Newsletter – Issue 25

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 22

Two girls writing on a desk in a classroom

Back from Break

Welcome back! Winter break is fun and relaxing. Now it is time for a new year. What do you want to do in 2025? What are your goals? Setting goals is motivating. Kalamazoo College KLIPs are motivated this winter by making new friends and learning new skills. What are you excited to do this year? What is a challenge? 

Share your goals with friends and talk about your plans. Friends help you reach goals and celebrate your successes, and you can help them, too! You can help friends stay organized, ask questions, and give high fives. Let’s make this January a great start to 2025! 


Headlines

In Mrs. Sabin’s Classroom

Mrs. Sabin’s classroom uses laptops to help students learn and grow. Students like that they can click and still learn English. Online apps and games personalize students’ vocabulary, grammar, and reading experiences. They also build students’ confidence because they adapt to their skill levels. Platforms such as Lexia and Teach Your Monster are favorites among students. Mrs. Sabin creates an environment where students are excited to learn. She provides a varied experience in which students interact with games and activities, making learning an adventure. Students can’t stop sharing how much fun they have using technology to learn. Ask a student to share their favorite activities and enjoy them together! 

A girl wearing headphones smiling with a laptop in front of her

A girl wearing headphones smiling with a laptop in front of her

a girl touching the trackpad of her laptop and looking at the screen of her laptop


Headlines

Healthy Habits for the New Year

The start of a new year is the perfect time to build healthy habits that can help children feel their best and do well in school. Here are some simple ways to start 2024 with healthy choices! 

Stay Active Indoors 
Winter weather can make it harder to play outside, but there are plenty of ways to stay active indoors. Kids can dance to their favorite songs, play movement games like Simon Says, or try simple yoga poses. Even small activities like stretching or jumping jacks can help burn energy and keep kids moving. 

Choose Nutritious Snacks 
Healthy snacks give kids the energy they need to focus and learn. Encourage fruits, veggies, nuts, or whole-grain crackers instead of sugary treats. Simple ideas like apple slices with peanut butter or a handful of trail mix can be both yummy and healthy. 

Work as a Team 
Families can help by joining in healthy habits together. Play an indoor game as a family, prepare snacks together, or check in about homework goals. When everyone works together, it’s easier (and more fun!) to stay on track. 

Starting healthy habits now can set kids up for success all year long. Let’s make 2024 a year of healthy choices and happy learners! 

 

three students a boy and two girls looking at the camera and smiling

A Klip member assisting three students

Two girls working on the alphabet chart


Community

About the KPL

The Kalamazoo Public Library (KPL) has been there since 1872. It provides resources and opportunities for learning, growth and connection. It has five locations in Kalamazoo that students can access and use its resources. KPL gives students access to a wide range of things such as books, movies, music, computers, high-speed internet and space for studying. Families can enjoy programs such as storytimes, help with homework, and things for children to do. You can also learn about the history of Kalamazoo in the Local History Room and non-profits are assisted by programs such as ONEplace. KPL wants to help everyone in the community to learn and get better. You can visit any of the locations and learn about all the things KPL has for the community.  

Visit this link to learn more:

https://www.kpl.gov/

the Kalamazoo Public Library exterior

the Kalamazoo Public Library interior

the Kalamazoo Public Library interior


Ads and Resources

Swim for Success

Tutoring + Swim Lessons by Kalamazoo College Swim Team!
Schedule: Tues & Thurs, Jan 21–Feb 27
Tutoring: 5:30–6:15 p.m. (Optional)
Swim: 6:30–7:30 p.m.

Ages: 5–14
Cost: $70 per family

Follow this link to apply: https://secure.rec1.com/MI/kalamazoo-mi/catalog

A Kalamazoo college student helping students learn how to swim


Kalamazoo Public Schools Calendar

Logo of Kalamazoo Public Schools
DateActivities
January 15K-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.
January 24No county programs
February 19K-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

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

Kalamazoo College Students are back in the classroom!

Amidst the icy weather, Kalamazoo College students are back again to engage in the cozy classroom of Lincoln Elementary, Milwood Middle School, Phoenix High School and Oakwood Community Center. This Kalamazoo College classroom is as diverse as ever with learners from every corner of the globe: the United States, Spain, Mexico, Jordan, Kenya, and China, with learners fluently conversing in French, Spanish, Arabic, Swahili, and Chinese. This diversity stands as a huge advantage for the Newcomers program, but that is not all, their curiosity, in-class preparations and friendly atmosphere are what stand as key in ensuring that Newcomer students find them as important resources in their learning and growth. Jackets are ready, boots are worn and warm smiles as they come to be exemplary language learners, and they are eager to interact with the students!