Dear Parents, Students, and Friends of Kelly,
Welcome back! At least for me, the summer seemed to be only days long. I can’t believe we are already back in session. Kelly’s enrollment, as we begin the new school year, is 443. We welcome 108 members of the new Class of 2021 as well as 16 new transfer students. I hope each of you find Kelly to be a welcoming, caring environment which will nurture you and develop you academically, spiritually, and personally.
Kelly HS has one new staff member this year. Blake Krause is our new Campus Minister. Mr. Krause and his wife and young daughter come to us from Canada where he served in Catholic Education as a teacher, administrator, and chaplain. In addition we have four new head athletic coaches.
Most are already aware of our new head football coach, Jason Smith, who joined our staff last spring. Mr. Smith has brought a new excitement and energy to the football program and has increased the number of young men playing this fall to about 50!
Howdy Week is in day two. There are a number of activities to welcome everyone back for the new school year. Info about Howdy Week is included elsewhere in this newsletter.
I’m sure everyone has realized Kelly’s school day now begins later, at 8:15am. After surveying teachers last spring, it was apparent that the break between 1st and 2nd blocks was longer than it needed to be. That break has been reduced by 15 minutes, allowing the 15 minute later start time for the school day. This has the added benefit of giving families who have an older sibling at Kelly a little more time for driving and dropping off younger siblings at another school.
After school supervision –Kelly HS does not have an ‘after-school program’ to supervise students who need to stay until parents are available to pick them up. We do, however, provide a staff member in the IC to supervise any student who needs to stay. Students are free to visit teachers, engage in club meetings, etc. until 4:00pm. However, after 4:00pm all students left on campus will be expected to be involved in a supervised, extra-curricular activity such as a sports practice, club meeting, event, etc. or they must be waiting for their rides in the IC. Students may not be in unsupervised locations or activities on campus after 4:00pm. The IC will remain open until 5:30pm each afternoon free of charge. After 5:30pm, parents will be charged $10.00.
While it’s probably not news to anyone, a recent study has found a significant negative effect between alcohol and/or marijuana use and a student’s grades in school. Not only is use of these substances illegal for teens, there is now scientific evidence that use can affect their grades and very possibly their future. If you are interested, the article can be found at
https://www.drugaddictionnow.com/2017/05/30/effects-alcohol-marijuana-academic-performance/
Parker Uniforms – I know, in some cases, there were significant problems with obtaining uniform garments from Parker this summer. I spoke with the CEO of the company recently, who apologizes to everyone for the difficulties. I’ve put a copy of a letter I received from him elsewhere in this newsletter.
Kelly’s Parent Open House (Meet the Teachers), will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 29. We will begin with a short orientation for parents new to Kelly HS at 5:30pm in the Black Box Theater in the Centennial Complex. The Open House for all parents will begin at 6:00pm in the Centennial Complex Gym and should be finished before 7:30pm.
Blessings,
Roger S. Bemis
Principal