KCSD & Me
February 2023 / Klamath County School District
IMPORTANT DATES:
- Feb. 10: Military Appreciation Night, Henley High School
- Feb. 20: No school. Presidents Day
- Feb. 23: KCSD Board of Directors meeting
MESSAGE FROM OUR SUPERINTENDENT
As we settle into 2023, the district is continuing its focus on elementary instructional models for math and reading. We are committed to investing in these models, providing training for teachers, and expanding small-group and project-based learning opportunities until they are fully implemented in all classrooms districtwide. Our goal is to have all of our students performing at grade level or above.
By training teachers and investing in effective strategies for reading and math instruction, the district will be able to help students who fall behind grade level and provide the interventions they need to stay on track to graduate.
Statewide graduation rates were released last month, and we are proud of the Class of 2022, who graduated in greater numbers than 2021. Two of our high schools – Lost River and Chiloquin – graduated 100% of their cohorts on time. However, our goal remains to provide the support and opportunities needed so every student can graduate.
In this newsletter, we highlight one of our new CTE pathways. More than 60 Henley and Mazama students are participating in the CTE education pathway program that provides hands-on learning and puts students on track to pursue an education degree through Klamath Community College and Southern Oregon University.
We also highlight students and give you a chance to nominate a teacher or staff member for the district’s annual Crystal Apple Awards. Crystal Apples are given to eight employees each year who represent KCSD’s core values and go above and beyond to inspire and help students. We value your input and encourage you to join in the nomination process. You will find the link to do so below.
Thank you for your ongoing support of our students and schools.
Sincerely,
Glen Szymoniak
'Our district wanted to be proactive and start to train and recruit teachers within our community and schools'
“It was an experience, and it was hard to manage the class at first,” he said. “But as I kept going, I started to understand what to do and how I could teach it better next time.”
Hawkins is among 60 students enrolled in a new CTE (career and technical education) Education Pathway at Mazama and Henley high schools. Advisor and teacher Anna Monteil offers five dual credit pre-teaching courses as well as a parenting/independent living class as an elective to recruit students into the program.
The program is aligned with Klamath Community College and Southern Oregon University. Students get college credit for their courses. If they complete all five classes and take KCC’s 200-level Health and Fitness of Life course, they are eligible to graduate from KCC with an Education Paraeducator Career Pathway Certificate the same year they graduate high school. It also puts students on track to pursue an education degree through KCC and SOU’s satellite program.
“With the national shortage of teachers, our district wanted to be proactive and start to train and recruit teachers within our community and schools while also adding to our CTE program pathways for our high school students,” Monteil said. “Of the 60 students currently enrolled in the pathway program, more than half are committed to becoming educators after high school.” Read more
Deadline to submit nominations is Feb. 17
Do you know a Klamath County School District teacher or staff member who makes an extra effort to inspire and help students? If so, consider nominating them for a Crystal Apple Award. The Crystal Apple is given to KCSD staff who go above and beyond for students of all backgrounds and abilities.
Community members are encouraged to submit nominations. The Crystal Apple Gala will be April 25 at the Ross Ragland Theater.
To be nominated, the teacher or staff member must:
• Work for the Klamath County School District for at least three years
• Inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities
• Play an active and useful role in the community as well as the school
• Be poised, articulate and possess the energy to withstand a taxing schedule
You can fill out and submit the nomination form online – https://forms.gle/sjsbE8LhzWhXep8t9. All nominations are due by 5 p.m. Feb. 17.
'This evening is only one small gesture of respect and appreciation we have for our military'
Henley High School will honor veterans and active duty military Friday, Feb. 10 during the varsity Hornets versus Mazama basketball games at Henley High School.
During Military Appreciation Night, all veterans and their families receive free admission to the girls’ and boys’ varsity basketball games and thank you cards with coupons for the concession stand.
The event starts at 6 p.m. with a welcome to military personnel and veterans. At 7:30 p.m., all soldiers and veterans are invited to come to the northwest and southwest corners of the basketball court for the National Anthem. The girls play at 6 p.m. The boys play at 7:30 p.m.
“This evening is only one small gesture of respect and appreciation we have for our military and their dedicated service on our behalf,” said Jesse Hamilton, principal of Henley High School. “We organized this evening in their honor and are grateful for their sacrifice, service and selflessness on behalf of our national and local community.”
'The secret is everyone cares -- the staff, the students, and the parents'
“The secret? The secret is everyone cares – the staff, the students, and the parents,” said Jamie Ongman, who served as Lost River’s principal through 2022 before taking a promotion as KCSD director of school operations. “The 100% not only reflects their graduation rate, but also the amount of effort students, staff, and parents put in from year to year. Staff tirelessly invest in the students, students set goals and work to achieve them, and parents give the school unwavering support.” Read more
'These skills are something no textbook, test, or flash cards can ever teach'
'I taught them what it takes to run a business and now they are using those skills ...'
STAFF, STUDENTS GIVE TO UNITED WAY
We are proud of our students and staff who support our local United Way. A shout to the Henley Key Club, Falcon Heights, Brixner, Merrill, and the District Office.
During the United Way of the Klamath Basin’s annual meeting, the Henley High School Key Club was recognized for conducting their 19th annual “Students for United Way Coin Drive” and raising $794 bringing their 19-year total contributions to United Way to $32,150. Henley High School Key Club officers (pictured) accepted the United Way Community Campaign award.
Falcon Heights Alternative School received a bronze spirit award for achieving a 63% increase in their United Way campaign. Brixner Junior High School and Merrill Elementary School also received bronze spirit awards and the KCSD District Office received a silver spirit award for a 6% increase in their donations for an average of $59.33 per person.
KCSD INTERVIEWED FOR EDTECH MAGAZINE
KCSD's upgraded technology and progressive planning by our district leaders and IT department attracted the attention of the editors of EdTech: Focus on K-12 magazine. KCSD is one of the districts highlighted in an article this month about planning ahead to ensure students will always have access to modern technology and devices. IT Director Kiran Malakar and Superintendent Glen Szymoniak are interviewed in the article. It also features photos of students in Kacie Palmer's third-grade class at Henley Elementary School, Malakar, and Szymoniak. Read the article here: Funds for the Future.
Application deadline is Feb. 23
KCSD has an opening on its budget committee. The budget committee works with the KCSD Board of Directors to review and approve the district’s annual budget. Applicants must reside within Klamath County School District boundaries. The following position is open:
- Position 2 Henley Elementary/Keno Zone. Appointment expires 6/30/2025
The Klamath County School District Board of Directors will conduct interviews for each of the positions at the March 9 regular school board meeting at the Klamath County School District Office, 2845 Greensprings Drive. Interviews also can be conducted via Zoom.
If you are interested, call Stephanie Bland at 541-851-8767 in the superintendent’s office for an application. You can also find the application by going to the KCSD website at https://www.kcsd.k12.or.us/district/budget-information.cfm. Applications will be accepted until 3 p.m. Feb. 23.
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Klamath County School District
Inspiring today's students to meet tomorrow's challenges!
Read our Strategic Plan
Email: kcsd_communications@kcsd.k12.or.us
Website: www.kcsd.k12.or.us
Location: 2845 Greensprings Drive, Klamath Falls, OR, USA
Phone: 541-883-5000