KCSD & Me

• December 20-31: Winter Break. No School

• January 3: School Resumes

Hope this finds you well as we head into the final month of 2021. Schools are gearing up for the holidays -- performing winter concerts, participating in community events, and giving back to their communities. We are proud of our students and staff who make the extra effort to help their neighbors.

A quick update: At the end of November, we announced the district will no longer require the wearing of masks during outdoor school activities, including recess. We appreciate your patience and flexibility as we continue to navigate changing state mandates. Read the full message here.

IN THIS NEWSLETTER:

• Inclement weather information: Make sure your contact information is up-to-date.
• Farm to School: Check out our featured food this month
• Lots of fun news: 'Warm hugs,' new Bonanza weight room, CTE students help local business, Lost River provides Thanksgiving boxes, Coca Cola scholarship semifinalists, and step back in time with Henley Elementary.

• School board: Next meeting is Jan. 20
  
  

Read on for details and photos. Enjoy the rest of your month as we head into the holiday season!

As we head into winter, this is a good time to make sure your information is up-to-date with your school so you know if classes are delayed or cancelled. Following is KCSD's plan to let you know if there are delays or cancellations due to inclement weather or other emergencies:

• Our first line of communication will be through the One Call Now system. Please make sure that the schools your students attend have your current contact information in the system.
  
• If we find it necessary to close school in the morning, announcements will be made over local radio and television stations after 6 a.m. We advise you to listen to your local stations in the mornings and/or visit our district website, Facebook, or Twitter pages, where messages will be posted.
  
• During an inclement weather event, a parent may determine they cannot safely transport their child to school because of environmental factors in their area. If your child will not be attending, please call the school and let them know.
  
• If it is necessary to dismiss school early due to bad weather or other emergencies, announcements will be made on local radio and television stations periodically throughout the day and posted on our district website, and Facebook and Twitter pages as soon as a decision is made.

More than 600 pounds of organic delicata winter squash from Fry Family Farm (#fryfamilyfarm) in Medford is ready for our school cafeterias. The delicata is December's featured food through our Farm to School program. A KCSD shoutout to Jon Hobbs of 'Poe'tential Farm for his efforts in transporting the squash from Medford to our warehouse in Klamath Falls. If you want to join students in trying delicata squash, check out the recipes on our Farm to School webpage. The squash will be featured in school cafeterias on Dec. 16. In the photo, Candace Gracik, KCSD director of nutrition services, and Jennifer Detwiler, KCSD nutrition field supervisor, get delicata squash ready for schools.

Bonanza Junior/Senior High School unveiled a new, updated weight room this week featuring five complete power rack stations as well as new equipment and a fresh coat of paint. The renovation was funded by a $10,000 grant from the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) and $15,000 in private donations. “We have focused this year on having pride in everything that we do, and this is certainly a space now that our kids can have pride in having and using to become bigger, stronger, faster and healthier,” said Bonanza Principal Jordan Osborn. Read more

This winter, nearly 400 Klamath County School District students will receive a “warm hug” in the form of a handmade blanket thanks to Project Linus. Suzy Field and Susan Oates of Project Linus delivered bags full of the colorful blankets to the KCSD Central Office last week. Over the past decade, the local chapter has provided more than 12,000 blankets to community organizations who help youth. They refer to the blankets as “warm hugs.” Read more

Three Klamath County School District seniors are semifinalists in the competitive Coca Cola Scholars Foundation program, earning a spot in the top 2 percent of more than 68,000 applicants nationwide. Jasmin Hernandez and Anabelle Ross of Lost River Junior/Senior High School and Janah Moorer of Mazama High School are among 1,617 students invited to submit a second round of applications for the $20,000 college scholarship. Read more

Twenty Merrill and Malin families received a turkey and a food box in November stuffed to the brim with Thanksgiving meal goodies and lots of extras – pastas, beans, pancake mixes, sweets – thanks to Lost River Junior/Senior High School students and staff. Read more

Advanced ag mechanic and master technician students from Lost River and Henley high schools teamed up this year to update the front entrance of Basin Fertilizer & Chemical Co., in Merrill. “It turned out fantastic,” said co-owner Amie McAuliffe after the final pieces were installed. “Employers need employees with these skills. These students will have experience in welding, fabrication, electrical and wood and metal work. Those skills are invaluable." Read more

Third- and fourth-graders at Henley Elementary School took a step back in time for a few hours last month, spending a morning learning the games and activities children their age participated in during the 1800s. They made homemade butter, created twirlers and whirly gigs, and used a hammer and nail to create a tin star Christmas tree ornament. For more

January's KCSD Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 20 at the District Office, 2845 Greensprings Drive. When the agenda is available, it will be posted here: KCSD School Board Agenda and Materials. (There is no monthly school board meeting in December)

For a full list of Snowflake Festival events: SNOWFLAKE FEST SCHEDULE

Check out our job openings: KCSD Employment Opportunities

In our KCSD & Me district newsletters, we will provide updates as well as share news from across our district. If you need information between newsletters, go to our webpage at www.kcsd.k12.or.us and follow us on social media. Keep track of KCSD & Me newsletters at: https://www.kcsd.k12.or.us/district/kcsd--me-newsletters.cfm

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Email: kcsd_communications@kcsd.k12.or.us
Website: www.kcsd.k12.or.us
Location: 2845 Greensprings Drive, Klamath Falls, OR, USA
Phone: 541-883-5000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KlamathCountySchoolDistrict/
Twitter: @KlamathCountySD