The Knightly News
Parent Newsletter - December 2021
Principal’s Message
Hello Knight Families,
I hope you enjoyed a happy and healthy Thanksgiving break. As we close out the fall season and the first marking period, I am thankful for all of the successes we experienced over the past few months. Several of our fall teams reached the post-season including our girls volleyball team, who continued their dominance in Region A with yet another region championship. Our theatre department put on a fabulous rendition of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, and our band, chorus, and orchestra delivered magnificent performances to live audiences. We know how important these opportunities have been for our students to get involved and become part of something bigger than themselves. Thank you for your support of the countless activities taking place at Kellam High School.
I am also proud to announce that for the second time, Kellam High School has been designated as a Purple Star school. This designation is given to schools who exhibit excellence in establishing a school culture dedicated to meeting the transitional needs of military-connected students. We are proud to serve in a military community!
As we begin the second quarter and the winter sports and activity season, it is important for students to reflect upon their first quarter progress and seek support if necessary. Semester 1 grades will impact our winter athletes’ eligibility if they fall below passing five classes or do not maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average. We have a myriad of tutoring options available including ASAP, FEV, virtual, or in-person peer tutoring. To find out more about these opportunities, please click here.
It will not be long before it will be time to select courses for next year. Currently, we are awaiting a decision by the board on the schedule format for the 2022-23 school year. This decision is expected to take place in January. Shortly thereafter, your students will be meeting with school counselors to begin selecting courses. Be on the lookout for a course registration hub link so that you can be informed of the processes and available courses available to your students. I’d also like to remind you that Kellam is now an AVID school. For more information about the benefits of AVID click here.
The faculty, staff, and students have embarked on a conversation around grading practices in an effort to ensure that our practices align with our purpose to provide a high quality education to all students. While we have common grading guidelines, we have gained valuable insights from conversations with teachers and students about the purpose of grading, and how those practices impact learning. We would appreciate your input on grading from the parent/guardian perspective so please be sure to respond to the short survey included in this edition of the Knightly News.
On behalf of the faculty and staff of Kellam High School, we hope that you enjoy a happy and healthy holiday season and look for great things in the new year!
Sincerely,
Ryan Schubart
Principal
Kellam High School
Don't forget to follow us on Twitter: @KellamHigh and Facebook: KellamHS. Our website is updated regularly for more information: https://kellamhs.vbschools.com/
Kellam High School PTSA
HELP US HELP YOU!
The number one reason to join the Parent Teacher Association is to benefit your child. In doing so, you also help Kellam High School!
The more members we have, the more people we represent, and the louder our collective voice is to make things happen for our kids.
ADDITIONAL WAYS TO HELP THE PTSA
You shop, we earn!
Remember to re-link your Harris Teeter TIE cards to Kellam High School PTSA!
Code 5968
Link with Amazon Smile.
Amazon Smile will donate to Kellam PTSA with each and every purchase you make!
Inclusivity: Finding the Middle Ground (Part 3- of 3)
We have finally reached the end of our journey exploring the lost art to finding the middle ground. Although both sides are very dug in on their views of how to make this country a better place, conservatives and liberals both want a better future for all of us.
Conservatives have always believed that the role of government should be limited and that citizens should have individual freedoms. This great nation was founded and inspired by the daring assertion that our individual God-given liberties should be preserved against government intrusion. There are other phrases such as “The Rule of Law” and “Free Markets” that go hand-in-hand with the concepts that are foundational pieces to the conservative’s way of thinking, rooted in decency and human dignity.
Liberals, on the other hand, believe that the Government has the specific duty to use all its authority and means to meet new social difficulties with new social devices. This ensures that the average person has a pathway to his or her own economic and political life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Government should create a fair playing field for those who lack the power to do so themselves. Both groups have admirable qualities, but what should be the way forward?
The middle ground approach would be a combination, or blending, of the two concepts. Only then will all citizens receive a pathway to all that this country has to offer. It is truly up to the individual to set his or her own course to the limitless possibilities of success this country has to offer. However, due to the advantages of some, and the limitations of others, assistance may be needed to guarantee that the pathway to success is open to all. Blending the Liberal and Conservative approaches would serve all the people of our great country and move us forward toward that more perfect union our forefathers laid the foundation for…
Parents: How do you discuss the importance of creating a win/win situation for our country with your children? The following questions might help to create the conversation needed to introduce this topic:
1. How can respecting other’s viewpoints help me to share my ideas?
2. Does blending my ideas with others create better solutions?
Counselor's Corner
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.
Happy December Kellam High Parents!
While we do have some important information to share with you regarding up and coming counselor events, we first want to take a moment to check in with you. The days are shorter, the weather is colder, and we know all too well in our world that this often comes with an increase in anxiety and depression for many of our students and their families. Please know that you are not alone in this. We remind you to keep track of your mental health, be intentional with implementation of healthy coping skills, incorporate mindfulness, and be open with your family and friends about your feelings should you need support.
Please remind your students that we are here for them!
PLANNING FOR NEXT YEAR
After the new year, your student will meet one-on-one for an individual course planning session with their school counselor. In the next month, we will share important information on our course registration hub with you. Please be on the lookout for this via an email and the “alert now” system in the next couple of weeks.
IMPORTANT DATES
In support of ALL Knights’ academic achievement, post-secondary planning, and social/emotional development, the Kellam Counselors would like to share some important information and dates with our community. We invite you to visit our website, www.kellamcounselor.com, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @KellamCounselor for more information. Contact your student’s school counselor if you have any questions or need additional information.
December is:
National Impaired Driving Prevention Month
Safe Toys & Gifts Month
Important dates this month include:
Nov. 28 – Dec. 6 Hanukkah
December. 1 World AIDS Day
Dec. 2 Special Education Day
Dec. 3 International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Dec. 5 International Volunteer Day
Dec. 1 – 7 National Handwashing Awareness Week
Dec. 7 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Dec. 8 Adjusted Dismissal
Dec. 10 Human Rights Day
Dec. 15 Bill of Rights Day
Dec. 15 Adjusted Dismissal
Dec 17 Q2 Progress Reports
Dec. 23 – 31 Winter Break
Dec. 25 Christmas
Dec. 26 – Jan 1 Kwanzaa
Dec. 31 New Year’s Eve
AVID is Here!
The Time to Think About Your Future is NOW!
Kellam Students & Families,
The mission of AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination) is to close the opportunity gap by preparing all students for success in a global society. The AVID school-wide approach is designed to support students and educators as they increase learning and performance. Its curriculum (which can be implemented across all disciplines) is based on writing, inquiry, collaborative learning strategies, organization, and reading.
We are so excited to offer this outstanding program to students who are interested in improving their academic, social, and leadership skills as they prepare for and want to continue their education after high school.
AVID student applications will be accepted through February 8, 2022. To submit an electronic application, students should visit www.kellamcounselor.com, click the ACADEMICS tab, and use the link posted by the Kellam AVID image. Student interviews will be hosted by Kellam AVID Site Team members once all applications and staff recommendations have been reviewed.
If you would like more information about this opportunity, please contact Ms. Megan Yates (Megan.Yates@vbschools.com) or Ms. Allison Dobson (Allison.Dobson@vbschools.com).
Sincerely,
Kellam’s AVID Site Team
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 Recognition Ads for the Yearbook
Parents can also purchase a senior recognition ad to be in the yearbook using the following link: Senior yearbook recognition ad.
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 in the resources on the HKL Grade 12 Schoology Group page.
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.
Junior Class Rings
Kellam has a time-honored tradition of receiving class rings during Junior year, and we will be continuing this tradition for the class of 2023. You can visit www.jostens.com and start designing, and even order your ring today! If you have any questions, email Eric Harvell at eric.harvell@jostens.com.
Athletic Events
We are excited to have all our winter teams competing!
Click here to view schedules for all of our teams: 2021-2022 Sports Schedules.
Athlete COVID Testing
Athletes who are participating in sports that require a VHSL physical (in season and out of season conditioning) will need to submit a copy of their of COVID vaccination to the school nurse or consent to weekly COVID testing. All athletes who will be testing need to submit a paper copy of this consent form Kellam COVID Testing Consent Form to the school nurse and also complete the MAKO Medical registration link: MAKO Medical Registration Link. Athlete testing is at Kellam on Tuesday between 3:30-4:30 PM.
VBCPS COVID mitigations for indoor events:
Indoor events are limited to 25% of the capacity for the venue (example: the gym, cafe commons, auditorium). All tickets for athletic events and fine arts performances will be sold online through GoFan. All spectators, participants, coaches, event staff, and athletes not competing must wear masks regardless of vaccination status. All spectators should socially distance themselves from people who are not part of their immediate group. There will also be no concessions at the indoor winter events.
All competitions that occur in the gym will be live streamed on the NFHS network. Use this link to access the Kellam site: Kellam NFHS Network Page.
Buy your VBCPS High School Athletic Pass and Individual Tickets on GoFAN!
Pass Prices:
$60 for 3 or less $50 for 4 or more
https://gofan.co/app/school/VA12895
Or download the GoFan App in the iTunes or Google Play Stores
Passes and tickets will be saved and viewed via the APP to be validated at the pass gate for admission to games.
Winter Activity Bus Schedule
Click the link to access the schedule: Winter Activity Bus Schedule and Routes
Spring Sports Tryouts
Spring team tryouts will begin on February 22. Please contact the coach of that sport for additional information. There will be information released to students through the Google announcements slideshow posted on the ALL HKL Schoology page daily. Please review this information on student athlete eligibility: Student Athlete Eligibility Presentation. All spring athletes must have passed 5 classes 1st semester and also be enrolled in 5 classes for the 2nd semester.
Spring Sports Coaching Staff
- Girls Soccer Mario Hurdle, Mario.hurdle@vbschools.com
- JV Girls Soccer
- Boys Soccer Craig Powers,Craig.powers@vbschools.com
- JV Boys Soccer
- Baseball St. Clair Jones, St.Clair.jones@vbschools.com
- JV Baseball Richard DeJesus,Richard.dejesus@vbschools.com
- B/G Outdoor Track Bill Bernard, kellamtrack@icloud.com
- Softball Lori Gavin, Lori.gavin@vbschools.com
- JV Softball Adam Henry adam.henry@vbschools.com
- Boys Tennis Scott Hoffman, Alex.hoffman@vbschools.com
- Girls Tennis James Yermal, jmyermal11@gmail.com
SCA News
Winter Spirit Week will be December 13-17. The Spirit Days are as follows:
Monday: Polar Express Day (wear comfy clothes)
Tuesday: Dynamic Duo Day
Wednesday: Celebrity Day
Thursday: Battle of the Holidays (pick your favorite)
Friday: Tacky Sweater Day
Love Kellam Week: The BEST week of the year! ❤️
Love Kellam Week will be February 7-11, 2022!
We are planning ahead and will be ordering Love Floyd E. T-shirts and Crewnecks from December 13 to January 7. Look for order forms on the All Kellam Student and Staff Schoology page soon!
We are also hard at work planning this year’s Leadership Workshop, slated for March 6, 2022.
The Senior Signature Experience
Senior Students have begun working on their Signature Experience!
Virginia Beach City Public Schools and Kellam High School believe a Signature Experience can serve as the culmination of a student’s education within our division. This exciting project is completed with the assistance of teachers, mentors, and the signature experience coordinator, and is designed to showcase our students’ strengths, skills, and interests in a particular topic. Students will be able to demonstrate their ability to apply, analyze, synthesize and evaluate information and communicate this knowledge to an audience. Most importantly, the signature experience should apply student learning to real-life situations and experiences beyond the curriculum and school building.
For students enrolled in English 12, the student may use his or her Passion Project as a Signature Project. For students enrolled in AP Literature or Dual Enrollment, the project will be independent and student-driven. The project is not mandatory; however, we feel strongly in its value to round out our students’ high school experiences.
We are excited to announce that our Signature Design Lab will have its Grand Opening for teachers on December 7!
There are many things students are already doing that they may choose to share as their signature project. Please feel free to view our Google Site, and contact Ms. McGee, Mrs. Serino, or Mrs. Hoffman with any questions.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow, tis the season to bring in notes…
Know Kellam High School Attendance policy and procedures: Information can be found on the Kellam Website under the Parents Tab-Attendance.
You may have received attendance letter(s) regarding absences/truancy. Please see the information below regarding students who are directed to quarantine due to COVID-19.
Students who are not ill and are able to participate can access remote asynchronous learning if available.
Students who access remote asynchronous learning will be counted present if work is accessed daily.
Please notify teachers if students were able to access asynchronous learning for that day, so that accurate attendance code can be reflected.
If you have any questions, please contact the school.
Attendance Waiver for the First Semester is around the corner. Please find the links below to the Parent Letter and Attendance Waiver Form.
Please know that Attendance Waiver Form must be completed for all students having more than six (6) absences from class (excused or unexcused) within a given semester.
If absences were due to quarantine, please note it on the Attendance Waiver Form.
Check on your student’s attendance periodically. To access your student’s attendance profile, log into Parent Portal or ParentVue Mobile App.
Provide parent verification of absences by completing the electronic Kellam Absence Form, click here, to prevent Unverified Absences (UNV).
Please contact the Attendance Office if you have any questions at 648-5105 or email KellamAttendance@vbschools.com.
Important
Grading Committee Needs Your Input
A Grading Committee comprised of teachers has been created to craft a unified philosophy of grading that will guide practices into the future at Kellam High School. We have begun this work by reflecting upon beliefs about grading from those who are most invested in the success of our students, specifically our stakeholders of students, parents, and teachers. We request your feedback in providing the parent perspective on the purpose of grades at Kellam High School. Please take a few minutes to complete the parent grading survey linked HERE.
PSAT Scores
In October, all students documented as 11th graders (Juniors) were given the opportunity to take the PSAT/NMSQT. Each student’s PSAT/NMSQT Score Report will be available on December 6. Once available, students may access their score report by using the resources and directions linked below.
Students should log in to their College Board account or create a new one at studentscores.collegeboard.org. A dashboard will show their most recent scores.
Students can navigate their score report with the video linked below and gain access to question level details, subscores, areas of strength, areas for growth, and individualized practice.
Additional Resources:
You Tube Video-How to understand your score report
Please contact your School Counselor if you have any questions.
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:
November 28 – December 6 Hanukkah
December 8 - Adjusted Dismissal
December 15 - Adjusted Dismissal
December 17 - Q2 Progress Reports
December 22 – 31 - Winter Break
December 25 - Christmas
December 26 – Jan 1- Kwanzaa
December 31 - New Year’s Eve
January 1- Next Edition of the Knightly News
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