Parent Peek at the Week
Week of June 28th, 2021
A little end of the year note.....
I'm finding it very difficult to put into words, how grateful we are for all your support and encouragement this past year. Kawartha Heights families are the best cheerleaders and team players around! We would not have made it through this year without your collaboration. We know that the moves back and forth between online and face-to-face learning have been so challenging on so many levels. At the end of the day, I can't help but reflect on so many good things that have come out of this pandemic as well. We have learned to be more flexible, more resilient and maybe even a little more kind towards ourselves and others. In years to come when we look back on these extraordinary times - this is what I will remember more than anything.
We all hope that the return to school in the fall will bring less protocols and more stability. No matter what happens we can't wait to see you after a well-deserved summer break. We have so much learning and so many new adventures still waiting for us!
Until then - stay safe, stay kind, stay hopeful.
Jennifer
Important Dates
Monday, June 28th - Day 1
- 9am - 12pm: Student belonging pick up (see below)
- 1:40pm - 3:20pm: Back to online learning
Tuesday, June 29th - Day 2
- Last day of virtual learning!
- Report cards and next year's teacher can be accessed by parents after 3:20pm on the parent portal (see below)
Wednesday, June 30th - Day 0
- 9am - 3:20pm: PA Day for teachers
Picking up belongings and saying goodbye....
We are excited to be sharing our Kawartha Heights plan for the pick up of student belongings and a chance to say “goodbye”. Please see the flyer below.
Please make sure that when you arrive at the school you and your family (children included) are wearing a mask at all times. Where possible, please ensure you are socially distanced.
KINDERGARTEN
Kindergarten students in Ms. Richardson and Mrs. Charmley's class can enter the Kindergarten yard to pick up their belongings, from the gate by the school parking lot.
Kindergarten students in Ms. Bartlett and Mrs. Holt's class can enter the Kindergarten yard to pick up their belongings, from the gate off the main school yard (where students normally enter when coming to school).
If you have technology to drop off, please walk around to the main back school yard, where Mrs. Sampson will be located at the technology drop off table.
GRADE 1 - 6
Junior teachers will be spread out under tents in the far yard. Primary teachers will be on the top field/shade shelter area and down on the black top area.
If you have technology to drop off, please enter the main back school yard, where Mrs. Sampson will be located at the technology drop off table.
If you are unable to come by to pick up belongs or drop of technology on Monday morning, please stop by the main school office between 8am and 4pm on June 29th or June 30th. All technology must be returned to the school by June 30th at 4pm.
Report cards and next year's teacher
Report cards and teacher's names will be available after 3pm on Tuesday, June 29th. Please be aware that report cards cannot be accessed on a mobile device. Please see the information below about how to access all these important documents.
If you have any issues accessing either of these documents, please contact Mrs. E. in the office.
Technology Drop Off
As we prepare for both in-school and Virtual School in September, it is imperative that any technology (e.g., Chromebooks, internet devices and ALL power cords) is returned to schools. Please note that if your child has a Special Education computer assigned to them, then this does not apply. Students with SEA Chromebooks can bring them back to school when we return in September.
If you are retrieving your child’s belongings from the school on your scheduled time on June 28th and wish to return your borrowed technology before June 30th, we will be happy to receive it. That way you only have one trip to the school.
If you would like to keep the technology through the last day of school (Tuesday June 29th) then please arrange to drop off your child’s loaned technology to the school by June 30th at 3:00 p.m.
When you arrive at the school, please ring the doorbell and someone will provide you with further directions. We appreciate your support in helping us to prepare for school re-opening.
Summer Oral Language Fun
From the Board Office.....
KPR NEWS
To All KPR Families,
It’s hard to believe school officially ends on Tuesday! As we conclude the school year, I leave you with two important words: Thank You.
Thank you for everything you have done to support your children’s education through stressful times. We know it has been an impossible balancing act to manage your own work days and support your children’s learning through the underlying anxiety brought on by COVID.
We are proud of the extraordinary strength, resilience and growth our students and staff have shown. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to you for your patience, understanding, hard work and support for your children’s education. Our students and schools have continued to do amazing work every day, and we look forward to a new school year when we can be together again.
While we regret not being able to wish everyone well in person at this time, please know our thoughts and best wishes go out to all of you. Whether your children or teens are graduating from high school, or moving on from Grade 6 or 8, we are proud of their accomplishments.
We have created a short video to share our congratulations, sincere thanks and best wishes with students, staff and families. Please click here to watch it.
We look forward to seeing most students back in schools in September; that personal, one-on-one connection between a teacher and student is irreplaceable. While staff have done their best to maintain those connections when physically separated from students, they are eager to see students once again.
Many of you have asked what to expect in September. We remain hopeful for a return that’s as “normal” as possible, with clubs, sports and events resuming; however, we cannot guarantee that. Our actions will depend on the pandemic’s status and measures required by Ministry of Education and public health officials. The Ministry has stated it will announce this summer what steps schools must take for the fall. We will share that information with you as soon as we are able.
While we believe face-to-face learning is best for students, virtual learning will be available next year for those who register with the virtual school. More information will be available in August. Please visit www.kprschools.ca and check your emails regularly, to stay up to date on any developments.
Finally, as National Indigenous History Month comes to a close, I want to pause for a moment and express our continued heartfelt sorrow and sympathies for everyone affected by the ongoing discoveries of children’s graves at residential schools, including the news from Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan. This is yet another marker in the continuing narrative of the horrible implications and generational harm of the Canadian Residential School System. This discovery, like the recent one in Kamloops and others yet to come, is our mandate for action towards Reconciliation. As a community, let us all continue to educate ourselves and others, and raise awareness of the tragic history and creation of the residential school system and its ongoing legacy.
Please click here for links to helpful resources.
Until we all connect again, I wish you and your family a relaxing, refreshing and safe summer. Stay well, everyone.
Sincerely,
Rita Russo
Director of Education
KPR NEWS
Summer Programs
Virtual summer learning programs begin July 5. The elementary program, designed for students whose learning is below their grade level, focuses on reading and math for current Grades 1, 2, 3, and 6 students who are finding these subjects a struggle. There also will be programs for Grades 7-8 students who would benefit from extra time on math as they approach the de-streamed Grade 9 math curriculum. For all elementary summer programs, interested families should contact their principal to obtain support for their application.
Secondary students can apply for virtual summer school at Summer School (kprschools.ca). While students should plan to spend 6-8 hours per weekday on learning, they will have some flexibility to choose when they complete work, as long as they meet due dates and times. Final course offerings will depend on enrolment.
Tech Support
KPR will offer technical support for students and families involved in learning over the summer, at:
Elementary Helpline
1-877-741-4577 Ext 3002
Elementary_Helpline@kprdsb.ca
Secondary Helpline
1-877-741-4577 Ext 3001
Secondary_Helpline@kprdsb.ca
New Grade 9 Math
Students will start high school in September with new, de-streamed math curriculum. Rather than taking either academic or applied-level math, all Grade 9 students will have the same learning experience focused on financial literacy, coding, problem solving and math that is relevant for everyday life. Locally developed math courses will still be offered. For details, visit New Grade 9 Math (kprschools.ca)
Menstrual Equity
A new Menstrual Equity (ME) program championed by Student Trustees will be introduced in the new school year. In 2021-22, dispensing devices for free menstrual products will be installed in at least one female washroom and one all-gender washroom in all KPR high schools and 26 pilot elementary schools. In 2022-23, following educational initiatives, ME will expand to all schools, with product dispensers and waste receptacles also installed in at least one male washroom. The ME program will better serve students who do not feel they fit traditional male/female definitions, transgender students who are transitioning, and students who have difficulty affording menstrual products.