Parent Peek at the Week
Week of April 4th, 2022
In case you missed it.....
Wonderful new books!
Domino's Pizza Night
Spring has sprung!
Important Dates
Monday, April 4th - Day 5
- 6:30pm - School Council Meeting
Tuesday, April 5th - Day 1
- 1:40pm - 2:40pm: VIP Program begins for Grade 6’s
Wednesday, April 6th - Day 2
Friday, April 8th - Day 0
- PA Day - students do not attend school while staff are engaged in professional learning
Upcoming Dates:
- April 11th and 12th - Jimmy Chapman returns for breakdancing
- April 15th - 18th - Easter break
- April 22nd - Second dose Vaccine Clinic at Kawartha Heights
- May 11th and 12th - Lacrosse
- May 13th - Picture Day (rescheduled)
- May 20th - Pedal for Hope
Covid Update
Thank you to all the parents and families who have continued to report positive cases of Covid to Mrs. Sampson so that we can confidentially inform classes of exposure. Please continue to let Mrs. Sampson know if any of your children test positive.
As you are aware by the number of letters going home each day, we are experiencing a significant number of cases daily at our school right now. Although many of the protocols we used to have in place are now gone, there are still a few things you can do to mitigate the risks. Getting children vaccinated and choosing to have them wear masks at school are two ways that you can better protect your children. However, as always, we respect everyone's right to decide if these are the best next steps for your family. I will continue to notify families of exposure in specific classes, in the before/after school program and on our buses.
Please also be aware, that due to a significant number of staff absences daily, it may become necessary to collapse a class and reassign students to another room if we don't have enough staff in the building to keep students safe. Rest assured that if this happens, I will notify you so that you are aware. We continue to do everything in our power to keep classes as they should be, however, it is very challenging with the significant number of staff absences daily.
This past week, Peterborough Public Health launched a new local Covid-19 Community Risk Index Site. This Index shows the risk level of COVID-19 transmission in the Peterborough Public Health Region. It brings together all available indicators on COVID-19 transmission into one easy-to-understand five-point scale. Each indicator is based on local scientific data.
This Index guidance also suggests ways you can protect yourself for each risk level. If you have a greater risk of serious illness from COVID-19, the Index offers additional guidance for your protection.
Covid Daily Screener
This is just a reminder that it is critical and expected that you complete the daily Covid screener for each of your children before sending them to school. You no longer need to complete the attestation form, but the screener is still a requirement. Over the past few weeks we've had many students arrive and end up in the isolation room within the first 30 minutes of the school day. If your child is experiencing ANY signs of illness, the screener will indicate they are not to come to school. Thank you for your support!!!
For your reference, the screener can be found at: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/
School Council
The meeting will take place on WebEx at 6:30pm on Monday night. You can join us at the following link: https://kprdsb.webex.com/meet/jennifer_sampson. Attached below are instructions on joining from your browser, without having to download the app.
We look forward to seeing you there!!!
PA Day
During the PA Day, staff will be engaged with Professional Learning. Specifically, we will be focusing on:
- Revisiting and Re-engaging with the School Learning Cycle
- Grade 3 and 6 teachers engaging in EQAO learning
- completing a self-directed module on sex trafficking
Autism Awareness Month
We have some great new resources available in the library focusing on Autism through picture books. Teachers will be using these new resources with their classes, and discussing this "superpower" that many of our students have. Seeing yourself represented and celebrated in picture books and by your teacher is VERY powerful.
For additional information, please feel free to check out the Autism Ontario website at: Home | Autism Ontario
Celebrating Ramadan
Ramadan is fast approaching, and many of our Kawartha Heights families will be celebrating. If you're not familiar with this important celebration, here are some important things for you to know:
This year, Ramadan falls from April 2 - May 2, 2022. Ramadan is one of the most important celebrations on the Islamic calendar.
What is Ramadan?
- Fasting is an act of worship common across many faiths and traditions. In Islam, fasting can be optional or an obligation for Muslims, depending on the time of year. The obligatory fast (Sawm in Arabic) takes place daily during the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
- Many Muslims typically commence fasting after the onset of puberty during the daylight hours, refraining from eating and drinking from dawn (i.e. the first appearance of light on the horizon) to sunset. Younger children may choose to fast alongside their families if they wish and some may fast ‘half days' or between meals as a way to feel a part of the broader community.
- Fasting during this month is an opportunity for Muslims to focus on their spiritual state, exerting themselves to develop discipline in oneself and increased inner and outer consciousness of God. One of the ways these are achieved is through self-purification; that is, improving qualities of good character, increasing in acts of worship and getting involved in charitable acts and giving. The experience also allows one to become more sympathetic to those in need and to develop empathy for those who may not have the luxury of knowing from where their next meal is coming or if they can even access clean drinking water.
In general, Muslims who participate in Ramadan go about their regular routines without much disruption, although the final days of the month are often filled with family visits and special meals. Some students may be absent during these times.
As a school we will be engaging in learning to support understanding of this important time. We will also be including information in our morning school announcements.
To all our families celebrating, Ramadan Mubarak! May you have much peace and joy.
Right to Read
This message is sent on behalf of:
Jamila Maliha and Gloria Tompkins, Superintendents of Teaching and Learning, K-12,
Anne Marie Duncan, Superintendent of Special Education and
James Brake, Superintendent of Indigenous Education.
On February 28, 2022, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) released its findings from its Right to Read public inquiry. Input into the inquiry findings, which commenced in 2019 included over 3,000 survey respondents, data from eight school districts, and other research and focus groups.
The report concludes that many students, in particular students who have been historically and currently marginalized, are encountering systemic barriers that limit students’ opportunities to learn to read and these barriers must be removed. The inquiry cites five areas to help address the current issues in the education system:
· Curriculum and Instruction
· Early Screening
· Evidence-based Reading Interventions
· Appropriate Accommodations
· Timely availability of Professional Assessments
In its news release, the OHRC summarized the 157 recommendations in the report including recommendations to the Ministry of Education, school boards and faculties of education on how to address systemic issues that affect the right to learn to read.
The OHRC Right to Read report draws awareness to areas where attention must be given to address, in a systematic way, student success. It aligns with KPRDSB priorities to support all learners through a culturally relevant and responsive approach to pedagogy, removing systemic barriers for historically and currently marginalized students, the use of rich data about learners to inform decisions about evidence-based teaching and learning tier 1 strategies as the first layer of intervention for all learners.
While we await a Ministry response to the report, a cross-departmental KPR team is currently working through the report. The report identifies that “word-level reading difficulties are the most common challenge for students who struggle to learn to read well”. Intentional, differentiated, evidence-based approaches should be part of “rich classroom language arts instruction”.
As information from our cross-departmental work becomes available, we will share plans to offer professional learning that allows us to apply the recommendations of the Right to Read report. In the meantime, we will continue to use what we know about each learner to inform intentional planning, assessment and instruction through the integration of:
· Culturally Relevant and Responsive Pedagogy
· Assessment for, as and of Learning
· Readers Now/Lecteurs Maintenant
· Principles of Universal Design
· Differentiated Instruction
· Principles of Indigenous Education at KPRDSB
Grandparent Scam Warning
Grandparent Scam Warning
Over the past several weeks, Peterborough Police Service and Peterborough County OPP have received complaints and are investigating several incidents of the Grandparent Scam.
We want you and your loved ones to be aware of this scam and have a conversation.
How the Grandparent Scam Works:
- The suspect calls the victim pretending to be a law enforcement officer, friend or the grandchild
- The suspect seems to know basic information but not necessarily specifics
- The suspect indicates the grandchild is in trouble or needs money
- The suspect tells you how much money is needed and that someone will pick it up at their residence
- The suspects demand the victim does not tell anyone about the phone and help create stories for the victim to use if asked why the money is needed
- The suspect will often call back asking for more money
What to do if you receive a call:
- Do not provide any personal information
- Do not hand any money over
- Remember police will never go to your door to ask for money nor would they ask money to be given to a courier
- Stay calm even if the suspect is pressuring and indicating this is an urgent matter
- Take the time to check the facts with family
- If you are concerned, it’s a scam call police or a person you trust immediately
- Report the scam to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm
If you think you may have been the victim of a scam or have questions, please call:
- Peterborough Police at 705-876-1122 x274 (City of Peterborough, Village of Lakefield, Township of Cavan-Monaghan)
- Peterborough County OPP at 1-888-310-1122
For more information on the different frauds: https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm
From the KPR Board Office
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I look forward to this opportunity to communicate with families each week. In doing so, I try my best to keep the messages positive, while also giving space for acknowledgement and reflection. Today’s apology by Pope Francis to Indigenous delegates from Canada on the conduct of some members of the Roman Catholic Church in Canada’s residential school system was significant. The impact of this message will vary from person to person as the emotions it may unearth are complex and may take time to process and be fully understood. As a KPR community of care, we are mindful of this and will provide support within our school communities as needed.
We also want to recognize this week a number of other significant days and observances.
- This evening at sundown marks the beginning of Ramadan - the month of fasting (ending with Eid ul-Fitr on May 1 at sunset). We would like to wish a blessed Ramadan to all those observing this month of fasting and spiritual renewal.
- Tomorrow is World Autism Awareness Day and April is World Autism Month. I appreciate the many ways KPR students, staff, and families find ways to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism. Thank you for continuing to spread kindness and compassion in our schools and beyond.
- April is Genocide Remembrance, Condemnation, and Prevention Month. During this month, we honour the memory of the victims of genocide and reflect on the root causes of these tragedies, to help prevent them from happening again.
- April is also Sikh Heritage Month. Canada is home to over 500,000 Sikh Canadians, who have contributed to Canada through their achievements in all areas of society and have helped shape the diversity found within it. Sikhism’s core principles include equality, generosity, openness, and compassion.
I continue to be inspired by the accomplishments of our KPR students. Today, I would like to highlight a #WeAreKPR story featuring Calvin Karthik, a Grade 10 student from Kenner Collegiate, who won the European Union Contest for Young Scientists, an international science fair held in September in Salamanca, Spain. He was presented with the Award for his science fair project called “A Mighty Mushroom and the Power of Poop: Testing Biogas Production using Spent Mushroom Substrate Phase 2. Calvin will be competing in May on the Youth Science Canada team at a world level – an incredible accomplishment!
Lastly, I would like to thank all of the families who attended Wednesday’s virtual Kindergarten Information Session. We had over 500 participants in attendance, and we are pleased to welcome many new learners and families to our KPR community!
I hope you enjoy your weekend.
Sincerely,
Rita
KPR NEWS
COVID Updates from Local Public Health
Local public health units continue to monitor COVID-19 infection rates, and provide support, as needed, to schools and local communities. Schools also continue to monitor absence rates and share information about possible exposure with affected families, when we are informed of these situations. We thank students, staff and families for staying home when they are ill, and completing the provincial screening tool daily. We know that masks do help reduce the risk of spreading illness, and masking is still encouraged by our public health unit partners, particularly for those who are at higher risk of serious illness.
More information about COVID in local communities is available on local public health unit websites.
https://www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/
https://www.durham.ca/en/health-and-wellness/novel-coronavirus-update.aspx
https://www.hpepublichealth.ca/
Right to Read
The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) recently released its findings from its Right to Read public inquiry. The report concludes that many students, in particular students who have been historically and currently marginalized, are encountering systemic barriers that limit their opportunities to learn to read.
As an educational institution, we recognize the importance of protecting the rights of our students with respect to education, literacy, and providing equal opportunity for all learners. This is an issue that aligns with KPR’s ongoing priority to support all learners through a culturally relevant and responsive approach to pedagogy, removing systemic barriers for historically and currently marginalized students, and the use of rich data about learners to inform evidence-based teaching and learning strategies for all students.
A cross-departmental KPR team is currently working through the recommendations and developing plans to refine and enhance our practices to best serve KPR students. In the meantime, schools will continue to use what they know about each learner to inform intentional planning, assessment and instruction through the integration of:
- Culturally Relevant and Responsive Pedagogy
- Assessment for, as and of Learning
- Readers Now/Lecteurs Maintenant
- Principles of Universal Design
- Differentiated Instruction, and
- Principles of Indigenous Education at KPRDSB.
We believe that all students can succeed, grow and learn and we look forward to continuing this important work.
A few more things....
3. This year we have been directed to ensure that Grade 6 Leaving Ceremonies take place in person. Our Leaving Ceremony will take place in the first block on Tuesday, June 28th. More details to follow as we begin the planning process.
4. This year Pedal for Hope will be taking place on Friday, May 20th. More information to come as we begin the planning process.