We are excited to start off the new year with our Chinook Family!

Homeroom Time

We have started off the new 2022-2023 school year introducing students to Homeroom Time. During the first week of school students were able to attend assemblies and Homeroom time. Students met with their Homeroom to work on community building activities. This is a much-needed time to reconnect and work on building a positive culture at KHS.

Homeroom Time is on Early Release Wednesdays and incorporates tasks and activities that are part of Kalama’s comprehensive high school and beyond plan. At its core the program is based on building relationships, and the idea that mutual respect and strong relationships encourage student learning, confidence, dialogue, exploration, and growth. Homeroom Time provides a base for this support in relation to career and college readiness goals which are key to helping students prepare for their future.

This time will also take into account connecting a student’s ability for intellectual, social and emotional growth to safety, understanding the why, and connecting the dots within the big picture. The goals of Homeroom Time connect to our mission: To prepare all students for responsible citizenship, gainful employment, and post-secondary admission. The strategies and skills will be focused on the individual student’s understanding of what they are doing now in high school, and how that connects to their post-secondary career and college educational goals. At times we will also use this block for ASB activities to promote our school community.

The safety of students and staff is very important. Driving on campus is a privilege. Students may maintain that privilege by following the school expectations.

All students must register any vehicle that is to be driven on campus during school hours. One sticker will be issued per student The sticker is to be placed in the back of the vehicle window and may be transferred between registered vehicles in their name. Students are responsible for their vehicle and are liable for any damages or sanctions caused by the operation of that vehicle regardless of who is driving. The school district is not responsible for damage to vehicles driven or parked on the Kalama High School District campus.

Students are not allowed to park in the lower parking lot by the high school or behind the high school by the church. These areas are for staff only. Students should park in the lot by the gym or the stadium.

Kalama School District has a closed campus. Students 6-12 should not be in the parking lot during the school day. The only exception is for 11th and 12th graders who have a permission slip signed by their guardian and the school administration giving a student permission to go to their vehicle during the day.

Seniors: Some 12th graders might have a "Dismissed period or a Work Based Learning" period giving them permission to leave campus. In both of these situations, students are required to have permission and check in and out with the attendance office each time a student requests to leave/return to campus.

11th/12th graders during lunch: During lunch, 11th/12th graders with permission may leave during lunch. Students must have a signed permission slip and they must follow the school expectations. Leaving campus is a privilege.

9th/10th Graders DO NOT have permission to go to their car or leave campus. Students are expected to stay in the designated areas during lunch which does not include the parking lot or off campus.

10th & 11th grade students will be attending a Career Exploration Expo put on by the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce during the school day on October 20. This opportunity will give students the ability to explore jobs/careers with the local businesses attending.

Students will be able to speak with someone about each company and what they offer. The Expo helps give a better understanding of what this area has to offer and what students need to do to pursue their careers.

As a part of Kalama's High School and Beyond Plan, Juniors are asked to complete a job shadow. There will be a Job Shadow Fair during the week of November 7-11 for students to also sign up for to explore careers firsthand. Students will receive more information as the permission slips become available for the Expo field trip.

All school medications (prescriptions and over the counter) must be in their original containers. A Medication Authorization Form is required for ALL medication administration at school. Medical Authorization Forms are available in the front office, your health provider's office or click here for the fillable form online.

Juniors and Sophomores …. Are you college bound? KHS is hosting the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

When: Saturday October 15th beginning at 8:30 am.

Why: The PSAT is an inexpensive test for students to discover their college readiness and experience a ‘practice’ test for the OPTIONAL SAT college entrance exam. Taken as a junior, the PSAT is a route of entry in the National Merit Scholarship Programs, as well as other award programs.

More Information: The fee to take the PSAT this year is $18.00. To register students, pay the main office no later than October 3rd. The test will begin October 15th in the Commons. *Please watch your school’s email for updates and changes.

Class of 2023! Please note that as a result of COVID, many colleges have adjusted their policy as it relates to the SAT/ACT test. More and more colleges and universities have announced that they will continue to be either Test Optional or Test Blind for the Class of 2023. It really depends on the college or university your student may be considering. As each student starts to create a list of colleges and universities they are interested in, please make sure to check the SAT/ACT policy for each campus.

Signing up for the SAT and/or ACT test is done online at:

SAT https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register/dates-deadlines

ACT https://www.act.org/content/act/en/register-for-the-act.html

Email: heidi.bunker@kalama.k12.wa.us
Website: https://www.kalamaschools.org/o/khs
Location: 550 china Garden Road Kalama, Wa 98625
Phone: 360-673-5212
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KalamaHighSchool/

Notice of Non-Discrimination

Kalama School District #402 complies with all federal rules and regulations and does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, honorably-discharged veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation (gender expression or identity), marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, participation in the Boy Scouts of America and all other designated youth groups listed in Title 36 of the United States Code as a patriotic society or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. District programs shall be free from sexual harassment. This holds true for all district employment and opportunities. Compliance procedures regarding employees should be directed to Eric Nerison, Director of Human Resources, the School District's Title VII Officer and ADA Coordinator. People of disability may request reasonable accommodation in the hiring process by contacting, Eric Nerison, Director of Human Resources, 548 China Garden Rd 98625 or (360) 673-5282. Inquiries regarding compliance procedures regarding students may be directed to Eric Nerison, Director of Student Services, the School District’s Title IX Coordinator or Eric Nerison, Director of Special Programs, and the School District’s Section 504 Coordinator, 548 China Garden Rd. Kalama WA, 98625 (360) 673-5282