

KCSD & Me
October 2023 / Klamath County School District

IMPORTANT DATES
- Oct. 12: End of first grading period.
- Oct. 13: No school for students. Grade day for teachers.
- Oct. 18: Parent teacher conferences.
- Oct. 19: No school for students. Parent teacher conferences.
- Oct. 19: KCSD Board of Directors meeting.
- Oct. 20: No school for students and staff.
FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
Welcome to the 2023-24 school year! We had a successful first week, greeting more than 7,100 students.
As we enter our second month, I want to extend a special thank you to our teachers and building principals for getting the year off to a smooth start. Our bus drivers and grounds and custodial staff also deserve recognition: Our drivers for their positive and kind words as the first ones to greet students every day and our grounds staff and custodians for making our schools shine!
I encourage you to stay involved in your schools by attending parent-teacher conferences later this month and participating in open houses and other activities that showcase your student’s efforts.
Some highlights so far:
- The new 200-meter ADA accessible track at Stearns Elementary School is complete and is being used by students and community members.
- Project-based and small-group learning at our elementary schools is entering its second year. We are already seeing positive results in student growth and expect that to continue.
- Construction and carpentry classes for high school and middle school students are up and running in the newly completed CTE Trades and Construction Building at the Henley Complex.
- The district is again participating in a community campaign to improve attendance at all grade levels. (See if you can spot our billboards on your way to class!)
- Experts define chronic absenteeism as missing 10% or more of school days. For KCSD students that equates to being absent from class for more than 17 days, which is a lot of days! We know many factors may contribute to chronic absenteeism but every day does matter and we ask for your help in this effort.
Finally, I want to cheer on our more than 500 seniors of the Class of 2024 and thank Klamath Promise and all of our community partners for their efforts in hosting the annual Graduation Motivation event at the Ross Ragland Oct. 3. I can't wait to see you all at Graduation Sensation in June!
Sincerely,
Glen Szymoniak
Superintendent
Klamath County School District
ANNULAR ECLIPSE IS OCT. 14: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Klamath County will provide some of the nation’s best views of the annular eclipse on Saturday, Oct. 14. The moon will begin to move across the sun at 8:05 a.m. with the maximum eclipse happening at 9:19 a.m. Because of this, Klamath County leaders expect thousands of people to visit the area to see the eclipse and attend one of several events. The Klamath County School District is preparing for an increase in traffic and crowds that week.
Please note:
- The regular school calendar already has a no school day scheduled for Friday, Oct. 13. It is a grade day for teachers.
- To eliminate possible issues with eclipse traffic, two Friday, Oct. 13 football games – Lost River v. Chiloquin and Mazama v. Klamath Union -- have been rescheduled to Thursday, Oct. 12.
- KCSD is evaluating its food service delivery schedule to ensure that all schools have the products and supplies they need during that week and the following week.
- The district is following the recommendation of Klamath County leaders and encouraging staff to complete shopping for food, purchasing gas and complete banking so businesses can resupply for the eclipse visitors.
To stay up-to-date on eclipse information, follow the Klamath Eclipse 2023 Facebook page and watch the KlamathEclipse2023.wordpress.com site.
Klamath County Public Health has provided the following tips to make your experience better during the week of the eclipse (Oct. 9-15):
- Get your grocery shopping done about a week or more ahead of time. Not only will you beat the crowds, but this gives our stores time to restock.
- Pick up your prescriptions and/or medical supplies early.
- Get doctor and dental appointments out of the way. It will start getting crowded the Thursday prior to the eclipse and could remain busy for several days.
- Conserve energy by unplugging appliances you’re not using and do laundry, use dishwashers and other necessities at low peak hours.
- Be prepared for slow internet.
- Fill your gas tanks.
- Get cash. ATMs might run out or be hindered by slow internet.
- Overall, supplies will be limited and high demand may mean you can’t get all of the things you need and want.
- Traffic will be heavy and lines for food and in stores will be long. Please be patient.
Eye safety
- Viewing any part of the bright sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.
- Eclipse glasses are not regular sunglasses; regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for viewing the Sun. Safe solar viewers are thousands of times darker and must comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard.
GRADUATION MOTIVATION!
More than 500 KCSD seniors celebrated their final push towards high school graduation today Oct. 3 during the Klamath Promise’s annual Graduation Motivation event at the Ross Ragland Theater. A shout out to motivational speaker Lasada Pippen and a huge thank you to everyone who made this event possible for the Class of 2024.
MELONS KICK OFF THIS YEAR'S FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAM
Klamath County School District students ate melons grown in Klamath Falls in September as a kick off to the district’s Farm to School Featured Food program. “The program brings fresh local products into our school cafeterias every month, increasing student awareness about Klamath Basin and Oregon agriculture, while expanding the freshly prepared options food service teams provide on the lunch line,” said Jordan Rainwater, KCSD’s Farm to School procurement coordinator. “Students will enjoy local potatoes, winter squash, and beef served on the menu multiple times this year – the result of intensive menu planning, positive student feedback, strengthening relationships with local producers, and enthusiasm from food service staff.” Read more
IN THE PHOTO: Each school received two rounds of local cantaloupes and watermelons in September. Lost River Cook Manager Janice Lewis and her crew made cantaloupe sorbet to serve to their students -- elevating the month's Featured Food experience.
ALL ARE WELCOME: Kimma, Skatis, Welcome, Gelidanka, Bienvenidos
The sign – one of several now at entrances to the high school – reads “Welcome/Bienvenidos" and "Main Office/Oficina Principal." On the windows near the doors of the school’s main entrance, students also are welcomed in five languages, including three Native American languages – Modoc (skatis), Northern Paiute (kimma), English (welcome), Klamath (gelidanka), and Spanish (bienvenidos).
The welcome signs are a gift from the school’s senior class of 2023 and represent the student body’s desire to create a more inclusive environment for its diverse population. The school also has created additional signage in both Spanish and English to better serve their non-English speaking families and students who are learning English. Read more
WE'RE BACK! WELCOME TO THE 2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR
District welcomes back more than 7,100 students
Schools across the Klamath County School District opened their doors Sept. 5 to more than 7,100 students for their first day of the 2023-24 school year. At Chiloquin Junior/Senior High School, administrators rolled out a royal blue “red carpet” for students as they entered the school and walked under a ballooned archway. “We wanted to start the new year off by treating students like royalty,” said Chiloquin High Principal Ruben Paschal, who greeted students as they arrived. Read more
HENLEY RANKED 16TH BY U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT
Henley High School in Klamath Falls ranks as 16th best public high school in Oregon, according to a recent report from U.S. News & World Report’s Best High Schools Rankings.
When asked what his reaction was when finding out the ranking, Henley High principal Jesse Hamilton told the Herald and News, “It kind of reinforces what we already know. We have a great staff and great kids. Our students want to be here.” Click on the link to read the Herald and News article: klamath-basin-area-high-schools-receive-best-in-oregon-and-california-rankings
IN THE PHOTO: Pictured is Henley's leadership team -- Jesse Hamilton, principal; Kathleen Todd, vice principal; and Luke Hammond, vice principal/athletic director.
CAREER TALK WITH THE BLAZERS AND MODA HEALTH
OUR NEXT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
KCSD'S ANNUAL REPORT
Check out our 2022-23 annual report for fun facts, financial information, and progress towards our goals. You can find copies at the District Office or read it online here: https://www.kcsd.k12.or.us/KCSD_Annual_Report_2022-23.pdf
2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR
Click here for the 2023-24 school year calendar: https://www.kcsd.k12.or.us/cms_files/resources/23-24%20School%20Calendar.pdf
JOIN OUR TEAM
Check out our job openings: KCSD Employment Opportunities
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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. Follow district news here: https://www.kcsd.k12.or.us/district/district-news.cfm
Klamath County School District
Inspiring today's students to meet tomorrow's challenges!
Read our Strategic Plan
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