During recent virtual meetings with 5th graders, some "hot topics" emerged. We were able to answer student questions in our meetings, but we want families to know what children were curious about Kingsley. Therefore, we created a detailed section below on each topic.
Hot topics:
Breakfast & Lunch Routines-Sports & Clubs-Passing Times-Lockers-Cell Phones-IDs
Middles get more choices about their food options at lunch and breakfast which requires learning new lunch and breakfast routines. There will be extra staff at lunch and breakfast the first few weeks to teach the new routines to our 6th graders.
Lunch tables are grouped so every group of tables will go first one day each week and every table will go last one day each week. Taking turns is still best!
Students use IDs to pay for lunches. Student IDs will be given to all students on the first day of school. Families may add money to their child's ID through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal or students can drop it off before school in the Kingsley cafeteria.
If you eat breakfast at Kingsley, come to the cafeteria when you arrive at school.
While at school, check out the "What's Kickin' at Kingsley?" bulletin boards & the visual announcements during lunch daily.
Video Note: The video was made prior to March 2020. Currently, water fountains are turned off & we are using water bottle filling stations instead. Students are welcome to bring transparent, plastic water bottles with a lid to stay hydrated through out the school day.
Everyone feels lost or is late a time or two during the first weeks of school. Staff members and older students will help you get to the correct classroom.
When you go from one classroom to another, we call it a passing time. Passing times at U5 middle schools are 3 minutes long.
During the beginning of school, teachers will review your schedule with you and identify passing times when you have plenty of time for a locker and/or bathroom visit.
We anticipate that students will have a hallway locker & are hopeful that students will get to change for P.E. in 21-22.
Students have a hallway locker and a P.E. locker.
Hallway Locker Decoration
Some students decorate the inside of their hallway locker and others do not. Do what works for you!
All items used for locker decoration need to be easily removed at the end of the school year. Because duct tape, contact paper, and other strong adhesives damage lockers, we ask you to avoid using those items.
Students do not decorate their P.E. lockers.
We are hopeful that students will be able to visit Kingsley prior to school opening in August to find classrooms, walk their schedule, drop off supplies, in lockers, & if interested, decorate lockers. If we are able to safely create this opportunity for students, we will share dates and times in August when schedules are emailed and via our Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter site.
To keep items in your hallway locker and your P.E. locker secure, students will need two locks. You may purchase locks from KJHS, area stores, etc.
What are advantages of purchasing locks from KJHS?
Our locks are $6 each or $12 for a pair with the same combination. This is near the same price as area stores.
If there is a problem with a lock, any U5 secondary school will replace it the same day at no cost - even in high school!
If students forget their combination over a break, we can look up the combination.
If families need to get into a locker, administrators can help them get into the locker without damaging the lock.
When can we buy locks from KJHS?
On May 28, June 1 and 2, we will sell locks from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at KJHS. Visit KJHS by parking on Kingsley Street in front of the school, nearest the flagpole & ring the door bell by the main entrance.
We accept payment in case or checks made payable to KJHS.
We will sell locks again at beginning of the school year in August.
During the school day (8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.), student cell phones should be silent and away. Most students find success by locking cell phones in their lockers.
The past few years we have noticed that some students try using their phone during the school day via wireless earbuds. There is no school-related need for wireless earbuds.
How can families help?
Encourage wireless earbuds remain at home.
During the school day, if your child texts that they are ill encourage them to see our nurse.
During the school day, if your child texts that they have a safety concern, encourage them to tell a caring adult at school so we can immediately address the situation, email an administrator or teacher, or complete the "What's Up Kingsley?" form.
Why are cell phones silent & away during the school day? Students better connect with one another & learn more when they are not distracted by the content on their phones.
Students IDs are used to:
purchase breakfast & lunch (keypads are no longer available),
to board and exit the bus (allowing accurate bus attendance records in case of an emergency), &
to check out library books.
We will give your child an ID the first day of school. After school photos, we will give your child a second ID. Good news! 5th grade IDs still work too.
We are fortunate to have an ID printer on site. We will gladly provide each child one, free replacement ID in addition to the two described above. After that, additional IDs are $3.00.
How can families help? Encourage and remind your child to wear their ID and provide them with a lanyard, wallet, card case, etc. to carry their ID. If you need help with this, please contact a school counselor.
