Northside Notes
January 7, 2015
Important Dates for Thoroughbreds!
Jan. 18: No School: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Jan. 21: 2nd 9 Weeks Report Cards Go Home
Jan. 22: Chinese New Year Celebration
Feb. 7-12: I Love to Read Week
Feb. 11: Friendship Lunch (Manners Lunch)
Feb. 15: President's Day - No School - *1st Snow Make-Up Day
Mar. 7: Professional Development Day - No School - *2nd Snow Make-Up Day
Mar. 14-18: Spring Book Fair
Early Years Parent Newsletter
Wind Chill Policy
HOW DOES THE WIND CHILL AFFECT SCHOOL BEING DELAYED OR CLOSED?
During the winter months several factors come into play that could delay the start of school or cause school to be closed all together. One such factor is the wind chill on a given day. On particularly cold mornings we continuously monitor the National Weather Service and closely monitor the weather conditions. There are two possible scenarios that come from the National Weather Service: a Wind Chill Advisory and a Wind Chill Warning. The National Weather Service in Louisville, KY defines the two as the following:
* Wind Chill Advisory: Wind Chills between -10 and -24 degrees and at least a wind of 10 MPH or more.
* Wind Chill Warning: Wind Chills -25 degrees and below with at least a wind of 10 MPH or more.
When the National Weather Service issues a Wind Chill Warning for Woodford County for the time the school day begins, we will make a decision to close schools. It is quite likely we will make this type of decision on the morning of the day in question as it is hard to predict what the wind chill will be the night before. If there is a Wind Chill Advisory for the county, schools will likely be open unless there are operational problems with the bus fleet or mechanical problem in the school buildings. Buildings and the bus fleet are assessed in the morning prior to school by 6:00 am.
As a parent if you determine that the weather conditions are too dangerous for your child to be out we respect your decision. You are free to contact your child’s school to request an excused absence for the day. If your child misses school because your car will not start or other issues related to extreme cold temperatures those reasons will be counted as an excused absence. Please make sure you contact the attendance office at your child’s school to report the absence.
Understand that the safety of our staff and students is our top priority when making the decision to delay or close school. We can assure you that our school buildings are warm, safe and an ideal place for students to be when it is extremely cold outside. Parents should make sure their child is dressed appropriately for the cold weather. The district urges students to wear winter hats, gloves, heavy coats and boots. Frostbite and hypothermia are serious risks and need to be taken into consideration by the parents.
To get more information on how the wind chill is calculated see the National Weather Service website at www.weather.gov.
Habit of the Week
Habit 4 — Think Win-Win
Everyone Can Win
I balance courage for getting what I want with consideration for what others want. I make deposits in others’ Emotional Bank Accounts. When conflicts arise, I look for third alternatives.
Madrigal Dinner Parent Survey
If you attended or helped out with the 4th/5th Grade Madrigal Dinner in December, please take a moment to fill out the following survey. This will remain completely anonymous and will help assist us in planning this event in the future. If you have already filled out the survey, we greatly appreciate your input.
Plastic Caps Collection
- Snap on cottage cheese, coffee can, ans yogurt lids.
- Twist on medicine, drink bottles, and milk caps (including the ring).
- Flip top ketchup and condiment lids.
- Detergent, hair spray, deodorant, and toothpaste tops.
- Spout tops, such as squirt mustard.
Substitute Employees
**If you are interested in learning more about becoming a substitute employee with the Woodford County Public Schools, please visit the following link: http://www.woodford.kyschools.us/Content/10
Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI) days
Dear Woodford Families
We are pleased to announce that Woodford County Schools has been granted state permission to offer "Non-Traditional Instruction" (NTI) days during the 2015-2016 school year. This plan will allow meaningful learning to take place, when conditions prevent schools from being in session. An NTI
day will count as an instructional day, and if approved by KDE (Kentucky Department of Education)
will not have to be made up at the end of the school year.
WHAT IS NON-TRADITIONAL INSTRUCTION?
A non-traditional instructional day is a district declared day when learning and instruction will continue, yet students will not report to school. Learning will take place utilizing technology or conventional paper packets focusing on skills enhancement, remediation and enrichment. All materials will be provided by your child's teacher(s) and students are expected to return completed assignments to their teacher upon their return to school. Please note, not every school cancellation day will be an NTI Day. The message from Mr. Hawkins will clearly indicate what type of cancellation day it will be.
HOW WILL INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS BE PROVIDED?
Students with internet access will be able to complete work at home or another location, using educational programs that are familiar to your child. If your child does not have internet access, a paper copy of assignments will be provided in advance of an NTI day. Other information regarding assignments can be found on teacher websites, newsletters and e-communications.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON AN NTI DAY?
- When the decision is made to have an NTI Day, a Send Word Now (formerly One Call) will be sent out by Mr. Hawkins notifying families.
- Teachers will be available to answer questions and help students between 10 a.m.-I p.m. and 4 p.m.-7 p.m.
- Teachers will be available via email and will respond to both student and parent questions during the above hours. If email is not a possibility, please contact your child's school to set up a means of communication.
- Completed work needs to be returned to school the first day back from NTI day.
We are excited about this opportunity to provide learning when conditions in the past would have prevented learning from taking place. Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Scott Hawkins, Superintendent
Community News
Woodford County Public Library
Pete the Cat Pajama Pancake Breakfast*
Starts: January 9, 2016 @ 10:30 am
(Ages 3-8) Rock your coolest pajamas for a special Pete the Cat story time. Eat pancakes, listen to music, and make a groovy Pete the Cat craft. *Call 846-4014 to sign up.
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- See more at: http://www.woodfordcountylibrary.com/event/999#sthash.nDT4QnPE.dpufMain Branch
Super Saturday Family Story Time*
Starts: January 9, 2016 @ 11:00 amEnds: January 9, 2016 @ 12:00 pm
(Families) Come see model trains, hear train stories, and decorate engines! *Call 873-5191 to sign up.
Make Your Own Snow Globe*
Starts: January 9, 2016 @ 2:00 pmEnds: January 9, 2016 @ 3:00 pm
(Ages 11-18) This is a "cool," fun craft that brings the beauty of winter all year round. *Call 873-5191 to sign up.
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- See more at: http://www.woodfordcountylibrary.com/event/1057#sthash.rwYiyLlH.dpufKids Read to Dogs*
Starts: January 9, 2016 @ 3:00 pmEnds: January 9, 2016 @ 4:00 pm
(Ages 5-11) Children gain confidence by reading to friendly therapy dogs. *Call 873-5191 to sign up.