Monday Memo
Week of January 27th, 2020
In case you missed it.....
Basketball skills
Eating the moon
Plasticine illustration
Important Dates
Monday, January 27th - Day 2
- Please welcome Janice Mackenzie as Principal for the next two weeks
Tuesday, January 28th - Day 3
- Job action day; EA/CYW professional learning
Wednesday, January 29th - Day 4
- All day - Bell Let's Talk Day
Thursday, January 30th - Day 5
- All day - School Wide Head lice checks
Friday, January 31st - Day 0
- PA Day
Some important information for this week....
Report Card Marks and IEP's
This Friday is the PA day. Just a reminder that letter grades and learning skill levels are due to the office on Monday, February 10th (recognizing that you'll be handing these in on paper class lists). It is also my understanding that one sentence will be submitted per child for each frame in Kindergarten. Students who have an alternate page 4 (self-regulation, transitions, focus/attention, etc.), will also have a one sentence evaluation for each alternate area submitted.
IEP's are required to be completed for term 2. This includes updating the assessment section (September/October assessments are now out of date), review the subject areas (you may not need to make any changes here, but in some cases we are moving from accommodated to modified, or modified to alternate subjects), and most importantly, page 4's need to be completed with term 2 goals. Please note, the overall goal and baseline assessment does not change - it is only the term 2 expectations that need to be added.
If there is any furtner information from the Board office, Janice will be sure to let you know. Please make sure you touch base with her if you have any questions or concerns.
Recess Guardians
Our Recess Guardian program is coming along....there is a bit more organizing to take place and then we'll be ready to go. Given my absence for the next few weeks, we'll look at getting started as soon as I'm back. Janice will do an announcement on Monday morning so our student leaders are aware.
Parent Meetings
We had our first day of parent case conferences scheduled for last Friday. Unfortunately most of the parents had to cancel due to work obligations or sick children! We will look at planning another day in a few weeks. Please remember you are free to call, and correspond with families as you need - or they request. These meeting days are for more formal case conferences for students with higher needs. Please keep in touch with your parents for day to day successes and challenges, so they are always in the loop.
January 2020 Staff Challenge
Remember this is the last week of the January staff challenge - if you are participating, make sure you get your calendar in to Janice by the end of the day on Friday..... even if you only have a few squares crossed off. Prizes will be awarded - challenge yourself!
Slips and falls
A reminder that in this winter weather, it's really important to take care of yourself when walking on snow and ice. There is a new "walk like a penguin" poster in the staff room for your reference. Please remember there are also ice grips available in the staff room if you would like to use them.
Hot lunch orders
We are thrilled to finally be able to offer hot lunches! This is being done through a third party provider, so no orders or money come through the office. This Monday is Subway hot lunch day. Parents have until 12pm on Sunday to place an order. Remember you can order a hot lunch too!
School Improvement Plan
Math School Improvement Plan
The latest Scope and Sequence email from Kerry Norris focused on common misconceptions that students have during this current focus. Take a peek to help scaffold your lessons around these areas. This will also help you to plan lessons as you move through the sequence of lessons.
Have you heard of the website Same or Different? https://samedifferentimages.wordpress.com/?goal=0_c292aed476-f4a9b38453-119965245&mc_cid=f4a9b38453&mc_eid=b6817de510
“Same or Different? is a routine that provides students opportunities to construct arguments when comparing objects, such as numbers or shapes. Check out this video from the Teaching Channel to see it in action.”
Showing your students an image gives even our youngest children an opportunity to discuss characteristics and features of math concepts. Students will compare, sort, describe, count, and differentiate by colour, shape, object, and more. By just asking “What is the same and what is different” creates those great math conversations we’re looking for.
How Can You Use This?
The Same or Different structure itself can be used at any grade level. This site provides ready-made resources that you can implement at home or in your classroom right away for grades K - 9. There are resources for counting to 5, counting to 10, place value, addition/subtraction, multiplication/division, fractions, measurement, and geometry. Something for all of us!
Kawartha Heights Cougar Challenge
Our first "KH Cougar Challenge" has been launched! In the front display case are three questions - geared to kindergarten, primary and junior levels. Feel free to have your students work on the questions if you'd like. In addition, I'll be posting the questions out to parents. I'm encouraging families to work on these problems together and submit their results to the office. Any families who participate will be entered into a draw for the book "101 Best Family Card Games" and some packs of cards. Hopefully this will support our SIP to engage families in some great math learning! Families have until Friday, February 14th to submit their answers.
Upcoming dates to keep in mind
February 4th - School Bus Safety Presentations
February 5th - National Read Aloud Day
February 7th - Sledge Hockey Presentation for some classes (see schedule from Yvonne)
February 12th - Dare to Dream Big Presentation with wrestler Cody Deaner
February 14th - Valentine's Day
February 26th - Pink Shirt Day
Just one more thing.....
https://www.edutopia.org/article/role-emotion-co-regulation-discipline
Jennifer Sampson
Email: jennifer_sampson@kprdsb.ca
Website: https://kawarthaheights.kprdsb.ca/
Location: 11 Kawartha Heights Boulevard, Peterborough, ON, Canada
Phone: 705-742-7521
Twitter: @KawarthaHPS