need over the summer. The ability to register and pay for courses opens on May 24 at 12:00 p.m. This year Landstown High School will be hosting summer school. Should you require financial assistance, it is imperative that you have an application on file for free and reduced lunch for the 2021-22 school year. If you need to submit an application, you may do so here. For more information about summer learning opportunities, please click here and also consult your student’s school counselor.
Last but not least, we will celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week on May 2-6. I know you would agree that Kellam teachers are simply the best. In addition to their unwavering commitment to educating our future leaders, they have gone above and beyond over the past two years, meeting every challenge they have faced head on. Please join me in expressing a heartfelt appreciation for our wonderful educators—we would have been lost without them. If you have the opportunity, I would encourage you to share a small note or email to express your gratitude. You can also join the PTSA to show your support.
I have enjoyed seeing many of you at our spring events and look forward to our continued partnership! What time is it? It’s Knight Time!
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
GradFest
Friday, June 17, 2022
Apex Entertainment
Purchase your GradFest ticket, Senior T-shirt, Drawstring bag, and Senior year sign from MemberHub. The last day to purchase your Senior T-shirt and Yard Sign is Friday, May 13, 2022.
*All GradFest participants are required to have a waiver signed for the Go Kart Racing. Please click here to complete your waiver. Those under 18 years of age are required to have a parent's signature as well. *
GradFest only happens because of the generosity of our parent volunteers and members of our community. Our event is funded solely by ticket sales and donations.
Please consider making a cash donation, donating a gift item that will be used as a raffle prize/giveaway, and/or donating your time and volunteering during GradFest.
June 10, 2022
The PTSA needs food items donated as well as volunteers to help with the Senior Picnic. Please consider donating to this great event. Make these last days at Kellam memorable for your senior!
The PTSA Executive Board 2022-2023
Please take a moment and vote for next year’s Board Members.
Voting ends Tuesday, May 17th.
The PTSA still has the following positions available for the 2022-2023 school year. Please contact any Board member at KellamKnightsPTSA@outlook.com if you are interested.
PRESIDENT Responsible for leading the PTSA and is the presiding officer and official representative of the association.
VICE-PRESIDENT (PROGRAMS) Plans and organizes PTSA fundraising activities as well as assists with the organization, communication and coordination of all PTSA activities and events.
TREASURER Manages the PTSA finances by keeping accurate financial records and preparing for the annual audit
VOLUNTEER-IN-EDUCATION (VIE) Recruits and manages volunteers for the PTSA and school events
REFLECTIONS COORDINATOR Manages and works with citywide PTA to promote student creativity; coordinates the review of student submissions
GRAD-FEST CHAIR AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS Manages the all-Knight celebration for the graduating class and any other related events; coordinates with vendors to secure a venue and sponsorships; organizes Grad-Fest details and logistics; develops and oversees fundraising opportunities; oversees each phase of Grad-Fest to ensure it runs smoothly.
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AP Testing in May
Exam Schedule
AP exams will be administered at Kellam from May 2 to May 13, 2022. The testing schedule and locations can be found here. Students can review their own exam schedule in their Total Registration account at any time.
Please note the arrival time for morning exams is 7:15 a.m. and afternoon exams is 12:00 p.m. Students must be on time so that we can begin testing on schedule. Students who arrive after testing begins will not be admitted to the test.
Attendance and Transportation on Test Day
Students are excused from classes on the day of their exam. You may choose to transport your student to and from the test that day, or they may drive themselves if they have a parking permit. However, if a student rides a bus, they must attend classes when not in testing.
If you are picking up your student after testing, you may refer to the exam timing here to approximate their completion time. Please allow about 30 minutes more than the actual testing time.
Test Day
Be sure students get a good night’s sleep prior to test day and eat breakfast that morning.
Students should bring multiple pencils, multiple blue or black pens, and any special equipment (calculators, rulers) allowed for that exam.
Students taking a foreign language exam must bring their fully charged chromebook and a charging cord.
Cell phones are not permitted in the testing room. All phones will be collected and stored outside of the testing room for the duration of testing.
While a regular watch is okay and encouraged, students are encouraged NOT to wear a smartwatch. They will also be collected and tend to be harder to distinguish during pick-up.
You may click here for a more detailed list of what to bring and not to bring to testing.
Parents, as a reminder, 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.
Juniors and Seniors, please check out THIS LINK for an updated calendar of all our College Representatives coming to the Castle.
Spring SOL Testing 2022
Students enrolled in the following courses MAY be required to participate in the End of Course test SOL test associated with the course. “High school students are expected to take tests in mathematics, science, and reading (English 11) to meet federal accountability requirements, even if the students have earned the number of verified credits needed for graduation in that content area.” Virginia Department of Education
Your student’s SOL subject teachers have the list of who needs to take a test.
Information about testing and practice materials can be reviewed on the VDOE website, linked here. Practice tests may also be found on students’ Chromebooks under APPS/TestNav.
SOL Boot Camps
Free tutoring is offered both during and after school from May 11 to May 27. Click here for details.
Bus Information for SOL testing May 31 – June 3, 2022
Click here for details. Specific bus numbers and start times for Kellam will be communicated through Alert Now messages, Schoology, and Daily Announcements.
SOL Test Dates
Inclusivity: How do YOU feel About Diversity?
During the 2021-22 school year, various topics have been discussed relating to diversity and inclusion in our schools. Some articles have supported the value of diversity, while others have questioned if its implementation is genuinely worth it. But, to truly explore how diversity impacts a school, a community, and a country, we must start with the individual. The individual is you.
You must ask and answer this question for yourself: “How do I personally feel about Diversity?” Do you have issues with wanting to change how things are? Do you see diversity as an unnecessary entity that changes the current morals and values that have worked so well for you and this country? What happens to those who see things differently and are treated unjustly under the current system? Are you someone who believes that everything must evolve and change with the times? Do you embrace ideas different from your own and see diversity as creating fairness and enhancing more than just changing? If yes, what’s wrong with wanting to hold on to tradition, past family values, and faith while turning those things into something that can no longer be recognized by some? Finally, are you willing to just go along with whatever your peers want to do? Are you ready to push your own opinion to the back, in the name of not ruffling feathers or turning a blind eye to ideas that will impact all children? If yes, what happens when these issues negatively affect your own family and your peers?
This country was founded on a majority rule system that must continue to be at the core of the American way. It’s time for the people to reclaim control of what’s happening in this country and stop waiting on our politicians. So, think about standing by your truths and putting actions behind them—it will shape the future. We are only here for a brief time; however, our choices will carry on influencing more than just the here and now…
Questions/Topics for discussion:
1. Ask your child what type of world they would like to live in when they are grown.
2. Discuss how current affairs will impact your child’s future.
3. Ask your child how your influence has affected their opinion of the future.
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. Be sure to watch for updates in this newsletter and follow us on social media.
Twitter: @KellamHigh
Instagram: kellamhigh
Facebook: Floyd E. Kellam High School
Senior Scoop
Use this link: The Kellam Senior Scoop is the place to find important information for seniors. It will be updated regularly and is located on the Kellam Website under the “Students” tab. Information that has newly been added to the Senior Scoop:
*Graduation Tickets
*Cap and Gown Order and Pick Up information
*Submitting name pronunciations for the graduation ceremony
Be sure to check it frequently for important graduation information!
Ring Dance
Ring Dance will be held on May 14 at the Military Aviation Museum. The last window to purchase tickets is May 2 to May 9 on School Cash Online. If you have any questions, please contact Amy Stone (amy.stone@vbschools.com).
Letter Jackets
The time to order your student’s Kellam High School letter jacket has arrived. Letter jackets will ship directly to your home. Use this link: Kellam Letter Jacket Order Link to place your order today.
Tickets for Spring Sporting Events:
All tickets for Beach District Varsity Soccer games will only be sold online at GoFan.
Click here for details on Sharing purchased tickets and passes. Tickets for regional events in all spring sports will also be sold on GOFAN. Regional ticket prices for all spring sports are $5.00 for students and $10.00 for adults.
Region 6A Spring Tournament Schedule:
*Start times are subject to change based upon travel.
All state tournament information is available on the VHSL Website.
Spring Activity Bus Schedule
Click the link to access the schedule: Activity Bus Schedule and Routes
2022-2023 Fall Sport Tryouts
All participants must have a valid VHSL Physical dated after May 1, 2022. All athletes must also meet the VHSL Eligibility requirements. Please review this presentation, Kellam Athletic Eligibility, to review academic requirements for participation.
Cross Country 8/9/2022 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM on the Kellam Track
Fall Sports Coaching Staff
- Football................................................................... Brian Neas, brian.neas@vbschools.com
- JV Football................................................. Chris Miller, Christopher.miller@vbschools.com
- Sideline Cheer
- Competitive Cheer...........................Jessica Johnson, jessicajohnson460@vbschools.com
- JV Sideline Cheer
- Cross Country............................................................. Bill Bernard, kellamtrack@icloud.com
- Field Hockey...........................................................Nicole Morgan, nlmorgan15@gmail.com
- JV Field Hockey...............................................Marianna Parker, maparker@vbschools.com
- Boys Volleyball.......................................Aaron.Campbell, aaron.campbell@vbschools.com
- Girls Volleyball...............................................Keira Peoples, keira.peoples@vbschools.com
- Golf...........................................................Sonny Blackmon, sonnyblackmon56@gmail.com
Kellam Camps are BACK!
SCA
Elections will be held May from 2nd to 5th.
Contact Ms. McGee (abmcgee@vbschools.com) or Mrs. Marquand (katelyn.marquand@vbschools.com) with any questions.Important Announcements
Attendance Waivers
SOL TESTING - 2nd Bus RUN
Upcoming Events
Stay connected to our calendar and mark yours!
For all Beach District and VHSL sporting events involving YOUR Kellam Knights, click HERE.
Mark your calendar:
May 2-6 - Teacher Appreciation Week
May 2-13 - AP Exams- schedule
May 8 - Happy Mother's Day
May 14 - Ring Dance
May 24 - Summer School Registration Opens
May 30 - Memorial Day - No School
May 31- June 3 - SOLs
May 31 - Social Studies SOLs
- May 31 - Social Studies SOLs
June 1 - Science SOLs
- June 2 - Math SOLs
- June 3 - Reading SOLs
June 6-9 - Senior Exams
June 10 - Senior Day
June 13-16 - Grades 9-11 Exams
June 17 - Last Day of School - (Adjusted Dismissal)
June 17 - Graduation @ 6PM
June 17 - Gradfest
Stay in the know: Access prior issues by clicking on the month below:
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