Kalamazoo Public Schools

OCTOBER 2020 www.kalamazoopublicschools.com VOLUME 23, ISSUE 9

Like us on Community Keeping Teachers, Students Stocked with Essentials through KPS Supply Closet Angee McCormick has been Both experiences inspired IMPORTANT DATES involved with Kalamazoo Public her to start the KPS Supply Clos- Schools for a long time — she et, a community effort to collect Board of Education Meetings has four children ranging in age and distribute school supplies Thursday, Oct. 8 & 22, 2020 from 31 to 13. across the district. Through the 7 p.m. One of her biggest concerns community volunteer group, Meetings will be held virtually has always been for the teachers supplies are being collected at and can be found on https:// and making sure they have the more than 20 sites around the www.publicmedianet.org/ tools they need to help their city and on an Amazon wish list. program/kalamazoo-public- students. So, when she was a Community members can also schools parent at Parkwood-Upjohn contribute gift cards. No cash Elementary, she organized a donations are being accepted. For more information, call supply closet of donated goods “My biggest thing is I want (269) 337-0100 that teachers could tap when- people to look out for each oth- ever they needed things like er,” McCormick said. “Right Oct. 9: Half-day for tissues, dry erase markers, and now, everyone needs to look grades 6-8 and Phoenix paper. The KPS Supply Closet donation tote is located under piles of baked goods at The out for each other. Some might Victorian Bakery. Those wishing to make donations can look for the black and “I just didn’t want to see be too proud to reach out for Oct. 14: Half-day for yellow totes at almost 25 sites around Kalamazoo. grades 9-12 teachers have to pay for things help, but we need to make sure out of their own pockets,” Mc- volunteering to help with meal how eager families were to re- everyone is on as level a playing Oct. 15: Half-day for Cormick said. distribution at Parkwood-Up- ceive school supplies when they field as possible.” grades 6-8 This summer when she was john, she had the chance to see stopped at the lunch site. (continued on page 8) Oct. 16: Half-day for K-5 Oct. 30: No school for grades Administration Building Closing for Mechanical Updates, Departments Moving 6-12 or county programs The Kalamazoo Publictions. The temporary office as- tion office). with Technology Services in the Nov. 3: Election Day Schools Administration Build- signments will be: Transportation, (has per- Community Education Center). Nov. 13: Half-day for ing, 1220 Howard St., will be Business, Human Resources, manently moved to its new fa- Administration Build- PK-grade 8 closing at the end of September and Food Service, 3410 Laird Ave. cility) 1800 Ravine Road. ing mail should be sent to KPS, for renovations and mechanical (former Oakwood Junior High/ Administrative Information 3410 Laird Ave., Kalamazoo, MI Nov. 20: Half-day for work. During that time, the de- Alternative Learning Program). Systems, 600 W. Vine St. (located 49008. grades 9-12 (not Phoenix) partments housed in the Admin- Superintendent’s Office, Nov. 23: Half- day for istration Building will move to Teaching and Learning Services, All phone numbers will remain the same (269 area code). grades 9-12 (not Phoenix) temporary locations for at least and Communications, 3333 S. Business Office ...... 337-0115 Communications ...... 337-1572 Nov. 25-27: Thanksgiving the next six months. Westnedge Ave. (in the South Human Resources ...... 337-0177 Student Services ...... 337-0161 break There should be minimal Westnedge School). Food Service ...... 337-0120 Transportation ...... 337-0500 disruption to services while Student Services, 824 Jack- Superintendent’s Office . . . . . 337-0123 Administrative Information Dec. 21 - Jan. 1: Winter break staff move to their new loca- son St. (the former transporta- Teaching and Learning Services 337-1680 Systems ...... 337-0146

Jan. 4: Classes resume RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER RESIDENTIAL

Permit 709 Permit **ECRWSS**

Other dates will be MI Kalamazoo,

Kalamazoo Public Schools is Hiring. PAID announced following the Postage US

finalization of the contract Find information at https:// Organization Kalamazoo Public Schools, 1220 Howard St., Kalamazoo, MI 49008 MI Kalamazoo, St., Howard 1220 Schools, Public Kalamazoo

between KPS and KEA, our kalamazoopublicschools.com/ NonProfit teachers’ union. humanresources Communities in Schools Not in Schools this Fall, but Still in Students' Lives Communities in Schools of devices and internet access. It typical school experience.” rived at school and needed en- ganize special events, such as Kalamazoo staff members are continues that work along with For example, one site coor- couragement or a smile, they’d having students record a song not in schools seeing students helping students obtain food dinator has started a Wake-Up stop by the CIS office — except over the summer or complete a every day — but they still want and basic school supplies. At the Club to get kids energized be- now the site coordinator is jewelry class, in which materi- kids and families to know that end of 2019, the mobile dental, fore they start the virtual school making that available virtu- als were sent to students so they they are here and ready to help vision and medical appoint- day. Kids log in and chat with ally,” he said. could manipulate actual mate- them. ments ceased. CIS is working CIS staff over breakfast. CIS has hired a number of rials. “We’re making connections to reinstitute those service this “It’s like when students ar- enrichment providers to or- Participation has dipped to kids and families through fall. on the virtual platform, Devers phone, email, and text,” said “It’s definitely been hard said, “But we’re encouraging James Devers, executive direc- on folks not being able to see families and kids to give it a tor of CIS of Kalamazoo. “We’re students on a regular basis,” chance. It may seem like you’re still pretty much following the Devers said. Google Meets and just online, after you’ve been in same case management process helping at food service sites school virtually all day, but it’s that we do in person, so we’re have provided some connec- a different type of experience. student need as- tion. “They’re brief and socially We think they’ll be surprised by sessments and connecting kids distanced, but those encoun- how much fun kids are having to services.” ters help us lay eyes on children learning about different things. CIS still receives refer- again and to talk to them and “We look forward to be- rals from teachers and other see how they’re doing.” ing able to see all of our children school staff, but families are CIS still offers some of its and families face to face, but in welcome to contact CIS directly programming — albeit virtually. the meantime we’re still go- for assistance. Staff are check- “We’re providing academic ing to do as much as possible to ing their KPS emails. They also support like we always do,” De- make sure they are supported have started using Google phone vers said. “One of our goals is to the same degree they were in numbers for calls and texting. to emphasize the enrichment the past.” In the spring CIS helped the piece, so we’re making it fun CIS Site Coordinator, Dana Flynn and a KPS staff member put food pack’s into To reach CIS visit ciskalam- district provide students with and enriching. It’s not like the Flynn's car to deliver meals to families who do not have transportation. azoo.org/contact/.

Explore, discover and engage ONLINE at KPL this fall! For details, please visit: kpl.gov or call (269) 553-7800

2 EXCELSIOR October 2020 www .kalamazoopublicschools .com KPS Grad in Action: Nikki Czuhajewski Leaps through Stellar Experience at Adrian College Nikki Czuhajewski always individual athlete and with the estimates she spent 15-18 hours a loved ice skating, but never en- synchronized skating team. week in practice either on the ice visioned that her college skating Synchronized skating teams are or training. When she joined the experience would allow her to groups of 16 athletes who per- team as an individual skater, that travel the world representing the form highly choreographed rou- added another eight hours a week United States. tines that are judged on preci- to her training schedule. Actually, as Czuhajewski sion, technical skills and artistic “You have to be really careful was preparing to graduate from presentation. with your time management,” Kalamazoo Central High School As a synchronized skater, she said. “There are so few hours in 2015, she wasn't sure what role she was tapped for the Team USA between practices, you have to skating would have in her college Synchronized Skating Dream be really conscious of how you life. She assumed she might skate Program, which has junior and spend your time.” with a club team in college. But senior teams that represent the She laughs, recalling how that year, The Kalamazoo Prom- United States in competitions an advisor chastised her for not ise expanded to include 15 private around the world. She has trav- joining some extracurricular ac- schools in the Michigan Colleges eled to Italy, , Sweden, tivities, in addition to her sport Kalamazoo Central 2015 graduate Nikki Czuhajewski is the head figure skating Alliance. , France and Croatia with during her freshman year. coach at Adrian College. She has traveled the world representing the United That opened up the possibil- the Team USA Dream Team. “I don’t think she fully un- States as a member of the U.S. Synchronized Skating Dream Team. ity of Czuhajewski, 23, using her “I love so many things about derstood the capacity of every- Czuhajewski, who is now “I’m incredibly thankful for Promise scholarship to attend skating. My favorite thing on the thing I was committed to and the head figure skating coach at The Promise and the opportunity Adrian College, a small college ice is jumping or when you nail how focused I was on my fresh- Adrian, is not the only skater in to skate while achieving my de- that is one of only three schools an element for the first time,” she man year academics and main- the family. Her sister Amy, who grees - even into my master’s. It in the United States with a varsity said. “You do something exactly taining my GPA.” also skates, followed Nikki to has been an awesome privilege skating program. the right way and that rush of But, eventually, she did join Adrian and is studying biology. for me to be able to do that. I’ve “I didn’t even know Adrian excitement is one of the best feel- other activities, including serving They are the daughters of Jo and been able to travel worldwide existed until the summer of my ings. I love how free I feel when I as a photographer for the school Don Czuhajewski. Being at Adri- with my teammates and my best senior year,” she said. “I ran into am on the ice.” newspaper, joining a campus an has allowed the sisters to skate friends — and my family has been the skating coach at a competi- Being a scholar athlete — media group, and being a mem- together for a few more years, able to travel to almost every tion in Grand Rapids. They were and eventual skate team captain ber of the Mortarboard, an aca- and that’s a gift Nikki Czuhajew- event. Those are memories that recruiting, and I introduced my- — was demanding, she said. She demic honor society. ski never anticipated. I will be able to cherish forever.” self. I attended camp at Adrian.” She visited the campus sev- eral times and found herself • • • drawn to the small campus and EQUITY TRUST EXPERIENCE INCLUSION intimate class sizes. She fell in love with campus — and loved We are incumbents and longtime district locals committed to KPS the thought that she’d be able to continue skating. That year she who pledge to: became one of the first Promise scholars to attend Adrian. TRUSTEE TRUSTEE TRUSTEE In 2019, she earned her bachelor’s degree in business TiAnna L. Harrison Jason E. Morris Patti Sholler-Barber administration with a concen- • Facilitate students to • Ensure quality education for • Increase social-emotional support tration in marketing and graphic become positive, productive all students with an emphasis for ALL students using our design minor. She’s now en- and contributing members on career & technical training community partners and experts of society to help rolled in Adrian’s graduate pro- • Foster safe & secure schools • Work to eliminate gaps • Continue to push for fully funded gram in sports administration where students needs are created by the digital divide seen, heard and met public education. KPS families, and leadership. students and staff deserve • Promote post-secondary • Create pathways to success “I loved the entire experience nothing less. education options while for black and brown young at Adrian,” she said. “I made my in KPS for all youth men through strong • Promote inclusion with a focus best friends. I met faculty who do social-emotional supports on every child’s truth, encour- nothing but support me. It’s been aging teamwork throughout the district to eradicate unwarranted an incredible experience. I have biases grown as a person and learned WE ARE ASKING FOR YOUR VOTE 11/3 so many independence skills. It’s been a game changer.” Czuhajewski skated as an PROMOTING THE VALUE & WORTH OF THE KALAMAZOO PROMISE Paid for by: Citizens for Patti Sholler-Barber • Friends of Jason Morris • Friends to Elect TiAnna Harrison www .kalamazoopublicschools .com October 2020 EXCELSIOR 3 Kalamazoo Public Schools Now Providing Meals for Seven Days a Week Through a waiver granted by discrimination in the course of the U.S. Department of Agricul- the meal service. ture, Kalamazoo Public Schools The meals may be picked up has been approved for Commu- by any adult or child. There is no nity Eligibility Provisions as part income requirement for partici- of the National School Lunch and pation. The district does not re- School Breakfast programs for quire IDs or names of students. the 2020-21 school year. That has Families are asked to com- Meals are free to all children 18 years of age and younger allowed the district to increase plete the Household Informa- its breakfast and lunch programs tion Report. The report is used to and to persons up to age 26 who are enrolled in an educational from five days of meals to seven determine the amount of money program for the mentally or physically disabled that is recognized days of meals each week. the district receives from a vari- KPS is now providing three ety of state and federal supple- by a state or local public educatin agency. No names, application days-worth of breakfasts and mental programs, such as Title or proof of income is required. lunches on Tuesdays, and four 1 A, At-risk, Title II A, E-Rate, days-worth of food on Thurs- etc., which are vital to the dis- days. trict. The programs help pro- Delivery is Tuesdays and Thursdays. The two packs provide The free meals are available vide funding for staff, supplies, meals for an entire week. to children 18 years of age and counseling, parent engagement under or persons up to 26 years and technology. Forms have Meals may be picked up at any site. old who are enrolled in an educa- been mailed home and can be tional program for the mentally found on the KPS website. or physically disabled that is rec- The forms can be mailed to ognized by a state or local public KPS, 3410 Laird Ave., Kalama- educational agency. Meals will be zoo, MI 49008. provided without regard to race, For more information or color, national origin, age, sex, questions, contact KPS Food or disability, and there will be no Services at (269) 337-0120.

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2020_HHW_Excelsior_4.625x6.375_Ad.indd4 EXCELSIOR 1 October 2020 5/10/20 3:23 PM www .kalamazoopublicschools .com Thank You to the 2020 KPS Retirees! Kalamazoo Public Schools • Orlando Briggs, special educa- • Jennifer Gougeon-Catarino, • Jack Mills, Academically Tal- NOTICE would like to acknowledge the tion teacher, Linden Grove Mid- English teacher, Hillside Middle ented teacher, Prairie Ridge and Kalamazoo Public Schools welcomes all following employees for their dle School School Parkwood-Upjohn elementary students and staff of any religion, race, many years of service to the • Gail Bunschoten, school sec- • Cheryl Hach, organic chemistry schools color, national origin, age, sex, preg- district. The traditional spring nancy, gender identification, height, retary, Greenwood Elementary and human sciences teacher, Ka- • Dale Monje, special education weight, familial status, marital status, retirement celebration was can- School lamazoo Area Math and Science teacher, Hillside Middle School sexual orientation, and disability. celed because of the pandemic, • Christopher Caldwell, special Center • Charles Parker, behavioral spe- The District will not tolerate or but that does not diminish the condone any act of bias or discrimina- education teacher, Kalamazoo • Terina Harvey, curriculum and cialist, Arcadia Elementary School gratitude the district and the tion toward any person on the basis of Central High School instruction, Teaching and Learn- • Barbara Pollard, paraprofes- religion, race, color, national origin, community has for all that these • Michael Champion, mechanic ing Services sional, Woods Lake Elementary age, sex, pregnancy, gender identifi- retirees have done throughout cation, height, weight, familial status, foreman, Transportation • Julie Hill, special education the years to support, nurture, • Brian Pratt, culture and climate marital status, sexual orientation, and teacher, Parkwood-Upjohn El- disability in any of its activities, hiring and educate the students of • Judith D’Arcangelis, director of specialist, Indian Prairie Elemen- ementary School practices, programs or services. Kalamazoo Public Schools. It is Elementary Education, Adminis- tary School Inquiries by students and/or their par- with tremendous thankfulness tration • James Johnson, facilities man- • Leroy Robinson, campus safety, ents/guardians should be directed to: that the district acknowledges • Kelly Dopheide, fourth grade agement, Facilities Kalamazoo Central High School Director of the 2020 KPS retirees and wish- teacher, Arcadia Elementary • Angela Johnson, special educa- • Pamela Salak, dean of students Student Services Kalamazoo Public Schools es them a happy retirement. School tion teacher, Maple Street Magnet and assistant principal, Kalama- 3410 Laird Ave. • Ramona Fletcher, coordinator School for the Arts zoo Central High School Kalamazoo, MI 49008 • Margaret Adams, assistant of Bilingual, ESL, and World Lan- • Kenneth Jones, music teacher, (269) 337-0161 • Sharon Sankarsingh, fifth grade principal, Linden Grove Middle guages, Administration Maple Street, Milwood Elemen- teacher, King-Westwood El- All other inquiries should be directed to: School • Debora Gant, second grade tary, and Woods Lake Elementary ementary School Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources • Mary Banks, special education teacher, Arcadia Elementary • G. Alex Lee, executive director • Ruth Schafer, first grade teach- Kalamazoo Public Schools paraprofessional, Kalamazoo School of communications, Administra- er, Arcadia Elementary School 3410 Laird Ave. Central High School tion Kalamazoo, MI 49008 • Kelly Geier-McMahon, fifth • Tameka Sims, special educa- (269) 337-0177 • Bonnie Blackman, science grade teacher, Milwood Elemen- • William Logan, paraprofession- tion paraprofessional, Kalamazoo District Directory at : teacher, Linden Grove Middle tary School al, Loy Norrix High School Central High School www.kalamazoopublicschools.com School • Michael Gilmore, homebound • Jeffrey Meyer, plumber fore- • Melissa Wilson, school psychol- • Connie Brenes, bilingual para- teacher, Student Services man, facilities ogist, Special Education BOARD OF EDUCATION professional, Lincoln Interna- • Cynthia Gippert, physical edu- • Gregory Miller, custodian, Mil- • Elaine Zackery, teacher consul- tional Studies School cation teacher, Spring Valley wood Magnet School President tant, Spring Valley Center for Ex- Patti Sholler-Barber Center for Exploration ploration Vice President TiAnna Harrison Secretary Jennie Hill Treasurer Ken Greschak Trustee Jermaine Jackson Trustee Tandy Moore Trustee Jason Morris

SUPERINTENDENT Dr. Rita Raichoudhuri

www .kalamazoopublicschools .com October 2020 EXCELSIOR 5 First Day of School!

Lennox and Crane Conkling share a little sibling togetherness before school starts. Kameron Doubblestein, third grader.

Landry, Jack, and Mia Smeader are ready for the first day of school at Prairie Ridge Elementary.

Raziel Hernandez is all smiles or his first day of Bruce Leiby looks excited about the first day of Te'Arii Pratt tackles a coloring assignment on the first kindergarten. kindergarten. day of school. (continued on page 7)

6 EXCELSIOR October 2020 www .kalamazoopublicschools .com First Day of School! (continued from page 6)

Daphne Willis brought a friend to the first day of class. Annie Mansfield, first day of her senior year.

Jackson Bergan checks in on the first day of school. Lyndon Willis is ready for remote learning.

Phoenix High School math teacher Michelle Wilson- Eleanor and Ezra Lownds are ready for their first day Dane and Dalton Mills pose for the traditional first Banks got a great first day photo with her nephew Connecting People of school 2020. day of school picture. Kha'Lil Green, a third grader at Edison. Throughout Kalamazoo County This program is truly WE ARE YOUR PARTNER EXCEPTIONAL!!! Those are the exact words that I’ve used IN SCIENCE EDUCATION! to tell my family and friends. My child is engaged the Check out our learning opportunities - virtually and on the exhibit floor. entire time… I could not have asked or expected it to be this well organized and delivered! - J.G.

LEARN MORE AT airzoo.org/virtual-ed Here for You Seven Days a Week 6151 PORTAGE RD. PORTAGE, MI 49002 269.337.8222 EXIT 78 OFF OF I-94 | 269.382.6555 kmetro.com www .kalamazoopublicschools .com October 2020 EXCELSIOR 7 Community Keeping Teachers, Students Stocked with Essentials through KPS Supply Closet (continued from page 1)

The response has been tre- a debt of gratitude to Chio and mendous, said Lynn Chio, a KPS the other volunteers who have employee who has been helping helped make the effort a suc- organize the KPS Supply Closet. cess. There are dozens, but she’s “I am always in awe of how especially thankful for Joe Sny- the community will rally for im- der, owner of Salut Market; Lesa portant causes,” Chio said. “In Brenner, who has organized the these uncertain times and with Amazon wish list; Tina Jackson all of the struggles everyone is at Milwood Magnet School, who going through — whether it’s is serving as a liaison with staff; being stuck in the house or a de- Susan and Tim Brady, who have crease in income or someone be- set up the email and will be han- ing sick — people still find a way dling inventory, and Minchie to be generous with their time or Brockman, who is organizing their money. I think that’s a tes- the totes at drop-off sites. timony to Kalamazoo.” Popular items when she ran The KPS Supply Closet has set up a storage site at Parkwood-Upjohn Elementary School. McCormick said she owes the Parkwood supply closet in- cluded tissues, dry erase mark- out for help through their teach- Kay Jewelers in The Crossroads Advantage Roofing ers, paper towels, pads of paper, ers. Volunteers are then deliver- mall KaZoopy’s on West Main clay, and crayons. Those are still ing the supplies. Nisker’s Chargrill and at various Food Truck Rallies important, but there are some There are three ways to do- Midtown Fresh 2. Donations of gift cards new needs in the online envi- nate to the KPS Supply Closet: Uncle Ernie’s may be sent to KPS Supply ronment, such as headphones, 1. Drop off supplies in one Victorian Bakery Closet, P.O. Box 19364, personal white boards, masks, of the black and yellow, dona- Chau Haus Kalamazoo, MI 49009. flashcards, and tri-fold card- tion tote boxes located around Pop City Popcorn board screens to help children the community. Boxes can be Kalamazoo Farmers Market 3. Donations can be made create private study spaces. She found at: Identities Salon through the group’s Amazon anticipates the list evolving as Salut Market Michelle’s on Gull Road wish list at t.ly/wBrr. staff get settled into the online Treat Street LFG For up-to-date informa- environment and see what the Rocket Fizz Kelvin & Co. tion about needs and collection students need. Vine Street Neighborhood Civic Coffee House sites, visit the Friends of the The KPS Supply Closet is not Association Cole Nissan KPS Supply Closet on Facebook. taking requests for supplies from families. All donations are being funneled through the teachers. Teachers can request supplies for The KPS Supply Closet is collect- their use, and they are helping ing school supplies such as these for identify students who may need distribution to teachers and students assistance. Families can reach throughout the district.

8 EXCELSIOR October 2020 www .kalamazoopublicschools .com Loy Norrix Knight Life Brings Home Awards in State Journalism Competition Congratulations to the Online Follow-up News Cover- Personality Profile 2019-2020 staff of the Loy Norrix age Elliot Russell, Honorable Men- High School Knight Life school Lily Stickley, Honorable Men- tion newspaper, who once again tion Sports Action Photo took home multiple awards from News Brief Alexis Weeden, 3rd place the Michigan Interscholastic Claire Goodwin-Kelly, 3rd Sports Feature Photo Press Association competition Place through the Michigan State Uni- Perla Santiago, 3rd Place versity School of Journalism. News Analysis Alexis Weeden, Honorable Knight Life is a student- Audreanna Dunton, Honorable Mention produced publication that has Mention News/Feature Photograph been reporting the news since Editorial Yasmin Mosqueda, 2nd place 1960. The staff publishes the Devon Gross, Honorable Men- Photo Story news on the website Knight Life tion Perla Santiago, 1st Place and News. Knight Life can also be Bylined Opinion Article 3rd Place found through the app Student Lydia Snapp, 2nd Place Editorial Cartoon News Source. The faculty advisor Lily Stickley, Honorable Men- is Tisha Pankop. Cameron Greene, Rayna Sor- tion rentino, Honorable Mention MIPA AWARD WINNERS FROM In-depth Feature Comic Strip 2020 COMPETITION Lydia Snapp, Honorable Men- Bella Ford, 1st Place tion Online Breaking News Coverage Aanje Greymountain, 3rd Place Ourania Alexopoulos, Brandon Informative Feature Illustration Schnurr, Honorable Mention Maya Crawford, Honorable Elliot Russell, Eli Reynolds, Mention News Story 3rd Place Ourania Alexopoulos, Honor- Human Interest Feature Information Graphic able Mention Clara Moss, Honorable Mention Maya Crawford, 3rd Place

From left to right, First Row: Brandon Schnurr, Natacia Branstrom, Riley Dominianni, Maya Crawford. Second Row: Ourania Alexopoulos, Ms. Pankop, Elliot Russell, Jackson Kiino-Terburg, Lily Stickley, Yasmin Mosqueda. Third Row: Clara Moss, Jeanie Gould-McElhone, Devon Gross, Claire Goodwin-Kelly, Emma Hilgart-Griff, Alexis Weeden, Brandi-Rose Phiri, Eli Reynolds, Perla Santiago. Not Pictured: Gigi Fox, Shin-Ling Yeh, Colin Carnell, Nathan Goodwin-Kelly, Audreanna Dunton, Finn Brent, Lydia Snapp, Samantha Shaffer, Hannah Locke. www .kalamazoopublicschools .com October 2020 EXCELSIOR 9 First Day of School for Teachers and Staff!

Milwood Elementary Principal Craig LeSuer and staff members Carolyn Betke, Kim Northeastern Principal Sylvia Washington. This is Linden Grove teacher Daniel Chase had company on the first Knight and Leroy Green offer students encouragement for the start of the 2020–21 Washington's first year at Northeastern. day of school. school year.

Prairie Ridge teacher Kendall Schneider is ready for her Nick Wasylyshyn celebrates his first day of teaching at Loy fourth year of teaching. Norrix.

El Sol staff welcomes back the students at El Sol Elementary. From left: Maria Flores, child accounting secretary; Gracie Arevalo, secretary; Elizabeth Dana, activity helper; and April Guevara, special education teacher. (continued on page 11)

10 EXCELSIOR October 2020 www .kalamazoopublicschools .com First Day of School for Teachers and Staff!(cont. from page 10)

Parkwood-Upjohn teacher Renay Williams- Secretary Cynthia DeYoung, principal ReQwal Duckworth, and Reading Recovery Whitson doesn't look like she has the First teacher Christy Roth welcome back Northglade students on the first day. Day jitters. Elizabeth Spaner-Jackson, the new principal at Greenwood Elementary School, hopes students have a happy day and a happy year on the first day of the 2020- 21 school year.

Maple Street choir teacher Julie Rogers Mitch Hawkins, the new principal of Milwood Magnet School, welcomes stu- Winchell Elementary teacher John Lehman has multiple screens ready for his Davis gets a little help from a friend to start dents back to school. students on the first day of school. the new school year.

Lincoln International Studies Schools sends huge thanks to Forensic Fluids for their recent donation of school supplies, such as paper, pencils and notebooks. Thanks to Forensic Fluids' generosity, the school was able to provide almost 300 students with school supplies for the start of the year. Erin Michael, Matt Borr, Dave Bergland, and Bobby Elster delivered the supplies. Others who helped collect and pack the supplies were: Ian Kerr, Marilyn Cole, Mark Fournier, and Cameron Holtman. Lincoln appreciates its community partners! www .kalamazoopublicschools .com October 2020 EXCELSIOR 11 KPS Librarians Recommend Books for: National Bullying Prevention Month PreK – 2 of not belong- private school Calvin, who are targeted by the terrorist, the school administra- ing at THE PITS, where he is neighborhood bullies, create an tion promises to find and punish Bully Mia leans on the one of only a underground haven for them- the culprit. But Bijan just wants by Laura Vaccaro Seeger support of her few students selves, but Mason finds himself in to pretend the incident never Interacting with other ani- friends while of color, tal- trouble when Calvin goes missing. happened and move on. mals in mean-spirited ways, a trying to fig- ented seventh-grade artist Jor- Your Rights as an LGBTQ+ Teen little bull ure out how to dan finds himself torn between Grades 9 – 12 by Barbra Penne calls names stand up for herself, in the latest the worlds of his Washington This nonfiction book de- and behaves entry in the series that includes Heights apartment home and Hope Nation: YA Authors Share scribes and in an intimi- “Mia Mayhem Learns to Fly!” the upscale circles of Riverdale Personal Moments of Inspiration explains the dating man- Academy. by Rose Brock The Banana-Leaf Ball : How Play legal rights of ner until his bullying behavior is This collection of essays and Can Change the World Save Me a Seat LGBTQ+ young brought to his attention. original stories by Katie Smith Milway by Sarah Weeks people in the by some of to- My Footprints Separated Ravi, who has just moved to United States, day's most in- by Bao Phi from his family America from including in- fluential young Upset after when they are India, and Joe, formation on adult authors being bullied, forced to leave who is learning free speech and expression, speaks directly Thuy, a Viet- their home in disabled, gain identity, protection from abuse to teens on how namese Ameri- East Africa, Deo strength from and discrimination, and privacy. to find hope and can, pretends is sent to a refu- each other as comfort in today's turbulent so- she is different gee camp in Tanzania, where he they struggle to ciety. creatures, including an especially endures bullying until a coach navigate middle school, family Mobile Health, strong, wonderful being made up organizes a soccer team that helps relationships, and friendships. Here to Stay of her two mothers and herself. the boys at the camp find friend- by Sara Farizan Dental Clinics The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle ship and a sense of belonging. When a by Grades 3 – 5 cyberbully Preparing to Leslie Connor Grades 6 – 8 sends the en- As he Mia Mayhem vs. The Super Bully tire high school See Students grieves his best by Kara West New Kid a picture of friend Benny's The Family Health Confronted by a bullying fel- by Jerry Craft basketball hero Bijan Majidi, death, Mason Center Mobile Health Clinic low superhero who accuses her Enrolled in a prestigious photo-shopped to look like a and his friend and Mobile Dental Clinic serve Kalamazoo Public Schools students and their families. The medical clinic provides physicals, immu- nizations, well-child visits, among other services, while the dental clinic can clean teeth and provide sealants. The clinics take insurance and offer a sliding scale fee. Clinic schedules will be released soon. Students must com- Comprehensive Patient-Centered plete a registration form before attending any of the Primary and Specialty Care clinics. For more informa- tion or to find a registration form visit http://www. Accepting New Patients fhckzoo.com/mobile-units/ or call (269) 349-2641. Reg- 269.337.4600 istration forms can also be TOGETHER WE found on the KPS website under the Quick Links sec- med.wmich.edu tion on all school pages. You can also contact Communi- HEAL Find us on Facebook @WMedHealth ties in Schools of Kalamazoo for assistance at https://cis- kalamazoo.org/contact/.

12 EXCELSIOR October 2020 www .kalamazoopublicschools .com