March 2021 Newsletter
Kraft Meadows Middle School
A note from the Principal
Dear KMMS Parents & Guardians:
I hope this newsletter finds everyone ready to put the winter months behind us and gear up for spring. We feel that our students have settled back into the daily routine of school and are making great academic and social progress. It is truly great to see the amount of growth in all of our kids this year. It has been wonderful to see our students everyday in school and cannot thank our parents and community for your continued support as we navigate this school year.
In a typical year, we would be hosting parent-teacher conferences in March. However, with limitations on gatherings and other COVID related precautions, we will not be holding any in person parent-teacher conferences this spring. Teachers will be reaching out to individual parents if there are any academic, behavioral, or other concerns during our scheduled week of conferences (week of March 15). If you would like to schedule a phone call or a virtual meeting with a specific teacher, please email that teacher to get something scheduled.
As we approach Spring Break, we will be making determinations about the format for some of our end of year celebrations such as NJHS induction and 8th Grade Recognition Night. More information will be communicated once these determinations have been made.
Thank-you for your continued support and please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Go Scots!
Steve Uyl
Principal
Upcoming Dates:
March 15 & 17: Virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences
April 2 - April 11: No School (Spring Break)
April 13: 8th Grade - PSAT Test
April 23: Half Day for Students (10:50 Dismissal)
Enrichment
NJHS
A letter and credential form will be emailed out this month to all eligible 6th and 7th graders to apply for NJHS membership. Students must have an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher. The credential form will be due March 26, 2021. We are not collecting service hours this year so please don’t worry about those. We will send out more information about the NJHS Induction in May as the date gets closer.
Current members must also maintain the 3.5 GPA but do not have to reapply. We will not be collecting service hours this year for our current members.
7th Grade NJHS members in good standing will also be invited to apply for a leadership position for the 2021-2022 school year. Applications will be emailed out on March 16 and due back on March 26th.
Student Council
7th graders interested in being on the Student Council Executive Board for the 2021/2022 school year can fill out the application that will be emailed out to them on March 16. This application is due back by March 26th.
Athletics
Athletic Director: Angie Stauffer: stauffera@calschools.org
Phone: (616) 891-1380 ext. 7115
Athletic Coordinator @ KMMS: Karen Sundberg: sundbergk@calschools.org
Phone: 891-8649 ext. 2316
Spring Season:
Track (7th/8th grades): Practices will begin on March 24, 2021. In case of inclement weather, the girls track team will practice at Duncan Lake Middle School gym and the boys track team will practice at Kraft Meadows Middle School gym.
Tennis (6th/7th/8th grades): Practices will begin on March 24, 2021. In case of inclement weather, practices will take place at Duncan Lake MS Auxiliary gym.
There will be a shuttle bus to take the athletes from Kraft Meadows to Duncan Lake.
NOTE: If you have signed your student up for track and tennis, your student cannot do both, as practices are at the same time. Please go on Final Forms and pick either Track or Tennis.
All student-athletes are required to be registered in our online athletic registration program. We are partnered with FinalForms, an online forms and data management service. FinalForms allows you to complete and sign athletic participation forms for your students online. The most exciting news is that FinalForms saves data from season-to-season and year-to-year, meaning that you will never need to enter the same information twice! You will review your information once per school year to verify the information is correct and sign the forms. Please take a moment and sign up your athlete for the upcoming 2020-21 Sports seasons. Using FinalForms is a one stop shop for the entire registration process. Please use the Athlete Registration link that is provided on the Athletics Homepage and create a new account under the "Parent Login" portion. On the Athletics homepage, you will also see a link for the "Parent Playbook" which gives you step by step instructions through the registration process. You do not need to pay the athletic fee until the season you are registering your athletic for begins. The registration link is: https://caledonia-mi.finalforms.com
There is an Athletic fee of $75.00 per athlete per season, with a $250.00 limit collected per family, per academic year. (Middle School participation fees are separate from high school fees.)
From the Support Room
Please do not text your child during the school day. If you need to get a message to your student, please call the office and we will gladly relay the message. Your student may not have their phone on, or in their pocket during the school day. It must be turned off and in their backpack or locker.
Spring and better weather are just around the corner! Please review the dress code with your student and reinforce the behavior expectations of our school with your child.
If you are leaving for Spring Break early, please contact the office and let us know. Be sure your student lets their teachers know and takes responsibility for any missing assignments.
Yearbook Sales
Yearbook sales start today and will run through Wednesday, March 31st. All orders must be submitted before spring break! The price is $13, and you can order online at https://inter-state.com/YearbookEntry/55543X. If you prefer to pay with cash or check, your student can pick up an order form in the main office. Completed order forms can be returned to the main office with cash or a check payable to Inter-State Studios.
Food Service Help Wanted
Caledonia Food Service is looking for help! We are looking for full-time, part-time, and subs. Qualifications are as follows: no experience necessary, ability to work in a fast-paced environment, able to lift up to 35lbs, positive attitude, good time management, and a team player. If you are interested in joining our team, please apply in person at our Food Service District Office located at Duncan Lake Middle School between the hours of 8am & 3pm. Questions, please call 616-891-0227.
From the Library
From the Library:
We are holding a March Madness Reading Challenge from March 1-31!
Students can earn small prizes for completing reading challenges throughout the month. Students will need parent/guardians to sign their challenge sheets in order to receive their prizes. Challenge sheets will be handed out in language arts classes.
Don’t forget our online eBook and audiobook catalog is now available to all Kraft Meadows students through SORA/Overdrive.
Students can access the reading app on their CLEVER page along with all of the other apps they use for school.
Check out our library website for links to SORA, book talks, read alouds, book recommendations and so much more! Have questions? Email Mrs. Alexander at alexandere@calschools.org
https://sites.google.com/calschools.org/kmmslibrarylinks/home
From the KISD
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Virtual Pop-Up Professional Panel
Hear from Professionals of Color who have overcome obstacles to gain success within their careers.
Thursday, March 18, 2021 from 2:00 PM – 2:40 PM
Guest: Michael Hopson, Senior Recruiter with UFP Business School
Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIkce6vpjgpEtJ0oYMVfY0K3svbkeHT8YnV
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Talk & Tours
Virtual career exploration events designed to increase awareness of diverse careers available in high demand sectors. Meet 4-5 professionals at once. Ask questions!
Upcoming Events
Pharmacy Careers – Meijer Pharmacy
Monday, March 22, 2021, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Law Enforcement- Grand Rapids Police Department - New Date**
Thursday, March 25, 2021 @ 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
For full schedule, information and registration visit: https://www.kentisd.org/educators/career-readiness/students/programs/talk--tour-career-series/
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Meet the Recruiter Event – Local Health Care Employers
Tuesday, March 30, 2021, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
This is a golden opportunity to get job search information directly from local hospital recruiters!
More information and registration at https://www.kentisd.org/educators/career-readiness/students/programs/meet-the-recruiter/
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GVSU Teen Entrepreneur Innovation Day
March 19-20, 2021. Virtual Event!
This immersive two-day workshop is centered on innovation and action to provide high school students the necessary skill set and tools to develop as innovators and entrepreneurs. Students will form teams, create prototypes, and validate your business idea and receive feedback from experienced entrepreneurs. $10,000 in cash prizes. Free event.
Registration deadline is March 1 at midnight. More information here: https://www.gvsu.edu/cei/innovation-days-199.htm