Parent Peek at the Week
Week of November 16th, 2020
In case you missed it....
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Poppy in our hand
What does peace mean to you?
Important Dates
ALL WEEK - VIRTUAL BOOK FAIR!!!!!!
ALSO ALL WEEK - BULLY PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION WEEK
Monday, November 16th - Day 4
- Launch of our Kawartha Heights Cougar Kindness Challenge (see below)
Tuesday, November 17th - Day 5
Wednesday, November 18th - Day 1
- Free shipping at the Book Fair for all families from 6pm - 8pm
Thursday, November 19th - Day 2
Friday, November 20th - Day 3
- Fabulous Dance Party Friday at recess
- Certificate of Cougar Celebration Awards
Under One Sun Fundraiser
Under One Sun is an organization based in Peterborough that helps support families in Haiti by selling artisan ornaments that they have created and sending a portion of the profit back to the families.
Each ornament is hand hammered out of recycled tin. The painted varieties are done by hand, so each is unique and individual.
Kawartha Heights is excited to partner with Under One Sun again this year to sell ornaments to raise money for our school, while also supporting families in Haiti! Ornaments can be purchased online at the following link: https://u1sornaments.ca/collections/newest-products/products/kawartha-heights-public-school
This year, for the safety of our students and staff, we will not be accepting payments or distributing ornaments through the school. When placing your order online, you will be able to choose one of the following shipping options: Local Pick Up (Free), Local Delivery ($2.00) or Direct Shipping ($12.00).
Orders must be placed by November 26th – you will receive your order no later than December 11th.
Thank you for supporting our school and this fundraiser!
Kawartha Heights Cougar Kindness Challenge!
From the 15th of November until the 15th of December we are launching the first KH Cougar Kindness Challenge! Families are encouraged to complete acts of kindness, marking the daily progress. At the end of the challenge you can submit your family calendars (with one or one hundred hearts of kindness!) and be entered into a draw for one of several family prizes. When submitting, please take a picture of your calendar and email it to Mrs. Sampson at jennifer_sampson@kprdsb.ca.
This challenge is open to all online and face-to-face families. Hopefully we'll have great participation! Remember - it's not about how many acts of kindness you do, it's taking the time to intentionally work as a family to show kindness in our community.
All you need to complete the challenge can be found below. We look forward to seeing how our families rise to the challenge!
Scholastic Book Fair
The book fair this year will allow families to order books online and have them delivered directly to your home. Mark your calendars! The fair is running this week - from November 16th to November 27.
EXTRA SPECIAL: November 18th and November 25th from 6pm - 8pm is Family Night... which means FREE SHIPPING!!!!
When it’s time to shop, visit our school’s Virtual Book Fair site using this link:
http://bookfairs-canada.myshopify.com/pages/5151209
Before our Fair begins, click the link to:
• SAVE it to your browser
• WATCH videos of popular new titles
• PREVIEW our Featured Books
Moving to online learning or back to Kawartha Heights
Just a little reminder.......
Moving from face-to-face to online learning:
If you feel more comfortable with your child(ren) moving to online learning, we completely understand. This can be done only at specific points in the school year, as arrangements need to be made in order to accommodate new students in online classes. Please be aware of the following important dates:
November 20th - last day to "opt in" to online learning during the month of November. Please call Mrs. Sampson at the school if this is your choice, as she will share the process with you.
November 30th - first day of online school for students who have transferred to online learning
December - there are no transfer dates available in December. The next available transfer dates will be in the new year.
Please note - although there are specific dates when you can transfer to online learning, we can support student learning at home from the time you make your decision, until online learning begins. Please contact Mrs. Sampson for more information.
Bully Prevention and Intervention Week
Together - let's stamp out bullying!
Progress Reports and Interviews
The ICT department will manage the sending of the progress report cards on behalf of schools. If you would like to have your child/children's report card emailed to an alternate email address than the one on file at school, please advise Mrs. Sampson as soon as possible.
In addition to Progress Reports, this is also the time of the year that we connect with you through interviews. Unfortunately this year we are unable to meet in person. However, each teacher will be reaching out to ask you whether you prefer a video interview or a phone interview. Please let us know your preference and the best days/times to reach you. We look forward to discussing your child's growth and next steps as we continue through this academic year!
Online COVID-19 Screening Tool
A reminder that we are kindly asking all students and staff to complete the online self-screening tool daily, before coming to school. We know it can be confusing when your child isn't feeling well - what should you do? By completing this simple online tool, you will be given easy to follow directions on next steps. Please keep this website handy:
https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/
If you prefer to print and keep the screening tool at home on paper, please see the tool listed below.
Important Pieces of Information
1. Parking to pick up students: We know that pick up is a busy time at the end of the day, and there isn't room for all families to be parked along Applewood Crescent. You may have noticed that the Parking Enforcement Officers have been by lately, as we all work together to keep our children safe. A reminder that there are many options for pick up. You can park in our back parking lot. You can park in the large parking lot across the street and use the crossing guard as a safe way to cross the street. You can even park at the very top of our playground (also Applewood) and have your children meet you there. The more we can spread out and remove cars from the bus loading zone area, the safer we'll all be.
2. Water Bottles: Since the beginning of school, we have had some extra water bottles to provide to children who might have left one at home. Over the past few months, we've given away our stock of 200. Moving forward, please ensure that you send your child to school with a water bottle, as we have no more to give away. Water fountains are not able to be used during the pandemic, so the only way that students can drink water is if they bring a water bottle. Thanks for your help with this!
Information from the KPR Board Office
Voluntary Self-identification
All parents and guardians of Indigenous students, as well as Indigenous students ages 18 and older, have the right to voluntarily self-identify. KPR worked with the Indigenous Education Advisory Committee and Indigenous leaders to establish voluntary self-identification for First Nation, Métis and Inuit families some years ago, for several reasons. By self-identifying, families help us to monitor the success of programs and services we offer for Indigenous students. They also assist us in recognizing additional ways we can support Indigenous students, so that they meet with success. We believe we must do all we can to ensure that First Nation, Métis and Inuit students are engaged in, and feel welcome in, our schools. We also consider it essential that Indigenous students see themselves and their rich cultures reflected in the curriculum offered to all students.
All families are reminded of the opportunity to self-identify when they register for school, and at the start of each school year. This opportunity remains open at all times throughout the year.
New Director of Education
This week, the school board announced the appointment of Rita Russo as Director of Education and Secretary to the Board. Rita is currently serving as Superintendent, Leadership Development for the York Region District School Board. She will assume her new leadership role with KPR effective January 25, 2021, following my retirement. Rita is an accomplished professional known for her collaborative, people-first style, and I am pleased to offer her a sincere welcome to our wonderful schools and communities.
ThoughtExchange Deadline Extended
We have extended the opportunity for everyone to share your thoughts on the equity, diversity & inclusion priorities that should lead KPR over the next four years. You now have until Monday, November 16 to offer your feedback, and to rate the comments of others, by visiting https://my.thoughtexchange.com/scroll/517289218 . If you have already participated in the ThoughtExchange, we invite you to participate again and rate some of the new thoughts that have been shared since you first took part. We value your input.