KESTREL HEIGHTS NEWSLETTER

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

We would like to provide several reminders regarding carpool for the morning and afternoon for our consolidated campus. Morning arrival begins at 7:20, and scholars are expected to be in class by 7:50. A trend that has been noticed is that our carpool traffic increases between 7:40 - 7:50. However, the line flows fairly quickly prior to 7:45. As you arrive on campus, your scholar can exit their vehicles as you approach the spirit rock and walk with the assistance of our faculty and staff members. Please refer to our late arrival policy below. Our administration team continues to collaborate to make improvements to the carpool lane for our entire school community. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at jamesprice@kestrelheights.org. It is the responsibility of our Kestrel families to ensure their scholars are on time for school and classes. Tardiness interrupts instruction for the entire class and results in missed instruction for the tardy scholar. Scholars who arrive after 7:50 AM must report directly to the office and sign in. Parents must accompany their child and sign them in. Lateness may be excused for reasons of scholar illness or medical/dental appointments with proper documentation from the medical office. Traffic delays, lost items, oversleeping, missed ride, etc. are not valid reasons for tardiness and will be not be excused. Thank you!

Kindergarten

ELA: Sequence of events, Isolate Middle Sound in words, sight words not, have, this

Math: Count, Write, and Model numbers 11- 19, Students will be working on 100-day projects

Science: Unit 4: Sun Warms Earth

1st grade

ELA: Vocabulary- Homophones, Homonyms, Prefixes, Context Clues

Math: Two-Digit Addition With Regrouping, Expanded Form, Standard Form

Social Studies: Black History Month Figures: George Crumb, Lonnie Johnson, Rosa Parks

2nd grade

ELA: We are learning about endings -ed and -ing. We are also learning about cause and effect, recalling information from a story, synonyms, antonyms, and consonant blends.

Math: We are working on 3-digit addition with and without regrouping. Please continue to work with your scholar on basic addition and subtraction facts to ensure accuracy and speed.

Social Studies: We are focusing on Black History. We have talked about Ruby Bridges and Jackie Robinson so far with many more to cover.

Third Grade:

Our third graders have been learning these standards:

ELA:

RL.3.5 Refer to parts of stories, dramas, and poems when writing or speaking about a text, using terms such as chapter, scene, and stanza; describe how each successive part builds on earlier sections.

Math:

NC.3.NF.1

Understand fractions as numbers.

We encourage students to continue to do the following:

• Do i-Ready MyPath (Reading and Math) for at least 30 minutes daily

• Read a book independently for at least 20 minutes daily

• Complete Khan Academy practice lessons: https://www.khanacademy.org/

• Practice multiplication and division facts

Fourth Grade:

Math: In math this week we are wrapping up adding and subtracting with fractions, we will take the test next Monday (2/13). On Tuesday we will begin multiplying fractions. This will be a very short chapter so there will also be a quiz next Thursday on the new materials.

Social Studies: Scholars just finished up their unit on Settling the 3 regions of North Carolina/American Revolution. Next week, we will begin to learn about the statehood of North Carolina and the challenges faced over time.

Fifth Grade:

Math: This week we wrapped up adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators, next week we dive into multiplying fractions.

Social Studies: Scholars just finished up their unit on the early Settlements of North America and the 13 British colonies. Moving forward, students will be introduced to a research paper that they will be working on for the quarter.

Sixth Grade:

Math: This week we are wrapping up Unit 3. This unit covered greatest common factor, least common multiple, prime factorization, distributive property, and dividing fractions. Next week scholars will have a Unit Test on Friday 2/17. Be sure to study and refresh your knowledge of all concepts. Scholars will also receive a study guide.

Science: Ms. Chon’s 6th-grade science class has begun our unit on Earth Systems. This week we have explored what causes the seasons to change. Next week we will examine what causes the moon to appear in a series of phases.

Social Studies: We are continuing to look at India’s history with a focus on Buddhism, comparing Buddhism with Hinduism, and the empires of Maurya and Gupta.

7th grade

Science: We have begun our unit on Earth Systems and will be continuing to explore how to predict the weather through cloud observation.

8th grade

Math: Math 8 scholars are currently learning about Scientific Notation. Math 1 scholars are just started learning Quadratic equations. Scholars are encouraged to continue to practice Math every day. i-ready and Khan Academy are very helpful resources.

Did you know that Tuesday, February 14th will mark our 100th day of school? 100 days of learning is kind of a big deal! That's why we have 2 special activities planned for scholars of any grade to participate in:

Dress Down for the 100th Day:

Remember that February 14th is our 100th day of school dress-down day! Scholars are encouraged to show their creativity in creating a costume or outfit that celebrates 100 days! Some ideas include: dressing up like a 100-year-old person, attaching 100 of something to your shirt, or decorating an outfit in any way that incorporates the number 100. The "best dressed" from each homeroom will win a dress-down day pass!

100 Acts of Kindness Competition:

Is your class the most kind in the school? We're having a contest to put it to the test! The first homeroom to log 100 acts of kindness will be gifted a popcorn party from the PTA! We’re kicking off the competition on February 6th, so be on the lookout for kindness chains to appear near each classroom soon. Need a little inspiration? Check out these 125 suggestions for how to spread kindness everywhere you go: https://bit.ly/3s0bXZo

Are you a 5th-8th grade scholar who loves to read, wants FREE books, and would enjoy meeting new friends? Kestrel scholars are encouraged to join Durham Book Club: a student-led group created by the non-profit StrongHER TogetHER that unites middle school youth from all over Durham through the power of reading.

From April through July, Durham Book Club will meet once a month for author visits, book-related games, and to make new friends. To learn more about Durham Book Club or to sign up, please visit https://www.durhambookclub.org

*The deadline to sign up is March 1st

Keeping up with the PTA:

You can become a PTA member or make a donation at our membership portal: https://khcspta.square.site

Our next PTA meeting will be held virtually on Thursday, February 16th at 6 pm. You do not need to be a member to attend PTA meetings, so drop in to see what we're working on. We hope to see you there! https://meet.google.com/ogi-jwan-gdg

Make sure to follow us @khcspta on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for meeting recaps, news, events, and more.

Scholar-athletes interested in trying out for spring sports must have a completed 2022-2023 Athletic Packet on file with the athletic office (THIS INCLUDES AN UP-TO-DATE MEDICAL PHYSICAL), physicals are good for one calendar year. Please email hess@kestrelheights.org with any questions. Scholars can also pick up a packet from the main office or from Coach Hess.

When the Athletic Packet is submitted scholar-athletes will be officially registered with the athletic department and eligible to try out for any sport during the year. Scholars are

expected to attend each day of tryouts. See the packet with the form attached or you can find it on the Hawk’s athletic website under “files and links”

https://kestrelhawks.bigteams.com

Spring Tryout Information

Girl’s Soccer February 14,15.16

3:30 - 5:00

Kestrel Heights School Gym

4700 S.Alston Ave

Disa Jackson

queenearth6@gamil.com

Co-ed Track and Field

March 7, 8, 9

TBA

Kestrel Heights School

4700 S. Alston Ave

Dale Edmonds

edmonds@kestrelheights.org

Greetings! Our staff would like to request supply donations as we approach the second half of the school year. If you would like to donate, here is a list of the most requested items by teachers:

• Tissues*

• Two-pocket folders*

• Disinfecting wipes*

• Whiteboard markers and erasers*

• Individual dry erase boards

• #2 Ticonderoga pencils

• Pencil top erasers

• Sharpies

• Paper towels

• Crayola markers

• Colored pencils

• Non-latex disposable Gloves

*Most Requested Items

Thank you for all of your support!

We will be partnering with FCR to host a Winter Jamboree in partnership with area Durham Charter Schools on February 20, 2023, 3 pm - 5 pm at Durham Charter School (formerly Healthy Start Academy) located at 807 W. Chapel Hill Street.

Are you ready to empower your scholar to be physically active while she develops and strengthens important life skills? Inspire her confidence by joining your local Girls on the Run community. Scholars in grades 3-5 can sign up for Girls on the Run, and Scholars in grades 6-8 can sign up for Heart and Sole. See the attached flyers for more information.

Are any parents or community members interested in serving as a role model, and want to empower a team of girls? Consider coaching with Girls on the Run!

Coach Requirements:
1. Coaches must be at least 18 years to apply. Jr Coaches must be 16 years to apply.
2. Commit to volunteering two days per week for 1.5-hour sessions
3. Attend and complete one of the mandatory in-person training sessions. *Training dates will be communicated to you once your application has been processed and accepted.

Fill out a coaches application at: https://www.pinwheel.us/volunteer/signup/NewCoachSP2023?sid=a76586ece8784fa3ae35da3c1306568e&hosted=False

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/

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

Tuesday, February 14

100th Day of School!

Tuesday, February 14

KHS Board Meeting

6:30 pm

Thursday, February 16

KHS PTA Meeting

6:00 pm

Monday, February 20

Teacher Workday - No School

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