Kickapoo announcements Dec. 7 - 11, 2020

Hello Kickapoo Families,

Thank you for your continued support this semester. As we enter the final two and half weeks of 1st semester please continue to be present and engaged as much as possible.

We are offering the opportunity for seated AND virtual students to receive additional tutoring and support starting this week. Please review the details below.

KHS Three-Tiered Tutoring Model

In order to address the need for academic support with both our Launch and seated students, the following tutoring model will be implemented in December. ALL 3 options will be offered. 

Option 1:

When: M/T/Th/Fri from 10 am - 1 pm (beginning Mon., Dec. 7)

What: A+ tutors, SPS Launch teachers assigned to KHS, Mr. Higgins, and KHS teachers available for tutoring.  

Who: Any Kickapoo student not scheduled to be in seated classes for the day of tutoring (A-K Th/Fri, L-K M/T, fully virtual any of the four days)

Where: In room 182 - check in through attendance office

Option 2:

When: Wednesdays (beginning Dec. 2nd) from 9:30 - 11:30 and 1 - 3

What: A+ tutors, Mr. Higgins, Mrs. Prude, KHS paraprofessionals, & potentially other KHS teachers available for tutoring

Who: Any Kickapoo student seated or virtual

Where: Commons

Option 3:

When: M/T/Th/F from 3 - 4 pm (beginning Mon., Dec. 7)

What: KHS teachers available for tutoring 

Who: Any Kickapoo student 

Where: Library

Please let us know if you have questions.

* Remember to please complete a (click -->) daily screening each morning with your student before school each day. When in doubt please call our nurses at 523-8500. Thank you for helping keep our students and staff healthy and safe.

Stay connected with Kickapoo in the following ways:

Facebook - Kickapoo High School

Twitter - @KickapooChiefs

Instagram - @KickapooHighSchool

Website - kickapoochiefs.org

You can find our Daily Announcements on our website and linked HERE. Please check these frequently as they are updated daily.

Below are a few new notes for you and then several reminders.

* Senior announcements

Cap & Gown Orders due Dec. 22nd - Cap and Gown packets were delivered to Seniors the week of October 26^th during lunches.  If you didn’t receive one, you are a full time online student, or need another one, we have extras in the Counseling Office.  All orders are due December 22^nd.  Below is the Link on the Counseling Page for further information and the online order form.  We also have this available for students on Canvas via the Kickapoo Counseling Commons Canvas page and kickapoochiefs.org home page.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YaEVGIj3DH1NLQjgIDD2mR5VHPxH1QfgBY379EpDz3g/edit?usp=sharing

December Scholarship Bulletin - See the latest scholarship opportunities and deadlines.

December News You Can Use - Review for important dates, etc.

Counseling Corner - Check this link for all things from the Counselors. 

* Progress reports - 2nd quarter week six progress report are available as of Friday, Dec. 4th.

Go HERE to login to check your students grades in eSchool at anytime. Need your login? Contact our office at 523-8500.

* Final exam & End of Course (EOC) exam schedule for SEATED STUDENTS: 

The schedule for EOCs and Finals are below. Please read the schedule and information carefully and plan ahead.

EOC Schedule:

Subject	L - Z Day 1	L - Z Day 2	A – K Day 1	A – K  Day 2	Note
English II/IIH	12/10	12/11	12/14	12/15	2 sessions with 1 each day.  The longest session will be on the first day.
Algebra I, IIH, & some II	12/17	12/18	12/21	12/22	2 sessions with 1 each day.  The longest session will be on the first day.
Biology	12/17		12/21
Liberty & Law & US Gov’t & Politics	12/17		12/21
PLTW	12/18		12/22

Finals:

Final exams will be administered each block during these two days.

Students	Date	Blocks
L – Z	12/18	1 – 4
A – K	12/22	1 – 4

If your student will be absent on the day of their scheduled finals, please email one of the four administrators (email addresses below).  Next, have your student inform his/her teachers. 

All teachers will follow the KHS Finals Policy (Below)

Kickapoo High School will not approve any request to take final exams early for non-emergency reasons (any type of vacation, visiting family, traveling, etc.).  However, If a student and family does encounter a situation such as the ones described below, then a request to take early finals will be approved.  

1.       A student / family member experiences a medical emergency.

2.       There is a death in the family.

3.       A student is moving.

4.       A member of the student’s immediate family is returning from military service or being deployed during the finals days.

If you have any questions regarding these two schedules, please feel free to contact Dr. Powers (dwpowers@spsmail.org), Mr. Harvey (jharvey@spsmail.org), Mrs. Hunsaker (chunsaker@spsmail.org), or Mr. Phillips (saphillips@spsmail.org). 

* End of Course (EOC) exam schedule for LAUNCH/VIRTUAL STUDENTS: You MUST TAKE THE EOC EXAMS LISTED BELOW AT KICKAPOO. Questions? Please contact Dr. Coffey @ 523-8500. 

Thursday, December 10^th

English II & English IIH – 7:50 am  to 11:05 am – Kickapoo Library

Thursday, December 17^th

Algebra I, II and IIH – 7:50 am to 11:05 am – Kickapoo Library

Lib & Law & US Gov’t & Politics – 11:10 am – 12:30 pm – Kickapoo Library

Biology – 1:00 pm – 2:50 pm – Kickapoo Library

Bring your charged Chromebook & a photo ID.

Virtual/Online students - Your Final exams are taken with your virtual teachers online.

* No School for Winter Break - Dec. 23 - Jan. 3. 

* Make Plans Now for Winter Weather

Preparing now for cold weather and possible school cancellations can make the upcoming months less stressful for you and your family and help ensure a safe and healthy winter. Here are a few tips and reminders: Prevent exposure to the elements ·    Wear layers of clothing, such as a T-shirt under a sweatshirt. Wear a warm coat for an outer layer. ·    Prevent heat loss and protect skin by wearing a hat, scarf and gloves or mittens. Remember to wear warm socks and weather resistant shoes or boots. ·    Change clothing when it becomes wet. ·    Get plenty of rest and eat a hot meal before school. Learn more tips about cold weather safety from the National Weather Service. Be prepared for school cancellations There are times when weather conditions cause us to cancel school for the safety of our 25,000 students. We understand canceling school can create difficulties for families and we do not make the decision lightly. How is the decision made to cancel school due to bad weather? A number of factors are considered when deciding whether to cancel school including the condition of area roads, school safety issues such as parking lots, sidewalks and roofs, bus fleet condition and weather forecast. When and how is the decision announced? Every effort is made to make the decision by 5 a.m. The decision is announced immediately via text message, MySPS app, social media, district website and local news media. Parents who receive our weekly e-newsletter will receive an email alert. Individuals who have signed up for Blackboard Connect will receive a telephone message around 6 a.m.   Please do not rely solely on one method of notification. At times, in extreme weather conditions, internet access or telephone service may be disrupted preventing or delaying the use of some communication channels. Important reminders ·    Develop a snow-day plan so you are prepared when the announcement is made. Identify possible caregivers in advance so they can help on short notice. ·    Visit sps.org/busdelays to track bus delays. If your regular bus is 30 minutes late and you do not see it listed, contact the district transportation department at 523-0500. ·    If school is in session and you choose to keep your child home, he or she will be counted absent. ·    On days school is canceled, programs held in SPS facilities such as PrimeTime and SPARC are also canceled. Contact these agencies for more information about snow day programs at other locations. ·    Updates on cancellations for school activities (ball games, practices, programs, etc.) can be found at sps.org/changes. ·    The last day of school is typically determined and announced in early spring. View additional information about school cancellations.

* Parent Feedback - Family School Relationship Survey open until Dec. 18th.

Springfield Public Schools is seeking feedback on the relationship you have with your child's school. Your input is important to help us learn how to make your child’s educational experience as positive and beneficial as possible.

Please complete the annual Family-School Relationship Survey to provide your feedback by Dec. 18. The link is also posted on the district website at sps.org.

To complete the survey, please click on the button below and select the school(s) that pertain to your family from the dropdown menu. For example, if you have children in elementary, middle and high school, please complete the survey for each school where you have children enrolled. 

Thank you. 

* FREE BREAKFAST & LUNCH - ALL students enrolled at Kickapoo will be able to eat a school breakfast AND lunch for free! Students attending school virtually can pick up food items during designated times in the carline. Click here for more information or check out nutrition services at SPS.org.

Earlier this month we were happy to announce that all students would be able to eat free due to an extension of federal funding. This extension will continue through Dec. 31, 2020, or until the program funding is depleted. Since we do not know when that might happen, we want to remind you that you should still complete the Free and Reduced Price Meal application for 2020-2021. This will ensure that once the pandemic meal program expires your family will continue to receive meal benefits, if you are eligible. The current pandemic has impacted many SPS families in ways that may have changed their eligibility. Even if your family has not qualified for free or reduced price meals in the past, the only way to confirm your eligibility is to complete the application. It only takes a few minutes to complete and is available online here.  If needed, please review these Frequently Asked Questions and Income Eligibility Guidelines to assist in completing your application. You may also obtain a printed copy of the application from your child's school or by calling the Nutrition Services office at (417) 523-1130.  Thank you.

* MEALS ON VIRTUAL DAYS - SPS will make meals available for students to take home for use on days when they are learning from home or for students fully virtual. These meals must be pre-ordered. Cost of the meals are free. Click here for more information.

Students should pick these up from the cafeteria at dismissal on Tuesday or Friday.

* Yearbooks are on sale now for $50 and can be purchased HERE. 

* Wednesday Virtual Day - Each teacher has scheduled a 15 minute time during each students scheduled class time in which they will be live via Zoom. This time will be to present new material and/or review previous material. If you have any questions please contact your teacher via email or Canvas as they are working from home on Wednesday's as well.

* Thank you for your patience with us as we navigate the hybrid model of learning. Remember teachers are with students M/T & Th/Fri. If you have questions please email or send a message via Canvas. Allow them up to 24 hours to respond as most of them only have one planning period each day. Thank you.

* CANVAS HELP - Need help accessing and checking online learning with your student??? Click here for a list of resources from SPS. You can also click here for a guide for “how-to” items for parents. Please be sure to reach out with questions as we navigate online learning.

* Join Kickapoo PTSA - Click here for form.

In order to be eligible for the PTSA senior scholarship you must be a member. You can also donate to PTSA or the scholarship fund via the above link. Thank you!

Below is information to help everyone get off to a great start. Please know this is not all inclusive information.

• Any students needing WiFi can request a Kajeet through our library.
• Kickapoo will open our doors at 7:30 a.m. and first block begins at 7:50 a.m. every day Monday - Friday. All students must report directly to first block. 
• Classes end at 2:50 p.m. every day except Wednesday's end at 2:20 p.m.
• 2020 - 2021 Bell Schedule - M/T/TR/Fr schedule is the same. Wednesday we follow a slightly different schedule and classes end at 2:20. Please review the link above for the specific class times.
• Face masks must be worn at all times and may not contain inappropriate images, messages, etc.
• Students should take home Chromebooks every day.
• All students should leave school/campus by 3:05 p.m. unless directly supervised by a teacher, coach, or sponsor.
• Attendance to athletic contests and school sponsored clubs will be limited to ensure capacity guidelines.
• Deliveries to school - Parents/guardians may deliver food and other items to school. We ask that you label and leave them on the table. Due to limited travel students may not be able to come immediately to pick them up. Please communicate with your student to let them know items have been dropped off for them. 
• NO food deliveries from outside vendors. Thank you for helping to limit the exposures our secretaries and staff encounter.
• Visitors and Volunteers are limited to only those providing educational supports.
• Back to SPS Return to Learning plan

Again, the items I have listed above are NOT all inclusive.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out to me. I will respond as soon as possible.

Thank you again for your patience, grace, and flexibility during this time. 

Take care and #GoChiefs!

Dr. Powers

Principal

Kickapoo High School