KPS News

The 2022 Open Enrollment period for health insurance runs Monday, Nov. 1 through Friday, Nov. 19.

All changes effective Jan. 1, 2022

Both paper and electronic copies accepted. All benefit summaries, pricing and enrollment forms can be found at: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1yjyXnD3WZKSvjPLf9JPm9aMBsYjqvZiv

Return all paperwork to Heather Hayner. Questions please email: haynerhm@kalamazoopublicschools.net or call (269) 337-0165.

Dear Employees,

Kalamazoo Public Schools has joined many other employers in the area to hold a United Way workplace campaign. Our campaign kicked off on Oct. 25 and will conclude on Nov. 8. You should have already heard about how you can contribute to this year's campaign. If not, please check with your building or department leader.

Our KPS families benefit greatly from United Way services. In fact, many could not survive without the support of agencies supported by the United Way. Last year alone, nearly 10,000 students were served by the United Way. Wow!

KPS employees have contributed nearly $1.3 million to the United Way since 2000. Our district goal for this year is $50,000. If each school and department reaches its goal, our collective support will again help impact thousands of our students. Let's change the story together by contributing to the 2021 KPS United Way campaign.

Dr. Raichoudhuri

Northglade Montessori Magnet School Principal ReQwal Duckworth saw a pumpkin decorating contest at her dentist's office and knew she wanted to bring the idea to school. The pumpkin contest was paired with the school's United Way campaign. Staff decorated pumpkins and students were encouraged to bring change to vote for their favorite pumpkins over the past week.

Just a reminder, you can sign up for a Family Health Center COVID-19 vaccine clinic from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2 in the Kalamazoo Central High School parking lot. This is a non-instructional day.

Vaccines available that day will be:

• Pfizer first and second doses for individuals 12 years of age and older;
• Pfizer third dose to individuals 12 years of age and older who have been determined to be immunocompromised because of certain conditions;
• Pfizer booster dose 6 months after completion of the primary vaccination series for individuals 16 years of age and older.

There will be no cost for the vaccination. Book an appointment at (269) 488-0804.

Kalamazoo Public Schools will be applying for federal funding through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief or ESSER program. This funding will last for three years and it is intended to help sustain the safe operation of schools and to address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on students.

ESSER funding must be used to meet the needs that have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. We are seeking input from stakeholders to help the district finalize the major areas of need for ESSER funding. Survey responses will be collected through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7.

Link: https://forms.gle/wH9dmvoc19pdEtkQ8

This morning, Tammie Bard, manager of the new Burlington store on West Main Street, left, presented a check for $5,000 to Meaghan Timmons, principal of Arcadia Elementary principal, center, and Susan Coney, executive director of communications and marketing for KPS, during the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new store. There to watch the proceedings was Timmons' daughter O'Meara Timmons. Through its partnership with the national nonprofit, AdoptAClassroom.org, $5,000 was donated to Arcadia to be used for school supplies for each Arcadia classroom.

The City of Kalamazoo is accepting nominations for the 2022 Dr. Lewis Walker Social Justice Youth Awards. As part of the community-wide MLK Day of Service, awards will be given to students between the ages of 12 and 19 from the Kalamazoo area in honor of Dr. Lewis Walker, a trailblazer for the progression of racial equity in Kalamazoo.

The winners should have demonstrated achievements in racial justice, community service, volunteerism, and leadership. Winners will receive a community service award, a monetary award, and a one-year membership to the NAACP.

The winners will be celebrated during the Kalamazoo City Commission meeting on Jan. 18, when they will receive their community service award, which will be presented by the mayor.

Nomination Deadline is 5 p.m.Tuesday, Nov. 30,

Nominations can be submitted electronically HERE. For those without internet access, applications can be found in City Hall in the City Manager’s Office. If you need assistance, please contact (269) 226-6500 or email vargasp@kalamazoocity.org.

Additional information can be found at: https://www.kalamazoocity.org/mlk.

Don’t miss the The Education Trust - Midwest virtual Ed Summit 2021 on Nov. 10, 11 and 13. Superintendent Dr. Rita Raichoudhuri will be speaking about building equity and culturally-responsive instruction in Michigan’s schools. Educators can attend for free.

Learn more and register at https://events.bizzabo.com/357776/home.

Superintendent Dr. Rita Raichoudhuri will put her best foot forward as a participant in the Dancing with the WMU/Kazoo Stars Scholarship Fundraiser at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Western Michigan University's Dalton Center Recital Hall.

The event pairs local “stars” — in this case, Dr. Raichoudhuri — with WMU dance students to perform for audience members and a panel of celebrity judges all to raise money for WMU Dance student scholarships.

Previous events featured ballroom dancing, but this year the event will feature new dance genres to allow more social distancing between dancers

This year's other celebrity contestants are:

Grace K. Gheen, director of communications, OutFront Kalamazoo

Ed Martini, associate provost and dean, the WMU University College Initiative

Petey Stephanak, partner, Southwest Michigan First

Jessica Thompson, founder and owner, Bee Joyful Zero Waste & Refill Shop.

Tickets for this event are on sale now at www.wmich.edu/dance/events. Tickets are $50 and all proceeds go to support dance student scholarships.

The audience is able to vote for their favorite to win the People’s Choice Award. Every person receives one vote with their ticket, but may purchase additional votes for $5 each (cash only) to cast in support of their favorite dancers.

High School Teacher - Choir

Loy Norrix High School

Job ID: 3884

Middle School Teacher - Math

Milwood Magnet Middle School

Job ID: 3885

Hourly PEEP Tutors (Prekindergarten Early Education Program)

Arcadia Elementary School

Edison Environmental Science Academy

Greenwood Elementary School

Lincoln International Studies School

Prairie Ridge Elementary School

Spring Valley Center for Exploration

Woodward School for Technology and Research

$12.00 per hour

Job ID: 3887

Attendance Interventionist

Loy Norrix High School

Supervisory/Technical, Grade 7, 192 days ($26,177 - $30,675)

10 Month, Full-Time

Job ID: 3888

Early Childhood Special Education Paraprofessional

Spring Valley Center for Exploration

KSP, Paraprofessional Salary ($16,059 - $23,892)

10-month, Full-time

Job ID: 3889

School Library Assistant

Milwood Elementary School

KSP, Range 8 ($23,498 - $31,063)

10 Month, Full-time

Job ID: 3890

Email: communications@kalamazoopublicschools.net
Website: https://www.kalamazoopublicschools.com/
Location: 1220 Howard St., Kalamazoo, MI, 49008
Phone: (269) 337-0100
Facebook: Facebook.com/KalamazooPublicSchools
Twitter: @KPSschools