Weekly Newsletter 9/5

Posted Date: 09/05/25 (04:39 PM)

Kelly Middle School

Weekly Newsletter

September 5, 2025

Off to a great start!

This week, we celebrate the successful start of a new school year!

We’re grateful to our incredible teachers and supportive families for helping make the first few days back a smooth and positive experience for everyone.

As we settle into the new year, we’d like to share a few important upcoming dates and events with you please stay tuned for more details as events get closer.

Upcoming Events & Important Information

Mark your calendars for Open House

Tuesday, September 16th from 5:00–7:30 PM is a valuable opportunity for parents and guardians to connect with their student’s teachers. During this time, you’ll have the chance to:

· Learn about classroom expectations and routines

· Explore the curriculum and key topics your student will be covering this year

· Gain insight into how you can support your student’s learning at home

· Ask any questions you may have about the academic year

We encourage all families to attend and take advantage of this chance to strengthen the home-school connection. We look forward to seeing you there!

Cross Country

Kelly Middle School Cross Country: Everyone's Welcome!

No experience? No problem! Cross Country at Kelly Middle School is open to all students—whether you've never run before or you've been playing sports for years. All you need is a willingness to show up, try your best, and be part of a supportive team.

Our goal is for every athlete to feel valued, supported, and included, no matter their skill level. Some runners will be aiming to win races, while others will focus on improving their personal bests. Whether you are highly competitive or just want to have fun, stay active, and be part of a team, there is a place for you here.

We offer training plans for all levels, and everyone is encouraged to grow at their own pace.

· Race Distance: 3 kilometers (1.86 miles)

· Meets: 4 regular meets, including the 4J District Meet, plus an optional meet at the end of the season

· First Practice: After school on September 15th

We can’t wait to see you out on the course!

If your student is interested in Cross Country:

Practices start on Sept. 15! Practices are Monday-Thursday from 3:50-4:50 and at 2:50-3:50 on Wednesday's
You must sign your student up through final forms here (fill out and sign every form).
We must have a valid sports physical on file, no more than 2 years old as of Oct. 31. The NEHS health center/clinic is a great place to get on if you cannot get into your own provider quickly enough. They are fast and have a sliding fee scale, and they take insurance.

September 30:

We will have a guest presenter from Opelia’s Place from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. in the Kelly Middle School Library. The presentation will cover Internet and social media safety, cyber bullying, monitoring cell phone content, and communication between parents and students,

We are also inviting parents from Madison Middle School to join us for this presentation.

Transportation

If your student is riding the bus: if your student will be riding the school bus and you do not have the My Ride K-12 app, please get it! Once you have the free app, you must register your student, in order to get your bus route and times. Here is the instructions flyer.

Important Message about Heat Mitigation

Heat Mitigation Plan at Kelly Middle School

This Heat Mitigation Plan outlines the strategies, safeguards, and communication systems implemented at Kelly Middle School to ensure the health and safety of students and staff during periods of extreme heat. The plan identifies current and new mitigation measures for the 2025–2026 school year. While high heat conditions may not necessarily warrant school closures, the district has implemented several precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses and ensure a safe and productive learning environment.

Heat Mitigation Strategies

Hydration: Students and staff are encouraged to stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.

Monitoring: Staff will closely monitor other staff and students for signs of heat-related illness and respond promptly if symptoms arise.

Building/Classroom Cooling:

A. Existing Strategies

Morning ventilation– Where safe, staff can open windows and doors early in the morning—when the outside air is still cooler—to flush out heat from the night before. By mid-morning, windows and doors should be closed to trap the cooler air inside.
Daily temperature monitoring (classrooms & outdoor areas-checked by district)

● Limited outdoor exertion on heat advisory days

● Use of portable fans in the classrooms

● Parent alert system tied to heat index forecast

● Pre-emptive communications for multi-day heat events

B. Cooling Spaces Available

● For medically fragile students, students with sensory needs, or others showing signs of heat illness or exhaustion, we have an air-conditioned, cooling space available in the main office.

Our Restorative Room is another place that offers a cooler space for students to take breaks.
We have also identified cooler spaces in the building where teachers may take their classes if their classroom is experiencing very warm temperatures. Our small gym and library are shared spaces that teachers may access.

C. New Strategies and Developing Strategies

● Deployment of 60 new fans provided by the Facilities Department, one per classroom and two for larger spaces

Additional funds from the district for Heat Mitigation Strategies:
Accessible Water stations for outdoor activities
Adding more shade outdoors for students during outdoor activity times
Adding misting stations in outdoor areas
More window coverings for classrooms

Mentor Coordinator

Kelly Middle School is looking for a new volunteer Mentor Coordinator. Our Middle School Lunchtime Mentoring Program supports at risk youth by partnering them with a Mentor for lunch once a week. Last year we had 112 students being Mentored in 4J each week. The Kelly Mentor Coordinator volunteers on Tuesdays from 12:30-1:30, and does another 30 minutes of flexible communications during the week. The volunteer Mentor Coordinator is fully trained and supported by the 4J staff Mentor Coordinator. This is a fantastic way to get involved in our community, and make a difference in the lives of young people! Please contact Kate Becker for more information: becker_k@4j.lane.edu 541-517-0394

Cell Phone Policy

Personal devices are expected to be kept off and in their lockers this pertains to

Cell phones
Smart watches
Headphones/earbuds
Tablets
Any device that connects to the internet

We ask that you please have conversations with your child about storing their cell phone, during the school day.

Phones away are intended to boost the quality of instructional time and academic achievement, improving behaviors, boosting school climate, and re-establishing healthy student interactions. Starting in September 2025, all Public Schools students must have their phone turned off and put away from bell to bell, including during passing periods and lunch.

6th Grade Scheduling Update

Dear Kelly Families,

We’ve been working hard to make sure 6th grade schedules are balanced so every student has the best possible learning experience. When classes get too large, it becomes more difficult for teachers to give each student the attention and support they deserve.

During this process, we ran into some scheduling conflicts that made things a bit tricky. After reviewing options carefully, our staff decided to adjust the 6th grade schedule in order to better balance class sizes and avoid groups of 34–36 students. These adjustments will take place over the weekend, and students will receive their updated schedules on Monday.

Why are we making this change now?

We know schedule changes can be an adjustment, but doing this early ensures teachers and students still have time to build strong classroom communities. So far, students have only had one full day of classes, which means this is the best time to make changes with the least disruption.

How will this affect my student’s schedule?

Advisory classes will stay the same. Students will begin their day in Advisory as usual on Monday.
Core classes (Language Arts, Social Studies, Math, Science, and PE) will mostly remain with the same teachers.. A small number of students may see a change in one of these classes.
7th period electives will not change.

We truly appreciate your flexibility and understanding as we make these adjustments to ensure that all students can learn and thrive in balanced, supportive classrooms.

Warmly,

Sarah Prater