October 2023
A Note from Ms. Palmer, KJHS Principal
Dear Kingsley families,
October is here and the school year is in full gear! We hope that your student has found a way to be involved in our KJHS community. If they are still looking for a way to connect, please have them check out our extensive list of school clubs. We offer something for everyone! We would love to connect with you as well. We invite you to join us at the strategic planning meeting the evening of October 2 and the PTO meeting on October 23. We also encourage you to connect with your student's teachers by signing up for a Family-Teacher conference. Finally, even if you don't have a student in athletics, please join us for a home game. They are a lot of fun and help you experience Kingsley in a different way. We hope you and your student are enjoying this school year as much as we are!
Ms. Palmer
KJHS Updates
Family-Teacher Conferences: Friday, November 3rd
Kingsley Family-Teacher Conferences
November 3, 2023, 8:00am - 4:00pm
As in the past, we will be using the online conference scheduler, PTCFast, to set up Family-Teacher conferences. Some families have shared that they appreciate virtual conferences as an option, while some families prefer in-person conferences so Kingsley is hosting both virtual and in person conferences.
How do we sign up for a Family-Teacher conference?
On October 16 , 2023 at 8:00 a.m. through November 1, 2023, click here to access the PTCFast site for Kingsley Family-Teacher Conferences.
If you do not have Internet access, please call the guidance office at 309-557-4899 to set up your conference.
How does PTCFast work?
PTCFast will ask you to enter your email address, student's name, and your name.
PTCFast will email you an invitation to sign up for Family-Teacher conferences. When you click on the link provided in the PTCFast email, you will be able to select the in person or virtual conference(s) that you would like to sign up for.
To meet with exploratory, PE, and music teachers, please sign up for a separate conference with them.
Have you chosen to participate in a virtual Family-Teacher conference?
After you select the preferred conference, you will receive a confirmation email from PTCFast.com with the room number or virtual Family-Teacher Conference link. Save this email because it includes the link that you will use on Family-Teacher Conference day to meet virtually with teachers. It is the only email you will receive with the video conference link.
What if I can’t find my Family-Teacher conference link? Click here for help! (Live link will be created before November 1, 2023.)
Need to change something or need help?
With PTCFast.com, you have the ability to schedule, change, or cancel your Family-Teacher conference until November 1, 2023.
Need help with PTCFast? Please call the guidance office at 309-557-4899.
Unit 5 Strategic Planning
Unit 5 is working on developing a strategic plan to guide the next 5 to 10 years of district decision making. Please share your perpsective on what Unit 5 should focus on by completing the Unit 5 Strategic Planning Family/Community Survey.
KJHS "Get to Class on Time" Initiative Update
We are pleased to share that the KJHS students are making great progress in the "Get to Class on Time" initiative. Tardies were down 22% in August and 24% in September in comparison to those same months in the 22-23 school year. Way to go Cougars - keep up the great work!
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.
KJHS PBIS Updates
The PBIS Celebrations team is in need of candy to help support "Out of the Blue" events at KJHS. Each quarter, the KJHS staff chooses one class period school wide to reward students who exhibit one particular positive behavior. This past week, we celebrated the KJHS students who arrived at their 8th hour class with all of their materials. Want to help support such events? Please consider ordering from our PBIS Amazon wish list. The list should default to the shipping address of KJHS but, if not, you can set the address to...
Kingsley Junior High School Attn: PBIS
303 Kingsley Street
Normal, IL 61761 - 2941
United States
This month's KJHS PRIDE focus is I for "integrity". Students will be discussing what integrity means and how they can exhibit both in and out of school.
Last month's KJHS PRIDE focus was R for "respect". Here is the lesson that was shared schoolwide with students.
Monitoring Student Progress
Infinite Campus: Infinite Campus is the main tool that we use to communicate students' progress and attendance with our KJHS families. You can set the Infinite Campus to send you notifications regarding your student's attendance and grades. Don't have the app yet? Visit the Unit 5 link to the Infinite Campus Parent Portal and download the app. Here are some helpful hints:
a. When looking up the district, enter "mcl", select "Illinois" and then hit "search". McLean County Unit 5 will pop up.
b. Your username and password are the same ones you use to log into IC on a computer. Don't remember your password? Call the KJHS Guidance Office (309) 557- 4899 and we will reset your password so you can get access to your account. Trying to access after office hours? Drop Ms. Palmer an email (palmere@unit5.org) and she will get you set up as soon as she can.
By now, the online gradebooks in Infinite Campus should reflect your student's current performance in their classes. If you have a question about what is appearing online in the gradebook, please reach out to your student's teachers. Please remember that KJHS uses standards based teaching and learning. Here's a reminder of what those numbers you are seeing represent. Want to learn more? Check out the Unit 5 SBG Guide.
Technology Tip: Does Your Student Need a Smart Phone?
Many families allow their junior high age students to get smart phones and have access to social media under the impression that they need them or will miss out on something. As a school, many of our student conflicts begin on social media and then become an issue at school. We encourage families to check out sites such as "Wait Until 8th" when deciding what type of phone to get their student (if one at all) and their plan to monitor the student's phone usage. Want some good reasons to consider waiting until 8th grade or later for your student to get a smart phone? Check out "Why Wait?". Want to know more about the dangers of social media for children and how to monitor your student's phone? Follow Officer Gomez on Facebook and YouTube.
KJHS Guidance Office Updates
This year we have found ourselves down a guidance counselor. We are so fortunate, however, to have individuals with a combined 90+ years of counseling experience working with us to meet the needs of students with the last names L-Z. Ms. Joan Fee (retired NCHS guidance counselor) and Mr. Tim Penhollow (retired KJHS guidance counselor) are providing on site services to students while Mrs. Deborah Brown (retired PJHS guidance counselor) is serving as the case manager for students with 504 plans in that part of the alphabet.
Temporary Changes in Busing
If you are wanting your child to ride a different bus on a certain day (i.e. , they are riding home with a friend), please contact the Transportation Office (309-557- 4287) to make this arrangement as they will need to notify the bus driver. Please do this as early as possible in order to ensure that the message is communicated. KJHS cannot make this arrangement for you.
PTO Updates & Fundraisers
Below are opportunities to help the KJHS PTO raise money to support the KJHS students and staff by doing things like funding teachers' classroom grant requests to enhance instruction, provide staff with uplifting luncheons and treats, purchase furniture to allow for flexible learning spaces, and much more!
PTO No Hassle Fundraiser: The easiest way to support the important work of the KJHS PTO is to make a donation through our No Hassle Fundraiser.
The PTO is selling Papa Murphy coupon cards for $5. If you are interested in purchasing one, please email the PTO at kjhspto@gmail.com.
The Gobena Coffee Fundraiser is an ongoing one and an excellent opportunity to try some new, local coffee as well as raise money to help the PTO support our KJHS teachers.
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
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
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 (557-4899)
Student support services: KJHS Guidance office (557-4899)
K-Cart Amazon Wishlist
The KJHS BELT class recently launched the KCart, which is our traveling PBIS rewards store. KJHS students can purchase items from the KCart using KCash, which is earned by making positive behavior choices throughout the school year. In order to stock this popular KJHS feature, the BELT students have created an Amazon wish list of items that they would like offer for purchase on the KCart. Please have any items ordered sent to the address below. In addition, feel free to purchase any of the items locally and drop them off at the KJHS main office. Thanks so much for your support!
Kingsley Junior High School Attn: KCart
303 Kingsley Street
Normal, IL 61761-2941
Unit 5 Updates
Strategic Planning Meeting
The final community engagement strategic planning meeting for this fall is on Monday, October 2nd from 5:30 - 7:00 pm in the Parkside Junior High School cafeteria. Join us to share your views on what priorities Unit 5 should consider in making its plans for the future.
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.
Athletics & Clubs
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!
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 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. Here is a list of our current clubs:
Black Student Union Flobinet Choir Not In Our School
Board Game Club GSA Percussion Club
Byte by Byte Club Harry Potter Club Pokemon Club
Chess Club Jazz Band Rubix Cube Club
Drama Club Kingsley Bible Club Speech/Debate Team
D&D/MTG Club Kingsley News Spirit Club
FCCLA Kingsley Stream Team Tech Club
Fellowship of Student Athletes (FCA) Kingsley Student Council Yearbook
KJHS Book Club
New Clubs @ KJHS
We are so excited to announce that we have added 3 new clubs this year! KJHS is now offering the Animal Health and Wellness Club (sponsored by Mrs. Decker), the Crochet Club (sponsored by Mrs. Decker), and the Percussion Club (sponsored by Mr. Harr). This brings the total number of KJHS clubs to 27! Please encourage your student to check out the "Kingsley Happenings" boards and the announcements for information on clubs in which they are interested.
KJHS PTO
KJHS PTO Happenings
Next Meeting
The next KJHS PTO meeting is Monday, October 23 at 6:30 pm in the KJHS IMC.
Fundraisers
ISU Concessions Fundraiser: The PTO is working concessions at the September 23rd ISU football game and needs 20 adults to help serve (10am-1:30pm or 1pm-4:30pm) . Please sign up if you are available to volunteer.
PTO No Hassle Fundraiser: The easiest way to support the important work of the KJHS PTO is to make a donation through our No Hassle Fundraiser.
The PTO is selling Papa Murphy coupon cards for $5. If you are interested in purchasing one, please email the PTO at kjhspto@gmail.com.
The Gobena Coffee Fundraiser is an ongoing one and an excellent opportunity to try some new, local coffee as well as raise
Want more information on the KJHS PTO?
Visit the KJHS PTO Web Site
Dates to Note
October
2: Community Engagement Night (5:30 - 7:00 pm @ PJHS Cafeteria)
3: Fire Drill
9: Indigenous People's Day (No School)
16: Family-Teacher Conference Sign Ups Open Up
18: Early Release (11:45 am)
23: PTO Meeting (6:30 pm in KJHS IMC)
30: First Day of Scholastic Book Fair
November
1: Last Day of Scholastic Book Fair
3: Family-Teacher Conferences
22 - 24: Thanksgiving Break (No School)
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
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.