PDE Graduation Guidelines

Dear Kennett High School Families,
In accordance with Act 158, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has recently made changes to its requirements for high school graduation. I’m reaching out to you today to share how these will impact our students.
Beginning with the Class of 2023, all must demonstrate proficiency through what PDE calls its Pathways to Graduation. Understanding that every student learns differently, PDE has now identified five different options. Students may:
  • Achieve Keystone Exam proficiency in Algebra, Biology & Literature,
  • Earn a Keystone composite score of 4452 or higher,
  • Complete an alternative assessment,
  • Demonstrate success in career and technical education or
  • Provide multiple pieces of approved college and career readiness evidence.
Please know that we are carefully tracking Keystone Exam data to ensure that each student is on the best path for graduation. A progress report will be shared with our juniors and their families by the end of February. Those students in need of additional support will be invited to schedule an individual meeting with their school counselor before the end of the school year.
In the meantime, I encourage you to learn more about Act 158 so that you may have meaningful conversations with your child about their graduation requirements.
We are confident in our students’ readiness for meeting PDE’s graduation requirements and continue to challenge them every day through rigorous and relevant instruction.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out at any time.
Thank you,
Jeremy Hritz, Ed.D.
Principal, Kennett High School
*****
Queridas Familias de Kennett High School,
De acuerdo con la Ley 158, el Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), recientemente realizó cambios en sus requisitos para la graduación de la escuela secundaria. Me comunico con usted hoy para compartir cómo estos cambios afectarán a nuestros estudiantes.
Comenzando con la Clase de 2023, todos deben demostrar competencia a través de lo que el PDE llama Pathways to Graduation. Entendiendo que cada estudiante aprende de manera diferente, PDE ya ha identificado cinco opciones diferentes. Los estudiantes pueden:
  • Lograr el competencia del examen Keystone en Álgebra, Biología y Literatura,
  • Obtener una puntaje compuesto de Keystone de 4452 o superior,
  • Completar una evaluación alternativa,
  • Demostrar éxito en la educación profesional y técnica o
  • Proporcionar múltiples piezas de evidencia aprobadas de preparación para la universidad y la carrera.
Tenga en cuenta que estamos siguiendo cuidadosamente los datos del examen Keystone, para garantizar que cada estudiante esté en el mejor camino para graduarse. Se compartirá un informe de progreso con nuestros estudiantes de tercer año(”juniors”) y sus familias a finales de febrero. Se invitará a aquellos estudiantes que necesiten apoyo adicional a programar una reunión individual con su consejero en la escuela, antes del final del año escolar.
Mientras tanto, le recomiendo que aprenda más sobre la Ley 158, para que pueda tener conversaciones significativas con su hijo sobre sus requisitos de graduación.
Confiamos en la preparación de nuestros estudiantes para cumplir con los requisitos de graduación del PDE y los continuamos retando todos los días a través de una instrucción rigurosa y relevante.
Si tiene alguna pregunta, no dude en comunicarse en cualquier momento.
Atentamente,
Jeremy Hritz, Ed.D.
Director, Kennett High School
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Principal’s Message 1.21.22

Happy Friday KHS Families,

I hope everyone had a great week and is looking forward to a restful and relaxing weekend. A new beginning is upon us, as we will start the second semester on Tuesday, January 25th. This signals the halfway point of the school year, and it is exciting because of the many fun events we have to look forward to, such as Mini-THON, Prom, Senior Stroll, and Graduation. Please continue to encourage your children to focus on doing their best in the classroom to maximize their opportunities.

As we wrap up the week, here are a few notes, updates, and reminders:

1. Monday, January 24th is the final day of the second marking period. The third marking period and second semester begin Tuesday, January 25th. Please remind students to arrive to school on time everyday. Students that arrive to school late will receive an initial warning and then be issued restorative sessions to counter the behavior. 

2. There will be no school for students on Monday, February 21st.

3. Please note that students are not permitted to have food delivered to the school (e.g., Door Dash). Any food delivery attempt will be refused.

4. Course selection will begin soon, and the new Educational Planning Guide will be shared with students and families electronically sometime next week. A hard copy of the planning guide will be available for all students the first week of February.

5. Please remind your students to check their emails multiple times a school day. Important information is consistently shared with students via email, so it is important for them to check it frequently.

6. If your child is interested in participating in upcoming Principal/Student Roundtables, please have them contact me at jhritz@kcsd.org, and I will be sure to include them.

7. Our next PTSO Meeting (virtual) is Tuesday, February 8th at 6:00 PM.

That is all for today! Have an awesome weekend!

Jeremy Hritz, Ed.D.

Principal, Kennett High School

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PTSO- January 18, 2022

Good Afternoon,

Please find the link to tonight’s KHS PTSO Meeting which will begin at 6:00 PM.

Thank you.

MEETING LINK

Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device:

Please click this URL to join. https://cciu.zoom.us/j/92065958880?pwd=bk9wRy9OOGxxM3l0MCtGRWhCWFhKdz09

Passcode: 030747

Or One tap mobile:

+13017158592,,92065958880#,,,,*030747# US (Washington DC)

+13126266799,,92065958880#,,,,*030747# US (Chicago)

Or join by phone:

Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):

US: +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 929 205 6099 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 6833

Webinar ID: 920 6595 8880

Passcode: 030747

International numbers available: https://cciu.zoom.us/u/adV1vSk88e

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KHS Restorative Practices Information

Restorative Practices

This year, we have employed an innovative approach in how we support students and address discipline issues at Kennett High School. This approach is known as Restorative Practices, and we have discussed it at multiple high school PTSO meetings. As part of our Restorative approach (Circles and Conferencing), we have developed a new program called After School Restorative Sessions, which you can find more information about in the attached newsletter and video.
 
 
 

 

If you have more questions about this program, please contact our Dean of Students, Ms. Chanel August at caugust@kcsd.org.
 
Thank you,
 
Jeremy Hritz, Ed.D.
Principal, Kennett High School
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Principal’s Message 1.14.22

Happy Friday KHS Families!

I hope everyone has had a great week! The days continue to fly by, and we are even closer to the end of the first semester, which is Monday, January 24th. As we approach the conclusion of the semester, please encourage your children to finish on a strong and positive note. Talk with them about making up any missing assignments/assessments, studying and preparing for any approaching exams, and asking their teachers for help. Additionally, please encourage them to take advantage of their Flex periods which are designed to allow for extra help from their teachers during the school day. I am looking forward to seeing the results of our students’ efforts at the end of the semester as indicated by their course grades!

As we finish up this Friday, I wanted to share a few news, notes, and updates:

1. There is no school on Monday, January 17th.

2. The first semester and second marking period conclude on Monday, January 24th. The second semester and third marking period begin on Tuesday, January 25th. The third marking period will conclude on Tuesday, March 29th.

3. Course selection for the 2022-2023 school year will soon begin, so please be on the lookout for more information coming your way from your teachers and counselors. Teachers will be making recommendations about which courses students should take next year, so it is important that they talk with them about their goals. Also, we will have a variety of new electives we will be offering next year including The History of Kennett Square, Food and Farm: An Introduction to Agriculture, Media in the Digital Age, and several others. All of these courses will be detailed in the new edition of the Educational Planning Guide which will be published soon. We are excited to provide a series of new courses for students to choose next school year!

4. Also, when thinking about course selection for next year, students may also want to consider Dual Enrollment courses. Dual Enrollment courses are college courses students can take to not only earn college credit, but also high school credit. Partnerships with Delaware County Community College, University of Delaware, and West Chester University are in place just to name a few. If your child is interested in these opportunities, please have them reach out to their school counselor.

5. Families of seniors, next Wednesday and Thursday, I will be meeting with all 12th grade students in small groups to discuss the second half of the school year, upcoming events, and expectations. I am encouraging them to reach out to me in advance if they have any questions they’d like me to address in the meeting. Please encourage them to do so I can clarify any questions they may have.

6. Next Tuesday, January 18th at 6:00 PM, we will have our next PTSO meeting virtually. The link for the meeting will be sent out the morning of the 18th. I hope to see you there!

That is all for today! Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Jeremy Hritz, Ed.D.

Principal, Kennett High School

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Principal Message 1.7.22

Happy Snowy Friday KHS Families,

I hope that you all are having a great Friday and that the snow did not have too much of an impact on your day!

UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES

DATE

TIME

EVENT

Monday, January 17th NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, January 18th 6:00 PM PTSO (Virtual)
Monday, January 24th End of 2nd Marking Period, Semester 1
Tuesday, January 25th 6:00 PM 8th Grade Parent Night (Virtual)
Tuesday, February 8th 6:00 PM PTSO (Virtual)
Monday, February 21st NO SCHOOL
Friday, February 25th 2:00 – 11:00 PM KHS MiniTHON
Tuesday, March 8th 6:00 PM PTSO (Virtual)
Wednesday, March 16th NO SCHOOL
Thursday, March 17th – 19th Various KHS Musical
Tuesday, March 22nd KHS Career Day
Wednesday, March 23rd 6:00 PM KHS Pathways Night (Virtual)
Thursday, March 24th 7:00 PM NHS Induction
Tuesday, March 29th End of 3rd Marking Period
 

As we wrap up our first week after returning from winter break, I wanted to share a few notes, reminders, and updates. Please take a few moment to carefully read through this email to ensure your students are prepared for upcoming dates and events.

1. The second marking period and first semester will conclude on Monday, January 24th. The second semester and third marking period will begin on Tuesday, January 25th. Students who have semester course(s) will be taking a cumulative exam, and information regarding this assessment will be shared with them by their teachers. There are only 10 school days remaining in the marking period, so it is more important than ever for our students to study, complete their work, and make up any missing assignments. Please encourage your child to utilize their Flex periods to get additional assistance from their teachers and to make up any assessment(s)/assignment(s) that is/are outstanding. I want all of our students to finish the marking period on a strong, positive note so they can carry that momentum into the second half of the year.

2. Course selection for the 2022-2023 school year will soon begin, so please be on the lookout for more information. Teachers will be making recommendations about which courses students should take next year, so it is important that your students talk with them about their goals. Also, we will have a variety of new electives we will be offering next year including The History of Kennett Square, Farm to Table: An Introduction to Agriculture, Media Literacy in the Digital Age, and several others. All of these courses will be detailed in the new edition of the Educational Planning Guide which will be published soon. We are excited to provide a series of new courses for our students to choose next school year!

3. Families of Junior students, please be reminded of the Mock Interview they must complete before the end of January. Junior students will complete this interview during a Flex period with a KHS staff member. For more information, please contact Dr. Tamargo at atamargo@kcsd.org. Remember, failure to complete the Mock Interview and the requirements for the graduation project could prevent students from attending prom, obtaining a senior parking spot, or participating in senior option next school year.

4. A general reminder to all families during the winter season, please remind your students to take their laptops home with them every day to ensure they are prepared for any potential virtual learning days. Additionally, students should bring their laptops with them to class every day in the event they are needed for in-class activities.

5. Please be advised that all COVID mitigation efforts are still in effect. To ensure the safety of everyone in the building, please reinforce with your child(ren) the importance of wearing their facemask properly over their nose, frequently washing their hands and using hand sanitizer, and staying home from school if they are not feeling well. We all have a responsibility for the safety and health of everyone in our building, and I appreciate your support of these expectations.

6. The Kennett Consolidated School District is temporarily adjusting their indoor sporting event guidance for spectators beginning on January 3rd until further notice. The only spectators that will be admitted into the contests (basketball and wrestling) at all the secondary schools (Kennett High School and Kennett Middle School) will be the home and visitor players and cheerleaders, and immediate family members (parents, grandparents, guardians, and siblings). KCSD will not be allowing student sections at all during this time.

Spectators are required to wear masks properly and socially distance while attending these contests. Our primary concern is the health and safety of our student-athletes as we attempt to give them a complete winter season.

7. There will be no school on Monday, January 17th.

8. The end of the 3rd marking period will be Tuesday, March 29th.

That is for today! Have a great weekend!

Thank you,

Jeremy Hritz, Ed.D.

Principal, Kennett High School

______________________________________________

Feliz Viernes Nevado Familias de KHS,

¡Espero que todos estén teniendo un gran viernes y que la nieve no haya tenido demasiado impacto en su día!

PRÓXIMAS FECHAS IMPORTANTES

FECHA

HORA

EVENTO

Lunes 17 de enero th NO HAY CLASES
Martes 18 de enero th 6:00 p. M. PTSO (virtual)
Lunes 24 de enero th Fin de 2 Dakota del Norte Período de calificación, semestre 1
Martes 25 de enero th 6:00 p. M. 8 th Noche de padres de grado (virtual)
Martes 8 de febrero th 6:00 p. M. PTSO (virtual)
Lunes 21 de febrero S t NO HAY CLASES
Viernes 25 de febrero th 2:00 – 11:00 PM KHS MiniTHON
Martes 8 de marzo th 6:00 p. M. PTSO (virtual)
Miércoles 16 de marzo th NO HAY CLASES
Jueves 17 de marzo th – 19 th Varios Musical de KHS
Martes 22 de marzo Dakota del Norte Día de la carrera de KHS
Miércoles 23 de marzo rd 6:00 p. M. Noche de caminos de KHS (virtual)
Jueves 24 de marzo th 7:00 PM Inducción NHS
Martes 29 de marzo th Fin de 3 rd Período de calificaciones

Al concluir nuestra primera semana después de regresar de las vacaciones de invierno, quería compartir algunas notas, recordatorios y actualizaciones. Tómese un momento para leer detenidamente este correo electrónico para asegurarse de que sus estudiantes estén preparados para las próximas fechas y eventos.

1. El segundo período de calificaciones y el primer semestre concluirán el lunes 24 de enero th . El segundo semestre y el tercer período de calificaciones comenzarán el martes 25 de enero. th . Los estudiantes que tengan cursos semestrales tomarán un examen acumulativo y sus maestros compartirán la información sobre esta evaluación con ellos. Solo quedan 10 días escolares en el período de calificaciones, por lo que es más importante que nunca que nuestros estudiantes estudien, completen su trabajo y recuperen las asignaciones faltantes. Anime a su hijo a utilizar sus períodos Flex para obtener ayuda adicional de sus maestros y para recuperar cualquier evaluación / tarea que sea sobresaliente. Quiero que todos nuestros estudiantes terminen el período de calificaciones con una nota fuerte y positiva para que puedan llevar ese impulso a la segunda mitad del año.

2. La selección de cursos para el año escolar 2022-2023 comenzará pronto, así que esté atento para obtener más información. Los maestros harán recomendaciones sobre los cursos que los estudiantes deben tomar el próximo año, por lo que es importante que sus estudiantes los acompañen sobre sus objetivos. Además, tendremos una variedad de nuevas asignaturas optativas que ofreceremos el próximo año, que incluyen La historia de Kennett Square, De la granja a la mesa: Introducción a la agricultura, Alfabetización mediática en la era digital y muchas otras. Todos estos cursos se detallarán en la nueva edición de la Guía de Planificación Educativa que se publicará próximamente. ¡Estamos emocionados de ofrecer una serie de cursos nuevos para que nuestros estudiantes elijan el próximo año escolar!

3. Familias de estudiantes junior, recuerden la entrevista simulada que deben completar antes de fines de enero. Los estudiantes de tercer año completarán esta entrevista durante un período flexible con un miembro del personal de KHS. Para obtener más información, comuníquese con el Dr. Tamargo al atamargo@kcsd.org . Recuerde, no completar la entrevista simulada y los requisitos para el proyecto de graduación podría impedir que los estudiantes asistan al baile de graduación, obtengan un lugar de estacionamiento para estudiantes de último año o participen en la opción de estudiantes de último año el próximo año escolar.

4. Un recordatorio general para todas las familias durante la temporada de invierno, por favor recuerde a sus estudiantes que se lleven sus computadoras portátiles a casa todos los días para asegurarse de que estén preparados para los posibles días de aprendizaje virtual. Además, los estudiantes deben traer sus computadoras portátiles a clase todos los días en caso de que las necesiten para las actividades de la clase.

5. Tenga en cuenta que todos los esfuerzos de mitigación de COVID aún están vigentes. Para garantizar la seguridad de todos en el edificio, refuerce con su(s) hijo(s) la importancia de usar la mascarilla sobre la nariz correctamente, lavarse las manos con frecuencia y usar desinfectante para manos, y quedarse en casa y no ir a la escuela si no se sienten bien. Todos tenemos la responsabilidad de la seguridad y la salud de todos en nuestro edificio, y agradezco su apoyo a estas expectativas.

6. El Distrito Escolar Consolidado de Kennett está ajustando temporalmente su guía de eventos deportivos bajo techo para espectadores a partir del 3 de enero hasta nuevo aviso. Los únicos espectadores que serán admitidos en los concursos (baloncesto y lucha libre) en todas las escuelas secundarias (Kennett High School y Kennett Middle School) serán los jugadores y porristas locales y visitantes, y los miembros de la familia inmediata (padres, abuelos, tutores, y hermanos). KCSD no permitirá secciones de estudiantes durante este tiempo.

Se requiere que los espectadores usen máscaras de manera adecuada y mantengan la distancia social mientras asisten a estos concursos. Nuestra principal preocupación es la salud y la seguridad de nuestros estudiantes-atletas mientras intentamos brindarles una temporada de invierno completa.

7. No habrá clases el lunes 17 de enero. el .

8. El final de los 3 rd el período de calificaciones será el martes 29 de marzo el .

¡Eso es por hoy! ¡Ten un excelente fin de semana!

Gracias,

Jeremy Hritz, Ed.D.

Principal, Kennett High School 

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