weeklyposts

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

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

Kalamazoo College Students are back in the classroom!

Posted on by Mphumelelo Khaba

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!