Message from the Principal
Welcome back from Deb Kaufman, Principal and Sheryl Elliot, Vice Principal:
We hope that everyone has had an enjoyable and relaxing summer and that the students are looking forward to another great year at KDSS.
Please be aware that our School Year Calendar has changed slightly; we will continue to operate on a rotating Day 1 - 4 timetable but we will now designate the periods by letter (A, B, C, D). Also, the rotation has changed slightly. Day 1 will be periods, A, B, C, D. Day 2 will be C, D, A, B. Day 3 schedule will be B, A, D, C and Day 4 will be D, C, B, A. Students will be receiving a fridge magnet, which will include the School Calendar and other important information.
For the fourth year, all Bluewater Secondary Schools will be providing a program called Link Crew for grade 9’s on Tuesday, September 7 while the first day of regular classes for all grades will occur on Wednesday, September 8th.
Link Crew is a high school transition program that welcomes grade nines to KDSS and makes them feel comfortable throughout their first year of high school. We would like to thank the Link Crew Members and Staff Advisors for giving up much of their personal time to prepare for this exciting day!
Over the past few years, the staff of KDSS worked very hard to encourage students to be on time and attend all of their classes. Although we are making improvement, particularly with punctuality, we need to continue to remind parents and students that attendance is essential to success in school. Parents are reminded that students require a note or a phone call to the attendance line (519-396-9151 – selection1) if they are going to be absent or late for school. We ask that you work with us to encourage regular attendance by booking appointments after school when possible and encouraging students to balance co-curricular interests with the need to be in class. Parents should be receiving a phone call notification from our Synervoice System if their child is absent or late; if these phone calls are not occurring, please
call us to ensure we have your current phone number on file. We also ask that parents mark our exam dates on the calendar now to avoid conflicts with other obligations… (January 27- February 2 and June 23-29).
On September 7, grade 9’s are asked to congregate in the gym for their Link Crew activities. A lunch of pizza and milk will be provided. No school supplies are required for the Link Crew day.
On September 8, grade 10-12 students will find their first period class listed on the office window. Once in class, timetables will be distributed and students will be invited to the gym for a brief assembly.
With the hope that the warm weather we have been enjoying in August continues into September, students are reminded to be conscious of the dress code when getting ready in the morning. In order to maintain an appropriate and respectful environment with a focus on learning, students are asked to wear clothing that is not revealing (shoulders, midriff, and cleavage should be covered) and is free from inappropriate slogans or reference to drug and alcohol use. Students are asked to remove hats in academic areas. All students are asked to review the code of conduct to ensure that they start the year on the right foot.
Please plan to attend our Welcome Back Barbeque hosted by our SCC and H & S on Thursday, September 16 from 5:30-7:30. All are invited to come out and meet our staff, Home and School and SCC members, as well as other parents and students. This is also a great time to inquire about joining Home and School and/or SCC. Meetings occur the first Wednesday of each month in the Library and new members are always welcome and appreciated. It is a great way to stay informed and involved in your child’s education.
ImportantDates:
September 7 – Grade 9 Link Crew Day
September 8 – First Day of School for grades 10-12
September 14 – Picture Day
September 16 – Welcome Back Barbeque hosted by SCC and H & S
We are looking forward to a great year at KDSS. The staff, students, and parents in the KDSS school community have made the administrative role very rewarding for us both. As indicated in the BWDSB Standards of Practice, “Student Achievement is advantaged by parents and school staff working together as each possesses unique insights about students.” The KDSS school community exemplifies this statement.
On a final note we would like to take the opportunity to express our gratitude to Carol Blake. Carol has voluntarily landscaped and maintained our now beautiful gardens at the front of the school.
We look forward to seeing everyone once again on September 7th and 8th.
Recycled garden brightens up west side of KDSS
Relaxing in the new garden at KDSS are, back, Amy Adams (L), Ashlee Robinson, Jessilyn Ross, Lauren Scott, Tori Bos; front, Amelia Davidson (L), Matt Watson and Simon Erlich
Students and staff enjoy the recycled garden on the west side of KDSS
Brooke Hoover (L), Melissa Fabry and Angelina Smith sit in the beach-themed part of the garden
Staying healthy in the Flu Season
Bluewater District School Board is working in partnership with Grey Bruce Public Health to prepare our schools to minimize the risk of exposure and control the spread of H1N1 flu and other influenza-like illness. We are following the Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 in Elementary and Secondary Schools prepared by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the Ministry of Education. These guidelines are posted to the board website – http://www.bwdsb.on.ca/about_us/H1N1/Updates
Bluewater District School Board is in regular communication with Grey Bruce Public Health. They, in turn, are in regular communication with provincial and federal health authorities.
As a board, we follow the direction of health professionals on this important health issue. If the situation changes, we will make sure that you have the information quickly and accurately. Our priority is to make sure you have the information you need.
Thanks
Deb Kaufman
Principal, K&DSS
Fundscrip 2009
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported Fundsrip this year. Thanks to your efforts we have raised over $8000. With these funds we have been able to support a number of students who were experiencing difficulty paying for school events. In these tough economic times it is even more important to find ways of ensuring that everyone can participate in school events. If you don't already know about Fundscrip, please click here to find
out how you can support our students.
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