"Striving to Make the Best of Every Child Even Better"ild Even Better."

For the week beginning September 5, 2010

KENTER WELCOME NEW FACULTY & STAFF MEMBERS

We are pleased to welcome the following faculty and staff members to Kenter:

Ryann Fletcher, Assistant Principal / EIS

Melanie Crane, School Psychologist

Linda Luther, School Nurse

Elizabeth Sandoval, Administrative Assistant

Donnajo Popielarski, Grade 5 Teacher / Room 203

Eve Jacobson, Grade 4 Teacher / Room 101

Kimberly Smith, Grade 4 Teacher / Room 201

Alana Haynes, Grade 2 Teacher / Room 8

Kristin Maloof, Instructional Aide / Grade 3

Julia Hiser, Instructional Aide / Grade 2

KENTER PRINCIPAL SUMMER READING "BOOK REPORT" PROGRAM

All Kenter students in grades 1-4 as well as incoming Kindergarten students are encouraged to read throughout the summer and create book reports for their readings.  On September 13-16, students may submit their favorite book report for recognition with the Kenter Writing Award.  The recipient of this award will be honored at Back-to-School Night.   Click here for more information!

ARE YOU SHOPPING AT KENTER CANYON ONLINE SHOPPING MALL ?

Kenter Canyon Elementary now has its own online shopping mall with over 1,500 stores!  Shop through our website, and our school will receive up to 30% cash back on all purchases!  Click on “Live Green” to shop for Earth-friendly products offering 15% cash back.  Check it out at

www.shoptoearn.net/kentercanyon 

IMPORTANT FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL DOCUMENTS & FORMS

Summer is quickly ending and autumn is fast approaching which signals the start of a new school year.  We hope you have enjoyed the summer months with your children and are looking forward to school year 2010-2011.  The following items are provided to help ensure a productive and smooth start for the new school year.  Although there are several items, each is important to returning and incoming families.  Please take time to thoroughly read through each item before the first day of school.

There are many forms parents are required to read and then return a signed form back to the homeroom teacher indicating receipt of these items.  These forms are provided on our school’s website at www.kentercanyon.org    We encourage you to download these items and have them read, signed, and ready to return on the first day of school.   The forms include:

• Emergency Contact Information
• Restitution Policy for Lost or Damaged Property
• Acceptable Use Policy for Usage of Computers
• 4-way Pledge / Code of Conduct Form
• Annual Pesticide Use Notification Form
• Acknowledge Receipt of LAUSD Parent-Student Handbook (accessible on our website)
• Kenter Canyon Birthday Recognition Policy
• Ethnicity-Race Identification of Students Form

KENTERCANYON.ORG WEBSITE - NEW SITE COMING SOON

Please know that as our school continues its efforts to “Go Green”, we encourage all families to get familiar with our website and use it as a source of information for your child’s school.  The website is maintained by parent volunteers and the Principal.   If you see errors or inaccurate information, please be aware that parent volunteers are doing their best to provide this service and seek your input and constructive criticism to continually improve the site.  They are working on a new website and hope to launch it in the near future. 

PARENT STUDENT HANDBOOK

State laws requires that parents be provided access to the LAUSD Parent Student Handbook.   We have provided this handbook on-line in order to save costs and paper.  If you wish to have a hard copy, we will provide it to you.   It is, however, on our website.  We are required to have notification from you that you acknowledge receipt or accessibility to the Parent Student Handbook.  We are required to have your form on file at our school.   It is included in the list of forms. 

EMERGENCY CARD

Law requires that you keep the school updated of your residency and contact information.  It is important to make sure you provide the names and contact information for any person who you authorize to take your child from school.  We will not release your child with any person who is not listed on the Emergency Card.  The Emergency Card will be sent home on day 1 and is expected to be returned on the morning of day 2.  Please print clearly as the information becomes significant should your child have an emergency while on campus. 

CLASSROOM ASSIGNMENTS

Organization of classes is a process we take very seriously and spend a great deal of time to prepare.  To help establish balanced classrooms at each grade level, we have opted to wait until after the summer vacation to finalize our organization of classrooms to make adjustments for our families who left Kenter as well as appropriately matching those who have moved into our area.   Class rosters will be posted on September 12, 2010 at www.kentercanyon.org and on the morning on September 13 on the South & Kindergarten Playgrounds.   Full names cannot be used on-line; therefore, you will need to locate the four digits at the bottom of your child’s June 18, 2010 Report Card.  Using these four digits and following the on-line directions will help you to easily locate your child’s new assignment. New families will receive letters indicating their child’s classroom.

 AFFIDAVITS FOR TEMPORARY ENROLLMENT

Some families were not able to provide required “proof of residency” at the time of enrollment and were offered a 30-day affidavit until their utility bill could be provided.  At the end of the 30-day period, your enrollment status will be revoked if you have not provided proof to our office clerks.  It is important that we have Proof of Residency on file.  Families who fail to provide the documentation will be dropped from our enrollment and reported as “truant” in accordance with LAUSD policies.

FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL HOURS

School hours for Grades 1-5 for the first week of school will be as follows:   

Bell rings:  8:10 a.m.        Dismissal Bell:  1:50 p.m.    These hours were approved by Kenter Governance Council for Monday, September 13 through Friday, September 17, 2010.   Kindergarten students will adhere to regularly scheduled hours.  Kindergarten students daily schedule is: Bell rings  8:10 a.m.   Dismissal on MWF 1:15 p.m.   TTh 1:50 p.m.  All students will adhere to our regular schedule beginning September 20, 2010.   Check the enclosed Summary of School Events page for dates that deviate from regular school hours.

NEW PARENTS ORIENTATION

All parents with students in grades K-5 that are new to Kenter are expected to attend a “new parent” orientation meeting at 8:30a.m. on September 13, 2010 in the School Auditorium.  Parent Handbooks items will be highlighted and information about Kenter Canyon School’s expectations will be shared.  

LUNCH PROGRAM

Lunch is $1.00 daily for students who wish to purchase lunch at Kenter Canyon.  Free and reduced lunch applications are available in the cafeteria on the first day of school.  Tickets may also be purchased by the week.  It is important for parents to ensure their child brings his or her lunch or lunch money on a daily basis.  Breakfast is served from 7:50 a.m. – 8:10 a.m.   Students eating breakfast may take their belongings with them to the cafeteria for breakfast and then take all of their items with them to the line-up area when they are finished.  Students may not drop off their belongings on the South Yard and then go to the cafeteria leaving their items unattended.  The lunch menu for the month will be posted on our website when we receive it.

 TRAFFIC & ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL

We depend on parent volunteers to help us with our Traffic Valet Program as cars arrive for drop off at one of our three drop-off locations:  Elkins, Homewood, or Main Loop.  Grades 1-5 students are to report to the South Playground where supervision is provided until the bell rings.  Students may not go to their classrooms or to the North Playground prior to the start of school nor after school dismissal.  Supervision is not provided in these other locations before or after school.  Kindergarten students are to be “hand delivered” to the Kindergarten Playground each day.  Kindergarten students may not be dropped off at the curb or from parking lots.  They will line-up at 8:10 a.m. at their designated place on the Kindergarten Playground.

 STREET PARKING ONLY

Parking is limited at Kenter; however, there are no visitor parking spaces on our campus.  Please do not park in STAFF PARKING---which is all spaces in the front of the Main Office and the spaces in the North Parking Lot.   We do not have enough spaces for our current staff.  When you take their space, you force them to the streets where parking restrictions are enforced.  Teachers cannot be expected to move their cars every couple of hours.  Vehicles parked in Staff Only Parking spaces must display a STAFF PERMIT.    Please do not park in the parking spaces labeled “Auction Winners”---these are parents whose top bids earned them the right to park in these spaces for one year.   Parents are prohibited from parking in the red “Drop Off Only” zone in front of the main office.  The blue zone in the Main Front Loop of the school is a wheelchair drop-off; it is not a Handicapped Parking Space. 

NO PARKING IN FRONT OF SCHOOL

There is no parking or stopping at the red curb in front of the school.  This is an emergency lane for an ambulance or any other emergency vehicle that needs immediate access our campus.  Several citations were issued last year.  We respectfully ask all parents to adhere to this policy.  This includes “you”, too!   The red zone is not a pick up location after school.  It is a “Kiss and Drop-off Zone” between 7:30 – 8:10 a.m. in the mornings.   Students who exit the front gates need to be with an adult.  

CELL PHONES AND ELECTRONIC GAMES

The LAUSD Board of Education policy regarding cell phones is that students may have them on their person as long as they are not visible during the instructional hours of the day.  Any student who shows, uses, or displays his or her phone during school hours will have it confiscated and the parents will have to retrieve it from the Principal to advise the student’s loss of privilege for having it.   Electronic games are never to be brought to campus as well as toys or other games, including sports equipment.  We will provide all equipment and games needed for their instructional day.  Unless you receive it in writing from the teacher, do not allow your child to bring extra toys or items of special interest to them.

PETS ON CAMPUS

As beautiful and cute as some of your pets are, it is a violation of LAUSD Board policy and LA County Health Code regulations to have them on campus.  We have students who are allergic to dogs and/or cats as well as those who fear them.  We respectfully ask you to not bring your dogs to the campus at any time---including special events.  This reminder is in your Parent Handbook.  Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated.

 RECYCLING

Kenter Canyon has been recognized by the City of Los Angeles for our model Recycling Program. Please help us do our part for the environment by placing recyclable items in the blue bins on our campus and using the other receptacles for non-recyclable items.  We also encourage our parents who pack a lunch for their children to pack a “trash-free” lunch by packing items in reusable containers. 

KENTER FAMILY "WELCOME BACK" PICNIC

We look forward to our Annual Kenter “Welcome Back” Picnic on Monday, September 20, 2010 at 5:30p.m. on the North Playground.  Families may opt to bring their own picnic basket.  Please be reminded, however, that no alcoholic beverages are allowed on campus.  Smoking is also prohibited on any part of the campus at any time and at any event.

 YOUTH SERVICES AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM

The Youth Services After-School Program is a “permissive recreational program” offered by the LAUSD for all schools.  It is not a child care program.  Participants arrive and leave at their own discretion and of their own volition.  Participation is a privilege and consistent conduct aligned to Kenter Code of Conduct is expected.  The LAUSD has recently restructured the program to include participation by grades 2-5 students only.  Middle school students as well as grade K and 1 students are not allowed to participate in the Kenter YS Program.  Homework assistance is provided from 5:00p.m. – 6:00p.m. in the Kenter Library with the YS Program. 

PAPER REDUCTION

To support our environmental efforts with the 3 R’s:  Recycle, Reuse, Reduce--- families have increasingly begun opting to become a part of Kenter’s Paper Reduction program.  All students are given large plastic envelopes each Friday; thus they are known as FRIDAY FOLDERS.  Each Friday, completed and graded work comes home in the folder.  Flyers and announcements regarding special events or announcements are available at www.kentercanyon.org   The Friday Folder items are not copied for the Friday Folders unless you make that special request using an “Opt-In” Request Form.    For families who wish to continue receiving the hard copies and have more than one child in our school, we ask that you help us reduce paper by designating one of your children as the recipient of these announcements and flyers instead of both or all children bringing home multiple copies of the same announcement.  We highly encourage parents to use our website as their preferred option for communication.  The Paper Reduction Project is our attempt to cut down on copier and paper usage for announcements and flyers, not for teacher communication needs. 

PRINCIPAL’S DATABASE FOR WEEKLY UPDATES

All Kenter families are encouraged to access the Principal’s Weekly Update at www.kentercanyon.org   Current up to date information, announcements, and upcoming events are listed and frequently updated.

 SEPTEMBER 21 PSG MEET & GREET

Parents who wish to become active on school-wide committees are encouraged to attend the PSG “Meet & Greet” Volunteers Connection at 8:20 a.m. in the Auditorium.  This is an opportunity to hear about the various committees and select the ones in which you wish to become involved.  Parent participation sends a message to your child that their education is among your top priorities.  Kenter has a long tradition of exceptional parent involvement and we look forward to having you help us continue and strengthen that tradition.

AFTER-SCHOOL ENRICHMENT CLASSES

Enrollment for after-school classes is scheduled for Tuesday, September 21 and Wednesday, September 22 at 8:00a.m. in the cafeteria area.  Check www.kentercanyon.org for the Fall Session Enrichment Class choices.  The classes will begin September 27, 2010.     The Fall Session of classes will be posted in the front display case just outside of the Main Office as well as be available on our website. 

SQUARE ONE ART & MAGAZINE/GIFT WRAP DRIVE

Kenter PSG Square One Art Project and the Magazine/Gift Wrap Drive will begin on September 20 at a morning assembly.  Look for information regarding this school-wide fundraiser.  For a sneak preview of the wrapping paper, visit www.innisbrook.com   Each student will be provided a square piece of paper in which to draw any type of art they desire.  The square pieces of paper are sent to a company that will reproduce each child’s art work on a sample form.  You will then have the opportunity to order your child’s art piece on coffee mugs, t-shirts, mouse pads, aprons, mittens, etc.  They make wonderful holiday gifts as well as special treats for family members!

ORCHESTRA

Kenter students in grades 1 – 5 have an opportunity to participate in Orchestra on Friday mornings throughout the school year.  Applications are on-line and will be distributed at a special “introduction to Orchestra” assembly on September 17.

CHARACTER EDUCATION

Kenter faculty & staff emphasize and model the importance of character development as well as pursuit of academic excellence as part of our school’s vision.  For school year 2010-2011, each month our faculty & staff will discuss and focus attention on a different “value”.  For September, our character education focus will be “CARING / KINDNESS”.  A Citizen of the Month will be selected who has exemplified this characteristic during September.   As we announce the “value” or “character” focus for each month, we encourage you to help us model and focus on that same value at home.  Caring/kindness---what a great way to start the year!

 GOVERNANCE COUNCIL

The first GC meeting for the 2010-2011 school year is Tuesday, September 21 at 2:00 p.m.  The meetings are open to all parents. 

BACK to SCHOOL NIGHT

Kenter’s Back to School Night is Tuesday, September 28 beginning at 5:30 p.m.   This provides parents an opportunity to hear from their child’s teacher about their grade level’s instructional program, classroom management plans, and homework policies.  Please plan to attend this important and informational evening.  Additionally, you will learn about your classroom’s Class Commitment Dinner from a PSG representative.  We encourage families to not bring their children to this school activity as it is intended to be an informational meeting for adults only.