Kutz Cougar Courier Times
KUTZ ELEMENTARY SCHOOL'S NEWSLETTER
October 16, 2020
Face Covering Reminder
Dates to Remember
October 21- Elementary Mode Change Interest Survey closes
October 26- Official Elementary Mode Change forms will be released
October 29- Official Elementary Mode Change forms with final requests due
October 30- Halloween in-school activities
November 3- Election Day--no in-person instruction, but online instruction for all students
Halloween Update
In accordance with our district Health and Safety plan, we will not be holding a Halloween parade or parties this school year, unfortunately. In addition we ask that students do not wear or bring costumes on Friday, October 30th. This is a district wide decision and impacts all elementary buildings.
On Friday, October 30th we will participate in Halloween themed activities, on a whole school level and individual classroom activities. Students are encouraged to show their Halloween spirit by wearing Halloween themed clothing or clothing that is orange, black, green, or purple.
We are working on a plan to collect Halloween photographs or videos from families as an optional activity. We will then create a video to share with students, staff, and families the week of November 2. More specific details will be communicated next week.
I know our students will have a great day. Our teachers and staff are looking forward to celebrating in new ways. Thank you for your continued support. Happy Halloween!
Program Enrollment Interest Survey
As you know, the district has asked families to remain in their program of choice until November 10, 2020. As that date draws closer, we wish to communicate the process by which elementary school program enrollment changes may be elected while sharing information that will help our families make an informed decision for their elementary school children.
First, the district will survey elementary families to determine how many are considering making a change. This data is necessary to gauge interest, anticipate the number of changes that are likely to be requested, and determine staffing and spacing needs within our individual schools.
We ask that all families participate in this initial survey.
- Please complete the survey once for each child.
- Please read each survey question carefully.
- This survey will close on October 21, 2020. Access the Kutz survey by clicking here.
Second, the district will provide elementary families with a program enrollment selection form. Parents/guardians will indicate the program change on this form. This form will be distributed to elementary families on Monday, October 26, 2020.
- Changes must be requested on/before Thursday, October 29, 2020.
- Any changes may result in a change of teacher or assigned elementary school.
- Program enrollment selections will take effect at the beginning of the second trimester on Monday, December 7, 2020.
- Changes will remain in place until school returns to the district’s typical “pre-COVID” in-person schedule.
We continue to appreciate the support and patience of our families. Please feel free to call or email with any questions.
Social Emotional Learning
We want your child to be successful in school and that means supporting and encouraging their whole development. While excelling in academic classes is important, students also need skills to take on learning challenges, make good decisions, handle strong emotions, and get along with others. This school year, we are instructing Second Step, a research-based social-emotional learning program designed to improve students’ social-emotional skills, such as emotion management, impulse control, problem solving, and empathy. Second Step skills and concepts are designed to help students both in and out of school. These include:
1. Skills for Learning: Students gain skills to help themselves learn, including how to focus their attention, listen carefully, use self-talk to stay on task, and be assertive when asking for help with schoolwork.
2. Empathy: Students learn to identify and understand their own and others’ feelings. Students also learn how to take another’s perspective and how to show compassion.
3. Emotion Management: Students learn specific skills for calming down when experiencing strong feelings, such as anxiety or anger.
4. Problem Solving: Students learn a process for solving problems with others in a positive way.
Thank you for your support as we work to build a safe and supportive school community.
CB Cares - October Boomerang
CB Cares is kicking off this year’s monthly Boomerang awards with the asset SAFETY.
Do you know a student who feels safe at home, school & in the neighborhood?
Please nominate them by emailing Michele Putnam at mputnam@cbsd.org. Please include your child's name, grade level, teacher, and a little blurb about how they champion this asset by October 26th.
All nominees will be recognized and will receive a CB Cares car magnet. Our school winner will also receive a certificate and have the opportunity to be considered for the monthly district award.
Art Supplies
These are the dates each class will need the art supplies by:
- Monday, October 26- First day of art for Mrs. Kallelis, Mrs. Engel, Mrs. Zakuto, Mrs. Lere, Mrs. Jeffers, Mr. Geist, and Mrs. K. Carroll,
- Friday, November 6- First day of art for Mrs. Fuhrmeister, Mrs. Matthews, Ms. MacNeill, and Mrs. Abato
Spirit Wear
Technology Information
Students are to bring their fully charged laptop or iPad to and from school each day. Please make sure that students are charging their devices at night in order to bring to school the next day. Students who did not receive a device bag will receive one in the coming weeks.
Some families have been asking about purchasing additional items such as pens, pen tips, chargers, and bags. These items are available through My Payments Plus. You are welcome to purchase the item, print the receipt and then, complete a Help Desk Ticket to arrange a pick up time at school.
Click here for more information about this process: Technology Accessories.
Kutz Photo Gallery
Counselor's Corner - October Edition
Attendance Expectations
Children are expected to attend all elements of the school day in whatever mode you selected, unless they have an excused absence (i.e. illness, appointment). It is important to understand that attendance is mandatory for all students per the compulsory attendance laws of Pennsylvania. Attendance will be taken each school day. Students that are not in class or not logged on at the start of class will be marked absent or tardy if they arrive late to their physical or virtual class.
If your child will not be able to attend school, in person or virtually, or needs to miss part of the day for an appointment, parents need to email kpirrone@cbsd.org. Email is strongly preferred but if you are unable to email the school, please call the school attendance line at 267-893-3900.
If a hybrid student should be physically present in the building but is staying home, a parent kpirrone@cbsd.org. At the school level, this is the same as if students in the traditional mode were absent, they need an “excuse note.”
Online and hybrid students need to be present and actively participating in their learning. Having the camera on and being visible to the teacher allows the teacher to note their attendance as present. Students who turn off their camera for extended periods of time and are not engaging in the lesson, or leave the class early will be marked absent.
News from the Nurse
Health Check Reminder
1. Please monitor your child daily for fever and/or other signs of COVID-19. Be sure to keep students home if they have one of the following symptoms –cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, new lack of smell or taste; or two of the following symptoms – fever, sore throat, runny nose/congestion, chills, muscle pain, nausea or vomiting, headache, diarrhea, and fatigue.
2. Students with fever/symptoms/with no known COVID-19 exposure may return to school when asymptomatic and fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication; or confirmation of alternative diagnosis by health care provider.
3. Families are required to report confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 to the School Nurse.
4. Students who exhibit signs or symptoms of COVID-19 during the school day will be placed in isolation and masked until arrangements are made for dismissal.
5. Students with positive COVID-19 test may return to school after 10 days have passed since the symptoms first appeared and being fever-free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication. The student will need to produce the Isolation Release Letter from the Bucks County Department of Health.
6. Students returning after COVID-19 infection will be checked by the School Nurse prior to returning to the classroom.
FLU SEASON
I want to remind everyone that flu season is just around the corner. I am asking that families consider getting a flu vaccine. We want to keep everyone as healthy as possible this year. Some of the symptoms for flu and COVID are the same and we do not want anyone to have to take extra steps in order to return to in person instruction. Children are typically out of school for 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.
SEASONAL ALLERGIES
We are hearing from some parents that their children have seasonal allergy symptoms. In an effort to keep from having symptoms on the COVID Daily Checklist, please consider keeping their allergies under control by giving daily allergy medication. If you have concerns about this please consult your child's pediatrician about other options.
Please refer to the COVID - 19 Allergies vs. Flu Spreadsheet below.
Stay well,
Jennifer L. Donovan RN, BSN, CSN Certified School Nurse
Titus Elementary (T,W,F) Phone (267) 893-4515 Fax (267) 893-5814
Kutz Elementary (M,Th) Phone (267) 893-3915 Fax (267) 893-5810
Yoga and Exercise Videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrM62aMK4LY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbDlv4U0qqY&t=30s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uhVt1wCVoE&t=15s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IvLxm7qGps&t=190s
District Information
STUDENT EMERGENCY AND INFORMATION FORM
Each year, the Central Bucks School District asks our families to fill out a Student Emergency & Information Form. The online form will ask you to confirm and/or update the following:
- Demographic Information
- Emergency Contacts
- Health Information, including permission for emergency care and analgesic administration
- Media Release Preferences
Click here to be directed to your Parent Portal account to complete the form. Thank you for taking the time to update this important information
District Health and Safety Plan
Kutz Information
Daily School Hours
Effective 9/30/2020
Elementary School B (Kutz)
- Grades 1-6: 8:50 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
- AM Kindergarten: 8:50 a.m. – 11:10 a.m.
- PM Kindergarten: 12:10 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
DAILY SCHEDULE – ONLINE-ONLY
The daily schedule for ALL CBSD elementary schools (A/B/C schools) will be as follows. This schedule is in effect only for those students enrolled in the online-only program model. (This schedule is similar to the “Virtual Learning Schedules” distributed to families on Friday, September 11.)
- Grades 1-6: 9 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Student Directory 2019-2020
Kutz Student/Parent Handbook
Below is the Kutz Parent and Student Handbook. 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.
*We are in the process of updating the handbook for the 2020-2021 school year. This will be shared soon.
"Free" Money for KUTZ !!!
At no extra cost to you, you can help us raise money while you shop!
Please take a few minutes to review the below options and sign up, so Kutz will get the maximum benefit from each company's donations! Ask your neighbors and family members to sign up too!
How Can I Contribute?
Collect Boxtops!
Collect box tops throughout the year, and your teacher will let you know when to send them in for the classes to compete for prizes. Or drop them in the Box Top box in the hallway at Kutz any time!
Shop with Amazon Smile!
Turn your Amazon purchases into donations to Kutz by using Amazon Smile! Amzon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible Amazon Smile purchases to Kutz!
Shop at GIANT
The more you shop the more money Kutz makes. Please follow the directions attached to register your GIANT card and start benefitting Kutz TODAY!
The CB App!! Do you have it??
Want CB info on the go?
There’s a free app for that. Learn more about it here.
About Kutz
Perseverance, Integrity, Respect, Responsibility
Website: www.cbsd.org/Kutz
Location: Kutz Elementary School, Turk Road, Doylestown, PA, USA
Phone: 267-893-3900
Twitter: @CBKutzElem