KCS News

Here is the KCS Community Connections newsletter for Friday, September 15, 2023. 

Click here to view the KCS Community Connection!

 

Dear KCS Families, 

 

Join us this morning for one last Friday Morning Meeting… We will be celebrating August birthdays and viewing the fifth grade celebration video!

 

This year, one of our important school goals was to continue rebuilding community activities back into our schedule. Since caregivers’ physical presence in the school was restricted during the pandemic, we wanted to bring back some long-standing traditions that will strengthen our home-school relationships. In addition to bringing back some activities from the past, we were also able to try some new events, such as full school Family Reads, our recent KCS Arts Night and a full school field trip to Kennebunkport Conservation Trust. We look forward to continuing work toward this goal next fall, in addition to focusing on the priority of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work across the district. If you have suggestions related to rebuilding a strong sense of community or DEI efforts at KCS next year, please reach out and share those ideas.  

 

HAPPY SUMMER!

 

Karen Bubar, Principal

kbubar@rsu21.net

207-967-2121

 

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Important Dates to Remember:

Fri, June 16th - last day of school - step up to next grade level - report cards will go home with students - early release - noon dismissal 

* Circus Smirkus - August 10th & 11th (1:00 pm and 6:00 pm shows both days)

For those of you who are planners, the school board of directors recently approved the RSU 21 Instructional Calendar for the 2023-24 school year.   Link for Instructional Calendar

 

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In case you missed it last week… Click here to see information from the Allied Arts team. Especially, make sure to check out the video from KCS Arts Night last week, if you haven’t already seen it. 

 

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Community Resources  In a moment of crisis, you do not have to be alone. Sometimes you need a conversation--not an internet search. Dial 2-1-1 for the Maine Hotline. This service can help with issues like acute crisis, financial assistance, mental health, addiction treatment, health care, or heating and utilities assistance. Additionally, the national Suicide Hotline is 9-8-8. 

Here is a list of more resources available to everyone throughout our district and beyond.

 

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DISTRICT MISSION: Developing productive global citizens by building knowledge and character

School Vision: We love to learn together!

 

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Graves Library summer reading program

 

June 9, 2023

 

Dear KCS Caregivers, 

 

Earlier this week, I received a report of a student saying the N-word at school. Use of this offensive language is not acceptable! We have spent the last couple of days investigating this report, despite having limited information. At this time, we have yet to confirm whether the behavior happened or not. Rumors of the use of this language by our students in “high frequency” are not confirmed. Even though we do not have a confirmed incident, we wanted to bring it to your attention, in case you wanted to talk with your child about this language. We will continue to investigate, and will take appropriate action as relevant information is received. In addition, we will continue our work to educate children about diversity and inclusion. 

 

Over the last couple of days, I have spent time in each classroom talking with the children about Respecting Differences. The message we are giving to our students is that we want all children to be safe and feel safe at school. This can only happen when children are being kind and respectful  to each other. Students have been able to give specific examples of how people are different, and how we should act in a way that is respectful of those differences. While they know and can talk about these actions, sometimes behaviors don’t match what they know to be the right thing to do. I encourage you to have conversations with your child over the summer. Here is some of the language from the KCS STARS guide specific to Respecting Differences, in case that information is helpful as you process with your own child. 

• Looks like… Include others, Invite others, Respect all members of work or play group, Take on others’ perspectives, and Different but equal.

• Sounds like… Kind words, “Do you want to be my partner?”, and “Do you want to play with me?”

• Feels like… Kind, Inclusive, Caring, Peaceful, and Everyone Belongs.

Please, feel free to access these resources to prepare yourself for some difficult conversations.  

How to Talk with Kids About Difficult Subjects - Common Sense Media

Talking to your child about slurs: When words hurt - Boston Children’s Hospital

How to Have Difficult Conversations with Kids - Meg Foundation

Talking to Young Children About Race and Racism - PBS Kids for Parents

 

Please, encourage your child to report misbehaviors to an adult, so that they can be addressed in a timely manner. Like our students, we hope that you will communicate with us, so that we can continue to support all students in making the positive choices of which we know they are capable. We have wonderful children at KCS, but they are not perfect. They are going to make mistakes. We want to respond in inclusive and respectful ways to misbehavior, and utilize such instances as learning opportunities. When confirmed behaviors occur, we work with students, caregivers, and school staff to provide consequences and support in an effort to avoid future instances. In addition to responding to misbehaviors, we will continue our proactive lessons about kindness and respecting differences as well. 

 

Please feel free to reach out if you or your child needs support.  We are eager to partner with you in building respectful, resilient children and a caring, inclusive community. As we plan ahead for the fall, we will be thinking about further educational opportunities for our staff, students, and families regarding responsive and inclusive learning. 

 

Sincerely, 

Karen Bubar

Principal