Superintendent’s Newsletter

Volume 8 Issue 3November 2018

1336 AVALON STREET, KLAMATH FALLS, OR 97603

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By doing so you are assured of being able to know how your children

are doing in school any time of the day or night, and you can communicate

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and much more!

To register for your unique user name and password please e-mail our

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Best Work ~ Best Selves

Check out all of the job postings on our NEW hire and recruit site!

• Apply for a position online.• Sign up for job alerts

KFCS HIRE AND RECRUIT CLICK HERE

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Best Work Best Selves 1

New to KU 1

We’re Hiring 1

Tyler SIS Portal 1

Finishing School 2

Transitions Classroom 2

In it for the Long Run 3

Ponderosa Career Fair 4

OSU Food Hero’s 4

Reflecting on Fall Sports 5

Student’s Get Political 5

Snow Day Process 6

Dedicated to Helping All Students

The new district vision statement is, “Dedicated to helping all students do their best work and become their best selves.” Our first two district aims relate to helping us make this vision a reality. You can play an active part in this work.

Our first AIM is “All Students Do Their Best Work.” One way to help make this happen is through students, parents and community members providing leadership in our schools and giving ideas and input into our practices. We hope you take advantage of opportunities to take on leadership roles in our schools and to share your perspective with us throughout the year. Your ideas are important and valuable.

Parents are also critical in helping students do their best work by checking in daily with the work they are doing in school to make sure it is the best they can do. When reviewing the students’ school work a simple question could help set the stage: “Is this your best work?” If the answer is “no”, then it should be improved. Requiring their best work around the home also reinforces this important message. Having high expectations for students taking pride in themselves and in their work is critical to students’ fully realizing their potential.

Under the second AIM, “All Students Become Their Best Selves,” parents and community members can help students by expecting them to be respectful and kind to others. Also important under this AIM is having students experience serving others inside

and outside of the home. Helping students know that true happiness comes not from a self-centered focus but from an other-centered focus is a big part of growth in this area.

Parents can also support this AIM by helping their children understand the importance of faithful school attendance. This will allow them to develop crucial character traits such as work ethic and commitment to learning. Good school attendance is also a crucial building block to being a good employee as an adult. Those who do not faithfully attend their work do not keep their jobs. The habit of showing up starts in school.

Helping students do their best work and become their best selves is the daily priority of our schools. This focus helps us partner with the home and the community to bring about maximum growth and success in our students.

New to the KU Community By Karla Andrade

Get to know Jonathan Chenjeri, a new social studies teacher at Klamath Union High School

New to the Klamath Falls area, but having grown up in Jackson County, Jonathan Chenjeri is one of the new staff members being welcomed into Klamath Union High School this new school

year. Chenjeri, who recently graduated this summer from Southern Oregon University with his Masters degree in Teaching, is very happy to be starting his career teaching American History, World History, and AVID at here at Klamath Union High School.“I’ve always really loved history since I was in middle school and it was then that I thought that I could be a teacher one day” said Chenjeri.

Hungry for knowledge and a passion for education, during his time as an undergraduate at Southern Oregon University, Chenjeri earned not one, but two bachelor’s degrees with majors in History and Economics. He considers himself to be an avid reader who also enjoys writing, fitness and martial arts.

Chenjeri, whose social studies classroom is in on the third floor of the new academic building says “I really enjoy the atmosphere of the new building, and how it feels like a mini college almost.”

In regards to his main focus which are the students, he has proudly said the student body is incredibly respectful and engaged. “The students seem curious and excited to be here and learn.”

We welcome Mr. Chenjeri into the KU community and wish him the best in his first official year as a high school teacher.

KLAMATH FALLS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

1336 Avalon Street Klamath Falls, OR 97603

Phone (541) 883-4700

Dr. Paul Hillyer, PhD. Superintendent

SCHOOL BOARDBill Jennings, Chairman

(Zone 7) Mychal Amos, Vice Chairman

(Zone 3) Denise Norton

(Zone 1)Lori Theros

(Zone 2)Don Ambers

(Zone 4)Trina Perez

(Zone 5) Michael Moore

(Zone 6)

2018-2019Board Meeting Calendar

Mills ElementaryFinishing School

It’s Not What You Think

When most people hear the term “finishing school,” they imagine a place for young people that focuses on teaching social graces and upper-class cultural rites as a preparation for entry into society.

However, the Mills Elementary, “Finishing School” could not be further from that picture. Started at the beginning of this academic year, the purpose of this program is to support students in completing their classroom work during the school day.

Students who have not completed their required classroom assignments by 2 PM each day will be asked to attend Finishing School for an hour that afternoon. During that hour students wrap up their schoolwork in a distraction-free, quiet environment, with access to academic help,

Advantages include:

• Teachers do not have to keep students in from recess for unfinished work.

• Students get exercise and fresh air which helps them return to the classroom ready to work.

• Students have logical consequence for not completing work in class.

• Students are motivated to focus in class and complete their work.

• Students learn from their mistakes in a supportive atmosphere.

• Students begin to understand that they are in charge of their academic success.

• Teachers gain insight into what small adjustments might work to help the student finish work during the school day.

• Students find their own

Helpful Links

District Website District Facebook Conger FacebookMills FacebookPelican Elementary SchoolRoosevelt Facebook Roosevelt PTO FacebookPonderosa Facebook Ponderosa Parents FacebookKUHS Facebook KU Parents Facebook Peach Jar Electronic Flyers

2018-2019 School Yr. Calendar 2019-2020 School Yr. Calendar 2018-2019 Music CalendarKFCS Policy Manual Parent SIS Portal Student SIS PortalAfter School ProgramSchool Lunch MenusBoard Meeting Minutes Pelican Foundation

Visit our website often for

motivation.• Students build confidence.

Their motto, which summarizes this program to a tee is “At Mills Elementary, we go home when our work is done.” What a great way to help students do their best work!

Transitions Classroom

The Klamath Falls City Schools Transition Program, provides support to developmentally disabled students aged 18-21 as they transition to life after high school. It helps them to build independence and quality of life.

The program endeavors to: 1. Build skills to support students in achieveing the greatest degree of independence and quality of life as adults.

2. Include and integrate adults, ages 18-21, in the community and workplace.

3. Increase access to post-secondary education, social and leisure activities.

4. Make appropriate referrals to other relevant services/agencies.

5. Build transition links to community colleges and vocational training program.

Currently, students are employed, with the assistance of a job coach at a variety of locations in the basin.

One of the important lifeskills that students are learning is how to cook and work appropriately in the kitchen. The students have obtained their food handlers cards and have even used their skills to provide meals for board meetings, and other small events.

This week, they spent the final days before Thanksgiving break prepping and cooking a beautiful holiday meal complete with roast turkey, mashed potatoes & gravy, dressing, green beans, homemade rolls and pumpkin & apple pie.

Employees at the district office could join them for lunch for only $7, which was a real deal! All attendees came away full not only of delicious food, but full of pride for all that these special students

In it for the Long RunBy Karla Andrade

Klamath Union’s very own Cross Country team has gone above and beyond their annual racing goals this season with many titles to celebrate.

Ready. Set. Go! This year the Klamath Union Cross Country team has a lot to celebrate. With a great end to their 2018 fall season, the cross-country team was amazingly able to accomplish and win the Warner Pacific Silver division title against 20 teams from around the Pacific Northwest, the District title, 1st place at the Rogue River Invitational, and 2nd place at a meet in Northern California among other winnings. Another amazing accomplishment? The girls’ team won 1st place in the state for academics with a 3.93 overall GPA while the boys team placed 2nd with an overall GPA of 3.92.

How did the running team composed of 10 girls and 18 boys accomplish such an incredible feat? Students like Tanner Rose attribute their successes to their coach, Rob Coffman. Coffman, who is also the Economics and American History teacher at KU, won Coach of the Year at the Skyline Conference earlier this month for the third time in his career.

Rose who has been participating in Cross Country since the 7th grade says, “If I could think of one word to describe how Mr. Coffman coaches, it would definitely be kindness. He’s never harsh, but always there inspiring us to do our best”.

Coffman, who considers himself very competitive, adds that he has such a solid team because of the support he has. “I have three awesome assistants [Rick Morris, Jeannie Landrom and Jay

Williams] who are really helpful” shares Coffman.

Coffman attributes his teams’ success this year with all the hard work the students have dedicated to practicing, long before the running season started. “Our group spends so much time together, and that really helped us have a strong team, but the students have actually been training since June 4th to prepare for this season. Our successes this year are thanks to how invested they’ve been”.

Walking up at 7 in the morning all throughout the summer and running a minimum of three miles a day, the cross country students ran together to make sure they did their absolute best this year.

Coffman is very proud of his students for their efforts this season, and for creating a strong team. He looks forward to what Track season will bring soon and is excited to start training for his next Cross Country season.

Front Row (L to R): Noah Stanfield, Olaf Coffey, Millie Coffman, Daisy Kritzer, Zoe Krichko, Eliza Blake, Tabbie Knight, Fiona St. Clair, Chuyao Chen, Dahiana Padilla & Cadance Nelson.

Middle Row (L to R): Declan Ritter, Jacob McGonigle, Ben Blake, Tristan Luna, Spencer Moore, Trevor McNally, Joathon Reed, Vaughn Watah, Tannyr Rose, Ashton Blake & Coach Jeanne Landrum. Back Row (L to R): Brandon Vanmeter, Brady Monteith, Isaac Bailey, Addiston Rusth, Theron Gray, Coach Rob Coffman, Coach Ranger Rick Morris & Coach Jay Willias

Senior Brandon Van Meter is receives a high-five at the district cross country meet

GEAR Up Grant Career Day

210 Ponderosa seventh-graders recently participated in a Career Day event made possible by a grant from Oregon GEAR UP. The organization, provides college-readiness assistance for 7th through 11th grade students.

Fifteen booths, manned by various professionals, offered career information to students in such areas as firefighting, cosmetology, journalist and welding.Students were surveyed about their career aspirations prior to the fair which helped the staff to provide participants who specialize in the students areas of interest.

Val Menke serves as both the the College and Career Sucess Navigator and the GEAR UP grant coordinator. She stated that “After a short hiatus we brought the career fair back because we know that students in middle schools are at a critical, pivotal time as they start to begin thinking about their careers and envisioning their futures.”

OSU Food Hero Program

The Oregon State University Extension Service’s Food Hero program, is an initiative of Oregon Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed),. It is funded jointly by OSU Extension Service, Oregon Department of Human Services, and the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service.

Food Hero’s mission is to help Oregonians improve their health through the increased consumption of fruits and vegetables. Their website, www.foodhero.org provides ways for families to budget for, plan and create countless healthy, super tasty meals.

Recently, OSU Food Hero, Karen Hottman visited Ms. Meyer’s second grade class at Pelican Elementary. During her visit she taught students how to make a healthy banana treat. It looks like there were a lot of thumbs up from this group!

Banana Bobs1 large banana cut into 1/2 inch slices1/4 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt2 tablespoons oat and honey granola cereal Divide the sliced banana pieces between two plates.Place 2 tablespoons of yogurt onto each plate.Place 1 tablespoon of granola onto each plate.Use fork to pick up a slice of banana and dip into the yogurt, then into the cereal. Refrigerate leftovers.

Reflecting on Fall Sports at KUHS

By Scott Mason

As we end fall sports and begin winter sports it is a good time to reflect back on the season that was.

Not enough can be said about the KU boys and girls cross country teams. Boys finished first at districts and fifth at state. Academically the boys were second on the OSAA all academic team. It is with honor and sadness we say goodbye to four senior boys. Ben Blake, Declan Ritter, Brandon VanMeter, and Jacob McGonigle. Although we lose some great senior talent we have a strong returning group of runners to the boys team. The cross country girls took first as the OSAA all academic team, and will have some very strong returners next year, but sadly we say goodbye to to senior runners, Tabitha Knight and Dahiana Padilla. Finally congratulations’ to their great coach Rob Coffman and his boys coach of the year award.

Although boys and girls soccer didn’t post a winning season both teams saw tremendous growth, with both boys and girls having new coaches. Both teams are on the rise and there is great enthusiasm for the future. We look forward to them being teams to watch for in the basin as new coaches Beth Narramore and Seth Johnson build strong programs. Sadly we say goodbye to seniors on both teams. Elizabeth Adkisson, for the girls and Cole DeGroot, Cole Dillon, Nathan Girdner, Skyler Maupin, Francisco Pantoja, Dylan Pettit and Brandon Wolfram for the boys. We would like to extend a gracious thank you to Dirk Degroot, Gerrin Degroot and Shaun Ferns for their huge support of both boys and girls soccer.

The Volleyball team had an up and down season and sadly missed a play-off and/or play-in post season spot. Even though the season wasn’t as

successful as they had hoped, there were many bright spots. Our volleyball team is well known throughout the conference for their sportsmanship and graciousness. The athletic office has received many calls and emails speaking to the qualities of our volleyball girls. Some comments refer to the girls staying after a match and helping to clean the opposing team’s gym, their friendliness and support of players on other teams. Finally Kia and her players set up and feed each opponent after each home match. We say goodbye to the following seniors, Tory Carson, Elyse Englestadter, Sebreena Gupta, Mya Phelps, Aaliyah Powless and Llywelen Taylor.

Football had a strong season, making it to the first round of the playoffs for the first time since2013. Smoke conditions made for a rocky start to the season, with last minute game and practice changes due to unhealthy conditions. Even with those issues, the football team had a strong showing against 5A team, Eagle Point; narrowly losing that game late in the fourth quarter. KU football then went on to post wins against Cascade Christian, Henley, Phoenix, North Valley and Elmira before losing to LaGrande in a playoff game. We say goodbye to the following seniors Jacob Bowman, Austin Erickson, Trenton Higgins, Jagger Hogan, (Co Defensive Player of the Year for the Skyline Conference) Isaiah Huck, Izak Peterson, Noah Reith, Dylan Short, Taylor Cameron, Jayce Turner and Josh Yeaman. On a good note KU football looks to return many players with hopes of competing agin for the conference title.

Students Get PoliticalBy Karla Andrade

On November 6th, 2018, the Political Science club from Klamath Union High School held their very first “Election Night Watch Party” to see the results of the midterm elections this year. Held in the group advisor Jonathan Chenjeri’s classroom from

7pm – 9pm on Tuesday night, students of all political backgrounds came in together to see what that night’s elections would turn out to be, and learned how those results will make an impact both locally and nationally.

Chenjeri who started the new Political Science Club this year, did so with the intention to “inspire students to have an awareness of what it means to engage with public issues students will face as adults in a conscious responsible way”. In the political science group students learn about laws, government officials, differences in congress, and understanding how they function, among other insightful information.

“I want students to be prepared to have a responsible, respectful discussion and debate with people who have different values than they do and learn from each other.”

Junior KU student Jezzebelle Rowley was one of the students who attended the Election Watch Party on Tuesday and was excited to be present. “It was important for me to be at the watch party because when the next voting year comes, I will be old enough. In order for me to vote confidently though, I will need to understand who was in power and how they affected the country so I may be able to make the right decision in 2020.”

Rowley also wants to tell students curious to join the KU political science club to “come to the meetings as much as possible as the club isn’t just politics or sciences, but understanding how to express your ideas and getting your point out accurately.”

Chenjeri invites all students interested in learning more about politics to remember “Politics is not about labels, it is about the issues we face as a group and how we solve them. Always be informed with reliable sources. And, most importantly: “love is wise, and hatred is foolish.”

& P

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SNOW DAY OR OTHER UNFORESEEN CLOSURES KLAMATH FALLS CITY SCHOOLS Dr. Paul Hillyer, Superintendent 1336 Avalon Street Klamath Falls, Oregon 97603

KLAMATH COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT Glen Syzmoniak, Superintendent 2845 Greensprings Drive Klamath Falls, Oregon 97601

Dear Families: Occasionally, the weather (or other unforeseen circumstances) in Klamath County requires us to take special action as to school closures and early d ismissal. The following plan outlines our process to inform you when school will not be held as regularly scheduled . If it is necessary to close school due to bad weather (or other unforeseen circumstances), the local TV and rad io stations listed below will broadcast announcements. Additionally, the information will be posted on one or both of the districts’ websites www.kfalls.k12.or.us (city schools) and www.kcsd .k12.or.us (county schools) after 6:00 a.m. Once a decision is made to d ismiss school early due to bad weather (or other unforeseen circumstances), announcements will be made on the same local TV, rad io stations periodically throughout the day and again the information will be posted on each d istricts’ website. Please do not telephone the stations, the school, or the school d istrict office. Arrangements have been made with the stations to broadcast the information to you. Thank you for your help.

KLAD Radio 960 FM KAGO Radio 1150 AM KFLS 1450 FM KOTI TV Channel 2 KDKF TV Channel 31 (Cable Channel 13)

DÍAS NEVADOS U OTRA CLAUSURA INESPERADA LAS ESCUELAS DE LA CIUDAD DE KLAMATH FALLS Dr. Paul Hillyer, Superintendent 1336 Avalon Street Klamath Falls, Oregon 97603

EL DISTRITO ESCOLAR DEL CONDADO KLAMATH Glen Syzmoniak, Superintendent 2845 Greensprings Drive Klamath Falls, Oregon 97601

Queridas familias: A veces las condiciones del tiempo u otras emergencias requiren tomar acción especial para cerrar la escuela y también para cerrar temprano. El siguiente plan detalla nuestro proceso de informarle cuando la escuela no se llevará a cabo según lo programado con regularidad . Si es necesario cerrar la escuela debido al mal tiempo ( u otras circunstancias imprevistas ) , las estaciones de televisión y rad io locales se enumeran a continuación se emiten anuncios. Además, la información se publicará en uno o ambos de los sitios web de los d istritos www.kfalls.k12.or.us ( escuelas de la ciudad ) y ww w.kcsd .k12.or.us ( escuelas del condado ) después de6:00 a.m. Una vez que se toma la decisión de despedir a la escuela antes de tiempo debido al mal tiempo ( u otras circunstancias imprevistas ) , los anuncios se harán en el mismo local de televisión , es taciones de rad io periódicamente durante todo el d ía y otra vez la información se publicarán en cada sitio web d istritos. Por favor no llame las estaciones de rad io, televisión, la escuela, o la oficina del d istrito escolar. Preparaciones han sido hechas con las estaciones para que la informacion llege a ustedes. Gracias por su ayuda.

KLAD Radio 960 FM KAGO Radio 1150 AM KFLS 1450 FM KOTI TV Channel 2 KDKF TV Channel 31 (Cable Channel 13)