KP Connection
February 3, 2018
Need to Know Dates
Monday - 2/5 - Maker Space Monday Begins 3:00-4:00pm
Monday - 2/5 - Parent/Caregiver University - 6:30pm
Thursday - 2/8 - Author Michael Benanav to 7th Grade Learning Labs
Friday - 2/9 - KP Cares Shelter Dinner @ Immaculate Conception Shelter in Hartford - 6:45pm
Monday - 2/12 - LUV Concert - 7pm
Monday - 2/12 - KP PTO Meeting - 7pm
Tuesday - 2/13 - KP Faculty Meeting - there are no late buses
Monday - 3/5 - Social Emotional Learning Workshop for Parents/Caregivers - 6:30-8:30pm
School News
Lead Learner Highlights
This week we said goodbye to our head custodian, Rocco DiTaranto who is retiring after an extended medical leave. We will miss him. We will keep you informed about our head custodian search.
While CT's groundhog Chuckles, predicted an early spring, we may still have inclement weather ahead. In the case of a delay, all morning programs before school will be canceled. However, afternoon activities will continue as normal. Our bell schedule is located on our website. If your child takes a bus, it might be helpful to have them identify the adjusted pick-up times, so they are prepared.
If you visit KP this month, please note our efforts to recognize and celebrate Black History Month. There are posters highlighting the contributions of African Americans in our hallways thanks to Mrs. Torcasio, bookmarks made by our kindness club, a book display in our library, and our MAs will participate in a Door Decorating Contest focusing on the theme "African Americans in Times of War."
Grade 6 to 7 and 7 to 8 Mathematics Placement Process
West Hartford Public Schools strongly believe that each of our students must be placed into a nurturing environment where students will be effectively challenged and will be successful. During the upcoming months, the secondary mathematics department supervisors at our middle schools will collaborate with classroom teachers to develop math course placement recommendations for 2018-2019. Teachers will provide input regarding current student progress in mathematics including student performance on standardized measures, classroom performance, and use of higher order thinking skills. Placement recommendations will be determined later this spring and parents/guardians will receive notification when the recommendations are posted in the PowerSchool Parent Portal. Please contact your student’s teacher if you have any questions regarding the upcoming math placement process.
Program Excellence Award national recognition
West Hartford's middle AND high school Technology & Engineering programs have been honored with the national Program Excellence Award by ITEEA, the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association. This award highlights the truly exemplary work of our Technology & Engineering (T&E) teachers and their strong dedication to designing meaningful and creative lessons each and every day. The Bristow, King Philip, Sedgwick, Conard and Hall T&E programs will be honored at the 2018 ITEEA Annual Conference in Atlanta, Georgia on April 12th.
Brian Cohen, Department Supervisor
We Are Still Collecting!
Student Opportunities
For 8th Grade Students!
Parent Information
Mark Your Calendars -- March 5th --6:30-8:30pm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
-Imagine yourself when you were in middle school.
-What were you like socially? Emotionally? What were your interests? Challenges?
What was school like for you emotionally?
“Emotions Matter” for Middle Schoolers – they impact:
- Attention, memory, learning
- Decision-making
- Relationship Quality
- Physical and Mental Health
Come to this workshop to explore Four Developmental Tasks of Adolescence
- and what it’s like to be a middle schooler, “from the inside out.”
www.WHSEPTO.org Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/West-Hartford-SEPTO - Follow us on Instagram at @whsepto
February & March 2018 Events
Wednesday, February 28
Assistive Technology, Screen time & Your Child
7pm
During this presentation, Nicole Feeney, Director of AT Services at NEAT, will discuss some of the most common topics in Special Education and Assistive Technology. Join us for a relaxed conversation, where questions are welcomed. Some of the talking points will include:
· Discuss the concerns and benefits surrounding screen time, especially for children and student with special needs;
· Digital citizenship and student privacy resources;
LOCATION: King Philip Middle School, Media Center
Wednesday, March 21 @ 7pm
To Medicate or Not?
Discussion and conversation with Dr. Lisa Namerow, Child and adolescent Psychiatrist from the Institute of Living.
LOCATION: King Philip Middle School, Media Center
Ongoing
Membership Drive & Book Club
Your 2017-2018 membership dues of $15 earn you a great deal this year: a paperback copy of Ross Greene's Raising Human Beings. The book will be discussed at our April meeting, as West Hartford Schools personnel share their training in Greene's Collaborative and Proactive Solutions model. Please visit www.whsepto.org/membership.html to join or to renew your membership.
SAVE THE DATE!
Wednesday, March 21 @ 7pm
To Medicate or Not?
With Dr. Lisa Namerow, Child and adolescent Psychiatrist from the Institute of Living
Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/West-Hartford-SEPTO - Follow us on Instagram at @whsepto
Community Events
Free Youth Intro to Indoor Rowing class Sat Feb 10 - This class is open to students in grades 7 through 11
We are offering a free Intro to Indoor Rowing class Saturday, Feb 10 10:30 – noon. Here is the link to the registration (capping it at the 35 ergs we have) and some verbiage: http://www.riverfront.org/events/youtherg
Riverfront Recapture’s rowing program serves more than 675 people annually and is one of the largest community rowing programs in New England. Recreational and competitive classes are offered to everyone from pre-teens to retirees, along with programs for Adaptive rowers and Veterans. All Hartford and East Hartford youth participate in our programs at no cost to them, and our Men’s Team won USRowing’s 2017 Masters’ National Championship. Each year since 1998, we host the Head of the Riverfront Regatta in early October. Learn more about the rowing programs and Riverfront Recapture @ www.riverfront.org and follow the rowing program on Instagram, riverfrontrowing, and on our Rowing Facebook page
Rethinking School Start Time Committee
Last year, the West Hartford Board of Education directed West Hartford Public Schools to establish a research committee to investigate the challenges and benefits of adjusting school start times. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Medical Association (AMA), the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and other health organizations support later school start times because of the positive role adequate sleep has on adolescent mental and physical health. The Board’s decision to research this issue is in response to these recommendations.
In the fall of 2017, the Rethinking School Start Time (RSST) Committee, a group of volunteer parents, students, teachers and administrators, began a one-year study of the issue. The committee is examining the impact a change will have on the educational program and is providing the West Hartford Board of Education updates on its work throughout this school year.
One important aspect of the committee’s work is to gather information from stakeholders regarding possible changes to the current school start and end times. To that end, the committee will issue a survey for parents, teachers, and secondary school students at the end of February. Remaining open through the end of March 2018, the survey will provide an opportunity to collect important information that will be presented to the Board of Education at the May 2018 meeting.
The survey is one way for stakeholders to communicate their questions, comments and concerns. If you prefer to use email, please direct any comments to RSST@whps.org Please be aware that every Board of Education meeting includes the opportunity for public comments. You are always welcome to attend and address the Board of Education members in person.
"Public Act 16-189
We believe that it is vital for all students in West Hartford Public Schools to be able to efficiently and effectively use digital tools that empower them in all phases of the learning process, including research, problem solving, content creation, communication, and collaboration. We also believe that we must be committed at all times to protecting students' privacy and providing them with a powerful and safe educational experience. To that end, the West Hartford Public Schools follow the legal requirements of Public Act 16-189 to promote the safety and security of all students and staff.
In compliance with Connecticut State Law, we update online programs used within the district that house student data. The programs may be used district-wide, in a very small number of classrooms, or with individual students. The list will be updated each time the district enters into a new contract where student data is housed. For more information on the specifics of Public Act 16-189 and updates of vendor agreements, visit www.whps.org/pa189."