Kortright Hills Public School
23 Ptarmigan DriveGuelph, OntarioN1C 1B5(519)827-1601Fax (519)827-9251
Kirk Runciman, Principal
Anne Bonnar, Office Co-Ordinator
Kim Kowch, Vice Principal
Rosemary Coghlin, Administrative Assistant
Newsletter for June 28th, 2012
From the Principal’s Desk
As the school year comes to a close, we would like to
wish everyone a fun-filled relaxing and safe summer
holiday. Thank you for all of your support this year.
Below are a few important messages to pass on
before the end of the month.
Change in School Administrator
Effective November, 2012 Mrs. Kowch will be
transferring to Rockwood Centennial Public School as
vice-principal. No doubt Mrs. Kowch
will be greatly missed by our school
community and we wish her the best of
luck in her future endeavors. Mrs.
Kowch’s replacement as vice-principal has not yet
been named.
Staffing Updates
We would like to take this opportunity to say
goodbye to several staff members who are moving
on. Many thanks and a fond farewell to Ms. Drew,
Ms. Monsma, Mrs. LeRoy and Mrs. Gray. Thank you
to everyone for your dedication, hard work and
professionalism here at Kortright Hills.
You will be greatly missed!
Freedom of Information
We will no longer be posting or sharing class lists. A
message containing this change will be available on
the Board website. The message will read as follows:
In keeping with privacy legislation and to keep our
children safe, the Upper Grand D.S.B. will no
longer publicly post class lists or make class lists
available to parents.
See you in September!!
Kirk Runciman
Principal
A Warm Welcome from the Library
We have had a very busy year
in the library!
20000+ books checked
out & reshelved
57 Library Helpers
14 Parent Volunteers
11 Book Clubs
4 Forest of Reading
Votes
2 Forest of Reading Trips
3 Author Visits
2 Scholastic Book Fairs
$5241.49 earned in Book Fair Commissions
2500+ NEW books added to our collection
8 KOBOs added to our library
83 eBooks purchased
Many thanks to our library helpers and parent
volunteers for their help and support throughout the
year. I hope to see many of you again next year! A
special thank you to School Council and to all
members of our school community for supporting our
library through fundraising activities. Our collection
is envied by many schools within our Board and is
certainly enjoyed by our students and staff! Be sure
to drop by in September to see some of the changes
in the library as I will be working on some reorganization over the summer.
Thanks to all students and families who returned
their library books! We are still missing about 30
books. If you should happen to find one over the
summer, pop it into your backpack and bring it to the
library in September. Thank you!
Summer Literacy Activities
1. Visit the Guelph Public Library!
Do you have a library card?
They are FREE! Did you know
that you can request specific
books to be delivered to our
neighborhood on the
Bookmobile? Check out the Guelph Public Library for
more information about summer programs.
http://www.library.guelph.on.ca/
2. UG2GO is a great site to visit that will give your
family access to educational movies, music,
electronic books, research search engines, and more.
Students may access the site all summer using their
computer login for their school accounts. Login
information will be reset on September 1st for the
next school year, so passwords will not work after
that until students create their accounts again in
September.
https://www.ugdsb.on.ca/ug2go/elementary.asp
3. Read! Read! Read!
Have a safe and relaxing summer,
Sheila Morgan
Teacher Librarian
School Stuff
Report Cards
Please complete and return page 3 of the report
cards by Thursday, June 28th or sooner. Teachers
need them back so that OSRs can be properly
completed at the end of the school year.
Pick Up Medication
This is a reminder for any parents who have
medication for their children currently
stored at the school. Please drop
by the school before the end of
June to pick up your child’s
medication. We cannot leave it in
the school over the summer.
Please note that if your child will be
taking medication during the next school year, a new
Medical Consent form will need to be completed and
signed in September. Please bring any essential
medication to the office on the first day of school.
Summer Moves
If you will be moving out of our school area over the
summer, please let the school know. This will help in
determining our new classes in September.
Please send this information to Mrs.
Bonnar as soon as possible.
Similarly, if you have new
neighbours coming in, please direct them
to the school before the end of June,
to register for September.
Registration for New Students
If you know of someone moving into
the Kortright Hills School
neighbourhood after June, 30th, we
will be registering new students on
Wednesday. August 29th, 2012 from
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
School’s Out
The last day of school for the 2011-2012 school
year is Thursday, June 28, 2012.
Students will be dismissed at the
regular time of 3:20pm.
Bell Times
Kortright Hills will be following a balanced day
schedule. The balanced day approach provides
three 100 minute blocks of instructional time
each day. The balanced day schedule allows
for longer blocks of instruction time, the
maintenance of the opportunity for
extra-curricular activities during the
school day and less stress for primary
students/teachers during the winter
months as they prepare to go outside.
Please note that the Nutritional Break/Recess
times have changed from this year. The balanced
day schedule is as follows:
Time
8:45 a.m.
8:50 a.m.
8:50 – 10:50 a.m.
10:50 – 11:20 a.m.
11:20 – 12:40 p.m.
12:40 – 1:40 p.m.
1:40 – 3:20 p.m.
3:20 p.m.
Event
Intermediate Bell
Primary/Junior Bell
Instructional Time (120 Minutes)
Nutritional Break/Recess
Instructional Time (80 Minutes)
Lunch Hour
Instructional Time (100 Minutes)
Dismissal
School Yard Re-Greening!
This summer our school’s soccer field will be fenced
off, graded and re-seeded. As a result of this work
being done, the field will be inaccessible for a
lengthy period of time, allowing the seed to take
root and the grass to flourish.
We are very excited to
have this work done
and we look forward
to our new playing field.
2012-2013 School Calendar
We have inserted a copy of the 2012-2013 school
year calendar in this newsletter. You may wish to
keep it in a handy place to allow you
to make reference to it when
making vacation plans and arranging
babysitting on PD days next year.
Volunteer Breakfast
Thank you to everyone who
participated in the Volunteer
Breakfast. Our staff hosted this
lovely event to thank volunteers for all their time
and effort to help enrich students’ lives at
Kortright Hills P.S. We would like to extend a
special thank you to everyone who donated their
time and goodies!
“Disorder in the Court!”
A huge thank you and congratulations to the cast and
crew of Drama Club's presentation “Disorder in the
Court!” There was great music and super acting
from grade 6, 7 and 8 students. Cast and Crew:
Natalee B., Tyler G., Wynne C., Paige B., Jordan C.,
Ava F., Kiki M., Oksana R., Taylor K., Megan F.,
Aislinn B., Griffin B., Teresa C., Truly N., Lucy M.,
Blair C., Sara B., Sarah P., Ashlan B., Sonia U.,
Kaitlynn M., Hannah M., Isobel W.,
Logan F., Fabio S.i, Sam Z., Sudesh
M., David M. and Mr. Cade's band.
Thank You to Ms Brindle for the
wonderful program and front of
house display.
Monsieur Adamo and Ms MacLean
First Day of School
The first day of school will be Tuesday, September
4th, 2012. The entry bell rings at 8:45 a.m. for the
Intermediates and 8:50 for the rest of the school.
It is a full day, ending at 3:20pm. Students will be
met on the tarmac in the back and will assemble by
grade before being guided by teachers to their
classrooms. Please note the change in practice from
previous years; the students in the gym.
Do You Provide Childcare
We often are asked if there are any before or after
school childcare providers in our area. If you wish to
be included in a list that we provide to families
inquiring about childcare, please call the office and
give us your information.
School Council News
On June 7th, we had a fun-filled evening at our Ice
Cream Social. We had a fantastic turnout again this
year. Thank you to all the parents, students and
teachers who volunteered their
time, making it another
successful event (we raised over
$800 for the school)!
Earlier this week, Council distributed a letter,
outlining the allocation of funds during the course of
the year. We are very fortunate to have such a
supportive community, and can be proud of the
contributions we all make towards improving the
learning experience at Kortright Hills Public School.
The Fall Fundraiser will kick off in September. We
will be working with Norcard again this year, and will
be offering two fundraising catalogues to shop from.
Items available will range from wrapping paper,
cards, jewellery, kitchenware as well as breads,
cheeses, smoothies and gourmet snacks. More
information will be sent home in the fall. Also,
Mabel’s Labels is still up and running. Please visit our
website at www.kortrighthills.mabel.ca. If your kids
are heading off to camp this summer, you may want
to order some labels now! 20% of sales will be given
back to the school at the end of the program. Any
products ordered off the website will be delivered
directly to your home.
We are pleased to confirm,
starting this fall, we will be
working with “The Lunch Lady”,
providing hot, affordable
lunches once a week. We will
continue to offer pizza
Fridays, and daily milk (2%
white and 1% chocolate) as well
as introducing Arthur’s
Smoothies as a beverage option.
More information will be sent home at the beginning
of September.
The first Council meeting for the new school year is
scheduled for Monday, September 17th at 7:00 pm
in the library.
Everyone is welcome!
Centennial CVI Grade 9 Orientation Day
The Grade 9 Orientation Day / Registration Day
for Centennial CVI will be held on Thursday, August
30th. Students will receive an invitation in the mail
outlining the details of the day.
New Grade 9 students can pay their $50
registration fee, pick up their timetable and have
their school ID photo taken on the 30th. It will be
an exciting morning!
Kortright Hills Public School
23 Ptarmigan Drive, Guelph, Ontario N1C 1B5
Telephone: (519) 827-1601 Fax: (519) 827-9251
Kirk Runciman, Principal
Kim Kowch, Vice-Principal
Anne Bonnar, Office Co-Ordinator
Rosemary Coghlin, Administrative Assistant
2012 06 26
Dear Parents:
After many years of September re-organization (there has only been one year that it hasn’t occurred since the
school was built in 2001) and the anxiety that comes with it, the staff at Kortright Hills P.S. have come up with
a plan to alleviate some of that anxiety, as well as build a stronger sense of community within the school. For
September 4, 2012, students will not be divided into classes, but will instead be divided into a variety of
groupings for the first five days of school, including grade teams, division teams and whole school teams.
The benefits are as follows:
1. The opportunity to begin the year with a strong focus on teaching, modelling and
practising the Board’s five character education traits – respect, responsibility,
honesty, compassion and fairness;
2. The opportunity to work in a variety of groupings, ie. grade, interest, level;
3. The opportunity for staff to do a variety of academic baseline assessments in grade
teams;
4. The opportunity to deliver school routines and expectations in a uniform way;
5. The opportunity to avoid the shuffle of classes after re-organization.
There are schools in the system that use this model and have found that it works quite well to build a strong
sense of community as a new school year begins, as well as diminish the anxiety around possible class changes
into the second week after class friendships have already been formed.
One other new Board policy for the 2012-2013 school year is that class lists will not be allowed to be posted on
the first day of school, due to Freedom of Information concerns.
As a staff, we are very much looking forward to a great school start-up in September, and are looking forward to
minimizing the disruption that possible re-organization brings, as well receiving your input regarding this new
process. If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the school, 519-8271601, ext. 223 or 224.
Sincerely,
Kirk Runciman
STUDENT SUPPLY LIST FOR 2012-2013
Kindergarten
Grades 1-3
Grades 4-6
-
Box of Kleenex
-
Box of kleenex
-
Box of Kleenex
-
Glue stick
-
Supply of pencils with
-
Supply of Pencils with
-
Crayola markers-
-
erasers
erasers
original colours
-
Pencil crayons (24’s)
-
Pencil crayons (24’s)
Crayons
-
Crayola markers – original
-
Crayola markers – original
colours
colours
-
Crayons (24’s)
-
Pens (blue, red & black)
-
Glue sticks (2)
-
Glue sticks (2)
-
Scissors
-
Scissors
-
Ruler
-
Ruler
-
Erasers
-
Erasers
-
1 Duo tang
-
Highlighters
-
Duo tangs (2 pkgs of 5
assorted colours)
-
Dividers (3 pkgs)
(no binder needed)
Lined and blank 3-ring paper
-
Black fine-tipped marker
-
French- English dictionary
(Grades 5 & 6)
-
Calculator
Board Name
2012-2013
Upper Grand DSB (B66117)
Calendar Title
Panel
Calendar Type
Date Created
[2012-125273] Elementary
2012/2013
Elementary
Regular
Feb 16, 2012
Start of School Year
End of School Year
First Day Students
Last Day Students
Sep 04, 2012
Jun 28, 2013
Sep 04, 2012
Jun 27, 2013
Status
Description
APPROVED
ELEMENTARY
Month
1st Week
3rd Week
M
T W T
F
M
2
3
6
7
10
13 14 15 16 17
20 21 22 23 24 27 28 29 30 31
4
5
6
7
10 11 12 13 14
17 18 19 20 21
24 25 26 27 28
2
3
4
5
8
15 16 17 18 19
22 23 24 25 26 29 30 31
12 13 14 15 16
P*
P
19 20 21 22 23
3
9
F
M T W T
5th Week
1
8
T W T
4th Week
M T W T F
August
September
2nd Week
F
M T W T F
PA Instr Exa
days days m
days
0
0
0
0
19
0
1
21
0
1
21
0
0
15
0
1
18
0
0
19
0
0
15
0
1
20
0
0
22
0
2
18
0
0
0
0
6
188
0
H
October
1
9 10 11 12
H
1
November
December
2
5
6
7
8
9
3
4
5
6
7
10 11 12 13 14
17 18 19 20 21
24 25 26 27 28 31
B
January
1
2
3
4
H
B
B
B
7
8
9
10 11
14 15 16 17 18
H
H
B
B
B
21 22 23 24 25 28 29 30 31
P
1
February
4
5
6
7
8
11 12 13 14 15
18 19 20 21 22 25 26 27 28
H
1
March
4
5
6
7
8
11 12 13 14 15
18 19 20 21 22 25 26 27 28 29
B
H
B
April
26 27 28 29 30
P
1
2
3
4
5
8
9 10 11 12
B
B
B
15 16 17 18 19
H
22 23 24 25 26 29 30
P*
1
May
2
3
6
7
8
9
10
13 14 15 16 17
20 21 22 23 24 27 28 29 30 31
H
June
July
3
1
4
2
5
6
3
P*
4 P
5
7
10 11 12 13 14
17 18 19 20 21
24 25 26 27 28
P
8
9 10 11 12
15 16 17 18 19
22 23 24 25 26 29 30 31
Total
Legend
P -Professional Activity Day;
E
-Scheduled Exam Day;
B -Board Designated Day;
H -Statutory Day;
P* -Professional Activity Day Devoted to Provincial Education Priorities;
Outline for Professional Activity Days Devoted to Provincial Education Priorities
OCTOBER 26/12 - AM - Numeracy
APRIL 22/13 - Developing and implementing board and school improvement plans
JUNE 7/13 AM N merac
Outline for PA Days
OCTOBER 26/12 - PM - Assessment & Evaluation
NOVEMBER 23/12 - Parent/Teacher Interviews
JANUARY 21/13 - Assessment & Evaluation
JUNE 7/13 PM - Assessment & Evaluation
JUNE 28/13 - Professional Activities; Policy Review, Curriculum Planning and Development for 2013/2014 school year
/ -Half Day;
TF022
TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION FOR SEPTEMBER 2012
Procedure to Access your Child’s Transportation Information-September 2012
Go to www.findmybus.ca and login to this secure site with your child’s OEN number, school name, birth
date and house number. Your child(ren’s) 9 digit OEN number is located on their report card.
If your child is new to the school system and has been registered at a school prior to the end of June, a
letter will be sent the third week of August with the transportation information. If you are new to the area
(not registered at a school) call STWDSTS at 519-824-4119 for assistance. We are here all summer.
Bus Delay and Cancellation Subscription Service Available
We offer a subscription service that will notify the subscriber via email when your
child(ren's) bus has been cancelled or is delayed.
To subscribe go to: https://www.findmyschool.ca/subscriptions/login.aspx and follow the directions.
HAVE YOU CHECKED OUT OUR WEB SITE?
Go to:
www.stwdsts.ca
This website provides “one stop shopping” for all your transportation needs:
 Quick Links to Eligibility information & a list of reported Bus Delays
 School Information – including location, phone number, boundary maps
 School Calendars
 Transportation Policies, Procedures, & Forms
 Bus Cancellation information (November – March each year)
 Safety Information
 Official Bus Time
 A special link just for children
 Answers to common transportation questions
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Will My Child Be Assigned to a School Bus?
Transportation is assigned according to Board policy. Your child must live within your school’s attendance
boundary and live further from school than the Maximum Walking Distance assigned to your child’s grade
level. Refer to STWDSTS Policy 002 Transportation Eligibility or go to www.stwdsts.ca and click on “Are
you Eligible?” (yellow bus on left side). You can also access your child’s bus information by going to
www.findmybus.ca, selecting Student Login, and entering your child’s OEN number, house number and date
of birth.
May I ride with my child on the first day of school?
It is strictly prohibited for parents/guardians to board the school bus. Refer to Policy 005 –
Responsibilities of Parent and Guardians.
66 Arrow Rd, Unit B • Guelph, ON N1K 1T4 • Phone (519) 824-4119 • Fax (519) 822-9097 • Toll-Free 1-888-292-2224
What Should I Do If Our Address Changes Before September?
Be sure to contact Service de transport de Wellington-Dufferin Student Transportation Services
(STWDSTS) with your new address at 519-824-4119. We are open during July and August so please do not
wait until September to do this. Transportation requests received prior to August 24th, 2012 will be
processed for the first week of school.
Can My Child Receive Transportation From an Alternate Address?
Both your home address and the alternate/caregiver address must be within your school’s attendance
boundary and meet the distance criteria for transportation. Be sure to advise your school and contact
STWDSTS with this additional information. The alternate address must be used consistently 5 days per
week and there must be room on the alternate bus. Refer to Policy 034 - Transportation for Child Care
How Will New JK & SK Students Receive Their Bus Information?
Transportation information will be mailed after August 20th to Junior & Senior Kindergarten students who
are not currently attending school.
May a student temporarily ride another bus while parent or guardian are away?
All temporary transportation requests shall be refused, except under extraordinary circumstances where the
personal well being of a student is at stake. Refer STWDSTS to Policy 029 - Temporary Transportation
Requests.
How does courtesy transportation get assigned?
Available seats at existing stops, are assigned based on first the youngest of age (grade), then travel distance
to school. Courtesy assignments are not done prior to October 31st of each year. Refer to STWDST Policy
017 - Courtesy Transportation.
Can my child’s bus stop be changed?
Requests for changes to bus stops should be submitted in writing for consideration (Form TF033). Requests
for changes to accommodate parent/caregiver convenience or health issues will not be considered. No changes
to bus stops are considered during the first four weeks of school. Students are required to walk to/from bus
stops to catch their bus. Refer to STWDSTS Policy 009 – Walking Distances to Bus Stop
My children were enrolled at the start of the school year. When will their transportation
start?
Because of the large number of changes and new transportation requests bussing arrangements can take up to
5 business days at the start of the school year. After September most transportation arrangements can be
completed within 3 business days.
Who is responsible for my child’s safety prior to boarding the bus and after disembarking from
the bus?
The parent or guardian is responsible their child’s safety prior to boarding the bus and after they disembark
from the bus. Refer to STWDSTS Policy 005 – Responsibilities of Parents and Guardians
66 Arrow Rd, Unit B • Guelph, ON N1K 1T4 • Phone (519) 824-4119 • Fax (519) 822-9097 • Toll-Free 1-888-292-2224