KUTZ COUGAR CHRONICLES
OCTOBER 2014
Where Students Care to Learn and Students Learn to Care!
Who would believe you could get over 650 Children, Faculty and Staff into a picture and make it look like a rainbow? As always, Kutz Community Comes Together to form a Rainbow of Color!
SIGNATURE PROJECT COMES TO KUTZ
The Signature Project Assembly is coming to Kutz on October 7th!
The Signature Project is multi-faceted. Its core is a huge 76 ft x 36 ft mural layered with hidden secrets. A live performance brings the mural to life, with artist Patrick Dunning ingeniously weaving stories and images in the great tradition of Irish artists. A unique, exhilarating tapestry blending art and technology, the live performance of The Signature Project also offers the opportunity for the audience to join over 300,000 people whose signatures already comprise the fabric of this monumental art work.
The assembly times will be as follows:
4th – 6th grade 12:45 – 1:45
K – 3rd grade 2:00 – 3:00
You, as a parent or guardian ARE invited. Just email kpirrone@cbsd.org in our office, if you would like to attend and let her know which session. Come share in one of the great assemblies that we have at Kutz. It's such a great assembly that we want as many people as possible to see it!
Celebrate Education Week Information
We welcome you to come visit during Celebrate Education Week; held during the week of October 13th thru the 17th.
This is an opportunity for you to see what your child does in the classroom and the many varied learning experiences he or she is exposed to.
- In order to maintain our high level of instruction, we want to minimize distractions the best we can. Please remember this is an adults only visit as small children may disrupt instruction.
- All visitors must check in with our Greeters to receive a visitor’s badge. Please let our Greeters practice their real world learning skills and welcome you.
Below you will find a recommended schedule of visitation. You will find one AM visitation recommendation, and one PM recommendation. In most cases, teachers will be instructing students as they would on any other day. Enjoy this opportunity to see your child learn new things and, perhaps, participate in curricular activities. The specialists would welcome your attendance to art, music, P.E. or library as well. Please just reference your child’s special schedule.
You received information and a Kutz Puzzle Piece form in your child's Thursday folder. Please follow the directions and return the Puzzle Piece completed to your child’s classroom teacher by Thursday October 9th. Photos will be displayed in the office lobby for the Kutz community and visitors to enjoy. We may also add your family photo to our Kutz Photo Directory (with your permission, of course), so send in a good one!
Kindergarten: Monday AM, October 13th and Tuesday PM, October 14th
First Grade: Monday PM, October 13th and Wednesday AM, October 15th
Second Grade: Monday AM, October 13th and Wednesday PM, October 15th
Third Grade: Tuesday PM. October 14th and Thursday AM, October 16th
Fourth Grade: Monday PM, October 13th and Wednesday AM, October 15th
Fifth Grade: Monday PM, October 13th and Tuesday AM, October 14th
Sixth Grade: Wednesday PM, October 15th and Friday AM, October 17th
Feedback
If you would like to provide feedback on this year's Back to School Night - please jot me a note and put it in an envelope marked Dr. Kahley.
Did you like the time frame?
Did you receive adequate information?
Do you have any ideas for future Back to School Nights?
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us!
Tobacco, Alcohol, and Other Drugs Curriculum
PLEASE NOTE THAT KUTZ PICTURE DAY IS OCTOBER 21ST. PLEASE HAVE YOUR FORM READY OR REGISTER ONLINE.
IMPORTANT INFO For Parents
Parent Portal Problem
If you need, never received, or have forgotten your Parent Portal Username and Password, please go to CBSD.org and click on the Parent Portal Icon (globe) on the top right.
Scroll down and click on the small orange box in the lower right hand corner. (Note from Dr. Kahley - this step is VERY important)
Follow the instructions for Portal Help.
Direction with Activation Key: (GUID#)
1. Go to CBSD.org and click on the Globe Icon in the upper right hand corner.
2. Click on the orange HELP.
3. Click on “If you have been assigned a Campus Portal Activation Key” CLICK HERE.
4. Type in the activation key above. Do not use the tab key, use all upper case for lettering and there are no “O” only zeros.
5. Click Submit
6. Now you are at the user name/password set up screen. User name and password are of your choosing – type those in (notice that the password has to be typed in twice).
7. Click on Create Account
8. You have now successfully created your portal account! To now login to the parent portal just follow the Prompts.
To Sign up for TEXT Messages for Emergency / Important Information
Follow the instructions on the website in order to receive alerts from CBSD, Kutz and Transportation. Please go to:
- Parent/Students (tab on top right)
- Click for Parents
- Choose Text Alerts Messaging System
under Popular Links -follow the instructions.
Your cell phone must be on file with us. Parents can review the cell phone we have on file by reviewing their demographic information on the Parent Portal.
Email Etiquette
Principals get an average of 100 to 150 emails a day. Teachers get an average of 25 to 50 emails a day. Please try and help us focus our efforts where they are most needed. . . on your children!
A few pointers:
* Ask yourself if the question can be answered in another way and/or from another source.
*Try not to use an Email as a form of texting. Some parents send emails to teachers with no formality or introduction.................e.g. - What time is the parade? Mulitiply that by 27 questions coming in and you will see what I mean.
*Submit items for approval to either the principal or teacher in a timely fashion that allows him or her enough lead-time to review.
*Do NOT depend on email as a definite means of communication if it is something important. Plan ahead and send in a note, if possible. Teachers are teaching and sometimes do not get to their email until the end of the day or the next.
*Please do not expect an immediate response to your email. Teachers are: teaching, planning lessons, coming up with interesting ideas to motivate their students, correcting tests, preparing materials and so much more! Give them time to catch their breath and respond back to you when they have had time to think.
Thanks for your help with this! You cannot imagine how a little help on your part will be a big help for us!
LOVE And LOGIC in the Classroom
“Give me liberty or give me death!”
Patrick Henry’s famous words remind us of the passion with which the human spirit yearns for freedom. We, as Americans, are especially fortunate to live in a nation where we remain largely free to determine the course of our lives.
These freedoms are perpetuated as we teach our children the merits of self-control and personal responsibility. In doing so we include the truism that freedom of choice does not mean freedom from consequences. Why? Because CHOICES Matter.
Love and Logic is one way that Kutz educators teach kids about choices. By emphasizing how good choices correlate with positive consequences and bad choices lead to negative consequences, we help more and more children learn how to govern themselves responsibly...so that they can enjoy true freedom.
Our children need to make as many choices as possible...over the smaller issues in life...so that they know how to make the larger choices that will heavily affect their freedom and that of their fellow citizens. Of course, they will only learn if we are willing to allow them the temporary sadness of living with their poor choices. A solidly free nation is one built upon the awareness that choices matter.
LOVE and LOGIC at Home
Phil, a recent business school graduate, got his dream job. He did so well that he was invited to a retreat with the big shots of the company. Not only did he get to attend, but he also had a chance to rub elbows with the top man, the CEO of the company.
Almost jittery, he approached his idol, “Sir, I was told that I could ask you a question, and what I want to ask is what does it take to become as successful as you are?”
“Well, young man. Success like mine takes a whole series of good decisions.”
“Oh, sir, I’m sure that’s true, but what does it take to make those good decisions?”
“Well, here’s the hard part, son,” the older man responded with pride. “It takes wisdom.”
“Oh, thank you, sir. But that creates a burning question for me. How do you acquire such wisdom?”
“Bad decisions, son. It takes a whole lot of bad decisions. Wisdom comes from learning from your mistakes.”
In 1977 I first started writing about Helicopter Parents. These parents carried the heavy burden of swooping in to rescue their kids from any mistake, disappointment, or struggle. Out of love they were crippling their children by stealing away their opportunities to gain wisdom and resilience.
What I am seeing now is a much worse. This problem has almost reached epidemic proportions with parents trying to create a perfect life for their kids. Little do they know that their children won’t be able to maintain that great life if they have not prepared for it by having to deal with their own little problems early in life.
Drop Off and Pick Up Parents...
Safety First at Kutz
Kids Say the Darnest Things!
This was sent to me from a Parent:
I wanted to share something with you that gave us a good laugh at dinner. I understand that you rode on bus 446 today and sat with my son. Another mother in the neighbor texted me that her daughter said my son was chatting it up with Dr. Kahley on the bus. We always joke that he is going to be a future politician. Anyway, at dinner I asked him what he talked to you about on the bus and he said "Just man and women stuff. Things you wouldn't understand Mommy".
On a side note from me, Dr. Kahley:
I thoroughly enjoyed my ride on the bus. The children were mannerly and so welcoming. I had to keep getting up to switch seats to meet all the requests for my company. I love how your children are so comfortable telling me about their lives. I also liked how when I asked the parents I saw at bus stops - if I could come for dinner - it was never a problem. You truly are a special and it is easy to see where you children learn their kindness!
Stay tuned! I may be riding your child's bus in the near future!
Boomerang Award
This year, Kutz will continue to accept nominations for the Boomerang Award, which is our way of honoring students who best demonstrate their own developmental assets. What are Developmental Assets? Students possessing a combination of “40 Assets” are typically most successful in school and in life. These assets have the power to influence choices young people make and help them become caring, responsible adults. For a complete listing of the 40 Developmental Assets visit: www. Search-institute.org.
October: #35 Resistance Skills. Young person is able to recognize risky or dangerous situations and makes positive choices when faced with challenging events in their life. They are able to resist peer pressure.
November: #30 Responsibility. Young person accepts and takes personal responsibility for his/her behavior. Young person accepts and takes personal responsibility for their actions and decisions at home, and/or at school, and/or in the community.
A LOOK AHEAD
OCTOBER
7 Signature Project Assembly 12:45 & 2:00
8 H&S Meeting, 7:00 PM
10 Kindergarten & 1st Grade to the Pumpkin Patch
10 Fall Family Fun Night at the Market at Del Val 6:30 - 9:00
13-17 Celebrate Education Week
17 Kutz Spirit Day-Blue/White or Kutz Gear
20-24 Red Ribbon Week
21 Picture Day!
24 6th Grade Halloween Celebration, 7:00 PM
27-28 6th Grade Ropes Course
30 5th Grade Peace Valer
31 Halloween Parade, 2:00 PM
NOVEMBER
4 EARLY DISMISSAL 12:10PM, NO PM-K, End of 1st MP
4 Wrapping Paper Distribution Day
7 Bubble Gum Day!
20-21 No Kindergarten, Additional Kindergarten Conferences
21 Kutz Spirit Day-Blue/White or Kutz Gear
24-26 Parent Conferences, Professional Development, NO SCHOOL
27-28 THANKSGIVING RECESS
Paul W. Kutz Elementary School
Website: cbsd.org/kutz
Location: 1950 Turk Road, Doylestown, PA, United States
Phone: 267-893-3900
Twitter: @CBSDInfo