KP Connection
April 28, 2017
Need to Know Dates
- 4/28 - Spring Musical "Once on This Island Jr" - 7pm
- 4/29 - History Day State Finals - 2 to 4pm
- 4/29 - Spring Musical "Once on This Island Jr" - 2pm
- 4/29 - KP Day @ Hartford Yard Goats Game - 6 to 9pm
- 5/1 - Fun Mondays Begin - Mustache Monday
- 5/1 - 8th Grade History Fair - 6:30pm
- 5/2 - WH SEPTO Celebrity Scoop Night
- 5/5 - KP Multicultural Celebration- 6pm
After School Activities
New Intramural Menu
School News
Lead Learner Highlights
Please don't forget to complete the school survey below.
End of Year Reminders
Obligation Notices were sent home for students who owe books or cafeteria books. We would appreciate any support you can give to return or pay for items.
Dress Code Guidelines: As the weather turns warm once again, we ask that you review the dress code guidelines with students. We always ask students to have an extra outfit to change into if needed, so they do not have to disturb someone at home. Please see page 11 of the Student Handbook.
Cell Phones: Our goal is to minimize distractions to the school day. To do this, we ask students to refrain from using/openly carrying their device during the day. Please speak to your child about keeping their device in their pocket or their locker unless a teacher gives them permission to use it for an educational purpose. As a parent or caregiver, we ask that you refrain from texting your child during the school day. If you need to reach your child, please call the main office at 860-233-8230.
School Survey --149 families took it which is just over 12% -- Hoping to get to at least 300 families!
KP's Multicultural Celebration Is Back!
Some of you may know it as International Night, but this year we decided to call it KP's Multicultural Celebration. This year's celebration will occur on Friday, May 5 from 6 to 8pm. Entertainment will begin at 6 and dinner will begin at 6:30. If you and your families would like to participate in one of the most festive events of the year, please click here to RSVP:
Student News
Thank you to:
- 7th grade Ruby student Elijah Harris for nominating his language arts teacher, Kimberly Harrell for the Frank McCourt Prize for Excellence in Teaching. She is the 2017 recipient and will be honored next month. Eight KP teachers (Danielle Drozd, Jessica Kerelejza, Eric Fisher, Matt Bannon, Shana LaPoint, and Heather Vocke) were nominated by students, parents/caregivers, or colleagues.
Opportunities to Support
Contests
Deadline is May 1st
Parent/Caregiver Resources
Resources for "13 Reasons Why"
Families, I thought I would reach out to share that there is a new Netflix series called "13 Reasons Why." The series is based on a book of the same title. The book is about a teenage girl who commits suicide and leaves behind a tape explaining the 13 reasons why she took her life. As you can imagine, the series is causing quite a bit of concern given the following of young people watching it. Below are some resources that may be helpful to guide conversations with your child. Again, this is just to keep you in the loop and aware as we guide students.
1. National Association of School Psychologists’ Guidance for educators http://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources/school-safety-and-crisis/preventing-youth-suicide/13-reasons-why-netflix-series-considerations-for-educators
2. 13 Reasons Tip Sheet from SAVE.org and the JED Foundation
https://www.save.org/?s=13+Reasons+Why
3. 13 Reason Why Trailer that provides the basic storyline for the series:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDz4WbDy0CQ
4. 13 Reasons Why Original Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JebwYGn5Z3E
Community Events
WHPS SEPTO News
West Hartford Special Education PTO
April/May 2017 Events
Tuesday, May 2nd from 5pm to 8pm
WHSEPTO’s Celebrity Scoop Night at Rita’s!
Join us at Rita’s, 1134 New Britain Ave in West Hartford for our annual Celebrity Scoop Night! Celebrity scoopers to be announced. A portion of the proceeds will benefit West Hartford Special Education PTO. If you would like to be a celebrity scooper, please contact Randi Leopold at randi_leopold@whps.org.
Friday, May 5 from 9:30am to 10:30am
Coffee & Conversation" at Panera in Bishops Corner
The first Friday of the month, parents of children receiving special education services meet for coffee and a chance to talk & make new friends in a casual setting. We generally meet in the back of the restaurant.
Ongoing
Membership Drive
It’s always the right time to join West Hartford SEPTO! Please register online at www.whsepto.org/membership.html
Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/West-Hartford-SEPTO
Mental Health Awareness Month
To mark Mental Health Awareness Month this May, Jewish Family Services and Tara’s Closet will host a compassionate community-wide conversation led by an outstanding panel of national experts and local members of our community who have been impacted by mental illness. Join us on Thursday, May 11 for an unforgettable evening discussion aimed at tearing down the many misconceptions surrounding mental illness.
Seating is limited and advance reservations are recommended. Order today. www.jfshartford.org/tickets
Back to School Program is Now Accepting Applications for New Backpack/School Supplies
West Hartford Social Services is currently accepting applications to receive a NEW backpack and assistance with school supplies! Income eligible West Hartford residents or any student enrolled in a West Hartford Public School may apply for this program at: Town Hall, 50 South Main Street Social Services Office, Room 306 Monday – Friday from 9:00–11:00 and 2:00–4:00. See Back to School Flyer or Back to School Application for more information.
Summer Opportunities
Free Summer Program - Young Manufacturers Academy
The Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc., is excited to announce our ninth consecutive year of the Young Manufacturers Academy (YMA), a FREE summer program for middle school students entering grades 7, 8, and 9 in the fall.
This Academy is a free, two-week, hands-on summer program for middle schoolers that will be held here in our East Hartford facility. We are hosting two of the CCAT Academies this summer, either of which your students are invited to sign up for.
We are beginning recruitment for the program and have attached a flyer that we are asking you to distribute to students at your schools in the appropriate grades.
You can apply atsend this online registration link www.ccat.us/YMA2017
Be sure to act fast, as each academy is limited to only 20 students on a first-come-first-served basis, and they fill quickly.
Capital Community College will be hosting the 4th annual Summer Computer Science Program for middle school students (aged 12-15).
June 19th - June 30th
8:30am - 4:00pm
The 2017 summer program contains two tracks - Mobile Application Development and Cybersecurity.
Lunch is provided to students each day. Need-based scholarships are available to Hartford and East Hartford residents. The program website is: www.capitalcc.edu/csprogram
"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."
8th Grade Families - Save the Date
Monday, May 1, for KP's History Night. From 6:30-7:30pm.
All three teams will participate in this event where students will share their research and learning on the topic of Taking and Stand in History.