Kickapoo families,
We hope each of you are doing well. After all the rain ended it turned out to be another beautiful weekend in the Ozarks! I hope you were able to enjoy it too.
Please review the information below very closely as we have several important updates.
As a reminder, the last day of school for seniors is Friday, May 8th and the final day for all other students is Thursday, May 21st.
Please know we are HERE FOR YOU. Please let us know what we can do to support you, your family, and our students. During this time when we cannot be together at Kickapoo it is vitally important to keep the lines of communication open and a two-way street. As needs change (food, internet/technology, health, etc.) please contact your teachers, counselors, or principals so we can help. We know everyone is being impacted in some way and the impacts could potentially change over time. We want to be sure we are supporting each of you and our students in the best way possible. So, please reach out to your teachers, counselors, or admin if you need anything at all. We are here for YOU.
Please review the information below very closely as we have several important updates.
As a reminder, the last day of school for seniors is Friday, May 8th and the final day for all other students is Thursday, May 21st.
Please know we are HERE FOR YOU. Please let us know what we can do to support you, your family, and our students. During this time when we cannot be together at Kickapoo it is vitally important to keep the lines of communication open and a two-way street. As needs change (food, internet/technology, health, etc.) please contact your teachers, counselors, or principals so we can help. We know everyone is being impacted in some way and the impacts could potentially change over time. We want to be sure we are supporting each of you and our students in the best way possible. So, please reach out to your teachers, counselors, or admin if you need anything at all. We are here for YOU.
The following letter was sent out by SPS Communications Friday evening.
IF any student needs a Kajeet (wifi) please email me at wtpowers@spsmail.org as soon as possible.
"Dear Families:
We are in the final stretch of
the 2019-2020 school year. May 21 is the
last day of school - only four weeks away.
As we focus on these next few
weeks of learning together through SPS
At Home , we are reaching out to encourage continued
collaboration to ensure that our students conclude the current school year with
a mastery of learning standards. This will help ensure that students are ready
for the next course, grade level, higher education and/or career opportunity.
We have received questions
from parents and students about the district’s academic expectations
and grading standards during these
challenging times. The following provides clarity regarding how we will
evaluate student performance through the remainder of the year:
·
Our expectation is that students continue to participate
and learn to the degree in which they are able.
·
Teachers will provide feedback and grade student
assignments to aid in learning growth.
·
SPS will ensure that credits earned at the end of
the semester represent learning of the course standards.
·
Fourth quarter grades will
be at or above the earned 3rd quarter grades. All assignments
completed during the 4th quarter can only help students'
grades, not harm.
·
Final exams for
high school students will not be required this year.
·
The Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA)
has issued emergency relief for academic standards for students participating
in activities during the next school year. In the fall of 2020, all students
will be eligible to participate in MSHSAA activities during the first semester
(high school) and first grading cycle (quarter, middle school). However,
participation in activities during the second semester (high school) and second
quarter (middle school) will be determined by normal MSHSAA eligibility
requirements.
It is essential that
each student learns the necessary standards in order to be prepared for the
next course, grade level, higher education and/or career opportunity. This is
why continued effort by all
students and collaboration with
parents remains critically important.
As always, teachers are available
to provide any support that students and
families might need. Please continue to reach out and make connections.
We understand that nothing
about our current reality is ideal. However, this is an amazing and resilient
community and we will get through this together.
Thank you for
your continued support for our students and for your ongoing commitment to
education."
I would like to add one additional piece of information. Kickapoo is the ONLY 4 block school in SPS. Due to this we have several quarter classes. This means there was NO 3rd quarter grade for students in these 4th quarter only classes. Yes, they earned a grade for 3rd quarter. However, that grade does not help them in the no harm guideline in 4th quarter since it is a completely different class.
For example, if you took health 3rd quarter and earned a B and now you are in PE you will earn whatever you get from 4th quarter only. Since these are separate quarter classes the
grade you earned in health does not equal what you earn in PE in regards to No
Harm that SPS has put in place.
So, it is even more important students continue to learn and work to the best of their ability in ALL classes. Our teachers are working hard to meet each student where they are educationally and emotionally. Please communicate with us if we can help in any way. Thank you.
However,
in your semester classes you won’t earn anything lower for 4th quarter than
what you earned in 3rd quarter. For example, if you earned an A in Band 3rd
quarter. Then you can only earn an A in Band for 4th quarter.
We want you to know we understand this is a difficult time. It has been difficult for us as educators as well. THANK you for continuing to work to the best of your ability until May 21st. We appreciate your commitment to education. Each of your teachers is ready to help you in whatever way you need.
IF any student needs a Kajeet (wifi) please email me at wtpowers@spsmail.org as soon as possible.
Below are several resources SPS and Kickapoo have put together during this time of school closure. Please review these resources and keep them handy.
We realize this is a new platform and way of learning. It is new for our teachers as well. We ask that everyone practice patience and grace during this time of transition. We all want what’s best for our students and that will always be our primary goal.
Here are a few other updates as well.
Prom is scheduled for Friday, July 17th at Bass Pro White River Conference Center. We will share specifics on how and when to purchase tickets as soon as we have the details finalized.
Graduation is scheduled for Aug. 6th or 7th. Once we have the date and time we will notify seniors and families. Project Graduation will be held the evening of graduation. More details to follow.
Graduation announcements, caps, and gowns. These will be distributed once we receive them from the company and have a plan for distribution. We will contact Seniors and families as soon as we have the details finalized.
Our Nurses are no longer in the school office. However, if you have medication at the school and need to pick it up please email them at khsnurses@spsmail.org. You can also email them if you have any of the following needs: Health, hygiene, food, or laundry.
Grab-and-go meal service continues at all of our SPS school locations. You may continue to pick up breakfast and lunch (they are packaged together) via car line anytime between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Monday - Friday for anyone 18 or under. You may pick this up at any site. It does NOT have to be your home school.
Technology Support - SPS is now providing repair services for student devices. As needed, you will be able to drop off your student’s device for repair at any school via the car line Monday - Friday between 9:30 & 12:30. Service will be provided for cracked screens, touch pad and charging malfunctions, and other issues that inhibit your student’s work. Repairs will be limited to essential needs only and not cosmetic issues (chips, cracks, etc.). When you drop off the device for repair, you will be asked to provide your student’s name and your contact number so that we may contact you when the repair is complete. We anticipate that most repairs will be completed within five days, unless parts must be ordered. You will receive a phone call when the device is repaired and ready for pickup. If your internet situation changes during this time please contact us to let us know as well.
You can also call 523-3333 for technology support.
You can also call 523-3333 for technology support.
What should students/parents expect with SPS At Home? Below are several resources to help students & parents learn more about our learning environment.
Teachers are expected to send announcements to students, post assignments, and share their schedule (3 hours minimum daily Monday - Friday) of when they will be available via Canvas Conferencing.
What are students expected to do? Log into Canvas daily. Check announcements, check, complete, and submit assignments by the due date (if you are unable to meet the due dates please communicate in advance), and check in via Canvas Conferencing with teachers as needed based on the teacher availability and student availability.
Questions, concerns, need support, etc.? Communicate with teachers via SPS email, Canvas messages, and/or Canvas Conferences.
SPS At Home website - several tabs at the top of this website for Technology support, Health, Family, and Instructional help.
Parent Letter 4/15/2020 - Mental Health & Food Assistance
Mental Health Resources for COVID 19
Health Update
Parent Letter 4/2/2020 - Resources for Free/Reduced lunch and other assistance.
Technology Tip Videos
Canvas
Covid-19 Resource page - This is a link to SPS. The below resources are currently listed on this page and it is being updated as needed.
- Food Stamps/Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program-Expansion for COVID-19
- Mental Health Resources
- Cab Service
- Free or Low-cost Internet Access
- Affordable Housing Vacancies
- Family Support Division: Benefits Eligibility Chart
- Access to Stimulus Checks
- Energy Assistance Covid-19
- Temporary Moratorium on Housing Evictions
- Mortgage Relief
Stay Connected to Kickapoo!
As a reminder the information shared here is NOT all inclusive to what is happening
at Kickapoo High School. To find more information about KHS and what's happening
The best way to stay in the know is to check the calendar and daily announcements as they are updated frequently and can be found in the left column. I would recommend bookmarking our web page and checking it daily to stay informed of the KHS happenings.
Additional announcements and much more can be found on our web page.
I would also encourage you to connect with us via social media as we share what’s going on
at KHS. Check us out on
Instagram @KickapooHighSchool
Twitter @KickapooChiefs
Facebook - Kickapoo High School
Website - Kickapoochiefs.org
Attention ALL Juniors
Junior Parents, all incoming seniors must have received one dose of the Meningococcal vaccine after their 16th birthday in order to start school in the fall. Please email or fax documentation of this vaccine to the nurse by May 1 to ensure a smooth start to 2020-2021.
Thanks!
Kimberly Speake, BSN, RN, NCSN
Kickapoo High School Nurse
Phone (417) 523-8530
Fax (417) 523-8595
Tryouts, deadlines for scholarships, & other deadlines - We are working to get this information out as the plans are developed. Please feel free to reach out to the sponsors, counselors, teachers, and check our website and social media on a regular basis. Thank you.
April Scholarship Bulletin
Juniors FREE ACT - Has been rescheduled for October 6th, 2020 for current Juniors (Class of 2021). More information will follow in the Fall.
Colorguard Tryouts
Please go to kickapoocolorguard.com to find all the details.
Spring Sports/Activity Fees
Participation fees paid to KHS for spring sports/activities that did not take place will be reimbursed as soon as possible. This fee will be reimbursed ONLY to those who did not play a sport any other time of the year. Again, this is for any student who ONLY planned to participate in a SPRING SPORT that did not take place.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Fees paid to booster clubs - please contact those boosters for more information.
Thank you
NHS (National Honor Society) Update - “Thank you to everyone who applied to join NHS right before Spring Break. The current circumstances have made processing these applications a difficult job. We ask for your understanding and patience as we work on this. We will keep you posted. Mrs. Fink & Mr. Wilbur."
Students & Families - we know this is a lot of information and most of it is new. It is new to us as well. Again, please be patient and flexible as we work together to provide support for one another.
April Scholarship Bulletin
Juniors FREE ACT - Has been rescheduled for October 6th, 2020 for current Juniors (Class of 2021). More information will follow in the Fall.
Colorguard Tryouts
Please go to kickapoocolorguard.com to find all the details.
Spring Sports/Activity Fees
Participation fees paid to KHS for spring sports/activities that did not take place will be reimbursed as soon as possible. This fee will be reimbursed ONLY to those who did not play a sport any other time of the year. Again, this is for any student who ONLY planned to participate in a SPRING SPORT that did not take place.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Fees paid to booster clubs - please contact those boosters for more information.
Thank you
NHS (National Honor Society) Update - “Thank you to everyone who applied to join NHS right before Spring Break. The current circumstances have made processing these applications a difficult job. We ask for your understanding and patience as we work on this. We will keep you posted. Mrs. Fink & Mr. Wilbur."
Summer Learning:
Session 1 of Explore to Go, set to begin June 3, will be offered fully virtually.
High School Students (grades 9-12)
Registration: High school students may continue to enroll now through Launch for their online classes. If a student has already enrolled in a seated course, the student will be contacted directly to discuss alternative course selections. Register now.
Courses: There are more than 80 online courses from which to choose.
Details about session 2, set to begin in July, will be provided at a later date. Learn more here.
A summer meal program will be offered. SPS understands that support with nutrition is critically important for families - especially when school is not in session. Just as SPS continues to provide approximately 70,000 meals each week while learning continues at home through May 21, the district is also committed to providing meals in the summer. Details about logistics and distribution will be provided as soon as possible.
Students & Families - we know this is a lot of information and most of it is new. It is new to us as well. Again, please be patient and flexible as we work together to provide support for one another.
Thank you.
Stay safe and be well!
#GoChiefs #OneTribe #WeTribeTogether
Dr. Bill Powers
Principal
Kickapoo High School
3710 S. Jefferson Avenue
Springfield, MO 65807
Ph: 417-523-8510
Email: wtpowers@spsmail.org
