Kickapoo announcements Jan. 26 - 30, 2026

Hello Kickapoo families,

We hope each of you are staying warm and safe!

When we do return to school please be safe on the sidewalks and in the parking lot. Our custodial and grounds teams have been working hard in these extreme cold conditions to clear them as best they can. However, with the thawing and refreezing, please use caution. Thank you.

* Weather Related Absences & AMI Days - To maximize learning, SPS will use an Alternative Method of Instruction (AMI) plan. Utilizing AMI will allow student learning to continue from home and reduce the number of make-up days required. 

The first two (2) inclement weather days (Jan. 26th & 27th) will be treated as a typical cancellation and students will NOT participate in any learning activities. 

SPS will implement AMI days for all students, grades PreK through 12, on the third (3rd) day school is canceled and each following canceled day.

Inclement Weather Days	AMI Assignment
Days 1-2 Jan. 26 & 27	None
Day 3	AMI Day 1
Day 4	AMI Day 2
Day 5	AMI Day 3
Day 6	AMI Day 4
Day 7	AMI Day 5
Day 8	AMI Day 6

On AMI days, students in grades 9-12 will log into Canvas, where teachers will post learning expectations and assignments for the day. 

Students are required to complete the assigned work or they will be counted absent on the AMI day.

When a decision is made to cancel school, parents will receive an email and phone call with information about how to proceed for the day. Information will also be posted on the SPS website and social media channels. To ensure you receive these notifications, please make sure you have provided current contact information and that you are familiar with the district's communications tools and protocols, which are outlined at www.sps.org/communicationtools.

* Student Attendance - Our yearly goal is 95%. We are averaging 94.23% for January. Excellent work and keep it up!

Thank you to our students and families who made attendance a priority last week by being in class, on time, everyday!

Stay connected with Kickapoo in the following ways:
Facebook - Kickapoo High School
Twitter - @KickapooChiefs
Instagram - @KickapooHighSchool
Website - kickapoochiefs.org 

Daily Announcements - Check here daily for the latest at KHS.

* Parent Pick Up - Do NOT park at Birch Pointe OR any of our local businesses for afternoon pickup. You are taking their customer and patients parking spots. You may be fined or towed. Thank you!

* Kickapoo Expectation Matrix

* KHS 25 - 26 Bell Schedule (W = Wednesday)
* Wednesday Late Start - Once students arrive on campus they are NOT to leave school property. Any students leaving school are subject to school discipline.
* Student Parking Permits - We have 15 spots remaining for purchase at $17.50 per spot. Go to this link & see Mrs. Liston in the financial office to secure your spot on campus.

* Park in your assigned parking spot. IF someone parks in your spot – DO NOT park in another numbered spot, (that becomes a domino effect) but park in a visitor spot. Students will then report the issue by filling out the sheet in the attendance office (door 18). Students must have an SPS parking decal and KHS hang tag to park on campus.

* IF you have NOT purchased a permit you may NOT park on campus. 

NO decal? Park on Jefferson Avenue in front of the baseball/practice field. 

NO Decal? Do NOT park in STAFF, VISITOR, or HANDICAPPED SPOTS at KHS. 

NO decal? Do NOT park at Gillenwater tennis courts, Birch Pointe across the street OR any of our local businesses. You may be fined or towed.

* Counseling Corner - Check this link for all things from the Counselors.
* Class of 2026 Kickapoo Graduation will be Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 7 p.m. at Great Southern Bank Arena

* District Scholarship Bulletin - Check regularly for updates and deadlines. 

* Kickapoo students ONLY scholarships - Deadline to apply is 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11th. 

* Senior Graduate Yard Signs - Two options now available to pre-order! The online store will be open until 2/28/2026.  https://www.promoplace.com/khs-seniors

* ALL Things SENIORS Class of 2026 - Can be found HERE.

* FREE Tutoring - Is available from 3:25 - 4:25 p.m. in our library each day we are in session. 

* 3rd Quarter Grades - The most current grades can be viewed in Home Access Center at this link where you will login. Then follow this path - Click the Classes button at the top of the screen. Then click the Classwork tab for the current grades. Make sure you are on 3rd quarter.

* FREE ACT practice materials - To support students in preparing for the ACT, the following helpful resources are available: Learning Express ACT Prep materials can be found in Canvas. Students should navigate to the “Virtual Library,” then select the “Research Center” and click on the “Learning Express Hub.” These resources include full-length practice tests and other study tools.
A paper-based Preparing for the ACT guide is also available directly from ACT. This includes a complete practice test and can be a great option for students who prefer printed practice materials.

* FREE ACT exam - All Kickapoo juniors (Class of 2027) will take the real ACT the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. More information to come.

* 2026 - 2027 Scheduling Information - Students received scheduling information during Chief Time on Thursday, Jan. 22. 

If you do not have a 2nd block you can pick up your packet in the counseling center. 

All schedules must be submitted by Thursday, Jan 29th at the end of Chief Time.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeDduvaTwweGmnVDKuHRH1lNNf9PqTDzkNU24PszAbk-OiBHQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=102937539315152986535
Detailed scheduling info available at:
kickapoo.sps.org → About→Counselors Corner → Scheduling Information

Questions? Please see your counselor at lunch or message them via Canvas.

* Class of 2027 (Juniors) Class Meeting - Counselors met with the Juniors during Chief Time on Friday, Jan. 23rd. Here is a link to the presentation and information.

* 2025 - 2026 District Calendar 

* NO School - Monday, Feb. 16 for Presidents' Day.

* Last Day of school is May 22, 2026.

* SPS High School Attendance Requirement for Dances. In order to attend a SPS dance students must meet the following requirements:

90% overall attendance (school-sponsored activities do not count as absences) by a determined date prior to the dance set by the high school site administration. 

Our next dance is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 20th.

Students must have 90% or better attendance by end of day Friday, Feb. 13th.
Must be in attendance the entire school day the day of the dance.
Must not be serving ISS or OSS on the day of the dance.
Major discipline infractions may result in non-admittance to the school dance.
Pay ALL fines & fees in Financial office PRIOR to purchasing your dance ticket.

* Students MUST have ID badges on them at all times during the school day.

* ID Badges - Need a new one? Ask your teacher to order you one OR go to the ID badge room before school or during your lunch to get one.
* ID Badges are required for ALL sporting events. No ID = NO admittance to the game.

* Kickapoo Breakfast & Lunch Menus are HERE.

* Yearbooks are on sale now at Jostens.com for $50 each. The price will increase on Feb. 7th!

* National School Counseling Week - National School Counseling Week 2026 (#NSCW26) is Feb. 2 - 6 to highlight the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. 

Please help me celebrate our amazing counselors: Mrs. Busboom, Mr. Lombas, Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Moran, and Mrs. Wallace!

School Counselor of the Year Nominations
One way you can celebrate your school counselor is by nominating them to be considered for the SPS Counselor of the Year. Use this nomination form between now and Sunday, Feb. 15.

* Linda Luke Librarian of the Year - This award was established by the friends and family of Linda Luke, who was librarian at Hickory Hills and Disney. Linda was known for her dedication and commitment to excellence. The Linda Luke Librarian of the Year is an SPS librarian who carries out Linda’s legacy of dedication and commitment to excellence. The award includes a $1,500 cash prize to the chosen librarian.
Colleagues, parents, and community members may submit nominations from now until Feb. 20 at this link: https://www.supportsps.org/linda-luke-librarian-year-award/

* Reminders:

• Any students needing WiFi can request a Kajeet hotspot through our library.
• Kickapoo will open our doors at 7:40 a.m. and first block begins at 8:10 a.m. every day Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday.
• Wednesday is late start for students so staff may participate in professional learning. Classes begin at 8:40 a.m. ALL BUSSES WILL RUN AT NORMAL TIMES.
• Classes end at 3:10 p.m. every day.
• All students should leave school/campus by 3:25 p.m. unless directly supervised by a teacher, coach, or sponsor.
• Students should take home Chromebooks every day and charge them each night.
• Deliveries to school - Parents/guardians may deliver food and other items to school. We ask that you label and leave them on the table. Please communicate with your student to let them know items have been dropped off for them as we do not contact them.
• NO FOOD or DRINK DELIVERIES FROM OUTSIDE VENDORS. Thank you!
• Dress code - Follow all dress code expectations. Cover ALL B's!

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. Take care and as always Go Chiefs!

Dr. Bill Powers
Principal
Kickapoo High School