Embedded Files
A Note from Ms. Palmer, KJHS Principal
Dear Kingsley families,
November is upon us and the second quarter of this school year is going to fly! As of publication, there are 30 student attendance days left for the first semester of the 24-25 school year. Please encourage your student to make the most of each and every one of these days by engaging in the wonderful learning experiences their teachers design for them as well as participating in our many clubs and activities.
This month's KJ Family Connection is full of upcoming events as well as things that you as a Kingsley family should be aware of. There are many opportunities for you to be involved with and contribute to the Kingsley community. Thank you as always for your ongoing support and commitment to helping us make KJHS a great place to learn!
Ms. Palmer
KJHS Updates
KJHS Updates
We are excited to announce that KJHS moved from "targeted" in 2023 to "commendable" in 2024! Highlights of the our school report card include:
Overall score increased by 14%
ELA Growth Score increased by 62.9%
ELA Proficiency Score Increased to 100%, meaning that KJHS met the state's proficiency goal
These results are especially exciting since KJHS’ academic goal in last year’s school improvement plan focused on improving ELA scores by doing root word work in every class at every grade level. This year’s school improvement plan focuses on both ELA and math.
PBIS Updates
PBIS Updates
PBIS PRIDE for October was Integrity. Through lessons taught in advisory, students and staff discussed how to manage their time to be reliable and trustworthy. November is Determination month for PBIS PRIDE.
Roller Skating
Roller Skating
The KJHS PE Department is bringing back roller skating to its curriculum! Here's what you need to know...
WHO: 6th – 8th GRADERS
WHERE: NEUMAN GYM
WHEN: DECEMBER 9TH-13TH OR 16TH-20TH
WHY: IMPROVE COORDINATION, IMPROVE SKATING SKILLS, AND FOR ENJOYMENT
COST: $15.00 PER CHILD FOR ROLLER-SKATES
DUE: BY NOVEMBER 20th*
November PTO Activities: Spirit Wear Sale, Fannie Me Fundraiser, and No Hassle Fundraiser!
November PTO Activities: Spirit Wear Sale, Fannie Me Fundraiser, and No Hassle Fundraiser!
The KJHS PTO funds its efforts to support KJHS teachers and students via multiple avenues. This month, the PTO is continuing its donation-based No Hassle Fundraiser as well as sponsoring a Fannie Mae Fundraiser and Spirit Wear Sale.
'Spirit Wear Sale: Want to jazz up your Kingsley spirit wear or get a holiday gift for your favorite student (or at least one that you kind of like)? The KJHS PTO fall spirit wear sale is underway now through November 15th.
Fannie Mae Fundraiser: Get a jumpstart on your holiday shopping and support the KJHS PTO at the same time by shopping at Fannie Mae from 11 am to 4 pm on Saturday, November 30th. Show them this flyer and 30% of your purchase goes to the KJHS PTO.
KJHS PTO No Hassle Fundraiser: The KJHS PTO is asking for donations to help them support the KJHS students and staff throughout the year. We are 30% of the way to our goal of $2500. Want to donate? Here's are the options...
Donations of cash or check (made out to KJHS PTO) can be submitted in the following ways:
dropped off in a sealed and labeled envelope at the school office
dropped off in the secured drop box located by the main entrance doors
mailed to KJHS PTO at 303 Kingsley Street, Normal, IL 61761
On-line donations can be made using PayPal to KJHSpto@gmail.com.
Please make sure to mark the donation as “For Friends and Family” so that a service fee is not deducted from your donation.
Parking Lot Speeds
Parking Lot Speeds
Please be careful and watch your speed driving through the north parking lot, especially during after school pick up. We understand that your time is valuable and you have places to be but there are many students moving through that space and their safety is a priority. Thank you for helping us keep everyone at KJHS safe!
Yearbook Contact
Yearbook Contact
If you have any questions about school pictures or yearbooks, please contact Ms. Quick at quickd@unit5.org.
Dress Code
Dress Code
Just a reminder of a few dress code issues that we are noticing at school...
Slippers, especially puffy ones, are not allowed to be worn for safety issues.
Blankets are not clothing and are not to be worn to class.
Students should be fully covered by clothing from armpit to midthigh.
Coats and backpacks are to remain in lockers along with aforementioned blankets.
Onesies are not to be worn to school (an exception will be made for dress up days).
Thank you for helping us maintain an environment of learning at KJHS!
Music Winter Festival: 12/13
Music Winter Festival: 12/13
Mark your calendars for the 2nd annual KJHS Music Winter Fest! This event is an evening of music and casual dining, including an exhibit of KJHS student art. More details will be shared in the December KJ Family Connection.
KJHS Promise Council
KJHS Promise Council
Did you know that KJHS has its own dedicated Promise Council organization? The Kingsley Promise Council is dedicated to removing barriers to learning such as:
Meeting the physical needs of students when they stand in the way of academic achievement
Helping schools help kids - one child at a time
Providing adult mentors for students
Increasing opportunities for parental engagement
There are two current opportunities for parents and community members to get involved:
1. Add your name to the KJHS Promise Council Shout-Out list.
2. Help meet the physical needs of KJHS students by purchasing items off the KJHS Promise Council Amazon wishlist (all items are sent directly to the school).
If you'd like to find out more about Promise Council, visit https://www.facebook.com/PromiseCouncil/.
Attendance Matters
Attendance Matters
Attendance is key to academic success. Students who miss two days a month (that's once every other week) this year will miss...
20 days of school
30 hours of math
60 hours of reading and writing
Over one year of school by graduation
Want some more information or helpful hints in increasing your student's attendance? Start with these helpful strategies.
K Cart
K Cart
The KJHS K Cart is a key component in the KJHS PBIS reward system. Operated by 8th grade BELT students, the K Cart provides the opportunity for students to use K Cash (earned by exhibiting appropriate behavior in the classroom) to purchase items such as fidgets, bracelets, candy, soda, etc. The K Cart operates 10 weeks a semester and costs approximately $1500-$2000/semester to operate. The KJHS PTO supports the K Cart with a generous $1000/semester donation and the remainder of the funds come from monetary and product donations. If you would like to donate to the K Cart, please visit their Amazon wish list or drop off cash/check at the KJHS Main Office. The K Cart will begin operations on October 4th.
Social Probation
Social Probation
Attendance at extracurricular events is a privilege, not a right, and students who cannot maintain appropriate behavior during the school day forfeit the privilege of attending after school events at KJHS. As such, students who earn an out of school suspension or an in school suspension during the second quarter of the 24-25 school year will be placed on social probation for the remainder of the quarter and cannot attend any extracurricular events unless they are a participant in the event itself. Social probation may also be issued to students who earn lunch detentions for the same offense on multiple occasions. Issuance of social probation will be communicated to both the student and the family by the issuing administrator.
KJHS Social Media
KJHS Social Media
Just a couple of updates re KJHS social media...
Currently, our most up to date social media site is our Instagram account. We recently discovered that our Kingsley Junior High School Facebook page is no longer syncing with updates to our Instagram page. Rather, our Kingsley Cougars Facebook page is syncing with Instagram. The plan is to sync the Kingsley Junior High School Facebook page with our Instagram account and delete our Kingsley Cougars Facebook page. We will let you know when that is happening.
Postings on our social media are dependent on coaches and teachers sending information to Ms. Palmer. If you feel an activity is being left out, please reach to the coach or teacher and encourage them to send Ms. Palmer information/updates to post.
Navigating Kingsley
Navigating Kingsley
AP Assignments
AP Assignments
Assistant Principal Dennis Larson (larsond@unit5.org; 557-4858) is the primary administrator for students in 6th and 7th grade while Associate Principal Sylvester Davis (davissy@unit5.org; 557-4962) is the primary administrator for students in 8th grade. If you have a concern about a behavior issue with your student, please contact your student's AP.
Guidance Counselors
Guidance Counselors
Mrs. Kimberly Johnson (johnsonk@unit5.org; 557-4869) is the guidance counselor for students with last names starting with A-K; Mrs. Breanna Schwarz (shwarb@unit5.org; 557-4869) is the guidance counselor for student with the last names starting with L-Z. Please contact your student's guidance counselor is you have concerns about any social or mental health issues.
Navigating Student Conflicts
Navigating Student Conflicts
Given the fact that we have over 700 students in our KJHS community, conflicts are bound to occur. If your student is experiencing an issue with another student and needs adult assistance to help work things out, please encourage them to complete the "What's Up Kingsley?" form. This will alert the adults in the building to the issue and we will direct the students involved to the KJHS resource best suited to the conflict. If your student is struggling to express the issue, please notify their AP and they follow up with your student.
Who Do I Contact at KJHS?
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 (557 - 4962 or davissy@unit5.org)
Student behavior issues: Student's AP
6th & 7th Grade: Mr. Larson (557-4858 or larsond@unit5.org)
8th Grade: Mr. Davis (557 - 4962 or davissy@unit5.org)
Student emotional or social issues: Student's Guidance Counselor
Last Name A-K: Mrs. Kimberly Johnson (johnsonk@unit5.org)
Last Name L-Z: Mrs. Breanna Schwarz (schwarb@unit5.org)
Student schedules: KJHS Guidance office (557-4899)
Student support services: KJHS Guidance office (557-4899)
Issues with KJHS staff member: Ms Elisa Palmer (palmere@unit5.org; 557-4574)
Curriculum questions: Ms Elisa Palmer (palmere@unit5.org; 557-4574)
Unit 5 Updates
Unit 5 Updates
Unit 5 Podcast
Unit 5 Podcast
Want to know more about Unit 5? Check out our new podcast, Inside Unit 5!
This monthly podcast is dedicated to highlighting information and news for Unit 5’s parents, students, educators, and community members.
Unit 5 Strategic Plan
Unit 5 Strategic Plan
Unit 5 has a new strategic plan, which will guide the district's decision making and priorities over the next five years. Unit 5 is committed to integrity, belonging, engagement, teamwork, and excellence and has the following areas of focus:
Inspiring a Culture of Learning
Creating Foundations for the Future
Building and Strengthening Our Community
Want to know more? Check out the Unit 5 2024-2029 Strategic Plan.
Athletics & Clubs
Athletics & Clubs
Kingsley Clubs and Activities
Kingsley Clubs and Activities
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 will be an extracurricular activities page once updates are completed. For students, we post club information in the daily announcements & on "What's Kickin' at Kingsley?" bulletin boards throughout the school. Here is a list of our current clubs:
Animal Club Flobinet Choir Not In Our School
Board Game Club GSA Percussion Club
Byte by Byte Club Jazz Band Pokemon Club
Chess Club Kingsley Bible Club Rubix Cube Club
Drama Club Kingsley News Speech/Debate Team
D&D/MTG Club Kingsley Stream Team Spirit Club
FCCLA Kingsley Student Council Tech Club
Fellowship of Student Athletes (FCA) Knitting/Crochet Club Yearbook
KJHS Book Club eSports Club Songwriting Club
Stream Team is Bringing KJHS Home Games to Your Home!
Stream Team is Bringing KJHS Home Games to Your Home!
Want to enjoy KJHS home games from the comfort of your own home? Check out our Kingsley Activities You Tube page for live streams of all home events and enjoy how our student led Stream Team broadcasts each and every game!
Unit 5 Junior Athletics Instagram Account
Unit 5 Junior Athletics Instagram Account
Unit 5 Junior High Athletics now has its own Instagram account. You can follow all the Unit 5 Junior High Athletics action by following them at u5jhathletics.
Athletic Eligibility
Athletic Eligibility
In order to be eligible for participation in IESA athletic events, student athletes must maintain a grade of 1.1 or higher in all classes. Eligibility checks are done on the Friday of each week and, if ineligible, a student athlete cannot participate in any athletic contests from the Monday following the eligibility check through the follow Sunday. If a student athlete is ineligible, their coach will communicate that to them and a letter will be sent to their family.
Dates to Note
Dates to Note
November
15: Last day of KJHS PTO Spirit Wear Sale
20: Roller Skating Fees Due
27-29: Thanksgiving Break (No School)
30: PTO Fannie Mae Fundraiser
December
4: Early Release (11:45 am)
6: StuCo Dance (After School)
13: Music Winter Fest (5:00 pm)
23-31: Winter Break (No School)
January
1-6: Winter Break (No School)
7: Start of Spring Semester
Stay Up to Date!
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.
Stay Connected
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
#KingsleyCARES
Student Council is putting on a dance from 3:45 - 5:30 in the KJHS cafeteria. The theme is "Winter Glow" and tickets are on sale now. Attendance is limited to 250 students and students with a 2nd quarter ISS or OSS will not be allowed to attend the event.
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