KESTREL HEIGHTS NEWSLETTER

We are writing to inform you about the upcoming End of Grade (EOG) testing for our scholars in grades 3-8. Please see below for a list of specific testing dates.

Tuesday, May 30: 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade Reading
Wednesday, May 31: 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Reading
Thursday, June 1: 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade Math
Friday, June 2: 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Math and Math 1 EOC
Monday, June 5: 5th and 8th grade Science

EOG scores provide our school and community with important data. Nonetheless, it is crucial to remember that EOG scores are just one indicator of a student's success. We want our scholars to do their best without undue pressure. Kestrel Heights offers a well-rounded education that measures a student's growth in multiple ways.

To promote a positive testing experience, we kindly request your cooperation in ensuring your scholars’ timely arrival at school, providing them with a balanced breakfast, and promoting adequate rest throughout the testing period. Please make sure that your children get plenty of rest during this three-day Memorial Day Weekend.

We are delighted to announce that we have arranged for our scholars to utilize the classrooms in our new building for these assessments. This plan will provide scholars with ample space for testing, allow them a quiet environment in which to focus and perform at their best, and allow them the opportunity to utilize our newly completed building before we break for the summer. To prepare for this transition, we have facilitated tours of the new building and conducted safety drills to ensure readiness in the event of an emergency.

It is important to note that participation in EOG testing is mandatory for all students in North Carolina. In the event of a student's absence during the testing days, make-up testing sessions will be scheduled beginning on Tuesday, June 6th. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mr. Love or Mrs. Villegas.

We sincerely appreciate your invaluable support in fostering academic excellence while also prioritizing the well-being of our students. Together, we can ensure that our scholars strive for their personal best.

We all know Kestrel Heights School is a great option for families!

Please assist our recruitment team by talking with your neighbors and friends about the great things happening at Kestrel Heights School! Refer them to our website where they can learn more and complete the online application.

A bonus for you! Each time you refer a family to our school, and their scholar enrolls, you will be entered to WIN Kestrel Swag!

www.kestrelheights.org/apply-now

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

Second Grade

Math: We would love to take this time to say how proud we are of all of our scholars for showing tremendous growth on the I-ready Math Diagnostic test. As we come to the end of the school year we are learning about two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes.

ELA: We are just as proud of our scholars for the incredible growth they displayed on the ELA I-ready diagnostic test. They have worked so hard this year and we can’t let it go unnoticed. We are finishing up the year in ELA working on handwriting and building stories. We are reviewing long and short vowel sounds as well as synonyms and antonyms.

Social Studies: In social studies we are working in the “Why People Work” magazine. Scholars are learning about consumers and producers and things we spend money on.

Science: Please remember to sign the permission slip and send in the $18.50 for our trip to the Museum of Life and Science on June 6th. We are asking that all scholars bring a bag lunch that day. If you receive school lunch please let us know if your scholar will need a school bagged lunch that day. Scholars may also bring spending money for the gift shop.

Third grade

Math and ELA:

Dear Families,

Next week your child will be taking our EOG test, May 30th for Reading and June 1st for Math. Let’s work together and make your child’s experience a positive and successful one! We’ve been preparing at school. Here are some suggestions you can do to help:

✔Ensure your child arrives at school on time.

✔Have your child eat a healthy breakfast at home or at school.

✔Ensure your child gets a good night’s sleep.

✔Gently encourage them to do their best.

Social Studies: SWBAT learn how America works— how branches of government work together, how bills become laws, and how symbols of freedom and democracy inspire our nation.

Science: SWBAT identify different types of fossils and explain what they can tell you about organisms from the past.

Fourth grade

Math: This week we completed our review to the best of our abilities, next week we will put it to the test!

Social Studies: This week students have been practicing on test taking strategies and reviewing EOG related topics. Everyone please make sure to enjoy Memorial Day weekend and get lots of rest!

Fifth grade

Math: This week we completed our review to the best of our abilities, next week we will put it to the test!

Social Studies: This week students have been practicing on test taking strategies and reviewing EOG related topics .Everyone please make sure to enjoy Memorial Day weekend and get lots of rest!

Sixth grade

Math: EOG’s are coming up next week! I have added a lot of study material to the Google Classrooms (with answer keys) in case your scholar wants to review material. I handed scholar's their iready 3 reports at the beginning of the week. The EOG review is categorized by domain, so if your scholar is needing improvement or is approaching 6th grade in a domain that would be where they need to study for the EOG.

Some test taking tips from a person who is awful at tests (Me…I’m an awful test taker….these helped me a lot in school when I had to take MY EOG’s):

1. Eat a hearty dinner before your test. Try to steer away from “junk food” (hide the takis) . I always loved spaghetti or steak and potatoes.

2. Get in bed by 9:30 PM-10:00 PM the night before the EOG, having 8 hours of sleep helps with test performance.

3. Eat breakfast! It’s hard to focus or even think when your stomach is grumbling. I will have granola bars, yoohoo, capri sun, and bananas on the days of the EOG tests (Wednesday May 31 ELA , Friday June 2 Math) just in case your scholar forgets! The test is 3 hours long, and your scholars CAN NOT snack at all during the test. High protein foods(eggs, bacon, turkey bacon,peanut butter) and healthy sugar (fruit, granola, honey) are the best foods for breakfast before a test, because they help you stay full longer and they give your body good energy. Think: “What would Rocky Balboa eat before a workout.”

4. On the day of the test tell your scholar to try their hardest, but they do NOT need to freak out. Just like sports, if you go into a game thinking “I’m going to lose” you’re already in the wrong headspace for success. Tell your scholar “they got this” and have them repeat to themselves “I know this, I spent all year doing this, and I’m going to do my best, and my best is great.”

5. If they don’t know a question, skip it and come back! Tell your scholar to move on, the more they sit and look at a question they don’t understand the more their confidence depletes…move on and come back. (sometimes a question they skip will be answered by another question later on).

6. Tell them to take their time,check their answers, but DO NOT go back and second guess themselves. Usually the gut is right, just go with it!

Social Studies: We are working our way this week through ancient China’s history, specifically the characteristics of China’s first four dynasties. Included are the philosophical governments, the first emperor, attributes and accomplishments that pertain to each dynasty, and the inventions throughout the dynasties’ history.

The PTA is currently searching for board members for the 2023-2024 school year. All positions require NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE, just a passion for helping our school community. We aim to be welcoming and inclusive and believe that many hands make light work. We hope that you’ll consider joining us, even if you haven’t participated in the PTA before.

Please visit this link to learn more about our open positions and to nominate yourself or someone in our school community: https://tinyurl.com/nominatePTA2023

For additional information about our PTA board, please contact pta@kestrelheights.org; we’d love to chat with you!

If your scholar has medication on file in the front office, please remember to pick it up by Friday, June 24th. Any medication not picked up by the parent or guardian within 2 weeks will be destroyed.

Individuals interested in joining the KHS Board of Directors are encouraged to complete an application. https://forms.gle/iTE889LvqrokWcmJ6

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Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/school/kestrel-heights-school

\May 30

EOG - 3rd Reading, 4th Reading, 5th Reading

May 31

EOG - 6th Reading, 7th Reading, 8th Reading

June 1

EOG - 3rd Math, 4th Math, 5th Math

June 2

EOG - 6th Math, 7th Math, 8th Math, Math I

June 5

EOG - 5th Science, 8th Science, 3rd Re-test

June 6 - 8:

Make-up Testing

June 9 - Last Day of School!

9:00 am - 10:00 am - 8th-grade Promotion Ceremony

11:00 am - 12:00 pm - 5th-grade Promotion Ceremony

12:30 pm - 1:30 pm - Kindergarten Promotion Ceremony

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