KCSD & Me: Back to School
Aug. 19, 2022 / Klamath County School District
IMPORTANT DATES
Sept. 5: Labor Day
Sept. 6: First day of school for most students (more information below)
Sept. 7: School for all students
Sept. 15: KCSD Board of Directors meeting
MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
GREETINGS TO KCSD STAFF, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITY,
Welcome to the 2022-23 school year! After three long and challenging years, Klamath County School District finished the last school year very strong! We have been working hard all spring and summer to continue that positive energy. We are looking forward to our students and teachers returning to school, sports, and all the other activities that make life enjoyable for our community.
SUMMER UPDATE
Many of you attended summer school for academic or recreational activities. We thank our staff for contributing their time and families for your determination to remain on track. In addition to student programs, we had numerous facility improvement projects going as well. Mazama has a new artificial turf field. Brixner is undergoing a major seismic upgrade. Several schools got new flooring. Peterson’s back parking lot is now paved and the additional classrooms at Shasta are proceeding on schedule.
FALL SPORTS
Fall sports are under way with cheer, cross country, football, soccer, and volleyball. This year we are featuring a new varsity soccer program at Lost River.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES & CLASS FEES (this clarifies earlier information)
- Elementary students (grades K-6): The district will provide general school supplies for all elementary students and classrooms. Parents are not expected to purchase individual supplies for their elementary students.
- Secondary students (grades 7-12): The district is eliminating class fees. Parents will not be asked to pay additional fees for specific classes such as shop, art, or science. Parents will still need to purchase general school supplies for their secondary students such as notebooks, paper, pencils, pens, etc. Schools will let students and parents know what general supplies are necessary.
- Please note: At the elementary level, families may still need to pay activity or field trip fees, and families of junior high and high school students may still need to pay for clubs and extracurricular activities, gym uniforms and locks, and parking permits. Schools may charge a supply fee in courses that provide a take-home item upon completion. Fees may still be charged for Chromebook insurance and yearbooks.
Our goal is to help parents as they navigate the first week of school. We apologize for any confusion earlier information may have created that did not specify between elementary and secondary students.
COVID-19 MITIGATION PLANS
We are returning to school as normal this year without masking and social distancing mandates! While COVID and other illnesses are still a topic of concern, mitigation strategies allow us to work with our local public health authorities to determine the levels of implementation based on given health risks.
Our baseline mitigation practices – how we will start the school year – include increased sanitation, daily cleaning of all high-touch surfaces, daily fogging, weekly deep cleans, and targeted deep cleaning in areas of reported exposure. When practical, a distance of 3 feet will be maintained. Masks are optional and will continue to be available at our schools for those who want to wear one.
The next level of mitigation includes strategies such as resuming cohorts (keeping students in small, stable groups), and using outdoor spaces to assist with distancing as possible. We would only implement strategies such as a hybrid schedule and masking as an absolute last resort to keep schools open.
ATTENDANCE
The district will be focusing on improving student attendance this year following two years disrupted by COVID-19. We want families to understand why being in school every day is important for learning and future success. If your child is sick, they need to stay home. If they are well enough for school, it is important for them to attend. Our time together matters. Watch for more information and success tips for families as we progress into the school year.
BUS SAFETY
Remember our school buses will be back on the roads, and we need your help to keep our students safe. If you see the flashing lights of a school bus, vehicles coming from both directions must stop and wait for students to enter and exit the bus. Please remind your students of bus safety rules as well – be respectful, wait for the driver to indicate it is safe to cross the road, sit quietly, keep hands and feet out of the aisles, and follow all directions from their bus driver. We will be talking with students about bus behavior and safety during the first few weeks of school.
The first day of a new school year is exciting, a symbol of the passing of time, of children growing up. We are ready.
Respectfully,
Glen E. Szymoniak
Superintendent, Klamath County School District
THE FIRST DAY!
- All elementary schools: First day for 1st- through 6th-grade students.
- Chiloquin Jr/Sr High School: First day for all students.
- Bonanza Jr/Sr High School: First day for 7th, 8th, 9th graders ONLY.
- Lost River Jr/Sr High School: First day for 7th and 8th graders ONLY.
- Gilchrist Jr/Sr High School: First day for all students.
- Mazama High School: Freshman orientation, 9th graders ONLY.
- Henley High School: Freshman orientation, 9th graders ONLY.
- Falcon Heights: First day for all students.
- Henley Middle School: First day for 7th grade students ONLY.
- Brixner Junior High School: First day for 7th grade students ONLY.
- Great Basin Homeschool: First day for all students.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 7:
- All students/grades attend school. (Kindergarten schedule may vary. Check with your school)
Schools throughout the district also will be offering drop-in registration at their buildings starting Monday, with the exception of Brixner Junior High School. Because of construction, Brixner will open its doors to in-person registration starting Aug. 29. Check your school’s webpage for details. Go to www.kcsd.k12.or.us. Click on "Our Schools" in the upper right hand corner to find your school.
EARLY RELEASE ON FRIDAYS
BUS ROUTES!
Bus routes for fall 2022 are up on our website. Some routes may change before school starts so be sure doublecheck your route before the first day!
OPEN HOUSES AND BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHTS
Many of our schools are scheduling open houses/back to school events over the next few weeks. We are compiling the schedules and will post them on our district website by early next week. Please also check your school's website for updated information and event schedules. Go to www.kcsd.k12.or.us and find your school's site by clicking "Our Schools" in the upper right hand corner of the page.
KCSD's Healthy and Safe Schools Plan
As part of this effort, we are required by the state to conduct testing to ensure we are in compliance and keep our students and staff safe from environmental hazards. Here we share our plan and our annual report:
Free/reduced meal benefits expanding: Do you qualify?
KCSD is implementing a new state-funded program that will make school meals available at no charge to additional students. Households that have not qualified for federal free or reduced meals benefits in the past may now qualify in a new category called The Oregon Expanded Income Eligibility Guidelines (EIG). For example, a household of four with an annual income up to $83,250 is now eligible for meals at no charge. To see if your household qualifies click here. We are encouraging all households that are eligible to take advantage of this benefit. To fill out a quick and confidential application click here.
Internship provides work experience
Summer haircuts: Barbershop gives back
District partners with local club to offer pickleball camp
OUR NEXT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
JOIN OUR TEAM!
Check out our job openings: KCSD Employment Opportunities
FOLLOW KCSD & ME
In our KCSD & Me district newsletters, we will provide updates as well as share news from across our district. If you need information between newsletters, go to our webpage at www.kcsd.k12.or.us and follow us on social media. Keep track of KCSD & Me newsletters at: https://www.kcsd.k12.or.us/district/kcsd--me-newsletters.cfm. Follow district news here: https://www.kcsd.k12.or.us/district/district-news.cfm
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