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March 31, 2008

News from K'Port Parks and Rec Department

REMINDER: On April 4th, from 5:30-8:00, there will be a Mother/Son pizza and bowling event, and on April 5th, from 7:00-9:00, there will be a Father/Daughter dance! Join the fun!

Board of School Directors Host Summit

The Board of School Directors invites all Kennebunk and Kennebunkport taxpayers  to participate in a confidential summit on Wednesday, April 9.  Members of the Board will be available for conversation and questions from 7 to 9 PM at Kennebunk High School.  Please plan to meet in Room 5, enter through the Superintendent's office door, at 7 PM  for a brief overview of the process.


The purpose of these summits is to provide another means of communication between the Board and the various interest groups in the District.  In the past, the Board has held three Teacher Summits, one each at the Elementary, Middle, and High School levels; a support staff summit; parents summit; graduated student summit; and high school student summit.  The findings were reported to the full Board and also to the Superintendent so that he could follow up on items that warranted further study.  


This year the Board will be meeting with taxpayers on April 9, and with the graduated students in mid-June, in their continuing effort to hear from all stakeholders in the District.


The format will be three short questions from the Board about the District, followed by an open session for any questions or discussion you might wish to pursue.  All information will be kept confidential, with no names or identifying facts provided.  The Board will prepare two reports, one for the public and another for the Superintendent, both maintaining confidentiality.  The reports will be presented at a future Board meeting.


Please feel free to contact any Board member or the Superintendent's Administrative Assistant (985-1100 or dgillette@msad71.net) if you have questions about the meeting or the process.  Thank you in advance for your participation!


March 28, 2008

DO WOP WED WIDING HOOD

It's finally here! Opening night is TONIGHT!! Join us for Do Wop Wed Widing Hood at 7 PM in our gym!! Tomorrow night, too...same time...same place!

March 28, 2008

STUFF THE BUS items can still be sent into school with your child through April 11th.

There are boxes in some of the classrooms as well as one in the main hall outside of the office.  Thank you for your support. Please see this week's red folders for more details.

We will offically be STUFFING THE BUS on the morning of April 11th!

And just a reminder: KINDERGARTEN: RAMEN NOODLES    FIRST GRADE: PANCAKE SYRUP SECOND GRADE: SOUP   THIRD GRADE: TUNA FISH   FOURTH GRADE: BEEF STEW OR COMPLETE MEALS   FIFTH GRADE: JELLY

 

Help! Mrs. Hirst is looking for parent volunteers to help cover the office from 12:00 to 1:00 on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. If you are available and would like to help, please give her a call at 967-5998. Thanks!

 

Remember…it’s not yet Spring on the playground!!

 

Thank you to Mrs. Hardy and Mrs. Vennell for organizing another successful BOOK SWAP!

 

On Wednesday, Superintendent Tom Farrell came to Consolidated to tape an edition of his television show, SCHOOL GNUS. This time he pioneered an All Kindergarten show…quite an exciting experience for everyone involved! We want to thank our Kindergarten STARS:

Silas Woodman, Parker Rose Fairfield, Maxwell Murray, and Charlotte Johnson for their participation! SCHOOL GNUS will air after the April break on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 6 PM on channel 5. Tune in!!

 

FYI: Our Board of School Directors has changed their meeting days from the 2nd and 4th Mondays to the 1st and 3rd Mondays. The first meeting of the month will be held in Kennebunk (televised on channel 5) and the second in the Port (channels 2 and 16).

 

TONIGHT!! and TOMORROW NIGHT! Come and see DO WOP WED WIDING HOOD! Under the direction of Jeni Kingston, seventy-five K-5 students are participating in this terrific production. They have been working for several weeks and the opening dates are HERE!! Please join us in supporting the wonderful addition to our school community!

Tonight at 7 PM and Saturday at 7 PM in our gymnasium!

 

KCS was one of the two schools in York County asked to participate in Pinwheels for Prevention, a month long campaign in April to bring awareness to the issue of child abuse. On Monday, March 24th all students created colorful pinwheels…grades 4 and 5 assisted our younger grades. On Tuesday, March 25th, there was a short assembly to present the pinwheels. Members of York County Child Abuse Prevention Council joined us for this presentation, and Jen West, also one of our parents, spoke to the students about having a safe and happy childhood. We want to thank Jen and Sarah Dore-Fairfield, another KCS parent, for the work they are doing with the Council, and for organizing and supporting KCS in raising awareness with regard to the issue of child abuse. Come and see the pinwheels in the display case and in the lobby!

 

Don’t forget to schedule your conference!!

 

PLAN AHEAD!

 

March 28: 8:30 FMM…7:00 Port Players: Do Wop Wed Widing Hood

March 29: 7:00 Port Players: Do Wop Wed Widing Hood

April 3: 8:30-11:30 grade 3 to Southworth Planetarium…8:30-4:15 Grades 2 and 1-2 to Boston Museum of Science

April 4: 10:00 Band and Chorus rehearsal

April 8: 9:00 DO WOP WED WIDING HOOD is presented to the school…1:00 the play is presented to second graders from KES

April 13 through April 16: NEASC accreditation team visit

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 21, 2008

March 21, 2008

KCPTA Rolling Food Drive: Last week for CONDIMENTS!!!  And read on…

 

Kennebunkport Consolidated PTA & Kennebunk Elementary PTA are joining forces to help fight hunger in our community! We are planning to STUFF-THE-BUS full of food donations to benefit our local food pantry & the Alfred Shelter. Beginning March 24th and running through April 11th you can be part of a DISTRICT WIDE MSAD71 FOOD DRIVE! After reviewing, the local pantry’s needs, we have compiled a list of items that we would like each grade level to be responsible for. We will have boxes available in the lobby for you to drop your donation in:

KINDERGARTEN: RAMEN NOODLES    FIRST GRADE: PANCAKE SYRUP

SECOND GRADE: SOUP   THIRD GRADE: TUNA FISH

FORTH GRADE: BEEF STEW OR COMPLETE MEALS   FIFTH GRADE: JELLY

 The Feinstein Foundation will donate over $1 Million dollars in matching funds to agencies across the country that participate in his challenge, and the challenge is to feed the hungryFood items will be valued at $1.00 per item or pound, and every dollar donated may be matched equally. Thank you for your participation in this wonderful district-wide hunger prevention campaign.  We will be officially stuffing the bus on April 11thMore details can be found in red folders! Please contact STUFF THE BUS Coordinator Amy Johnson with any questions.

 

CONGRATULATIONS to our own Come Back Kids!! Our Math Team has been struggling this year as they have been competing against schools with much larger talent pools. Yesterday they more than rose to the occasion and won a third place trophy!! Congratulations!! We are so proud of you!

 

On Thursday we had over twenty students come to the office for hats and mittens. We are very close to having none left. PLEASE remind your students that they need to bring their own from home…it’s not yet Spring weather on the KCS playground! Thanks so much!

 

Except for a few make up tests, the MEAs are complete for another year. Last year our grade 3 through 5 students did an amazing job…the results were great at all grade levels. This year the students worked very hard, took the test very seriously and appeared to do their best work. This is what we hope for, and the results generally follow. Science at grade four this year may not be as strong since the science curriculum has changed and does not align with the material covered on the MEA. We will see how that works out. Parents, thank you for your support and cooperation throughout the testing window. It is appreciated!

 

FYI: Our Board of School Directors has changed their meeting days from the 2nd and 4th Mondays to the 1st and 3rd Mondays. The first meeting of the month will be held in Kennebunk (televised on channel 5) and the second in the Port (channels 2 and 16).

 

Don’t forget!! Our annual KCS Book Swap is now being held every Tuesday morning in the library from 8:00-8:30. This will continue for one more week through March 25th. Books for adults are also welcome! Last year we had a great collection to choose from. Join us for the book swap and take home a “new” book!

 

Last Funky Friday! With the coming of Spring…finally!…Funky Fridays come to an end. We are closing out the winter season with “Class Choice Day”…always an adventure!

A very special thank you from all of us to our Queen of Funky Fridays, Nancy Barrett. Nancy came up with this idea many, many years ago and it has become a wonderful KCS tradition…one that we all enjoy. She organizes the themes, and moderates that portion of our Friday Morning Meeting. It’s a great way to mark the many weeks of winter.

We also want to thank everyone who participated in the Funky Friday themes…staff, students, even some parents! The more participation, the more fun!

So thanks, Mrs. B…we have loved Funky Fridays this year. Happy Spring, everyone!

 

The Port Players are back!!! Under the direction of Jeni Kingston, seventy-five K-5 students are participating in the production of Do Wop Wed Widing Hood! They have been working for several weeks and the opening dates are fast approaching. Mark your calendars for another amazing Port Players production: Friday, March 28 at 7:00 PM…Saturday, March 29 at 7:00 PM…and April 8th at 9:00 AM, for the school…this is a change in date. Be sure to join us!!

 

KCS was one of the two schools in York County asked to participate in Pinwheels for Prevention, a month long campaign to bring awareness to the issue of child abuse. On Monday, March 24th all students will create colorful pinwheels…grades 4 and 5 are assisting our younger grades. On Tuesday, March 25th, there will be a short assembly to present the pinwheels. Members of York County Child Abuse Prevention Council will be joining us for this presentation.

 

Congratulations to grade three classes for the wonderful job they did on their endangered animal reports! Thanks to Mrs. Boyd and Mrs. Morse for their guidance and direction, and thanks to the parents that came to the AM Open House.

 

Report cards go home today and parent conferences will be scheduled over a three week period, ending on April 18th. Once you receive your teacher’s conference schedule please remember to call the school for a conference…we hope to see all of our parents! Thanks!

 

 

PLAN AHEAD!

 

March 25: 9:30-11:45 Grade 1 to Harris Farm

March 26: 8:30 Pinwheels for Prevention assembly

March 28: 8:30 FMM…7:00 Port Players: Do Wop Wed Widing Hood

March 29: 7:00 Port Players: Do Wop Wed Widing Hood

 

 

 

 

 

March 18, 2008

Port Players change the date of one performance!

Due to a conflict, the school performance of Do Wop Wed Widing Hood will be changed from March 28th, after Friday Morning Meeting, to Tuesday, April 8th, at 9:00.

The evening performances will remain the same:

7:00 PM on Friday, March 28th, and  7:00 PM on Saturday, March 29th.

However, if you miss one of those performances, please join us for the school performance on Tuesday, April 8th at 9:00.

All performances will take place in the KCS gymnasium. We hope to see you!!

March 14, 2008

March 14, 2008

Remember…MEAs this month!! Thanks for your cooperation!

 

The KCPTA rolling food drive continues!! We have had a great response in the past, so thanks to everyone who has contributed…please keep it up…it is appreciated! The items for March are condiments:  mayo, mustard, maple syrup, ketchup, relish, etc. There is a box in the lobby for your donations. Thank you!

 

Don’t forget!! Our annual KCS Book Swap is now being held every Tuesday morning in the library from 8:00-8:30. This will continue for two more weeks through March 25th. Books for adults are also welcome! Last year we had a great collection to choose from. Join us for the book swap and take home a “new” book!

 

Meet the team!!! The NEASC accreditation visiting team consists of educators…teachers and administrators…from across the six state region. This is the final phase of the first part of the accreditation process which began eighteen months ago with an in depth look at all aspects of our school. The following educators…and one additional one… will be visiting KCS from April 13 through April 16:

Regina Birdsell, Assistant Executive Director, CT Association of Schools

Helen Rist, Principal, Newington, NH

Julie Crafts, Grade 1 teacher, York, ME

Deborah Flynn, Grade 3 teacher, Medfield, MA

Mark Tozer, Grade 5 teacher, Worcester, MA

Jane Smith, Principal, Baileyville, ME

We are excited to have the team with us, and we hope you will have an opportunity to meet them while they are here.

 

The Port Players are back!!! Under the direction of Jeni Kingston, seventy-five K-5 students are participating in the production of Do Wop Wed Widing Hood! They have been working for several weeks and the opening dates are fast approaching. Mark your calendars for another amazing Port Players production: Friday, March 28 after FMM, and at 7:00 PM…Saturday, March 29 at 7:00 PM! Join us!!

 

Report cards will be going home on March 21st and parent conferences will be scheduled over a three week period, ending on April 18th. Classroom teachers will be sending home conference schedules closer to the conference window. Please remember to call the school for a conference…we hope to see all of our parents! Thanks!

 

Many thanks to Ann Doe for donating a portion of her Avon products profit to benefit the new science curriculum. Her donation will pay for additional materials to support the science kits. Check out her website at: www.youravon.com/adoe

 

PLAN AHEAD!

March 18: 8:00-8:30 Book Swap…8:30-12:00 Grades 4 and 5 to Merrill Auditorium

March 20: 8:30-11:15 Grade 1 to Harris Farm

March 21: 8:30 FMM

 

 

 

March 07, 2008

March 7, 2008

Remember…MEAs this month!! Thanks for your cooperation!

 

We want to thank Andy Vail, Lisa Miller and Nancy Barrett for the informative presentation on Science Companion this morning at the special KCPTA meeting. We appreciate their efforts. The program has been very enthusiastically received by the students! There are many hands on experiences and great opportunities for student participation. Next year should be even better as the teachers will be more familiar with the program as a whole. Thanks to the KCPTA for showcasing our new science program!

 

The KCPTA rolling food drive continues!! We have had a great response in the past, so thanks to everyone who has contributed and please keep it up…it is appreciated! The items for March are condiments:  mayo, mustard, maple syrup, ketchup, relish, etc. There is a box in the lobby for your donations. Thank you!

 

Many thanks to National Semiconductor for the donation of pedometers to Lisa Miller’s class. The class is participating in a pilot fitness program with K’Port Parks and Rec. We appreciate their support.

 

Don’t forget! TONIGHT, March 7th, at 6:30 PM, the KCPTA will sponsor our very first Line Dance/Square Dance! Casual dress and fun for all! Join us!!!

 

Our annual KCS Book Swap is now being held every Tuesday morning in the library from 8:00-8:30. This will continue for four weeks through March 25th. Books for adults are also welcome! Last year we had a great collection to choose from. Join us for the book swap and take home a “new” book!

 

Now that our self-study is completed, we are planning for our New England Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation visit which is coming up in April. The team of seven educators from throughout New England will be visiting KCS from April 13 through April 16. Along with classroom observations and teacher interviews and meetings, they will be meeting with our Building Advisory Team as well as with a group of parents. We will have a special “Wednesday Morning Meeting” with the team on the 16th that week instead of our usual FMM, so perhaps those of you who attend will have a chance to meet them as well. It should be a very valuable experience for our school and we are looking forward to it. Stay tuned for more information!

 

Report cards will be going home on March 21st and parent conferences will be scheduled over a three week period, ending on April 18th. Classroom teachers will be sending home conference schedules closer to the conference window. Please remember to call the school for a conference…we hope to see all of our parents! Thanks!

 

 

Check this out from Adult Ed:

STRONG FATHERS – NEW - BRIAN T. CLARK

The STRONG Fathers Network is excited to present Fathering 101, a six-week, father-focused parenting class designed to give fathers and father-figures a chance to explore the challenges, expectations, responsibilities, and joys of parenting from the male point of view.  Classes are designed to provide men with practical skills and ideas that will support their efforts to be skilled, active, and strong parents.  There will be discussions on a broad range of topics, including:  connecting with our children, learning and behavioral development, positive discipline, family finances, communication as well as topics of special interest to the class.  If you are a father or a man who has a strong presence in the life of a child, and you are trying to “be there” for your kids, trying to make different choices than your father made, or are a new/expectant father not sure what to expect, this is a class for you.  Start date: Thursday, March 13, 6:30-8:30, 6 classes.  FREE as a public service, but pre-registration is necessary. 

 

 

PLAN AHEAD!

March 11: 8:00-8:30 Book Swap

March 12: ERW…noon dismissal

March 14: 8:30 FMM

March 18: 8:30-12:00 Grades 4 and 5 to Merrill Auditorium

March 20: 8:30-11:15 Grade 1 to Harris Farm