Kutz Cougar Courier Times
KUTZ ELEMENTARY SCHOOL'S NEWSLETTER
December 2, 2022
Kutz Starts to Get Into the Holiday Spirit!
Instructional Spotlight - Ms. Eckenrode, 1st Grade
Ms. Ecknerode’s 1st Grade classroom is always a lively place! Sometimes this involves dancing (they dance… A LOT!), and sometimes it involves other things, like very deep thinking. During a visit this past week, Ms. Eckenrode’s students “had steam coming out of their ears” as they worked to dissect a math problem. The problem presented them with a group of various shapes. The students were asked to sort the shapes into 2 categories. As they processed the problem, these students were not about to be fooled, quickly realizing that only certain attributes would allow them to sort the shapes into 2 specific categories. Then, Ms. Eckenrode’s 1st Grade math whizzes realized that there may be more than one way to sort the shapes into 2 different categories. It took a lot of hard work, deep thinking, and trial and error, but these second graders showed they could solve a pretty specific and complex math problem. Kudos to Ms. Eckenrode’s hard-working and skilled math students!
From Mr. Murtha...
A small note prior to the primary content of my weekly message - We ask that car rider families prominently display the yellow name sign during PM pick-up. This greatly assists us in moving our car line safely and smoothly - thank you!
We have made our way into December and the excitement of the Winter Holiday Season! The Holiday Season brings a flurry of fun and activities both outside of school and in school. In school, we look forward to Holiday-themed classroom activities, the Kutz Holiday Boutique (Dec. 5-9), our annual Holly Jolly Express (Dec. 8), our school Holiday Concert/Sing, and Holiday Classroom Celebrations most of which will be held on Thursday, December 22.
We love the Winter Holidays, as they involve a great deal of fun and celebration, but they also provide us with an opportunity to recognize and learn about many different Holidays celebrated during this wonderful time of year and the ability to share a variety of different Holiday traditions from many cultures.
As Holiday Classroom Celebrations will be here before we know it, we want to communicate a few items:
- Although restrictions on food (other than allergy-related) are not in place, it has become good practice to individually wrap items you send in when possible.
- If balloons are sent in as part of a classroom celebration, please make sure they are mylar, as latex balloons are not permitted.
We look forward to sharing this Holiday Season with you, and we appreciate all of your support in making it extra-special for our students!
John C. Murtha
Acting Principal
Remembering a Very Special Cougar...
Thank you.
Dismissal Reminder
Important Dates
- Monday, December 5 - Friday, December 9 - Kutz Holiday Boutique
- Wednesday, December 7 - Wear red, a minions shirt, and/or crazy socks in rememberance of a very special Cougar, Dominic Liples
- Thursday, December 8 - Holly Jolly Express (Departs at 4:30 PM)
- Monday, December 12 - Conferences (early dismissal) - No Kindergarten
- Monday, Decmeber 12 - Blood Drive, 2:00-7:00 PM
- Tuesday, December 13 - Conferences (early dismissal) - No Kindergarten
- Wednesday, December 14 - Report Cards posted in Parent Portal at 1:00 PM
- Wednesday, December 14 - No PM Kindergarten (AM attends)
- Thursday, December 15 - No AM Kindergarten (PM attends in the PM)
- Monday, December 19-Wednesday, December 21 - Kutz Annual Food Drive
- Friday, December 23-Monday, January 2 - Winter Break (no school)
Kutz Annual Food Drive - December 19-21
Kutz Cougars For A Cause is organizing our annual food drive Dec. 19-21. This year we are seeing greater need in our school district than in years past. Please consider donating as everything you send in will go directly to Kutz families and the CBSD Farmers Market. Students can bring donations directly to their classrooms during those three days. See flyer below for food assignments by grade. There will also be a collection box in the front entryway of the school. Here is a message of thanks to the Kutz community from Mr. Brereton, Principal of Barclay Elementary, who organizes the CBSD Farmers Market:
“Thank you so much for your support. The Market serves nearly 200 families every two weeks. Families receive fresh produce, fresh milk and eggs, bread, frozen meat, and dry goods. It's sometimes a struggle to secure enough food for the number of guests we serve, so we are very grateful for your support. Thank you for helping us combat childhood hunger in the district.”
Holly Jolly Express Departs on December 8!
Book Fair and Coin Collection Update
Thanks to our school community for supporting this year's Scholastic Book Fair! It was the most successful book fair ever at Kutz! The book fair helps to excite young readers and 50% of the proceeds return to our library to help replenish and update our catalog of books and other necessary library supplies. The coin collection that takes place before the book fair raised $1,758. Those funds are used to purchase books for classroom libraries and to ensure that every child at Kutz has the opportunity to shop at the book fair.
Help Wanted for the Kutz Home and School Association!
Our H&S is in need of two volunteers to fill important roles to help our school. Take a look at the below opportunities and contact Abby Kube (abigail.kube@gmail.com) if you'd like more information!
Passive Fundraising Liaison
Work with others on the fundraising committee to explore opportunities for Kutz families to support our school through online and in-person shopping . We are looking for someone to set-up and monitor passive fundraisers like Amazon Smile, grocery store reward programs, credit card rewards, Box Tops for Education, and other programs to earn money for Kutz while you shop.
I Run 4 Life Co-Director
I Run 4 Life is a fun fitness program that takes place after school in the spring. The program requires two directors to make it successful and we have an opening for a new Co-Director. No running required! Responsibilities include:
-attends Director’s meeting in Doylestown in late January
-attends several meetings with Jaime Koller (Kutz Co-Director) in January to delegate tasks
-assists with ordering merchandise
-create spreadsheets to organize participants into teams
-communicate with office staff regularly regarding registration, payment, newsletter info
-ability to set up/cleanup and assist with 8 sessions from 2:30-5:30 pm starting in March and ending in May. Day of the week yet to be determined.
-clearances up to date
Kutz Holiday Boutique!
Dear Parents,
We are happy to announce that the Holiday Boutique is almost here! It will begin on Monday, December 5th and run through Friday, December 9th. Your child(ren) will have the opportunity to shop for quality gifts for their family and friends. Gift items start at less than $1.00, with the majority in the $1.00 to $5.00 range. We do have a few items that go up to $15.00 in price. Our parent volunteers will be on hand to assist the children when shopping. If you are interested in volunteering for the Holiday Boutique, please use the link below to sign up on SignUpGenius.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0B4DAAAE2FA0F49-holiday3
**Please note that you will need your up-to-date clearances on file with the district in order to come in and help with the boutique.**
Thank you for supporting the Holiday Boutique! Your children are always excited to shop for their family and friends!
Please contact Jill Kaplan at kaplan001@verizon.net with any questions.
Kutz Kudo Winners!
- Kindergarten- Mila M. and Mabel B.
- 1st Grade- Grace F. and Ralph P.
- 2nd Grade- Corina T. and Amelia J.
- 3rd Grade- Cameron K. and Lydia K.
- 4th Grade- Brenna R. and Alice K.
- 5th Grade- Hailey M. and Tyler S.
Support Needed!
Please Consider Donating to our "Tree of Warmth" Drive!
Health Education Instructional Topic Opt In
- Human Growth and Development (4-6)
- HIV/AIDS (5-6)
Thank you, and please be on the lookout for the Personal Safety opt in forms for signing and returning to school by December 9.
REGISTRATION FOR STUDENTS ENTERING KINDERGARTEN IN FALL OF 2023 WILL OPEN ON NOVEMBER 7, 2022 (FIRST GRADE REGISTRATION WILL OPEN LATER THIS SCHOOL YEAR)!
2023-2024 New Student Registration
Kindergarten students MUST be five (5) years of age on or before September 1, 2023. No exceptions. Please note: Kindergarten program session requests (AM/PM) should be directed to the school once registration is complete.
2023-2024 Grade One Eligibility
First grade students must be six (6) years of age before September 1, 2023 (See Board Policy 201). No exceptions. The District does not make age exceptions for children who have attended an approved private kindergarten elsewhere.
A Message from the School Nurse
Hello Kutz Families,
I want to remind everyone that flu season is upon us. I am asking that families consider getting a flu vaccine. We want to keep everyone in our building as healthy as possible. Children are typically out of school for at least a week with the flu. Please ask your doctor if you have concerns about getting the vaccine. Putting a reminder on your phone or calendar is a good way to remember to prioritize your health.
Stay well,
Jennifer L. Donovan RN, BSN, CSN
Certified School Nurse
Kutz Elementary
School and District Opportunities
Community Opportunities
CHIP Insurance Opportunity
Kutz/District Information
Laptop Breakage
We have seen a rise in the amount of screen breaks for student laptops. Our policy covers for 2 broken screens per device. If your child’s laptop screen breaks 3 times, we will be required to send you an invoice for the repair and labor. The current cost for this is $200. Please remind your child to care for their laptops. Some simple steps to assist are:
- Use two hands when holding or moving the device.
- Use clean hands while using the laptop or iPad.
- Use only the provided digital pen or finger on the screen.
- Use only the power adapter that came with the device.
- Use a microfiber cloth to clean the screen.
- Keep device stored in the provided case. This includes traveling through the hallways, on buses, or anytime the device is not being utilized. Students should not be using the devices on the bus.
- Make sure nothing is on the keyboard, close the lid, and remove all cables if any are plugged into the laptop. Place laptop in your bag carefully.
- Be careful when placing your case on the floor. Keep the device off the floor so screens do not get stepped on by others.
Free and Reduced Lunch for 2022-2023
Dear Parent/Guardian,
Central Bucks is pleased to announce the availability of applying for Free and Reduced Price Meals online! The process is SAFE, SECURE, PRIVATE, and AVAILABLE anytime, anywhere!
Food Services / Free & Reduced Lunch Application (cbsd.org)
Instructions: If you are applying for Free and Reduced Lunch and would like your child’s school to provide additional resources to your family, please complete and select which items you would like assistance with. Please return forms to the main office/Mrs. Adelberger (principal).
Health Room Update
Jen Donovan, our certified school nurse, would like to remind families about the health forms which are required each year. Parents are urged to have physical and dental examinations completed by their family physician or dentist. Exams may be completed any time after September 1, 2021 The completed health forms are due to the health office no later than October 15, 2022. Please keep a copy of the health form for your records.
REQUIRED HEALTH EXAMINATIONS FOR THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR:
The State of Pennsylvania mandates the following health examinations:
- Students entering Kindergarten and all students new to the district-- Dental Exam and Physical Exam
- Students entering Grades 3 and 7 -- Dental Exam
- Students entering Grade 6 and 11 -- Physical Exam
DENTAL EXAM FORM---https://www.cbsd.org/cms/lib/PA01916442/Centricity/Domain/403/Forms/dentalexam_formH514027.pdf
PHYSICAL EXAM FORM-- https://www.cbsd.org/cms/lib/PA01916442/Centricity/Domain/403/PHYSICAL%20EXAM%20form%202012.pdf
Thank you!
Attendance
Click here for PDF directions for how to input the absence, tardy, or early dismissal.
Click here for video directions for how to input the absence, tardy or early dismissal.
Requests made using the parent portal will also serve as the excuse for the absence. Parents will not be required to submit an excuse either electronic or written.
Parents and guardians can also still call the school to report an absence, but emails will no longer be accepted.
In addition, when a student is absent from school, but the school did not receive communication from the parent or guardian, the following communication will be sent:
- A text message will be sent midmorning notifying the parent or guardian of the absence
- An email will also be sent at the end of the school day reminding the parent or guardian that the student was marked absent.
Thank you for your attention to this.
Kutz Passive Fundraisers
Kutz Information
Daily School Hours
Kutz is a "B" School
- Arrival begins at 8:30 AM
- Student day begins at 8:50 AM
- Student day ends at 3:30 PM
- Dismissal ends at 3:50 PM
- For early dismissal days- dismissal begins at 12:10 PM
- For 2 hour delay days- arrival begins at 10:30 and the student day begins at 10:50
Kindergarten
- Morning Kindergarten begins at 8:50 AM (arrival begins at 8:30 AM) and ends at 11:25 AM
- Afternoon Kindergarten begins at 12:55 PM and ends at 3:30 PM
- Beginning in the 2019-2020 school year, we implemented a “modified kindergarten” schedule on weather delay days. The schedule will be as follows for Kutz: AM Students 10:50 AM – 12:35 PM and PM Students 1:45 PM – 3:30 PM
Student Directory 2022-2023
The student directory for the 2022-2023 school year is on the Kutz website. Directions for how to find it on the website are included below. Click here to access it, too. The directory is a password protected document. The password was sent in a separate email on September 29, 2022.
Directions for how to find the directory on the website:
1. Go to www.cbsd.org/kutz.
2. Hover over "Parents/Students".
3. Click "Parent Resources."
4. On the left hand side, click "Student Directory 2022-2023" (at the bottom of the menu)
5. Enter the password listed in the email sent on 9/29.
If you have any questions, please reach out to our office staff.
Kutz Student/Parent Handbook
Click here for the Kutz Parent and Student Handbook for the 2022-2023 school year. This handbook provides a comprehensive summary of school and district policies and programs for students and their families. We hope you will find this to be a valuable resource.
Reminder for Volunteer Clearances
The 2021-22 school year brings back opportunities to volunteer in school. If you have not already done so, please click here (https://www.cbsd.org/volunteers) to learn more about the process and requirements to volunteer in CBSD. New this year is the App Garden Volunteer Tracker (https://appgarden5.app-garden.com/VolTrackPA92102.nsf/VolApp.xsp), a contactless application and paperwork submission process. Sign-up is required for both new and returning volunteers.
Clearances expire five years after approval, so please check your CBSD Volunteer card to make sure yours are still current.
Thank you for supporting our staff and students by volunteering your time!
Food Service Information
Want to view our lunch menu? Need to add funds to your child's account? Looking for nutrition information? Need to apply for free and reduced breakfast/lunch? Click here to learn more about Food Services in Central Bucks.
Child Care Program
Looking for more information on our Before and After School Programs? Click here to learn how to register your child.
About Kutz
Kutz Character Traits: Perseverance, Integrity, Respect, Responsibility
Email: cadelberger@cbsd.org
Website: www.cbsd.org/Kutz
Location: Kutz Elementary School, Turk Road, Doylestown, PA, USA
Phone: 267-893-3900
Twitter: @CBKutzElem