September '21

Most P.E. uniforms have been delivered to students. There is a backorder on some items. We anticipate backordered items being delivered to students by September 9.

Unit 5 has discontinued NWEA MAP testing & is using a new, universal asssessment entitled FastBridge/Illuminate "aReading" & "aMath." Kingsley students participated in "aReading" & "aMath" this week. If a child was absent, we will do makeup testing next week.

Similar to MAP, these assessments will help families & staff measure student growth three times per school year. Also similar to MAP, these assessments are taken on student devices & adjust to each child's previous answers/assessment results.

So what is the difference? Good news! Students are able to complete each assessment in one class period which reduces disruption to their school day.

The Kingsley community continues to grow in strength. We are excited to share two family resources offered at Kingsley.

• Family Coordinator: Through grant funding, David Ghantous joined us this year as a support to families. Find out more about his services by clicking here.

• CHS Youth Outreach Counselor: We are happy to have a grant-funded youth therapist who is able to help Kingsley children & families. Find out more about their services here.

• Promise Council Shout Out Group: When a Kingsley student or family are in need, the Kingsley Promise Council sends an email to see if you can help. Want to know more? Click here.

You may report your child's absence 24-7 by calling the Attendance Line directly (309.557.4861) or by following the prompts on the KJHS main phone line (309.557.4407).

How Can We Get Make-up Work during an Absence?

• Google Classroom: For lesson materials & individual assignments, visit each teacher’s Google Classroom.

• Assignment Portal: For an overview of classwork & assignments, visit the "Assignment Portal" for your child's team & teachers.

• After visiting Google Classrooms and the "Assignment Portal,” email the teacher if there are questions about specific assignments.

• In rare cases, to participate in learning, students need physical materials, such as watercolors for art, a new book for Literature & Composition, needle and thread for Family & Consumer Science, etc. In those rare cases, teachers will email families regarding materials pick up.

When is make-up work due after an absence?

• In general, students are allowed the number of days of their absence, not to exceed 5 school days.

• If students are feeling up to it, they need to work on assignments during their absence.

Student devices, the Dell 3100 Chromebooks, are new. We've noticed several students have come to the main office stating their device won't charge or is having a battery issue. When we charge the device using the correct power cord for 10-15 minutes, the "trouble" is cleared up.

Please help us by encouraging students to keep their devices charged, avoiding letting them drain all the way down, & asking that students use the charging cord we provided.

Drop off:

• • • Students may be dropped off at the north parking lot which is at the corner of College & Kingsley, or at the main entrance.

    • We welcome students by opening our doors at 8:20 a.m. because staff begins work hours at 8:20 a.m. For student safety, please do not drop students off prior to 8:20 a.m. There is no adult supervision before 8:20 a.m.

Classes: 8:45 a.m. -3:45 p.m.

Pick Up:

• • • To avoid hallway crowding, 6th graders are dismissed at 3:40 with 7th graders at 3:42 & 8th graders at 3:45.

    • Students must be picked up by 3:55 p.m. because staff ends their work day at that time. We do not have supervision for students after 3:55 p.m. unless they are participating in a club, athletics, or a special event.

The KJHS 2020-2021 Yearbook staff did a fabulous job covering the final edition of "The Cavalier." Want a 20-21 Yearbook? After they arrive, you may purchase a 20-21 Yearbook.

Ordering details for the 2021-2022 Yearbook will be forthcoming!

To help students focus on face-to-face connections & academics, student cell phones are to be "silent and away during the day." Students may use their phones before 8:45 a.m. & after 3:45 p.m.

How can families partner with us?

• If your child texts "I'm sick. Come get me," please ask them to see the School Nurse.

• Instead of sending your child a text during the school day, let us deliver to a message for you. Phone us at 309.557.4407.

• If your child texts you during the day, please encourage them to ask a caring adult at Kingsley to help them.

On the first day of school, students were provided an ID on a lanyard to use daily at lunch & to get on & off buses. What if a student loses or forgets their ID? It happens & is okay!

During the first weeks of school, we have been replacing IDs without a fee. Routines take a while to learn! Now that we are few weeks into school, we will still provide each child one replacement ID, but after that we are transitioning to charging a $3 replacement fee.

Everyone gets lunch! Students who do not have an ID will get in line last & provide the cashier with their formal first & last name. The cashier must type the child's first & last name into computer to search their name which takes longer than a quick ID scan.

To help with contact tracing & quarantine decisions, Unit 5 has requested that families of students 12 and above consider sharing proof of student vaccination our school nurse, Jennifer O'Brien. If you would like to share your child's vaccination card with us, please email an image of it to the Kingsley school nurse, Jennifer O'Brien at obrienja@unit5.org.

Unit 5 has partnered with the University of Illinois to provide voluntary COVID testing to interested students & staff using a non-invasive, saliva test. Families must give consent for their child to participate. Interested? Read on.

How can I give consent for my child to participate?

• If you would like your child to participate, sign up here. Students may join one week after submitting the signing them up.

When will students who are signed up test?

• Students will test weekly on Tuesdays from 11:15-12:45.

• 6th & 8th graders will test before eating their lunch & 7th graders will leave class for a few minutes to participate.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the SHIELD test like? Watch a 2-minute video to find out.

• Is testing required? No. It is completely voluntary.

• Is there a fee to participate? No. Testing is free for students & staff; there is no cost to Unit 5 either.

• What is the benefit? Regular testing allows for close monitoring of COVID infection. This is considered a level of mitigation in stopping the virus spread.

• Where will testing occur? We use a folding wall in our north lobby to provide privacy to those testing.

• If I sign them up & change my mind, can I stop? Yes, email Ms. France (francesm@unit5.org) at any time.

• How will I be notified of results? In this case, no news is good new; negative cases will not be notified of negative results. If your child is positive, the school nurse, Jennifer O'Brien, will phone families.