KES Principal's Report
September News and Announcements
Safety and security is a top priority at KES, so we wan to share some of the ways we keep students and staff safe throughout the school year. Beginning the first full week of school, we begin utilizing security drills to prepare students and staff in case of an emergency. This way they know what to expect and what procedures to follow in case of an emergency.
Some of the drills we practice are fire, security drills (lockdown drills for all 3 levels) , tornado, playground evacuation, earthquake, bomb threat, and more. This gives us a chance to make sure everything is working as planned and adjust if necessary. The school resource officer (SRO) assists during most drills. He is also on campus each day checking doors to make sure they are secured and performing other security checks.
You might have noticed our new signage that lets the community know that KPS staff can be legally armed and may use whatever force is necessary to protect our students and staff.
Most entries at KES have been updated to keyless entries that require an access code to enter. When visitors come to the school, they must be buzzed in after being shown on camera, and then buzzed in a second door if entry is granted. Parents may be asked to show an ID to pickup students if there is any question about their identity or intentions. Visitors are not permitted to enter at any other door unless approved by administration for special circumstances.
We are confident in our ability to keep staff and students safe and secure and will continue to assess our facilities and evaluate our protocols in order to make adjustments and improvements as needed.
Click here for the KPS Lockdown Guidelines.
Specials Classes
This year, students will have Physical Education with Coach Weeks and a combination of classes with Mrs. Weaver and Mrs. Weeks.
Some may be asking, "What happened to Art Class this year?" We will be offering Art to all students this year. Mrs. Weaver will be teaching Computer science standards such as keyboarding and research skills the first nine weeks, and Art the second nine weeks. She will alternate between the two during the 2nd semester of school as well to give students a well rounded educational experience.
Mrs. Weeks is starting with Character Education the first nine weeks. She will then take students for STEM class the second and 4th nine weeks.
We want our students to have every opportunity to experience a well rounded specials program that keeps them active, engaged, and healthy.
Did you know...
- All students K-5th grade have their own Chrome Book? Yes, that is correct! Wa are 1:1 with technology at KES.
- all classrooms are equipped with the latest Promethean Boards in each classroom? Promethean boards are an active panel that projects lessons, videos, demonstrations, and allows at least 20 different students to write on it at once!
- all classrooms at KES are equipped with Audio Enhancement microphone systems that distribute the teacher's voice to every student at the same decibel level? Students no longer have to sit at the front of the class to hear better. The surround sound speakers distribute the sounds equally throughout the classroom! How cool is that? Plus, students have their own microphone to pass around so every student can hear other student responses.
- the hallways at KES have Smart TV displays so students can keep up with the house system leaderboard and listen to music in the hallway? This adds to our unique school culture and promotes positive student behavior.
- KES is equipped with video cameras throughout the building that are monitored all day?
- KES has a new intercom system that allows teachers to communicate with the office at any time? The office can communicate with individual classrooms as well as the entire school at one time. Morning announcements are broadcast over our new phone/intercom system each day. Our security drill messages are now automated with this new upgraded system. At the push of a button, all students can be notified of an emergency such as a tornado, fire, or lockdown. It is really high-tech!
- we have a sound system in the gymnasium that uses wireless connection to operate microphones and music applications? This is a huge step up form what we had five years ago for a sound system.
- KES has special stage lighting? We can change lighting colors and brightness using a board behind stage. We can make anyone or anything shine in the spotlight!
- KES has several virtual reality headsets that incorporate learning in a fun interactive way. They can be used to teach real life skills to a variety of ages and abilities.
- Mondays are House Color Days! Students will be receiving their house shirts soon courtesy of the Ketchum Scholastic Foundation!
- Fridays are popcorn days for $1
- Wednesdays are $1 snow cone days through September!
- Distance Learning Day- September 13th - Students will work from home. Watch for information from your child's teacher about assignments. To be counted present, students need to complete the assignments.
We welcome you to join our Ketchum Volunteer Organization (KVO)! Email mlee@ketchumwarriors.com or jhopkins@ketchumwarriors.com, and we will get you hooked up! We have several different committees you can join such as;
- Popcorn Friday Committee
- Fundraiser Committee
- Decorating Committee
- Staff Appreciation Committee
- Book Reading Committee
- Lunchroom Committee
Let us know if you are interested in being part of any of the above activities or if you have an idea you would like to present! We'd love to have you!
