The spring aMath/aReading window opens on 4/15 and closes on 4/26. We are asking that screening occur between 4/15 and 4/19 with make ups done by 4/25. Please have your team's plan recorded on the testing plan sheet by 4/12. 

Join us on April 10th from 4:15 - 5:30pm at Evans Junior High School for an insightful discussion on The Grid Method! Whether you're currently utilizing this method or interested in learning more about it, this event is designed to support Unit 5 teachers in their journey towards mastery learning! We're excited to announce that we'll have two expert Mastery Learning trainers, Katie Miglin & Rae Hughart, on hand to lead an open Q&A discussion. This is your chance to ask questions, share experiences, and gain valuable insights into implementing The Grid Method even better in your classroom. Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with fellow educators and deepen your understanding of this powerful teaching approach. Let us know you are coming HERE we can't wait to see you there! 

If you have students who do not have permission slips signed for solar eclipse viewing and you need an alternative location for them while you take students outside, admin can supervise students in the cafeteria from 1:45 -2:45. Students should come with work to do and we will stream the event if possible. Please let Elisa know by Monday at noon which students you will be sending down and for approximately what time range they will need supervision. 

If you are interested in training to be a mentor for the 24-25 school year, please let Elisa know by May 1. Elisa will be providing a training session in May for those teachers who are interested. Mentor training is valid for a period of 3 years and Elisa notified KJHS staff who need to renew their mentor training earlier this week. 

The time has come to begin thinking about recommendations for the teaming of next year's 7th and 8th grade students. Time will be given on May 1st to work on this but here is the recommendation form for any teams that want to get an early start on this. 

Here is the April KJ Family Connection for your reading pleasure. 

This is a reminder that students, like all human beings, are dynamic individuals and are always evolving. Given the age group that we work with, this evolution happens quickly during the course of the school year. As we continue through the fourth quarter and see students making efforts to improve academically, behaviorally, or both, please be sure that we have a growth mindset when it comes to students and are giving them opportunities for come back plans and other approaches that acknowledge and reward their progress. We will talk more about this during our institute day on April 12th. 

KJHS is hosting the 6th Grade Welcome Night on Monday, April 29, from 6-7:30 pm. 

Here are the profiles of the 24-25 ISU middle level students. Please contact Dr. Steve Mertens if you are interested in any of the student teachers. 

Congratulations to this week's Kingsley Kudos recipients! 

Tayler Musselman Darrin Kimmel Kortney Guy

Elisa Palmer Barb Eaton Kim Mattocks

Mindy Leverton Jenny Starkey Katie Starkey

Rachel Pett Amy Dabler Jen Ritchason

Kaleigh Menken Jennifer Peterson Erin Dobson

Has a fellow Cougar gone out of their way to help you? Have you seen a staff member who goes above and beyond to make Kingsley a better place to work and learn? Reward them by nominating them for a Kingsley Kudos! It's quick, painless, and brings joy to you and the recipient. 

Here is the KJHS master schedule template for the 24 -25 school year. Individual teachers' schedules are still being developed and will hopefully be ready for release by May 1st. 

If  you feel that you want administration to be aware of communication with a student's family, please feel free to cc that student's AP when you email them. 

March Events

14: 6th Grade Food Day (Pi Day:  Pizza and Pie) 

15: Happy Hour at the Pub

18:  NCAA Bracket Draw Down

April Events

4: 7th Grade Food Day (Breakfast) 

12: Faculty Meeting (we will take care of the drawing)

15-19: Celebrate the Play with a Disney Themed dress up week 

Due to the large number of students in the hallways at the beginning and end of the class periods, we are recommending that teachers institute a "no pass" rule for the first 5 and last 5 minutes of class. We are considering making this a whole school policy.

While it is hard to believe, it is time to develop the school supply lists for the 24-25 school year. Below are the 23-24 lists. Please submit your updated lists to Elisa by 3/22/24. 

23-24 6th Grade School Supply List

23-24 7th Grade School Supply List

23-24 8th Grade School Supply List

Just a reminder that teachers and staff should not be using crowdfunding sites, such as GoFundMe.com and Classful.com, to collect funds for field trips, school clubs, school events, etc.  Use of these sites compromises the district’s internal controls of handling funds and usually requires funds to be funneled through a personal account before ending up in the school’s account.  The district has the ability to accept electronic payments through the Infinite Campus school stores.  If you would like to utilize the Infinite Campus school store, please contact Elisa and she will help you get it set up. 

Here are the Instructional Technology Tips for February.

Need ideas for providing supports and accommodations? Check out these resources! Thank you to Tayler Musselman for compiling this collection and to all of you who contributed to it! 

From HR... 

District staff,

All absences beyond 3 days must be reported to Human Resources. To notify HR of an absence beyond 3 days, please email Molly Rohde, HR Coordinator. For a planned leave, please fill out the Leave of Absence Request form .

Applicable reasons to fill out the form are as follows:

• Personal illness (including surgery, maternity leave, or injury)

• Caring for an ill or injured family member

• Military caregiver leave / Qualified exigency leave related to a military family member

• Placement of a child through adoption or foster care

Human Resources will determine if the employee requesting leave is eligible under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and provide the appropriate documentation and counseling to the employee. If the employee is ineligible for FMLA leave, Human Resources will inform the employee of the applicable leaves they can use or request.

If you have any questions regarding this procedure, you may contact Molly Rohde, Human Resources Coordinator at rohdem@unit5.org or 309-557-4400 ext. 74044.

Employees requesting Emergency Leave, Family Hardship Leave, Parental Leave, Professional Leave, or any other leave outlined in their contract, must email their direct supervisor, Monica Wilks, Molly Rohde, and their union president for their leave request to be approved. 

With utmost respect,

Your Human Resources Team

Dr. Weikle will be doing a staff meet & greet on Monday, April 5th, at 8:00 am in MSR.