Principal's Message/Letter:

Teachers are back and we are getting ready for students to be on campus for an awesome 2025-2026 school year! Students start back to school on Monday, August 11th at 7:20am. Schedules go live today, Tuesday, August 5th at 11:00am. Be sure to check schedules frequently as many schedule updates are still taking place. Remember to check schedules again Monday morning before school to check for any updates then as well. On the first day, students' first period class will be posted on the walls throughout the main buildings and in the cafeteria for them to check to see where to go in case they do not remember after their phones are stored away. Students will then report to first period by 7:20am and there they will get a printed copy of their schedules. Remember our Open House for parents and students will be in the evening on Thursday, August 14th at 6:00-7:30pm. Take a look through this newsletter for important beginning of the 2025-2026 school year information.

Remember to download the new OneClay app and follow our school. Be sure your contact information is up-to-date in Synergy so you are able to receive emails, phone calls, and mailings for our school and district communication. Also, follow our social media sites to stay up on events, activities, celebrations, and more.

Let's Go Indians!!

Laurie Burke

Principal

Upcoming Dates:

Click on the link below to open the 2025 - 2026 Student Calendar
- Monday, August 5th 11:00am - Schedules go live on ParentVue & StudentVue
- Thursday, August 7th 8:00am - 12:00pm - Indian Welcome - Incoming 7th Graders, New Students, and Parent Expo
- Monday, August 11th - Students First Day of School - Students Report to their First Period by 7:20am
- Thursday, August 14th - Open House 6:00pm-7:30pm (For Parents to Visit their Children's' Classes and Meet teachers)
- Monday, September 1st - Labor Day - Student/Teacher Holiday
- Tuesday, September 2nd - CCDS College & Career Night - Fair Grounds 6:00-7:30pm

2025-2026 Calendars

Student Calendar 2025-2026

School Supply List

Get ready for the new school year! Teachers will provide specific school supply lists for their classes during the first week of school. To ensure students are prepared from day one, please have them bring a pen, pencil, and paper. You might also find it handy to pack a few small pocket folders to help them keep their papers organized before they receive their official supply lists.

Click the Link Below to Visit Our Website

Home | Keystone Heights Junior/Senior High

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Free Breakfast & Lunch

Download the OneClay App and Follow Our School

Incoming 7th graders & New Students,

We are so excited to have your student here at KHHS for the 2025-2026 school year! Students can sign up to attend WEB-Where Everyone Belongs INDIAN WELCOME Orientation on Thursday, August 7th. Students will complete team building activities and meet student WEB Ambassadors on campus that will support incoming 7th graders, as well as, new students to KHHS. Our Orientation will be a student only event held in the gym. Parents/Guardians will be able to attend our 2nd Annual Parent Expo during Indian Welcome.

Parents, so you are aware, during the summer you and/or your student will receive a phone call from our WEB Ambassadors giving details about the event and welcoming them to our school.

What: Indian Welcome & Parent Expo
When: August 7th @ 8am-12pm
Where: Keystone Heights Jr./Sr. High School Gymnasium (Indian Welcome) & Cafeteria (Parent Expo)
Registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScDzp1rKaTXN-ro8ZJXruShVWHtRDG0UBg8htK-41aiGOsBUg/viewform?usp=header

Bus Registration for the 2025-2026 is now open!

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Beginning with the 2025–2026 school year, the Clay County District Schools Transportation Department will implement a new opt-in registration process and a bus tracking program to enhance the safety, visibility, and efficiency of our transportation services.

This new system will help us accurately identify students who need transportation and support the development of more efficient bus routes as our county continues to grow. We understand that transitioning to new systems, including a new app, may require some adjustments. However, your cooperation is essential in ensuring we continue to provide safe and reliable transportation for all students. During this transition, please note that if your child is moving to a new school, has changed their address, or is enrolled in a Summer School Program, registration will not be available until the third week of July.

Please also be aware that students who live within 2 miles of their zoned school are not eligible for bus transportation unless a district-approved hazard has been identified. Florida Statutes and Rules: 6A-3, 1006.23, and 1011.68.

If you believe your child qualifies for a hazard exemption, please complete the necessary form at sdcc.mybusplanner.com.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the Clay County District Schools Transportation Department by emailing routing@myoneclay.net or calling 904-336-0001, option 2.

Thank you for supporting student transportation!

Parent Drop and Pick Up in Front of School

Please do not drive into our student parking lot for drop off and pick up. Pull all the way forward to help with the traffic on the main road. Students can enter campus at 7:00am.

Student Drivers

Please follow the directions on the graphic to purchase your parking decal for the 25/26 school year.

You can use the links below or the QR code on the graphic

25/26 Vehicle Registration

CCDS Wireless Communication Devices Policy FAQ

Click Here to View CCDS Wireless Communication Devices Policy FAQ

2025-2026 CCDS Student and Family Handbook and Code of Student Conduct

Click Here to View

Driver's Education Course Now Required

Beginning August 1, 2025, a new Florida law requires a Driver Education Course for a Learner's License. Clay Virtual Academy (CVA) offers a Florida-approved, #1 Driver Education Course designed to give 8th-12th graders essential knowledge and skills for safe driving.

Why choose CVA?
- FREE Tuition! Tuition is free for all students enrolled in Clay County District Schools.
- Earn High School Credit: A 0.5 elective credit.
- Flexible & Convenient: Fully online with 24/7 access and self-paced.
- FREE Learner's License Exam: Complete the course and take your learner's license exam online for free!

Enroll today! Current #OneClay students can talk to their school counselor or enroll directly online at bit.ly/CVADriverEdInstructions for registration instructions.

Questions? Call 904-336-9875 or visit OneClay.net/o/CVA.

2025 Federal Court High School Essay Contest

The lawyers and judges of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, along with members of the Jacksonville Federal Court Bar Association, are pleased to announce the launch of the 2025 High School Essay Contest.

The contest is open to all high school students—public, private, virtual, and homeschool—in Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Duval, Flagler, Hamilton, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Suwannee, and Union Counties. The contest officially opens today, August 1, 2025, and submissions will be accepted through September 30, 2025.

This year’s essay prompt challenges students to reflect on a personal experience involving advocacy—whether advocating for someone else, receiving support from an advocate, or recognizing when an advocate was needed—and explain how that experience shows the importance of advocacy in promoting a just and equitable society.

Essay Contest Prizes are available as follows:

1st Place – $2,000
2nd Place – $1,000
3rd Place – $500
4th–10th Places – $150 each
Teacher Grants (Top 3 Winners’ Teachers) – $500 each
School Participation Grant (Most Qualifying Submissions) – $1,000

In addition, the first place winner will be invited to shadow a United States District Judge for a day. Winning students (with family members), teachers, and school representatives will be recognized at a ceremony at the Bryan Simpson United States Courthouse in Jacksonville on December 3, 2025.

More details about the Essay Contest can be found in the attached flyer and https://www.flmd.uscourts.gov/2025-high-school-essay-contest-jacksonville-homepage

Congratulations

ACTFL (the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages)

Congratulations to these world language students who completed the Avant STAMP 4S assessment. This exam evaluates real-world language proficiency in reading, writing, listening and speaking. The assessment uses authentic texts and audio in contexts students might actually encounter.

Will Ross, Alexys Schleeter & Kyra Cogley qualified for the Florida Silver Seal of Biliteracy by reaching Intermediate Mid proficiency in French
Iolanthe Cushman & Victoria Horne qualified for the Florida Silver Seal of Biliteracy by reaching Intermediate Mid proficiency in Spanish

Makayla Becknel, Christian Boulet, Kennedy Carlton, Maddox Hay, Kayden Huntley, Caryle Jones, Benjamin Mann, Jensie Paddock, Lillian Zielinski achieved an Intermediate Low proficiency level in French
Rebecca Binet, Arianna Denmark, Marli Hemphill & Jocelyn Lewis achieved an Intermediate Low proficiency level in Spanish
Rachel Blank earned a Novice High proficiency level in Spanish

Julie and Carson represented our FFA chapter proudly at the Florida Forestry Training Camp held at O’Leno State Park!

During the week, they gained hands-on experience in dendrology, forest disorders, forest products, timber cruising, compass and pacing, acreage estimation, equipment identification, prescribed fire, and tree planting. They also learned about best management practices used in the forestry industry.

We’re excited to share that both Julie and Carson scored in the Top 10 on their forestry exam on the last day of camp and were recognized as Top Campers!

The Tribal Times - August 2025