Zinser Elementary News May 19

05/19/23

At Zinser we are blessed to have many hard-working and caring paraprofessionals supporting our students, staff, and families. They provide care and support for not only the students but the staff at Zinser. The paras are always willing to help where needed without hesitation. You might find them speed walking to help a situation, consoling an upset student, laughing and playing with a student, cleaning up a mess that no one else wants to do, or helping a student feel comfortable with what they can eat. From Food Service preparing food daily for our students, to lunchroom paras for keeping our cafeteria clean and organized, to recess aides monitoring activities and keeping our students safe and having fun outside, to our Autistic Spectrum Disorder classroom paras being a superb team in supporting students with special needs, to other important paras who support other student needs - they all play very important roles in our school - and we thank them dearly. A special shoutout to Deb Schweitzer, our reliable and committed media center/library paraprofessional who we believe is our most veteran Zinser staff member, starting here in 1998! Thank you all for being valuable members of the Zinser team!

Use Medicaid? Listen up and stay covered!
Medicaid renewals were paused due to COVID19, but they’re back! You can confirm or update the address on Medicaid.gov/renewals

Capturing Kids' Hearts! Update
Zinser was honored as a Capturing Kids’ Hearts Showcase school for the 3rd consecutive year! A shout-out to our hard-working staff to help us earn this honor once again. We are Kids - and a staff - Who Cares!

Youth Summer Camps
For more information on all Kenowa Hills Youth Athletics summer camps please visit khps.org/camps, or find more information and registration info on our NEW Youth Sports website!

Technology Summer Camp - for Girls entering 5th-12th Grade
Camp Infinity is a series of week-long sessions that introduces girls to computer and internet technologies through hands-on activities. Each week of fun is held on Mondays-Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in various locations throughout the state. Our expert instructors will guide your child through a range of engaging activities that will spark their imagination and creativity. For more information visit MCWT.org.

GVSU Swim Lessons & Swim Camp
Swim Lessons for ages 4-14 | Swim Camp(s)/Swim Team for 7 years old - 12th grad. For more information and to register, visit www.GrandValleyStateSwimmingCamps.com or email questions to murrjame@gvsu.edu.

Camp Good Grief
Monday, June 12 - 8 am - 4 pm. An opportunity for fun, sharing, and healing, presented by Hospice of Michigan. This is a free program for children ages 8-17 who have experienced the death of a loved one. Held at Camp Newaygo - Please register by May 31, as space is limited. Register online at www.hom.org/camp. For questions, contact Karen Monts at kmonts@hom.org or call 313-578-6326.

Kiwanis West Michigan
Kiwanis has a new club in West Michigan that primarily supports the kids at Kenowa Hills! They meet in a virtual setting once a week and host projects to lift up kids in our district. If you'd like to learn more about the Kiwanis organization or learn how you can join, visit their website or follow them on Facebook!

OLDER NEWS

Be a Knight that Knows Nutrition
From now until the end of the school year Nurse Courtney will be handing out points when she catches students making healthy food choices at breakfast, snack, or lunch! Students can use these points to earn prizes! See the flyer below for more information or email Nurse Courtney at cellens@khps.org.

Attendance/Drop Off - Pick Up
Our start time is 8:35 am. We need your help getting students here on time! Any students arriving after 8:45 without an excused call/absence will be marked tardy. Any students arriving after 9:05 without an excused call/absence will be marked unexcused for the morning session. Please call the attendance line at 616-453-2461 to communicate your students’ absence, early leave time, or late arrivals as well. STRIVE FOR FIVE!!!

Parking Lot Notes:
Please consider utilizing our bus transportation option to avoid the busy parent pick-up lot.

  • Always look to pull up where and when possible to help with the flow. Tell your child to look for the correct car and be ready. If your child is late to the sign and you pulled up past it, you can circle around the lot and keep your car moving.
  • Thank you for those turning right only. We know it’s an inconvenience for some but we believe it will help speed up the line and be safer in the long run (we've had a couple of accidents at that intersection).
  • Drop-off starts at 8:30; If you are in the lot before 8:30, you may drop your child off a few minutes early to get the traffic flowing, but the child will be standing by the grade sign until the 8:30 bell. All 1st-5th grade students can enter at the bell in the designated door.
  • We do have two lanes in the parking lot. Please only use the right lane for drop-off and pick-up, the inside lane is a pass-by lane only. Please pass by with caution. It is very dangerous to let students out in that lane.

Drop-Off Expectations:

  • Drop-off starts at 8:30 with the day officially starting at 8:35.
  • Kindergarten (including K-Knights) families please park and walk to the flagpole to have your child line up with the class at the 8:30 bell. The teacher will come out and greet the students and enter the building together.
  • Staggered entrances will be used once again. Grade-level signs will be put outside by the designated door. After the first week, students will walk in the correct door at 8:30 or later and head directly to the classroom.

Dismissal Expectations:

  • The school day ends at 3:37 pm.
  • Kindergarten (and K-Knights) and early pick-ups start at 3:30 pm.
  • Kindergarten parents please park and walk to meet the class and get the child by the flagpole for a more intimate and safe pick-up.We will designate consistent early pick-up families once again. Please contact our office if you can consistently be in the parking lot early for an early pick-up at 3:30 pm. 1st-5th grade families will use the car line in the parent parking lot for pick-up. Your child will stand at the correct grade level sign and enter the car when it’s at the sign or close to the nearest pull-up spot. You may need to pull up past the grade sign to help with the flow.

News from our Nurse
If your student or a household member has Covid-19 please notify Nurse Courtney. You will not be contacted by the Health Department but these cases must be reported and monitored within the school. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation! Please reach out to Nurse Courtney at cellens@khps.org if you have any questions

Background checks
Background checks must be completed annually by anyone volunteering at least 3 days prior to volunteering! Forms can be completed in the school office or at the administration office. A photo ID will be required.

Birthday
Individual treats or “gifts” are not encouraged again this school year. Instead, we are encouraging you to donate a book to your child’s classroom in honor of them and their birthday. You are welcome to personalize the book or we can do it for you.

You can have your child visit the office or Mr. Willick for a birthday pencil!

We do not want birthday invitations to be passed out to students during the school day. A student may pass out invitations if everyone in the class will receive one, or a parent can discreetly give some invitations to the teacher, who can place them in backpacks.

Feeding Walker Kids

Alpine Elementary News May 12

05/12/23

Note From The Principal

The countdown has begun. We are less than 15 days until the end of the school year with only 3 more Fridays left! This past week we have been fortunate to enjoy some warmer weather and it has been great to see our students being active outside and enjoying the wonderful conditions. We have had a variety of study trips occurring and we have a few more planned in the upcoming weeks to provide some great experiences for our students.

I am proud to announce that our school was recognized for being a Capturing Kids Hearts National Showcase School this week. Because of the rigor of the evaluation process, the Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase Schools® Award is both a high aspiration and an exemplary recognition of excellence. Capturing Kids’ Hearts® is proud to recognize the outstanding educators who have dedicated themselves to making a difference in the lives of our children. The Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase Schools® Award recognizes and celebrates schools producing exemplary outcomes using the Capturing Kids’ Hearts® Process. Award winners demonstrate a high level of performance and a positive culture and climate for learning. For the 2022-2023 school year, the Capturing Kid’s Hearts National Showcase Schools® Award was granted to 468 school campuses across the United States. Capturing Kids’ Hearts® is the premier source of professional development for educators across the country. Through experiential training, expert coaching, a character-based curriculum for students, and personalized support, Capturing Kids' Hearts® equips professionals in K-12 education to implement a transformational process focused on fostering student connectedness and growing a relationship-driven culture. The Capturing Kids’ Hearts® Process equips educators with the skills they need to change the trajectory of students’ lives. Campuses implementing the Capturing Kids’ Hearts® Process consistently report improvements in academic, behavioral, and cultural outcomes.

Please join me in recognizing the great work our teachers are doing each and every day to make a difference in the lives of students! Please continue to stay informed by reading all school communications from your child’s teacher, our school, and the district. If you have questions or a specific need, please be sure to connect with your child’s teacher or our office for support.

Your partner in education,
Jason Snyder

Youth Baseball Knight
On Tuesday, May 16 during the varsity baseball game against South Christian, youth baseball players are encouraged to attend. Open to all KH Youth players - wear your current little league or travel jersey! There will be a group introduction and photo with the varsity players!

GVSU Swim Lessons & Swim Camp
Swim Lessons for ages 4-14 | Swim Camp(s)/Swim Team for 7 years old - 12th grad. For more information and to register, visit www.GrandValleyStateSwimmingCamps.com or email questions to murrjame@gvsu.edu.

Camp Good Grief
Monday, June 12 - 8 am - 4 pm. An opportunity for fun, sharing, and healing, presented by Hospice of Michigan. This is a free program for children ages 8-17 who have experienced the death of a loved one. Held at Camp Newaygo - Please register by May 31, as space is limited. Register online at www.hom.org/camp. For questions, contact Karen Monts at kmonts@hom.org or call 313-578-6326.

Kiwanis West Michigan
Kiwanis has a new club in West Michigan that primarily supports the kids at Kenowa Hills! They meet in a virtual setting once a week and host projects to lift up kids in our district. If you'd like to learn more about the Kiwanis organization or learn how you can join, visit their website or follow them on Facebook!

OLDER NEWS

SCHOOL DAY
Our school day for the 2022-2023 school year begins at 8:37 and ends at 3:35.

STUDENT DROP-OFF DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER
If it is raining outside or we have extremely cold weather, student drop offs will be permitted into the building starting at 8:30. All student drop offs will be asked to enter through the main office doors and proceed to their individual classroom.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
If you would like to volunteer or attend a classroom event, please complete a background check. Background checks can be completed by bringing in a driver's license or state ID to any Kenowa Hills Secretary and completing a background form.

Alpine Elementary Nurse
Nurse Ashley, 616-784-0884 ext. 8293 or abeene@khps.org

Social Media

  • Please be sure to like our school's Facebook page at "Kenowa Hills Alpine Elementary". Follow daily/weekly happenings and celebrations. It is also another resource for school information.

  • Also, follow and like our Music FB page for Alpine and Zinser, "A to Z Music". -Ms Majchrzak

Zinser Elementary News May 12

05/12/23

Wow! What a great turnout at Zinser this morning. We can easily say the building has never had so many people in it at one time. Thank you guests for participating and helping make it a fun experience, and being patient and understanding as we tried to manage the large crowd.

The day started with some goodies, saw a special musical performance by our 5th graders, and finished with some activities in the classroom, the gym or the extended learning area, and viewing the old Model A cars in the parking lot.

A HUGE shout out to Ms. Karly and Ms. Christin for all their hard work before and during the event, for the Lipscombs and Hollerans for the donuts, many members of the Zinser team for chipping in however they could, to Ms. My (with Mrs. Bradley) and our 5th graders for putting together a fun musical performance for many of the guests, to Officer Mitch Harkema and our Walker Police Department for safety support and participating in the fun, and to the original Mr. Willick (AKA Papa Willick) and his Muskegon Portside Model A Club, as well as the Grand Rapids Grand A’s Model A Club, for visiting with these treasured vehicles and sharing to our school community. We are Kids, Staff, and a Community that Cares!

Capturing Kids' Hearts! Update
Zinser was honored as a Capturing Kids’ Hearts Showcase school for the 3rd consecutive year! A shout-out to our hard-working staff to help us earn this honor once again. We are Kids - and a staff - Who Cares!

Youth Baseball Knight
On Tuesday, May 16 during the varsity baseball game against South Christian, youth baseball players are encouraged to attend. Open to all KH Youth players - wear your current little league or travel jersey! There will be a group introduction and photo with the varsity players!

GVSU Swim Lessons & Swim Camp
Swim Lessons for ages 4-14 | Swim Camp(s)/Swim Team for 7 years old - 12th grad. For more information and to register, visit www.GrandValleyStateSwimmingCamps.com or email questions to murrjame@gvsu.edu.

Camp Good Grief
Monday, June 12 - 8 am - 4 pm. An opportunity for fun, sharing, and healing, presented by Hospice of Michigan. This is a free program for children ages 8-17 who have experienced the death of a loved one. Held at Camp Newaygo - Please register by May 31, as space is limited. Register online at www.hom.org/camp. For questions, contact Karen Monts at kmonts@hom.org or call 313-578-6326.

Kiwanis West Michigan
Kiwanis has a new club in West Michigan that primarily supports the kids at Kenowa Hills! They meet in a virtual setting once a week and host projects to lift up kids in our district. If you'd like to learn more about the Kiwanis organization or learn how you can join, visit their website or follow them on Facebook!

OLDER NEWS

Be a Knight that Knows Nutrition
From now until the end of the school year Nurse Courtney will be handing out points when she catches students making healthy food choices at breakfast, snack, or lunch! Students can use these points to earn prizes! See the flyer below for more information or email Nurse Courtney at cellens@khps.org.

Attendance/Drop Off - Pick Up
Our start time is 8:35 am. We need your help getting students here on time! Any students arriving after 8:45 without an excused call/absence will be marked tardy. Any students arriving after 9:05 without an excused call/absence will be marked unexcused for the morning session. Please call the attendance line at 616-453-2461 to communicate your students’ absence, early leave time, or late arrivals as well. STRIVE FOR FIVE!!!

Parking Lot Notes:
Please consider utilizing our bus transportation option to avoid the busy parent pick-up lot.

  • Always look to pull up where and when possible to help with the flow. Tell your child to look for the correct car and be ready. If your child is late to the sign and you pulled up past it, you can circle around the lot and keep your car moving.
  • Thank you for those turning right only. We know it’s an inconvenience for some but we believe it will help speed up the line and be safer in the long run (we've had a couple of accidents at that intersection).
  • Drop-off starts at 8:30; If you are in the lot before 8:30, you may drop your child off a few minutes early to get the traffic flowing, but the child will be standing by the grade sign until the 8:30 bell. All 1st-5th grade students can enter at the bell in the designated door.
  • We do have two lanes in the parking lot. Please only use the right lane for drop-off and pick-up, the inside lane is a pass-by lane only. Please pass by with caution. It is very dangerous to let students out in that lane.

Drop-Off Expectations:

  • Drop-off starts at 8:30 with the day officially starting at 8:35.
  • Kindergarten (including K-Knights) families please park and walk to the flagpole to have your child line up with the class at the 8:30 bell. The teacher will come out and greet the students and enter the building together.
  • Staggered entrances will be used once again. Grade-level signs will be put outside by the designated door. After the first week, students will walk in the correct door at 8:30 or later and head directly to the classroom.

Dismissal Expectations:

  • The school day ends at 3:37 pm.
  • Kindergarten (and K-Knights) and early pick-ups start at 3:30 pm.
  • Kindergarten parents please park and walk to meet the class and get the child by the flagpole for a more intimate and safe pick-up.We will designate consistent early pick-up families once again. Please contact our office if you can consistently be in the parking lot early for an early pick-up at 3:30 pm. 1st-5th grade families will use the car line in the parent parking lot for pick-up. Your child will stand at the correct grade level sign and enter the car when it’s at the sign or close to the nearest pull-up spot. You may need to pull up past the grade sign to help with the flow.

News from our Nurse
If your student or a household member has Covid-19 please notify Nurse Courtney. You will not be contacted by the Health Department but these cases must be reported and monitored within the school. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation! Please reach out to Nurse Courtney at cellens@khps.org if you have any questions

Background checks
Background checks must be completed annually by anyone volunteering at least 3 days prior to volunteering! Forms can be completed in the school office or at the administration office. A photo ID will be required.

Birthday
Individual treats or “gifts” are not encouraged again this school year. Instead, we are encouraging you to donate a book to your child’s classroom in honor of them and their birthday. You are welcome to personalize the book or we can do it for you.

You can have your child visit the office or Mr. Willick for a birthday pencil!

We do not want birthday invitations to be passed out to students during the school day. A student may pass out invitations if everyone in the class will receive one, or a parent can discreetly give some invitations to the teacher, who can place them in backpacks.

Feeding Walker Kids

Central Elementary News May 12

05/12/23

Youth Baseball Knight
On Tuesday, May 16 during the varsity baseball game against South Christian, youth baseball players are encouraged to attend. Open to all KH Youth players - wear your current little league or travel jersey! There will be a group introduction and photo with the varsity players!

GVSU Swim Lessons & Swim Camp
Swim Lessons for ages 4-14 | Swim Camp(s)/Swim Team for 7 years old - 12th grad. For more information and to register, visit www.GrandValleyStateSwimmingCamps.com or email questions to murrjame@gvsu.edu.

Camp Good Grief
Monday, June 12 - 8 am - 4 pm. An opportunity for fun, sharing, and healing, presented by Hospice of Michigan. This is a free program for children ages 8-17 who have experienced the death of a loved one. Held at Camp Newaygo - Please register by May 31, as space is limited. Register online at www.hom.org/camp. For questions, contact Karen Monts at kmonts@hom.org or call 313-578-6326.

Technology Summer Camp - for Girls entering 5th-12th Grade
Camp Infinity is a series of week-long sessions that introduces girls to computer and internet technologies through hands-on activities. Each week of fun is held on Mondays-Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in various locations throughout the state. Our expert instructors will guide your child through a range of engaging activities that will spark their imagination and creativity. For more information visit MCWT.org.

Youth Summer Camps
For more information on all Kenowa Hills Youth Athletics summer camps please visit khps.org/camps.

Kiwanis West Michigan
Kiwanis has a new club in West Michigan that primarily supports the kids at Kenowa Hills! They meet in a virtual setting once a week and host projects to lift up kids in our district. If you'd like to learn more about the Kiwanis organization or learn how you can join, visit their website or follow them on Facebook!

OLDER NEWS

Notes from the Nurse
I am excited to help service your medical needs again for students and staff this year. Here are some reminders for the year:

  • If your student needs ANY medication at school, please make sure to fill out a Medication Form ahead of time. We need to have both a Physician's signature and the parent's signature BEFORE the nurse can administer any medication. We always suggest playing it safe and sending medication ahead of time in case we need it. This includes medications such as cold/cough, pain (ex. Tylenol or Ibuprofen,) or any inhalers that may be needed if the student uses them during times of illness. We will return them at the end of the school year if there are any remaining.
  • We can provide free rapid tests for COVID, Influenza A & B, and Strep A for all students and staff. Please call the nurse's office and let me know if you think you need to utilize this service, and we will walk you through the steps. As always, please feel free to reach out to the nurse whenever you have any questions or concerns for your student. We are here to help! (616) 453-6351 ext. 6342
  • There are several illnesses on the rise recently, so it is important that we all work together on getting good rest, covering our coughs and sneezes, and hand-washing with soap and water!
  • Another great reminder is to hydrate! Make sure your student is bringing a water bottle to school every day. Hydration is so important for our entire body and the easiest access is when our students have their bottles right there in class!
  • If you have any questions, please reach out to the Nurse directly (ext. 6342).

KHHS News May 5

05/05/23

2 Kent County Students 2023 National Merit Scholars
CONGRATULATIONS to Senior Ella Eitniear on an exciting accomplishment. She is 1 of 840 students nationwide to receive this honor!

Senior Dates
Important Senior dates are listed above. More details regarding times and specifics will be provided after next week. Mr. Robrahn will be meeting with all seniors to discuss everything coming up and provide them with all the important end-of-the-year info. Everything will also be sent out to parents. Also, if your senior is planning on participating in the graduation ceremony, they must complete and return the Intent to Participate form. This MUST be turned into the Main Office.

Parchment Information - This important email was sent to seniors on April 28th:
Now is the time to make an account on Parchment.com, if you have not already! Parchment allows transcripts to be sent officially and securely from the high school to Colleges, employers, and other institutions that need them. If you need a copy of your transcript sent anywhere after graduation, Parchment is the way to request it! The attachment below gives instructions on how to set up your Parchment account; paper copies of the instructions are available in the Student Services office if you would like one. If you have already set up an account on Parchment.com, it is VERY IMPORTANT that you change your e-mail on the account from your khps.org student e-mail address to a personal e-mail. Your student e-mail will be deactivated after graduation, at which time you will no longer have access to your Parchment account if you have not switched it over!

2023 Senior Chromebook Turn-in and Google Account Information
All seniors/parents of seniors should have received a letter regarding their school Google account and their school-issued Chromebook. Please call the office if you need this information.

KH Senior Athletic Banquet
Senior Athletic Banquet for all senior athletes and their parents will be held on Wednesday, May 10th. An invitation and details will be forthcoming!

Varsity Sideline Cheer
Varsity Sideline Cheerleading Tryouts will be held on June 5 & 6 from 5:30-7:30 in the Aux Gym. Athletes wanting to try out must register at the following google link prior to tryouts: https://forms.gle/naf8P2ZnQU5a6HSo8. An informational meeting will be taking place on Thursday, June 1 at 6 PM in the LGI. Athletes planning to try out and at least one parent/guardian must attend the informational meeting. At this time, you will receive pertinent information such as try out requirements, the summer schedule, and associated costs for the season. If you have any questions, please reach out to Coach Katie (sakala.katie@gmail.com).

Walker Police Department | Metro High School Academy
Walker PD is again involved in the organization of the annual Metro High School Police Academy. If you know a high school junior or senior, interested in a career in law enforcement, this FREE weeklong experience is a great opportunity for them. The academy is held at various locations June 12-16, 2023. If interested, contact Officer Harkema at mharkema@walker.city.

School of Choice
If you would like your child to attend Kenowa Hills Public Schools and you reside outside the Kenowa Hills school district, you must follow the Schools of Choice process. If you have not already submitted a School of Choice application for your child to attend Kenowa Hills next year, please do so before May 12. Applications can be submitted on our website at www.khps.org/school-of-choice. If you need additional information regarding Schools of Choice, please do not hesitate to contact our registrar Stephanie Primo at 616-784-2511 ext 2226 or registrar@khps.org.

Kiwanis West Michigan
Kiwanis has a new club in West Michigan that primarily supports the kids at Kenowa Hills! They meet in a virtual setting once a week and host projects to lift up kids in our district. If you'd like to learn more about the Kiwanis organization or learn how you can join, visit their website or follow them on Facebook!

Rotary District Life Leadership Conference
Juniors: Plans are underway for the 74th annual Rotary District 6290 Life Leadership Conference to be held at Ferris State University, June 14-17. Please watch the following YouTube video for more information. And visit: https://www.ridistrict6290.org/page/lifeleadership

OLDER NEWS

Attendance
Please call ahead if your student/s need to leave early. We need to limit interruptions in the classroom. Please call in the office morning and leave a message if needed, so a pass can be written. The Office must release students from class.

Efunds
We are excited to share that as of this morning, eFunds is once again available for meal service
payments! Thank you for your patience while we worked through this issue. We were very persistent and are the first school district to get back online!

A few reminders as we move back to eFunds:

  1. Low Meal Balance Payments will need to be enabled again if this is something you have used in the past
  2. Account balances will be uploaded to eFunds once per day at 4:00 AM.*** If a deposit is made using eFunds during the day, it will not reflect in eFunds until the next day***. However, those funds will be immediately available to your students, and you will see the correct balance reflected in Family Portal.
  3. You can access eFunds here. eFunds Family Portal is also still available for meal service payments if that is your preferred method and can be accessed here: Family Portal

Athletics
You can view the KH Winter Athletic Schedules at kenowahillsathletics.com. Ticket prices are listed below for all home events. Cash and check only. We are not able to accept Venmo or Credit/Debit.

  • Adults $5
  • Students $3

KH students get into home athletic events for free if you are wearing Kenowa Hills Theme or black and gold. 9-12th graders must also have their current Student ID. PreK-8th grade students must be accompanied by a paying adult who accepts responsibility for supervising their child(ren) during the contest.

Zinser Elementary News May 5

05/05/23

We'd like to celebrate our Special Education staff at Zinser! (Round 2!)

Linsey Jones is our Speech Pathologist, and another veteran leader amongst our special ed staff and staff in general. Linsey is always willing to give ideas and provide activities on how to support students' language skills in the classroom. She does a great job correlating student language development with reading skills and her work has huge, positive impacts on the students she works with in regards to both language and reading development. Linsey is a great support and resource, and even mentors student interns each year. She will support and advocate fiercely for her students and staff! Linsey has a positive attitude, is fun to work with, and she brings the best treats!

Conor Dahlquist is our School Psychologist, with his responsibilities being shared with other buildings. He has only been here a couple of years and has been a great asset to Zinser's team (and our district). Conor is a Team Leader, and is doing a great job leading our ASD team as we vamp up our Peer to Peer opportunities. He values the opinions and input of each team member. He is kind and caring to the students he works with and often checks up on them to see how they are doing in their classes. Conor is a very hard worker and has a lot on his plate, but is always very professional and willing to lend a helping hand!

Camille Sleboda is our part-time School Social Worker, who just had her second child and is back off of her maternity leave! Camile is a welcoming and calming presence for her students. Students enjoy the time they spend with her playing their favorite games or practicing calming strategies to finish their day. She is so good with our students, focusing her attention on their strengths.. She always makes sure to stop in the room frequently to visit, say hi, and support them. Camille is a very caring individual that focuses her energy on positive behavioral supports. A big thank you to our Special Education staff!

Youth Baseball Knight
On Tuesday, May 16 during the varsity baseball game against South Christian, youth baseball players are encouraged to attend. Open to all KH Youth players - wear your current little league or travel jersey! There will be a group introduction and photo with the varsity players!

Youth Soccer Knight
On Monday, May 8 during the varsity soccer game vs. Hudsonville, youth soccerplayers are encouraged to attend. Open to all KH Youth/Knights FC players - wear your current Knights FC jersey! There will be a group introductions and high five line with the varsity players!

GVSU Swim Lessons & Swim Camp
Swim Lessons for ages 4-14 | Swim Camp(s)/Swim Team for 7 years old - 12th grad. For more information and to register, visit www.GrandValleyStateSwimmingCamps.com or email questions to murrjame@gvsu.edu.

Goodies with Grandparents (or YOUR special someone day!) - May 12
Please come enjoy a donut from 8:00-8:35 in the cafeteria. If you would like to stay longer, you are welcome to stay for Model A car tours, a musical performance, & activities from 8:35-11:15 with your special student! Please be sure to R.S.V.P. no later than Friday, May 5th using the form provided.

Art for Water in Amiina
Art is being used to make a difference across the world in Mityana Uganda. We are partnering with Amiina to put in a well for a village that desperately needs clean drinking water. Students have been working on creating African Art to sell for at least a $10 donation. They have worked hard to create amazing art projects to sell. Please send in the money with their name, teacher, and Water Money. All money is Due May 12th! The well will be going in at the end of May. If you have other questions email Mrs. Rykse at jrykse@khps.org. Thank you for supporting getting clean drinking water to a whole community.

Camp Good Grief
Monday, June 12 - 8 am - 4 pm. An opportunity for fun, sharing, and healing, presented by Hospice of Michigan. This is a free program for children ages 8-17 who have experienced the death of a loved one. Held at Camp Newaygo - Please register by May 31, as space is limited. Register online at www.hom.org/camp. For questions, contact Karen Monts at kmonts@hom.org or call 313-578-6326.

Kiwanis West Michigan
Kiwanis has a new club in West Michigan that primarily supports the kids at Kenowa Hills! They meet in a virtual setting once a week and host projects to lift up kids in our district. If you'd like to learn more about the Kiwanis organization or learn how you can join, visit their website or follow them on Facebook!

OLDER NEWS

Be a Knight that Knows Nutrition
From now until the end of the school year Nurse Courtney will be handing out points when she catches students making healthy food choices at breakfast, snack, or lunch! Students can use these points to earn prizes! See the flyer below for more information or email Nurse Courtney at cellens@khps.org.

Attendance/Drop Off - Pick Up
Our start time is 8:35 am. We need your help getting students here on time! Any students arriving after 8:45 without an excused call/absence will be marked tardy. Any students arriving after 9:05 without an excused call/absence will be marked unexcused for the morning session. Please call the attendance line at 616-453-2461 to communicate your students’ absence, early leave time, or late arrivals as well. STRIVE FOR FIVE!!!

Parking Lot Notes:
Please consider utilizing our bus transportation option to avoid the busy parent pick-up lot.

  • Always look to pull up where and when possible to help with the flow. Tell your child to look for the correct car and be ready. If your child is late to the sign and you pulled up past it, you can circle around the lot and keep your car moving.
  • Thank you for those turning right only. We know it’s an inconvenience for some but we believe it will help speed up the line and be safer in the long run (we've had a couple of accidents at that intersection).
  • Drop-off starts at 8:30; If you are in the lot before 8:30, you may drop your child off a few minutes early to get the traffic flowing, but the child will be standing by the grade sign until the 8:30 bell. All 1st-5th grade students can enter at the bell in the designated door.
  • We do have two lanes in the parking lot. Please only use the right lane for drop-off and pick-up, the inside lane is a pass-by lane only. Please pass by with caution. It is very dangerous to let students out in that lane.

Drop-Off Expectations:

  • Drop-off starts at 8:30 with the day officially starting at 8:35.
  • Kindergarten (including K-Knights) families please park and walk to the flagpole to have your child line up with the class at the 8:30 bell. The teacher will come out and greet the students and enter the building together.
  • Staggered entrances will be used once again. Grade-level signs will be put outside by the designated door. After the first week, students will walk in the correct door at 8:30 or later and head directly to the classroom.

Dismissal Expectations:

  • The school day ends at 3:37 pm.
  • Kindergarten (and K-Knights) and early pick-ups start at 3:30 pm.
  • Kindergarten parents please park and walk to meet the class and get the child by the flagpole for a more intimate and safe pick-up.We will designate consistent early pick-up families once again. Please contact our office if you can consistently be in the parking lot early for an early pick-up at 3:30 pm. 1st-5th grade families will use the car line in the parent parking lot for pick-up. Your child will stand at the correct grade level sign and enter the car when it’s at the sign or close to the nearest pull-up spot. You may need to pull up past the grade sign to help with the flow.

News from our Nurse
If your student or a household member has Covid-19 please notify Nurse Courtney. You will not be contacted by the Health Department but these cases must be reported and monitored within the school. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation! Please reach out to Nurse Courtney at cellens@khps.org if you have any questions

Background checks
Background checks must be completed annually by anyone volunteering at least 3 days prior to volunteering! Forms can be completed in the school office or at the administration office. A photo ID will be required.

Birthday
Individual treats or “gifts” are not encouraged again this school year. Instead, we are encouraging you to donate a book to your child’s classroom in honor of them and their birthday. You are welcome to personalize the book or we can do it for you.

You can have your child visit the office or Mr. Willick for a birthday pencil!

We do not want birthday invitations to be passed out to students during the school day. A student may pass out invitations if everyone in the class will receive one, or a parent can discreetly give some invitations to the teacher, who can place them in backpacks.

Feeding Walker Kids

KHHS News April 28

04/28/23

2 Kent County Students 2023 National Merit Scholars
CONGRATULATIONS to Senior Ella Eitniear on an exciting accomplishment. She is 1 of 840 students nationwide to receive this honor!

Senior Dates
Important Senior dates are listed above. More details regarding times and specifics will be provided after next week. Mr. Robrahn will be meeting with all seniors to discuss everything coming up and provide them with all the important end-of-the-year info. Everything will also be sent out to parents.

2023 Senior Chromebook Turn-in and Google Account Information
All seniors/parents of seniors should have received a letter regarding their school Google account and their school-issued Chromebook. Please call the office if you need this information.

KH Senior Athletic Banquet
Senior Athletic Banquet for all senior athletes and their parents will be held on Wednesday, May 10th. An invitation and details will be forthcoming!

2023 Kenowa Hills Athletic Boosters Scholarship
Attached is the 2023 Kenowa Hills Athletic Boosters Scholarship form. If you've participated in a sport at Kenowa Hills, please consider applying for this scholarship. The deadline has been extended to Friday, April 28th, 2023. See Ms. Bekins with any questions.

Varsity Sideline Cheer
Varsity Sideline Cheerleading Tryouts will be held on June 5 & 6 from 5:30-7:30 in the Aux Gym. Athletes wanting to try out must register at the following google link prior to tryouts: https://forms.gle/naf8P2ZnQU5a6HSo8. An informational meeting will be taking place on Thursday, June 1 at 6 PM in the LGI. Athletes planning to try out and at least one parent/guardian must attend the informational meeting. At this time, you will receive pertinent information such as try out requirements, the summer schedule, and associated costs for the season. If you have any questions, please reach out to Coach Katie (sakala.katie@gmail.com).

Walker Police Department | Metro High School Academy
Walker PD is again involved in the organization of the annual Metro High School Police Academy. If you know a high school junior or senior, interested in a career in law enforcement, this FREE weeklong experience is a great opportunity for them. The academy is held at various locations June 12-16, 2023. If interested, contact Officer Harkema at mharkema@walker.city.

School of Choice
If you would like your child to attend Kenowa Hills Public Schools and you reside outside the Kenowa Hills school district, you must follow the Schools of Choice process. If you have not already submitted a School of Choice application for your child to attend Kenowa Hills next year, please do so before May 12. Applications can be submitted on our website at www.khps.org/school-of-choice. If you need additional information regarding Schools of Choice, please do not hesitate to contact our registrar Stephanie Primo at 616-784-2511 ext 2226 or registrar@khps.org.

Kiwanis West Michigan
Kiwanis has a new club in West Michigan that primarily supports the kids at Kenowa Hills! They meet in a virtual setting once a week and host projects to lift up kids in our district. If you'd like to learn more about the Kiwanis organization or learn how you can join, visit their website or follow them on Facebook!

Rotary District Life Leadership Conference
Juniors: Plans are underway for the 74th annual Rotary District 6290 Life Leadership Conference to be held at Ferris State University, June 14-17. Please watch the following YouTube video for more information. And visit: https://www.ridistrict6290.org/page/lifeleadership

OLDER NEWS

Attendance
Please call ahead if your student/s need to leave early. We need to limit interruptions in the classroom. Please call in the office morning and leave a message if needed, so a pass can be written. The Office must release students from class.

Efunds
We are excited to share that as of this morning, eFunds is once again available for meal service
payments! Thank you for your patience while we worked through this issue. We were very persistent and are the first school district to get back online!

A few reminders as we move back to eFunds:

  1. Low Meal Balance Payments will need to be enabled again if this is something you have used in the past
  2. Account balances will be uploaded to eFunds once per day at 4:00 AM.*** If a deposit is made using eFunds during the day, it will not reflect in eFunds until the next day***. However, those funds will be immediately available to your students, and you will see the correct balance reflected in Family Portal.
  3. You can access eFunds here. eFunds Family Portal is also still available for meal service payments if that is your preferred method and can be accessed here: Family Portal

Athletics
You can view the KH Winter Athletic Schedules at kenowahillsathletics.com. Ticket prices are listed below for all home events. Cash and check only. We are not able to accept Venmo or Credit/Debit.

  • Adults $5
  • Students $3

KH students get into home athletic events for free if you are wearing Kenowa Hills Theme or black and gold. 9-12th graders must also have their current Student ID. PreK-8th grade students must be accompanied by a paying adult who accepts responsibility for supervising their child(ren) during the contest.

KHHS News April 21

04/21/23

Senior Dates
Important Senior dates are listed above. More details regarding times and specifics will be provided after next week. Mr. Robrahn will be meeting with all seniors to discuss everything coming up and provide them with all the important end-of-the-year info. Everything will also be sent out to parents.

2023 Senior Chromebook Turn-in and Google Account Information
All seniors/parents of seniors should have received a letter regarding their school Google account and their school-issued Chromebook. Please call the office if you need this information.

KH Senior Athletic Banquet
Senior Athletic Banquet for all senior athletes and their parents will be held on Wednesday, May 10th. An invitation and details will be forthcoming!

2023 Kenowa Hills Athletic Boosters Scholarship
Attached is the 2023 Kenowa Hills Athletic Boosters Scholarship form. If you've participated in a sport at Kenowa Hills, please consider applying for this scholarship. The deadline has been extended to Friday, April 28th, 2023. See Ms. Bekins with any questions.

Walker Police Department | Metro High School Academy
Walker PD is again involved in the organization of the annual Metro High School Police Academy. If you know a high school junior or senior, interested in a career in law enforcement, this FREE weeklong experience is a great opportunity for them. The academy is held at various locations June 12-16, 2023. If interested, contact Officer Harkema at mharkema@walker.city.

School of Choice
If you would like your child to attend Kenowa Hills Public Schools and you reside outside the Kenowa Hills school district, you must follow the Schools of Choice process. If you have not already submitted a School of Choice application for your child to attend Kenowa Hills next year, please do so before May 12. Applications can be submitted on our website at www.khps.org/school-of-choice. If you need additional information regarding Schools of Choice, please do not hesitate to contact our registrar Stephanie Primo at 616-784-2511 ext 2226 or registrar@khps.org.

Student Services Survey
Reminder- Student Services sent a letter on Wednesday with information about the MI Student Voice Perception Survey. This survey will be given to all students on Friday, April 28. If you want to opt out of having your child participate in the survey, please complete the high school opt-out form by Wednesday April 26.

Varsity Sideline Cheer
Varsity Sideline Cheerleading Tryouts will be held on June 5 & 6 from 5:30-7:30 in the Aux Gym. Athletes wanting to try out must register at the following google link prior to tryouts: https://forms.gle/naf8P2ZnQU5a6HSo8. An informational meeting will be taking place on Thursday, June 1 at 6 PM in the LGI. Athletes planning to try out and at least one parent/guardian must attend the informational meeting. At this time, you will receive pertinent information such as try out requirements, the summer schedule, and associated costs for the season. If you have any questions, please reach out to Coach Katie, at sakala.katie@gmail.com.

Kiwanis West Michigan
Kiwanis has a new club in West Michigan that primarily supports the kids at Kenowa Hills! They meet in a virtual setting once a week and host projects to lift up kids in our district. If you'd like to learn more about the Kiwanis organization or learn how you can join, visit their website or follow them on Facebook!

Rotary District Life Leadership Conference
Juniors: Plans are underway for the 74th annual Rotary District 6290 Life Leadership Conference to be held at Ferris State University, June 14-17. Please watch the following YouTube video for more information. And visit: https://www.ridistrict6290.org/page/lifeleadership

OLDER NEWS

Attendance
Please call ahead if your student/s need to leave early. We need to limit interruptions in the classroom. Please call in the office morning and leave a message if needed, so a pass can be written. The Office must release students from class.

Efunds
We are excited to share that as of this morning, eFunds is once again available for meal service
payments! Thank you for your patience while we worked through this issue. We were very persistent and are the first school district to get back online!

A few reminders as we move back to eFunds:

  1. Low Meal Balance Payments will need to be enabled again if this is something you have used in the past
  2. Account balances will be uploaded to eFunds once per day at 4:00 AM.*** If a deposit is made using eFunds during the day, it will not reflect in eFunds until the next day***. However, those funds will be immediately available to your students, and you will see the correct balance reflected in Family Portal.
  3. You can access eFunds here. eFunds Family Portal is also still available for meal service payments if that is your preferred method and can be accessed here: Family Portal

Athletics
You can view the KH Winter Athletic Schedules at kenowahillsathletics.com. Ticket prices are listed below for all home events. Cash and check only. We are not able to accept Venmo or Credit/Debit.

  • Adults $5
  • Students $3

KH students get into home athletic events for free if you are wearing Kenowa Hills Theme or black and gold. 9-12th graders must also have their current Student ID. PreK-8th grade students must be accompanied by a paying adult who accepts responsibility for supervising their child(ren) during the contest.

Alpine Elementary News April 17

04/17/23

Note From The Principal

It is hard to believe that spring break has come and went and we are looking at a little over 30 days of school left in the school year. We are in the last stretch of the school year and it truly equates to a sprint to the finish line! This next week students in 5th grade will be beginning to take the MSTEP state assessment. Shortly thereafter, students in 3rd and 4th grades will be beginning to take the assessment as well. Please help set your student up for success by simply making sure they get a good night’s rest and encouraging them to do their best and sharing that you believe in them.

As we return from break and settle into a busy time of year with weather changing daily, please remind your child how important it is to be an Alpine Leader. Being an Alpine Leader truly helps all students learn and creates the safe and supportive environment all students want for themselves. Alpine “LEADS” STANDS FOR:
L - Listens to Others
E - Engages in Learning
A - Acts Safely
D - Does Their Best
S - Shows Respect

If you have not had a chance to see Alpine being highlight in the most recent edition of School News Network, please click on the link below. I would like to thank all our parents who attended our reading event held before spring break. https://www.schoolnewsnetwork.org/2023/03/31/at-school-or-homereading-is-a-family-affair/

Last, members from our team were recently recognized by the Kent Intermediate School District for the work put forth to support a variety of student needs. Members of our team earned the “Because of You!” award.

Please continue to stay informed by reading all school communications from your child’s teacher, our school and the district. If you have questions or a specific need, please be sure to connect with your child’s teacher or our office for support.

Your partner in education,
Jason Snyder

Special Someone Dance
On Saturday, April 29th, the KHHS Dance team is hosting a "Special Someone" dance for K-6th grade students across the district. The event will be held from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at the Middle School and the cost is $30 for the first adult + student, and $10 per additional students. Enjoy crafts, a photo booth, snacks, and dancing! Please rsvp using the form provided by the main office of your student's building.

Camp Good Grief
Monday, June 12 - 8 am - 4 pm. An opportunity for fun, sharing, and healing, presented by Hospice of Michigan. This is a free program for children ages 8-17 who have experienced the death of a loved one. Held at Camp Newaygo - Please register by May 31, as space is limited. Register online at www.hom.org/camp. For questions, contact Karen Monts at kmonts@hom.org or call 313-578-6326.

Kiwanis West Michigan
Kiwanis has a new club in West Michigan that primarily supports the kids at Kenowa Hills! They meet in a virtual setting once a week and host projects to lift up kids in our district. If you'd like to learn more about the Kiwanis organization or learn how you can join, visit their website or follow them on Facebook!

OLDER NEWS

SCHOOL DAY
Our school day for the 2022-2023 school year begins at 8:37 and ends at 3:35.

STUDENT DROP-OFF DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER
If it is raining outside or we have extremely cold weather, student drop offs will be permitted into the building starting at 8:30. All student drop offs will be asked to enter through the main office doors and proceed to their individual classroom.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
If you would like to volunteer or attend a classroom event, please complete a background check. Background checks can be completed by bringing in a driver's license or state ID to any Kenowa Hills Secretary and completing a background form.

Alpine Elementary Nurse
Nurse Ashley, 616-784-0884 ext. 8293 or abeene@khps.org

Social Media

  • Please be sure to like our school's Facebook page at "Kenowa Hills Alpine Elementary". Follow daily/weekly happenings and celebrations. It is also another resource for school information.

  • Also, follow and like our Music FB page for Alpine and Zinser, "A to Z Music". -Ms Majchrzak

Central Elementary News April 14

04/14/23

Calling all Dads, Step-Dads, and Male Guardians
Central Elementary School participates in the national program called Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students). This program encourages fathers and father-figures to join in the learning environment at the local school and be a positive role model to all students. This program has been paused for the last two and a half years but we are ready to re-engage in this great opportunity.

We would love to have volunteers for a full school day but half days are acceptable. Watch DOGS will follow a set schedule allowing them to volunteer in multiple classrooms and various settings all over the school. Of course, there will be time to spend with your own special student. You must complete a background check in person at least 5 days prior to your volunteer date. Please bring a picture ID.

Biggby Fundraiser - Tuesday, April 18
On Tuesday, April 18th, the new Biggby location on Walker Ave. will donate 50% of all sales to Kenowa Hills! Funds raised will go towards the cost of 6th grade camp to ensure cost is not a factor when families are deciding if their child will attend camp.

Special Someone Dance
On Saturday, April 29th, the KHHS Dance team is hosting a "Special Someone" dance for K-6th grade students across the district. The event will be held from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at the Middle School and the cost is $30 for the first adult + student, and $10 per additional students. Enjoy crafts, a photo booth, snacks, and dancing! Please rsvp using the form provided by the main office of your student's building.

Career Expo 2023
Join us for the 2023 Kenowa Hills Career Expo! Take advantage of the opportunity to get your business in front of hundreds of students and community members. Make business connections, garner interest in internships and employment openings at your business, and get involved with your community. Learn more at khps.org/career-expo

Kiwanis West Michigan
Kiwanis has a new club in West Michigan that primarily supports the kids at Kenowa Hills! They meet in a virtual setting once a week and host projects to lift up kids in our district. If you'd like to learn more about the Kiwanis organization or learn how you can join, visit their website or follow them on Facebook!

OLDER NEWS

Notes from the Nurse
I am excited to help service your medical needs again for students and staff this year. Here are some reminders for the year:

  • If your student needs ANY medication at school, please make sure to fill out a Medication Form ahead of time. We need to have both a Physician's signature and the parent's signature BEFORE the nurse can administer any medication. We always suggest playing it safe and sending medication ahead of time in case we need it. This includes medications such as cold/cough, pain (ex. Tylenol or Ibuprofen,) or any inhalers that may be needed if the student uses them during times of illness. We will return them at the end of the school year if there are any remaining.
  • We can provide free rapid tests for COVID, Influenza A & B, and Strep A for all students and staff. Please call the nurse's office and let me know if you think you need to utilize this service, and we will walk you through the steps. As always, please feel free to reach out to the nurse whenever you have any questions or concerns for your student. We are here to help! (616) 453-6351 ext. 6342
  • There are several illnesses on the rise recently, so it is important that we all work together on getting good rest, covering our coughs and sneezes, and hand-washing with soap and water!
  • Another great reminder is to hydrate! Make sure your student is bringing a water bottle to school every day. Hydration is so important for our entire body and the easiest access is when our students have their bottles right there in class!
  • If you have any questions, please reach out to the Nurse directly (ext. 6342).

Alpine Elementary News March 24

03/24/23

5th Grade Mental Health Student Survey: MI Student Voice Perception Survey
KHPS will be participating in the MI Student Voice Perception Survey between March 27-30, 2023. The survey will be administered to students in grades 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, and 12 and is designed to provide a rounded picture of student experience beyond test scores. Topics covered include perceptions of students’ engagement, belonging, and social-emotional learning. Survey data will be used by school administrators to help guide district improvement planning for school instruction and services. Students are our first priority and we believe it’s important to listen to them to help make the educational experience better. The survey does not ask questions regarding drug or alcohol use, intimate relationships, political or religious affiliations or other personal information. Students will be asked to complete the survey online using a computer. The anonymous survey is designed to protect student's privacy. The survey has under 40 questions and is expected to take 10 minutes or less to complete. We encourage all students to take part in the survey, as we hope to gather a lot of important information on their experiences. Participation is voluntary, they may skip any question they do not wish to answer, and they may stop participating in the survey at any point without penalty. If you have any questions, please contact our school social worker, Chris Boyd (cboyd@khps.org).

Note From The Principal

Spring break is one week away! Please remember that next week is a short week with a half day on Thursday and no school on Friday. I hope everyone is able to find time to relax and spend some time together with their family during our annual break at this time of year. The time after spring break is very busy with end-of-the-year learning for all students, state and district testing, a variety of school and district events and many extracurriculars/sports picking back up with the weather improving.

With state testing around the corner, I thought I would share 6 tips for parents:
1. Prioritize daily attendance: Tests are ultimately intended to be a measure of how well students have learned the material being taught in class. With that in mind, what is the best (and most straightforward) piece of test-prep advice for caregivers is to do what you can to ensure that your child is fully engaged with his or her classwork throughout the year.
2. Communicate with teachers: Make a point of meeting or talking with your child’s teacher on an ongoing basis to understand what your child is working on, what he or she will be tested on, and the areas that he or she is excelling and struggling in.
3. Talk to your child about test taking: The purpose and goals of testing are not always obvious, even to the students who take them. Have open, ongoing conversations with your child to explain the benefits of testing, focusing on how it helps them, their teacher, their school, and other educators understand their strengths and weaknesses and figure out the most effective ways to teach. You can also use this opportunity to ask your students how they feel about testing, and offer reassurance or perspective if they have any anxiety around exams.
4. Offer positive reinforcement: A little encouragement can go a long way in helping students walk into testing days feeling confident—which, in turn, can have a huge effect on their performance. 5. Support healthy habits: Sleep and nutrition can have a huge impact on your child’s ability to focus and retain information. One of the most helpful things that you can do as a parent is focus on supporting these basic needs. Well-rounded meals and a regular sleep schedule will help your child succeed in the classroom on a day-to-day basis. On testing days, it’s especially important to make sure that your child gets a good night’s sleep, starts the day with a filling breakfast, and goes to school with a water bottle to help stay hydrated.
6. Debrief after the test: Talking about testing can also help your child process the experience and overcome any anxiety that he or she might have had. Please continue to stay informed by reading all school communications from your child’s teacher, our school and the district. If you have questions or a specific need, please be sure to connect with your child’s teacher or our office for support.

Your partner in education,
Jason Snyder

Feeding America Food Truck - March 31
The Feeding America Mobile Pantry Food Truck will be at Alpine Elementary on March 31 beginning at 4:00 pm. For more info visit FeedWM.org.

Career Expo 2023
Join us for the 2023 Kenowa Hills Career Expo! Take advantage of the opportunity to get your business in front of hundreds of students and community members. Make business connections, garner interest in internships and employment openings at your business, and get involved with your community. Learn more at khps.org/career-expo

Emma - Spring Musical - March 23 - 25, 2023 at 7:00 PM
Emma, a senior at Highbury Prep, is certain she knows what’s best for her classmates’ love lives, and is determined to find the perfect boyfriend for shy sophomore Harriet by the end of the school year. But will Emma’s relentless matchmaking get in the way of finding her own happiness? Based on Jane Austen’s classic novel, this sparkling new musical features the hit songs of legendary girl groups and iconic female singers from The Supremes to Katy Perry. Girl power has never sounded so good!
Tickets are on sale now.

PTO News
Our Next PTO meeting is Wednesday, April 19th at 6:00 pm.

Kiwanis West Michigan
Kiwanis has a new club in West Michigan that primarily supports the kids at Kenowa Hills! They meet in a virtual setting once a week and host projects to lift up kids in our district. If you'd like to learn more about the Kiwanis organization or learn how you can join, visit their website or follow them on Facebook!

CTC Games - In Partnership with GVSU's E-Sports Club
Play, make friends, and learn - for neurodiverse gamers aged 10-14. The program runs 10 am - 12 pm on January 28, March 25, and April 15 at GVSU Russel H. Kirkhof Center on Campus Drive in Allendale. $15 Participant Fee, register online.

Our KH Athletic Boosters Need Your Help!
Click here to sign up for Winter Sports Concessions. It’s fun, it’s easy, and most importantly, you can play a role in helping our Boosters support student-athletes.

Additional Flyers and Information:

Knights FC (Spring Soccer)

Emma! a pop musical tickets

CTC Games & GVSU ESports Event (for neurodiverse gamers)

OLDER NEWS

SCHOOL DAY
Our school day for the 2022-2023 school year begins at 8:37 and ends at 3:35.

STUDENT DROP-OFF DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER
If it is raining outside or we have extremely cold weather, student drop offs will be permitted into the building starting at 8:30. All student drop offs will be asked to enter through the main office doors and proceed to their individual classroom.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
If you would like to volunteer or attend a classroom event, please complete a background check. Background checks can be completed by bringing in a driver's license or state ID to any Kenowa Hills Secretary and completing a background form.

Alpine Elementary Nurse
Nurse Ashley, 616-784-0884 ext. 8293 or abeene@khps.org

Social Media

  • Please be sure to like our school's Facebook page at "Kenowa Hills Alpine Elementary". Follow daily/weekly happenings and celebrations. It is also another resource for school information.

  • Also, follow and like our Music FB page for Alpine and Zinser, "A to Z Music". -Ms Majchrzak

Central Elementary News March 17

03/17/23

Calling all Dads, Step-Dads, and Male Guardians
Central Elementary School participates in the national program called Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students). This program encourages fathers and father-figures to join in the learning environment at the local school and be a positive role model to all students. This program has been paused for the last two and a half years but we are ready to re-engage in this great opportunity.
We would love to have volunteers for a full school day but half days are acceptable. Watch DOGS will follow a set schedule allowing them to volunteer in multiple classrooms and various settings all over the school. Of course, there will be time to spend with your own special student. You must complete a background check in person at least 5 days prior to your volunteer date. Please bring a picture ID.

Neon Knights Family Glow Dance
Join us for a family event on Saturday, April 15 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm in the Central Elementary Gym. Hosted by the Central PTO. Avoid the line and prepay to Central PTO Venmo: @KHCentralPTO-Elementary and include all kids first and last names - $10 per family!

Career Expo 2023
Join us for the 2023 Kenowa Hills Career Expo! Take advantage of the opportunity to get your business in front of hundreds of students and community members. Make business connections, garner interest in internships and employment openings at your business, and get involved with your community. Learn more at khps.org/career-expo

Emma - Spring Musical - March 23 - 25, 2023 at 7:00 PM
Emma, a senior at Highbury Prep, is certain she knows what’s best for her classmates’ love lives, and is determined to find the perfect boyfriend for shy sophomore Harriet by the end of the school year. But will Emma’s relentless matchmaking get in the way of finding her own happiness? Based on Jane Austen’s classic novel, this sparkling new musical features the hit songs of legendary girl groups and iconic female singers from The Supremes to Katy Perry. Girl power has never sounded so good!
Tickets are on sale now.

No Cost Tax Prep & E-Filing
Schedule an appointment for households with income $60,000 or less call #211 or 800-887-1107. Prepare and e-file available to all taxpayers-no income limit at hwmuw.org/myfreetaxes.

Kiwanis West Michigan
Kiwanis has a new club in West Michigan that primarily supports the kids at Kenowa Hills! They meet in a virtual setting once a week and host projects to lift up kids in our district. If you'd like to learn more about the Kiwanis organization or learn how you can join, visit their website or follow them on Facebook!

CTC Games - In Partnership with GVSU's E-Sports Club
Play, make friends, and learn - for neurodiverse gamers aged 10-14. The program runs 10 am - 12 pm on January 28, March 25, and April 15 at GVSU Russel H. Kirkhof Center on Campus Drive in Allendale. $15 Participant Fee, register online.

Additional Flyers and Information:

Neon Knights Dance Party (April 15)

Therapy Center (CTC) Staycation (April 3-6)

Kids Food Basket Week (March 20 - 24)

Literacy Night (March 14)

Emma! a pop musical tickets (March 23 - 25)

Athletic Boosters Need Concession Help

CTC Games & GVSU ESports Event (for neurodiverse gamers) (through March 24)

OLDER NEWS

Notes from the Nurse
I am excited to help service your medical needs again for students and staff this year. Here are some reminders for the year:

  • If your student needs ANY medication at school, please make sure to fill out a Medication Form ahead of time. We need to have both a Physician's signature and the parent's signature BEFORE the nurse can administer any medication. We always suggest playing it safe and sending medication ahead of time in case we need it. This includes medications such as cold/cough, pain (ex. Tylenol or Ibuprofen,) or any inhalers that may be needed if the student uses them during times of illness. We will return them at the end of the school year if there are any remaining.
  • We can provide free rapid tests for COVID, Influenza A & B, and Strep A for all students and staff. Please call the nurse's office and let me know if you think you need to utilize this service, and we will walk you through the steps. As always, please feel free to reach out to the nurse whenever you have any questions or concerns for your student. We are here to help! (616) 453-6351 ext. 6342
  • There are several illnesses on the rise recently, so it is important that we all work together on getting good rest, covering our coughs and sneezes, and hand-washing with soap and water!
  • Another great reminder is to hydrate! Make sure your student is bringing a water bottle to school every day. Hydration is so important for our entire body and the easiest access is when our students have their bottles right there in class!
  • If you have any questions, please reach out to the Nurse directly (ext. 6342).

KHMS News September 9

09/09/22

Attendance/Drop Off-Pick Up:
Our start time is 7:45am!
We need your help getting students here on time! Any students arriving 10 minutes after class starts without an excused call/absence will be marked unexcused for the class (not a tardy.) Please call the absence line 616-785-3225 or email, msattendance@khps.org. Strive for Five!

Attendance Letter

Lunch Funds
Efunds will no longer be of use to fund lunches. Please use the following link to submit money for your student's breakfast/lunch account. Family Portal

NWEA Testing

We are the state-mandated NWEA testing coming up in mid-September. It is imperative that your students are present and on time on these testing days! More information to follow, keep a lookout.

NWEA Testing Parent Letter
Math: Week of September 12th
ELA: Week of September 16th

Miscellaneous Information:
Fall 2022 Map
Due to the construction, certain areas and hallways will not be available for students to access.
Regular Daily Schedule
We are back to 6 periods with Connect class as our daily schedule!
Meal Benefit Application

Meal benefit applications must be submitted each year to qualify.

Athletics:
For the 2022-23 school year, a sports physical will need to be on file for your student to participate in school sports!! The physical must have a date of April 15, 2022, or after.

Community Knight Out Friday, September 16, 2022 at 5:00pm - 6:30pm! The biggest fall event in your community is back & bolder than ever! This enjoyable event takes place before our home football game against GR Catholic Central.

Everyone is welcome! Community Knight Out is a free event that features games, inflatable courses, prizes, food, & much more! The first 500 kids receive a free giveaway item and an ice cream treat from Bumblebee Ice Cream. The Atheltic Boosters are offering a $4 meal deal which includes a hot dog, chips, & a drink. You can also purchase football game tickets at the box office: $3 for children. $5 for adults. *Students in KH Gear get in FREE (KK-8th grade free with paid adult).

Life Skills with Mrs. White
Students in Mrs. White’s life skills are learning how to make a healthy breakfast on a budget to start their morning. They researched reasons why breakfast is an important meal of the day. Some of the reasons were an increase in energy, improved academic performance, as well as making wiser eating choices throughout the day.

Boy Scouts Flier

New Staff this Year - Introductions Continued:

Mr. Russell- Math
Central Michigan University- Mr. Russell has had an interesting stint with the Orlando Magic before joining our team! He worked with players and coaches on tracking sleep, testosterone, and brain wave activity. Their resources helped them manage the stress of the season to keep their brains and bodies as healthy as possible.
Mr. Lancaster- ELA

GVSU- Mr. Lancaster will be a great addition to our amazing ELA department. He will be spending his time here and at the high school.
Mr. Ganzevoort
- Social Studies
GVSU- Mr. G is no stranger to our building and we are so excited to have him full time this year!

KHMS News September 1

09/01/22

Attendance/Drop Off-Pick Up:
Our start time is 7:45am!
We need your help getting students here on time! Any students arriving 10 minutes after class starts without an excused call/absence will be marked unexcused for the class (not a tardy.) Please call the absence line 616-785-3225 or email, msattendance@khps.org. Strive for Five!

Attendance Letter

Canvas
On Wednesday, September 7th parents will receive a pairing code for Canvas. You have 7 days to activate that code. If that date is missed you will have to email your student's Connect teachers.

NWEA Testing

We are the state-mandated NWEA testing coming up in mid-September. It is imperative that your students are present and on time on these testing days! More information to follow, keep a lookout.

NWEA Testing Parent Letter
Math: Week of September 6th
ELA: Week of September 16th

Miscellaneous Information:
Fall 2022 Map
Due to the construction, certain areas and hallways will not be available for students to access.
Regular Daily Schedule
We are back to 6 periods with Connect class as our daily schedule!
Meal Benefit Application

Meal benefit applications must be submitted each year to qualify.

Athletics:
For the 2022-23 school year, a sports physical will need to be on file for your student to participate in school sports!! The physical must have a date of April 15, 2022 or after.

Community Happenings:
Kenowa Hills High School is hosting Gus Macker September 10-11!! Team Fee $160 Parking $5 Daily/RVs $10 Daily Deadlines: Mail-In Aug. 19/Online Aug. 22 Click here for more info: Gus Macker Grand Rapids

Community Knight Out Friday, September 16, 2022 at 5:00pm - 6:30pm! The biggest fall event in your community is back & bolder than ever! This enjoyable event takes place before our home football game against GR Catholic Central.

KHMS News August 25

08/25/22

Attendance/Drop Off-Pick Up:
Our start time is 7:45am!
We need your help getting students here on time! Any students arriving 10 minutes after class starts without an excused call/absence will be marked unexcused for the class (not a tardy.) Please call the absence line 616-785-3225 or email, msattendance@khps.org. Strive for Five!

Miscellaneous Information:
Fall 2022 Map
Due to the construction, certain areas and hallways will not be available for students to access.
Regular Daily Schedule
We are back to 6 periods with Connect class as our daily schedule!
Meal Benefit Application

Meal benefit applications must be submitted each year to qualify.

Athletics:

Co-ed Cross Country, 6th/7th/8th Grades
There is still time to join this great program! Contact information: Ryan Levitt rlevitt@khps.org. Cross Country Apparel Store.

For the 2022-23 school year, a sports physical will need to be on file for your student to participate in school sports!! The physical must have a date of April 15, 2022 or after.

Community Happenings:
Kenowa Hills High School is hosting Gus Macker September 10-11!! Team Fee $160 Parking $5 Daily/RVs $10 Daily Deadlines: Mail-In Aug. 19/Online Aug. 22 Click here for more info: Gus Macker Grand Rapids

Community Knight Out Friday, September 16, 2022 at 5:00pm - 6:30pm! The biggest fall event in your community is back & bolder than ever! This enjoyable event takes place before our home football game against GR Catholic Central.

Helpful Links

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Our Personal Mastery educational experience has redefined education and has gained attention around the state and nation. Personal Mastery provides your child with personalized attention from teachers. Instead of teaching to a broad group of students without an understanding of their individual strengths and weaknesses, Personal Mastery allows teachers to interact with students individually or in small groups to help them better address their weaknesses. In this way, we strive to help your child reach their full potential.

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