KP Connection
January 28, 2018
Need to Know Dates
Monday - 1/29 - Hall Orchestra Pops at KP - 7PM
Tuesday - 1/30 - Band Pyramid Concert - 7PM
Wednesday - 1/31 - Report Cards (sent home with students)
Thursday - 2/1 - Meet the Principals at Duffy for parents/caregivers of 5th grade students
Protect yourself from the Flu
The State of Connecticut Department of Public Health has issued alerts that influenza (the flu) is now widespread in Connecticut. West Hartford Bloomfield Health District (WHBHD) would like to provide you with measures you can take to prevent illness from the flu.
The best protection from the flu is a flu shot. The West Hartford Schools are working with the WHBHD to provide flu shots. If you are health care provider no longer has flu vaccine available, and you or someone you know wants to get a flu shot, the Health District can provide flu vaccinations for anyone > 4yrs of age.
In collaboration with the WHBHD, the West Hartford schools will be hosting a flu shot clinic on Saturday, February 3, 2018 from 10 am to noon at The West Hartford Auditorium at Town Hall.
If you have health insurance, the WHBHD can bill your insurance. They can bill Aetna, CIGNA, Anthem, Connecticare, and Husky. The WHBHD also can provide the flu shots at their office 580 Cottage Grove Rd Suite 100. You can call 860-561-7900 to arrange for a vaccination at their office if you are unable to make February 3.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following preventive measures, in addition to a flu shot:
1. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
2. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others.
3. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
4. Clean your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
6. Practice other good health habits. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
For additional information www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm
School News
Congratulations to . . .
Congratulations to the following art students on being accepted to the Connecticut Scholastic Art Show. The show is on display at the Silpe Gallery at the University of Hartford until February 3rd.
Grade 7 Catherine E for her drawing, “Non-Objective Art” which earned an Honorable Mention
Grade 8 Nora H for her photo, “Growing up--not old” which earned a Gold Key award
Grade 8 Luke D for his wire “Self Portrait” which earned a Gold Key award
Grade 8 Charles W for his photography, “Arise” which earned a Silver Key award
Grade 8 Henry W for his wire self-portrait, “Jailbreak of Thoughts” which earned a Silver Key award
8th Grade Art News
West Hartford Press--front page and page 9
https://view.publitas.com/p222-6222/whp_011118_layout/page/1
Community Section of the Hartford Courant
Congratulations to the following KP Students who were selected to perform with one of the Northern Region music ensembles this March 23 & 24. Over 1,200 6th, 7th and 8th students from the northern part of Connecticut competed to perform with a select band, orchestra, choir or jazz band.
Band
Dawson B, Niya B, Amelia C, Cate E, Nora G, Isabella G, Leeah H, Ethan H, Lucy H, Wigner M, Priyanka M, Abby P, Alexander S, Jack W, Jenna W, Mark Z.
Jazz Band
Avey A, Jasmin D, Alexander H, James R, Jacob Y-M.
Orchestra
Maddie M, Isabelle-Marie A, Grace B, Sophia C, Ruth D, David G, Artemis R, Akina R, Elijah S, Henry W, Charles W, Monica W, Matthew Z, Sean Z, Teddy Z, Edward Z.
Choir
Nathaniel A, Amreen C, Sean C, Pádraig D, Grace F, Eliot K-K, Salvador K, Lily M, Sadie R, Lauren S.
King Philip Project 436: Adopting a Battalion
We are sending out our second care package for Battalion 436 next week. We are looking to collect more goods to send. Please encourage your students to bring things in. I have attached the list of items. Click on the following link for a complete list https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rKS_ur-96mbLEJAHjZse9LTtTwt6IBR9WNaMMGWE6uc/edit?usp=sharing. Please remind students not to bring in items that can melt or are in glass containers.
Anything on the list is great; we could use more of the following:
-Shampoo
-Conditioner
-Soap
-Toothpaste
-Cliff Bars, other protein bars
-Trail Mix
-Jerky
Thank you for your help and support
Student Opportunities
Celebrating National Girl and Women in Sport Day
Kingswood Oxford School in West Hartford is hosting a FREE program on February 3rd
Parent Information
www.WHSEPTO.org Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/West-Hartford-SEPTO - Follow us on Instagram at @whsepto
January - February 2018 Events
Friday, February 2
Coffee & Conversation
Come join some members of SEPTO for a casual get together to meet other people in town. Sit down, grab a cup of coffee or a bite to eat and mingle with other parents, caregivers or family members of children with disabilities. It’s a great time and can be very beneficial.
LOCATION: Panera, Bishops Corner
Friday, February 28
The Effects of Screen Time with Nicole Feeney
Does screen time effect your child? How or what does it do? Find out more with with Nicole Feeney, M.Ed, Assistive Technology Specialist at Oakhill's New England Assistive Technology Center (NEAT)
LOCATION: King Philip Middle School, Media Center
Ongoing
Membership Drive & Book Club
Your 2017-2018 membership dues of $15 earn you a great deal this year: a paperback copy of Ross Greene's Raising Human Beings. The book will be discussed at our April meeting, as West Hartford Schools personnel share their training in Greene's Collaborative and Proactive Solutions model. Please visit www.whsepto.org/membership.html to join or to renew your membership.
"Parent Voice" Roundtable
Do you work at the intersection of families and learning?
Would you like to network and learn from others in the field?
Come to the Friday CAFE!
"Parent Voice" Roundtable
Why is parent voice important for student success? What do schools do to help or hinder?
Moderator: Doug Edwards, Director, Real Dads Forever
Guests: Parent Leaders
Date: February 2, 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Location: Energize CT Center,
122 Universal Drive North, North Haven
Directions: Here
What: Friday CAFE is a morning discussion and networking series for people who work at the intersection of families and learning. Our monthly gatherings feature a short talk, fresh coffee and thought-provoking conversation.
Who: Our network members go by many different titles. Some work in schools, some in communities. Are you a parent liaison, partnership coordinator, home-school facilitator, family resource specialist, parent center director or parent leader? Then this network is for you!
Remember to set your alarm and we’ll see you in the morning.
Friday CAFE Dates for 2017-18
October 13, 2017; November 3, 2017; December 8, 2017;
February 2, 2018; March 9, 2018; April 6, 2018; and May 11, 2018
Rethinking School Start Time Committee
Last year, the West Hartford Board of Education directed West Hartford Public Schools to establish a research committee to investigate the challenges and benefits of adjusting school start times. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Medical Association (AMA), the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and other health organizations support later school start times because of the positive role adequate sleep has on adolescent mental and physical health. The Board’s decision to research this issue is in response to these recommendations.
In the fall of 2017, the Rethinking School Start Time (RSST) Committee, a group of volunteer parents, students, teachers and administrators, began a one-year study of the issue. The committee is examining the impact a change will have on the educational program and is providing the West Hartford Board of Education updates on its work throughout this school year.
One important aspect of the committee’s work is to gather information from stakeholders regarding possible changes to the current school start and end times. To that end, the committee will issue a survey for parents, teachers, and secondary school students at the end of February. Remaining open through the end of March 2018, the survey will provide an opportunity to collect important information that will be presented to the Board of Education at the May 2018 meeting.
The survey is one way for stakeholders to communicate their questions, comments and concerns. If you prefer to use email, please direct any comments to RSST@whps.org Please be aware that every Board of Education meeting includes the opportunity for public comments. You are always welcome to attend and address the Board of Education members in person.
Community Events
"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."