KESTREL HEIGHTS NEWSLETTER

A Kestrel Heights Expansion Project tab has been created on our website!

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

On this page you will find construction updates, the Expansion Project Questions/Concerns form, answers to questions/concerns, pictures and videos!

Our next Parent & Family Engagement Session will be held on April 19th at either 12:30pm - 1:30 pm or 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Google Meet joining info: https://meet.google.com/xvu-jxmo-fmn

April Menus can be found online https://kestrelheights.org/lunch-information/

All parents of students who choose to eat from school’s lunch regardless of their status (Free, Reduced or Paid) have to use this system to pre-order the meals. Pre-order meals must be in by 5pm the day before the meal is being pre-ordered.

Please review the attachment below. It contains the information for creating your Lunch Account and how to pre-order meals for your child(ren).

Read it carefully, then click the link below to get started with the setup.

Account Setup Instructions:

https://kestrelheights.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Parents-Guide-to-School-Payment-Portal.pdf

How to pre-order instructions (Lunch Only):

https://kestrelheights.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/How-to-Pre-Order.pdf

Pre-Order Breakfast:

https://forms.gle/nis6YkXHyrA8gu5C7

Free and Reduced Lunch Forms:

https://kestrelheights.org/lunch-information/

Orders for the KHS Yearbook will be available through the link below until April 15th! Don't forget to order yours today!

Purchase link: https://www.treering.com/validate?

The passcode for our school is: 1015578386412398

KINDERGARTEN GRADE NEWS:

Kindergarten scholars in the pictures display their creation of 2D shapes on a geoboard. They have designed boats, houses, and other inventions which they will indeed build as future engineers and architects. Scholars enjoy being introduced to the topic this week and will undoubtedly continue to strive for excellence as we look at more complex shapes over the next few weeks.

FIRST GRADE NEWS:

In math, 1st grade has been learning about picture graphs, tally graphs, and bar graphs. Students have also been reviewing long vowel u and multiple word meanings. Today students review what they’ve learned during partener work Friday.

SECOND GRADE NEWS:

Second grade continues to learn new weekly vocabulary words, and we have started working on fact & opinion writing. In Math we are learning about inches and feet. We are also using measuring tools and showing measurement data.

THIRD GRADE NEWS:

Third grade has just completed a unit on two dimensional Shapes in Math. In reading we are working on how to distinguish facts from opinion in literature.

FOURTH GRADE NEWS:

In math, the first round of “minute” quizzes is complete. Mr. Belcher and Ms. Manching’s homerooms are now in a tie for winning the (voted on) pizza party. Round 2 starts next week with re-do’s for everyone (regardless of whether they passed the first time - we want to keep it fresh!). We will do three re-do’s per week, starting back at 0 next Monday. Keep posted…

We are currently learning these 4th Grade ELA standards:

RI.4.8 Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text.

W.4.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.

In social studies, scholars are comparing and contrasting primary and secondary sources. They are also analyzing primary sources related to local government functions.

FIFTH GRADE NEWS:

In math, the first round of “minute” quizzes is complete. Mrs. Hart’s class pulled ahead (but barely), putting them on top for winning the (voted on) pizza party. Round 2 starts next week with re-do’s for everyone (regardless of whether they passed the first time - we want to keep it fresh!). We will do three re-do’s per week, starting back at 0 next Tuesday. Keep posted…

We are currently learning these 5th Grade ELA standards:

RI.5.8 Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text, identifying which reasons and evidence support which point(s).

W.5.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.

In social studies, scholars are comparing and contrasting primary and secondary sources. They are also analyzing primary sources related to the U.S Constitution.

SIXTH GRADE NEWS:

ELA: Scholars are learning how to write a memoir. We learned that writing a memoir allows you to reflect on your life story, and be proud of the things you’ve been able to accomplish. It is a true account of your personal experiences, but not your whole life’s story like an autobiography.

Science: My 6th graders are studying photosynthesis. They are learning that we must have oxygen that the plants give off in order to survive. They are able to identify that plants, algae and bacteria use energy from the sun to make food molecules called sugars. Scholars used symbols to complete a chemical equation for photosynthesis. Scholars are finding it interesting that there is a connection between photosynthesis and cellular respiration. The scholars are also able to connect how photosynthesis takes place inside organelles called chloroplast.

SEVENTH GRADE NEWS:

ELA : Students are in their final week of reading “Flowers for Algernon”. They are currently comparing text to media. Scholars have done a great job explaining parts of the movie that stayed true to the text and also scenes that had significant changes or additions when compared to the text. Scholars will get the opportunity to create their own multimedia version of the text, making their own changes and additions.

Science: This week scholars are learning more about pedigrees. They have learned that a pedigree is similar to a family tree. Scholars understand that a pedigree focuses on a specific trait and shows the phenotype of each family member. They are learning that if certain information is given, they can now determine the genotype. Scholars are understanding more about what it means to be dominant or recessive. They have also learned that the majority of harmful genetic conditions are only seen if a person is homozygous recessive. They will learn this week some examples of conditions that are caused by recessive alleles.

EIGHTH GRADE NEWS:

Please feel free to drop off donations at the front desk or send them with your scholar to give directly to their teacher.

Items to consider:

• Disinfectant wipes
• Hand sanitizer
• Disposable masks(Children's size)
• Cases of Water
• Band-Aids - various sizes

• Healthy, peanut free and tree nut free snacks (scholars who do not have a snack)

• Tissues

• Baggies

IT’S TIME!!! for nominations:

This year we are fortunate to have enough volunteers to fill a full Executive PTA Board and ensure that our PTA funds are active and accessible to our students and community for the 2021/2022 school year. The PTA, however, is always interested in engaging with more parents and staff members. If you are interested in a potential role next year or would like to nominate someone, please fill out the nominations form no later than April 15, 2022. This gives our Nominating Committee enough time to review potential candidates and present their slate of nominees before the April 18, 2022 Executive Board election!

Visit this link to submit your nominations: https://forms.gle/3XwQyD8FAVn2h2iz7

Boosterthon Annual Fundraiser:

In just 4 weeks, we’ll kick off our Kestrel Heights Fun Run & Color Run on 5/4! Our goal is to raise $12,000 for the PTA budget which helps provide financial support for special projects that would otherwise fall outside of the school’s budget. This is our primary fundraiser for the year and money raised through this event will be used to support a variety of important initiatives throughout the year, including: classroom technology and enrichment, arts programs, student athletics, school events, and more and to strengthen our school community. This year more than ever, we need additional funds to provide an excellent educational experience for all of our students. We completely understand if your family is not in a position to financially support the school right now. You can still be involved by simply SHARING about our fundraiser with friends and extended family online at mybooster.com. Sharing IS supporting! All students will participate in the Kestrel Heights Fun Run & Color Run, regardless of financial participation. We will also be following our school safety guidelines to ensure a safe and fun experience for everyone.

We appreciate your support more than you know. More details to come as we get closer to kickoff!

Key dates to remember:

• Registration Opens - 4/20; register on mybooster.com

• Donating Starts - 4/27

• Fundraiser Kick Off - 5/4

• Event Day - 5/12; SAVE THE DATE!

Snapology’s after-school STEAM workshops are coming back to Kestrel:

We’re thrilled to partner with Snapology again to bring another series of after-school STEAM workshops to Kestrel Heights! Elementary and middle school scholars can enroll in a 5-week class. Our elementary program will occur each Tuesday, while our Middle school program will occur each Wednesday starting the last week of April.

Both classes will feature fun hands-on educational activities, and a portion of the registration fee will be donated back to our school.

Space is limited, so register today at www.flow.page/snapkhcs

Spring Book Fair volunteer opportunity:

We are excited to begin planning our Spring Book Fair, which will occur May 20th through May 27th. In order to make this happen, we are in need of several volunteers to assist us. If you are interested in helping set up, break down, or work during the book fair, please visit this link to sign up for an available volunteer slot: https://forms.gle/ZfFxQCQh86iqkggi7

Register for Camp Kestrel using the following link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1nZCKhlxHVoJm1xNmybuu1a2o7f-6z3S_hglaPJk6hVc/edit

The Parent and Family Engagement Calendar is located on our website at: https://kestrelheights.org/calendar/

April 11- 29:

Parent Conferences

April 12:
Kestrel Heights Board Meeting

6:30 pm

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/97270389749?pwd=VlEyYlVVL2V1THlZdnVleUZSUmU2Zz09
Meeting ID: 972 7038 9749
Passcode: KHCS

April 14:

3rd Quarter Honor Roll Celebration

April 15:
Holiday- No School

April 19:

Parent & Family Engagement Session - Expansion Project

April 22:
Middle School Grade Level Celebrations

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: https://www.facebook.com/KestrelHeightsSchool
Twitter: @KestrelHeights