November 2020
Dear KIHS Families,
Welcome to November! Our Q1 Report Cards were distributed on Friday, November 6. Please take a few moments to review this document with your student and contact his or her teacher or school counselor with questions or concerns. Please remember that grades can be checked at any point using the Parent Portal application through our student information system.
Our current situation has, thus far, resulted with the following staff changes. We will communicate additional changes when they occur.
- Ms. Lauren Pippen will return to her full time teaching position within MMS. Ms. Pippen’s PE/Health classes will be taught by our very own Ms. Maria Barbudo Delgado. Ms. Delgado is a member of our World Language Department and is extremely excited to apply her high level of energy to our Health and Physical Education program.
- Within our Science Department, after many very successful years of service, Mrs. Callie Isenburg has departed from KIHS. We have secured Mr. Patrick Wilson as a long term substitute for this position. Mr. Wilson is very eager to apply his Animal Husbandry and Management degree earned from UMD with our students.
- Also from within our Science Department, Mr. Kristopher Jensen is enjoying his first days of a well-earned retirement. Mr. Matt Ward, a veteran science teacher from within QACPS, returns home to KIHS to fill this position.
Equal Opportunity Schools Survey
As you know, Kent Island High School is committed to fostering the highest-quality learning experience for its students. As one example of this commitment, the district has partnered with Equal Opportunity Schools (EOS), a non-profit education organization to examine and develop the learning culture within our schools and to develop strategies to increase student participation in challenging high school coursework.
To support these goals, we will be encouraging all students to participate in a brief survey tomorrow, Wednesday, November 11, 2020. The survey will be posted in students’ Schoology Account and emailed to each student. Students will access the survey using their Computer ID. Survey questions will address students’ views on their coursework, their school experience, and the ways in which our school supports their educational goals. Results will only be used to inform and improve academic supports for students now and in the years to come. Specifically, KIHS uses survey results to help identify students who should be participating in Honors, Advanced Placement, and Dual Enrollment courses.
We foresee only positive benefits for your student(s) and are excited to gather data that will enable us to better prepare all students to succeed. If you have any questions or concerns about the survey, or the partnership more generally, please do not hesitate to contact Stacey Rankin, Academic Dean.
Reminders from the Counseling Office
This is a quick reminder to Seniors to be aware of your deadlines! If you are unsure of when your college applications are due, please refer to your school's website under the "Admissions" page.
As a reminder, transcripts will not be sent until you have completed and returned a signed Transcript Release form (giving the school permission to send your materials) and a completed Transcript request form. I have linked both of these forms below.
https://www.qacps.org/domain/2722
Please contact your school counselor with any questions!
Second Marking Period Reminders
Second marking period is underway. If you need extra help in a class, please reach out to your teacher(s) to set up a meeting. Teachers have times built into their virtual schedules to meet with students. Please take advantage of this opportunity. We understand the challenges of virtual learning, so it is important to remember to log into your classes on time each day, regularly communicate with your teachers, and monitor your grades consistently in order to be successful. Do not hesitate to reach out to your teachers to ask questions!
Kent Island High School Athletic Update
First Semester Spring Sports Practice is slated to begin on November 16, athletes will need to have an up to date sports physical (within a calendar year) and register on FormReLeaf.
Winter Sports Competition Season is still scheduled for a December 7 start date and registration is linked here. As always, we will continue to update you on any changes to this schedule.
Testing Updates, National and State
Below is the link to access the 2020-2021 Testing Updates. Please review and contact Stacey Rankin with any questions regarding upcoming testing.
And lastly, The QACPS Board has scheduled a Board Work Session for tomorrow, November 11th to start at 4 PM. This meeting may be viewed at qac.org/live and on QACTV's Facebook and YouTube pages. The discussion will include the Hybrid Reopening Plan for November 16. If there are any changes to our reopening plan, I will communicate with you as I am made aware.
John R. Schrecongost
2020-2021 Testing Updates
