Dear KMS Parents and Students,

Good morning and happy Monday! It's hard to believe that the last month of the school year is right around the corner. The students did a phenomenal job last week on their ELA portion of the Ohio State Test. They all came prepared with a charged Chromebook, utilized their testing time wisely, and put forth the effort that I have come to expect from these awesome adolescents. They always seem to go above and beyond in everything they do. The 8th graders will be taking the science portion this week on Tuesday, with no testing for the 6th and 7th graders until next week.

The upcoming weeks are very busy here at KMS. This week, we have our two choir concerts and The Beach Luau Spring Dance, scheduled for this Friday from 6 to 8 pm in the KMS gym. Next week, we will have two band performances: 5th and 6th grade at 6 pm and 7th and 8th grade at 7:30 pm. The jazz band, which is a blend of middle and high schoolers, will also perform at each concert. I will ensure there are additional chairs available so that we hopefully won't have to overflow into the hallway this time.

The 8th graders have an educational field trip next Thursday to the B’nai Jeshurun Congregation Face-to-Face Program. PLEASE ENSURE THEY ARE HERE AT 8:30. Even though it's a delayed start, we need to be on the buses at 8:50 to ensure we can go through the whole program. They also need to pack a lunch that day. Finally, the pancake breakfasts will be starting again this week and next. So if you see me outside cooking don't hesitate to stop and say hi or have a conversation. There are a lot of amazing things that are taking place at the middle school next year to be more responsive to your middle schooler's needs. I'm happy to say we will be back to grade level teams for all core classes. So every 6th, 7th, and 8th grader will have the same 4 core content teachers. I have attached the presentation I shared with the board at last weeks SLA meeting. About all of the benefits we gain from this new middle school focused approach. Please note that I have added a May calendar with all end-of-year activities. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Sincerely,

Mr. Race

Week of April 22

Monday, April 22 -

Tuesday, April 23 - Science Ohio State Test - Part 1/2 (8th Grade Only)

Wednesday, April 24 - 5th-7th Choir Concert - 7pm (Student Call Time 6:30pm)

Thursday, April 25 - 8th-12th Choir Concert- 6pm (Student Call Time 5:15pm)

• Pizza, Pasta and a Play Night for senior citizens 6-7:45pm KHS Cafeteria

Friday, April 26 - Wednesday, Block Schedule

• Spring Dance - 6:00 – 8:00pm 10 dollars tickets will be sold at lunch and at the door (Food and Beverages provided)

Week of April 29

Monday, April 29 -

Tuesday, April 30 - Math 6, 7, 8 Part 1

Wednesday, May 1 - Math 6, 7, 8 Part 2

• PTA Popcorn Day - $.50 a bag
• 5th - 6th grade band and the Kirtland Jazz - 6:00 pm at KES Gym
• 7th - 8th grade band and the Kirtland Jazz - 7:30 pm at KES Gym
  

Thursday, May 2 - 8th grade field trip to B’nai Jeshrun Congregation Face-to-Face Program.

• All will need to be at school by 8:30 am (so that we can depart promptly at 8:50 am) and will be asked to bring a lunch the day of our trip so that we have the time to take advantage of the full presentation.

Friday, May 3 - NO SCHOOL - Prom

05/01/24: KMS Band Concert / Jazz Band Concert- KES Gym

• 5th - 6th grade band and the Kirtland Jazz - 6:00 pm at KES Gym

• 7th - 8th grade band and the Kirtland Jazz - 7:30 pm at KES Gym

05/02/24: May 2 - 8th grade field trip to B’nai Jeshurun Congregation Face-to-Face Program.

• All 8th graders will need to be at school by 8:30 am (so that we can depart promptly at 8:50 am) and will be asked to bring a lunch the day of our trip so that we have the time to take advantage of the full presentation.

05/03/24: Prom - No School

05/06/24: NO SCREEN WEEK (Fundraiser) @ KMS

05/14/24: 6th-Grade @ Camp Whitewood (Return on 5/17)

05/14/24: 8th-Grade @ Washington D.C. Trip (Return on 5/17)

05/15/24: 7th-Grade @ Chicago Trip (Return on 5/17)

05/20/24: Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm in Forum

05/21/24: KMS Honor Club Induction Ceremony - 6:00 to 7:30pm KMS Gym

05/23/24: KMS Scholars’ Breakfast - 7:00 am - 9am KMS Gym/Cafeteria (Note this event is starts before school)

05/28/24: 6th and 7th grade cookout - Early Release - No time set yet for E.R.

05/28/24: 8th-Grade @ Cedar Point (this event runs past the normal school day)

05/29/24:8th Grade Recognition & Promotion - 8:30 am - KMS Gym

05/29/24: 8th-Grade Picnic - Parent Run Event - approximately 10:30 to the end of the day.

• Please note it will be in the parking lot in front of the MS and the entire turf field this year.

• Also, please utilize the KMS Blackstone grill if you would like.

05/29/24: LAST DAY FOR STUDENTS - Early Release - No time set yet for E.R.

Yearbook distributions/signing and locker clean-out are still not scheduled.

Over the summer, Gracie Koch and a few of her fellow Girl Scouts from Northeast Ohio joined the newly created Media Girls program. The program is aimed at providing all Girl Scouts in Northeast Ohio with hands-on experience and developing communication skills as they explore the ever-changing media landscape. Gracie and her fellow Media Girls team members participated in various media activities, interviews, and opportunities across radio, TV, and print during the summer. As part of the Media Girls, Gracie submitted an audition video highlighting the importance of Girl Scout overnight camps and their role in developing the confidence of young ladies across Ohio.

Gracie had the opportunity to meet with Jane Christyson,the CEO of Northeast Ohio Girl Scouts. Ms. Christyson, invited her to visit the State House in Columbus on April, 9th to speak with different state senators in the hopes of securing funding for these overnight camps. Gracie, along with the Director of Girl Experience, Fallon Pulley, were invited to the Ohio State Capitol building to engage with a variety of state senators, including Senator Vernon Sykes and Senator Jerry Cirino, among others. The purpose of their visit was to raise funds to support more Ohio Girl Scout troops and their overnight summer camps. Gracie passionately explained why this cause was important to her and many other Girl Scouts, emphasizing the skills she had gained from attending two Girl Scout overnight camps, such as archery, outdoor comfort, boating, and increased confidence.

Gracie expressed her hope to receive funding and is currently awaiting responses, feeling confident that the state senators will support her goal. She described the experience as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet the leaders of the state and tour notable locations like the rotunda at the State House in Columbus. Congratulations to Gracie for making Media Girls, Girl Scouts, and KMS proud. Keep pursuing your goals and dreams!

Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio Media Girls

Our PTA is an extremely supportive organization that helps our students in grades K-12. I ask that you please consider supporting them in their upcoming Auction and/or their Moe’s fundraiser. The PTA auction is on Saturday, April 27th. You can purchase tickets, be a sponsor, and/or make a donation here: https://app.memberhub.gives/kirtlandptaspringauction-24 See the attachment for more details.

The Moe’s fundraiser has been made even easier to participate in this year. Use this link to order the meal kit which will be picked up at the school https://form.jotform.com/210756370455153. Orders must be placed by April 15th by 10:00 pm and can be picked up on Tuesday, April 16th between 5:30-6:00 pm at Kirtland Elementary School.

Thanks for your support,

Mr. Race

Science 8 Parts 1 & 2 - Tuesday, April 23rd (only 8th grade)

7:30 am - 10:30 am

Math 6, 7, 8 Part 1 - Tuesday, April 30th

7:30 am - 9:30 am

Math 6, 7, 8 Part 2 - Wednesday, May 1st

7:30 am - 9:30 am

Congratulations to 8th grader, Kimmy Gruden, our KMS student of the month. Kimmy is a very outgoing, hardworking, caring, and an all-around great person. She starts everyday with a smile, brings smiles to others, and truly demonstrates what it means to put others before herself. Kimmy goes above and beyond to make others feel welcome, included, and part of the KMS family. She is not only a wonderful young lady, but is an example of what it means to be an all around student. She is actively involved in extracurriculars, clubs, and everything else the middle school offers, including academics. We are so excited to name Kimmy Gruden the KMS student of the Month.

The Painesville Speedway is hosting a Lake County Schools Night on Friday, May 3, and would love to invite the Kirtland School District to join us. Along with racing there will be activities, games, prizes, and raffles.

Our track also offers a full service concession stand. Admission is free for Kids 15 and younger. Admission for Adults (15 and over) is $12. Admission for Seniors (65 and over) is $8.

Thank you,

Melanie Sharpe

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M4Zp4GR0sY4lPceVRfMFe7DB8rvpewSS/view?usp=sharing

Look no further! The ESC of the Western Reserve offers FREE mathematics tutoring. We are here to serve your grade 6-12 students on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. We offer a clean, safe space to assist with math homework, test preparation, and remediation.

https://target.brightarrow.com/Attachments2/3003_3/2310280429071.pdf

The idea for KAA came out of a series of discussions the Building Leadership Team had regarding our desire to help students who need a little assistance every so often, while also trying to hold students with high amounts of missing work accountable. Missing work can have such a profoundly negative impact on student learning and success within the classroom and we want to provide something that can help. We believe that this program is a tremendous opportunity for kids who need help getting back on track, while also supporting students that just need a bit of assistance every now and again.

All KMS students are welcome at KAA. The academic team - including teachers, parents, and administrators - has the discretion to make this program mandatory for students with excessive missing work which negatively impacts student learning and success within the classroom.

In many ways, KAA is homework help, tutoring, and general academic assistance for any KMS student in attendance. KMS students do not need to sign up for KAA. They simply need to show up with things they want to work on, sign in, and get the help they need. We are confident that this process will help these students find great success.

Location: KMS Library

Time: 7:30 - 8:30am

Day: Thursday during Delayed Start

Staff Facilitator: Mrs. Saluan

The link provided will take you the Kirtland Middle School - Important Dates for the 23-24 school year. There are still a few things that need to be added at the end of the school year, but they will be updated in the next couple of days. My goal for the year is to be as transparent as possible to major events taking place down the road at the school. I will continue to add to the important date section of the newsletter for upcoming events, but if you are wanting to plan for things, please refer to this document.

The official date for the Spring Dance is Friday, April 26.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1suRagStcxf0ssRBDomyMqpD4qLfAxR7a3YCHdObYlPk/edit?usp=sharing