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KAS Planning for 2025
We are now especially focused on planning for the rest of this school year - and also for next year. We have dedicated many hours to the development of a new strategic plan that we expect to publish in the coming weeks. This plan will drive some of our bigger decision-making as we look to grow KAS in different ways.
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The pending strategic plan is in part built upon the survey parents (you) took earlier this term. We are grateful that over 30 responses were submitted and this has provided us with a great deal of information. The data, for me, was very insightful. For example, it is clear parents appreciate our small class sizes, our inclusivity, and our learning philosophy. Most strongly agree that teachers recognize the strengths and interests of their child. Also, parents clearly feel they have positive relationships with their child’s teachers, and they feel informed around general school issues. Parents also report that there are opportunities for KAS growth, like increasing our participation in community life outside school - and not only in Shadyside. We have untapped opportunities to increase our school visibility, and to rethink some of our academic goals. Also, we have opportunities to expand project-based learning and making.
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Our planning is much more than a reaction to this survey. We are beginning to assess and expand our project-, maker-, and play-based learning, we'll be further integrating socio-emotional learning across the school day, and we will look to increase the quality and frequency of local class trips.
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"There is more to life than increasing its speed." - Gandhi
These past weeks have seen a noticeable up-tick in events and activities. Class trips, assemblies, pet carnivals, the book fair, Donuts for Grownups, Halloween, and the presidential election have played roles in the lives of our students. I think that as we approach Thanksgiving and the colder-weather season, we'll all need time to slow down, reflect, and appreciate all we have. Having said that, we'll soon have Thanksgiving, and the run-up to the winter break - along with progress reports for Semester 1.
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A Quick Welcome Back. Our Admissions Director (who does many other roles, too!) has returned. Genevieve Kirk has returned after a leave of absence and will resume her roles across campus. We are all happy to have her back in the school as she resumes her Admissions and Marketing efforts for our school.
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Election Results and Children's Emotions.
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Some students continue to report stress in class since the recent presidential election. Teachers have reported that in some grades specific time has been given to address these student concerns. Thank you for continuing to support how your child engages with these topics.
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KAS Art Website
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Our art teacher Max Hartlage has been posting a great deal of student work on the KAS Art website. Please take a moment and check it out! You'll certainly be impressed by the quality of technical work, the self-expression, and the joy our students put into every piece of work they create. Also, if you are visiting the school, be sure to stop by the art room where additional student work is currently hung. Here's the art link:
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Phone and Watch
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This is a friendly reminder that student phones at KAS are always "off and away", and that smart watches - if they are used for communication - will be asked to be left in the office or in lockers (Handbook P.8). If you need to reach your child during the day, please call the school office.
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Root Beer
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Middle Schoolers, in studying foods from different cultures had the opportunity to assess 5 different root beers to decide which is the best. There was not a clear winner, but IBC and Barq's were student favorites. Stewart's and Virgils root beers? Not so much (too spicy).
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Annual Book Sale
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Thank you to the PTO for the AMAZING annual book sale and Donuts for Grown Ups. We have already locked our dates in for next year. Our friends at Riverstone were so happy to be here and were particularly impressed with our children's love of reading!
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Collecting Your Old Batteries - and Old Toys
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Through 2024, KAS is happy to accept your old batteries and recycle them for you. Just have your child deliver them to the school - a plastic bin for all used batteries is just outside the main office. We accept standard, rechargeable, watch, and device batteries.
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Separately, we will be starting a used toy drive where you may donate slightly used toys for those who are less-fortunate during the winter season. We will collect them at KAS. Expect a communication next week from our PTO.
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Looking Ahead: The Exhibition of Learning
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Put it on your calendars. KAS will host its first annual Exhibition of Learning Monday June 2nd , and I hope you and your families will all join us.
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Kentucky Avenue has a learning focus (in part) on projects and real-world experience, and this allows room for our children to express themselves fully through learning. This June we will celebrate this school year's learning efforts, while we also invite the greater community, grandparents, and alumni to visit. We want everyone to know how great our kids and learning outcomes are - and that starts with you, our parents. More information coming later in the school year.
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KAS Social Media Reminder
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Parents - Please continue to follow KAS on Instagram and Facebook. We're working to share the best of what we do every day, and I hope you'll share some of these images with friends and potential future parents. Right now, we're celebrating former students and teachers, and those who helped KAS become what it is today.
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KAS Lost and Found.
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We have an increasing array of student items that have been left at school. If you notice you are missing things, please contact your teacher or visit the KAS Office. Items that have clearly been left at KAS for months may be donated to people in need.
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