KP Connection - Weekend Edition
March 5, 2016
Things to KNOW
MARCH
- 3/7 - Partnership Conversation with Principal Wright - 7pm
- 3/8 - Faculty Meeting - No late buses
- 3/9 - Parent Conferences - 1:30 dismissal
- 3/9 - Midfest Rehearsal at KP
- 3/9 - Artbeat Reception - 4:30-6:30pm
- 3/10 - Parent Conferences - 12:45 dismissal
- 3/11 - Jazz Band to UNH - 8:30am
- 3/12 - Jazz Band returns - 7:45pm
- 3/12 - Mathcounts Competition - UofH - 8:30-3:30pm
Lead Learner Highlights
Our first of week of conferences are complete and there have been wonderful conversations about student progress. We look forward to seeing you next week as we continue these conversations around learning.
This week I told students that I had accepted the National Shadow a Student Day Challenge occurring this week (see here http://shadowastudent.org/). Seventy-one students volunteered to help me accept the challenge, and we randomly chose one student from the list. I had the opportunity to shadow 6th grader, Carly, from the Topaz Team yesterday. What a great experience to see school from the student lens.
Finally, check out the student opportunities newsletter for updates that may be of interest to your child.
I look forward to seeing you at our Partnership Conversation on Monday.
Enjoy the weekend.
Monday Night --- Click Below!
We hope to see you there!!! March 9th (1:30 dismissal) and March 10th (12:45 dismissal)
Students in Action
Robotics at KP
The club started only a week before the competition, yet they earned 5th place among the 27 teams who competed. I want to thank Mr. Carey Poetzsch, our 7th grade Technology & Engineering teacher, for opening this opportunity up for our students. The team will participate in the state competition on March 12th.
Congratulations
Student Donation Request
Hello, this is Jordan Shefsky. I am collecting art supplies for the residents at the Hebrew Home and Hospital for a community service project. I have a box by the front office and am collecting used t shirts, new and unused foam sheets, glue sticks, shrinky-dinks, grocery store bags, colored pencils, brushes, crayons, colored tissue paper, markers, and used & new dollhouse furniture. I will be collecting these items through the end of March. Thank you in advance for your support.
Unified Basketball
It Matters T-Shirts
Years ago, during the first couple weeks of school, Paul Duquette asked his students to write about what in the world mattered to them. Below is the essay he chose to be shared with parents at Curriculum Night for three years in a row, as it was his favorite. After this, he wanted his team members to have “It Matters” hanging in the front of their classrooms.
In honor of Paul and this motto, our memorial committee has designed t-shirts. Some attendees asked about them last night so we are including it here. Please click here if you are interested in purchasing a t-shirt.
Welcome New Staff to the KP Family (click on the picture to learn more)
Nigel Rowe - TA
Renee Huebner
Hi! My name is Renee Huebner, but you can called me Ms. H. I graduated from the University of Connecticut (go Huskies) many moons ago. I have lived in West Hartford and worked in the insurance industry for over 30 years. I went back to school and recently got my paralegal certificate and do that part time.
I have a daughter who is currently a sophomore at Conard High School. My husband and I enjoy many outdoor activities. Additionally, I enjoy running and hiking with our two labrador retrievers.
I am very excited to be part of this awesome school district and look forward to meeting and working with everyone.
Thanks for this great opportunity.
Lynn Brown
I have been employed with West Hartford Nutrition Services since August 2008. I have worked at Braeburn and Wolcott elementary schools, where I was affectionately known as Lunch Lady Lynn, and Bristow MS. My last position was at Conard High School.
I am a mother of two daughters, Caelese and Keleigh. Both daughters are Conard graduates. Keleigh is a freshman at the University of New Haven and Caelese is a three-sport coach at Northwest Catholic High School. I spend my free time going to her games. I am very excited to be working at King Philip Middle School. The students and staff have made me feel so comfortable during my transition to Cafeteria Manager. Please feel free to stop in and say HELLO!!
Alison Passafiume
Kerrian Cassells
Intramural Menu
KP Movie Night is Back!!!!!!
Come join us as we watch "The Blind Side" together on Friday, March 11th. Doors open at 6:30pm. Popcorn, snacks and water will be available to purchase. Click on the link for more information and permission slip:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8VH2Eh7ZcftNE5JNEN6V1R4MDZ4N2ZVTHFoWXNFa1p2MGR3.We hope to see you there!
Lend-A-Hand Food Drive!
It's that time of year again for Lend-A-Hand's Food Drive! Last year, the KP community donated more than 1500 food items! Can we surpass 1500 this year? Starting Monday, Feb. 29 until Friday, March 11, students, families and teachers are asked to participate in this year's food drive by bringing in non-perishable food donations. Students should bring these items into their MAs. The MA with the highest number of donations will earn a breakfast extravaganza!
So...go looking in your cabinets and bring in your donations! All donations will support the West Hartford Food Pantry.
A scholarship has been set up to support the Ennis children. Anyone looking to help should send a check payable to "Ennis Family Scholarship Fund Trust" to:
Robert Lachs
1729 E Prairie Ave
Wheaton, IL 60137
Pick up your Butter Braid Pastries
Orders can be picked up on Tuesday, March 15th between 3 and 6pm. Thank you for your continued support for KP families in need.
COMING TO KP SOON . . .
Parent/Guardian/PTO NEWS
SHOP4KP
Save the Date and Buy Tickets!
West Hartford's Cookin' 2016
April 2, 2016
6:30 - 9:00pm
West Hartford Town Hall Auditorium
Join West Hartford's "Celebrity" Chefs as they don chefs' aprons for an evening of food sampling, fun and silent & live auctions to benefit the Foundation for West Hartford Public Schools. To buy tickets click here.
Parent/Guardian Resources
West Hartford Special Education PTO (SEPTO)
Wednesday, March 23 at 7pm
Finding Your Advocacy Style
For many parents, navigating the special education process is extraordinarily overwhelming. It can become even more so when disagreements arise between the parents and the school team about the child’s program.
As seasoned professionals who work with parents and school districts in PPT & IEP meetings almost every day, Attorney Jennifer Laviano and advocate Julie Swanson have learned which parental advocacy styles are effective, and which ones are not. Further, having insight into what drives administrative decision making can be a valuable tool for parents as they strive to have their child’s educational needs met. Join us for this informational and entertaining session, Finding Your Advocacy Style with Jen and Julie.
Advocate, Julie Swanson and Special Education Attorney, Jennifer Laviano are co-founders of YourSpecialEducationRights.com
Location: Sedgwick Middle School, 128 Sedgwick Road, West Hartford (Enter through Wardwell Rd entrance)
Coming up in April…
Friday, April 1 at 9:30am
Coffee & Conversation at Panera - Bishops Corner
The first Friday of the month, parents of children receiving special education services meet for coffee and a chance to talk & make new friends in a casual setting.
In the Community
Fern Street Community Kitchen - Free Community Breakfast & Lunches
The Fern Street Community Kitchen has free community lunches and breakfasts for neighbors in need at The Universalist Church, 433 Fern Street, West Hartford.
Community Breakfast
Every other Monday, Foodshare Mobile Truck will be distributing food in our back parking lot from 8:45 - 9:30am Breakfast is served from 9:00 - 10:00am on March 14, March 28, April 11, April 25.
Community Lunch
12:00 - 1:30pm - March 19, April 16
For more information about the Fern Street Community Kitchen,860.233.3669, communitylunch@westhartforduu.org, communitybreakfast@westhartforduu.org.
Family/Friends Dash
The idea is “The Amazing Race” or “Urban Challenge” meets the Mandell JCC!
The Family/Friends Dash will be Saturday, March 19th from 5:30-7:30PM.
Click on the link for more information: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8VH2Eh7ZcftWDAwV095X21BQlE.