KESTREL HEIGHTS NEWS
SOARING HIGHER!
Seats Available! Come SOAR with us!
Have a neighbor, family or friends Interested in applying for the 2022-23 school year? We have seats available! To start the enrollment process, please have them complete our easy, online application on our website at: https://kestrelheights.org/apply-now/
KESTREL HEIGHTS EXPANSION PROJECT
Want to find out more about the Kestrel Heights Expansion Project? Want to ask a question? Want to check out the live feed camera to see the progress or the construction crew hard at work? Make sure you visit our expansion project page below!
Reminder! Immunizations and Health Assessment Forms Due
7th Grade scholars - All 7th grade scholars are required to submit an updated immunization record showing receipt of the Tdap and Meningococcal (MCV) immunizations.
Kindergarteners and scholars who are enrolling into a public school for the first time are required to submit the NC Health Assessment Form
Immunization Records and the NC Health Assessment form may be scanned and emailed to Vargas@kestrelheights.org, dropped off to the front office, or faxed to 919-375-2479
Grade Level News
We had an awesome third week of school. Kindergarten continues to do a wonderful job as they learn their letters, sight words and classroom rules. Over the past few weeks the intervention team has been assessing the kindergarten scholars.
All 3rd Grade scholars have completed their very first i-Ready Diagnostic for both Reading and Math. With that said, we now have the data to use for our instructional groupings in delivering small group instruction. We are currently learning these topics:
ELA:
Compare and contrast main characters in a story.
Explain how characters’ actions contribute to the story’s sequence of events.
Math:
Use place value to subtract 3-digit numbers
Use the combine place values strategy to subtract 3-digit numbers.
Solve addition and subtraction problems by using the strategy “draw a diagram”
Fourth Grade:
Math:
We are finally getting into some fun math. Please have your scholar start/continue to memorize their multiplication facts through 10 x 10. The sooner they have their facts memorized the easier math will be for them!
ELA:
Most of the scholars have completed their reading I Ready diagnostic. This week we focused on Elements of a story. Scholars read “Winn Dixie” and were able to successfully apply the standard to the story.
Social Studies:
This week scholars are learning about the 3 regions of North Carolina. The region we focused most on was the Coastal Plains. Students got lots of practice with describing the physical and human characteristics of that region. Next week we will continue to learn more about the Piedmont and Mountain regions in the upcoming days. In addition to the social studies content, scholars are encouraged to read during D.E.A.R (Drop Everything And Read) time daily. Please make sure students have an age appropriate book or two with them throughout the school day.
Fifth Grade:
Math:
We are finally getting into some fun math. Please have your schoalar start/continue to memorize their multiplication facts through 12 x 12. The sooner they have their facts memorized the easier math will be for them!
This week we have been learning the importance of textual evidence. We are now Academic Writers and as such, we can no longer rely on our own opinions or common knowledge to support our ideas/arguments. The scholars have enjoyed acting at Private Investigator’s scouring their text to find supporting evidence.
Science:
We are learning about plant cells and animal cells, single cell and multicellular organisms and comparison between them.
ELA:
Most of the scholars have completed their reading I Ready diagnostic. This week we focused on Elements of a story. Scholars read “A package for Ms Jewls” and were able to successfully apply the standard to the story.
Social Studies:
This week scholars are learning about the cultures and lifestyles of American Indian tribes throughout the entire continental United States prior to 1492. Scholars so far have been taking notes about each tribe and have been comparing and contrasting them. In addition to the social studies content, scholars are encouraged to read during D.E.A.R (Drop Everything And Read) time daily. Please make sure scholars have an age appropriate book or two with them throughout the school day.
6th Grade
ELA ~ Mrs. Bowie
Greetings Kestrel Families! In ELA we’ve established our ELA Learning Community expectations and procedures. Every citizen in our community has a class job.
Office Manager
IT Manager
Dojo Manager
Task Manager
Paper Patrol
Librarian
Scholars who successfully fulfill their role will earn a “3” for their citizenship grade. Scholars who exceed our expectations will earn a “4” or a “5” for their citizenship grade. In addition, scholars may receive Dojo Points and small gifts for maintaining a superior work ethic.
Along with job training scholars have been completing the first i Ready Reading Diagnostic of the school year. This test allows us to gain a clearer picture of the reading techniques your scholar has or has not mastered.
Lastly, during the Guided Reading portion of our class we finished listening to the audiobook, I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001, by Lauren Tarshis. We’re now reading a mini play to be performed in class at the end of this month. Please assist scholars with memorizing their lines this weekend.
I look forward to helping your scholar be a productive class citizen who achieves significant growth and development!
Social Studies ~ Mr. Griffin
This week we are reviewing concepts in Geography, Economics, and Government. Included is mapwork/labeling, creating a business, and investigating types of governments in our world.
Math ~ Mrs. Guess
This week we finished our Math i Ready diagnostic. We will be completing our standard on the area of Triangles and Trapezoids Friday with the completion of the SWYK quiz.
Science ~ Ms. Chon
We have moved on from our understanding of the different states of matter, and are just beginning to discuss how physical and chemical properties of matter work, and what makes them different.
Science ~ Mrs. Sharif
We have moved on from our understanding of the different states of matter, and are just beginning to discuss how physical and chemical properties of matter work, and what makes them different.
7th grade
Compacted Math:
We are wrapping up our i-ready diagnostic and are about to dive back into our regular curriculum beginning with Module 2 on Monday
Math 7:
We are wrapping up our i-ready diagnostic and are about to dive back into our regular curriculum. We will have our first quiz (module 1) next Wednesday 9/21
ELA:
We completed our first short story Rogue Wave and had our first quiz. We will be starting our informational article on Abby Sunderland next week.
Science:
We are continuing our understanding of the Laws of Motion and moving through the assignment with a great deal of understanding. I feel as though the scholars are engaged and progressing very well.
Eighth Grade:
Science:
We are continuing our understanding of the periodic table, and moving along quite well! I am excited to say that I feel as though all scholars are doing exceptionally well in 8th grade science this year.
AIG:
The referral window for AIG testing is open from September 12 through September 30th. Any scholars in grades 3-8 who are interested in AIG testing can be referred to Mr. Love at this time to take the Cognitive Abilities Test and the IOWA Test of Basic Skills in early October. Please contact Mr. Love with any questions or referrals for testing: love@kestrelheights.org
If you would like more information about Kestrel’s AIG program, here is the link to Kestrels AIG page: https://kestrelheights.org/aig/
Music
The Kestrel Heights Band program has been chosen as one of the 250 band programs in the US as part of the Project Image Series. It is a program that provides free access to high - quality commissioned works for programs that would not otherwise have access or be able to afford these compositions. This piece is an opportunity for young musicians to perform a dynamic and compelling composition and enjoy the social-emotional learning activities that accompany it.
The dance department has started learning a strong and structured warm-up to prevent injuries. We have also touched on body isolations and leg extension to help the growth of their dance technical knowledge. Our next adventure we will be entering the world of “Jazz Dance” history and technique.
Student Checkout/in
In order to ensure a speedy dismissal for all Kestrel families, we are unable to accommodate student check-out after 2:30pm.
Please also note that if a K-3 scholar is checking in at the Lower School late (after 8:45) or requests an early pick-up (before 2:30), they must present through the main office at the Middle School. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience during this transition period.
Fall Picture Day
Picture Day is just two weeks away! We’re excited to be using Strawbridge Studios for our student and staff Fall pictures on Wednesday, September 28th. These photos will be used in the yearbook, so please be sure to send your scholar in their uniform on this day. Order forms will go home this week, so please be on the lookout for those.
Please contact Ms. Holmes at CourtneyHolmes@KestrelHeights.org if you have any questions.
School Lunch Information
Breakfast/Lunch Pre-order Reminder
Please contact Ms. Holmes if you are in need of Free/Reduced Meal Benefits. Parents who receive free or reduced meals must pre-order meals via the LunchTime Software to ensure your scholar gets breakfast and lunch.
This year we will serve breakfast at $2.00 per meal per scholar. Lunch cost $4.00 per student per meal for all students at KHCS.
KHS will order meals from our catering company according to the meals ordered by parents. We will order the exact number for breakfast and lunch; therefore, there is no way to ensure a meal for a student to eat if a parent did not pre-order online.
All parents of students who choose to eat from school’s lunch regardless of their status (Free, Reduced or Paid) have to use this system to pre-order the meals. Pre-order meals must be in by 7pm the day before the meal is being pre-ordered.
Please see the links below for guidance on pre-ordering meals:
Parents Guide to the Payment Portal
If you need assistance please contact Maureen Gordon at gordon@kestrelheights.org or Courtney Holmes courtneyholmes@kestrelheights.org (919)484-1300 ext. 200
Athletics
Kestrel Pridewear!
Anyone interested in buying can use this link to purchase whatever items they would like. The campaign will end on September 30th and the items will be shipped to the address listed on the order.
Here is the link for the Kestrel Gear to support Volleyball: https://fancloth.shop/DTEHA
If you have any questions please reach out to Coach Dale Edmonds at edmonds@kestrelheights.org.
Fall Athletics Game/ Meet Schedules:
Boys Soccer
https://kestrelhawks.bigteams.com/main/teamschedule/id/3748440/seasonid/4725285
Cross Country
https://kestrelhawks.bigteams.com/main/teamschedule/id/3748448/seasonid/4725307
Volleyball
https://kestrelhawks.bigteams.com/main/teamschedule/id/3748445/seasonid/4725306
Don't forget to follow us on Social Media
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/KestrelHeightsSchool/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/KestrelHeights
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/kestrelheights/
NextDoor: https://nextdoor.com/pages//pages/kestrel-heights-charter-school-durham-nc/recommend/
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/school/kestrel-heights-school
UPCOMING SCHOOL EVENTS
September 20, 6:30 – 7:30pm
Annual Title I Meeting
September 23
Q1 Progress Reports
September 26
Make up day - Full Day of School
September 28, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Fall Picture Day
KHS Gym
KESTREL HEIGHTS CHARTER SCHOOL
Email: Vargas@kestrelheights.org
Website: www.kestrelheights.org
Location: 4700 South Alston Avenue, Durham, NC, USA
Phone: 919-484-1300
Facebook: facebook.com/KestrelHeightsSchool
Twitter: @kestrelheights
