School News at KHS
Friday, August, 24 2018
OUR FIRST WEEK
Please review the newsletter it contains information about:
Classroom News
School Lunch
PTSO News
Community News
Specials/Elective News
Quick Reminders:
Please do not block Fed Ex driveway
What is PBIS?
For those of you who are new to the Kestrel family, you may or may not have heard of PBIS. PBIS is a framework we use at Kestrel to support students with learning and demonstrating appropriate and positive behavior.
Teach, reteach, reteach, and reteach some more - PBIS is all about TEACHING students the expectations and procedures. The point of PBIS is to be more proactive rather than reactive, and to recognize those students who consistently SOAR at Kestrel!
Celebrations
Each quarter we will have PBIS celebrations. Our first quarter celebration will be BINGO on October 26. For first quarter, students will earn entry to the quarterly celebration based on the following criteria:
No ISS or OSS
Earned at least 5 PBIS tickets throughout the quarter
Ticket cut-off date is October 24
The Kestrel Heights PBIS committee is looking for donations for our SOAR rewards program. Donations include small prizes, stickers, temporary tattoos, learning kits, coloring books, real books, T-shirt, gift cards. You name it we want it! Please drop off donations in your scholar’s front office. This is an ongoing need so drop off donations any time!
Parents, please make sure to check in with your scholar about how many tickets they earned during the week!
Classroom News
Kindergarten
Thank you!
Kindergarten Team
1st Grade
Looking forward to a great week next week!
Thank you,
1st Grade Team
2nd Grade
We are learning our rules and procedures-the scholars are loving it. Please don't forget to send in the 1 inch binder and 2 spiral notebooks.
Thanks for all you do!
3rd Grade
Third grade got off to a fabulous start, what a great group of scholars!
Next week we will begin our iReady beginning of year assessments so make sure your child is on time, well-rested, and well-fed!
4th Grade
Fourth Grade Team!
5th Grade
Looking forward to an awesome next week!
Fifth Grade Team
6th Grade
We’re off to a great start to the school year and look forward to a continued great rest of the year with all of your/our scholars!
Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
Thanks!
Sixth grade team
In Social Studies we are starting the school year with a unit on Geography, History, Economics, and Civics. From there we’ll follow the timeline from the early Hominds through the beginnings of the Age of Exploration while covering some of the many ancient civilizations in World History.
7th Grade
On behalf of the 7th Grade Team:
Greetings 7th Grade Parents,
Our Scholars were assigned their lockers today. Please ensure each scholar has a locker combination OR a key lock for their locker.
Thank you.
8th Grade
8th Grade had a great first week of school!
In ELA students learned about the National History day project and competition. Details about the Washington DC trip and the DC trip info meeting will be released soon.
In Math students used marshmallows and spaghetti to practice team building and creative thinking.
In social studies, students thought about their life chronologically and made a timeline highlighting both the highs and lows of life and how it mirrors history. In science students also worked on team building.
Next week students will bring home a safety contract for parents to sign, and HMH curriculum will start in all classes.
Art News
Thank you for supplying your child with their sketchbook for the year. They love using it to practice skills taught and free drawing when they finish a project early.
The art room always needs and appreciates kleenex, Clorox wipes, and ziploc baggie donations.
If you are on Instagram I invite you to follow artmohn. It is a fun way to see our scholars' fun and creative work. #artmohn #kestrelart
Be on the lookout for the date and information regarding our Kestrel art show! It will be this fall and you will have the opportunity to purchase your child's artwork, framed!
English Language Learners
Programa de Aprendices del Idioma Inglés (ELL) - Sra. Rivera
Nuestro programa de ELL, para estudiantes con una formación en un idioma que no es el inglés, está diseñado para aumentar la competencia de estos estudiantes en el idioma inglés. Los estudiantes de nuestro programa ELL recibirán apoyo adicional para leer, escribir, escuchar y hablar. El programa apoya el aprendizaje de inglés en las áreas de escuchar, hablar, leer y escribir.
Si tiene alguna pregunta o inquietud sobre nuestro programa ELL, contácteme a la siguiente dirección: rivera-lang@kestrelheights.org . ¡Esperamos tener un gran año ecolar!
English Language Learners (ELL) Program - Ms. Rivera
Our ELL program, for scholars with a background in a language other than English, is designed to increase English language learners proficiency in English. Scholars in our ELL program will be receiving extra support with reading, writing, listening and speaking. The program supports the learning of English in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
If you have any questions or concerns about our ELL program, please contact me at rivera-lang@kestrelheights.org . I am looking forward to a great new school year!
Academically / Intellectually Gifted (AIG) Program - Mr. Adam Love
The Kestrel AIG program serves scholars who perform, or show the potential to perform, at substantially high levels of accomplishment when compared with others of their age, experience, or environment. Academically or intellectually gifted students exhibit high performance capability in intellectual areas, specific academic fields, or in both the intellectual areas and specific academic fields. Academically or intellectually gifted students require differentiated educational services beyond those ordinarily provided by the regular educational program.
Here are links to the NC AIG Program Standards and Kestrel's AIG Parent Handbook. Those documents contain further details about how AIG students are identified, screened, tested, and placed into the AIG program. If you have any questions or concerns about Kestrel's AIG program please contact me at: love@kestrelheights.org. I look forward to a great school year!
Middle School PE (grades 6-8 only)
Do not forget to get your syllabus signed this weekend, counts as a quiz grade! Also please make sure that you have PE attire, we start changing out on Tuesday.
See you next week!
Music
Hats off to a great first week in music!
Middle School band parents be on the lookout for information about Instrumental rental night with Music & Arts.
Elementary music students 4th and 5th grade that need to order recorders will begin on Aug. 31, 2018
Front Office News
Quick Reminders:
- Scholars are tardy after 7:50 am and must check in in the Campus Office.
- Scholars can only be check out of the Front Office and cannot be checked out after 2:30pm
- Bring your ID to check in and/or out
- If you have not received your carpool tag please come see us!
We are short on office supplies! Please help if you can! We need: sticky notes, pens, pencils, expo markers, staples, sharpies, white out, scotch tape, hand sanitizer, tissues, and clorox wipes. All donations can be dropped off at the 6-8 campus to Mrs. Gordon!
Thank you all so much for an awesome first week!
Ms. Collins (K-5 Front Office)
Mrs. Gordon (6-8 Front Office)
Counselors Corner
Welcome back, Kestrel families! Your school counselors, Mrs. Callahan and Mrs. Kennedy, are excited for a great year ahead! Please see below for some important counseling updates.
Who is my counselor? Mrs. Kennedy is our counselor for "even" numbered grades - Kindergarten, 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th. Mrs. Callahan is our counselor for "odd" numbered grades - 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 8th. 8th grade is shared between the two counselors due to the workload involved in helping our scholars transition to high school. Of course, scholars are welcome to speak with the counselor they feel most comfortable with.
504 plans: If you are new to KHCS this year and your child had a 504 accommodations plan at their previous school, please contact your child's counselor to ensure we have received their plan. Plans do not always arrive from previous schools along with the rest of the student records and we want to ensure we have your child's accommodations set up in a timely manner. If you are a returning family, your child's plan has been distributed to their teachers as of today (Friday, August 24) and we will contact you about annual review meetings at the end of first quarter. If you have concerns prior to that point, please contact your child's counselor.
Schedule changes: Please refer to the parent email regarding schedule changes. All schedule change requests must come to the counselors on the form and scholars should follow their plans as written until they receive a printed copy of a new schedule.
Uniforms and School Supplies: If your scholar is in need of uniforms or school supplies, please let us know as we do have some items available as needed.
Sports at KHS
Volleyball-Kestrel Gear Fundraiser
This is a Volleyball Fundraiser! You can purchase Kestrel Gear you can use this link the sale goes until September 7th if you use the link you can order and pay online.
http://shop.fancloth.com/27713/425301
Please be mindful of the uniform policy when ordering. For example you can order a hoodie but you can not wear it to school.
Email edmonds@kestrelheights.org if you have any questions!
How can I find a Sports Schedule?
Schedules will be posted as they become available and they will be updated regularly. Parents of scholar athletes can sign up for notifications about schedule changes.
Rosters, photos, announcements and game results can all be seen on the Hawks athletic website!
Cross Country
Go Hawks!
News from Admissions
S.O.A.R. (Supporting Our Active Recruitment)
We are thankful that you have chosen to be a part of our Kestrel Family! We would like to introduce you to our KHCS Referral Program!
With our newly implemented school-wide curriculum and textbooks, PBIS behavioral program, streamlined school times, and our small teacher:student ratio in classrooms, our students are engaged and excited to be at Kestrel! As we continue to build on programs put in place this year, we would also like to continue to grow our student population.
We hope you will assist our Kestrel Heights S.O.A.R. (Supporting Our Active Recruitment) team by: Talking with your family, friends, church, youth or sports groups, or posting in neighborhood blogs and social media about the exciting things happening at Kestrel Heights Charter School! Refer them to our website at www.kestrelheights.org where they can find more information about KHCS, schedule a tour, and complete the new student application.
A bonus for you! Each time you refer a family to our school, and their student enrolls, you will be entered to WIN one of our $100.00 AMAZON gift cards that will be awarded at the beginning of the 2018-19 school year! (The referral survey will be sent to all newly enrolled families in September.)
Thank you!
School Lunch
Our 2018-2019 caterer will be Spicy Green! Chef Ashlyn Smith, is a graduate of Johnson & Wales University, Providence, RI, where she received her Associate’s and Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Arts. Prior to starting her culinary education she was the Grand Prize Winner of the 2002 National High School Recipe Contest. Visit www.spicygreengourmet.net/ to learn more about Spicy Green Gourmet. Menus will be available soon.
Lunch cost $4.00 per student per meal for all students at KHCS. You will add money to your student’s account via the portal. The link to the instructions is below. This will allow you to put money on your student’s card by the meal. So, a week’s worth of lunch is $4 (price per meal) x 5 days (school week) = $20. A month would be $100. You can also apply for Free or Reduced Lunch. Parents who received free or reduced lunch last year must reapply for the 18-19 school year and pre-order.
We will only serve students who have pre-ordered lunch. The Lunchtime System will allow parents to pre-order meals, to add funds and track the meals balance. KHS will order lunch from our catering company according to the meals ordered by parents. We will order the exact number for lunch; therefore, there is no way for a student to eat if a parent did not pre order online.
All parents of students who choose to eat from school’s lunch regardless of their status (Free, Reduced or Paid) have to use this system to pre-order the meals. Pre-order meals must be in by 7pm the day before meal is being pre-ordered. The Meal Policy is attached to this email. Please review as you will be charged for a pre-order meal if it is unclaimed.
If you need assistance please contact Maureen Gordon at gordon@kestrelheights.org or (919)484-1300 ext. 200
Please review the links below. It contains the information for creating your Lunch Account and how to pre order meals for your child(ren).
Read it carefully, then click the link below to get started with the setup. If the links are not working please visit our website kestrelheights.org, click the parent tab, then lunch program.
Lunch Menu for August
PTSO News
Help us raise money for our school the EASY way!
Please link two of your most most common shopping cards to our school!
- Our school code for Harris Teeter is 2705. Currently we only have 34 families linked to Kestrel!
- LInk KHS on Amazon at (https://smile.amazon.com/). Select Kestrel Heights School Parent Teacher Student Organization. Don't forget to put use the smile link before you buy.
Thanks everyone and go Hawks!
Welcome Back Family Picnic
The PTSO will be hosting a Welcome Back! Family Picnic on Friday, August 24th from 5:00-7:00 on the 6-8 campus. Join us for food, games, and the opportunity to visit with friends, old and new!
See you soon!
Friday, Aug 24, 2018, 05:00 PM
4700 South Alston Avenue, Durham, NC, USA
Wheels Spirit Night!
Our first Kestrel Spirit Night will be at Wheels Fun Park on Friday, September 14th from 6:00-9:00. Tickets are $7.00 per person and includes the skate rental. Parents are not charged if they don't skate. What an easy and fun way to raise money for Kestel! Go Hawks!
Friday, Sep 14, 2018, 06:00 PM
Wheels Fun Park, North Hoover Road, Durham, NC, USA
Community News
Need a Book Bag or School Supplies?
Lowes Grove Baptist Church donated some school supplies to our scholars! They are packed for scholars in grade 4th-8th.
Please email Ms. Gordon if you need one!
Come Soar With Us!
Choosing the right school is an important decision. We strive to provide a welcoming and diverse community where your children can thrive. Our lottery-based enrollment process ensures an equal opportunity for all prospective students.
Email: gordon@kestrelheights.org
Website: kestrelheights.org
Phone: 919-484-1300
Facebook: facebook.com/KestrelHeightsSchool/
Twitter: @KestrelHeights