KING CENTER CHARTER SCHOOL IS READY FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR
AND EXCITED TO WELCOME OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES!
We want to reassure our community that King Center Charter School is open. Teachers and staff
have been meeting this week for our annual pre-school year professional development and
preparing to welcome our students on September 2, 2025.  Our team is working tirelessly to
prepare for the more than 400 students who are counting on us to show up for them.

Where We Stand
There have been some changes to the administration. But that does not mean King Center is in
crisis. While some members of our school family have left, ,others—new friends, partners, and
supporters—have stepped forward to strengthen our community and carry forward our mission,
vision, and legacy.
We encourage you to welcome these new members into the King Center family. Your
encouragement means more than ever as we work to be the light our students need in this world.
We are here – first and foremost – because we are committed to our students and families.
There are important signs of strength and momentum for 2025-26:

• Middle School students successfully completed Summer Support Sessions.
• Staff came together for the 2025 Staff Summit, filled with team building and professional development, as we prepare for our students’ return.
• Every classroom has an experienced teacher ready to start the school year.
• The Board plans to appoint a new Building Principal in the coming days.

As Dr. King reminded us:
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only
love can do that.”
We remain steadfast in our commitment to be both the light and the love for our students—and
for all who walk alongside us in this important work.

Dear King Center Families,

Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year!

We are thrilled to begin another powerful year of learning, growth, and community with your family. This year, our schoolwide theme is:

“Do It for the Kids!”

This phrase isn’t just a slogan — it’s our guiding light. It reminds us of our shared purpose: to give every child the love, leadership, and learning they deserve. Every lesson, every hallway conversation, every decision we make is centered on one thing — your child’s success and well-being.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said:

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically.  Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education.”

At King Center, we believe that our students are not only learners — they are leaders in the making. And we know that our partnership with you — parents, grandparents, and caregivers — is key to unlocking their full potential.

🏫 What to Expect This Year:

A few of you have reached out with questions related to the administrative changes.  We are currently in the process of hiring a new Principal and will share updates as they become available.  In the meantime, we are focused on providing your child with:

• A strong academic foundation rooted in excellence and equity
• Social-emotional learning and personal leadership
• Continued commitment to small class sizes and individualized support
• New parent engagement opportunities to strengthen partnerships with families

🤝 How You Can Join the Movement:

• Promote school attendance.  Your child should be in school every day to maximize learning.
• Attend family nights and school events.  Your presence matters to your child and conveys the importance of education.  Our staff look forward to meeting you!
• Require 20 minutes of reading every night.  No matter how old your child is, and no matter what they choose to read, spending a few minutes each night reading is a great way to develop lifetime habits and literacy.  If you would like us to send books home, just let us know!
• Make time to check in with your child about their goals and dreams.
• Partner with us in reinforcing routines, respect, and responsibility.
• Volunteer, donate, or simply share a kind word with a teacher or staff member.

As we prepare to return in September, please keep in mind the following:

1. First Day of School: The first day of school is September 2, 2025.

2. 2025-2026 School Hours: King Center will operate under our normal hours of 8:00 am to 3:15 pm for grades K-8. (Doors open at 7:55am).

3. Classroom Supply Drop-off: Supply drop off for all grades will be held from 12pm-3pm on August 27^th and 28^th.  Please mark your calendars.

4. School Uniform Shirts:  Please note only the KCCS Logo UNIFORM SHIRTS ARE PERMITTED.  Shirts are available at McKay’s Clothing (851 Abbot Rd- they only have gray uniform shirts) or uniform shirts can be ordered from the French Toast Site:

French Toast Site Link

5. School Supply List: The school supply lists can be found on our website: www.kccs.org or you can pick one up at the Main Office between the hours of 8am -2pm.

6. Address Change: If you have moved recently, please provide updated address and telephone numbers, and emails to Mrs. Marcella at (716) 891-7912 ext. 230 before the first day of school.

7. Physicals and Vaccinations: By law, all students must have a physical on file and an updated vaccination record by the time students enter school. If you need help with this process, please contact Nurse Marshall at (716) 891-7912 ext. 501.

8. Breakfast/Lunch: All applications for free and/or reduced-price meals are due to Mr. Fernand Joseph by September 2, 2025.

9. Transportation Changes: If you have recently moved or if your child’s pick-up or drop-off address is different from your home address, such as in cases of daycare and after school program drop-offs, please call Ms. Debbie Smith at (716) 891-7912 ext. 200 as soon as possible.

10. Pick Up Policy: If your child typically rides a bus, and you intend to pick your child up from school on a given day, you must notify the office no later than 1:00pm.  Requests made after 1:00pm will not be granted and your child will be placed on his or her bus.  This policy ensures each student gets to their afternoon destination in a safe and timely manner. All students must be picked up by 3:30pm. Office hours for Ms. Debbie Smith are from 7:45am – 3:45pm.

11. Early Release Policy: If you need to pick your child up early from school, you must send a note or call the office before 11:00am. If we do not know in advance, there will be a delay in picking up your child.

12. Office Summer Schedule: The King Center office is open during the Summer from 8am to 2pm.

13. Attendance: It is important that your child attends school each day for all 180 days of school. Make sure students come to school each day ready to learn unless students are sick. If your child is absent, please have him/her return with a letter stating the reason for the absence. Contact Ms. Wilson at (716) 891-7912 ext. 270 for support and help with attendance issues.
     
14. Student Cell Phone/Device Policy: Starting this school year, New York State has implemented a ban on student cell phone use during the school day. At King Center, we are fully aligned with this policy to support focused learning and reduce distractions. Please refer to the 25-26 Parent Handbook for the full policy.

15. At-Home Reading and Homework Completion: The King Center Curriculum is very rigorous, and our goal is to ensure all students are reading above grade level. There are two simple things parents can do to help their children achieve academically:

• Require that students read at home for at least 20 minutes a day
• Make sure students complete all homework assignments

Together, we are building something powerful. Not just for today — but for the future.
We are honored to be a part of your child’s journey.

Let’s make this year extraordinary —Let’s do it for the kids!

With gratitude and excitement,
 

Tamaira Barlow
Executive Director
King Center Charter School