Category: Newcomers Newsletter

Newsletter – Issue 25

Posted on by Mphumelelo Khaba

Issue 25 – April 2025

Events that Warmed up the Winter!

During the cold winter season, students stayed active! Did you and your family go to a fun event? Literacy Night was so much fun at Lincoln. Students enjoyed books and stories. They even got to take home new books to keep! Everyone had fun playing games with teachers.

Milwood Middle School had an extra special Around the World celebration. Did your family go? Did you have a favorite activity, a favorite food, or a favorite performance at Milwood Around the World? The winter was cold and grey, but Kalamazoo Public Schools were warm, colorful, and exciting!

Headlines

Lincoln Literacy Night 

Parents, families, and students had a great time at Lincoln Elementary’s Literacy Night!  The theme of the evening came from the book, The Lemonade War, by Jacqueline Davies. Students were able to make pretend lemonade, taste different lemonades, and invent their own lemonade recipe. Everyone had fun celebrating books and reading!

Headlines

Milwood Around the World

Milwood Middle School had the best party in Kalamazoo! Many students came with their families and friends to enjoy a fun evening of music, dancing, activities, and food! Many tables had arts and crafts, free prizes, and games. The event celebrated literacy, too, with many activities sharing a love of books and reading.

Ideas

What college can mean for you

By Mphumelelo Khaba

In some parts of the world, especially in the United States, going to college is normal. Many people think college is only about studying, getting good grades, and paying a lot of money. But college can be more than that. Some students go to college to become better at sports. They might play basketball, swim, or play soccer. Others go to college to show their creativity. They might play music, paint, or make videos. For many people, college is also a place to grow. They learn more about themselves, become more confident, and make friends that can last a lifetime. You do not need to know what job you want in the future. Many students change their minds after college. They find new things they love, and college can help them do well in their new path. If you have the chance to go to college, go. Be open to new ideas and new experiences. You may be surprised by what you enjoy!

Ads and Resources

Get outside at Milham Park!

607 E Kilgore Rd, Kalamazoo, MI 49001

Kalamazoo Public Schools Calendar

Logo of Kalamazoo Public Schools
DateActivities
April 23-24High School Conferences
April 256-8 Half Day
May 16-8 Half Day
May 23Last Day PEEP and Graduating Seniors
May 26Memorial Day; All Buildings Closed
May 27KAMSC Senior Recognition

Contact and Acknowledgements

A picture of the KPS teachers

Lincoln Lower Elementary

Austyn Sabin
sabinA@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Lincoln Upper Elementary

Prajakta Apte
aptePS@KalamazoopPublicSchools.net

Lincoln Kindergarten

Courtney Horn
hornCB@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Milwood Middle

Saratha (MS.Charu) Ramanathan
Ramanathans@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Phoenix High School

Mariam Samit
samitM@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Melissa Ottensen
ottesenMA@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Kalamazoo Central High School

Ayat Rizeq
rizeqAN@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Loy Norrix High School

Bright Egwim
egwimBO@Kalam9zooPublicSchools.net

Jen Kruger
krugerJL@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Julie Zabik
zabikJA@KalamazooPublicSchoofs.net

Oakwood Adult ESL

Maria Garcia
garciaMD@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Coordinator of Multilingual Services and World Languages

Dr. Wessam Abdelaziz
abdelazizWi@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Acknowledgements

Teaching Volunteers

  • Elizabeth Aquino Lopez
  • Courtney Joaquin Martinez
  • Ali Armin
  • Martha Diaz Chavez
  • Inma Melon Dominguez
  • Sa’Niyah Bedell
  • Madyson Groth
  • Jerry Menez
  • Camila Benavides
  • Gus Horvath
  • Alex Mungai
  • Sotirios Bougioukos
  • Macy Ivins
  • Mary Oduor
  • Eleni Bougioukou


  • Kamani Jones Jr.
  • Mauricio Posey
  • Matthew Butterly
  • Braeden Lavis
  • Lisa Raddatz
  • Chris Cayton
  • Malick Lo
  • Sara Reathaford
  • Savannah Chapie
  • Alondra Lopez
  • Micahaia Reynolds
  • Josee Cooke
  • Dasia Lopez
  • Jaycee Rider
  • Nicklaus Coseo
  • Allan Martinez
  • Morgan Shearer


Instructor

Candace Bailey Combs

Design Director

Kathryn Lightcap

Layout

Calia Scivally

Editor

Mphumelelo Khaba

Newsletter – Issue 24

Posted on by Mphumelelo Khaba

Issue 24 – March 2025

Paper! Pencils! Let’s Write!

Do you like to write? Writing can be fun! Practice writing every day. You will see your writing get better and better.  

  1. Write about what you know. You know many things. Write about your day or your school or your home. You know this well. It is easier to write about something familiar.  
  1. Write about what you like. Do you like sports? Art? Food? Write about it! It is more interesting to write about something you enjoy. 
  1. Write about what you see. Look around. Do you see a busy classroom? What are people doing? What sounds do you hear? What colors do you see? Add details. 

Headlines

What English Means to Me

By Seonha Lee 

I learned English by talking with friends. It wasn’t always easy for me. It was helpful for me to keep practicing my skills. I talked with friends online, and I used English all the time. I practiced writing and spelling by texting. 

English is more than just talking and texting. Words can change how people understand the world and each other. Words can make people feel included. Practice writing and speaking and learn new vocabulary! English can help bring people together. 

Do you speak English with your friends? You can speak English with us! KLIPs enjoy speaking English with students.  You can practice with us, learn new words, and become more comfortable using English with friends.  

Ideas

Write Your Own English Story!

What does learning English mean to you? There are many answers. You might have lots of ideas. Your feelings might change.  

Writing a cinquain poem is one way to brainstorm ideas and words.  

A cinquain poem looks like this: An example of cinquain poem about learning English:  
One noun  English 
Two adjectives New, different 
Three gerunds (words + ing) Reading, talking, learning 
A short phrase Helps me make new friends 
A one-word summary Future 
Now write your own!  
 One noun  
Two adjectives  
Three gerunds (words + ing)  
A short phrase  
A one-word summary  

 

Arts and Crafts

Slope Practice with Whiteboards

In Ms. Loftis’ class, students are learning algebra. Phoenix students enjoy math. Ms. Loftis makes it fun. They are learning difficult math ideas like slope. They work equations using whiteboards and markers. Students find the slope by calculating rise over run. Ask a Phoenix student how they do it! They help each other, show their work, and problem solve together with whiteboards. Ms. Loftis can see answers quickly and provide help. Using white boards is something students enjoy, and it helps them practice their math.  

Arts and Crafts

Reading with Ms. Samit

In Mrs. Samit’s class at Phoenix High School, students have been reading. They read and read and read! With practice, students are improving their reading skills. They are learning new words every day. Read 180 Language books and computer programs are helpful. The Read 180 computer program is different for every student, because the program changes based on how students respond.  

When students are not on the computer, they work individually, in groups, and as a class to practice new English words, sentences, and grammar. Reading practice helps students improve language skills. They also develop confidence and pride when they can read new texts and see their progress. 

Arts and Crafts

Kindergarten Creates! 

Ms. Horn’s Lincoln kindergarteners love art class! They are excited to create beautiful art. Art class is also important for students’ learning. They look like they are just having fun, but they are also growing. They made a heart charm from clay, and then the next week, they used beads to make a colorful necklace. This artwork helps with fine motor skills, so students can use their hands and fingers better to write, draw, and color. Choosing colors and shapes helps students solve problems. Talking about their work helps grow their English skills. Art is fun AND important! 

Ads and Resources

Word Challenge

Link to picture

Kalamazoo Public Schools Calendar

Logo of Kalamazoo Public Schools
DateActivities
March 5PEEP/Kindergarten Orientation
March 7PK-12 no school
March 12K-12 half day
March 27K-5 half day
March 28PK-12 no school; no county programs
March 31–April 4Spring Break

Contact and Acknowledgements

A picture of the KPS teachers

Lincoln Lower Elementary

Austyn Sabin
sabinA@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Lincoln Upper Elementary

Prajakta Apte
aptePS@KalamazoopPublicSchools.net

Lincoln Kindergarten

Courtney Horn
hornCB@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Milwood Middle

Saratha (MS.Charu) Ramanathan
Ramanathans@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Phoenix High School

Mariam Samit
samitM@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Melissa Ottensen
ottesenMA@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Kalamazoo Central High School

Ayat Rizeq
rizeqAN@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Loy Norrix High School

Bright Egwim
egwimBO@Kalam9zooPublicSchools.net

Jen Kruger
krugerJL@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Julie Zabik
zabikJA@KalamazooPublicSchoofs.net

Oakwood Adult ESL

Maria Garcia
garciaMD@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Coordinator of Multilingual Services and World Languages

Dr. Wessam Abdelaziz
abdelazizWi@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Acknowledgements

Teaching Volunteers

  • Elizabeth Aquino Lopez
  • Courtney Joaquin Martinez
  • Ali Armin
  • Martha Diaz Chavez
  • Inma Melon Dominguez
  • Sa’Niyah Bedell
  • Madyson Groth
  • Jerry Menez
  • Camila Benavides
  • Gus Horvath
  • Alex Mungai
  • Sotirios Bougioukos
  • Macy Ivins
  • Mary Oduor
  • Eleni Bougioukou


  • Kamani Jones Jr.
  • Mauricio Posey
  • Matthew Butterly
  • Braeden Lavis
  • Lisa Raddatz
  • Chris Cayton
  • Malick Lo
  • Sara Reathaford
  • Savannah Chapie
  • Alondra Lopez
  • Micahaia Reynolds
  • Josee Cooke
  • Dasia Lopez
  • Jaycee Rider
  • Nicklaus Coseo
  • Allan Martinez
  • Morgan Shearer


Instructor

Candace Bailey Combs

Design Director

Kathryn Lightcap

Layout

Calia Scivally

Editor

Mphumelelo Khaba

Newsletter – Issue 23

Posted on by Mphumelelo Khaba
a boy looking at the camera carrying a book

Issue 23 – February 2025

Staying Cozy with a Book 

It’s cold and snowy outside! Stay warm inside and read a book! What do you like to read? Do you have a favorite book?  

“Non-Fiction” books are true and can be about real people and places. “Fiction” books are imagined by the author. Do you like fiction or non-fiction? Ask your teacher, your principal, or your librarian about their favorites! 

Go to the library and take home a few new books. When it’s cold, sit in a comfortable chair with pillows, blankets, and a book! Reading can take you anywhere, even if you’re staying cozy at home. 

Ideas

Celebrating Black History Month With a Great Story

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats was published in 1962. A boy named Peter plays in the snow and builds a snowman. The book won many awards and is still enjoyed by readers today! 

Jerry Pinkney illustrated over 100 books! He won many awards for his art. The Lion and the Mouse is a favorite! 

Jacqueline Woodson writes books and poetry for children, teenagers, and adults. S One of her most famous books, brown girl dreaming, is an autobiography written in poetry. She writes about her life growing up as an African American girl in the 1960s.  

a book: the snowy day by Ezra Jacj Keats

A pictue of a lion close up

a picture of a black man signing a book and smiling

Photo Credit: Jerry Pinkney 2019 Texas Book Festival” by Larry D. Moore is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/?ref=openverse

Ideas

From Brown Girl Dreaming

reading

I am not my sister. 
Words from the books curl around each other 
make little sense 
until 
I read them again 
and again, the story 
settling into memory. Too slow 
the teacher says. 
Read faster. 
Too babyish, the teacher says. 
Read older. 
But I don’t want to read faster or older or 
any way else that might 
make the story disappear too quickly 
from where it’s settling 
inside my brain, 
slowly becoming 
a part of me. 
A story I will remember 
long after I’ve read it for the second, 
third, tenth, 
hundredth time 

 

A book: brown girl dreaming by Jacqueline

A black woman smiling and facing direclty on the camera. She is wearing an orange sweater

Arts and Crafts

Make your own Valentine 

Valentine cards are small and simple. They are easy to make. Valentine cards can be shared with people you love. Friends, family, classmates, and teachers love alentines Show your friends and your family that you love them with a Valentine!  

Write and draw pictures with Valentine colors like red, pink, and white.  

What can you write? You can write something sweet or something funny. Some common Valentines phrases include: 

I love you! 

You’re sweet! 

I love you more than pizza! 

What can you draw? You can draw hearts, flowers, and candy. The next page has ideas! 

a picture of a yellow heart held by a hand

a picture of a pink heart drawn with a crayon and the crayon next to it

A picture showing arts and craft stationery

Ads and Resources

Valentine’s Day Doodles!

a doodle of a valentines envelope with a heart

Link to picture

Kalamazoo Public Schools Calendar

Logo of Kalamazoo Public Schools
DateActivities
February 19K-12 half day
February 26PK-5 Literacy Night at Lincoln Elementary
February 27Milwood Around the World
February 276-8 Literacy Night
March 5PEEP/Kindergarten Orientation
March 7PK-12 no school

Contact and Acknowledgements

A picture of the KPS teachers

Lincoln Lower Elementary

Austyn Sabin
sabinA@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Lincoln Upper Elementary

Prajakta Apte
aptePS@KalamazoopPublicSchools.net

Lincoln Kindergarten

Courtney Horn
hornCB@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Milwood Middle

Saratha (MS.Charu) Ramanathan
Ramanathans@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Phoenix High School

Mariam Samit
samitM@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Melissa Ottensen
ottesenMA@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Kalamazoo Central High School

Ayat Rizeq
rizeqAN@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Loy Norrix High School

Bright Egwim
egwimBO@Kalam9zooPublicSchools.net

Jen Kruger
krugerJL@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Julie Zabik
zabikJA@KalamazooPublicSchoofs.net

Oakwood Adult ESL

Maria Garcia
garciaMD@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Coordinator of Multilingual Services and World Languages

Dr. Wessam Abdelaziz
abdelazizWi@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Acknowledgements

Teaching Volunteers

  • Elizabeth Aquino Lopez
  • Courtney Joaquin Martinez
  • Ali Armin
  • Martha Diaz Chavez
  • Inma Melon Dominguez
  • Sa’Niyah Bedell
  • Madyson Groth
  • Jerry Menez
  • Camila Benavides
  • Gus Horvath
  • Alex Mungai
  • Sotirios Bougioukos
  • Macy Ivins
  • Mary Oduor
  • Eleni Bougioukou


  • Kamani Jones Jr.
  • Mauricio Posey
  • Matthew Butterly
  • Braeden Lavis
  • Lisa Raddatz
  • Chris Cayton
  • Malick Lo
  • Sara Reathaford
  • Savannah Chapie
  • Alondra Lopez
  • Micahaia Reynolds
  • Josee Cooke
  • Dasia Lopez
  • Jaycee Rider
  • Nicklaus Coseo
  • Allan Martinez
  • Morgan Shearer


Instructor

Candace Bailey Combs

Design Director

Kathryn Lightcap

Layout

Calia Scivally

Editor

Mphumelelo Khaba

Newcomers Newsletter – Issue 21

Posted on by Mphumelelo Khaba
a young girl looking at the camera and smiling

Issue 21 – December 2024

Stay Healthy This Winter

The weather is changing. December is colder than November. Sickness is normal in the winter. Sneezing, coughing, and a stuffy nose are symptoms of the common cold. Fever and nausea are more serious and may be influenza or “the flu”. A fever is a body temperature of 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 F) or higher. Wash hands often to be healthy, especially before eating and after playing. Soap and water help wash away germs. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue and do not touch your face, because germs can get in through your eyes, nose, or mouth. Remember to wear warm clothes, drink water, and get plenty of rest. Stay strong and healthy!  

Headlines

Reflections

It’s December! We think about the past months of 2024. We remember important events, both big and small. Reflection means to think about your experiences, your feelings, and actions. Thinking about the past year can help you learn, grow, and understand more about yourself. 

What lessons did you learn this year? Did you make new friends? Did you achieve your goals? What was a challenge from this year? Think about how much you have grown and changed. It’s important to think about these memories.  

As 2024 ends, we look forward to 2025! A new year brings hope and excitement. What will you do next year? You can be even better, continue learning, and create new happy memories.  

A group of students viewed from the back, seated and attentively looking at a board at the front of the room, where an activity is being presented.
A student glancing to the side while focused on working on their assignment at their desk.

A teacher writing on a marker board at the front of the classroom, with students seated and attentively watching her.

Headlines

Goodbye Fall!

We’re saying goodbye to outside fall sports like soccer, football and cross country. These activities were exciting, and students showed courage, effort, and teamwork. As the games end, players and fans think about their best memories and look forward to winter sports like basketball. Soccer comes indoors and becomes futsal.  

The weather changes from cool to cold, and the beautiful red, yellow, and orange leaves are gone. Snow is coming! We will build snowmen and throw snowballs. After a big snow, it is fun to try ice skating and sledding! Goodbye Fall, Hello Winter!! 

 

A young Black girl in a classroom, wearing a pink jacket, looking directly at the camera, and smiling brightly with her teeth showing.

A young Black girl seated in a classroom, wearing a black jacket, looking directly at the camera, and smiling warmly.

A teacher smiling warmly in a classroom, surrounded by children who are engaged and cheerful.

Spotlight

Baseball Cards

The Baseball Card Project is a fun activity for Ms. Ayat Rizeq’s students at Kalamazoo Central High School. The cards show help students share their unique identity, interests, and goals for the year. Each card includes a picture of the student, important colors and flags, and special information about the student. Like baseball cards show baseball players, these cards highlight students and their stories. The project helps students make friends and feel welcome. Their classroom is decorated with these colourful cards, reminding students to think about their goals and feel proud of who they are. By making these cards, students have fun and learn more about themselves and each other.

A baseball card featuring a Congolese boy, smiling confidently
A baseball card featuring a Mexican girl, smiling confidently

See more here: Baseball Cards

Around Town

Winter Break Activities 

Winter break is coming soon. From December 23rd – January 3rd, there will be no school. You can try many local Kalamazoo and Michigan traditions. Baking cookies, drinking hot chocolate, and watching movies are very popular in the winter. Kalamazoo also has events during the month of December, including the very fun Bronson Park Light Show and the Holly Jolly Trolley. The light show includes a candy cane lane and other decorations, and the trolley drives through the Kalamazoo Mall. Check the QR code for more fun events. Enjoy the break!

Visit this link to learn more:

https://www.discoverkalamazoo.com

A festive street lined with large red and white striped Christmas candy canes, creating a whimsical walkway where people stroll on either side, surrounded by holiday decorations and cheerful lights.

Two people walking through a snowy forest, wearing coats—one red and the other gray. Their footprints trail behind them in the fresh snow, surrounded by tall, snow-covered trees in a serene winter landscape.

A nighttime view of Bronson Park's Christmas decorations, featuring a beautifully lit and decorated reindeer surrounded by twinkling holiday lights and festive ornaments, set against a clear ground and dark sky.

Ads and Resources

Holly Jolly Trolley

A view looking out from inside a festive Holly Jolly Trolley

A back-side view of the Holly Jolly Trolley in motion, adorned with twinkling fairy lights, set against beautifully decorated streets with festive holiday lights and ornaments.

A front view of the Holly Jolly Trolley, adorned with twinkling fairy lights and festive decorations, as it moves through beautifully decorated streets with holiday ornaments and glowing lights.

Kalamazoo Public Schools Calendar

Logo of Kalamazoo Public Schools
DateActivities
December 11K-12 half day
December 23–January 3Winter Break
January 14K-12 half day
January 176-8 half day
January 22High school conferences, 4-7 p.m.
January 236-8 half day;
High school conferences, 5-8 p.m.

Contact and Acknowledgements

A picture of the KPS teachers

Lincoln Lower Elementary

Austyn Sabin
sabinA@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Lincoln Upper Elementary

Prajakta Apte
aptePS@KalamazoopPublicSchools.net

Lincoln Kindergarten

Courtney Horn
hornCB@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Milwood Middle

Kawther Mohammed
mohammedKS@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Phoenix High School

Mariam Samit
samitM@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Melissa Ottensen
ottesenMA@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Kalamazoo Central High School

Ayat Rizeq
rizeqAN@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Loy Norrix High School

Bright Egwim
egwimBO@Kalam9zooPublicSchools.net

Jen Kruger
krugerJL@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Julie Zabik
zabikJA@KalamazooPublicSchoofs.net

Oakwood Adult ESL

Maria Garcia
garciaMD@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Coordinator of Multilingual Services and World Languages

Dr. Wessam Abdelaziz
abdelazizWi@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Acknowledgements

Teaching Volunteers

  • Elizabeth Aquino Lopez
  • Courtney Joaquin Martinez
  • Ali Armin
  • Martha Diaz Chavez
  • Inma Melon Dominguez
  • Sa’Niyah Bedell
  • Madyson Groth
  • Jerry Menez
  • Camila Benavides
  • Gus Horvath
  • Alex Mungai
  • Sotirios Bougioukos
  • Macy Ivins
  • Mary Oduor
  • Eleni Bougioukou


  • Kamani Jones Jr.
  • Mauricio Posey
  • Matthew Butterly
  • Braeden Lavis
  • Lisa Raddatz
  • Chris Cayton
  • Malick Lo
  • Sara Reathaford
  • Savannah Chapie
  • Alondra Lopez
  • Micahaia Reynolds
  • Josee Cooke
  • Dasia Lopez
  • Jaycee Rider
  • Nicklaus Coseo
  • Allan Martinez
  • Morgan Shearer


Instructor

Candace Bailey Combs

Design Director

Kathryn Lightcap

Layout

Calia Scivally

Editor

Mphumelelo Khaba

Newcomers Newsletter – Issue 20

Posted on by Mphumelelo Khaba
Four young children, two boys and two girls, smiling warmly and looking directly at the camera

Issue 20 – November 2024

Giving Thanks in November

A word for giving thanks is “gratitude”. Gratitude is celebrated in many unique ways in many cultures during holidays. In the United States, Thanksgiving is a special time for families to gather, share meals, and give thanks. Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 28, and students will have a holiday from school. In Mexico, during Día de los Muertos, people honor their ancestors, showing gratitude for their memories by creating altars and offering food. In China, the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrates the harvest, with families giving thanks by sharing mooncakes. In India, Diwali is a festival of lights where people give thanks and celebrate light winning over darkness. Across the world, holidays bring people together in gratitude and celebration. 

Headlines

Kindness Matters

November is a time to be thankful and kind to others. How do you thank people for the good things they do? How do you show kindness? 

In Ms. Horn’s kindergarten class, students show kindness by helping each other. They clean their classroom and put away toys. They help their friends follow rules and stay safe. Kindergarteners are also kind in their schoolwork. They practice math and reading and work together to correct mistakes. They celebrate each other’s successes, too – big or small! Students help each other learn and grow. 

Kindness matters at recess and playtime, too. Students include everyone in games, and no one feels alone. They take turns, share toys, and use kind words. Thank you, kindergarten, for being kind! 

A boy looking at the camera, inside a classroom with other kids
a girl smiling at the camera wearing braids and a pinkish sweater

kids inside a class smiling at the camera

Students seated inside a classroom with a teacher standing nearby; all are directed toward the front, focusing on a specific point or activity.

Headlines

Get Cozy This Fall

November is a fall month. Fall brings cold weather and falling leaves. Sunny days are fun to spend outdoors. Enjoy the colorful red, orange, and yellow trees in your neighborhood and parks. 

Stay warm with long sleeves, sweaters, and jackets. Layering clothing helps your body stay warm. Enjoy hot drinks like coffee, cocoa, or tea and comforting meals like soup.  

Days are shorter and nights are longer. Nights and evenings are a good time to enjoy indoor activities. Does your family like playing games? Checkers, chess, mancala, and dominoes are fun board games to play with your family.  

“Cozy” is a comfortable, relaxed, and warm feeling. It is the feeling of warm sweaters and soft blankets. It may be cold outside, but it is a great time to get cozy! 

two students smiling at the camera and a teacher behind them is looking towards the camera

two students looking at the camera and one student is on the back of the other

Students seated in a classroom, facing away from the camera toward the teacher standing at the front of the room.

A group of students seated together, sharing desks and collaborating on classwork.

Spotlight

Soccer Season at Milwood Middle 

This fall, Milwood started an after-school soccer program, and many students were excited to join and start playing. With so many students, six teams were made, and now there is a league! 

Games were played every day from Monday to Thursday. At the end of the season, the two best teams competed in a championship game. Every player tried hard to work together with their team. Players passed to each other, dribbled down the field, and kicked goals. Goalies blocked and defended. The kids played really well and had a fun and exciting season.  

The soccer program was a great way for students to exercise and learn new skills. It was also a way for players to have fun after a long day at school. Great job, teams! See you next season! 

student dribbling the ball

a student kicking the ball while it is in the air

Soccer players gathered, all eyes on the ball held by the goalkeeper

School

Phoenix Five Sense Garden 

The Five Senses Garden at Phoenix High School is more than a garden. It is a magical place. The five senses are seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, and tasting. You can use all five senses to enjoy the garden. It is an amazing experience to hear the birds chirp and the wind move the leaves. You can close your eyes and breathe in to smell the fresh air and flowers. Mint and other herbs are lovely to smell and to taste. You can also try the speaking stone. Stand on it and speak, and you will feel a vibration. It is a very unique experience. The garden is also a place for students to relax and talk with friends. Phoenix students enjoy being outside and experiencing the sights and sounds of the Five Senses Garden. Sensational!

two girls wearing red, under a red arch made of metal

two boys sitting on low fence made of bricks looking at the camera

Students stading on a red arch at the sense garden.

Around Town

Field Trips: Learn and Have Fun!

A field trip is a visit to learn something new outside of school. Students can see and experience new things. Students can visit places like museums, parks, or farms. They can learn about history, nature, and science in a fun way. Students can ask questions and explore the world. Lessons can become more interesting and real on a field trip. 

Lincoln Newcomers in Ms. Apte, Ms. Sabin, and Mrs. Horn’s classrooms visited Gull Meadow Farm at the end of October. It was a sunny day, and they saw beautiful fall colors in the countryside. Fall fruits and vegetables like apples and pumpkins grow on the farm, and they make treats like doughnuts and apple cider. The children had fun together, and they learned about nature and science on the farm. 

Three girls sitting on a bench, smiling joyfully, enjoying their time together in a cheerful outdoor setting.
A group of children joyfully eating apples together in a sunny outdoor setting

Two boys stretching their arms towards a tree, eager to pick ripe apples hanging from the branches.

Children sitting together on a school bus, smiling and chatting as they travel to their destination.

Ads and Resources

Maple Hill Holiday Parade

A poster of the maple hill holiday parade where a coup of people are playing horns

Kalamazoo Public Schools Calendar

DateActivities
November 13 & 149–12 half day; exam days
November 15PK-12 no students; records day
November 26K-12 half day
November 27PK-12 no school; no county programs
November 28-29Thanksgiving Break; all buildings closed
December 11K-12 half day

Contact and Acknowledgements

A picture of the KPS teachers

Lincoln Lower Elementary

Austyn Sabin
sabinA@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Lincoln Upper Elementary

Prajakta Apte
aptePS@KalamazoopPublicSchools.net

Lincoln Kindergarten

Courtney Horn
hornCB@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Milwood Middle

Kawther Mohammed
mohammedKS@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Phoenix High School

Mariam Samit
samitM@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Melissa Ottensen
ottesenMA@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Kalamazoo Central High School

Ayat Rizeq
rizeqAN@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Loy Norrix High School

Bright Egwim
egwimBO@Kalam9zooPublicSchools.net

Jen Kruger
krugerJL@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Julie Zabik
zabikJA@KalamazooPublicSchoofs.net

Oakwood Adult ESL

Maria Garcia
garciaMD@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Coordinator of Multilingual Services and World Languages

Dr. Wessam Abdelaziz
abdelazizWi@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Acknowledgements

Teaching Volunteers

  • Elizabeth Aquino Lopez
  • Courtney Joaquin Martinez
  • Ali Armin
  • Martha Diaz Chavez
  • Inma Melon Dominguez
  • Sa’Niyah Bedell
  • Madyson Groth
  • Jerry Menez
  • Camila Benavides
  • Gus Horvath
  • Alex Mungai
  • Sotirios Bougioukos
  • Macy Ivins
  • Mary Oduor
  • Eleni Bougioukou


  • Kamani Jones Jr.
  • Mauricio Posey
  • Matthew Butterly
  • Braeden Lavis
  • Lisa Raddatz
  • Chris Cayton
  • Malick Lo
  • Sara Reathaford
  • Savannah Chapie
  • Alondra Lopez
  • Micahaia Reynolds
  • Josee Cooke
  • Dasia Lopez
  • Jaycee Rider
  • Nicklaus Coseo
  • Allan Martinez
  • Morgan Shearer


Instructor

Candace Bailey Combs

Design Director

Kathryn Lightcap

Layout

Calia Scivally

Editor

Mphumelelo Khaba

Newcomers Newsletter – Issue 19

Posted on by Mphumelelo Khaba
a group K of smiling students on the bleachers for the soccer game.

Issue 19 – October 2024

KLIP Students Return to Classrooms 

Kalamazoo College students are looking forward to attending newcomer classrooms at Lincoln Elementary, Milwood Middle School, Phoenix High School, Oakwood Community Center, Loy Norrix and Kalamazoo Central. Both KPS and K College students have diverse backgrounds and speak many languages. It is fun to meet new people and learn about language and culture in the classroom. K College students will be at school, on field trips, at soccer games, and at events. There are more than 40 K College students in the Kalamazoo Language & Intercultural Partners or KLIP.  They will participate in Newcomer activities throughout the community taking pictures, assisting teachers, and writing articles for this newsletter. We hope you have fun getting to know KLIP while we get to know you! 

Headlines

Soccer Night at K Central

On Monday, September 30th, Phoenix High School played soccer vs Kalamazoo Central High School (KC) and Phoenix High school. There were loud cheers, and the crowd held colorful signs from Ms. Samit’s 4th hr at Phoenix.

Kalamazoo Central got an early lead. Phoenix fought hard to get two goals, but the game ran out of time before the guys could catch KC’s four. The game was well played, and the fans got a good show. The weather was beautiful, and it was a great night of family fun at the soccer game. Thanks for playing hard and way to go, team!  

two teams playing soccer. One team is wearing maroon jerseys while the other is wearing white jerseys.
A player looking up.

a group of students making posters.

players embracing each other on a soccer field.

Headlines

Soccer Vocabulary

  • Goal: a point in soccer 
    • EX: I scored a goal! 
  • Pass: to kick or throw a ball to a teammate 
    • EX: He passed the ball to Mohammed. 
  • Goalie: the player who stops the ball from going into the net for a score 
    • EX: The goalie blocked the shot and saved the game! 
  • Dribble: Move the ball down the field with short kicks 
    • EX: They dribbled from midfield to the goal. 
  • Yellow Card: a call from the referee that a player has done something wrong 
    • EX: The players fell and the ref called a yellow card on the defender. 
a player dribbling the ball.

a player shooting to the goal.

a player making a long pass during a soccer game.

a player dribbling the ball with their teammate running beside them.

Weather

Happy Fall!

The weather is starting to get colder in Kalamazoo! It’s time to start wearing warm sweatshirts, make hot tea, and get cozy on the couch to watch a fall movie or a sports game. There are plenty of fun things to do during the fall. Lincoln is going to the pumpkin patch on Oct 24 to pick apples, drink cider, and eat tasty doughnuts. Fall sports including soccer, football, and volleyball are great to watch during Fall, but also to play! Fall is also a time when Kalamazoo is its most beautiful with colorful leaves, cool air, and bright sunsets. Later this month, kids have Halloween and trick-or-treating and next month brings Thanksgiving. Fall is full of fun! 

a group of students standing behind a giant pumpkin.
students looking through a picture cutout of a Gull Meadow Farms barn while pretending to be farm animals.

a group of students pulling a rope.

a group of students playing "Barnyard Basketball" at Gull Meadow Farms.

School

Get ready for Gull Meadows!

Lincoln is going on a fall field trip on October 24. Students will ride buses with their teachers. They will spend the day learning outside! Gull Meadows is a farm outside of Kalamazoo. At the farm, children can pick apples and pumpkins and pet farm animals. It is not an ordinary farm, though! Gull Meadows also has fun activities for children. They can play on slides, dig in a corn bin, ride a children’s train, and climb on hay bales and tractors. After a fun day of play, they may get a special treat – Gull Meadows has donuts and apple cider!

Gull Meadow Farms website
students in waterproof ponchos walking to the Gull Meadow Farms store.

students in waterproof ponchos walking to the Gull Meadow Farms store.

a goat standing on a fence in the Gull Meadow Farms barn.

Around Town

Trick or Treat! 

Many students will celebrate their first Halloween in the United States this year! 

Halloween is a fun holiday where kids wear costumes and go trick-or-treating in the evening. Trick-or-treating is fun for the whole family, whether you go out in a costume or stay home to hand out treats. 

Important Information: 

  • Trick-or-treating starts around 6 p.m. 
  • Knock on doors with lights 
  • Stay together and watch for cars 
  • Don’t forget to say thank you! 
a teacher reading a story to a group of students while in costume for Halloween.
two students, one dressed as a mermaid and the other is dressed as the character, Ladybug from a children's show.

a student wearing a black panther suit playing with a motorcycle toy.

a teacher at the front of the class wearing a butterfly costume.

Ads and Resources

Looking for more high school sports?

Michigan High School Athletic Association logo

Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) has sports schedules for all our local Teams!

Phoenix logo
Kalamazoo Central logo
Loy Norrix logo

Kalamazoo Public Schools Calendar

DateActivities
October 10K-8 half day
October 11K-5 half day
October 21K-12 half day
October 24Lincoln Field Trip to Gull Meadows
October 31Halloween
November 1PK-12 no school

Contact and Acknowledgements

A picture of the KPS teachers

Lincoln Lower Elementary

Austyn Sabin
sabinA@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Lincoln Upper Elementary

Prajakta Apte
aptePS@KalamazoopPublicSchools.net

Lincoln Kindergarten

Courtney Horn
hornCB@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Milwood Middle

Kawther Mohammed
mohammedKS@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Phoenix High School

Mariam Samit
samitM@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Melissa Ottensen
ottesenMA@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Kalamazoo Central High School

Ayat Rizeq
rizeqAN@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Loy Norrix High School

Bright Egwim
egwimBO@Kalam9zooPublicSchools.net

Jen Kruger
krugerJL@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Julie Zabik
zabikJA@KalamazooPublicSchoofs.net

Oakwood Adult ESL

Maria Garcia
garciaMD@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Coordinator of Multilingual Services and World Languages

Dr. Wessam Abdelaziz
abdelazizWi@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Acknowledgements

Teaching Volunteers

  • Elizabeth Aquino Lopez
  • Courtney Joaquin Martinez
  • Ali Armin
  • Martha Diaz Chavez
  • Inma Melon Dominguez
  • Sa’Niyah Bedell
  • Madyson Groth
  • Jerry Menez
  • Camila Benavides
  • Gus Horvath
  • Alex Mungai
  • Sotirios Bougioukos
  • Macy Ivins
  • Mary Oduor
  • Eleni Bougioukou


  • Kamani Jones Jr.
  • Mauricio Posey
  • Matthew Butterly
  • Braeden Lavis
  • Lisa Raddatz
  • Chris Cayton
  • Malick Lo
  • Sara Reathaford
  • Savannah Chapie
  • Alondra Lopez
  • Micahaia Reynolds
  • Josee Cooke
  • Dasia Lopez
  • Jaycee Rider
  • Nicklaus Coseo
  • Allan Martinez
  • Morgan Shearer


Instructor

Candace Bailey Combs

Design Director

Kathryn Lightcap

Layout

Calia Scivally

Editor

Mphumelelo Khaba

Kalamazoo College Center of Civic Engagement logo