Kortright Hills Public School
23 Ptarmigan Drive Guelph, Ontario
N1C 1B5 (519)827-1601 Fax (519)827-9251
Kirk Runciman, Principal
Kim Kowch, Vice Principal
Anne Bonnar, Office Co-Ordinator
Rosemary Coghlin, Administrative Assistant
Newsletter for February 2012
From the Principal’s Desk
Since our return from the Christmas
holidays, KHPS has been a bustle of
activity beyond the classrooms! The
range of activities currently
underway include boys’ and girls’
intermediate basketball, the Drama
Club, the Tech Club, The Lego Club, The
Craft Club and the Intermediate Band. A special
thank you to our staff members who give up a
significant portion of their lunch hour and/or time
after school for these activities and other
opportunities offered during the year, all for the
purpose of enriching the school experience for our
students. If your child(ren) are not involved in
extracurricular activities, please encourage him/her
to become part of the fun. Research indicates that
the memories generated from extracurricular
activities resonates with students well beyond the
completion of their education.
Math Tip for Parents
What to do when your child says, “I do not
understand any of this!” There is a questioning tool
called “The New Five-Point Error Analysis” (Clarke,
1998) that can help you to identify what problem your
child is having with his/her math homework. After
you have selected a question that your child does not
understand, try using these questions:
1.
2.
3.
Read me the question, please. This
identifies mistakes your child may have made
in reading the question.
What is the question asking you to do? This
identifies mistakes your child may have made
in understanding what the question is asking.
How are you going to find the answer? This
identifies mistakes your child may be making
in finding an appropriate strategy.
4.
5.
Do the work to get the answer and tell me
about your thinking as you work. This
identifies mistakes your child may be making
in the process of finding a solution.
Write down the answer to the question.
This identifies mistakes your child may be
making in clearly showing the solution.
If you use these steps every time your child asks a
question, eventually the steps will be followed
independently.
A Warm Welcome from the Library
We LOVE new books! Kortright students have been
enjoying the new books that have recently arrived in
the library. Some are so popular that we may have to
order additional copies! As always, if you have
specific requests, please let me know. Thanks so
much to everyone who supported our December book
fair, allowing us to purchase lots of great new books.
The Forest of Reading programs have begun. Over
150 Grade 3 - Grade 8 students have chosen to
participate in the Silver Birch and Red Maple
programs this year! The programs will continue until
late April, when students who have read at least half
of the nominated books will have the opportunity to
vote for their favourite. Students are asked to be
patient if there are no books available... and to return
their books immediately once they have finished
reading them so that others can check
them out. Don't forget that you can
blog about the books that you have
read by visiting our Library
website: http://goo.gl/sDTuU .
Our Junior and Intermediate students are
"Graphic Experts". Jennifer Haines of "The Dragon"
(a graphic novel book store located in the Quebec
Street Mall in downtown Guelph) spent two days
teaching our students how to analyze graphic novels.
The presentations were very entertaining and
educational. Students learned how to read and write
graphic novels. Jennifer also recommended many new
graphic novels for our library... listen for an
announcement when they are available to be checked
out.
I am looking for students who are interested in
writing short book reviews for the Library website.
If you are interested, please come to see me for
more details.
Continue reading,
Sheila Morgan
Teacher Librarian
Library Website: http://goo.glyaB7y
School Stuff
Family Day Holiday
The Upper Grand District School
Board will be observing Family Day on
Monday, February 20th and our school
will be closed. We hope you enjoy the
day with your family!
Head Lice Watch
Winter is the time of year when head lice is most
common in our school. To try to keep it under
control, we ask parents to periodically check their
children’s hair and inform the school if head lice are
found.
Homework for Family Trips
We have reached the time of year when many
families plan trips to exotic locations. This has
become evident because the number of requests for
homework from teachers has increased sharply.
Parents are asking for work that their child(ren) will
be missing so that they won’t fall behind. Teachers
are not always able to provide this advance work for
student. A valid alternative parents
should consider is having their
child(ren) complete daily journals or
researching local features. This is very
practical and educational. It also is something he/she
can present to classmates and teacher when they
return to school.
Class Disruptions
A major goal for staff and students is to
minimize class disruptions during the school
day. To assist them in this goal, the office will keep
interruptions of all kinds to a minimum. If parents
are bringing in something for their child(ren), please
bring these items to the office with their name and
grade on it. These items
will be distributed at recess breaks throughout the
day.
Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten Registration will take place between
Monday, February 6th to Friday, February 10th
from 9:30 to 12:30 p.m. and from 2:00 to 3:00 pm.
Due to a staffing shortage, if you can come in the
morning it would be appreciated.
To register for junior kindergarten, your child must
be four years old on or before
December 31st, 2012.
To register for senior kindergarten (if
your child is new to our school), he/she
must be five years old on or before
December 31st, 2012. If you can’t register during
this week, please call the school office at 519-8271601 to arrange an alternate time. You must bring
birth verification, proof of address and your child’s
immunization record to register.
Bad Weather
It is a parent’s responsibility to
determine whether or not it is safe
for their child(ren) to leave for
school in inclement or severe weather. Listen to
CJOY 1460 AM, CIMJ 106.1 FM, CKKW 1090 FM or
CHYM 570 AM for weather conditions.
You can also check the Board’s website at
www.ugdsb.on.ca by 6:30 a.m. for information.
If a bus or taxi does not run in the morning, it will
NOT run in the afternoon. If a parent elects to
drive their child to school, they are responsible for
pick up too.
If your child’s bus is cancelled and you are not driving
them to school, please do NOT
phone the school. If your child
usually walks to school and you are
keeping them home due to inclement
weather, please phone the school and
leave a message stating that.
Winter Dressing
Taking Medicine at School
Students have one outside 15
minute recess and a 40 minute
outside lunch recess each day. All
students are expected to be
outside for fresh air and activity
unless they are involved in a teacher supervised
activity. Thus, students must dress appropriately for
winter weather. Extra mittens and
dry socks help to ensure an
enjoyable time outside. In the
event of inclement weather,
students will be supervised inside
the school.
Please remember that student
medication must be stored and
administered from the school
office. It is important for the safety of the child
taking the medicine and other students in
the school. In order to give any
medication, the appropriate form must be
completed and signed by the student’s
parent or guardian. Please call the school
when you require these forms.
Fun in the Snow and Safety
This is a true story.....
A huge snow plow is clearing the sides of the road
when the operator suddenly
spots a child peeking his
head out of a snow bank just
a few yards ahead. A group
of children are playing in a
tunnel they made in the
show bank while waiting for
their school bus. The plow
driver had time to stop – this time.
Forts and tunnels are fun to build and the size of
snow banks at the edge of the road provides enough
of the white stuff to do this. Passing snowplows and
the debris and ice they push can spell disaster for a
child who can be buried or struck indirectly or
directly. These incidents often happen in early
morning or evening when it’s dark and children are
playing. Plows are loud and visibility is limited. Never
assume an operator can see you.
Remember – the edge of the road is not a play
area.
Grade 8 Parents
Course option sheets for Centennial CVI were sent
out on Friday, January 27. Please complete and
return them as soon as possible. If
you have any questions, please
contact your child’s homeroom
teacher. Course option sheets are
also available for College Heights
Secondary School. A parent
information night will be held at
Centennial on Thursday, February
10th, at 7:00p.m.
Afghanistan School Fundraiser
There are still many reasons why girls in Afghanistan
are unable to attend school:
•
•
•
•
Thanks to the Wellington County OPP for this
message.
•
Information Updates
•
•
Please help us to keep your records up-to-date. If
your home telephone,
workplace/business and cell phone
numbers change, please contact the
office immediately.
Many girls are forbidden by their fathers
Schools have been bombed during years of
war
There are no teachers available
Families are too poor to afford the school
uniform and supplies
Many girls are forced into arranged marriages
at a young age (14 or 15 years old) and must
stop their studies
There is no school close by
Girls are afraid for their safety, as
sometimes they are threatened by Taliban
members
Fifteen grade 4, 5 and 6 students from Ms. Zanyk’s
Enrichment class are trying to help this situation by
holding a fundraiser with the goal of raising $750,
which is the annual salary of one Afghan teacher. All
funds raised will go through the charity, Canadian
Women for Women of Afghanistan.
Please come and support our girls’ efforts and join us
at our…
Mother-Daughter-Sister-Aunt-NieceGrandmother-Cousin-Friend Tea Party
When:
Thursday, February 23rd
6:30 to 8:30pm
Where:
Kortright Hills P.S. Gymnasium
Price:
Single ticket is $10
Double ticket is $18
Tickets are available from Ms. Zanyk and her
students.
Come and support our worthwhile cause and enjoy
some dessert and entertainment!
Honouring Black History Month
Every year Canadians are invited to take part in the
festivities and events that honour the legacy of Black
Canadians, past and present, during Black History
Month.
Black History Month
exists to remind us all
of the rich
contributions within our
society from people of
African and Caribbean
decent, and of their
ongoing struggle for
equity and social
justice. This is a time
to celebrate the many
achievements and contributions of Black Canadians
who, throughout history, have done so much to make
Canada the culturally diverse, compassionate and
prosperous nation we know today. It is also an
opportunity for the majority of Canadians
to learn about the experiences of Black
Canadians in our society, and the vital role
this community has played throughout our
shared history.
School Council
On Sunday, February 26th, our
very own Kortright Hills Primary
Choir will be singing the
National Anthem as the Guelph
Storm face the Kitchener
Rangers at 2:00 pm. The Guelph
Storm is offering a discounted
ticket price for all family and
friends of Kortright Hills to come
out and support the choir. Choir members get into
the event for free, with additional tickets being
offered at a cost of $13.00 each. Order forms will
be sent home with students this week. For more
information, please contact Alana McIntyre at 519827-1677 or at alanamcintyre@rogers.com . Hope to
see you there!
Our next Council meeting is scheduled for Monday,
February 13th in the school library. All are welcome.
Health
February 2012
What a good feeling!
Thinking of going away this March break?
Bed bugs don’t make good souvenirs, so don’t bring them home when traveling. Check beds for live
bugs, and for blood spots on sheets, mattresses and walls. Keep personal items off the floor and away
from the bed, and examine your belongings before heading home.
Have a question? Need to report a problem with bed bugs? Call Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public
Health at 1-800-265-7293 ext. 4617 or email info@wdgpublichealth.ca
Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health
1-800-265-7293 | www.wdgpublichealth.ca
info@wdgpublichealth.ca
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
27
February 2012
29
30
Day 2
31
Day 1
1:00 Drama Club
1:00 Craft Club
5
6 Basketball Tourney Day1
Intermediate Boys & Girls
1:40 Skills Canada
Intermediate Classes
K
12
13
i
n
d
Day 1
Day 2
1:00 Drama Club
1:00 Craft Club
e
r
g
a
Day 3
r
t
Day 3
8
1:00 Drama Club
e
n
20
R
15
e
Day 3
12:40 Mad Science
FAMILY DAY
SCHOOL IS
CLOSED
26
27
Day 1
9:00 Medieval Madness
Mrs Awad
22
Day 1
29
21
Day 5
28
Day 4
3
Day 2
9:00 Conestoga Tech Day
Gr. 7 & 8's
12:40 Mad Science
1:00 Drama Club
12:40 Mad Science
1:00 Drama Club
9
Day 4
10
1:00 Craft Club
Valentines Day
19
2
28
Day 5
4
1:00 Craft Club
12:40 Mad Science
Day 2
14
1
12:45 River Run
Gr 5 & 7's
7
Saturday
Day 2
g
i
s
t
r
Day 5
First Term Reports
Go Home
10:15 Lock Down Drill
a
Day 4
9:00 Medieval Madness
Mrs Holland ‘s 4/5's &
LeRoy’s 3/4's
17
Day 3
12:45 Gr 6's River Run
6:30 Enrichment
Fund-raiser
Afghanistan School Girls
24
16
23
t
i
o
11
n
Day 5
18
Day 4
11:00 Winter Carnival
25
9:30 Dufflebag
Theatre