KMS Up2Date
February 26, 2021
Principal's Message
Happy 100th day of school!
We have settled into our usual routines after our winter break. The third quarter is now underway and we'll be working hard to keep everyone on task.
Congratulations to the 44 newest members of the National Junior Honor Society who were inducted via an online ceremony on Wednesday evening. We are so proud of them and their accomplishments. Please read more below.
Parents of grade 8 students are asked to check out the information below regarding course selection for next year.
Have a great week,
Dennis Morrell, Principal
Class Participation and Chromebook Cameras
On page 27 of the BWRSD Re-Opening Plan dated July 30, 2020, it reads:
Norms for Distance Learning Establishing dos and don'ts of distance learning help to create a positive and productive learning environment. Both students and teachers appreciate structures that provide consistency from one classroom to the next. By establishing clear expectations and norms for distance learning teachers are able to focus on teaching and students can better engage in learning. All teachers will establish norms for distance learning lessons that include at a minimum, the requirements below. Norms will be emailed to students and families at the start of the school year and posted in each Google Classroom. At a minimum, we expect:
❏ Students have their cameras turned on during live lessons so they can interact with teachers and other students.
❏ Students should be dressed in school appropriate attire and ready to learn
❏ Students are expected to fully participate in online lessons and activities
❏ Attendance will be based on participation throughout the lesson
Reminder.....Monday, March 1 is "A Day"!!!
Great news for Performing Arts!
The Rhode Island Department of Education has updated the guidance for singing and playing instruments in schools. Here is the link to the RI Reopening Guidance. The updated guidance specific to Performing Arts is on pages 21 and 22.
Middle Schools are still required to be scheduled in stable pods and this continues to present challenges for us. We will be having discussions over the next week to determine if we at KMS can indeed return to some form of choral/instrumental instruction. We are very anxious to bring back our beloved programs for our kids and will continue to advocate on their behalf while keeping safety and health in the decision making process.
Thinking About a Return to Normal
Free Meal Program for Students Continues
All students enrolled in Bristol Warren Schools will continue to receive free meals through June 2021 regardless of eligibility status. However, it is important that families continue to submit updated applications if there are any changes in income or household size. The lunch application can be found here on our website. Distance Learning Grab & Go breakfast and lunch meals are offered daily for pick up at Mt. Hope High School and Kickemuit Middle School from 9:30am-10:30am. Please see these attachments for information on additional resources
8th Grade Hppenings
8th Grade News
KMS and MHHS are working together to help support 8th grade students with their transition to high school. Today during advisory, the Performing Arts, Visual Arts and Business departments met with our students and conducted virtual Presentations. Each department described the variety of course offerings available to students and shared photos and videos of student work.
The MHHS Department Heads would love to answer any questions you may have.
Performing Arts: Virginia Boyle - virginia.boyle@bwrsd.org
Visual Arts: Lauren Enjeti - lauren.enjeti@bwrsd.org
Business: Maureen Gauthier - maureen.gauthier@bwrsd.org
Wednesday 3/3/21
MHHS Guidance Counselor review of Program of Studies Virtual Presentations for students during advisory. Students will receive their printed program of studies during advisory on Wednesday. Distance learners may access the Program of Studies digitally or pick up a printed copy during the distance learning materials pick up day scheduled from 3:30 - 5:30 on Tuesday March 2, 2020.
Friday 3/5/21
Students will receive their copy of the Grade 9 Course Sheet. Please sign and return by Friday March 12, 2021. Your signature indicates acceptance of rigor of course selections.
Tuesday March 9, 20201
8th Grade Parent Information and Q/A Virtual Meeting on MHHS Program and Pathways. The meeting link will be made available on the March 5, 2020 Smore. MHHS will provide information on the Program of Studies and review the Class of 2025 Elective Course Selection Google Form. Students will receive their copy of the Google Form following the parent Q & A session. Forms are due by Friday March 12.
Distance Learning Materials
Quarter 3 distance learning materials will be available for pick up on Tuesday March 2, 2021 from 3:30pm - 5:00pm. If you are unable to make this pick up you may visit the front office during school hours following the pick up date.
We need your help!
SurveyWorks Family Survey
Dear Parents:
The Rhode Island Department of Education is currently administering its annual SurveyWorks Family Survey, which is an opportunity for family members to provide feedback about our school community and our children’s opportunities to learn. The survey results are most useful when all families participate, so I am writing to ask you to participate in this survey.
Your views on matters like the safety of your child at school, the way students are taught, the condition of the school, and how connected you feel to this school are important. By taking this short survey, you can help our school leadership and school community to make improvements. Responses are anonymous and cannot be linked to any individual; no one can tie your responses back to you.
You can take the short survey online now thru March 31. To take the survey, visit bit.ly/ridefamily . Choose your school from the dropdown list.
Our goal is to have 250 families participate! If we meet that goal, each family will be put into a drawing for one of the four Swarovski-Touchstone Crystal gifts. The drawing will take place the week of April 5th.
Thank you,
Frank DeVall
Dean of Students
SurveyWorks Coordinator
KMS Student Attendance REMINDER
As communicated throughout this year, all students, both hybrid or virtual, must log in to daily homeroom by 8:30 am. We give the students a 5 minute window until 8:35 to complete this important task. If a student fails to log in to daily homeroom (period 1) they are marked absent.
If you receive an automated attendance call that your student is absent, or your child has missed or was late to homeroom, you may email KMSAttendance@bwrsd.org to update the attendance record.
Another issue with which we need your support is that some "at home" students will log into homeroom, but do not attend any classes (or few classes) during the school day. Attendance during all classes is expected and is important for success. We are working on running reports that will generate an automated call to parents if their student is marked present, but not in a particular class. We are continually looking at ways to increase communication during these difficult times. As you can imagine, it's next to impossible to foresee and solve issues that we have never dealt with in the past.
It's important for everyone to remember that the district's expectation is that students be "in school" from 8:30 - 3:00 every day unless notification to the office is made. The attendance clerk can be reached at 245-2010, ext. 2279 or KMSAttendance@bwrsd.org.
Families are encouraged to continue to monitor student progress in the parent portal. In addition to grades, families can monitor their student's attendance and conduct reports. It is recommended that you log into Aspen on a weekly basis. Second quarter closes on Friday, February 5 and I encourage all parents/guardians to reach out to their student's teachers with any questions.
Showcase on Student Achievement
The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) is the nation's premier organization established to recognize outstanding students. More than just an honor roll, NJHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service and character. The KMS Chapter of National Junior Honor Society looks for 7th & 8th grade students who show outstanding qualities in scholarship, character, citizenship, leadership, and service.
The KMS chapter requires students obtain a cumulative GPA of 3.7 or higher. In addition to the strong academic records which established the eligibility for membership, our chapter members are leaders in many student organizations and serve our school and community through many activities. We are proud of this record of accomplishment and welcome these new members who bring new energy in support of our continuing work as NJHS members.
The current NJHS student leadership team consists of Aralyn Bradshaw (President), Eliza White (Co-Vice President), Lucienne O’Brien (Co-Vice President), Zahra Sheikh (Treasurer) and Analucia Romero (Secretary) led my the Co-Advisors Mrs Erin Dunlop and Mrs Molly Scarborough.
The leadership team and all our current members have done an outstanding job upholding high academic standards while carving a path for service opportunities during a unique time. We congratulate you all for their continued dedication to the organization.
On February 24, 2021, we virtually inducted 44 new members to the organization.
7th Grade Inductees
Aiyana Almeida
Logan Allen
Dakota Ayers
Nathanael Bagg
Kelsey Braun
Anderson Charest
Abigail Chase
Eden Collins Brown
Jessica Deal
Reese Duchesne
John Ellsworth
Haley Ferreira
Sofia Haberman
Grace Hoyle
Mason Kachapis
Charles Knapman
Jordyn Komorek
Haley McCormick
Hunter Millan
Ava Millet
Ethan Pattie
Ahna Rozea
Tyler Scarborough
Hazel Schofield
John Thompson
Michael Velleca
Ava Waddell
Dylan White
Aidan White
Sarah Wilcox
8th Grade Inductees
Emily Cabral
Maguire Camelo
Callie Daponte
Margherita Dellolio
Mara Machado
Colin Maloney
Olivia Morrissette
Savannah Murray
Husky Happenings
Chromebook Insurance
KMS Spirit Gear Order Form
School Improvement Team
Community Information
Free Tutoring Opportunity Launching with Schoolhouse.world
Schoolhouse.world is a new online platform from Sal Khan, the founder of Khan Academy, that matches students around the world with free tutors. The tutors provide small-group math and SAT prep tutoring for students in grades 6-12, building on the Khan Academy curriculum. Rhode Island is one of two state-level partnerships offering this opportunity to students across the state. Registration is now live on the All Course Network (ACN) and students can sign up here on EnrollRI. There is no deadline for students to sign up (though schools will still need to approve their enrollment via the ACN), no cost to LEAs or students, and no requirement to participate. Please help us spread the word to your students, teachers, parents, and communities! More information on the partnership can be found here.
Rogers Free Library
We are excited to announce the “Healthy Body + Healthy Mind = Happy Life Challenge!” just in time to beat the February doldrums and celebrate American Heart Month! We encourage you to invest time in your mental and physical health by taking part in this month-long program! Patrons of all ages can register for the challenge. Earn badges online, and enter to win prizes! Simply put, once you have signed up in the Beanstack app, choose one healthy activity each day (for body or mind) to earn one of 28 badges.
Visit our site to get started: https://rogersfreelibrary.beanstack.org/