KP Connection
February 12, 2016
Things to KNOW
FEBRUARY
- 2/15-2/16 - Winter Recess
- 2/17 - Butter Braid Fundraiser begins
- 2/17 - Midfest Rehearsal at Sedgwick
- 2/22 - Luv Concert
- 2/24 - Midfest Rehearsal at Sedgwick
- 2/24 - World Read Aloud Day
- 3/4 - B-ball for Paul Duquette at Hall HS from 6:00-9:00pm
Lead Learner Highlights
I am so inspired to work with such an amazing group of individuals. On Tuesday, we lived out our Staff Wellness Rock by practicing self-care while facilitating and/or participating in physical and emotional wellness options. We are so thankful to the Mandell JCC for sharing a yoga and Zumba instructor (also a KP parent) to support our focus. On Wednesday, the staff celebrated KP's 60th birthday and then focused on improving our Emotional Intelligence by delving more into RULER.
It is time for winter recess. Unless a student needs to make up work, KP teachers have made this a homework-free weekend. We wish all of our families a rejuvenating long weekend. Enjoy this time together.
Fundraiser to Support our KP Families in Need -- The flyers have been sent home!
In an effort to be proactive and to limit the number of times we are asking for donations, we are running a spring fundraiser to establish a fund to support needs as they may develop among our KP Families.
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR
BUTTER BRAID PASTRIES FUNDRAISER
These delicious Butter Braid Pastries are a welcome addition to any meal. All funds raised will be used to support KP families in times of need.
March 2nd - All order forms and money need to be turned in.
March 15th - Pick-up from 3-6pm in KP auditorium foyer.
Special Notice to 6th and 7th Grade Parents
Bristow Middle School Enrollment
Bristow Middle School expects to have a limited number of openings for students entering grades 7 and 8 in the 2016-2017 school year. Bristow Middle School is a school of choice, drawing its diverse population from all neighborhoods in West Hartford. In the 2016-2017 school year Bristow will have an enrollment of 420 students.
Students who attend King Philip or Sedgwick Middle Schools, or non-public schools who would like to be part of our enrollment for 7th and 8th grade must apply for inclusion in the process by March 21, 2016. In order to help parents make an informed choice two informational meetings will be held at Bristow Middle School on Monday, March 7, 2016 and Thursday, March 10, 2016 at 6:30 pm. Parents can choose to attend either of these meetings. Students are invited to attend these meetings with their parents. The application form as well as more details about the process for all grades is on our website at http://bristow.whps.org/.
For more information about Bristow and its programs please email the principal at Steven_Cook@whps.org or call him at 231-2100.
Save the Date: B-ball for Paul Duquette - Friday, March 4th at Hall HS from 6:00-9:00
It Matters: Paul Duquette Memorial
We are sorry to announce that we are at capacity for Paint Night on March 31st, however, you can still contribute by:
Basket Item Donations:
We are appealing to anyone who may help out with putting together baskets or items that could be raffled off the night of the paint event in March. We are looking for any and all things. Ideas include "adult beverages", movie, spa themed, sports items, gift cards to places in town, etc. Feel free to contact Stacey Grindle at grindle@yahoo.com or drop the items off to her attention in the main office.
Donate through Go Fund Me:
The "It Matters: Paul Duquette Memorial" Go Fund Me page is now up and running. The link can be found below. Please take the time to visit this page and read the beautiful words written by our fellow staff members and to see the great sketch of the Cairn Memorial Garden by Stacey Grindle. Feel free to forward the link on to anyone you feel may be interested. https://www.gofundme.com/4jm2yqsc
KP Turns 60 --Video made courtesy of Mrs. Genova
Students In Action
Connecticut Northern Region Middle School Music Festival
Congratulations to the KP students who auditioned for, and made, the Connecticut Northern Region Middle School Music Festival. This two-day event will be held at CCSU February 19 & 20. This year, a record 51 students from King Philip were accepted into either the band, jazz band, choir or orchestra. KP students competed with 1,400 students from over 60 schools in this region of Connecticut to earn this honor.
Student Contest/Scholarship Opportunities - click below
Local Student Opportunities Newsletter
In the Community
Film Screening and Panel Discussion on the Heroin Epidemic
Fern Street Community Kitchen Free Community Breakfast & Lunches
The Fern Street Community Kitchen has Free Community Lunches and Breakfasts for neighbors in need at The Universalist Church, 433 Fern Street, West Hartford.
Community Breakfast
Every other Monday Foodshare Mobile Truck will be distributing food in our back parking lot from 8:45 - 9:30 a.m. Breakfast is served 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. on February 15, February 29, March 14, March 28, April 11, April 25.
Community Lunch
12:00 - 1:30 p.m. - February 20, March 19, April 16
For more information about the Fern Street Community Kitchen,860.233.3669, communitylunch@westhartforduu.org, communitybreakfast@westhartforduu.org
James Baldwin: The Price of the Ticket, Monday, February 22, 7:00 PM
The Autorino Center for the Arts at the University of Saint Joseph will present "James Baldwin: The Price of the Ticket" on Monday, February 22, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in the Bruyette Athenaeum, located on the University's main campus at 1678 Asylum Avenue, West Hartford. The event is free, click here to reserve your seat.
West Hartford’s honors chamber orchestra, I Giovani Solisti, will hold its annual Chocolate Café onSaturday, February 27, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the Town Hall Auditorium. The annual performance features the most advanced high school string players from Hall and Conard high schools. Get your tickets today at www.solisti.us
Special guest artists this year include the West Hartford Inter-Elementary Orchestra (2 p.m. show), Bristow Bows (7 p.m. show), and Dale Stuckenbruck (violin/saw both shows). Cake will be served, as well as coffee and tea, included with the price of admission.
I Giovani Solisti, which was founded in 1983, holds the annual Chocolate Café as the both the group’s largest local performance event of the year and its major fundraiser. Proceeds from this year’s event will offset costs associated with the orchestra’s upcoming European performance tour to Portugal and Spain, and will also help provide educational opportunities and scholarships for students. Again, to order tickets please visit www.solisti.us
Thank you and we hope to see you there!
Family/Friends Dash
The idea is “The Amazing Race” or “Urban Challenge” meets the Mandell JCC!
The Family/Friends Dash will be Saturday, March 19th from 5:30-7:30PM.
Click on the link for more information: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8VH2Eh7ZcftWDAwV095X21BQlE
Parent/Guardian/PTO NEWS
8th Graders Explore Careers!
Registration has been completed for 9th grade classes. The school counseling staff encourages you to discuss with your child the choices they made.
West Hartford Special Education PTO (SEPTO): Wednesday, February 24 at 7pm
Talking About Speech and Language
(Enter through Wardwell Rd entrance)
Coming up in March . . .
Friday, March 4 at 9:30am
Coffee & Conversation at Panera - Bishops Corner
The first Friday of the month, parents of children receiving special educations services meet for coffee and a chance to talk & make new friends in a casual setting.
Being Mindful While Parenting - Thursday, February 25th, 7:00-8:00pm
Parenting is more enjoyable when you are calm. You can achieve this with Mindfulness. Parenting mindfully means parenting in the present moment, non-judgmentally, without the need to react. Join our Mindfulness Practice meetings on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 7:00pm at the Noah Webster Library Story Room, 20 South Main Street.
These drop-in meetings are for parents who are interested in learning how to be mindful with their children, and are facilitated by Laura Price Wilson, LPC, Parenting Consultant. The meetings start with introductions, followed by a 5-7 min. meditation, a discussion about Mindfulness, how to be mindful everyday and its powerful connection to parenting. Free, no registration required. Sponsored by the West Hartford Public Libraries and Great by 8!