KHS News
Monday, December 17th, 2018
In this week's newsletter...
Quick Announcements:
- Band Winter Concert is Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at 7pm in the 6-8 Gym
- Progress reports go home Thursday, December 20, 2018
- The Winter Showcase will be on Dec. 20, 2018. More details below.
- Pay a $1 dress down day on Friday, December 21, 2018. This does not apply to Kindergarten Scholars, who are wearing their PJs on Friday.
- Lost and found (for both buildings) will be emptied December 21, right before break
- School will resume on Monday, January 7, 2019
This newsletter contains the following information:
- Winter Wishes
- Winter Showcase
- Scholar Attendance and Tardy Policy
- Lunch Menu
- Counselor Corner
- Sports at KHS
- Classroom News
- Community News
Upcoming Events:
- Kestrel Heights scholars will make up the inclement weather dates of October 12th on the January 28.
- New Scholar Applications are now be accepted. Deadline is February 22, 2019
Winter Wishes
Kestrel Heights School wants to make sure every KHS family has a wonderful holiday season. Winter Wishes will match Kestrel families in need to donor families willing to buy gifts or clothing this holiday season. By choosing a gift request to fulfill, you will be helping a Kestrel Heights student whose family requests assistance.
Please include the gift number when returning wrapped gifts to the school. All stocking stuffer requests do not need to be wrapped but do need to be identified by the gift number.
All wrapped gifts need to be turned in to Mrs. Kennedy at the elementary school by December 17.
SIGN UP TO GIVE HERE ---> http://bit.ly/WishGivers18
Winter Showcase
We're so excited for our scholars to showcase their talent and to show the families all of their hard work and effort that's taking place in classes.
The Winter Showcase will be on Dec. 20, 2018 and the Spring Showcase will be on May 16, 2019. There will be 2 performances: Grades K-2 will be at 5:30 pm and Grades 3-5 will be at 6:45 pm (both performances will be held in the Middle School Gym). This is a REQUIRED performance, in which all students are expected to participate.
PERFORMANCE ATTIRE: Red shirt with a collar (ex. - polo style), black pants (NO jeans, leggings. OR jeggings), and black shoes
Student Attendance and Tardy Policy
3.15 Student Attendance and Tardy Policy
Attendance
It is the responsibility of our Kestrel families to ensure their scholar(s) are at school every day. Regular attendance is the best way to ensure that scholars master the curriculum. We protect instructional time from interruptions and we ask that parents/guardians do the same by scheduling appointments outside of school hours. A grade K-5 scholar is marked absent when s/he misses half of the school day (arrives after 11:25 AM or is picked up before 11:25 AM). A grade 6-8 scholar is marked absent when s/he misses 20 minutes or more of a class period.
Excused Absences (all absences not listed are unexcused)
Illness or injury: When the absence results from illness or injury, which prevents the scholar from being physically able to attend school.
Quarantine: When the scholar’s isolation is ordered by the local health officer or by the State Board of Health.
Religious observance: When a scholar, or the scholar’s parents or custodians, adhere to a religion in which the tenets require or suggest the observance of a religious event, the parents must seek prior approval from the Executive Director or Principal for such absence. Approval should be granted unless the religious observance or the cumulative effect of
religious observances is of such duration as to interfere with the education of the scholar. The approval of such absences is within the discretion of the Director or Principal.
Death in the immediate family: The immediate family of a scholar includes, but is not limited to, grandparents, parents and siblings.
Medical or dental appointment: A written excuse from the physician’s office must be presented upon the scholar’s return to school.
Educational opportunity: When the scholar misses school due to a valid educational opportunity that would result in significant educational benefits and obtains prior written approval from the Director or Principal. Parents must submit a written request for educational leave 2 weeks in advance of the absence. No educational absences will be granted during standardized state testing. (Note: Family educational opportunity trips are generally not excused absences if taken during the first twenty (20) day of school or before/after scheduled school holidays.)
Court or Administrative Proceedings: When the scholar is party to, or is under subpoena as a witness, in the proceedings of a court or administrative tribunal.
Unexcused absence or Skipping
An unexcused absence is an absence based on any reason other than those specified in the Excused Absences section. Such an absence cannot be excused even with a written explanation for the reason of absence. There will be a school-based disciplinary action for scholars who choose to “skip school”. School based consequences may include but are not limited to suspension. A scholar who skips school is defined as a person who does not show up for any part of a class or for the entire academic day without approval from the proper school based authority. It is the parent’s responsibility to contact the front office and notify the school of any absences.
A scholar who misses any portion of a school day, except for reasons explained as excused, will not be allowed to participate that day in any school-sponsored activity.
Procedures for notifying Kestrel about Absences
On the day of an absence(s), parents/guardians should contact the teacher(s) and the front office administrative assistant stating the reason for the absence no later than 8:30 AM. An email or written note needs to be provided to the school within three (3) days of the scholar’s absence for an absence to be counted as excused. An absence will NOT be counted as excused if a note is not provided to the school within three (3) days following the scholar’s return to school. Phone calls explaining the absence will not be accepted. Any medically excused absence lasting more than three (3) consecutive days must be accompanied with a doctor’s note. All medical or dental appointments need a doctor’s note to be marked as excused.
In all cases of absence (excused, unexcused, tardy absences, and early dismissal absences) scholars are expected to complete all missed work within the time frame given by teacher.
Board Approved 11/13/2018
Lunch Menu
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).
COUNSELOR WISH LIST
Parents, did you know that your KHS Counseling Department has a wish list of most-needed items and books to support our scholars? This quarter, our focus is on developing a GROWTH MINDSET - a research-based approach to helping all of our students succeed. There are several additional resources on this topic we would love to have to use with our staff and students. Please check out the wish list - you can purchase items directly and have them shipped to us at school, easy peasy! Thank you for your support!
Link to wish list: http://a.co/8UoXmLE
Sports at KHS
Athletics
1) Congrats to the Kestrel Heights Ultimate Frisbee team, they are off to a 3-0 start. Visit; www.kestrelhawks.bigteams.com for more information.
2) Boys (1-1) and Girls (0-2) Hawks Basketball will begin conference play next week; Visit; www.kestrelhawks.bigteams.com for more information.
Classroom News
Kindergarten:
Kindergarten News!
Before the Winter Break, we are having Polar Express Day. This will be held on Friday, December 21st. This day is a day of learning and fun. The students and teachers wear pajamas to school, watch the Polar Express, have snacks just like the children in the movie and do a holiday craft!
We are asking that any parent interested is providing donuts or milk (individually packaged) for this event please email your child’s teacher.
Although this is a fun day, where students are allowed to wear their pajamas to school, please insure that they are wearing school appropriate shoes.(No slippers please.)
1st Grade:
First grade has been very busy this week! We have had a lot of fun in science investigating rocks and participating in volcano experiments! We also learned the th sound in reading and reviewed our subtraction strategies in math.
2nd Grade:
2nd grade will be exploring Holidays around the World. We thoroughly enjoyed our field trip to Disney on Ice. Looking forward to our Holiday Show on the 20th.
3rd Grade
Please look to Dojo for regular updates.
Hart’s Hero of the week:
Pierce Sparkle of the Week:
Peacock of the 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.
Have a Great Weekend!
5th Grade:
5th grade scholars have finished their math unit on multiplying decimals and are now dividing them. In science, scholars wrapped up their unit on matter and will be launching into forces & motion next week. Also, the next region for our states & capitals location quiz will be the western region. Please check the grade level website for detailed information.
Happy Holidays
Middle School Blurb
6th Grade:
Reminder to all students and parents that the weather is colder and to make sure all students have an appropriate jacket or coat for when we are able to go outside for recess
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:
This week, students have completed round 2 of iReady testing. 8th grade is planning a field trip to the Natural Science museum and the Marbles Theater in Raleigh on Dec. 13th. Cost will be 13 dollars per student to cover the costs of gas, bus driver, and a movie at Marbles. Permission forms will go out next week. Payments can be made on the school website. See Mr. Hensler or Mr. Johnston with any questions. 8th grade High School information night will be December 5th, come and find out more about transitioning your 8th grader to Highschool.
English Language Learners (ELL) Program/Programa de Aprendices del Idioma Inglés (ELL)
English Language Learners (ELL) Program - Ms. Rivera
Having fun making words with word family chunks.From the Spanish Corner
Hola Familias!
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! We are also practicing for our upcoming Winter Performance! Our Spanish class is in need of a few items: Lysol spray, Clorox wipes, hand sanitizer and Kleenex as the winter months are approaching. Please send these items in with your scholar at anytime.
Please, email me with any questions: mariafoushee@kestrelheights.org
Gracias,
Mrs. Foushee
AIG News
This week in AIG....
*Reminder that this Friday November 30th is the deadline to submit an online payment for 3rd grade AIG Testing. Go to Kestrel's webpage, click on "Parents", then click "Make a Payment" and choose the link for "3rd Grade AIG Testing".
*Many thanks to all of the AIG parents and supporters who have donated to our Donor's Choose project. After this week's successful #GivingTuesday, it looks like the project will be fully funded by the deadline of January 11th. The students are loving the new robotics curriculum and I can't thank you all enough for your generosity towards this project and AIG program.
Happy Holidays,
Mr. Love
PE
Greetings Second Grade Families!
Effective Monday, December 3 I will begin teaching all second grade physical education classes.
To help your scholar be successful this year, please follow my program guidelines:
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.
I am here to make a positive impact in your scholar's life. If you have questions or information that might help me better work with your scholar please contact me at villegas@kestrelheights.org
Happy Holidays,
Ms. Villegas
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...
Riya Patel, a second grader, took the initiative to go help a student who had been absent the week before and had missed the start of the new project. Before I could get to the student, Riya had started to explain how to fold the paper and start designing the elf's legs. Riya did such a good job, that the other student didn't need to ask me any clarifying questions and did the project correctly. Way to go Riya, thank you for SOARING!
Ms. Mohn,
Dance and Music News
Elementary Dance
The "Countdown" is on for the Elementary Dance & Music Department's Winter Performance!!!! We have 3 weeks to go before "Showtime!"
We're so excited for our scholars to showcase their talent and to show the families all of their hard work and effort that's taking place in classes.
The Winter Showcase will be on Dec. 20, 2018 and the Spring Showcase will be on May 16, 2019. There will be 2 performances: Grades K-2 will be at 5:30 pm and Grades 3-5 will be at 6:45 pm (both performances will be held in the Middle School Gym). This is a REQUIRED performance, in which all students are expected to participate.
PERFORMANCE ATTIRE: Red shirt with a collar (ex. - polo style), black pants (NO jeans, leggings. OR jeggings), and black shoes
Community News
Showcase of School at Riverside High School
Showcase of Schools will take place at Riverside High School on Monday, January 28th. Come out and learn more about our school and what we have to offer our students! There are three tour times available: 9:30am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. The evening session will also include our Curriculum Night. Teachers from all departments will be present and available to discuss specific course offerings and opportunities within each discipline. Please use the link below to sign up for a session.
Sign Up Sheet - RHS Showcase of Schools 2019
Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Portia T. Jacobs
School Counselor for Last Names Co – F
Riverside High School
(919) 560-3965 x65341
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.
Free Tech Workshops for Parents & Students
Free Tech Workshops for Parents & Students
Join us at Kramden Institute for a special free event for parents and middle school kids! On Saturday, Dec. 8, we'll host a workshop on social media for parents alongside a coding workshop for students, as well as dinner. Parent/student pairs should register and attend together.
Date: Saturday, December 8, 2018
Time: 5:00 to 7:00 pm
Location: Kramden Institute, 4915 Prospectus Drive, Suite J, Durham NC 27713
Cost: FREE. Pizza dinner included!
Find Out More and Sign Up Here
Parent Workshop: Navigating Social Media with Your Kids
Get useful information on how to guide your student's use of social media. Hear about protecting the privacy and safety of your student online, and get strategies for allowing social media use but communicating clear boundaries.
Student Workshop: Kramden Coders Club - Coding Project
Jump into a fun programming project with our experienced instructors. You'll program in Python to create your code and then customize it. No coding experience necessary. For grades 6-8.
A Message from Lifetouch
Thank you for partnering with Lifetouch for your Fall Picture Day. We are happy to share with you some great offers for your families before they expire.
Many of your families have already taken advantage of the free Shutterfly photo book offer by ordering online. Included in this email is a helpful resource to share with your families showcasing offers from Lifetouch and Shutterfly:
Please use this downloadable flyer to inform families of these offers. Thank you in advance for distributing them to ensure every family has the opportunity to preserve their school memories and benefits from these valuable offers.
Your partners at Lifetouch
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