A note from the Superintendent,

Dear KFCS Community Members, Parents, Families, and Students,

In our mission to provide students with a pathway to success, few initiatives shine as brightly as our Health Occupations Program. Today, I want to take a moment to celebrate the strength of this program and the incredible impact it is making on the next generation of healthcare professionals.

What truly sets this program apart is our deeply rooted partnership with Sky Lakes Medical Center. This collaboration is far more than just a formal agreement; it is a bridge between the classroom and the real world, offering our students a unique advantage that few programs in the region can match.

The success of our Health Occupations track is built on four main pillars:

Unparalleled Clinical Access: Thanks to Sky Lakes, our students don’t just read about patient care; they witness it. Through clinical rotations and job shadowing, they step inside a working hospital to see high-level medicine in action.

Mentorship from the Pros: Our students learn directly from the doctors, nurses, and technicians who serve our community every day. This "real-world" mentorship provides a level of insight that textbooks simply cannot replicate.

A Pipeline to Local Careers: By training our students right here at home, we are creating a direct pathway for them to fill vital roles within our local healthcare system, ensuring a healthier future for all of us.

Seamless Educational Integration: Our curriculum is developed through the coordinated efforts of professors and instructors at Klamath Community College (KCC) and Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT). This frequent interaction with KCC and OIT staff on our local campuses provides a significant competitive advantage for students attending KUHS.

The opportunities available to our students are truly transformative. Whether they are earning certifications, gaining hands-on experience in specialized departments, or simply finding their "spark" in a medical field, they are graduating with a massive head start. Our students aren’t just gaining credits; they are gaining confidence, professional ethics, and a competitive edge for college and beyond.

"This partnership allows us to turn the entire hospital into a classroom, giving our students a front-row seat to their future careers."

We are immensely proud of our students' dedication and grateful for the unwavering support of the teams at Sky Lakes, KCC, and OIT. Together, we aren't just teaching healthcare, we are building the foundation for a stronger, more resilient community.

Thank you for your continued support of our students and their dreams.

Sincerely,

Dr. Keith A. Brown

Current Klamath Union students and alumni, along with Ponderosa students Immanuel Hutchinson, Diego Hutchinson, Santana Hutchinson, Josiah Ross, River Rondeau-Blacksun and Sky Rondeau-Blacksun, performed a closing song at the end of the Title VI Indian Education Parent Committee Meeting on April 28 at Ponderosa Middle School. 

By Joaquin Aguilar-Flores, KFCS

The Title VI Indian Education Parent Committee Meeting was held April 28 at Ponderosa Middle School, where families and project-enrolled students received updates on the Title VI grant financial report, American Indian/Alaska Native student data, fundraising efforts and planning for the 2026-27 KFCS Title VI grant.

Klamath Union High School Principal Rod Heyen attended to answer parent questions and discuss attendance, while Pelican Elementary School Principal Liza Butler, formerly Ponderosa’s vice principal, was also in attendance. The next committee meeting is scheduled for May 26 at 6 p.m. in the Ponderosa cafeteria.

Families, district staff and school leaders had an open discussion focused on attendance, communication and student success.

Heyen emphasized the importance of strong relationships between schools and families when challenges arise.

“Partnering with you is a big deal,” Heyen said. “If there’s something going on with your child, call me anytime. We’ll work through what we need to work through and get to the other end.”

Much of the conversation centered on attendance. Heyen explained that while punctuality remains important, his larger concern is making sure students are consistently present and engaged in class.

“What I’m more concerned about than a student being a few minutes late is their presence day to day,” Heyen said. “We want kids in school, in class, and ready to learn.”

Heyen also addressed challenges tied to Klamath Union’s open campus lunch policy, where students are allowed to leave campus during lunch.

“One of our biggest challenges right now is open campus,” Heyen said. “Kids leave for lunch, and sometimes they come back late. We want to give students that freedom, but we also have to manage it.”

Parents raised concerns about students being marked absent or tardy incorrectly, saying some attendance notifications create confusion at home. Others asked how attendance is handled when Native students are invited to drum, dance or participate in tribal cultural demonstrations during the school day.

Several parents also expressed the need for more frequent updates on grades, tardies and student progress so families can step in earlier before concerns become larger issues.

Heyen encouraged families to take advantage of academic support opportunities already available on campus.

“At Klamath Union, we have after-school tutoring Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday with science, English and math teachers available,” Heyen said. “Use it.”

Committee members and families also discussed ways to strengthen student support systems, including connecting families with tribal youth services, mentors and community resources when attendance or behavior concerns begin to surface.

Parents and staff talked about recognizing students for improved attendance and class participation through gift cards, positive shoutouts and other incentives.

Families also suggested creating stronger connections between Native families through contact lists or group messaging so parents can help each other with rides, communication and support.

Klamath Union High School Ponderosa Middle School The Official Klamath Tribes Page.

Big congratulations to MJ Myron! 

We are so proud to celebrate her being awarded the Ford Family Foundation Scholarship 

If you don’t know this young lady.. you should! She’s an incredible young women.

MJ is headed to Oregon Institute of Technology to pursue Medical Imaging, and we can’t wait to see the impact she’s going to make in the healthcare field.

Hard work, heart, and a bright future ahead!

Pelican Elementary School kept its tradition strong as first grade and kindergarten students took a stroll through surrounding neighborhoods around their school to hand out a may flower to their fellow neighbors. 

This past weekend April 25 and 26, both the Conger Elementary School and Ponderosa Middle School chess clubs sent students to the Chess for Success State Tournament in Portland. On Saturday, students competed in the team tournament for their school, and on Sunday, students competed as individuals.

The games proved to be both emotionally and mentally draining for the Conger and Ponderosa students.

“While we had a lot of tears, at least with some of our elementary students, we also had lots of laughs and made some great memories,” Ashley McPherson, Conger chess club advisor said. “Some students had hoped to do better, while others were just excited to be there, but they all came home with some wins and a memorable experience.”

Results for the Team Tournament on Saturday

Conger Elementary School Team: 1.5 wins
Members:
Silas Moon, 5th grade
Brogan Henderson, 5th grade
Alex Huang, 4th grade
Olivia McPherson, 4th grade
Jaxon Ogborn, 3rd grade

Klamath Falls City Schools Team: 2.5 wins
Members:
Flint Fields, 4th grade
Brannon Henderson, 2nd grade
Caden Steele, 2nd grade
Carter Steele, 1st grade
Alex Ogborn, kindergarten
Blakely Henderson, kindergarten

Ponderosa Middle School Team: 3 wins
Members:
Braydon Henderson, 8th grade
Aiden McPherson, 7th grade
Wally Stevens, 7th grade
James Xu, 7th grade
Isaiah Quintana, 7th grade

Results for the Individual Tournament on Sunday

There was no KFCS student who placed in the top three but many students came out with strong efforts.

Ponderosa and Conger students who competed in the individual tournament
Silas Moon
Brogan Henderson
Alex Huang
Olivia McPherson
Jaxon Ogborn
Flint Fields
Brannon Henderson
Caden Steele
Carter Steele
Alex Ogborn
Blakely Henderson
Braydon Henderson
Aiden McPherson
Wally Stevens
James Xu
Isaiah Quintana
Parker Fields

Along with the students from Conger and Ponderosa, Henley, Peterson Elementary and Stearns Elementary also took part in the state tournament.

“The kids on a team sit in a row side by side. They have a team captain who totals all of their points. Our captains were Silas for Conger, Brannon & Flint alternating for the Klamath team, and Aiden for Ponderosa,” McPherson said. “So, each player has to go and report to their team captain at the end of their game whether they won or lost. If the team has three or more wins, then they won that round as a team. In the state tournament, they all had wins, losses, and lots of fun.”

Two Ponderosa Middle School students were recently recognized by Citizens for Safe Schools through its annual CHARACTER COUNTS! American Youth Character Awards program, which honors students who demonstrate the six pillars of character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.

Ponderosa seventh graders Lilly Jannicelli and Ellison Henderson each received letters of recognition after being nominated by staff members who highlighted the positive impact both students have on the Ponderosa school community.

Jannicelli was nominated by Ponderosa Vice Principal Katelyn Limb for her citizenship through service, leadership and involvement on campus. In the recognition letter, Citizens for Safe Schools praised her willingness to support others through breakfast service, helping lead social-emotional learning activities, serving as a tour guide for incoming students and even stepping in to administer the Heimlich maneuver in the cafeteria during a recent incident.

Jannicelli said helping others is something that comes naturally to her.

“I’m always helping the teachers out, and then I’m always helping the students. If anyone is struggling or something, I’m always helping,” Jannicelli said.

Jannicelli is also involved in school activities including basketball, volleyball, cheerleading and track. Jannicelli said she enjoys being active and encouraging others wherever she can.

“I’m very much a people person, so I will pretty much talk to anyone and put myself out there,” she said.

In addition to her leadership around campus, Henderson has made significant academic growth this school year. She shared that she began the year reading at a second-grade level and has since advanced to a fifth-grade level.

Henderson said she believes learning disruptions during the COVID years caused her to fall behind in reading during the early elementary grades.

“I started at a second-grade level reading, and now I’m at like a fifth-grade level reading since the start of the year, so I feel like I’m doing better,” Henderson said.

Henderson was nominated by Ponderosa instructor Trista Everett for her caring nature and commitment to uplifting her peers. Her recognition letter noted her consistent encouragement of others, ability to foster inclusion and belonging at school, empathy and willingness to help those around her.

Everett said Henderson stood out because of the way she consistently models kindness and responsibility.

“She has really great leadership skills and she works hard,” Everett said. “She’s empathetic toward others and always willing to help her fellow peers.”

Everett added Henderson is welcoming to new students, dependable in the classroom and someone staff can always count on.

“I can always trust her to run errands for me such as help me with getting things in the printer or do classroom duties,” Everett said. “Ellison always volunteers to lead during our Capturing Kids’ Hearts activities, asks thoughtful follow-up questions, and encourages other students to do their best. Those are the kinds of qualities that made her stand out for this recognition.”

Henderson said she was surprised and honored by the recognition.
“I guess maybe because I help people,” Henderson said. “I always try to do my best and help others do their best too.”

Though neither student was selected as a finalist for the statewide award, both were recognized for the difference they make each day at Ponderosa.

Our Vocational Independence Program students were hard at work today in the KFCS Student Services’ office, lending a helping hand for the upcoming Transition to Kindergarten Night held at Linman Hall at the Klamath County Fairgrounds from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 12.

The VIP students helped prepare book bags for families which will be handed out at the event. VIP students helped put together 10 gems in a bag, a reading book and a bookmark. The gems are part of a VT (visual tracking) reading page grid boxes game provided by KFCS kindergarten teachers.

KECDC’s May family engagement event was a wonderful success, bringing together families and children from birth to age five for a memorable, hands-on experience. The highlight of the event was a petting zoo, where children had the opportunity to interact with a variety of animals, including chickens, goats, a cow, bunnies, reptiles, and more. Families were overjoyed to participate alongside their children, creating meaningful moments of connection and shared learning.

This event supported early learning by allowing children to explore through touch, observation, and curiosity, while also strengthening family engagement within our program. To extend the experience into the home, each student received a farm animal book featuring textured fur and interactive animal sounds, encouraging continued learning and family interaction beyond the event.

KFCS Board of Education

Andrea Jensen, Zone 1, Roosevelt - andrea.jensen@kfcityschools.org

Andrew Biggs, Zone 2, At-Large - andrew.biggs@kfcityschools.org

Vanessa Bennett, Zone 3, Conger - vanessa.bennett@kfcityschools.org

Kathy Hewitt, Zone 4, Mills - kathy.hewitt@kfcityschools.org

Trina Perez, Zone 5, Pelican - trina.perez@kfcityschools.org

Kelsey Bitzer, Zone 6, At-Large - Bitzerk@kfcityschools.org

Nicole Trejo, Zone 7 At-Large - Trejon@kfcityschools.org