Kortright Hills Public School
23 Ptarmigan DriveGuelph, OntarioN1C 1B5(519)827-1601Fax (519)827-9251
Wendy Donaldson, Principal
Della Broderick, Office Co-Ordinator
Amy Ewing, Vice Principal
Rosemary Coghlin, Administrative Assistant
Newsletter for October,2014
From the Principal’s Desk
A Warm Welcome from the Library
It has been a wonderful start to the school year at
Kortright. As a school community we have had lots of
times to celebrate together. It started with a full
week of leadership and community building activities
and transitioned into class building and the beginning
of our academic year.
Our library continues to be a very busy place. All
classes have visited the library for
orientation sessions and students are
reading, reading, reading!
In the last few weeks we have been well represented
by our intermediate students during their football
tournament at Centennial CVI, helped our students
understand the incredible leadership of Terry Fox,
and engaged in a fundraising campaign that encouraged
the school community to raise over $5,000 to go
toward cancer research. As someone new to
Kortright, it was notable the friendly and caring
nature of this school and the way in which staff,
parents and students interact with each other. As
always there will be times of conflict as is present in
any community, but as a group, it is worked through
with respect and care for each other.
When people ask me how I am enjoying my new school,
I respond by saying “Kortright is an incredible school
and you can tell how much people value community and
the people within it”. I would like to thank you for
taking the time to introduce yourselves to both Ms.
Ewing and I over the last few weeks and we look
forward to the times ahead in our work together to
support the ongoing growth and development of our
students.
Wendy Donaldson
Principal
A special thank you to the 84 students who have
volunteered to be a Library Helper this year. These
Grade 6 - 8 students have begun training and will be
invaluable in helping to keep our library well organized
throughout the year.
Book clubs for Grade 4 8 students will begin in
October. A variety of
books will be provided to
read and then students
will be invited to meet
during snack time to
discuss the book that
they have chosen. All
students are welcome!
Listen for announcements.
Thank you for your continued support of our library
programs,
Sheila Morgan
Teacher Librarian
sheila.morgan@ugdsb.on.ca
Library website:
https://sites.google.com/a/ugcloud.ca/khpslibrarylearning-commons/
School Stuff
Cobra Creed
We greet each day and each other with kindness and
appreciation.
We respect each other and our school.
We treat our peers, our teachers, and all others that
work or visit here as we would like to be treated.
We respect the belongings, opinions, and learning of
others, just as we respect ourselves.
We share, we listen, we work, and we play with
fairness, compassion, and honesty.
We are responsible in our actions, our thoughts, and
our commitment to do our best.
We demonstrate respect, learn with passion, and lead
with integrity.
KHPS School Song
We, are the kids of Kortright Hills
We come to school each day,
To laugh and learn and play,
This is our home,
We'll shout it out and say:
Kortright Hills
We, are the kids of Kortright Hills
And when you look around our place.
You'll see a smile on every face
This is our home,
We'll shout it out and say:
Kortright Hills
We, are the kids of Kortright Hills
We show our spirit every day
In what we do and what we say,
Other schools watch out
When Cobras come to play:
"HISS"
Kortright Hills...Kortright Hills...Kortright Hills...
We are proud to be Kortright Cobras!
Dropping Off Items for your Child
Students are expected to come to school with their
materials for the day. If you are dropping off
something your child has forgotten, please leave it at
the office, complete the drop-off form and we will
ensure that your child receives this item during the
next break.
Forms
Student Verification went home a few
weeks ago. If you haven’t already done
so, please review any changes, sign and
return them to school a.s.a.p.
Safety, Safety, Safety!
The front of the school is a very busy place between
8:30 a.m. and 8:50 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. and 3:35 p.m.
Buses, cars and students are prominent during these
times and parents are reminded to respect
the safety measures that are in place.
The parking lots of the school are
not to be used as drop off points
for our students. Parking is
available in designated areas along
Ptarmigan Drive, Merganser Drive and
Mallard Court. Parents are also reminded to have their
children cross at the cross-walk at the front of the
school, if they should be picking up on the other side
of the street. During the first few days and weeks of
school, we tend to not pay attention to the traffic and
have had a couple close calls with students crossing
Ptarmigan, not at the cross-walk, being encouraged by
parents on the other side of the road.
We ask that you not block anyone’s driveway when
picking up your child(ren). Please be respectful of our
neighbours.
Please choose safety over convenience!
Notifying the School of a Student Absence
- Safe Arrival
The rules of the Safe Arrival program
state that the school must know why a
student is not present on any particular
day. This means that school office staff will continue
to try to contact parents until one is reached; we
sometimes make four or five calls for one child. This
takes an inordinate amount of time and often
stretches the office staffs’ ability to carry out other
duties. Please assist us in speeding this process up and
calling when you know if your child(ren) is/are going to
be late or absent. Messages can be left by phoning the
school (519-827-1601) and choosing extension 200.
Please send any notes or information about absences
to the office as well as the teacher.
Late Arrivals
The curriculum is so packed now that
teachers need to use every period
they have to complete it. Lessons
need to start on time. Late students
disturb the lesson flow, because teachers have to reteach to ensure the late student is brought up-todate. The consequence to the class increases when
students are repeatedly late for class. The policy for
students arriving late for class is that the student
must report to the office for a late slip.
Taking Students from School
To ensure student safety, if you are taking your child
from school during the school day (appointments, etc.)
you must come to the office and sign your child(ren)
out after talking to a secretary. Students may not
sign themselves out of school.
This is true for all students,
including Intermediate students.
Home Safe
After being dismissed from class, either at
lunch or at the end of the day, students are
requested to go directly home or to a caregiver before
proceeding to other activities. This
includes playing after school on the
playground. Please reinforce this
message with your child.
Allergies
Many students suffer daily from allergies. Reactions
to allergic substances vary from relatively mild
irritations such as: itchy eyes, sneezing,
scratchy throat, etc. to potentially fatal
conditions where the sufferer experiences
breathing problems and/or anaphylactic shock.
A student who is allergic to peanuts often falls in this
second category. There are students at Kortright Hills
P.S. who severely react to nuts. As a result, please be
aware that there may be restrictions in your child’s
class to protect a student with such an allergy. We
ask you to abide by any restriction(s) that may be
imposed in these cases and in the case of nuts or nut
products we ask that you avoid sending any to
school.
Parents of students with potentially life threatening
allergies are asked to inform the school.
Thank you for your co-operation.
Soy Butter
An Ontario company has created a product called
“Wow Butter”. It was previously known as “School
Safe Soy Butter”. It is meant as a safe replacement
and alternative to peanut butter. The problem is that
it would be difficult to tell the difference between a
peanut butter sandwich and that of one made with
“Wow Butter” or “School Safe Soy Butter”. It could
give students who cannot tell the difference, the false
impression that it is safe to bring peanut butter
sandwiches to school. This could create a lot of
confusion as well as a very unsafe environment for our
peanut anaphylactic student and staff population. It
may also require teachers to spend more time
monitoring lunches. Allowing this product in the
school, could easily make peanut/nut allergic staff and
students very uncomfortable and undermine the
safety of the classroom. Please do not send this
product to school with your child.
Medication at School
A reminder to parents; if your child
requires medication during school
hours, i.e.,
Puffers, Tylenol, allergy medicine or
any other doctor prescribed
medicine; you are required to fill out the proper
paperwork giving permission to our administrative
staff/school representative to administer the
medication. Forms are available at the office. For
security, all medication is kept in the office.
All prescription medication must be in the original
container with the child’s name and proper dosage
clearly printed on the container.
Dress Code
This is just a brief reminder about our dress
code and what constitutes appropriate attire for all grade levels. We ask students to dress
appropriately at all times. Muscle shirts, spaghetti
straps, and low-scooped necklines are not permitted.
Bare midriffs and backs are unacceptable. Shorts and
skirts must be a reasonable length. Undergarments
should not be visible. Hats must be removed when
students enter the school.
Bus Behaviour
Students are expected to follow the
rules of the bus, listen to the driver,
remain in their seats, refrain from
eating or drinking anything while on the bus, and follow
the directions of the bus patrols when entering or
exiting the bus.
Bus Reminder
Bus transportation is provided to students
based on the distance their home is from
the school. Such students are placed on a
regularly scheduled bus route and must travel on this
route and no other. Bus students may
not switch buses for any reason. In
addition, students who walk to school
may not travel on a regularly scheduled bus route.
Student Picture Days
Personal student and class photos will be
taken on Tuesday, October 14th.
Newsletters & Special Notices
every month.
Monthly school newsletters and special
notices will be posted on our school
website. Our newsletters
will be posted at the end of
www.ugdsb.on.ca/kortright.home.htm
Pita & Sub Orders
The Grade Eights are offering Subway and Pita Pit
lunches again this year as a way to help offset the
costs of their year-end trip. All orders are submitted
online at www.lunchboxorders.com and payment is
processed via credit card or
Visa/debit. Once you have
registered, you simply select your
child's class and choose the
options/toppings you wish to order.
You can order weekly or for several weeks at a time.
All menu items offered are compliant with the Ontario
Ministry of Education's Food and Beverage Policy.
Lunch deliveries will begin the week of September 30
and run until the middle of June.
Pita Pit lunch choices include chicken breast, chicken
souvlaki, bacon, turkey, ham, and veggie and are
available on Tuesdays. Subway orders will be delivered
on Wednesdays and include choices of ham, turkey,
ham and turkey combo, and veggie.
Cathy Brindle
Grade 7/8
School Council
If you are interested in helping in your child’s
classroom in a fun and creative way,
consider volunteering with our Art
Image program. This volunteer
program exposes students in grades
1-6 to fine art by discussing works by
well-known artists and doing an activity
related to the artwork. It is not necessary to be
creative, as all curriculum materials are provided. For
more information about Art Image, contact Angela
Krueger at akrueger@golden.net.
School council has undergone some changes this year
with some new faces on the executive. We are looking
to build upon the many successes from 2013/14
including an amazing Family Fun Day and the crazy
popular Ice Cream Social.
Paul Clarke and John Morton are your co-chairs on
council. Paul has twin girls Acadia & Brianna in grade 1.
John has twin boys Noah & Daniel who are also in
grade 1. Janet Weigel remains for one more year in
the treasurer position. Janet has served on council
for 12 years now. Chantelle Pellizzari is taking over as
council secretary.
The new executive and the rest of the parent’s council
would like to give their deepest thanks to Zoe Heath
and Alana McIntrye who served tirelessly over the last
three years. The new executive promises that
they will try to keep to the same high standards set by
the previous executive!
Our next meeting will be Monday, Oct 20th at 7pm in
the school library.
October 2014
Sunday
Monday
5
6
12
13
Tuesday
Day 5
Happy Thanksgiving
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
Day 2
HPV & HEP B #1
Gr 7 & 8’s
2
Day 3
3
Day 4
First Pizza Day
4
7
Day 1
11:00 Intermediate
Cross Country
8
Day 2
9
Day 3
10
Day 4
11
14
Day 5
9:00 Picture Day
15
Day 1
16
Day 2
17
3
Day
18
21
22
24
PD DAY SCHOOL
NO CLASSES
25
International Walk to
School Day
Big Box Card
Fundraising Assembly
Gd 8’s Career Pathways
SCHOOL IS CLOSED
19
20
Day 4
Day 5
7:00pm School Council
Meeting
26
27
Day 3
Day 1
Mad Science
28
Day 4
29
Mad science
Day 5
23
Day 2
7:00pm Police Presentation
Keeping Kids Safe Online
30
Day 1
31
2
Day
Halloween
October 2014
Celebrate International Walk to School Day
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
•
Walking is good exercise. It’s a way to increase physical activity among children.
•
Walking keeps the air clean. It reduces the number of cars on the road, which ultimately
reduces air pollution
•
Walking enhances stamina and gives more energy. Children who walk are more alert
and ready to learn.
•
Walking relaxes a child, lessens anxiety and tension.
•
Walking to school empowers children thereby fostering independence.
•
Walking is economical. You will not need to fill up your legs with gas.
•
Walking is educational. You will better admire all the beauties in your neighbourhood.
•
Walking is fun and a great way to meet new friends.
For lots of great information and ideas visit www.saferoutestoschool.ca
CHILDREN & YOUTH FALL PROGRAMS 2014
HELD AT
WELLINGTON CENTRE FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION
519-836-7280
OR Online: www.ugdsb.on.ca/ConEd
1428 Gordon St., Guelph
To Register Call:
Programs
Age
Dates & Times
Description
Fee
A
R
T
Art Medley
7-13
Thurs Oct 16, 7-8 pm., 8 Wks
Learn cartoon drawing techniques.
$65
Drawing &
Sculpting
Teen Art Group
7-12
Thurs Oct 16, 4:45-5:45 pm., 8 Wks
Working with plasticine.
$60
12 +
Thurs Oct 16, 8-9:15 pm., 8 Wks
Designed for the mature artist.
$84
Young Artist
4-7
Thurs Oct 16, 6-6:50 pm., 8 Wks
Variety of art mediums used.
$60
Babysitting
11+
9-14
Red Cross, certificate course. Learn
basic skills in order to care for infants
& children up to school age.
Learn skills and be prepared to rally.
$60
Badminton
Fri Oct 24, 9-4:30 pm., 1 Day
Fri Nov 21, 9-4:30 pm., 1 Day
Fri Dec 22, 9-4:30 pm., 1 Day
Thurs Oct 16, 6-6:50 pm., 8 Wks
Basketball
8-12
Tues Oct 14, 5-5:50 pm., 8 Wks
Learn basic skills.
$55
Bio Geek 101
Grade
11 & 12
Wed & Thurs Sept 24-Dec 17,
6:30-9:30 pm., 25 Wks
$400
Chemistry for Girls
8-12
Tues Oct 14, 7-8 pm., 8 Wks
Synthetic Biology Genetic
Engineering
http://igem.org/Main_Page
Make your own soaps and more.
Guitar for Youth
10-15
Learn the basics. Guitar needed.
$80
Kiddie Kickers
3.5-5
Wed Oct 15, 6:30-7:15 pm., 8 Wks
Location: J.F. Ross CVI
Thurs Oct 16, 5-5:45pm., 8 Wks
$55
Kids Only Cooking
10-15
Movement to Music:
Parent & Tot
Science Beyond
2-4
Thurs Oct 16, 6-8:15 pm., 3 Wks
Location: College Heights S.S.
Wed Oct 15, 4:15-4:45 pm., 8 Wks
7-12
Tues Oct 14, 6-6:50 pm., 8 Wks
Learn basic skills and team
cooperation.
Chef Susan will teach the basics of
cooking from scratch.
Parent and child dance program
Introduction to dance.
Hands on science experiments.
Soccer-Indoor
4-8
Tues Oct 14, 6-6:50 pm., 8 Wks
Learn basic rules and skills.
$55
Twist and Turn:
Parent & Tot
1-5
Wed Oct 15, 5-5:45 pm., 8 Wks
MUSIKARTEN PROGRAM:
Parent and child music program.
$50
Young Scientist
4-7
Tues Oct 14, 5-5:50 pm., 8 Wks
Interactive science program.
$65
View Course Guide online
www.ugdsb.on.ca/kids
$55
$65
$140
$40
$65