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.
Happy International Dot Day!
🔴🟠🟡🟢🔵🟣
Today, our KES Cardinals joined in on the global celebration of creativity, courage, and collaboration inspired by Peter H. Reynolds' beloved children's book The Dot, which tells the story of a teacher who dares a doubting student to "make her mark".
🔴🟠🟡🟢🔵🟣
Mrs. Pomaville read the book to each class, then students from Young Fives to 6th grade were given a range of colors and materials to use to create their dots. Dot display coming soon!
Kingston Connected hosted their 2nd Annual Back to School Bash at KES last Saturday and it was a total blast! Thank you to all the kiddos and families who participated again this year.
Special thanks to Fantastic Foam Party 🫧 and Poncho Villa Cocina 🌮 for helping our Cardinal kiddos celebrate the beginning of another awesome school year!
The student's selected "As Seen on TV" for this year's Homecoming theme:
Seniors - Spongebob
Juniors - Full House
Sophomores - NFL Showtime
Freshmen - Stranger Things
8th Grade - My Little Pony
7th Grade - Looney Tunes
Seniors - Spongebob
Juniors - Full House
Sophomores - NFL Showtime
Freshmen - Stranger Things
8th Grade - My Little Pony
7th Grade - Looney Tunes
Bon Appetit! 📚 KES 5th and 6th graders were treated to a book tasting event in Ms. Kolacz's class last week. Here's the scoop:
Ms. Kolacz's says, "I host a book tasting with my fifth and sixth grade students as an engaging and interactive way for them to explore a variety of book genres. During the activity, students rotate through different genre stations and spend a few minutes with each book, reading and recording their first impressions. This experience allows them to discover new genres, authors, and topics they may not have chosen on their own. Our book tasting fosters enthusiasm for reading, promotes independent books, selection, and helps students find titles that align with their interests – all of which help contribute to building lifelong readers."
Thanks for dishing up some fun for our Cardinals, Ms. Kolacz!
September's KHS Staff Spotlight is Mrs. Hanby, thank you for all that you do for Kingston students.
Some of our KES Cardinals earned book tokens after competing in a Back to School logic game challenge this week in Mrs. Pomaville's class. Teams worked together to solve problems using critical thinking skills and collaboration. The smiles say it all! 😊
