News and Announcements

CHEETAH CHAT
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September 19, 2021

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Your month at a glance:

Class Shirts Now Available Online

Get your child(ren)’s class shirt -TODAY IS THE LAST DAY FOR ONLINE SALES! Shirts will be sent home in backpacks, sibling shirts to be delivered together. 

KHS Parent Social, September 30, 7-9pm

Join us OUTDOORS at Viva Zapata to catch up with old friends and make new ones - in person! $15pp; click HERE to pay ahead.($20 at the door.)  Appetizers included, cash bar, exciting drawings & a grab bag table!

Fall Fest October 5, 4.30-6.30pm

All you need to know about Fall Fest is HERE! Pizza, lemonade, DJ, animal encounters, games, photo booth, prize basket drawings for kids and for the first time ever an adult silent auction!  Please sign up HERE to join an event committee, Bake Sale sign up HERE, Take a shift at a game or help set up/clean up (your kids can help too!)  HERE ...also consider donating items for a prize basket/auction or purchase something from our Amazon Wish List - even a gift card in any amount and we’ll use towards prizes. Questions or ideas?  Contact Sarah Caro at sarahdahancaro@gmail.com 

Say Cheese! School Picture Day, September 27

Before the kiddos head out the front door, be sure to encourage their brightest smiles.  All photos are taken outside during school hours. If it rains, photos are taken inside in a safe, socially distanced manner.  Questions, email Denise de Castro, denisemdecastro@gmail.com, or Kerry Puglia, kerrypuglia@gmail.com.

KHS PTA Membership, Directory & Instagram 

JOIN the KHS PTA now by clicking here!   The membership fee is $30 and there is no commitment to volunteer.  If there are questions or difficulty with the site please reach out to Trish at khs_pta_membership@westportps.org.  When you join, you receive access to the Online Directory & can follow us on instagram @Cheetahchatter!  *If you requested to follow and have not heard back, drop us a note with your handle - we only accept KHS parents & staff. Joining the KHS PTA also allows you to vote at our first general meeting where we will share some exciting news regarding the biannual appeal!

Please join us virtually for the first General PTA Meeting, September 29, 9.30am

The agenda with zoom information is available here.  We will be hearing from Principal Carbone, approving the 2021/22 budget (to be shared on zoom & available for pre-read at KHS office in Treasurer’s mailbox), slate, bylaw update and appeal (first one in 3 years!), so your participation is valued (as always) and needed!

Volunteer Positions Always Available!

Get involved with the PTA - fill out this quick form and our VPs of volunteers, Erin Owens & Erica WInkler, will be in touch! You can also always reach out directly -  khsvolunteerpower@gmail.com.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion 

September is Hispanic Heritage Month

Heritage month celebrations provide an opportunity to value the contributions of fellow Americans and help prepare our kids to thrive in our diverse world. Please leverage content shared to connect with new friends, read different books, try authentic cuisines, and appreciate new perspectives. We kick off September celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. Click below to celebrate with us!  

In the know! 

Raising a Global Citizen 

Our Identity is a Superpower 

Ways to Celebrate

Email us at khs.dei2020@gmail.com to join our informal, enthusiastic DEI group at KHS. 

Happening at KHS

Back To School Nights, September 21 & 22

Please refer to Principal Carbone’s email re: virtual Back To School Nights

 

K & 1st Grade Recess Duty - PARENTS ONLY PLEASE

Sign up for K recess duty and 1st grade recess & lunch duty. Remember to include your contact info for updates/reminders. All volunteers interacting with students are encouraged to wear a mask and the first time you visit KHS you must provide the office with a vaccination card and photo ID. Please, no photos due to confidentiality. Questions? Email Brandie Redd, reddfamilync@gmail.com

 

Other ways to Support the PTA and our KHS Community

Amazon Smile

Support the KHS PTA while you shop - http://smile.amazon.com and type PTSA Connecticut Inc Kings Highway PTA where it says “Or pick your own charitable organization.” 

 

Mabel’s Labels

Avoid the Lost & Found – Buy Labels through Mabel’s Labels - the KHS PTA makes a 20% commission on all sales -search for Kings Highway Elementary School.

 

Art with Mr. Soper

Mr. Soper does an amazing job of displaying student artwork on his Instagram page - seen HERE.  

 

Around Town

2021-2022 Westport Schools Calendar

Featuring student artwork! It is available to ORDER online via PayPal at tinyurl.com/WSCalendar-Art. Delivery by mail ($23) or pick-up ($20). In-person purchasing opportunities will be limited...ORDER your copy today! Also available for sale at ASF, Colonial Drug, and the Westport Library.

 

Upcoming Westport Library Programs

Please see here for September & October events at the library.

 

Westport Continuing Education

Fun and convenient options are offered for kids in grades K–8. For more info, view the schedule here or sign up for their mailing list.

 

Health, Safety & District News

Please note the latest mask guidance from the KHS Health Office.  Questions please call Nurse Joan Zimmerman at 203.341.1800.

 

Easy reference links, please see the FAQ, district school calendar, as well as the latest update from Superintendent Tom Scarice which contains the district policy regarding KHS visitor/volunteer and COVID vaccinations.  

 

Please see here for Westport PTA Council’s policy for volunteers at PTA-sponsored events. 

 

For confidential financial assistance with any KHS or PTA event/program please contact Principal Tracey Carbone’s office at (203) 341-1800. 

 

Also know that the BOE meetings are live streamed for viewing only/Optimum Ch 78/Frontier Ch 6021 if you cannot join in person. Please email comments, concerns, or suggestions to BOE at BOE@westportps.org, Tom Scarice, Superintendent at tscarice@westportps.org and Anthony Buono, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching & Learning and Co-Chair of WPS Reopening Committee at abuono@westportps.org

 

A Big Cheetah Roar of Thanks To...

Kerry Puglia & Denise DeCastro for organizing school pictures; Trish Filopoulos & Tanya Kanchanagom for tirelessly chairing PTA membership; Kim Ceman for getting us all out to Viva for the Parent Social; and Matt Tackman for kicking off the first Rise and Read Outdoor Edition!

 

Submissions for Cheetah Chat must be received by Thursday at 4:00pm - questions or comments, please contact us at khs_pta@westportps.org - our goal is to ensure KHS PTA reflects every parent, student & staff member in our community!

Lindsay Shurman & Jeni Bianco
KHS PTA Co-Presidents