Chain of Champions Award 🥇
At KES, we work daily to recognize our students for all the positive things we see and hear them doing. It's time to recognize our staff for the positive impact they pour in to our school community on the daily!
🌟 Celebrating Ms. Kolacz 🌟
The Honor: Kingston Elementary Staff Recognition Award "Chain of Champions"
The Impact: Exceptional
Areas of Excellence: Academic guidance
Nominator, Mrs. Gentner, said, "Lisa Kolacz is one of those people you can always count on. Quietly showing up, getting the job done, and responding to every email along the way. Her loyalty, dedication, and many years at Kingston Elementary have made her a favorite among staff and students alike. Lisa is truly the kind of teammate who makes Kingston better simply by being someone we know we can always count on!
THANK YOU, Ms. Kolacz, for being a Champion for Kingston Elementary! Wear the Chain of Champions with Cardinal Pride! ❤️🖤
Chain of Champions Award 🥇
At KES, we work daily to recognize our students for all the positive things we see and hear them doing. It's time to recognize our staff for the positive impact they pour in to our school community on the daily.
⭐️ Celebrating Maddie Hessel ⭐️
The Honor: Kingston Elementary Support Staff Recognition Award "Champion Chain"
The Impact: Exceptional one-on-one student mentorship
Areas of Excellence: Academic guidance, social development, and emotional support
THANK YOU, Mrs. Hessel, for your hard work, empathy, and making Kingston Elementary a brighter place for students to learn and grow. Thank you for being a Champion for Kingston Elementary! Wear the Chain of Champions with Cardinal Pride! ❤️🖤
MyCards are back again at KES! Students have started designing their holiday cards for the MyCards fundraiser. Check for these blue envelopes to be coming home this week and next with your artist's card design inside. Orders are due by 10/28/26. Use the QR code for easy online ordering or send the design back to school with payment in the sealed envelope. Checks can be made to Kingston Community Schools.
Please contact Mrs. Pomaville with questions at dpomaville@kingstonk12.org. Proceeds go directly back to our STEAM classroom. Thank you!
Please view the link below for an introduction from our Interim Jr/Sr High School Principal, Mr. Branding. He brings a wealth of experience as a lifelong educator. https://aptg.co/js13fY
Our Athletic Boosters are always looking for help in the Concession Stands. Here is the link to signup if you can help!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0445A5AA28ABFDC34-64558444-concessions#/
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0445A5AA28ABFDC34-64558444-concessions#/
October 7, 2026
Dear Kingston School Community,
We are already approaching the end of the 1st Marking Period on October 16th and time is flying by! There are a few procedural items that we need to share.
First, we are seeing many people bringing animals on campus. There are only a few circumstances where animals are allowed on campus. If an animal is needed to be on campus for a curricular reason, that will be approved by the building principal. “Service animals” are allowed for a person identified with a disability. Animals, most often dogs, who are present for emotional support or comfort are not service dogs. Therapy dogs are a bit different. They are not “service animals”. If someone needs to have a therapy dog as they come on campus, you must supply a written request to the Superintendent in advance.
For complete explanations of the policies regarding animals, service animals, and therapy dogs, you may refer to Board Policy 3108 and 3109, which are on our district website - www.kingstonk12.org , under the district tab listed under Board Policy.
Pickups and dropoffs are another topic to share information about. At the Jr./Sr. High, especially when waiting for pickups at the end of the day, please park your car in a parking space and not wait along the sidewalk. This is clogging traffic as people want to enter and leave.
At the Elementary, there will be an adjustment to the pickup and drop off traffic flow in a few weeks. Information will be given to parents at Parent-Teacher Conferences before the change occurs.
Thank you for supporting Kingston Schools! Go Cardinals!
Dear Kingston School Community,
We are already approaching the end of the 1st Marking Period on October 16th and time is flying by! There are a few procedural items that we need to share.
First, we are seeing many people bringing animals on campus. There are only a few circumstances where animals are allowed on campus. If an animal is needed to be on campus for a curricular reason, that will be approved by the building principal. “Service animals” are allowed for a person identified with a disability. Animals, most often dogs, who are present for emotional support or comfort are not service dogs. Therapy dogs are a bit different. They are not “service animals”. If someone needs to have a therapy dog as they come on campus, you must supply a written request to the Superintendent in advance.
For complete explanations of the policies regarding animals, service animals, and therapy dogs, you may refer to Board Policy 3108 and 3109, which are on our district website - www.kingstonk12.org , under the district tab listed under Board Policy.
Pickups and dropoffs are another topic to share information about. At the Jr./Sr. High, especially when waiting for pickups at the end of the day, please park your car in a parking space and not wait along the sidewalk. This is clogging traffic as people want to enter and leave.
At the Elementary, there will be an adjustment to the pickup and drop off traffic flow in a few weeks. Information will be given to parents at Parent-Teacher Conferences before the change occurs.
Thank you for supporting Kingston Schools! Go Cardinals!
It’s a new school year, which means it’s time to kick off another exciting year of Kingston Elementary V.I.P's!
Our Cardinals are back and already earning C.A.R.D.S. tickets by:
• Choosing Respect
• Acting Responsibly
• Being Ready to Learn
• Doing Their Best
• Showing Character
Each week, students earn C.A.R.D.S tickets and have a chance to be selected as a V.I.P! Perks include a positive phone call home, V.I.P cafeteria seating with a friend, special prizes from the Cardinal’s Nest, and, of course, some well-earned bragging rights!
This year, we’ll be celebrating our weekly winners together in one monthly post, so keep an eye out for our Cardinal shout-outs!
Our Cardinals are back and already earning C.A.R.D.S. tickets by:
• Choosing Respect
• Acting Responsibly
• Being Ready to Learn
• Doing Their Best
• Showing Character
Each week, students earn C.A.R.D.S tickets and have a chance to be selected as a V.I.P! Perks include a positive phone call home, V.I.P cafeteria seating with a friend, special prizes from the Cardinal’s Nest, and, of course, some well-earned bragging rights!
This year, we’ll be celebrating our weekly winners together in one monthly post, so keep an eye out for our Cardinal shout-outs!
It's pumpkin time! 🎃
Our little Cardinals enjoyed being a part of the Tuscola County Pumpkin Festival again this year.
Thank you to the Pumpkin Festival Committee for everything from delivering the pumpkins to our school to braving the rain during drop off time today. Our students thoroughly enjoy this time of year! Be sure to check out the designs this weekend at the festival.
Our little Cardinals enjoyed being a part of the Tuscola County Pumpkin Festival again this year.
Thank you to the Pumpkin Festival Committee for everything from delivering the pumpkins to our school to braving the rain during drop off time today. Our students thoroughly enjoy this time of year! Be sure to check out the designs this weekend at the festival.
On Friday, October 2nd, there will be no PM Tech Center. Students in the Jr./Sr. High School will have class periods 5-7.
Today we welcome Mr. Matt Branding as interim Jr./Sr. High School Principal. Mr. Branding is recently retired after a career serving thousands of students and staff, most recently as Principal of Caro High School.
Mr. Branding will be with us through Christmas Break as we search for our next permanent Principal.
Please welcome Mr. Branding to Kingston when you see him!
Mr. Branding will be with us through Christmas Break as we search for our next permanent Principal.
Please welcome Mr. Branding to Kingston when you see him!
Kingston Community Schools will be open on Thursday, October 1 and Friday, October 2 as scheduled. However, we will be under a boil water order both days. We ask that your child brings a bottle of water or two to drink during the day as we will not be able to use the water fountains. Restroom facilities will be available but after washing hands students will be encouraged to use the hand sanitizer that will be available as an extra precaution.
Thursday, we will have a half-day of school with Junior and Senior High Parent Teacher Conferences as scheduled. Friday we will now have a half-day of school instead of a full day.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Thursday, we will have a half-day of school with Junior and Senior High Parent Teacher Conferences as scheduled. Friday we will now have a half-day of school instead of a full day.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Thank you Anesa, owner of Gypsy Mitten Coffee, for crafting delicious coffees and specialty drinks for our staff. It was a great way to celebrate National Coffee Day! ☕️
Junior high/high school afterschool activites will continue as scheduled with the exception of Engineering Club. Elementary extracurriculars are cancelled for this evening.
Kingston Community Schools will be dismissing early due to a water main break. High School: 1:50, Elementary: 2:00. A determination on afterschool activities will be made by the time of dismissal.
Tonight's JV Home Football Game against Deckerville has been cancelled.
A reminder that students will have a half-day of school on Thursday, October 1st due to Parent-Teacher Conferences in the Jr./Sr. High School. The conferences at the Jr./Sr. High School will run from 1:00-4:00 and 5:00-7:30. These fall conferences will be held in the teacher's classrooms.
Elementary Parent-Teacher conferences will be October 22.
Elementary Parent-Teacher conferences will be October 22.
September 29, 2026
Dear Kingston School Community,
The 2026-2027 school year is in full swing! While there have been a handful of significant changes in the district, our emphasis is the same - educate our students to the best of our ability in the safest manner possible. Kingston has a tradition of excellence in education and that will continue!
Due to the efforts of staff and students, our academic scores overall have been rising. Spring of 2026 M-Step scores have been released. There are seven main grades that are assessed in both language arts and math. In nearly every grade last year, Kingston exceeded the state and county averages in proficiency in both language arts and math. In the county, Kingston most often ranks anywhere from first to third in the county. Progress is being made, with more work to be done.
One of the things I have heard about most since I have arrived is our declining enrollment. It is true, there is a degree of declining enrollment. This is due to different factors, and many residents have different explanations and opinions for this. I would like to present you with some information that contributes to this through data and student migration patterns.
In the February 2007 student count, our district K-12 enrollment was 654, and in the February 2011 count enrollment stood at 613. At the end of 2026, the Kingston Community School District enrollment was 577, which indicates a decrease in 12% since 2007. During that same time period, statewide student enrollment has decreased 16%, and our regional enrollment has decreased 36%. As you can see, enrollment decreases are an issue statewide.
One of the indicators of enrollment projections is birthrate. In 2011, the Tuscola County birthrate was 526. In 2024, the Tuscola County birthrate dropped to 434 - a decrease of 17%. In using county birthrate trends only, it is projected that our enrollment will be down to 532 by 2029. It is noteworthy that our enrollment decreases have been less than the birthrate trend.
I realize I am giving you lots of numbers, but I am trying to provide as much transparent information as possible. I have a few more sets of data for you. In 2026, Kingston had 200 incoming School of Choice students, with 108 outgoing - a net percentage of 16% more incoming than outgoing. I do not have solid numbers on how many school of choice students were accepted or declined in past years, but districts have the opportunity to decline incoming School of Choice students if they have had suspensions due to student discipline the previous two years. This fall, I turned down all 10 student applications to attend Kingston via School of Choice due to this criteria. As a side effect, the families chose not to send the siblings of these students either, which also would have impacted our enrollment.
I give you all this information for a few reasons. First, I want people to know solid academic and enrollment information as this is often a main topic on a community’s mind. Second, I want to encourage our community that Kingston is still a place families are choosing to send their children to.
It is more natural to look at the negatives, perceived negatives, or the sky is falling scenarios. I do not believe that is the case in Kingston. There are great things happening in Kingston and we are working on making them even better.
Yours in Education,
Jeffrey J. Yorke, Superintendent
Kingston Community Schools
Dear Kingston School Community,
The 2026-2027 school year is in full swing! While there have been a handful of significant changes in the district, our emphasis is the same - educate our students to the best of our ability in the safest manner possible. Kingston has a tradition of excellence in education and that will continue!
Due to the efforts of staff and students, our academic scores overall have been rising. Spring of 2026 M-Step scores have been released. There are seven main grades that are assessed in both language arts and math. In nearly every grade last year, Kingston exceeded the state and county averages in proficiency in both language arts and math. In the county, Kingston most often ranks anywhere from first to third in the county. Progress is being made, with more work to be done.
One of the things I have heard about most since I have arrived is our declining enrollment. It is true, there is a degree of declining enrollment. This is due to different factors, and many residents have different explanations and opinions for this. I would like to present you with some information that contributes to this through data and student migration patterns.
In the February 2007 student count, our district K-12 enrollment was 654, and in the February 2011 count enrollment stood at 613. At the end of 2026, the Kingston Community School District enrollment was 577, which indicates a decrease in 12% since 2007. During that same time period, statewide student enrollment has decreased 16%, and our regional enrollment has decreased 36%. As you can see, enrollment decreases are an issue statewide.
One of the indicators of enrollment projections is birthrate. In 2011, the Tuscola County birthrate was 526. In 2024, the Tuscola County birthrate dropped to 434 - a decrease of 17%. In using county birthrate trends only, it is projected that our enrollment will be down to 532 by 2029. It is noteworthy that our enrollment decreases have been less than the birthrate trend.
I realize I am giving you lots of numbers, but I am trying to provide as much transparent information as possible. I have a few more sets of data for you. In 2026, Kingston had 200 incoming School of Choice students, with 108 outgoing - a net percentage of 16% more incoming than outgoing. I do not have solid numbers on how many school of choice students were accepted or declined in past years, but districts have the opportunity to decline incoming School of Choice students if they have had suspensions due to student discipline the previous two years. This fall, I turned down all 10 student applications to attend Kingston via School of Choice due to this criteria. As a side effect, the families chose not to send the siblings of these students either, which also would have impacted our enrollment.
I give you all this information for a few reasons. First, I want people to know solid academic and enrollment information as this is often a main topic on a community’s mind. Second, I want to encourage our community that Kingston is still a place families are choosing to send their children to.
It is more natural to look at the negatives, perceived negatives, or the sky is falling scenarios. I do not believe that is the case in Kingston. There are great things happening in Kingston and we are working on making them even better.
Yours in Education,
Jeffrey J. Yorke, Superintendent
Kingston Community Schools
Homecoming is tomorrow! The parade is at 5:30 PM, and the game starts at 7 PM. Come out and support your Kingston Cardinals! 7th-grade representatives are Lacy Binder, Evalynn Sabo, Bryce Waun, and Andrew Shaver. Princess candidates are Nova Herron, Justine Armstrong, and MacKenzie McGuire. Prince candidates are Cooper Wood, Emmett Osborn, and Drake Misener. 9th-grade representatives are Aubrey Borek, Blakelinn Price, and Elijah Mitchell. 10th-grade representatives are Helene vanRijn, Brooklyn Gilley, Preston Brady, and Colin Radabaugh. 11th-grade representatives are Haley Kelley, Abigale Chase, and Levi Legg. Queen candidates are Molly Landrum, Brianna Rayl, and Peyton Michalski. King candidates are Aiden Flynn, Brody Pholod, and Cato Ramirez.
Homecoming is right around the corner! The Jr/Sr High Spirit Week schedule is attached. We hope to see lots of participation!
Please come out and show your support for Kingston High School Powderpuff participants! The volleyball game is on Monday, September 21st, and the football game is on Wednesday, September 23rd. Both will start at 7:00 pm. $1 admission for any non-participants. Popcorn and drinks will be sold. All proceeds will go toward Homecoming and Snowcoming events put on by the Student Council.
