KESTREL HEIGHTS NEWS

Have a neighbor, family or friends who may be interested in applying for the 2022-23 school year? We have limited seats available! To start the enrollment process, please have them complete our easy, online application on our website at: https://kestrelheights.org/apply-now/

Coming Soon....

We will begin accepting lottery applications for the 2023-24 school year beginning November 15, 2022.

Want to find out more about the Kestrel Heights Expansion Project? Want to ask a question? Want to check out the live feed camera to see the progress or the construction crew hard at work? Make sure you visit our expansion project page below!

https://kestrelheights.org/expansion-project-information/

Kestrel's Scholar of the Week - Celebrating scholars who SOAR above and beyond!

Kindergarten:

Happy Fall!!

Kindergartener’s learned all about the different types of apples and had a great time tasting them. We continue to learn names, sounds and correct letter formation of letters as well as basic sight words.

Kindergarten scholars continue to use their classroom resources to guide their learning. This is one way we show the right attitude toward learning here at Kestrel Heights. We SOAR!

Second Grade:

Hello second grade parents, can you believe the first quarter has ended? We just finished up Chapter 3 in math focusing on addition and subtraction. In ELA we are working on base endings -ing, -ed, proper nouns as well as verbs. In social studies, we are finishing up our Location magazine. In science, we are learning more about how animals help plants to grow. Thank you for all of your support you give to your scholars. Please remember to read each night for at least 20 minutes. Also just a friendly reminder that we will be on Fall Break from 10/31-11/4, please stay safe and enjoy this time with your family.

Third Grade:

Yes! We have made it through the first quarter and we are thrilled with our scholars! So far everyone seems to be enjoying third grade as we continue to explore and learn new things with interactive activities, and engaging discussions.

Math: We began to gain an understanding of multiplication by building on 2nd grade knowledge of repeated addition, equal groups and arrays. We will continue with Chapter 4: Multiplication facts and strategies. Scholars are encouraged to continue working on memorizing their multiplication facts over break!

Reading: We will look at identifying the main idea and details. Also, scholars will be reading daily and using a variety of comprehension strategies while participating in both whole class and small group reading instruction.

Please ensure your child continues reading for 30 minutes every night.

Some common questions are asking the scholars to highlight character traits, theme, mood, plot, setting, or mood and to show support with evidence from the text for any of these elements.

Fourth Grade:

This week in 4th grade math, students finished Chapter 3: multiplication with 2-digit numbers by 2-digit numbers. They began dividing by 1-digit numbers and will work toward “long division.” I encourage all scholars to continue working on memorizing their multiplication facts over break!

This week in Social Studies, 4th grade wrapped up learning about the midterm elections. Upon our return from Fall break, we will jump into learning about the American Indian tribes of North Carolina. Enjoy your Fall Break!

Fifth Grade:

This week in 5th grade math, students continued to work with decimals, specifically adding and subtracting with decimals. When we return from Fall Break students will test on these skills and move into multiplication with decimals. I encourage all students to continue working on memorizing their multiplication facts over break!

This week in Social Studies, 5th grade wrapped up learning about the midterm elections. Upon our return from Fall break, we will jump into learning about the Exploration of North America. Enjoy your Fall Break!

6th Grade:

Social Studies - We are learning about the civilizations of ancient Mesopotamia, including the first law code, written language epic poems, and the first empires (Akkad, Babylonia, Assyria, Neo Babylon). Students have also been assigned a project that involves creating a civilization based upon the characteristics of a civilization.

AIG:

AIG testing is now complete for the 2022-2023 school year. There were 39 students in grades 3-8 who were referred or interested in qualifying for Kestrel’s AIG program. Now that testing is complete, AIG classes have resumed in grades 4-8. Here are the current topics/themes covered in AIG class for each grade level:

4th Grade - The Impact of Inventions on our Lives

5th Grade - Enduring Failure to Achieve Success, Apollo 13, Ernest Shackleton

6th Grade - Learning from Life Experiences, Personal Narratives, Frederick Douglass

7th Grade - Exploring Conflict, Internal vs External, Man vs Society, Man vs Himself

8th Grade - Nature Proves our Vulnerability, The Dust Bowl, Grapes of Wrath

Front Office

Student Check out: To ensure a timely dismissal process for all Kestrel families, we are unable to accommodate student checkouts after 2:30pm. Thank you for understanding.

Breakfast/Lunch Ordering Instructions: Please note that all parents of students who choose school lunch have to use this system to pre-order their meals, regardless of their status (free, reduced, or paid). Pre-orders must be in by 7pm the day before to receive meals. To pre-order, you will need to create an account in the school payment portal link below. The parent's guide and ordering instructions will be helpful from there.

Below is a link to the payment portal: School Payment Portal

Ordering Instructions: How to pre-order

Here is the parent's guide: Parents Guide to the Payment Portal

And the meal charge policy: Meal Charge Policy

Please email Ms. Holmes at CourtneyHolmes@KestrelHeights.org with any questions.

Individuals interested in joining the KHS Board of Directors are encouraged to complete an application. https://forms.gle/iTE889LvqrokWcmJ6

Substitute teaching can be an ideal way to supplement your income while setting your schedule. It will also allow you to improve your classroom skills by trying different grade levels and instructional methods. If interested, please click on the link below and submit your substitute teacher application. https://kestrelheights.org/careers/

To pay online, go to www.strawbridge.net. Select Order Pictures and enter the following code: FM406897

https://strawbridge.fotomerchanthv.com/clients/kestrel-heights-charter-school/fall-retake-pictures-11-15-2022-153/optIn The above link will allow parents to sign up to receive updates via email regarding their child's school portraits. These updates include promotions, additional deals and the ability to order more pictures at a later time. When entering scholar information, parents should be sure to enter the scholar's name as it is on file at the school.

Boy's Basketball Tryouts

Nov. 8 -10

3:30 - 5:00

Kestrel Heights School Gym-

4700 S. Alston Ave

Coach Ronnie Hess

Hess@kestrelheights.org

Girl’s Basketball Tryouts

Nov. 8 - 10

5:00 - 6:30

(can stay at school and do homework)

Kestrel Heights School Gym-

4700 S. Alston Ave

Coach Dale Edmonds

edmonds@kestrelheights.org

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/KestrelHeightsSchool/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/KestrelHeights

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/kestrelheights/

NextDoor: https://nextdoor.com/pages//pages/kestrel-heights-charter-school-durham-nc/recommend/

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/school/kestrel-heights-school

Monday, October 31 - November 4

Fall Break

Tuesday, November 8, 6:30 pm

Kestrel Heights Board Meeting

Thursday, November 10

Q1 Report Cards

Friday, November 11

Veterans Day - No School

Tuesday, November 15

School Picture Make Up Day

Tuesday, November 15, 6:30pm

Parent-Family Engagement Session - Expansion Project

Thursday, November 17, 6:00 pm

Kestrel PTA Meeting

Wednesday, November 23-25

Thanksgiving Break

Thursday, December 8, 5:30pm

K-2 Winter Musical

Thursday, December 8, 6:30pm

3-5 Winter Musical

Tuesday, December 13, 6:30pm

Kestrel Heights Board Meeting

Thursday, December 15, 6:00pm

Kestrel PTA Meeting

Thursday, December 15, 7:00pm

4-8 Winter Band Concert

Monday, December 19 - Monday, January 2

Winter Break

We are a small, diverse, and inclusive learning community in Durham that empowers our Scholars to sharpen academic knowledge, demonstrate creative expression and expand leadership abilities to prepare for success in high school, college, and beyond.

Email: Vargas@kestrelheights.org
Website: www.kestrelheights.org
Location: 4700 South Alston Avenue, Durham, NC, USA
Phone: 919-484-1300
Facebook: facebook.com/KestrelHeightsSchool
Twitter: @kestrelheights