Happy Monday, Hornet Families!
We’ve had a fantastic couple of weeks at KMS filled with exciting activities! We recently held our first penny war since I arrived, initiated by Ms. Hedger, the 8th grade teachers, and their students to help those affected by Hurricane Helene and Milton. They created a plan and implemented it beyond my expectations. The competitive spirit of our 6th, 7th, and 8th graders was on full display as they respectfully competed and strategized to achieve the highest point total. By the end of the week, my office was filled with a box overflowing with coins and cash—it weighed so much I struggled to drag it across the floor! After a week of counting and rolling coins, thanks to Mrs. Rutledge, Mrs. Reilly, Mrs. Rutledge's daughter, grandchildren, and many dedicated 8th graders, I’m thrilled to report that our KMS Hornets raised $1,388.27 for the American Red Cross!
The Halloween Dance was another highlight, with 203 out of our 267 students attending in some truly fun costumes. This year, we saw a large number of group costumes alongside many creative homemade outfits. The KMS staff also participated enthusiastically, with my army of minions making a memorable appearance—it’s one of my favorite traditions!
We are now entering the fourth week of the second quarter. The Kirtland Academic Academy (KAA) will resume on Thursday morning. Currently, only 7 students are missing 5 or more assignments, a significant improvement from last year’s 18. While this is encouraging, there is still room for growth. Please remember that KAA is not just for students with missing assignments; it’s also available for any student seeking extra support from Mrs. Saluan. KAA will run from 7:30 to 8:30 in the KMS library. More information can be found at the bottom of this newsletter.
Attendance is another key focus in my yearly KMS improvement plan. Improving attendance was a major reason for the schedule changes we made to enhance engagement and encourage all students to be here. Last year, approximately 19.4% of our students were chronically absent, missing 18 days or more of school (including excused, unexcused, suspensions, and family trips). This year, we have been actively monitoring and addressing trends in chronic absenteeism. However, last week, we saw a spike with over 38 students missing school after Halloween. As of last week, we had about 9.7% (26 students) on track for chronic absenteeism, but that number has now increased to 12.7% (34 students). Reducing the number of absences is crucial for students’ mental well-being and academic growth. Regular attendance not only helps students stay engaged with their education but also fosters a sense of belonging and community. For anxious students, being in school can significantly reduce their anxiety, providing a structured environment and support from peers, teachers, and counselors. So if they say their anxious and just want to stay home, remind them that they will miss more instruction and will become even further behind which could impact their ability to resolve the anxiety they are feeling. Please let them know they can always come to Mr. Bell, their teacher, and me if they need to talk through their struggles and the things causing their anxiety. I will stress this over and over. I need my students to feel happy and safe, before any true learning can happen. We are always here to help them in anyway we can. I know many factors can influence the decision to send your child to school, so I’ve attached a flyer titled "When is Sick Too Sick for School?" for you to review with your child.
On Wednesday, we will kick off our November Wellness Theme of Gratitude and Mindfulness during advisory periods. The goal of this challenge is to encourage students to reflect on the things they are grateful for each day, emphasizing the importance of gratitude and mindfulness in cultivating a healthy and positive mindset.
The 7th and 8th grade girls’ basketball teams are gearing up, with their first games scheduled for November 14 at Cuyahoga Heights. Please find the rest of the schedule in the newsletter below.
Finally, the 7th and 8th grade boys’ basketball team will begin open gyms soon with Coach 4. A sign-up sheet will be posted in the office for all interested boys. More details about tryouts and open gyms will be shared shortly.
Thank you for your continued support!
Sincerely,
Mr. Race
[email protected]