KHS News
Friday, November 16th, 2018
In this week's newsletter...
Quick Announcements:
- Please remember scholars are tardy to school after 7:50am. We also do not call students after 2:30pm.
- Wednesday, December 5 from 6-8pm. We will be having a required parent night in the 6-8 gym focusing on high school information. Parents Only!
- December 7th is Inclement Weather make up day. This is a full day of school!
This newsletter contains the following information:
- Front Desk Transition
- PTSO News
- Lunch Menu
- Counselor Corner
- Sports at KHS
- Classroom News
- Community News
Upcoming Events:
- Wheels Spirit Night, Friday, November 30th from 6-9
- Kestrel Heights scholars will make up the inclement weather dates of October 11th and 12th on the following dates: December 7 and January 28.
- Band Concert will be on Dec. 18th
- The Winter Showcase will be on Dec. 20, 2018 (See Classroom News for more information)
- New Scholar Applications are now be accepted. Deadline is February 22, 2019
2019-20 New Scholar Applications:
We are now accepting K-8th grade new scholar applications for our 2019-2020 lottery. Applications are available on our website and in our Main offices. Friday, February 22, 2019 is the deadline for all lottery applicants. The lottery will be held on Friday, March 1, 2019. All sibling applications are required to be submitted by the application deadline in order to be considered for sibling preference.
Front Transition
Ms. Vargas - maintain her current role PLUS become the 6-8 main office administrator
Ms. Gordon - relocated to the K-5 main office, will be the primary front-office admin assistant for all of K-8
Reminders:
- Please make sure to bring your identification into the building when visiting, volunteering and or checking students out.
- Students are marked tardy after 7:50am
- Students will not be called for dismissal after 2:30pm
- Please be patient with us during this transition.
Thank you,
Mrs. Gordon
Wheels Spirit Night
Come out and skate with KHS! The price is $7.
We are determined to do this!
Friday, Nov 30, 2018, 06:00 PM
Wheels Fun Park, North Hoover Road, Durham, NC, USA
Lunch Menu
*There is school on December 7th Pizza will be served
Counselor Corner
CAREER CAFE UPDATES
Parents, did you know that we offer CAREER CAFE sessions throughout the year to expose our 6-8 scholars to various careers? So far this year we have hosted a mechanical engineer and a biological anthropologist. Our most recent presenter had the following feedback: "Because of you, I can see myself in your position in the future. Thank you.. [signed] an official fan of anthropology!"
Next month we have a Genetic Counselor and a NICU nurse turned Pediatric Nurse Practitioner! Talk to your scholar about their career interests and encourage them to sign up for the cafes! All they require from scholars is one lunch period and a quick evaluation of the presentation, plus a handwritten thank-you note for our presenters. They are a great opportunity for our scholars that many miss out on because they do not sign up!!
Do you have a lunch hour and are willing to volunteer to talk about your career? We work around YOUR schedule and can provide a letter documenting volunteer hours for your employer if needed. We are looking for presenters from ALL fields. We have been heavy on the medical fields so far, but we also have students who are interested in law, public service, working with children, the arts, and sports. Even if you don't think your career is particularly interesting, talk to Mrs. Callahan to see if there is a need you can fill! callahan@kestrelheights.org
Parent U
Upcoming Parent U events include:
High School Transition (December 5)
Executive Functioning (February 21)
Anxiety (April 23).
ATTENTION 8TH GRADE PARENTS:
COUNSELOR WISH LIST
Parents, did you know that your KHS Counseling Department has a wish list of most-needed items and books to support our scholars? This quarter, our focus is on developing a GROWTH MINDSET - a research-based approach to helping all of our students succeed. There are several additional resources on this topic we would love to have to use with our staff and students. Please check out the wish list - you can purchase items directly and have them shipped to us at school, easy peasy! Thank you for your support!
Link to wish list: http://a.co/8UoXmLE
Sports at KHS
Athletics
1) Congrats to the Kestrel Heights Ultimate Frisbee team, they are off to a 3-0 start. Visit; www.kestrelhawks.bigteams.com for more information.
2) Boys (1-1) and Girls (0-2) Hawks Basketball will begin conference play next week; Visit; www.kestrelhawks.bigteams.com for more information.
Classroom News
Kindergarten:
Kindergarten is excited to be learning about different cultures around the world! We have been writing about and coloring the flags on our "passports" of each country we visit! We have already visited Kenya, Israel, Holland and Italy! We have been listening to the different languages of each country and learning about their holiday traditions. We are excited to continue this journey throughout the world for the rest of this week!
1st Grade:
This week we completed our i-Ready reading and math mid-year diagnostic assessments. Students worked very hard! We also have been reviewing the short u sound, final blends, story structure, subtraction, and started our new unit on rocks and minerals.
2nd Grade:
2nd Grade scholars have been learning about solids, liquids, and gases. Its amazing how they were fascinated with the changing states of matter. We are ready to start our Holidays Around the World unit.
3rd Grade
We are excited about everything in 3rd grade! Multiplication, Vocabulary, Forces in Science...
Please make sure Scholars are reading and practicing math every every night even if no homework is assigned.
There are great websites available to scholars for free! Please email any of your 3rd grade teachers for a list!
Hart’s Hero of the week:
Pierce Sparkle of the Week:
Peacock of the Week
Sparkle for the week of 11/19: Raina H.
This will be Mrs. Alston's last week, as she is planning for her new arrival! Best wishes to Mrs. Alston and family!
Please be sure to check the fourth -grade website frequently for weekly homework assignments and other important announcements. The address to the site is https://sites.google.com/kestrelheights.org/4th-grade-2018-19/home.
Have a Great Weekend!
5th Grade:
The 5th grade scholars are preparing to start a new unit in ELA and will be concentrating on the writing process. In Science, scholars are working through the unit on Matter, Heat and Energy Transfer. Scholars will be testing on Thursday, December 6, to end their Math unit on Multiplying Decimals. We have also started locating the states by region and will be testing on the Southern Region states and capitals on Tuesday, December 4. Please continue to check the 5th grade website and PowerSchool for up to date information regarding your child's grades and upcoming concepts.
Middle School Blurb
6th Grade:
Do not forget to check power school and the 6th grade web page. The link is http://kestrel6thgrade.weebly.com/ and each teacher will be updating their class page.
7th Grade Math
Would you like to receive daily updates about classwork and homework in math?
Sign up for Ms Devlin's Remind Math Blast!
Text: @4dev7
To: 81010
*Honors, please email Ms. Devlin to get signed up*
if you have any questions or have trouble signing up please email Ms Devlin: devlin@kestrelheights.org
8th Grade:
This week, students have completed round 2 of iReady testing. 8th grade is planning a field trip to the Natural Science museum and the Marbles Theater in Raleigh on Dec. 13th. Cost will be 13 dollars per student to cover the costs of gas, bus driver, and a movie at Marbles. Permission forms will go out next week. Payments can be made on the school website. See Mr. Hensler or Mr. Johnston with any questions. 8th grade High School information night will be December 5th, come and find out more about transitioning your 8th grader to Highschool.
English Language Learners (ELL) Program/Programa de Aprendices del Idioma Inglés (ELL)
English Language Learners (ELL) Program - Ms. Rivera
Having fun making words with word family chunks.From the Spanish Corner
The Second Quarter is taking us to an imaginary trip to the beautiful Puerto Rico. After our thanksgiving recess (11/26), please bring me a research, write about someone famous from Puerto Rico, draw a picture, or print some facts, about this beautiful place.
Muchas gracias,
Mrs.Foushee
AIG News
This week in AIG....
*Reminder that this Friday November 30th is the deadline to submit an online payment for 3rd grade AIG Testing. Go to Kestrel's webpage, click on "Parents", then click "Make a Payment" and choose the link for "3rd Grade AIG Testing".
*Many thanks to all of the AIG parents and supporters who have donated to our Donor's Choose project. After this week's successful #GivingTuesday, it looks like the project will be fully funded by the deadline of January 11th. The students are loving the new robotics curriculum and I can't thank you all enough for your generosity towards this project and AIG program.
PE
Grades K-2 is finishing up their throwing unit.
Grades 3-8 is at the end of their floor hockey unit, they will be reviewing and testing after Thanksgiving.
Art News
We love using brown paper bags in art class! Next time you are at the grocery store (and happen to think of it), ask for paper instead of plastic. Send in your folded paper bags with your scholars.
Ms. Mohn updates her school Instagram, almost daily. If you are interested in seeing what scholars are doing, please follow along! Her instagram is artmohn.
Dance and Music News
Elementary Dance
The "Countdown" is on for the Elementary Dance & Music Department's Winter Performance!!!! We have 3 weeks to go before "Showtime!"
We're so excited for our scholars to showcase their talent and to show the families all of their hard work and effort that's taking place in classes.
The Winter Showcase will be on Dec. 20, 2018 and the Spring Showcase will be on May 16, 2019. There will be 2 performances: Grades K-2 will be at 5:30 pm and Grades 3-5 will be at 6:45 pm (both performances will be held in the Middle School Gym). This is a REQUIRED performance, in which all students are expected to participate.
PERFORMANCE ATTIRE: Red shirt with a collar (ex. - polo style), black pants (NO jeans, leggings. OR jeggings), and black shoes
Community News
Free Tech Workshops for Parents & Students
Free Tech Workshops for Parents & Students
Join us at Kramden Institute for a special free event for parents and middle school kids! On Saturday, Dec. 8, we'll host a workshop on social media for parents alongside a coding workshop for students, as well as dinner. Parent/student pairs should register and attend together.
Date: Saturday, December 8, 2018
Time: 5:00 to 7:00 pm
Location: Kramden Institute, 4915 Prospectus Drive, Suite J, Durham NC 27713
Cost: FREE. Pizza dinner included!
Find Out More and Sign Up Here
Parent Workshop: Navigating Social Media with Your Kids
Get useful information on how to guide your student's use of social media. Hear about protecting the privacy and safety of your student online, and get strategies for allowing social media use but communicating clear boundaries.
Student Workshop: Kramden Coders Club - Coding Project
Jump into a fun programming project with our experienced instructors. You'll program in Python to create your code and then customize it. No coding experience necessary. For grades 6-8.
Stand Up Speak Out of North Carolina
Stand Up Speak Out of North Carolina would like to inform parents of their new program called Girl Speak Out YR Program. It is free and open to young girls ages 13-18. The program focuses on life skills, social development, healthy choices and relationships and character enlightenment. As well as youth leadership, mentoring, renewing confidence and building self-esteem.
The program begins October 30th through December 14th, every Tuesday, from 5p.m. to 7p.m. at W.D. Hill Recreation Center 1308 Fayetteville Road. Interested students can sign up through the link below or just come Tuesday October 30th.
A Message from Lifetouch
Thank you for partnering with Lifetouch for your Fall Picture Day. We are happy to share with you some great offers for your families before they expire.
Many of your families have already taken advantage of the free Shutterfly photo book offer by ordering online. Included in this email is a helpful resource to share with your families showcasing offers from Lifetouch and Shutterfly:
Please use this downloadable flyer to inform families of these offers. Thank you in advance for distributing them to ensure every family has the opportunity to preserve their school memories and benefits from these valuable offers.
Your partners at Lifetouch
ATTENTION PARENTS: Do you have a child in your life coping with grief?
Duke Hospice Bereavement Services has amazing youth programs to support grieving youth and families in our community. Ms. Callahan and Mrs. Kennedy have both been involved in their programming and highly recommend their services. See the attached flyer for upcoming events.
Transforming Families
We welcome your email at
transformingfamiliesnc@lgbtqcenterofdurham.org
Invite you to join our Facebook Group-Transforming Families NC and Allies
Follow us on Twitter: transformingfamilies@tff_nc
Call the Center 919-827-1436
Kramden Tech Scholars
Come Join Us
Website: kestrelheights.org
Location: 4700 South Alston Avenue, Durham, NC, USA
Phone: 919-484-1300
Facebook: facebook.com/KestrelHeightsSchool/
Twitter: @KestrelHeights