This will be the final edition of Knight Nation News for 2022. We will return following Winter Break on Friday, January 6, 2023. Have a great Winter Break!

Happy New Year, Knight Nation!

It’s getting to be that time of the year when bad weather is upon us. In case of inclement weather and possible school closings or delays, we will use our School Messenger All-Call System.

The District sent a test call of our emergency communication system on Wednesday, December 14. If you didn't receive this call, please contact Dawn Gould at dgould@kingslocal.net.

Congratulations to Kings Superintendent, Greg Sears, who has been recognized as a recipient of the 2022 Superintendents to Watch award by the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA).

From a record number of nomination submissions received this year, 25 superintendents from around the country were selected for the honor in recognition of their innovative and effective use of technology to engage and inform the school community, and to expand two-way communication and outreach efforts.

This annual NSPRA award recognizes up to 25 school district leaders each year who have fewer than five years of experience as a superintendent and who demonstrate dynamic, fast-paced leadership with strong communication at its core. 

“This year’s honorees understand just how important effective communication is in building trust and relationships with families, employees, students, and community members in their districts,” said NSPRA Executive Director Barbara M. Hunter, APR. “These emerging leaders have proven to be dedicated champions of innovative communication efforts to advance their district’s success.”

Kings Preschool hosted its annual Gingerbread Night on Wednesday, December 14. With over 450 participants in attendance during two different sessions, students and their families celebrated the holiday season by creating 150 mini gingerbread houses. 

Preschool teacher, Theresa Frazier said, "Lots of candy and great company was enjoyed by all!"

In early December, Kings Mills Elementary teachers, Tina King and Sara Legault participated in Purple Star Schools Support: Training of Trainers. The course provided information to support military-connected students and families and their unique needs. They learned best practices for welcoming and guiding military families into the KME community.

Having to change schools is routinely identified by military families as the most difficult part of relocating. Despite websites, military listservs, internet videos, and shared checklists for military families with school-aged children, there is nothing quite like a well-prepared school that is ready, willing, and able to welcome the new family and students to the school and community to ease the transition. 

KME staff members on the Purple Star Committee are now equipped with training and information to better meet the challenges and opportunities of educating military-connected students. KME is focused on providing continued professional development, especially on understanding and handling the particular stressors for our military-connected students.

KME has submitted an application to be a Purple Star school, one recognized by the State of Ohio for supporting military families. J.F. Burns and South Lebanon Elementaries have both been recognized as Purple Star schools.

Kings Junior High art students participated in a Secret Snowman gift exchange. Art teacher, Katie Heagen, came up with the idea for students to create a special project for a classmate. 

Students filled out a paper about their interests. These papers were distributed randomly amongst the class. Each student created a ceramic project that reflected their classmate's interest and color choices. They created cards and wrapped their projects in donated gift bags. The students were excited to exchange their projects. 

Seventh-grade student Marcella Stobbes commented that this project was about "the gift of giving, not receiving." The goal was for the students to show the value of giving through kindness. Check out the excitement through the video below.

For some, the holiday season can be a stressful time filled with anxiety and depression.

Beckett Springs Hospital will be offering mental healthcare throughout the holiday season, including 24/7 crisis care. Patients can self-refer by calling for an appointment or walking in to get help from one of their compassionate, qualified behavioral health professionals while avoiding costly and

time-consuming emergency room visits. Visit beckettsprings.com for more information.

The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) wants Ohioans to know it’s OK to not be OK, and that help is just a phone call away. The Ohio CareLine (1.800.720.9616) provides free, confidential emotional support 24/7. The line is staffed by trained counselors who provide compassionate assistance, including resources and information, brief interventions, and, when necessary, referrals to local mental health and substance use disorder treatment providers.

For additional resources click here.

A special thank you from KingsUKnights...

Because of your generosity, Kings UKnights was able to provide assistance to 133 families and 304 kids this year.

Each child received a $75 gift card, and they also gave out an additional $3550 in Kroger or other cards. The total distributed was $26,350.

Special thanks to Kings Resource Coordinator, Becky Lemon, who took over the program this year for the retired Missy and Mick Kowitz. We are thankful for this work in helping those in our community in need.

The Kings Local School District’s Kokorodza Marimba Ensemble will be holding tryouts for new members from January 4 through January 13, 2023. 

Over the past 20 years, the ensemble has performed throughout the Greater Cincinnati and Tri-State area, as well as performances and clinic/demonstration sessions at the Ohio Music Education Association Professional Development Conference, the Governor’s Ohio Arts Awards program, and the American Orff Schulwerk National Conference in Denver, Colorado. Take a listen!

The ensemble is open to students of Columbia Intermediate School and Kings Junior High School. Prospective members will be provided a video demonstration of the techniques and tunes required for the audition and will be loaned a marimba or xylophone to take home over winter break to use in preparing for the audition. 

The ensemble rehearses Thursdays from 4:00 - 6:00 PM. The Kokorodza Marimba Ensemble will perform at Bandcakes, an annual fundraising event for the Kings Local School District’s band programs. Other performances will be scheduled for later in the spring. The group will also be recording and submitting an audition/application to perform at the Ohio Music Education Association Professional Development Conference set for late January/early February 2024 in Columbus.

For further information, please contact Kings Mills Elementary music teacher and marimba ensemble director Matt Jenkins at 398-8050 ext. 14025 or email mjenkins@kingslocal.net.

Board Members

Kings Board of Education (L-R): John Skerl, Board Member; Janelle Groff, Board Member; Peggy Phillips, Board Member; Deb Cowan, Vice-President; and Stacie Belfrom, President.

The Board of Education meets on the 2nd Tuesday of every month for a Work Session at 5:30 p.m. and the 3rd Tuesday of every month for a Regular Meeting at 6:00 p.m.

The Board has set the date for their 2023 Organizational Meeting. The meeting, which will include the January Work Session, will take place on Tuesday, January 10, at 5:30 p.m. At this meeting, the Board will elect a President and Vice-President and set the meeting schedule for the year.

2022 Board Meeting - Agendas & Minutes

2022 Board Meeting Recordings

All meetings are live-streamed on the Kings Youtube channel.

In an effort to be "green," the District does not send paper flyers home. We use a platform called Peachjar that houses flyers of community programs and resources. 

Parents receive approved flyers via email, and they are posted on our digital flyerboard for easy retrieval. Any organization can distribute information to our community by creating an account!

If you aren't following Kings Athletics on Facebook and Twitter, or Instagram you're missing out on some of the great things our student-athletes are doing!

Like and follow them today!