Dear Parents/Guardians:
As the new principal of Kalamazoo Central High School I would like to extend a heartfelt "Welcome" to all students, staff and KCHS families.  This will prove to be an exciting year for all of us as we continue our rich tradition and commitment to excellence in teaching and learning.

There is so much to be proud of at Kalamazoo Central. This summer there was a lot going on inside and out.  Inside the painters put a fresh coat of paint on the entire building, facilities personnel made several key structural changes, and the office staff worked daily to get the building ready to service our students.  Outside much work was done on the grounds including the trimming of trees, touch up paint to the light pole bases and street curbs. A special thanks to the many staff members who over the summer combined to log well over 300 hours on committees, interviews, and curriculum writing.

We will continue efforts in many areas to strengthen our vision of an unwavering commitment to excellence through continuous improvement. A few of the changes at the high school include:

• Hiring Ms. Kelly Hinga as our new assistant principal.
• Implementing Positive Behavior Support to aid our students in their quest for college  readiness and surviving in an increasingly global society.
• Providing a greater administrative presence throughout the school to focus on staff and  student needs and to create a more personalized feeling in the KCHS community.
• Implementation of the Student Responsibility Center (SRC), a behavior intervention program.  Services include identification of students, curriculum and instruction, student behavioral  plans, and collection of behavioral data and documentation.
• Connecting academic performance to participation in interscholastic activities, as well as certain  clubs and performing arts activities.

We have updated our student handbook and have issued student planners. Please take the time to closely review its contents. The planner is full of information that students and parents can reference about school policy, rules, and regulations.  Of particular importance are procedures for attendance and student responsibilities. STUDENT ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL IS MANDATORY. Should you have a question about attendance during the year, you are advised to consult your grade level administrator.  It is also important to note that the planner will be used as a hall pass for student safety. 
I look forward to seeing you at conferences,

Von Washington Jr.