Back To School 23-24
Dear Kingsley families,
Well, I don't know about you, but I feel like I blinked and summer was almost over. That being said, we are so excited to be on the verge of welcoming our students into the building for another great year of learning! This year is particularly exciting as it is Kingsley's 20th birthday. We are planning a variety of events and activities throughout the year to commemorate the first 20 years of KJHS, starting with our Back to School Bash on August 14th.
In this edition of the Kingsley Family Connection, you will find all the information you need to gear up for this coming year at KJHS. For those of you new to Kingsley, we publish the Kingsley Family Connection on a monthly basis. Any updates you need to know between publications are sent out through email via Infinite Campus. We look forward to partnering with you coming school year!
Ms. Palmer
Principal
Kingsley Junior High School
Stay Connected
To stay connected to our Kingsley community, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, &/or Twitter.
You can also visit our school website for additional information. Please be patient as changes are being made to the website to ensure the most updated information is provided.
At any time you can also reach out by email to palmere@unit5.org
Office Hours
Now until July 31: Contact us at 309.557.4407 between 9:00am - 12:00 pm and 1-3 pm on week days.
July 31 - August 11, KJHS office hours will be 8:30 am - 3:30 pm on week days.
As of August 14th, the KJHS office will resume normal working hours of 8:00 am - 4:00 pm.
23-24 Back to School Updates!
PE Clothes
PE Clothes can be ordered now through the first week of school and will be delivered the first week of September. You can place your order online and pay by cash or check in the KJHS Main Office.
Locks
Your child will need two combination locks for this school year, one for their hallway locker and one for their PE lockers. While you can purchase locks on your own, we highly recommend that you purchase locks through KJHS as doing so allows us to provide support should your child forget their combination. Locks are $18 for the pair and can be purchased in the KJHS Main Office. Payment is accepted in the form of cash or check.
Preparing Your Student for the School Year
Please review the 23-24 Unit 5 Junior High Handbook with your student. Please pay careful attention to the student behavior and technology sections (pp 42-55 ). Here a few highlights:
Physical contact between students is not tolerated and will result in behavioral consequences. Please discuss with your student that KJHS is a learning environment, not a playground, and we expect students to behave as such.
KJHS Staff directives are to be followed at all times.
Cell phones are not allowed to be used between 8:45 am and 3:45 pm. If your student needs to contact you, they should ask their teacher and, if the time is appropriate, the teacher will send them to the office to either use an office phone or their cell phone. Please avoid communicating with your student via cell phone from 8:45 to 3:45 as it does distract from learning and can result in disciplinary consequences. If you need to get a message to your student, please contact the KJHS Main Office at (309) 557-4407 and we will gladly get the message to your student.
Toys that look like or act as weapons (guns, knives, etc.) are banned from KJHS property. Possession of such items on KJHS property will result in behavioral consequences.
Please have your student begin practicing school hours, including an appropriate bedtime. Middle school students are in a tremendous period of growth and need 9-10 hours of sleep at night. We suggest setting up a charging station in a central location in your home and having your student leave all electronics, including cell phone and laptop, there to charge overnight.
Please work with your student to develop a plan to carry their ID. Students are required to swipe their IDs on and off the bus (including sports buses) as well as for lunch, checking out books, etc.
Walk In Registration
There is no walk in registration at the middle school level this year. Instead, families new to Kingsley, or families needing computer access to register, should call the guidance office at (309) 557-4899 to make an appointment.
Online Registration
Returning students, registration for the 23-24 school year is open and available through the infinite campus parent portal. Click here to view tutorial videos for guidance. If you have not completed this important step, please take time to do so. If you are needing assistance with registration such as computer access, you may call the Unit 5 Registration Hotline at (309) 557-4242 or the Kingsley guidance office. If you are a new family to Unit 5, please call our guidance office at (309) 557-4899 to set up an appointment to meet with a school counselor.
23-24 Schedule Information
When will schedules be available to students and families?
Schedules, including team and locker assignments, will be available to be viewed in Infinite Campus after 4pm on Friday, August 4th.
When / How are schedules created for the students?
Student schedules are built during the summer based on individual student needs along with course selections made by students at the end of last school year. Every attempt is made to honor requests, but not all request are possible.
How do students get their schedules?
Once available, students will be able to view their schedule in Infinite Campus.
What if my student's schedule needs to be changed?
There are limited acceptable reasons for changing a student's schedule. The most common reason is due to incorrect placement in music or tutorial. Ms. Palmer will send an email out on 8/4 with a Google form link that can be used to request a schedule change if needed. KJHS administration reserves the right to deny a schedule change request.
OPEN DOORS AT KINGSLEY
AUGUST 8, 9, & 10, 1:30 - 4:30 pm. ~ OPTIONAL FOR ALL KJHS FAMLIES
During this time, you can...
a self-guided tour
practice walking schedules
set up lockers, (no tape or hot glue, magnets only to adhere anything)
purchase locks
drop off school supplies in lockers
drop off physicals for 6th graders & athletes.
Join us on Monday, August 14th from 5:30 - 7:30 pm for Kingsley's Back to School Bash!
The schedule allows you to come and go as your family obligations allow. Team teachers will share with families for 30 minutes (see the KBTSB flier for exact times). You are welcome to come prior or stay afterwards to meet other teachers, drop off school supplies in the locker, etc. The building will be busy!
23-24 Morning Arrival Times
Our school day begins promptly at 8:45 a.m. & all students are released to their lockers at 8:35 a.m.
Students may be on school property as early as 8:25 a.m.
Staff begins work at 8:25 a.m. so there is no adult supervision prior to 8:25 a.m. unless your child is involved in a before school club, sports practice, or is enrolled in before school care.
Please note that unless you have a meeting with a staff member, parents are not to escort their child into the building.
23-24 Transportation
Bus routes, including pick up and drop off times, will be viewable in Infinite Campus on August 11th. Unit 5 will send out updates via Infinite Campus. Please reach out to First Student at (309) 557-4287 with any questions.
23-24 Before School Supervision
Need to drop your child off before 8:25? Kingsley hosts a fee-based, before school supervision program from 7:25-8:25 a.m. Interested families can sign up here.
Please note that we do not host after school care.
Who Do I Contact at KJHS?
Knowing who to contact at KJHS about certain issues can be challenging. We hope this mini-guide helps as to who to contact first when you are needing assistance.
Absences (partial or full day): KJHS Attendance line (309-557-4456)
Classroom level issues (grades, behavior, etc.): Your student's teacher(s)
General questions about KJHS: KJHS Main Office line (309 - 557-4407)
Student information/registration updates: KJHS Guidance office (557-4899)
Sports related questions: Mrs. Menken (557-4862 or menkenk@unit5.org) or Mr. Davis
Student behavior issues: Student's AP
Last name A-K: Mr. Larson (557-4858 or larsond@unit5.org)
Last name L-Z: Mr. Davis (557 - 4962 or davissy@unit5.org)
Student schedules: KJHS Guidance office (557-4849)
Student support services: KJHS Guidance office (557-4849)
My child grew & we're going school shopping! What is the 2023-2024 dress code?
The U5 Middle School handbook that was shared during online registration provides more details, but big picture descriptors follow...
Clothing may not promote or advertise alcohol, drugs, lewd language, or violence. #keepitclassykingsley
Pants & shirts are to meet the waist when standing or sitting. #participation
House slippers & shoes with wheels are not allowed during the school day. #safety #protectyourfeet
Sunglasses are not allowed to be worn during the school day. #classroomsarenotsunny
Students' faces are to be clearly visible at all times during the school day. #wewanttoseeyoursmilingface
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Ms. Palmer at (309) 557-4407 or palmere@unit5.org.
KJHS PTO
First Meeting of the Year
Help us help our students! The Kingsley PTO will host an in-person meeting at 6:30 pm in the KJHS IMC on Monday, August 21st to plan for the upcoming school year. Many hands make light work; come join us! Can't make it in person? Join us virtually... link can be found on the KJHS PTO Website.
The KJHS PTO needs your financial help in order to keep supporting the activities we provide KJHS students and staff! For more information, check out the "No Hassle Fundraiser" flyer.
Want more information on the KJHS PTO? Visit the KJHS PTO Website
Athletics & Clubs
23-24 Athletics
For updates, check out our Athletics page on the Kingsley website. Please don't forget that your child must be registered on the Kingsley 8 to 18 site and have an up to date athletic physical on file in the main office in order to try out for any sport.
What clubs does Kingsley have?
Incoming students & families often ask "how can my child get involved & participate in the Kingsley community?" Great question!
Off of the main page of the Kingsley website, there is an "extracurriculars" page with our club and activity information. For students, we post club information in the daily announcements & on "What's Kickin' at Kingsley?" bulletin boards throughout the school
Dates to Note
July
31st - Baseball tryouts begin & cross country practice begins
August
4th after 4p.m. - Student schedules & locker numbers will viewable in Infinite Campus for families.
8th - 10th, 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. - Open Doors at Kingsley
11th - Bus route information posted in Infinite Campus
14th, 5:30-7:30 - Back to School Bash at Kingsley
16th - 1st Day of School :-)
Staff goes on duty at 8:25a.m. Therefore, students may not be on school property until 8:25 a.m. as there is no adult supervision available.
Stay Up to Date!
Be sure to mark school holidays, teacher institute days, and early release days on your calendar!
Daily Announcements are shown each lunch period, daily & posted on the main page of the KJHS website.
#KingsleyCARES