September 2023
A Note from Ms. Palmer, KJHS Principal
Dear Kingsley families,
We are off to an outstanding start here at Kingsley Junior High School! Your children came to school ready to learn and it is a pleasure to watch them respond to the engaging activities designed by the KJHS staff. This edition of the Kingsley Family Connection is full of ways you can support learning here at KJHS and a few insights into what has been going on since the beginning of the school year. Enjoy!
Ms. Palmer
KJHS Updates
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!
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 money to help the PTO support our KJHS teachers.
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
KJHS Spirit Wear Sales Ending Soon!
There are currently 2 KJHS spirit wear sales going on. The KJHS PTO sale features KJHS wear with with the Cougar logo and some very cool designs and options. That spirit wear store closes on 9/1/23. The KJHS Spirit Wear store features KJHS wear with the 20th birthday design. That spirit wear store closes on 9/5/23.
K-Cart Amazon Wishlist
The KJHS BELT class will soon be launching 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 Kinglsey Street
Normal, IL 61761-2941
Hallway Expectations Lesson
One of the things we are working on with students here at KJHS is behavior expectations. We started this past week with hallway behavior expectations and I thought you might enjoy seeing the PBIS hallway expectations lesson for yourselves, especially how the KJHS staff got involved in creating it. Special thanks to 7th grade science teacher, Eric Stegemann, for putting together all the videos with supporting music.
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)
KJHS Initiatives
To start the year, KJHS is focusing on the following things...
Use of student IDs: For safety and funding reasons, it is important that students use their IDs to scan on and off buses. Last year, the KJHS compliance rate was 3%. To start the year, we have provided students with lanyards and/or cell phone sleeves to assist with carrying their IDs. We have also been reminding students during 8th hour that they need to scan on and off buses. Our current compliance rate is now 38%. If you have a student that rides the bus, please remind them to scan their ID every time they board or exit the bus.
Being to class on time: Last year, KJHS students accumulated over 6,000 tardies to class. This resulted in the loss of a substantial amount of learning time. In order to combat this, KJHS has instituted playing music one minute before classes start, giving students an audio signal that class is about to start. We will be instituting other interventions throughout the year to assist students with getting to class on time.
Technology Tip
Sleep deprivation greatly impacts students' ability to learn as well as their behavior. Many students lose sleep due to the use of technology devices at night. We recommend establishing a centralized charging area in your home where your student leaves their school Chromebook and cell phone (if they have one) to charge at night in order to avoid the temptation to be on their devices instead of going to sleep on time.
Safety Drills
KJHS will be conducting several safety drills to start the school year. Those drills include a bus evacuation drill (8/28), a lockdown drill (8/29 - no evacuation), a severe weather drill (9/5), and a fire drill (9/6)/
Unit 5 Updates
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
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
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
August
28: Bus Evacuation Drill
29: Lockdown Drill
September
4: Labor Day (No School)
5: Severe Weather Drill
6: Fire Drill
12: Early Release (11:45 am)
29: Teacher Institute Day (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.