Last day of school for students is

Thursday, May 25!

This has been a fun and busy week of "lasts" for our Kings High School Class of 2023! Many events took place this week including senior awards and the annual Senior Walk where our Seniors visit their former elementary, intermediate, and junior high schools.

KHS Graduation will take place on Sunday, May 21 at 10:00 a.m. It will be livestreamed here.

Check out the graduation slideshow below featuring all of the KHS graduates in the Class of 2023!

We wish our seniors all the best! #OnceaKnightalwaysaKnight

For the past 28 years, the Kings Athletic Booster Club and the Kings Athletic Department have honored student-athletes who have maintained excellent academic standards while dedicating their time and energy to Kings athletics. On Wednesday, May 17, the Annual Senior Scholar-Athlete Luncheon was held at TPC Rivers Bend.

Twenty-seven students were recognized at the luncheon where they were accompanied by their parents and a Kings staff member who has particularly influenced their academic and athletic success.

To qualify for this award, an athlete must have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.850 or better for seven semesters at KHS while earning a minimum of five varsity letters in multiple sports, or four varsity letters in one sport. Each athlete was given a clock to represent the time spent with Kings Athletics.

Click here to learn more about the athletes and their chosen staff members.

Congratulations to the scholar athletes shown below - Lauren Astacio, Makayla Bock-Krollman, Johnny Bruns, Megan Burke, Ricky Davalos, Peyton Dickerson, Marissa Elam, Justin Garter, Lucy Gonzalez, Maddie Guibord, Jay Holubetz, Nick Hoying, Colin Hunter, Sam Kenneweg, Zoe Lenney, Michael Mussari, Grace Nelson, Jack Pennington, Hannah Prater, Abby Rawlings, Evan Reppeto, Melanie Schweikert, Abby Smith, Aidan Vogt, Riley Wells, and Brady Wik.

Invited Staff members are Katlyn Gilbert, Nick Molz, Jason Shields, Kaitlyn Sondles, Sam Mizener, Lindsay Six, Carrie Cunningham, Reggie Holtrey, Andrea Nichols, Lance Durham, Dave Barta, Tracy Goldie, Alex Garvin, Kelly Shields, Steve France, Michelle West, and Lisa King.

The students in the Kings Kids morning program at South Lebanon Elementary School recently embarked on a special project that involved creating words of advice for the graduating class of 2023.

Over the course of a few weeks, the students worked diligently on this project, pouring their hearts into each and every word of advice they created. The result was a collection of over 350 unique and heartfelt pieces. Childcare Aide, Danielle Mojica said, "These words truly captured the spirit of our morning group of kids. We believe that this project exemplifies the best of our school community, and we are thrilled to have been a part of it. We hope that this project will serve as a lasting reminder of the power of community and the importance of supporting one another, no matter our age or experience level."

The notes were delivered to KHS. Principal Doug Leist said, "What a special district we work in! This "full circle" experience will mean a great deal coming to our Seniors. Thank you for thinking of us and rooting us on! "

This Spring over 35,000 students from 46 states participated in the Noetic Math Contest. This is the first year that Columbia Intermediate students have competed, and we are really proud of the determination and courage our students demonstrated by participating in this competition. 

The Sixth-grade team "PSG 2.0" is fielded by Grace Lindgren, Mya Mianegaz, Luka Gigolashvili, Faaz Hamza, and Tanush Udmir.

Both Luka and Tanush received Honorable Mentions for scoring in the top 50% nationwide. They also tied for "Team Winner" for the sixth-grade group.

Our Fifth-grade team "Quick Thinkers," Jack Bramble, Gilian Dwyer, Hansika Pendyala, Ibrokhimjon Bakhramov, Arjun Ramagiri, Aarav Mokashi, Aadya Baranwal, Sabharnaa Balaji, and Maya Feagiins had a successful contest.

Jack, Aarav, and Sabharnaa all received Honorable Mentions for scoring in the top 50% nationwide. Arjun, Aadya, and Maya all received National Honor Roll for scoring in the top 10% nationwide, and Maya was the "Team Winner" for the fifth-grade group with a score of 90%!

Mrs. Karen Manis, Mathlete Coach said, "What an amazing group of creative problem-solvers! We wish them much success in their future endeavors."

Congratulations!

After thirty-three years as head coach of the Kings Firecrackers, Lynn Kelley is retiring. What started as an afterschool activity for kids in South Lebanon, Kelley has grown the team into a national favorite halftime show.

She is handing the jump rope over to longtime Team choreographer, Shaun Hamilton. Pending Board approval, Shaun will begin Firecracker tryouts and practices this summer. Kelley said, "Shaun has been helping the team since he was 16 years old and it is very exciting to have him become an official Firecracker!"

Hamilton is the president of the International Jump Rope Union. He began his jump rope/rope skipping career as a young athlete in 1989. He claimed US national titles in 1999 and 2003 and a FISAC-IRSF World Championship title in 1999. Shaun has served as a coach for a local club, a US board member, a committee chair, and Team USA Head Coach. In 2009 Mr. Hamilton co-founded the World Jump Rope Federation and served as its Chair since 2010.

“I am excited to coach the Kings Firecrackers Jump Rope Performance Team and build on the wonderful legacy Lynn Kelley created over the past 30+ years," he said. Since he has worked with the Firecrackers as a choreographer for over 20 years he fundamentally understands what makes them special. He has been a part of the sport for more than 30 years, coaching a competitive team in Texas, as well as serving as Head Coach for the US National Jump Rope team and the U.S. All-Star Team. "Coaching is in my blood and I cannot wait to work with these amazing athletes in an effort to continue the Firecracker tradition of excellence,” he said.

Upon her retirement, Coach Kelley said, "I have thoroughly enjoyed the girls and getting to know their families. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined all that the girls accomplished and the fun we had along the way!" Kelley will still be involved with the team but in a much lesser role. "These past years have meant the world to me; I thank you for giving me this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I have been surely blessed beyond measure!"

Coach Hamilton will host a Meet & Greet and Information gathering session for prospective new Firecrackers this evening at South Lebanon Elementary from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Learn more about Firecracker tryouts here.

Congratulations to Kings High School English teacher, Katie Isaacs who was selected as the Diehl & Hubbell Teacher of the Month for May 2023.

The Diehl & Hubbell law firm in Lebanon recognizes and rewards outstanding teachers who change people's lives in our community. They received a letter of recommendation from KHS senior Bella Cantrall. In her letter, she shared that Ms.Isaacs is "one of the hardest working teachers at Kings High School and she couldn't be more appreciative of all that you do."

Her letter continues, "She's an extremely kind and patient woman who cares very deeply for all of her students. She does everything in her power to help them succeed and is very accepting of everyone. She's always there to listen and give a helping hand."

Donna Diehl from Diehl & Hubbell was on hand this week to present Ms. Isaacs with a plaque and a check for $500.

Pictured below are KHS Principal, Doug Leist, Katie Isaacs, Bella Cantrall, and Donna Diehl.

The Kings Kokorodza Marimba Ensemble and the Kings Mills Elementary School Marimba Ensemble will be performing at Cincinnati's Findlay Market on Sunday, May 21 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. They will be set up at the west end of the Market next to Elm Street.

It should be a great day for a visit and to hear our talented students perform!

The Food Service Department wants to thank students and their families for their support in our School Lunch Program. We want to remind all parents/guardians that any remaining funds on student meal accounts will transfer to the 2023-2024 school year. The balances will remain on the student's accounts when they return in August.

If a student is graduating or transferring out of the Kings Local School District and your student has a remaining balance please contact the Food Service Department at 513-398-8050 ext 10027 or you can email us directly at jarlinghaus@kingslocal.net and a refund will be issued to you.

If you have a graduate that has a remaining balance and you have another child/student in the District the remaining funds from your graduate can be transferred to their younger sibling. Please contact the Food Service Department to make this request and they would be happy to assist you.

Any student that currently has a balance due can forward payment by cash, check or payments are also accepted from our online portal, Pay For It at www.payforit.net. Forms of payment of cash or check can be sent to the students' school or they can also be mailed directly to the Food and Nutrition Department at 1797 King Avenue, Kings Mills OH 45034. Checks can be made out to: Kings Local School District: Food Service. 

Kings Social Emotional Health Coordinator, Kim Sellers with some information about mental health resources for the summer.

As we approach the summer months, we would like to take a moment to address the importance of mental health and well-being for both you and your children. The summer break offers a wonderful opportunity to relax, recharge, and spend quality time with loved ones. However, we understand that the transition from the school routine to the summer can sometimes bring about challenges and stress.

At Kings, we prioritize the mental health of our students and their families. We believe that it is essential to provide support and resources to help you navigate any difficult times that may arise. That is why we want to remind you about two valuable resources available to you in the event of a mental health emergency: MRSS (Mobile Response Stabilization Services) and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Psychiatric Intake Response Center.

In the event of a mental health emergency, we encourage you to take advantage of these resources, as they are here to support you and your family throughout the summer months and beyond. Prioritizing mental health is a collective effort, and we are committed to working together to ensure the well-being of our entire school community.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. I am still available and working throughout the majority of the summer. We are here to support you every step of the way. Wishing you all a safe, enjoyable, and mentally healthy summer break!

Click here for some Summer mental health activities.

The most convenient option is to visit our new Kings Online Spiritwear Store provided by our partner ROKKITWEAR. They are a local company that offers Kings Organizations profits for the spiritwear sold. They offer quality garments and accessories.

To place an order, visit the online store and click the school/organization that you would like to support. Once you select the item you prefer you will have the option to choose from a menu of customized Kings designs. If you have kids in multiple buildings and would like to spread out your purchase to allow for profit, you have the option to give credit to more than one within the same order. Meaning, you can check out once knowing your proceeds will still return to the building/organization of your choice. All items will be printed and sent out within 5 business days! You can also personalize any item in the store!

Please be sure to pick up your student's medications from our school clinics by the last day of school!

The Kings Art and Kindness Club along with the KHS National Art Honor Society are hosting the Kings Summer Art Camp. This year's Art Camp entitled, "Beyond the Page" is inspired by some favorite childhood stories.

The camp welcomes children in grades 1-8. It will take place June 5-8 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Kings High School Cafeteria. Cost is $80 and the proceeds will be used to support next year's FREE Community Art events. There are a limited number of scholarships available.

Click here for more information and registration.

If you are interested in registering your 3-5-year-old child in preschool, Kings Early Childhood Center is now registering for the 2023-2024 school year. Classes are taught by certified general education and early childhood intervention specialist teachers. Click here for more information.

For additional information contact Sherri Cain at 513-398-8050, ext. 10042.

Board Members

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

Visit the Board of Education page on our website for meeting dates, meeting recordings, and agendas.

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!

It's that time of year again to start thinking about your child's summer activities! Kings Athletics has many options for athletic camps for students.Check out this year's Summer Camp Schedule.

Online registration opens on April 15

If you have any questions, contact Kings Assistant Athletic Director, Jen List at jlist@kingslocal.net.