KP Connection
September 28, 2018
Need to Know Dates
Monday - October 15 - PTO Meeting
Tuesday - October 16 - Ski Club Meeting
Thursday - October 18 - Chess Club (Library)
Friday - October 19 - Dussehra /Durga Puja (Hindu)
Tues- Oct 23 / Thurs -Oct 25 / Friday- Oct 26- 7th Grade Trip New Britain Museum of Art
Wednesday - October 24 -Unity Day - Wear Orange
Thursday - October 25 - Chess Club (Library)
LEAD LEARNER HIGHLIGHTS
Our first full week of school has been full of amazing things. All of our 6th and 7th-grade teams completed their team building days where they practiced problem-solving, critical thinking, effective communication skills, and thoughtful reflection as they continued to build bonds with their peers and the staff members that will contribute to their success this year. We also had the opportunity to connect with families during our last Open House Night and held our first PTO meeting.
Our goal is to provide frequent and meaningful communication about what is happening in our classrooms to help you support your child's learning and to share what is happening at school to increase your awareness and encourage your involvement. We invite your feedback to teachers, team leaders, and administrators to share the benefits of these efforts to make sure we are accomplishing this goal and meeting your needs as parents/caregivers. As we move comfortably into the school year, I want to encourage you to BE the ONE to choose to get involved in the KP community. There are a number of ways you can support KP by volunteering on different PTO committees, chaperoning a trip, or answering a teacher or team call for support.
As you read below, please check out the opportunities to Stomp Out Bullying, provide feedback, review the clubs that are starting, and participate in our 2nd COLOR RUN on October 20th. For 8th grade parents, there is a great screen and talk back community event next week in the community resource section below.
School News
An initiative of STOMP Out Bullying, students across the globe wear blue with stronger voices and stand STUDENT STRONG.
We hope that you will join us on Monday by joining your children and wearing blue to stomp out bullying.
We Value Your Feedback
6th and 7th Grade Open House (currently 70 respondents)
8th Grade Open House (currently 23 respondents)
Save the Date - Oct. 5th
Attention Parents: please be sure to complete the picture order form and have your child bring it with them to school on October 5th. Smile!!
If you would like to order on line and forgo any check writing, and passing of paperwork back and forth, here is the information.
1. Go to the website: www.ctpremierphotos.com
2. Click on the blue box that says "to order and view photos".
3. Type in King Philip's code: kinmisc
4. Order! On-line ordering stays open until midnight Oct. 5th.
PLEASE NOTE: If you do not wish to order any pictures at all, your child will still have a photo taken for our KP yearbook.
Clubs Starting
Tuesday
- Yearbook
- Math Counts - If you want to improve your skills in math or are looking for a challenge, this club is for you! We hope to see you then.
- Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA)
- KP Change Makers - Student Government
Thursday
- Book Club - Students will select the books we read and will have an opportunity to lead the group and share what we have been reading individually. All are welcome!
- Girls who Code (started today) - NEW Club
- TSA (Technology Student Association) - Starts Oct. 5th
- Science Club - started today. The next meeting is Oct. 12th (24 spots)
COLOR RUN - October 20th -- Mark Your Calendar
Key Highlights:
- Date: Saturday, October 20th
- When: Registration starts at 9:30 am, and the run is at 10:00 am
- Cost: $10 to register ($30 with an event t-shirt - Day of Registration cost: $35 per runner
- Check Point: the First checkpoint is Oct. 5th - If students raise at least $30 and bring it in by 10/5, they are guaranteed a t-shirt for the day of the event.
- Who can attend? Siblings and families are encouraged and invited to join
- Purpose of the fundraiser: All the funds raised go to support student learning with this fall's focus on technology updates and flexible seating options for classrooms and more depending on our proceeds.
- Incentives: There are a ton of student incentives with a combination of individual and group (MA and Team Incentives). There is also a rumor about the principal/lead learner dying her hair blue for a month and staff members sleeping on the roof.
Reminders
Important! Please Remember to return: All PTO Fee and Membership Forms & Student Activity Fee and Forms
Student and Staff Kudos
Foundation for West Hartford Public Schools KP Grants
An adventurer in the House!
submitted by Joshua Satlof, Lead Teacher, Alisha Mayer, MattBannon
Michael Benanav writes and photographs for the travel section of "The New York Times," He has also written for other national newspapers, and was a contributing editor to "The Salt Journal," as well as a published author of 4 books. He has also worked as a mountain and desert guide in the American West. He lives in northern New Mexico. Additionally, Michael grew up in West Hartford and is a King Philip and Hall Alumni. To see and read his work go to https://michaelbenanav.com/ . He will be spending time a KPM and working with 7th-grade students as an author-in-residence this March.
Move, Breathe, Smile, Connect, Relax and Feel Better
submitted by Robert Felekey, Lead Teacher, Dave Masters, Erin Rauseo, Laura Wilson
Michael Dauria will conduct a series of workshops demonstrating his National Institute of Health (NIH) evidence-based, mind-body activity program designed to reduce stress, increase awareness, develop self- control and promote Social Emotional Learning. Students will experience an improved mood, relaxation, better focus and improved response to stressors, which will contribute to improved focus and attention as well as improved self-regulation throughout the day. Students will learn coping skills that are research-based and physically activated.
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
CHESS Program at KP
Award-winning chess instructor and coach, Alexander Lumelsky, is offering this instruction-based chess program for students grades 6 through 8, beginners welcome. The program offers class instruction on chess play and strategy and is intended for players of all and no prior skill or experience. The program also features supervised practice play, over-the-board instruction, possible in-club competition play, and opportunity for play in off-campus competition. -Click Here for more information and to register.
REMINDERS
Parent/Caregiver Resources
WHAT: Jewish Family Services’ Tara’s Closet, with community partners the Mandell JCC and BBYO, present a free screening of the film Eighth Grade followed by a panel discussion with mental health professionals and teens. Thirteen-year-old Kayla endures the tidal wave of contemporary suburban adolescence as she makes her way through the last week of middle school marking the end of a disastrous eighth grade year before she begins high school. Described as one of the most painfully authentic cinematic portraits of life as a young teenager, Eighth Grade has been generating enthusiastic buzz cutting to the heart of how emotionally unconformable adolescence in the 21st century can be with surgical precision. The result is a film that manages to be charming, tender, funny, and realistic all at once.Eighth Grade masterfully captures the emotional horror of being a Generation Z middle-schooler, yet tells a universally relatable coming of age story.
WHY: National Bullying Prevention Month is a campaign in the United States founded in 2006 by PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center. The campaign is held during the month of October and unites communities nationwide to educate and raise awareness of bullying prevention. Traditionally held the first week in October, the event was expanded in 2010 to include activities, education, and awareness building for the entire month. Eighth Grade explores how social media impacts teenagers’ lives, opening themselves up to wanting what others have, unfair comparisons, unwanted criticism that can walk the line of cyberbullying and letting “likes” and a number of followers define them.
This film and the discussion to follow is appropriate for parents as well as teens. Parents are encouraged to attend along with their teenagers. Rated R for language and some sexual material. A panel discussion comprised of mental health professionals, teens, and teachers will discuss the movie and offer advice to parents. We will also hear teenagers testimonials on how they deal with social media. Information about the movie can be found online at: http://eighthgrade.movie/
Panel discussion will be moderated by Dennis House, Channel 3 Eyewitness News Anchor and Face the State moderator.
Panelists:
· Shayna Ull, JFS Clinician
· Geoff Genser, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
· Abby Azia/Jake Steinberg, BBYO Teen Representatives
· Rebecca Lewis – 8th grade social studies teacher, King Philip Middle School
WHEN: Wednesday, October 3, 2018
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
WHERE: Mandell JCC of Greater Hartford
335 Bloomfield Avenue
West Hartford, CT
ADMISSION: FREE ADMISSION with a winter outerwear item donation (jacket, coat, gloves) for men, women and children in need.
Reserve tickets today: http://bit.ly/JFSEighthGrade
Community Events
Public Act 16-189
We believe that it is vital for all students in West Hartford Public Schools to be able to efficiently and effectively use digital tools that empower them in all phases of the learning process, including research, problem solving, content creation, communication, and collaboration. We also believe that we must be committed at all times to protecting students' privacy and providing them with a powerful and safe educational experience. To that end, the West Hartford Public Schools follow the legal requirements of Public Act 16-189 to promote the safety and security of all students and staff.
In compliance with Connecticut State Law, we update online programs used within the district that house student data. The programs may be used district-wide, in a very small number of classrooms, or with individual students. The list will be updated each time the district enters into a new contract where student data is housed. For more information on the specifics of Public Act 16-189 and updates of vendor agreements, visit www.whps.org/pa189."