September 2023 Newsletter
Message From The School
Welcome back to Kortright Hills Public School! We are excited to see everyone again and are looking forward to getting to know the new students who are joining us this year.
Ongoing and open communication between home and school is very important for student success. Together, we can provide the children with the best education possible. Our School Community is extremely fortunate to have a very caring and committed staff who work together to provide quality programs and activities to meet the educational needs of all students.
As always reorganization of classes is a possibility in September with new registrations. We will know by the second week of September whether or not we need to reorganize your child’s classroom to accommodate Ministry regulated capacity requirements.
We are always open to new ideas and welcome your input and your suggestions. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact the school.
Upcoming Dates
Monday, September 18th – PA Day *no school
Thursday, September 21st – School Open House
Friday, September 22nd – Terry Fox Run
Monday, September 25th – School Council Meeting 6:30pm – All are welcome!
School Calendar: KHPS Monthly Calendars
Board Calendars: School Year Calendars
Communication with the School
School Messenger- We send our regular communication via email using a tool called School Messenger. Please let us know if you require a paper copy of anything.
Please complete and return any forms sent home by your child’s teacher as soon as possible.
Here is our current staff list for 2023-24:
Kindergarten:
Jennifer Law & Keesha Ronconi -KA
Rachel Cameron & Sarita Mohan/Tracy McMeekin -KB
Steacy Petersen & Amanda Pettit -KC
Primary:
Kathryn Bechtel -1A
Janet Collins -1B
Kali Curtis -1/2C
Stephanie Bowden -2A
Barb Di Illio -2B
Sherri Farrow -3A
Susan Fulton – 3B
Cynthia Renkema – 3/4C
Junior:
Leanne Snell – 4A
Heather Vandahl – 4B
Cathy Dykstra – 5A
Greg Ackroyd – 5B
Jennifer Kirk – 6A
Jessica Mezenberg – 6B
Intermediate:
Barbara Hug – 7A
Trevor Hamilton – 7B
Cathy Brindle – 8A
Leah Masters – 8B
LRC 16:
Tori (Victoria) Smith
As always, there is also the possibility that some classes will need to be reorganized in the first couple weeks in September.
School Council
Welcome Back to School, Kortright Hills Families!
We hope you’ve had a fantastic summer filled with laughter, adventures, and cherished memories. As we gear up for another exciting school year at Kortright Hills Public School, the Elementary School Council is thrilled to welcome you all back to campus!
Save the Date: Our first Elementary School Council meeting is scheduled for September 25. We’re kicking off the evening with a special Meet & Greet session at 6:00 PM, providing an excellent opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces and make new friends within our wonderful Cobra community. The official meeting will commence at 6:30 PM and generally lasts between 1 to 1.5 hours. Your presence and active participation are highly encouraged, as it’s your invaluable insights and ideas that help us make Kortright Hills an exceptional place for our young Cobras to learn and grow.
Do you have any burning questions or ideas to share even before the meeting? Reach out to us at [email protected] or connect with us on Facebook at KH School Council. We’re here to listen and collaborate for the betterment of our school environment.
Calling All Leaders: Nominations are now open for the 2023/24 School Council Executive Committee. If you’re passionate about making a positive impact on our school community and would like to take on a leadership role, we welcome your nominations! Please complete the Self Nomination Form before our first Council meeting. Your dedication and involvement can make a significant difference in shaping the future of Kortright Hills Public School.
Delicious Delights Await: Who doesn’t love a slice of pizza perfection? Stay tuned as we’re about to share the Pizza Day schedule and ordering information. Keep an eye on our Facebook group and be on the lookout for orders through SchoolCashOnline. It’s a delightful way to satisfy those pizza cravings while supporting our school initiatives!
Show Your School Spirit: Elevate your Cobra pride with our fantastic Spirit Wear collection, available for order now. Browse and shop on the online Cobra Store. Sporting our school’s spirit wear is not just a fashion statement – it’s a symbol of unity and belonging, a testament to the strength of our Kortright Hills community. We will have Cobra Fever Fridays each week at the school to show our school spirit!
We can’t wait to see familiar faces and new additions as we embark on another journey of learning, growth, and shared experiences. Let’s make this school year an unforgettable one for our Cobras!
Warmest regards,
Kortright Hills School Council
Library Learning Commons Update
Welcome back to school! I hope everyone had a relaxing summer and was able to enjoy a good book or two. I am very excited to welcome students back to the library this year!
Just a reminder to send back any library books that your child(ren) may have at home. We’re still missing quite a few from the last school year. Classroom teachers will collect the returned books. If you are unsure if your family has any overdue books, please email me and I can check for you. Thanks for helping us to maintain our collection for everyone to enjoy.
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. Please assist us in speeding this process up by calling in 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 100. Please send any notes about advanced absences to the school office.
Late Arrival
Students who arrive after 8:55 am will come through the front door and sign in at the office.
End of Day Procedures
- Students in grades 1-8 will be dismissed from the back of the school. It is recommended for grade 1 students that the pick up person agrees on an area to meet after school. Older students that are picking up younger students must exit their assigned doors and meet their siblings outside.
- Kindergarten students will be released to their parents at the end of the day from the Kindergarten play area.
- Supervision after the school day is limited and students must leave school at the bell.
- Students going home on a bus will have marked areas in the foyer to line up with their bus group.
Safety at the Front of the School *school parking lots are not available for parents
The front of the school is a very busy place in the morning and after school for buses, cars and students. 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/pick up points for our students. We ask that you not block anyone’s driveway when picking up your child(ren). Please be respectful of our neighbours.
Bus Reminder
Bus transportation is provided to students based on the distance their home is from the school. If you opted out of bussing for 2022-23 year, you must contact student transportation to register for bussing for 2023-24. The phone number for Wellington-Dufferin Student Transportation Services is 519-824-4119.
Lunchbox Orders Online – How To Order Guide
Already tired of making school lunches? We have the answer! Purchase student lunches from Lunchbox through SchoolCashOnline and help support the school’s fundraising efforts while providing your child with a ready-made lunch! We offer:
Mondays – Pita Pit
Thursdays – Harveys
Friday – East Side Marios
Online Payments – School Cash Online
Benefits of online payments through School Cash Online
Convenient: Make payments anytime…Online!
Easy to Use: Fill a shopping cart and check out.
Safe: No need to send cash or cheques to school.
Secure: Our website is protected and PCI compliant.
Saves Time: It takes less than 5 minutes to register.
How: https://ugdsb.schoolcashonline.com/
School related expenses such as pizza days, field trips, agendas, popcorn, freezies, etc. will only be available for online purchase. If you need help registering please let the office know.
Interested in Volunteering?
There are many volunteer opportunities within the school…supervising on field trips, helping in the library, reading with students, preparing materials for the classroom, etc. If you would like to volunteer, please contact the Guelph Police Service to get a Vulnerable Sector Check.
If you have previously submitted a VSC to the office last year, you do not need to do it again this year.
Students with Life-Threatening Medical Conditions
UGDSB Policy 518: Students with Life-Threatening Medical Conditions, outlines the roles and responsibilities for all in the educational community to support students with possible life-threatening medical conditions. The prevalent medical conditions covered under this policy are Asthma, Anaphylaxis, Diabetes and Epilepsy/Seizure Disorders. If your child has one of these, or any other life-threatening medical condition, please visit:
https://www.ugdsb.ca/board/policy/policy-518-students-with-life-threatening-medical-conditions/ and contact the school as soon as possible. We will work with you to develop a Plan of Care to support your child. If you have not yet been in contact with the office about your child’s needs please call.
Smoke and Vape-Free Environment
The Upper Grand DSB provides a smoke and vape-free environment for its students, staff and others while on Board property, in accordance with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act and Board policy 208. This policy refers to all forms of tobacco, and any processed form of tobacco that may be smoked, inhaled or chewed, including e-cigarettes.
Smudging is the tradition of using sacred smoke from sacred medicines (e.g., tobacco and sage) that forms part of the indigenous culture and spirituality. Smudging is allowed in schools under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act. Parents will be informed using the school’s usual forms of communication when smudging is going to occur in our school. Participation by staff and students is optional in a smudging ceremony. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the principal.
UGDSB Threat/Risk Assessment and Suicide Protocol Notification
Please see the letter from Peter Sovran, Director of Education regarding student safety.
Categories: News