KHS News
Monday, February 4, 2019
In this week's newsletter...
Quick Announcements:
- Report Cards are available via Powerschool on February 1st! Email your campus front admin if you would like a hard copy. K-5 gordon@kestrelheights.org 6-8 vargas@kestrelheights.org
- Science and Social Studies Academic Showcase February 7th, 6pm-8pm at the 6-8 Campus.
- Board Meeting February 12th at 6:30pm in the 6-8 Building.
- Spirit Night February 8th, 2019 A Glow Party at SkyZone.
This newsletter contains the following information:
- School News
- PTSO
- Lunch Menu
- Counselor Corner
- Sports at KHS
- Classroom News
- Community News
Upcoming Events:
- Bully Buster Assembly on Thursday, February 21st in the gym starting at 9:00.
- Spirit Night at Chick-fil-a on February 20th
- There is school on February 22nd to make up for the snow day on Dec. 10
- New Scholar Applications are now be accepted. Deadline is February 22, 2019
- Career Day is March 22nd
- Spring Break March 25th-29th, 2019
- Spring Performance May 16th: Grades K-2 @ 5:30 pm and Grades 3-5 @ 6:45 pm. See Classroom News section for additional information.
School News
Enrollment for 2019-2020
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. Applications are available in our front offices or online at: https://goo.gl/forms/ECCmKlYs7gewlhOW2
2019-2020 Intent to Return:
School Make Up Days
Kestrel Heights School will make up our inclement weather days as stated below. The NC State Calendar law requires school districts to provide either 1,025 hours or 185 days of instruction in a school year. Due to the length of our school day, we are able to utilize our accumulated instructional time to make up days missed.
- December 10th - make up on February 22nd
- December 11th - make up on May 24th
- December 12th - use banked instructional time
- December 12th (2 hr delay) - use banked instructional time
Bully Buster Assembly
School Spelling Bee
Classroom Bee complete by January 30, 2019
School-wide Bee Kestrel Heights Gym February 6, 2019
District Bee Riverside HS March 9, 2019
Scripps Spelling Bee ESPN May 31, 2019
S.O.A.R. Program for Quarter 3
We have a few exciting updates regarding our PBIS program we would like to share with you.
For third quarter, the end of quarter reward is our DJ DANCE PARTY! This event was extremely popular with scholars last year and we are very excited to be hosting it again for our SOARing Hawks this quarter. In order to earn entry into the event, scholars will need to earn ten SOAR stickers throughout the quarter and have zero days assigned to ISS or OSS.
The dance party will be held on April 5. This means the last day to earn stickers for entry to the event will be April 3, in order to allow time to plan for the number of students who will be in attendance.
The update we are most excited to share with you is that starting this quarter, you and your scholar will be able to better track progress toward earning entry to the quarterly celebration. You will see an assignment in PowerSchool under "Homeroom" for SOAR stickers. Each week, as your scholar earns SOAR stickers, they will be reported in this assignment. The assignment will be recorded out of 10 points (the minimum threshold for earning entry to the party), and the number of stickers your scholar has earned will be entered as the score.
For example, "Jane Doe" earns 1 SOAR sticker this week. On Friday when her homeroom teacher enters grades, they will enter 1/10 for her "SOAR stickers" assignment. Next week, "Jane Doe" earns 2 SOAR stickers. Next Friday when her homeroom teacher enters grades, they will update her total to 3/10 for her "SOAR stickers" assignment.
Please note that this "assignment" will not affect your child's grades on their report card and is for tracking purposes only. We will continue to do weekly drawings to recognize scholars who have earned SOAR stickers in a particular week.
In this manner we hope that you will be feel more involved and connected in the PBIS program here at Kestrel. Please remember that your scholar has until April 3 to collect all 10 SOAR stickers, so keep encouraging them to demonstrate Safety, Ownership, Attitude, and Respect!
If you have any questions or suggestions about the PBIS program as a whole please do not hesitate to reach out to Ms. Villegas, Ms. Kennedy, or Ms. Callahan, who can bring your thoughts to the PBIS committee. For specific questions about your child's stickers earned, please reach out to their homeroom teacher.
Thank you for your support!
Guitar/Ukulele Club
Kestrel Heights is very fortunate to continue after school clubs under the direction of Vlad Kary. He is a professional musician with over 15 years of experience in playing and teaching music all over the world.To learn more about the classes and sign up, please, email: vladkary@gmail.com
“GUITAR/UKULELE CLUB” on Tuesdays 3:45 - 4:30pm
This club is designed to find out what students are interested in. Instruction is guided accordingly to keep lessons engaging and fun! The goal is to help students find their own path in a musical journey. Students learn about the ukulele or guitar as well as music reading, music theory, chords, scales, and improvisation. This program also strives to help students build self-confidence and self-discipline.
Please, sign up with the instructor by January 31st. Classes begin February 1st
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080b4da4ae2ba5f94-guitarukulele3
PTSO News
Box Tops
Spirit Night
Each year, our most successful Spirit Night is our SkyZone Glow Party Spirit Night. This year, to increase our fundraising profits, we are hosting a pre-sale for 2 hour jump passes that can be used during our Spirit Night on February 8th, or at any other time of your choosing! There is no expiration on the jump passes sold during our pre-sale - so you can purchase your passes for the February 8th Glow Party, for gifts, for long summer days, or whenever you'd like!
Purchase your two hour jump passes for $20 each (10% off the regular price). KHS PTSO earns a portion from each pass sold (the more passes we sell, the larger our portion gets). Passes have no expiration date and can be used during our Spirit Night on February 8th, or at any date of your choosing. The pre-sale runs until February 6th.
If your child has an entrepreneurial spirit, they are welcome to sell as many tickets as they can to friends and family. Check out the attached SkyZone flyer for prize options! KHS PTSO will not refund any ticket sales, so only buy what you plan to personally use or sell to friends/family! To purchase your passes, visit the Google Form linked here. Then, once you have submitted the form, send in payment (Venmo, cash, or check made out to KHS PTSO - cash or check delivered to Mrs. Kennedy or Mrs. Callahan). Passes will be sent home with your student upon receipt of payment.
Chick Fil A Spirit Night
Lunch Menu
*There is school on Monday, February 18th. An update menu will be sent out next week.
Counselor Corner
High School Information for 8th Graders
On January 22, representatives from Research Triangle High School will be at Kestrel during 8th grade lunch (1:06-1:51) to share information about their high school program with students. 8th grade students and parents are welcome to come learn about RTHS and find out how to apply for next year. Please RSVP by emailing Mrs. Callahan (callahan@kestrelheights.org) so that the presenters may be prepared with enough materials.
Parent U
Upcoming Parent U events include:
Executive Functioning (February 21)
Anxiety (April 23).
CAREER DAY - MARCH 22nd
Hello Friends! Career Day is March 22nd and we would LOVE for you to talk to our students about your amazing profession! Volunteers presenting to K-2 students will present from 8:15-10:15. Volunteers presenting to 3-8 students will present from 8:15-11:05. Feel free to call or email Mrs. Kennedy or Mrs. Callahan with questions or concerns. Thanks for volunteering!
Volunteer Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4ba9ac28aafd0-khes3
Sports at KHS
Ultimate Frisbee Middle School Championship
The Ultimate Frisbee team is wrapping up another winning season! Our league record is 10 wins, 3 losses. We lost 2 games by 1 point and 1 game by 2 points.
We have our Middle School Championship Tournament this Saturday at NC State. We'll play 6 games on Saturday! We'll have a game at 9:00, 10:00, and 11:00 on Lee Field. In the afternoon we'll play at 2:10, 3:10, and 4:10 on Miller Fields. The weather is going to be beautiful. If you are looking for something fun to do, please come out to support our team!
Coach Kennedy and Coach Johnston
Classroom News
Kindergarten:
Kindergarten has made great progress in Quarter 2. As this is the beginning of quarter 3 we look forward to continuing to help each scholar reach their full potential. Remember read, read read!
1st Grade:
First grade has been busy working on our long O and long U sounds, learning about patterns in the sky during science and focusing on place value in math! We have also really enjoyed participating in the grade-level spelling bee and the pep rally this week!
2nd Grade:
Second grade is excitedly learning about various, famous African Americans that have shaped our history. Please continue to work on our culture projects to ensure they are turned in on February 11th.
3rd Grade
Please look to Dojo for regular updates.
Fourth grade is buzzing with excitement over our class spelling bee next week! 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.
5th Grade:
We’re wrapping up the iReady Benchmarks and excited to see the growth our scholars have made during the first 1/2 of the year. Please see the grade level website for more detailed information on upcoming assignments and announcements. Please check the grade level website for detailed information about upcoming dates and assignments.
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
Greetings Parents,
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:
It's been another great week of learning as our 8th graders move in on the half-way point of our new year. Time is winding down on our National History Day projects which will be due for all 8th graders on the 5th. We are looking forward to displaying all of our student's hard work during the upcoming academic showcase scheduled to take place February 7th on the MS campus. Parents, please keep your eye open for information coming home this Friday about our next field trip. This next field trip will have and emphasis on history and Black History Month. We will be headed into Raleigh to see "Freedom Train" a live play and musical based on the amazing life and story of Harriet Tubman. This will be followed by a visit to the North Carolina National History Museum. Thanks for all you do to support our team and your scholar!
English Language Learners (ELL) Program/Programa de Aprendices del Idioma Inglés (ELL)
English Language Learners (ELL) Program - Ms. Rivera
From the Spanish Corner
Bienvenidos y feliz 2019!
This quarter, we have been talking about what you and others like, describing people and things, while we're jumping on an adventure to our beautiful Puerto Rico. Great Projects everybody! (3-8 scholars), the food, the posters, the pictures, and the cards you've made, were amazing!
Our Spanish class is in need of a few items: Lysol spray, Clorox wipes, hand sanitizer and Kleenex. Please send these items in with your scholar at anytime.
Please, email me with any questions: mariafoushee@kestrelheights.org
Gracias,
Mrs. Foushee
AIG News
The Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation has awarded a $3,000 Lowe’s Toolbox for Education® grant to Kestrel Heights Charter School in Durham for creation of a Robotics Program. Kestrel Heights is one of 545 schools across the United States to be awarded a Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grant this spring for improvement projects.
This project will allow Kestrel's AIG program to purchase Lego Robotics kits that are necessary to participate in the First Lego League (FLL). FLL is a nationwide initiative to bring robotics into schools with a curriculum that focuses on STEM concepts while promoting positive interactions among participants. This grant from Lowe's will take the project from the planning stages to implementation. Competition size robotics tables will be constructed with materials from Lowe's, as well as purchasing as many Lego Robotics kits possible. The project is scheduled to be completed in June 2019.
“The Lowe’s Toolbox for Education program delivers on Lowe’s commitment to improve the educational environment for students across the country,” said Maureen Ausura, chairwoman of the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation. “We're honored to work with Kestrel Heights to support the needs of our local students, teachers and families.”
Mr. Love
Spot light on 4th Grade AIG...
"Fourth grade AIG students are programming and testing their robotics skills using sensors to detect and avoid obstacles."
PE
All grades K-8 are finishing up their basketball units as we wrap up Q2. We are playing mini-games that are designed to focus on developing fundamentals.
Doctor’s Notes
If your scholar needs to be excused from physical activities, please provide a doctor’s note.
Gym Shoes
Your scholar will need gym shoes (sneakers, tennis shoes) to participate in activities. They must have a flat bottom (no heel) and the foot must be fully covered. Sandals, Crocs, clogs, dress shoes, boots and any heeled shoes are not appropriate for class.
Art News
As often as I can, I will highlight a student who has gone above and beyond in their work and/or their behavior. I'll call it, "Tell Me Something Good".
Tell Me Something Good...
Two fifth graders, Mei and Isaiah, asked if they could organize things in the art room. They started by organizing all of the sketchbooks so scholars can find them more easily. Thank you, Mei and Isaiah!
Ms. Mohn,
Dance
Hello Dance Families!
The Elementary dance scholars are finishing a lesson on learning to communicate through movement. We've found that it's challenging to NOT use words to talk.....just our bodies through motion. The scholars created a "short-story" with a partner and then created dances to tell the story to the class. Wonderful fun!
The Middle School dancers created and performed their choreographic "in-class" projects
(solos, duets, trios and/or small groups). There were then given the opportunity to "teach" their choreography to the class. We truly have "Gifted & Talented" scholars here, at Kestrel Heights!!!!!
Bravo, dancers!
Music
To all Recorder and Choir club parents and Scholars
Recorder and Choir have now started up for the spring summers
Choir is on Tuesday afternoons from 3:15pm to 4:00pm and recorder club is Wednesday afternoons 3:15pm to 4:00pm
Community News
Kaleidoscope Charter High School
Kaleidoscope Charter High School In Spring 2018 Kaleidoscope Charter High School (KCHS) received its final approval from the North Carolina State Board of Education to open August 2019. This will be the first innovative public charter high school with a "student-centered" pedagogy in Morrisville. and that those who have agency over their learning are more motivated, more highly engaged, and have more successful outcomes. - Stanford Center for Opportunity Policy in Education Therefore, learning at Kaleidoscope is more personalized and individually paced to the developmental needs, learning style, interests, and abilities of our students. In this way, students are empowered to take ownership of their learning, to be responsible for their own growth and progress, and to explore the power of their own potential. In addition to essential core-curriculum studies in math, art, foreign language, science, technology, language arts, and social studies, students at Kaleidoscope will be able to access many different types of learning opportunities including site-based internships, work-based learning, dual-credit courses, mini-courses, and online learning platforms. As our Board of Directors and Advisory Board are narrowing down anawesome school property to lease, we welcome you to be part of our community. We'll be hiring our Director, Faculty, and Staff and will keep you updated on our website www.kaleidoscopehighschool.org. Lottery applications for rising 9th and 10th grade students will be available on our website January 2019. We invite you to learn more about Kaleidoscope, LIKE US on FACEBOOK and become part of our 21st-century innovative public education community!
Designed to be the type of school that every student wants to attend, Kaleidoscope Charter High School will prepare all students for success through its innovative, student-centered approach.
Student-centered environments address the what, why, and how of learning and place students at the center of their own learning.
What: In student-centered environments, students choose the focus of their content based on personal interest.
Why: When students see the relevance of the content to their own lives, they are more engaged, more motivated, and more successful.
How: So that each student can show his or her unique gifts, student-centered environments offer a number of different ways that students can express their understanding.
At Kaleidoscope, we know that students connect with learning in different ways
Learning by direct-instruction will be enhanced with the arts, technology and "student-focused" learning techniques including but not limited to the inquiry, problem and project-based learning, hands-on experimentation and practical life skills, Student Portfolios, End-of-Semester Intersession intensive courses (such as robotics, nanotechnology, farm-to-table culinary and nutrition intensive courses etc.) and much more.
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