Kortright Hills Public School
23 Ptarmigan Drive, Guelph, Ontario N1C 1B5 (519)-827-160 Fax (519) 827-9251
Wendy Donaldson, Principal
Amy Ewing, Vice Principal
Della Broderick, Office Coordinator
Linda Peyton, Administrative Assistant
Newsletter for May,2016
From the Principal’s Desk-Class
Placements for the Fall
I hope you have all enjoyed the start to Spring. With
spring comes lots of work on our temporary class
placements for the fall. As part of this process we
ask students to give feedback as to names of kids they
felt they would enjoy being in a class with, people that
would be good learning partners for the following year.
We as a staff have said we will do our best, when
building classes, to work to get them at least one
person on their list. To make this possible, we have
asked them to consider 5 or more names of people.
This is our way of indicating to students that their
voice is important. In addition to this process, staff
of all grade levels regularly observe student
interactions and make professional judgments about
good combinations to support class building.
I wanted you to be aware that students are given time
in April to provide their feedback to class building
prior to our work on this process beginning in May.
Staff at the school spend many hours developing class
lists based on a detailed set of criteria, focused on
student learning and success for the following year.
As always, these classes are set as temporary until the
first Friday of school in September when we are often
asked to make changes due to the population growth
and decline in our neighbourhood.
I have had the opportunity to discuss this process
with many parents and thank you for your support and
understanding. We take this process very seriously
and do our best to plan for the success of all of our
students at Kortright. If you have questions please do
not hesitate to contact me directly at school.
Wendy Donaldson
Principal, Kortright Hills P.S.
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming!
We invite your entire family to participate by
purchasing the latest and greatest in children’s books.
What better way to promote reading to our students
than by supporting this important literacy event.
Did you know that for every $10 you spend at the
Fair, $6 comes directly back to our school?
(Provided we meet our goal of $3000 or more in sales.)
In addition, since this is our second book fair this
year, we will be able to select an additional 10% in
free books from the book fair! Your support of this
vital literacy fundraiser is key to our obtaining new
books and resources for our library and classrooms. In
addition to purchasing new picture books and novels, I
am planning on using the proceeds of the book fair to
purchase a variety of non-fiction books to support our
Math, Social Studies, and Science curriculum areas, as
well as items for our makerspace area to promote
inquiry and curiosity.
You will find hundreds of quality books at our Book
Fair with a wide assortment for all reading levels.
Attached is a Book Fair flyer that provides a preview
of only a FEW of the many books available to purchase
at our Fair. The flyer also contains a special Family
Event Draw ballot that students may deposit when
they visit the book fair. Your child could win $50 in
books – $25 for your family PLUS $25 for your
child’s classroom!
Books make a great year end gift for teachers and
students! Gift cards for teachers will be available at
the book fair. Receive a book donation bookplate
when you purchase a gift card for your child’s class.
Don’t forget to mark the Book Fair dates on your
calendar! We look forward to seeing you during our
Scholastic Book Fair and thank you, in advance, for
supporting this great literacy fundraiser. Most
importantly, thank you for believing in books and the
value reading has on your child’s future.
The Book Fair will be open for sales at the following
times:
•
Friday, April 29th -3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
•
Monday, May 2nd- 8:00 am - 9:30 am, 2:30 pm 4:30 pm
•
•
Tuesday, May 3rd-8:00 am - 9:30, 2:30 pm 3:30 pm and 5:30 pm - 8:00 p
th
Wednesday, May 4 -8:00 am - 11:00 am
We accept cash or cheques made payable to our
school. Visa and MasterCard are welcome, too.
Thank you for your continued support of our library
programs,
Sheila Morgan
Teacher Librarian
sheila.morgan@ugdsb.on.ca
[Link]http://bit.ly/KHPSLibrary
Kortright Hills PS Yearbook!
Our 2015-2016 yearbook will be a 30 page soft cover,
full colour book.
The pre-order cost is $12 per yearbook.
Order forms will be coming home with students and
must be returned by: Friday, May 13th
Please note: If you do not order & pay by May 13th,
you may have to order online and will be required to
pay shipping costs.
School Stuff
EQAO
Grade 3 and Grade 6 EQAO testing will be written
from May 25th to June 4th. Grade 3’s will be May 2527th and Grade 6’s will be May 30-June 1st.
Smart Start For EQAO
* avoid absences to the greatest extent possible
*
*
*
*
*
*
reschedule appointments
ensure your child gets lots of sleep
provide healthy food and snacks
eat a good breakfast
give hugs and pats on the back
be positive
What is EQAO
EQAO undertakes research for two main purposes:
1) to maintain best-of-class practices and
student improvement
2) ensure high standards of education quality
Standardized tests provide different information. A
standardized test is essentially a snapshot in time
using one method of assessment. Teachers assess
their students using a broad range of tools. A more
holistic and complete picture of a student's
performance can be seen from various types of
assessment that the teacher does throughout the
year. (tvoparents.tvo.org)
Tips for Success
There is no need to study. The EQAO assessment does
not count towards a child's marks in grades 3 and 6, so
there is no need to increase anxiety by cramming. If
you are curious about the questions your child will be
asked, check out the EQAO site and run through some
practice tests yourself so you have some
understanding of the structure of the assessment and
can better reassure your child.
● Remember this is practice. Let your child
know that this is a way to show off what he or
she knows and to practice test-writing skills so
your child can be prepared for tests in later
grades.
● Be supportive. It is normal and natural to get
nervous and this is a big deal for your child. Do
not downplay fears or dismiss them as silly.
Instead, encourage your child to talk about
these fears.
● Talk to the Teacher. If your child is
experiencing severe anxiety, there are things
the teacher or school can do to help.
● Set the alarm. The best thing you can do for
your child the day of the assessments is to
make sure your child is well rested, fed and
gets to school on time.
● Read more. For more on EQAO assessments
and what they mean for your child, check out
our Parent's Guide to EQAO Assessments.
● Understand the Test. Don’t use your child’s
EQAO test scores to measure overall
achievement. You’re better off relying on
regular contact with the teacher who can show
you your child’s portfolio, which is being
updated all year long. You’ll have a more clear
and accurate picture of your child’s progress.
EQAO resources
http://tvoparents.tvo.org/article/understandingstandardized-testing
www.eqao.com
Jump Rope for Heart
Jump Rope for Heart will be held
on Friday, May 20th. Information
packages were sent home on the
day of our kick-off assembly which
was Wednesday, April 27th.
Kortright Hills First Multicultural Evening
Join us for a fun family evening of
Music, dance, ethnic food
and stories!
Have a cup of coffee and a
cookie. Travel around the
world with your very own passport. Enjoy live
performances and learn about the amazing things
Guelph has to offer!
When:
Tuesday, May 3r 6:30 – 8:00pm
Where:
Kortright Hills Public School
23 Ptarmigan Dr, Guelph, ON N1C 1B5
Grade 8 Graduation
The graduation ceremony for Grade 8
students will be on Tuesday, June 28th at
6:00 pm in the Kortright Hills P.S. gymnasium.
The theme this year is “Red Carpet”.
Following the ceremony, there will be a reception and
dance for the graduates.
Safety on the Playground
With the warm weather arriving and the opening of
our playground structures, this is a good time to
remind everyone - students, parents, staff and yard
supervisors - of the rules that help make these
structures fun and safe places to play.
Our playground is designed for users aged 13 and
under and we do not provide
supervision, maintenance and
inspections outside of school hours.
Board policy determines that the
equipment is off limits from November 1st to
March 31st, and at other times as determined by the
school administration. This includes periods of
freezing temperatures, when there is freezing rain, if
the ground cover is frozen, or if there is a
build up of snow and ice.
Rules for students:
• No pushing
• No running or tag games on play structures
• No fighting
• No eating while on the playground equipment
• No throwing sticks, stones or
other objects
The following are not allowed on the
equipment: skipping ropes, ropes,
scarves or loose drawstrings on
children’s clothing. We have also been
advised by our insurance company that children should
not wear bicycle helmets on the play structures.
You should also know that in the event of an injury,
students and staff are reminded that the injured
person should not be moved, and a supervisor must be
notified immediately.
We make safety at play our major concern, and will be
reminding our students and staff on a regular basis
about the playground rules. We hope that you will
reinforce them at home with your child.
Bicycle Safety
Now that the warmer weather is approaching, please
remember if your child rides his/her
bike to school a helmet and a lock are
necessary.
Students must walk their bikes and
scooters on school property.
Road Safety, Safety, Safety!
The two parking lots at the school are
not to be used as drop off points for our
students, nor is the driveway to be used
as an opportunity to do a u-turn. This area of the
school is to be used only by staff and visitors to the
school during busy times of the day, between 8:30 a.m.
and 8:50 a.m., and 3:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. As well,
please do not park along the end of neighbouring
driveways while dropping off your children. We have
had community members call the school to voice their
displeasure with respect to trying to get out of their
homes in the morning, but are being blocked in by cars
along the end of their driveway. Please be respectful
of our community members.
Summer Clothing & School
Hopefully we have seen the last
of snow for many months. As the
temperature rises, we ask you to
remember that students must dress appropriately for
school. Please follow the guidelines listed below:
protect yourself from the harmful ultra violet
rays of the sun by wearing hats, long sleeve
tops and applying sun screen,
• clothing must be free of symbols of hate, gang
membership or images that portray violence,
death, abuse, alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, racial
or obscene words, political or sexual
statements.
• muscle shirts, spaghetti straps, low scooped
necklines and shirts exposing the mid-rift
should not be worn at school.
Keep clothing meant for the beach at home and
remember to have children wear comfortable,
conservative clothing to school.
•
Information Changes for September
To assist us with enrolment projections for
September, please inform the office if you
plan to move out of the Kortright Hills attendance
area. Should you know of any families
moving into our area and who are
planning to attend school here in
September, please ask them to call the
school at (519) 827-1601.
Kindergarten Registration
If you have a child who will be four years old on or
before December 31st, 2016. Please come into
our office to register. For Senior
Kindergarten (or if your child is new to our
school) he/she must be five years old on or
before December 31st, 2016.
Morning Attendance
Please help your child to be at school when
the bell rings at 8:50. This minimizes
disruption for classrooms during learning
time, and it places the value of time management on
students – a life-long skill. Please also remember to
have your child check in at the office, if he/she is
late. If the announcements are on, he/she will need to
wait quietly in the front foyer until announcements are
finished to check in and receive a late pass.
Ecostars Program
Our Grade 5 students will be participating in the
Earthkeepers’ program offered by the Board on
May 18th and May 19th. Eecostars is a 2-day intensive
program designed to give Grade 5 students a better
understanding of the interconnectedness of living
things and how what we do affects many other
systems of life. It is held at the Arboretum at the
University of Guelph.
A great experience and fun time should be had by all!
May Environmental Theme: Climate
Change
Climate Change refers to any changes in long-term
weather patterns (temperature, precipitation, wind,
storms) that have been caused by humans polluting the
atmosphere with too many greenhouse gases like
methane and carbon dioxide. We need to act now,
because who can argue with reducing pollution?
Pollution can't possibly be good for us!
The world is tracking climate change. Weather and
temperature has been changing too quickly over the
past few decades, which seems to be caused by the
industrial revolution here on Earth. We are sending too
much pollution (from cars, trucks, factories, and power
plants using coal) into our atmosphere. Over the past
hundred years the temperature of the Earth has risen
and this has caused many changes in nature. For
example, species of plants and animals are either
migrating or becoming extinct. Some seaside cities
may soon be underwater from rising sea levels. We are
having more severe weather patterns like tornadoes
and hurricanes and ice storms. Drinkable water
sources are drying up.
What can you do to help be part of the solution? Well,
all of the things we have been talking about this year
can help. It you buy less and reduce, then less energy
will be used and less pollution will be sent into our
atmosphere. If you don't waste electricity you help
out too. If you walk or bike to school or carpool you
are doing your part. If you buy locally you reduce the
greenhouse gases emitted through shipping and this
helps planet Earth too.
You can Google: "Top 10 ways you can stop Climate
Change" to get more ideas on how you can help.
And finally, eat a fresh, local apple - Not only is it
good for you, but greenhouse gases were not created
in the processing, canning, freezing, packaging or long
distance transportation, so local apples are good for
the planet too!
Slogan of the month: Climate Change is not cool!
Green Survey
As we move forward with changes and improvements to
our playground, we are looking for feedback from the
parent community (staff and students have already
been surveyed). Please share your opinion about our
KHPS schoolyard at:
http://goo.gl/forms/mfGKCEkPRW
Talking about Mental Health
May 2-9 is Child and Youth Mental Health Week!
Have a SUPER Week! Let’s increase everyone’s mental
health and well being! Let’s focus on increasing these
positive skills!
Social Connections
Uplifting Emotions
Personal Health
Emotional Calming
Resilient Thinking
Now that you have started building all those wonderful
skills, keep it going throughout the month and the
year!
Our community partners have some excellent activities
planned:
Norfolk Psychological Services is presenting a series
of free seminars, hosted at the Guelph Public Library
on Child, Youth and Family Mental Health.
For more information and to register, please visit
www.guelphpl.ca or 519-824-6220.
DCAFS and Shed the Light will be presenting in
schools and a display and information will be available
at DCAFS. Shed the Light is hosting 'Artistry in
Mind' at ODSS on Friday May 8th in the evening.
For more information go to dcafs.ca.
CMHAWWD is hosting: a film showing, May 4, 7:00 pm
of The Mask You Wear at 10 Carden St., Guelph.
A BBQ and Art Show, May 8, 1-4 pm at 30 Centre St.,
Orangeville and a BBQ/Open house on May 8, 1:30-1:30
at 292 Stephenson St. N., Guelph.
GLOWW and CMHAWWD are hosting a family day and
walk to bring Mental Illness out of the dark into the
light, May 2, 12-5, at Exhibition Park, Guelph.
For more information go to https://wwd.cmha.ca/
Enjoy and participate and keep talking about mental
health!
Dr. Lynn Woodford is the Mental Health and Addiction
Lead for Upper Grand District School Board
Follow me on twitter: @drlynnwoodford
New Health Curriculum
This year the new Health and Physical Education
curriculum will be implemented in all schools in Ontario.
Included in the update are new expectations in the
Human Development and Sexual Health component of
the curriculum. This education starts with children
learning about themselves, their feelings, their bodies
and about showing respect for themselves and others
in a reliable and accurate way. This learning is most
effective when parents and schools work together.
Parents help their children form values about
relationships and their behaviours.
We will be sending home a letter to parents 2 weeks
prior to the Human Development strand to inform you
of this upcoming curriculum. If you have concerns
about your child participating in these discussions,
please contact our principal, Wendy Donaldson, to
discuss accommodations for your child during this
time. There are plenty of resources available for
parents to support the learning of the curriculum on
the Ministry of Education website as well as to inform
you as to what is being covered in each grade:
http://edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/healt
h.html.
What is STEM and why is it
important?
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering,
and Mathematics. The idea is to offer students tasks
that integrate more than one subject area such as
thinking about all the angles, measurements and
calculations involved in building a structure that could
stand up to the elements of our Canadian winters.
STEM provides opportunity to focus on one assignment
while applying knowledge gained in a number of
subjects so knowledge gained in one area can be
applied in another. Check out this link for more
information
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlPJ48simtE)
Think of it like driving a car. We can’t just focus on
braking or steering by themselves. We need to
simultaneously think of acceleration, steering,
signaling, braking and road signs all at the same time
and ideally we’d like our students to have the same
flexibility with their thinking across different subject
areas.
Try this activity to promote mathematics, science,
engineering and language.
Using popsicle sticks, glue, tape, and elastics, design
and build a device that will launch 3 marshmallows as
far as possible using elastic bands. The elastic energy
may be “loaded” by hand but the device must get all of
its launching power from the stored energy in the
elastic bands.
Have fun and enjoy!
From School Council
Council has been busy planning two very exciting
events. The first is the Multi Cultural Event being held
on Tuesday May 3rd from 6:30pm to 8:00pm in the
school gym. There will be various cultures represented,
food to sample and entertainment.
Council is also busy planning the annual Ice Cream
Social. We are still looking for volunteers to help with
this event, so please watch for further information
coming home later this month. Again this year, the
event will have games, entertainment, activities, pizza
and treats. Mark your calendar for Thursday June 2nd
from 5-8pm and be sure to attend this great event!
The next School Council meeting will be Monday, May
16th, at 7:00pm in the school library.
Special Education
Does your child have an LD, ADD/ADHD or both? Here
are some great resources to help you:
1. Work with your child to understand how they
think and learn
2. Develop some strategies with your child to help
them advocate for what they need to learn
(technology, accommodations to the
environment or learning tasks)
Other great online resources include:
The Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario, which
has lots of good information on LD and ADD/ADHD
issues, including topics about how to understand the
IPRC and IEP, how to advocate for your child and
topics related to specific LDs.
http://www.ldao.ca/introduction-to-ldsadhd/what-arelds/
The Learning Disabilities Association of Wellington
County connects to the Ontario chapter, but provides
links and information about workshops and activities
that are being held in Wellington.
http://www.ldawc.ca/
Our school board has also worked hard to address the
needs of LD and ADD/ADHD students by providing
SEA equipment, Google Read and Write training and
targeted reading programs to help LD students access
the curriculum and develop key academic skills.
Connect with your child’s teacher to discuss all the
supports that are available to your child!
May 2016
Sunday
1
Monday
2
Book Fair
Day 2
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
3
Day 3
Book Fair
Multicultural
Evening 6:30 p.m.
4
Day 4
Book Fair
Gr. 5 Emergency
Preparedness Day
5
Day 5
Rainbow Conference
Gr. 3 Swimming
12:30 p.m.
Friday
Saturday
6
Day 1
7
8:00 a.m.11:30 a.m.
Safety Patrol
Movie Day
13
Day 1
14
20
Day 1
21
E D U C A T I O N W E E K
8
9
Day 2
10
Day 3
Mother’s
Day
15
16
Day 2
Gr 8’s H2 Awesome
Conference
17
Red Maple Trip
24
23
Victoria Day
30
Day 1
Day 2
Day 2
Day 5
18
Day 4
Gr. 5 Ecostars Trip
19
Day 5
Gr. 5 Ecostars Trip
Silver Birch Trip
Gr. 7 & 8 Canada at
War Trip
25
Day 3
Jump Rope for
Heart
Special Olympics
Raindate
Gr. 5 Swimming
12:00 p.m.
26
27
Day 4
Day 5
Gr. 5 Swimming
12:30 p.m.
Bicycle Safety –
Police Presentation
(gr. 3, 4, & 5)
31
12
Gr. 3 Swimming
12:30 p.m.
GRADE 6’S TO CAMP KI-WA-Y
SCHOOL IS
CLOSED
29
Day
Special Olympics
School Council
7:00 p.m.
22
Day 3
11
4
GRADE 3 EQAO
June 1
Day 3
June 2
Day 4
Groundwater Festival
Trip
Gr. 5 Swimming
12:30 p.m.
GRADE 6 EQAO
ICE CREAM
SOCIAL!
June 3
P.A. Day
28
1:00-4:00pm
Primary Choir
Guelph Royals
Game
June 4