Giving Thanks #13

NYC

Wishing you and your family a joyous Thanksgiving


Kilmer’s NJHS Stage 1 Activities Due December 1

 

Congratulations again, to our new NJHS candidates!

On November 13,  Kilmer NJHS Candidates began their year of service learning with two Stage 1: Investigation activities in the NJHS Schoology Course. These asynchronous activities are due on December 1. Office hours were held  to accommodate questions on 11/17 and 11/19. The first all-candidate meeting is in the NJHS Schoology BBCU link on December 10 from  2:30 - 3:30 pm. 

The NJHS Committee communicates with candidates in the NJHS Schoology Course and students’  school email accounts. NJHS is ready to Make A Difference!

 


Yearbook Portraits

Students have three options to include a yearbook portrait in our yearbook.

  1. As noted in last week’s News You Choose, families will receive a communication from Lifetouch this week for an appointment on Photo Day - Thursday, December 10, Friday, December 11 and Thursday, December 17 from 3-7pm.  If you did not receive an email, the link to sign up is https://booknow.appointment-plus.com/ckhqrh94. A make-up day will be held in February. Photos will take place in the gym and hallway with required health and safety guidelines.  All students must wear a mask except when their photo is taken.  Upon arriving at the Kilmer campus, parents should park around the bus loop and remain in their car until their student is finished (~20 minutes). Students will begin the photo process with the Health Screening Station at the school entrance by the trailers at the back of the parking lot. We will have people out directing traffic and showing students where to go. 
  2. We are also working with our yearbook publisher, Walsworth, to use a downloadable app in order to take portraits with plain backgrounds. More information to come within the next few weeks.
  3. Parents can also send in portraits of their students to include in the yearbook. More information to come within the next few weeks.

Cougars Connect - Student Engagement

We realize how challenging it is to feel connected in the virtual environment and want to have some fun recognizing students making progress to engage and connect in their classes.

What does student engagement look like in a virtual learning environment?

It can look like…

  • using the mic or camera in class discussions and breakouts
  • being responsive in chat discussions
  • consistently participating in interactive class activities (e.g., polls, Padlets and Jamboard)
  • going to office hours to connect with a teacher
  • sending messages to teachers to ask questions

…really any way a student is an active participant in virtual learning! 

Teachers will encourage students to interact and engage on a variety of levels as it fits their classes. Please keep in mind that although we encourage camera use, using the camera is never required. If you or your student have concerns about any barriers to engaging in class, please connect with his/her counselor who can help.

Every month, teachers will nominate one (or more) students for student engagement from each of their classes. There will be a monthly drawing from the pool of nominated students. Monthly winners from each grade will be recognized through KTV and students recognized will be able to choose a reward from a variety of options. 

We hope this is a fun way to encourage student engagement in the virtual environment. 


Afterschool

As a reminder all students must have a completed Kilmer Middle Afterschool General Registration Form on file to participate. Updates, club descriptions and meeting details are located in  the Schoology Afterschool Group - access code 2W54-ZSDS-BKJMV. Contact  After School Program Specialist,  Kimberly Kardelis with questions.

afterschool

My Science Olympiad is a new program that complements Science Olympiad’s traditional tournament contests and is available to all middle school students who love STEM and want to stay engaged – at home or at school. This is  open to students whether or not they are a part of a school team. Kilmer will not offer the Science Olympiad this year. 


Kilmer Pantry

The Kilmer Pantry is being replenished to provide non-perishable food items to our families in need.  We plan to begin food distribution in mid-December.

We are collecting items through a drive thru donation every Monday from 3:00 – 5:00 pm. We look forward to seeing you next Monday, Nov, 30th. 

In addition families are invited to donate non-perishable food items by direct shipping from Amazon, Target, Walmart, or wherever you shop (send to the attention of Debra David at Kilmer). This Amazon WishList includes a list of potential items to donate. 

Donation requests include: Pasta sauce, canned tomatoes, pasta, rice, beans, cereal, oatmeal, cooking oil, peanut butter, crackers, microwave popcorn, granola bars, canned fruit/applesauce, canned tuna, canned veggies, instant macaroni and cheese.

We are grateful for the support of our Kilmer Community and are hopeful to see you at one of our Monday drive thru donation times. 

If you want your family to receive food, please contact your child’s counselor.