School Starts Monday, August 22, 2016

NEW SCHOOL HOURS 7:30 – 2:45

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Dear Cougar Students and Parents,

Welcome back to our returning students from the classes of ’17, ’18, ’19 as well as our Freshmen Class of 2020.

I also want to welcome back our parents- you are so important and valuable to ensuring our students are successful here at Kempner and after graduation.

I hope this summer you were able to enjoy your interests outside of school and spend time with family and friends. I enjoyed some time off with my family, which was much needed. I am excited for the start of the school year and my third year as Principal of KHS. We have been planning and working this summer to ensure that this year will be successful for all our students and prepare everyone for future successes after graduating from Kempner. I look forward to meeting our new students and seeing everyone on August 22!

Good News Update

The KHS Wall of Fame will soon have our next round of inductees and we will have a celebration for them during our K-Day celebration in December.The Wall of Fame is to acknowledge Kempner graduates who through leadership and character have made a significant contribution to their field and to our community and society. Please visit our website to download a nomination form if you know someone that has had some great accomplishments after graduation, and make sure to check out the guidelines for nominations. We also received2016 edition of “America’s Best High Schools That Challenge Their Student to Excellence”as reported by The Washington Post.This is a great accomplishment and a testament to the hard work of our teachers and our students. We provide so many great opportunities for success at KHS and are proud when our students and staff receive the recognition they so rightfully deserve.

Freshman Students and Parents

Kempner High School orientation (FISH Camp) for 9th graders onlywill be held on August 9th. Hopefully, you’ve had an opportunity to sign up. If not, please visit the KHS website for more information. Registration is at 8:30 am and we will start promptly at 9:00 a.m., so get here early. You will receive lots of good information that will assist you in having a great start here at KHS. Clubs and organizations will also have displays set up and KHS spirit items will be for sale. More informationis available on our website.

Dress code- be ready for the first day

Please read the statement below about the FBISD Dress Code so that you are ready when school starts.

The following shall apply to all students:

1.No facial hair for male students.

2.Noclothing that promotes drug/alcohol use.

3.Hats and caps shall not be worn in the building; however, this does not include required religious head coverings.

Girls’ clothing shall be appropriate for school wear and shall be of sufficient length or fullness to cover undergarments when the student is sitting, standing, stooping, or bending. Proper undergarments shall be worn at all times. Outerwear designed to look like undergarments or sleep/bedtime attire, including house slippers/shoes, are not permitted. Cutoffs, clothes with holes, see-through, or excessively tight-fitting garments are not permitted. Halters, bare midriffs, and bare backs are not permitted. Boys shall wear shirts and shall keep them buttoned with the exception of the collar button. Cut-offs, clothes with holes, see-through or excessively tight or baggy fitting garments are not permitted.

T-shirts, underclothing, tank tops, bare midriff shirts, or shirts that expose the underarm are not permitted.

For males and females:

Walking shorts may be worn provided they are no more than three inches above the knee. Ladies, be sure that your shorts, including the popular running shorts meet the italicized statement above. Outerwear designed to look like undergarments or sleep/bedtime attire; including house slippers/shoes are not permitted. Garments made to be worn at the waist, such as shorts and pants, shall be worn at the waist. The sagging of such garments is not permitted.

Boys may grow their hair to a length to accommodate the current full hair styles for men that do not exceed just touching the shoulders at full extension in the back unless otherwise required by the student’s religion. Sideburns shall be no more than one-half inch below the ear lobes and shall not be flared. Mustaches, beards, or goatees of any thickness/depth are not allowed unless otherwise required by the student’s religion.

Hair color must be a naturally occurring color. In other words, green, purple, pink, blue, etc. are not allowed. Red hair must be a naturally occurring red. Bright red or “fire engine red” as it is commonly referred is not allowed.

Textbooks

Student textbook checkout is optional for most classes as a majority of core and elective courses have online versions of their books available for student use. Teachers in these classes will have a class set for students to use in the classroom. Any student or parent may choose to have the course textbook(s) issued to the student. A form will be located on the school’s website as well as barcodes around the school for students to access. Textbooks will be issued by requestbeginning the second week of school.

Lockers

Lockers will be issued by request only. Students and Parents may request a locker starting the first week of school. The locker request form will be placed in Naviance or requested through the counselor’s office. Lockers will be assigned within 48 hours and students will receive a notice that their locker assignment has been made.

Parking

2016-2017 Parking Permits are now on sale!Please go to purchase your spot. The website for parking permits can also be found on the front page of the KHS website: must be acurrent (classified) junior or seniorin order to be able to purchase a permit. Parking permits will be on sale through August 5th and then again beginning the 2nd week of school. No student will be able to drive or park on campus at any time without a parking permit. Tips for the website: 1.Please put a 0 (zero) in front of your student ID number for your number to work. 2.Please go to the linkabove and follow all the instructions.Students will purchase and reserve a spot online and then report in August to pick up their stickers and choose a parking location.Remember tobring a copy of your receipt and a current copy of your driver’s license and insurance, as you will need these items to choose your spot. Please feel free to email Ms. McDowell with any questions.

Busses

Remember to check the district website for bus transportation information after August 15th. Click here:

What to do on the first day, August 22

Remember not to drive to KHS unless you have an official parking pass.

When you arrive on the 22th you will come to the Commons where you will locate your advisory class. Check for your last name and go to the appropriate advisory class. During advisory we will pass out your schedule and other materials. I encourage you to come early on the first day and arrive by 7:05 if you are not coming to school via the school bus.

Students, for your safety, when crossing Voss in the morning and afternoons, please only use the designated crosswalks.

Key Dates:

First day of school: Monday, August 22

First Home Football Game: September 2 @ Mercer 7:00 pm against Aldine Nimitz

First Home Volleyball Game:

Fall Open House: Monday, August 29 (6:30 pm to 8:30 pm)

August 22 checklist

  • Bring pen and paper
  • Leave cell phone/electronics at home or keep them off and out of sight when on campus
  • Come to school in dress code (men don’t forget to shave; ladies remember the length of your shorts/ skirts; hair color must be a naturally occurring color)
  • Arrive early at school (by 7:05 am would be best)
  • Come ready to learn and have a great year!

Additional Important Information

Administrator / Student Last Name / Counselor / Student Last Name
Ms. Cortez / A-C / Mrs. Edwards / A-Dan
Ms. Long / D-K / Ms. Durgens / Dao-Jon
Ms. McDowell / L-PL / Ms. Burrell / Jos-Ngo
Mr. McCabe / PO - Z / Mrs. Minix / Ngu-Riz
Mrs. Jongeward / Rob-Z
  • Same as last year, deliveries are accepted until 10:00 am. at the front desk. Please remember that food, drink, lunches and electronic devices are not accepted.
  • Our No Zero Program continues for students in EOC tested classes and all 9th grade Core Classes. There are 5 EOC tests that students must pass to graduate from high school:
  • English I
  • English II
  • Algebra I
  • Biology and
  • US History

In closing, it is very important to start the year off right, and we want to have a successful beginning to the school year.

At KHS we have high academic and behavior expectations for all of our students. We expect our students to

exhibit exceptional behavior, display grit and work hard in all their classes, and above all get involved in activities here at

KHS. The whole staff is ready to assist and support all students and parents this year. I am very excited to begin the

new school year. Enjoy the rest of your summer break and be safe. We will see you soon!! Remember YOU ARE KHS!!!

Chris Morgan

Principal

Kempner High School