We are excited to have the playground at Central complete and in full use for our students! Projects at the Early Education Center were finished last week. We are transitioning to the Walker Station site in such a way as to allow the daycare program to remain open during the move. With completion of these two projects, the work for last summer and this fall has concluded.
Planning continues for the renovations at the middle school and all three elementary schools. Design of our athletic complex will be completed this month, with bids going out in December. Construction at the athletic complex will begin in March, with completion during the summer. The field should be ready for use for the first fall game. Our goal at the building level is to ensure that instruction is not disrupted; therefore, the renovations will begin after school is out in June.
Planning for fiber between buildings and improvements to technology infrastructure continues. It is our goal to have these improvements in place for next school year in an effort to pilot several types of instructional technology in each building. These pilot programs will be used to determine the instructional technology and student devices that have the greatest impact on instruction and will be purchased throughout the district the following year.
I am excited about the improvements that the bond proposal will provide for our district. I realize it isn’t happening as fast as one might hope, but I am confident we are planning well to maximize the dollars you have provided. I will continue to update you as we progress through the projects.
Boys Youth Basketball registration forms and details can be found online at www.kenowahillsbasketball.com. Click on "K-6 Basketball" at the top of the home page for links to all the flyers. This year we are offering skill development workouts for K-1st graders and skill development/league play for 2-6th grades. We hope to see you at signups!
We have had a great beginning to the school year. Reconfiguration is now in the rearview mirror, and we are moving forward with our emphasis on high levels of learning for each and every student. Each student has taken our MAP test, and we have real-time data on each student’s skills in reading and math. This allows teachers to prepare lessons that address student needs throughout the year. Standards will be tested again midway through the year and at the end of the year.
As school begins, we would like to thank the Athletic Boosters for covering the cost of our Middle School athletic B teams. One of the budget reductions made last spring was eliminating the B teams, for a savings of $15,000. The athletic boosters, knowing the value in these opportunities for our students, stepped up and covered the cost. We are thankful the boosters were willing to assist us by providing these valuable experiences for our students. This is just one of a multitude of ways our athletic boosters have supported and continue to support our student athletes. If you see an Athletic Booster, please say thank you for all of the many valuable contributions they make to the students of Kenowa Hills Public Schools.
We have just received word that M21 at the RR tracks in Ada is down to one lane in each direction for construction starting TODAY. Lowell has asked all Kenowa Hills fans to enter off Vergennes, so here is the best way for any fans to travel. Please pass the word on to anyone you know is going.
Directions from Kenowa Hills High School to Lowell Athletic Field
What an exciting time to be part of the Kenowa Hills community! Thanks to the
overwhelming support of the recent bond proposal, it is my privilege to provide
you with a brief update on our summer bond projects.
I am happy to report that kindergarten classrooms at Central Elementary School
are finished. Teachers worked overtime to prepare their classrooms, and they are
ready for students to begin school on Tuesday. The final touches on the High
School ASD classroom were finished this week.
Progress on the playgrounds at Central Elementary School and the Early
Childhood Center is slow but steady. We hope the work will be completed very
soon so our students can begin enjoying these new facilities.
The Kenowa Hills Education Foundation exists to raise funds for distribution to Kenowa Hills teachers and students who promote education by creating new and innovative instructional improvements. The KHEF is seeking additional board members. The time commitment is about one hour every other month, plus limited time at functions. If you are a parent of a current or past KHPS student and would like to be involved with an organization that directly benefits student instruction, please email Mike Waalkes at mwaalkeslighthousegroup.net
As we approach the 2010/11 school year, we are optimistic about the solid financial position we have created together. This is largely due to all the work accomplished in right-sizing the district. Another significant contributing factor is the recent passage of a state budget which did not include the previously proposed cut of $268 per student. I am also happy to report that our current 2010-11 enrollment, based on spring counts, appears to be much better than we originally anticipated.
Our hope is that our enrollment will remain strong and our legislature will keep their commitment. This will allow us to strategically provide support to those areas we know will most impact student learning.
Thank you for all your help in the recent bond election. I am thrilled to announce the bond proposal passed with 1530 yes votes to 1209 no votes. This is the first bond issue to pass since 1996 and only the third to pass since 1977. Passage would not have been possible without the community's support. As the projects progress, we will keep you informed. Thank you for your part in making this happen.
I also would like to introduce you to our newest Board of Education member, Stan Truskoski. Stan is a nine-year resident of Kenowa Hills and has two children in the district. He has a degree in Health Sciences from GVSU, and has been working as a journeyman plumber for 15 years. Stan has served as an active member of the Fairview Elementary Family Links since 2002 and on the district’s 2007-08 Facilities Committee. Please join me in welcoming Stan to our Board of Education.
This is great VICTORY for the students, staff and community of Kenowa Hills. Thanks again for all your work to make this dream become reality.
As we face statewide economic challenges, we continue to be devoted to the academic success of your children. Reductions in funding from the state have forced midyear layoffs, but have not forced us to change our focus on learning for each and every student. If anything, these challenges have caused us to be more dedicated and tenacious because these are the times when your child will need to graduate with the knowledge and skills to find employment in a competitive marketplace.
We are committed to assess and monitor the progress of each child. This fall, we administered the NWEA MAP assessments for English language arts and math to every child K-12. These assessments give us baseline data to provide individualized instruction for each learner. In the spring, we will administer the assessment again and will plot student progress. At that time, we will provide parents with their child’s results and explain the scores.
KHPS now uses the Honeywell Instant Alert system as a primary way to communicate information to families. The instant alert system will notify families of school closings, event times, schedule changes, conferences, and much more. The system sends a single clear message to students’ parents or guardians by telephone, cell phone or email in any combination!
Instant Alert is internet based, allowing each family to maintain a secure, password protected online profile. The instant alert system offers families 5 different alert categories to choose from:
School Closings/Delays
High Importance (urgent messages)
Transportation (i.e. bus delays due to traffic or weather)
Building Events (i.e. teacher conferences, field trip reminders)
District Announcements (i.e. Community Events, Student Count Day and election reminders).
Each family must UPDATE THEIR PROFILE in order to receive accurate instant alerts. By creating a profile users will be able to select which type of information they would like to receive on each of contact device (i.e. email, cell phone, etc.). Currently, only staff or families with students enrolled in KHPS can create a profile. In mid-January instructions on how to access the system were mailed to families with students enrolled in KHPS. If you have a child enrolled in KHPS and did not receive instructions, please contact your child's school office.
Lately, it has been very busy and challenging in Kenowa Hills Public Schools. In addition to keeping our focus on student learning, we are working diligently on our transition plan for the reconfiguration. At the same time, we are dealing with the funding crisis created at the state level. As you know, the funding crisis in Lansing is now impacting our per-pupil foundation allowance.
In November, we learned that we will receive a cut of $292 per student. A cut of this magnitude will add approximately $1 million to our current deficit. In the article, Budget Crisis, you will find a detailed breakdown of our current financial picture. It is important that you share your concerns with our legislators regarding the impact these cuts are having on our students.
Our transition plan for district reconfiguration is on track. The plan calls for every parent, student and staff member to know, by the end of this month, where they will be located. By spring break, we will have developed a logistical plan for the movement of classrooms, furniture and supplies. After spring break, transition activities will take place. These closure and welcoming events will assist students, parents and staff with the transition.
In spite of these challenging financial times, we are pressing forward, remaining focused on providing high levels of learning for each and every student. Thank you for all your support as we continue our movement from good to great.
The Middle School Student Council and Staff Help Families In Need
This year as a holiday fundraiser, the Middle School Student Council worked with the Walker Police Department to collect items for their annual food drive. The students chose this fundraiser because it directly helps families living in our area. As a result of their hard efforts, Kenowa Hills Middle School staff and students donated 795 food items. Everyone was very excited with the successful outcome and are very proud to have helped families in need.
It has been a very busy and challenging fall in Kenowa Hills. In addition to keeping our focus on student learning, we are working diligently on our transition plan for the reconfiguration. At the same time, we are dealing with the funding crisis created at the state level. As you know, the funding crisis in Lansing is now impacting our per-pupil foundation allowance.
Last month, we learned that we will receive a cut of $292 per student. A cut of this magnitude will add approximately $1 million to our current deficit. In the article, Budget Crisis, you will find a detailed breakdown of our current financial picture. It is important that you share your concerns with our legislators regarding the impact these cuts are having on our students.
Our transition plan for district reconfiguration is on track. The plan calls for every parent, student and staff member to know, by the end of January, where they will be located. By spring break, we will have developed a logistical plan for the movement of classrooms, furniture and supplies. After spring break, transition activities will take place. These closure and welcoming events will assist students, parents and staff with the transition.
In spite of these challenging financial times, we are pressing forward, remaining focused on providing high levels of learning for each and every student. Thank you for all your support as we continue our movement from good to great. May you have a blessed holiday.
On Saturday, November 21, the Kenowa Hills Hockey team faced-off against St. Claire Shores. Earlier that week one of the St. Claire hockey player's life was taken unexpectedly. Out of respect for the fallen player - the KH team organized a moment of silence and gathered together on center ice to pay their respect. Kenowa Hills players also wore the late student's jersey number and his intials on their helmets. This is one more example of how much our Kenowa Hills students care for others.
Visit the Kenowa Hills Varsity Hockey page for the game schedule.
Senior Citizen Breakfast Wednesday, December 2
8:30 AM KH High School
The National Honor Society is hosting a special event for grandparents and senior citizens. All grandparents and senior citizens in our area are invited to enjoy a morning of dining and entertainment. Breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m., and, beginning at 9:00 a.m., attendees will be able to enjoy performances by various student groups within the high school.
Click here for directions to the High School.
It has been a very busy and challenging fall here in Kenowa Hills. In addition to keeping our focus on student learning, we are working diligently on our transition plan for the reconfiguration. At the same time, we are dealing with the funding crisis created at the state level. This month, we introduced students to our new testing program called Measures of Academic Progress™ (MAP). The computerized MAP tests provide teachers, students and parents with an assessment of each student’s current level of achievement. With this data, teachers will be able to target instruction to each student’s specific area of need.
Throughout the month of November, students will be tested in math, reading and language, and science. In the future, parents will receive a report showing their child’s growth. Teachers will use the assessment data to plan instruction for individual students as well as the entire class. Each student will be able to follow his or her own progress. This is one more example of how we are striving for high levels of learning for each and every student.
Our transition plan for district reconfiguration is on track. The plan calls for every parent, student and staff member to know, by the end of January, where they will be located. By spring break, we will have developed a logistical plan for the movement of classrooms, furniture and supplies. After spring break, transition activities will take place. These closure and welcoming events will assist students, parents and staff with the transition.
As you know, the funding crisis in Lansing is now impacting our per-pupil foundation allowance. Over the last few weeks, we have learned that we will receive a cut of $292 per student. A cut of this magnitude will add approximately $1 million to our current deficit. In the article, Budget Crisis, you will find a detailed breakdown of our current financial picture. It is important that you share your concerns with our legislators regarding the impact these cuts are having on our students.
Superintendent Tom Martin and many other area educators, board members and parents recently attended a meeting with Governor Granholm to discuss the school budget crisis in Michigan. School aid for the 2009-10 year has been reduced by $165 per student. This reduction adds an additional $575,000 to our district’s current $1.5 million deficit.
Even with this $165 per-pupil reduction, a $212 million shortfall remains in the state school-aid fund. In dollars and cents, this means unless the state legislature funds this $212 million in the next 30 days, school districts will receive a second funding reduction of $127 per student, for a total 2009-10 reduction of $292 per student.
These combined reductions, along with the loss of 30 students more than projected, will bring Kenowa Hills’ projected deficit for this 2009-10 school year to $2.3 million.
Lansing has a variety of options on the table to fund public education without this additional $127 per-pupil reduction and without a general tax increase. Should you wish to contact our state legislators – please follow these appropriate links:
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