KP Connection
October 27, 2018
Need to Know Dates
Monday- October 29
- MidFest Select 8th Grade Trip 8:45am- 12:45pm
Thursday - November 1
- Chess Club 6:00pm
Friday- November 2
- 7th Grade Field Trip NY - Chinese Language Students
Tuesday- November 6
- No School for Students - Professional Day - Election Day
Wednesday - November 7
- Diwali/Divali (Hindu)
- End of Quarter 1
Thursday - November 8
- 6th Grade WEB
- HS Options Fair
- MidFest Rehearsal Select Band 9:00am
- Chess Club - Library 6:00pm
- MidFest Concert 7:00pm
Friday - November 9
- 6th Grade WEB
- Unified Theatre Performance 7:00pm
Monday - November 12
- Veterans Day Program
Tuesday/ Wednesday/Thursday - November 13, 14 & 15
- Student Led Conferences
LEAD LEARNER HIGHLIGHTS
We are two weeks away from the end of the quarter. Please check-in with your child about their progress in their classes and making a plan for continued success or improvement. We had quite the exciting week after celebrating our second Color Run on Saturday. On Wednesday, some of us wore orange to stand up against bullying, and 6th graders held their first dance and social this afternoon. On Tuesday, November 6th while citizens are casting their votes, KP teachers will be engaged in a variety of professional learning activities.
Our official conference days will be November 13, 14, and 15. Conference advisors have reached out to you to schedule times for your conferences. If you do not have a conference scheduled, be sure check your emails, phone messages and/or reach out to your child's morning advisory teacher to schedule a mutually agreeable time. Please see the button below for information regarding our student-led conference format.
As you search our newsletter, please be sure to check out the fantastic video that 8th grader Justin D. produced from our Color Run. He volunteered his time, talent and drone to record this event. Please check below for an opportunity to honor Veterans, learn more about the KP Character Counts Bowling League fall session, and student contests that might be of interest to your child. Our after-school activities are in full swing. If your child is not involved in something, please review the intramural and after-school activities offerings and encourage them to try something or share an idea with their teacher.
School News
Late School Start Times Update
As you know, for the past year and a half the West Hartford Board of Education has been studying the benefits and challenges of changing the start and end times of our schools. On November 20, 2018, the Board will hold a vote on this issue. After reviewing four options, the Board has narrowed their decision to two options (please see below). We will be in communication with you once we know the outcome of this vote.
8th Grader Justin D. shared his drone talents to film the Color Run
forms online on your Parent Portal
Student Kudos
Congratulations to our October Students of the Month
Student Opportunities
NY Times Student Contest Calendar 18-19
NY Times wants to hear from teenagers around the world on the issues and ideas of the day — whether via essays, editorials, political cartoons, photography, videos, poetry, podcasts or culture reviews. Open to students who are 13 to 19 years old.
Rubincam Youth Award: sponsored by the National Genealogical Society (NGS), this competition is open to students ages 13-18 and asks them to be family historians and prepare a genealogy (requirements vary depending on age of applicant). The award winner receives a $250 cash prize, a plaque, and a one-year NGS membership (nonprint). Presentation details of the winning submission may appear in NGS Magazine. (Deadline Nov. 15 2018)
Patriot’s Pen Competition
Sponsor: Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
Amount: Up to $5,000
Deadline October 31, 2018
Description: Competition is open to students in grades 6-8 in the United States, its territories and its possessions. Applicant must submit an essay on the following theme: Why I Honor the American Flag.”
Parent/Caregiver Resources
Social and Emotional Practice to use at Home
Community Resources
The Town has officially begun its decennial update to the Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD). The POCD is a road map for the future of the community. It identifies a long-term vision, goals, strategies and action steps necessary to support the Town’s vision and goals. We hope that community participates in the process by completing a short survey and consider attending a Community Planning Workshop.
The survey can be found by on the project website at www.planwesthartford.com. The Community Workshop is scheduled to be held on October 30th from 6pm-8pm in the Town Hall Auditorium (flyer attached). The purpose of the workshop will assist the Town with updating its Plan of Conservation and Development and provides an opportunity to hear from residents and taxpayers on their vision for the future of West Hartford. The plan covers areas such as economic development, environment, housing, infrastructure, open space, sustainability and transportation. It identifies a long-term vision, goals, strategies and action steps necessary to support the Town’s vision and goals. The form and format will be similar to recent past planning workshops for the Center and former UConn campus. Additional events will be scheduled later this Fall and early Winter, so check the website for updates. Please explore the project website, take the survey, and provide feedback through the project mapping tool.
Todd Dumais Town Planner Town of West Hartford
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."