November 2023 Newsletter
Message From The School
Please continue to watch your email inbox for “The Friday 5” each week!
Picture Retakes happening on Nov. 8th *If you were unhappy with your child’s school photo, please consider getting retakes. The school has been in communication with the photo company and given feedback based on your concerns.
Upcoming Dates
Nov 3 – Cobra Fever Friday! *wear Cobra Spirit Wear or green/yellow
Nov 5-11 – Treaties Recognition Week
Nov 7 – Gr. 7/8 River Run Trip
Nov 8 – Picture Retakes
Nov 8 – Indigenous Veterans Day
Nov 10 – Remembrance Day assembly
Nov 12 – Diwali – Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism
Nov 13 – Gr. 7/8 to CCVI for Dance presentation
Nov 15 – World Diabetes Day
Nov 15 – Gr. 8 IB presentation
Nov 16 – Progress Reports go home electronically – more information below
Nov 19-25 – Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week
Nov 24 – Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji
Nov 23 – Parent/Teacher Interview evening
Nov 24 – PD Day *no school for students, Parent/Teacher Interview day
Nov 29 – Gr 8 CCVI Guidance Visit
School Calendar: KHPS Monthly Calendars
Board Calendars: School Year Calendars
Report Card Information for Fall Progress Reports
Beginning Thursday November 16th, parents and guardians can download their child’s Progress Report from ConnectED for Parents – choose Kortright Hills
Please see this link if you have any questions about how to access your child’s report card: UGDSB Parent Support for Report Cards and notify your child’s teacher if you need their OEN number.
Progress reports focus on learning skills or work habits, as well as strengths and next steps, to assist in improving student learning in subject areas.
The Fall Progress Reports provide students and parents with early and specific feedback on the progress made during the first two months of the school year. After these reports go home, there will be an opportunity for parent/teacher conferences. This is your chance to find out early in the school year how your child is progressing.
More information coming soon regarding how to sign up for Parent/Teacher Interviews
Remembrance Day
As we near November 11th, we are preparing for our Remembrance Day assembly. In 2017 a Kortright tradition began whereby families are invited to send digital copies of photos of family members who have been involved in war and peace keeping efforts. We open the doors once again for ALL Kortright families to send in photos of current family members, and ones dearly departed who have:
- Served in the military medical corps for any country
- Served in military for any country
- Been a refugee from any country
- Been a peace keeper for any country
How to contribute a photo:
- Take a photo (it can be a photo of a photo) of the person/people you would like to submit
- Email it to Mr. Cooper at [email protected]
- In your email be sure to include the following:
- Your child’s name
- The subject’s name
- Their role (ex. Refugee from ______ in 1944, or Navigator for RCAF, etc.)
Photos should be sent in no later than Mon, Nov. 6th.
Treaty Recognition Week
Treaties Recognition Week is held annually during the first week of November. This year, the week will take place from November 5 –11, 2023. The annual event honours the importance of treaties and helps students learn more about treaty rights and relationships. By learning more about our collective treaty rights and obligations, we can create greater understanding and nurture these relationships.
Land Acknowledgement and UGDSB Indigenous Ed. Policy
The UGDSB is situated on the ancestral, treaty and title lands of two Anishinaabek Ojibwe Nations: the Michi Saagig of the Credit and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation. This land also includes a specified tract of land granted to the Six Nations of the Grand River. These Nations hold legal and specific rights in their respective territories. This area has been and continues to be home for Indigenous Peoples and non-Indigenous peoples.
Policy 519, 2.3. May 2021
School Wide Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week – Nov. 19-25th
At Kortright Hills PS, we take a school-wide collaborative approach when solving problems with students. Students are encouraged to first use their words with their peers if problems arise on the yard or in the classroom. If peer problem solving is unsuccessful, students are to report their concerns right away to their teacher or another trusted adult. You may also use the Report Bullying online reporting tool at the bottom of the front page of the school website or on the Board Website to report bullying issues. Please provide as many details as possible so that we can connect with you or your child and determine next steps together.
We also encourage all families to familiarize themselves with the Kortright Hills Bully Prevention Plan on our website. This plan outlines how bullying will be addressed, the process for parents to communicate concerns with the school (eg. teacher, teacher to office). It also recognizes that occurrences that happen outside of school often impact school culture and for this reason, we encourage parents to visit https://www.commonsensemedia.org/ to explore the reviews and ratings of social media platforms (i.e. games, chats, apps, etc) that your children may be using.
KHPS will recognize Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week with some great activities, lessons and announcements planned for the week! We encourage everyone to wear pink on Thursday, November 23rd.
SCHOOL COUNCIL
Dear Kortright Hills School Community,
We’re excited to share the latest updates and upcoming events with you. Here’s what’s happening in the world of Kortright Hills School Council:
- Halloween Spooktactular Dance-a-thon Success!
Thank you to everyone who supported our Halloween Spooktactular Dance-a-thon to benefit the Library Learning Commons. Your contributions are greatly appreciated. If you’d like to make a donation, you can do so via SchoolCashOnline or the Upper Grand Learning Foundation.
- Holiday Family Mini Photoshoot Fundraiser
Get ready for some festive family fun! Stay tuned for details on our holiday family mini photoshoot fundraiser with Sweet Inspirations Photography in November. It’s the perfect opportunity to capture those precious moments.
- Kortright Hills School Day at the Guelph Storm Game
Join us on Saturday, November 25th for a thrilling day as we support the Guelph Storm! Over 300 Cobras will be in the arena that night, and our choir will open the event with the singing of O Canada. Although our discounted tickets are no longer available, you can still purchase tickets via the Storm box office to be part of the excitement.
- December Family Fun Day Coming Soon
Get ready for a day of family fun in December! Stay updated by following our Facebook page and joining our group for the latest information. More details to come!
- November Fundraiser: Help Us Update Outdoor Play Areas
This November, we’re launching our large fundraiser for the school year. Our goal is to raise funds to update the school’s outdoor play areas. It will cost approximately $50,000 to add shade, rubberized flooring and new equipment/activities to the JK/SK fenced area, ensuring it remains a fun and safe space for our young Cobras. Watch for information later this week on our FundScrip initiative, a gift card fundraiser. You can support the school by purchasing gift cards for your everyday needs and holiday shopping, with the school making 2.5 – 12% off each purchase (depending on the retailer) at no additional cost to you.
- Next School Council Meeting – Monday, November 20th
Mark your calendars! Our next council meeting is on Monday, November 20th in the school library. We’ll kick off with a social at 6:15 PM, followed by the meeting starting at 6:30 PM. We’d love to see you there and hear your thoughts and ideas!
Thank you for your continued support in making Kortright Hills School an even better place for our young Cobras. We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events and meetings.
Best regards, Kortright Hills School Council 🐍📚
MEETINGS
- Monday, November 20th
- Monday, January 15th
- Monday, February 12th (second Monday since the 20th is a holiday)
- Monday, April 15th
- Monday, May 13th (second Monday since the 20th is a holiday)
- Monday, June 24th
EXECUTIVE
Co-Chairs: Lindsay Ware & Ainsley Otten
Treasurer: Pritti Kaur
Secretary: Meghan Calmes
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK PAGE | FACEBOOK GROUP | EMAIL
Library Learning Commons Update
Spooktacular Halloween Danceathon
Many thanks to the School Council and to our students & families who supported our Library Learning Commons through the Spooktacular Halloween Danceathon! Your continued support allows us to provide a variety of learning opportunities for our students.
The DJ, music & lights were amazing! Students enjoyed dancing with their classmates & teachers. Prizes will be drawn & announced once we have all of the pledge envelopes collected & money counted.
Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? Books make great gifts!
Our Scholastic Book Fair will arrive November 22nd and will be open during the Parent Teacher Interviews on Thursday, November 23rd, and on the PD Day, Friday, November 24th. Come and check out the great selection of books and perhaps complete some Christmas shopping.
The book fair is a major fundraiser for our library, earning us 60% of all sales in Scholastic Book Credits, allowing us to continue to maintain and grow our collection, as well as purchase resources for our Makerspace & clubs. Did you know that for every $10 you spend at the Fair, up to $6 comes directly back to our school? (Provided we meet our goal of $4500 or more in sales.) Your support of this vital literacy fundraiser is key to our obtaining new books and resources for our library and classrooms. Every purchase will enter your child’s name in a draw to win a $50 Shopping Spree at the Book Fair!
Don’t forget to mark the Book Fair dates on your calendar!
Book Fair Hours
Wed., Nov. 22nd 3:10 pm – 4:30 am
Thurs., Nov. 23rd 3:10 pm – 7:30 pm
Fri., Nov. 24th 9 am – 2 pm
Mon., Nov. 27th 8:00 am – 10:00 am 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Tues., Nov. 28th 8:00 am – 10:00 am 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Forest of Reading nominations for 2024 have been announced!
All students from JK – 8 will be invited to participate in the Forest of Reading beginning in January. Copies of each of the nominated books by Canadian authors have been ordered for our collection. Please visit the Forest of Reading Website to view the lists of nominated titles.
Well-Being and Health Youth (WHY) Survey – Parent Information
The Why Survey is being conducted from Nov.13-24 for grades 4-12. Please see the parent information letter for more information or visit Well-Being and Health Youth (WHY) Survey. Watch for the letter coming home!
Your Future/Your Choice – Gr 8-12
Don’t forget to save the date and plan to attend Your Future/Your Choice at Centennial CVI on November 15th from 6:00-8:00pm. This is a unique opportunity to connect with representatives from post-secondary institutes, community organizations and local employers. Community organizations will share information about local programs, services and volunteer’s opportunities. This is a perfect opportunity to ask questions, gain insights and even make that valuable first impression. Everyone is welcome, so invite your families and friends to attend. Everyone is welcome and students from UGDSB are encouraged to attend.
Inclement Weather for Bus Students – get the app!
BusPlanner Delays App is now available. Get delay and cancellation notices on your phone (available on IOS and Android phones)
Once downloaded and installed use the following Quick code : WDSTS
It is the parent’s responsibility to determine whether or not it is safe for his or her child to leave for school in inclement or severe weather. A parent must be aware of the following:
When a bus does not travel a route in the morning due to fog, ice, or snow conditions, it will NOT travel that route in the afternoon.
Buses may be delayed in the morning due to traffic, poor road conditions, mechanical breakdowns, etc. To ensure your child is not stranded at his/her pick-up point, please make sure they know what to do and where to go if their bus is more than 15 minutes late.
The STWDSTS website contains the most up-to-date information on school bus delays and cancellations. Cancellations will also be tweeted @stwdsts. An email will be sent to those subscribed to STWDSTS delays and cancellations.
STWDSTS will post information on bus cancellations on their website by 6:30 a.m. Information on school closures due to bus cancellations will also be posted to the STWDSTS website.
Information on transportation cancellations or school closings due to severe weather is also available through CJOY 1460 AM or Magic 106.1 FM in the event of inclement weather. They will broadcast bus cancellations or school closures. Listen for messages for the City of Guelph -Yellow Card.
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! Orders can be made every week – no specific ordering window and refunds/changes are available through Lunchbox.
Mondays – Pita Pit
Thursdays – Harveys
Friday – East Side Marios
Categories: News • Newsletter