Kinetic Knights 4th at the World Championship!

After the long drive to and from St. Louis, the Kinetic Knights are finally home from the World Championship!


For the second year in a row FIRST Team 781 has made it to the big leagues and traveled to St. Louis, Missouri  for the FIRST Robotics World Championship. The Kinetic Knights qualified for this event by winning the Queen City Regional in Cincinnati, Ohio nearly a month ago.

Team 781 started off the competition by playing the second qualification and losing by only five points. The Knights however used this to their advantage. It boosted their determination and drive to win the next two matches!

The Kinetic Knights played their best for the rest of the day, achieving multiple bridge balances and many baskets. Team 781 even had a near perfect autonomous mode, wear the robot is controlled by a computer program for the first seconds of the game. The Knights were in the top 20 for the whole competition and  ended the qualification matches with a score of 6-3-0.

The team was placed fourth in their division at the end of the qualification matches which meant they are the 4th Alliance captain. The Kinetic Knights picked FIRST teams 2949 (pwnage) and 190 (Gompei and the H.E.R.D.) to assist them in the elimination round of Archimedes (Division).  The alliance played very hard but unfortunately lost their first match 59 to 39. The Knights were determined to stay in the competition. The 2nd quarterfinals were very close. The timer went and a winner could not be determined. After the referees added up the points, the Knights were out by only one point in a score of 86 to 85.

Team 781 has had such a successful year. Queen City Website Award and Winner, Waterloo Innovation in Control Award and had team member Janelle Taylor win the Waterloo Dean's List Award.

FIRST Team 781, the Kinetic would like to thank all the support from their sponsors, community partners and fans. The KDSS community has been very supportive of the Kinetic Knights and the team is beyond words of how appreciative they are of the support.

Congratulations Team 781!  You have made KDSS, Kincardine, and Canada so proud!

"What's that About?": Cooperative Education

"What's that About?" is a new weekly segment that will be written on this blog. It will explain an "Not so Known" area of the school. The first "What's that about?" is about KDSS's cooperative Education.



Cooperative Education provides students with the opportunity to gain first hand knowledge about specific careers through a work experience. The program consists of a classroom component and a workplace component. The Co-op program is planned to accommodate students and employer requirements.


The typical 2 credit program consists of 220 hours of work experience throughout the school year as well as the in-school component. The program is usually every day for 3.5 hours at a workplace. Additional credits may be achieved based on the number of hours a student works. In addition to the 2 credit package the 4 credit package is also very popular. Students must complete daily work journals as well as assignments throughout the semester. Co-op teachers as well as employers evaluate students.


Prerequisites:
students must provide their own transportation to their workplace
students must be 16 years of age or older before September 1 for some placements (e.g., construction) students should have a minimum of 16 credits
application process involves interviews with Co-op department and potential employer
all potential co-op students must complete a "Co-op package" prior to interviews, which includes an
application form, a resume and a cover letter
all Co-op placements are to be found by the Co-op department
Co-op applications are usually due during the course selection period
interviews will take place in April and May for both semesters of following year
all students will know where their Co-op placement is before they leave for the summer holidays

Bruce Power Cooperative Education
All applicants must be 16 years of age (18 for most areas). This is a 4 credit package.
Typical placements include: engineering, mechanical maintenance, fire prevention, radiation technology. The competitive application process includes an information session and an interview process.
This program is managed by a teacher outside of KDSS. For more information, contact the Guidance Office.


OYAP – Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program

Co-op students can enroll in this program and use their hours towards an apprenticeship in a trade. See the Co-op department for more specific details. 


If you are interested in being a part of this awesome program, head down to the co-op office and ask Ms. McIver and/or Mr. Yenssen for more information. 

24 Hours of Awesome!

Within a 24 hour time span, a lot of awesome things occurred!

AWESOME THING #1: 

KDSS held it's last dance of the year on Thursday (April 19th). The Much Music Video dance was held in the KDSS gym and nearly 100 students were in attendance for the dance! Prizes were handed out for dancing and there was tons of energy in the room.

The KDSS robotics team, Team 781 - The Kinetic Knights, held a "Photo Booth" were students could dress up and get their photo taken in front of different back drops.

AWESOME THING #2:

As a part of KDSS's annual Spirit Week, KDSS held a spirit assembly! This assembly had a fun introduction game of teams of 3 trying to get a frozen wet t-shirt out of a ball and onto one of the team members.

The point of the assembly was  to "Show-Off" all of the amazing achievements of the students of KDSS so far this year. Teams/Students that were mention were, the girls gymnastic teams, boys and girls hockey team, art students, Free the Children and art students who have won art competitions!

Dallas Hewitt (Grade 11) shaves Mr. Wolfe's Head.

At the end of the assembly Guidance Counsellor, Teacher and Boys Hockey team coach, Mr. Wolfe even shaved his head as majority of the players of the hockey team shaved their head.

Awesome Thing #3:


As you may already know, the KDSS robotics team, Team 781 - The Kinetic Knights are headed to St. Louis for the FIRST® Robotics World Championship!

This trip of course costs money. So as a fundraiser, team member Sarah Nagus (Grade 10) suggested that KDSS should hold a "Penny War". Pennies would be positive points and any other money (Nickels, loonies, bills, etc.) would be negative points. The grade with the most points

During the KDSS Spirit week the robotics team held their penny war. There were 5 containers; grade 9, grade 10, grade 11, grade 12/5th year and Teachers/Staff.

Students put their pennies in their own container for positive points and put other money into other containers to give them negative points.

After the hard job of counting all the money, mostly pennies, the Grade 10's came out as the winner!

The penny war was able to raise over $500 for the Kinetic Knights!

Awesome Thing #4:

KDSS Free the Children had quite a crowd Friday night as the host "Black Light Night Video Dance" a grade 6-8 dance. DJed by Free the Children members Alex and Matt Pagnan the Black Light Night was the best dance FTC has held to date. In under an hour, more than 140 students had already arrived at the dance! Students from all over Kincardine and even some students from Walkerton, ON showed up to the dance. Between the snack/juice bar and the entry fee the dance raised $1200 for Free the Children! All of the proceeds from this event will be going towards KDSS FTC's "Adopt-A-Vilage", Yomandu, Sierra Leone.

KDSS Free the Children was also able to collect a large donation of food for the Kincardine food bank as a lower price was offered if a non-perishable food item was brought.


The students of KDSS never stop doing what they do best. Being Awesome! Keep up the great work everyone! #PROUDtoBEaKNIGHT

All Tied up at the 2012 Staff-Student Hockey Game

The annual Staff-Student Hockey ended in a tie for the teachers and students of KDSS!

For years the students of KDSS have challenged the staff in an good old Canadian game of Hockey. This awesome event is organized and put on by the KDSS Student Council.



This year's game was played at the Kincardine Davidson on Wednesday, April 18th. The normal timing of hockey was altered, and the game was played with two 20 minute periods, and a 5 minute non-stopped  period was conducted.

There were roughly 20 students and 15 teachers who played in Wednesday game. Retired KDSS teacher, Mr. Vogan even came and played on the staff team.

Scoring for the staff team were:

• Ron Veenstra from Keith Colley and Dan Ogilvie
• Andy Ferguson from Vince Yenssen
• Tim Luinstra, unassisted
• Ogilvie, unassisted
• Peter Wolfe, unassisted
• Ogilvie from Roselyn Hurst

Scoring for the students team were:

• Scott McFarlan, unassisted
• Tyson Rutledge from Hailey Allen
• David McFarlan, unassisted
• Scott McFarlan, unassisted
• Michael Osadca, with two goals, unassisted

There were no penalties in the game. However, Mr. Colley tripped Hailey Allen(Grade 9) late in the second period, resulting in a penalty shot which staff goalie, Breanna Goulding, stopped. 

A huge thanks goes to the Referees of the game, Jason Dales (Grade 11),  Gerrit Satosek (Grade 12) and retired KDSS teacher, Mr. Bill Smith.


Thanks to all the student who came out to the game!

They're Home!

After spending two months in Belgium, grade 11 students Jarrett Elliott and Amber Woods have arrived home.

Delphine and Amber on a ski trip in the Swiss Alps

KDSS has a long history of exchange students, with sending 3 off to Europe this year. Amber Woods lived with her exchange Student Delphine de Borrekens, in Overjise just outside of Brussels, Belgium. "It was amazing but the culture is completely different", said Woods.


Jarrett Elliott also a grade 11 student, also lived in Belgium for 8 weeks, and living only a couple of kilometres away from Amber .  Jarrett lived with his exchange student, Jim Gripekoven.

Jarrett standing in front of a sign in
Belgium 

When asked, "Why do you think it is important to have an exchange student program?", Amber answered with "Its a great way to learn a different language and become indulge with a completely different culture" 


Other than Amber & Jarrett, KDSS still has two other studenst on exchange. Grade 11 students Kloe Moore and Sadie Shewfelt are currently on exchange in Switzerland. Sadie and Kloe come home May 6th.

It's great to have these students back home and we hope they had the time of their lives!

If you want to learn more about becoming an exchange student please talk to your guidance counsellor or go to http://www.iseontario.on.ca/ to find out more information.

2012 Garbage Clean Up!

Ethan Skinner, Scott McFarlan and Marshall Smith
Throw there garbage bags onto the pile

The KDSS tradition of cleaning up the town occurred again on April 20th.
Organized by Environmental Science teacher, Mr. James Taylor, 22 classes of students went around the town of Kincardine and picked up garbage and replying .
 "This is year we have a record breaking amount of participation" says Taylor.
"Due to the amount of classes participating, we were able to get to areas of the town we have never been able to before!"

Normally this event takes place on Earth Day as it's official name is the KDSS Earth Day Garbage Pick Up but since Earth Day is on Sunday the 22nd, Mr. Taylor picked the 20th as it is a friday.

The people of Kincardine are very appreciative of the work of the students of KDSS. Kozy Cat Kennels donated $40 to the KDSS Environmental program and the KTTPS Green School's Initiative donated $300

Mr. James Taylor accepts a donation $300 from Michelle from
KTTPS Green School's Initiative 

KDSS is very proud to have the garbage clean up as one of their annual events! KDSS is very proud of all the Staff & Students who take the time to go out and pick up other people's garbage and help make Kincardine and the environment a beautiful place!

Penny War for St. Louis

During the week of April 16th to 20th, the KDSS Robotics is holding a penny war between the grades.

THE RULES:

The Penny War Container! 

Pennies equal positive points
Other money equals negative points.
1 cent equals one point.

So a lonnie equals negative 100 points

When you bring in your pennies you put those in your grades jar, and when you have other change (loonies, quarters, dimes, nickels, $5 bills etc) you put an other grades jar (or teachers jar)

Friday at lunch member of the robotics team will be counting the money and announcing the winner at the  Spirit assembly that will occur Friday afternoon.

The winning grade will receive cupcakes for everyone in the grade baked freshly by the robotics team.

All the proceeds from the penny war will be going towards the robotics team's trip to the FIRST Robotics Championship in St. Louis Missouri!

To find out more on the KDSS Robotics team - Team 781 check out their website at www.team781.com.

Home and School Citizenship Award Winners!

Brooke Leppington, Bronwynne Harvey & Mickey Collins
proudly show off their citizenship awards.
Photo Courtesy of Lynn Collins

KDSS is proud to call it's self the place where these 3 students call school!

Brooke Leppington (Grade 9), Bronwynne Harvey (Grade 10) and Mickey Collins (Grade 12) are the 2012 Home and School Citizenship Award winners!

On Saturday April 14th, these 3 students were invited to the Marriott Courtyard Hotel in Hamilton, ON to receive their Provincial Awards of Citizenship!

Students of KDSS were nominated within the school to be the "best" citizen of the school (from their grade) Then a student from each grade was chosen for the provincial round. Amazingly 3 of the 4 students won the provincial level. The 3 students can proudly say they are the most Citizen like students in Ontario.

KDSS is very proud to have these students in our school!

CWOSSA Bound for Knights Badminton!

Marcel Fohkens who placed 4th in
Boys singles!

After hosting The BAA (Bluewater Athletics Association) Badminton tournament, KDSS is sending 11 students to Conestoga College, in Kitchener to compete in the 2012 CWOSSA tournament!

On Thursday April 12th the Senior students of  KDSS played , and six of those players placed in the top four out of nine teams:

Jacob Siekierski - 1st - Boys Singles
Marcel Fohkens - 4th - Boys Singles
Margot Treidlinger and Gerrit Satosek - 1st - Mixed Doubles
Patrick McGarvey and Tanner Dupuis - 2nd - Boys Doubles

Overall, KDSS was second with 45 points.

The senior students will be competing at CWOSSA on April 19th!

Badminton Coach & Teacher, Mr. Wolfe!

The Juniors played a day before the seniors on Wednesday April 11th at Walkerton District Secondary School, and five KDSS players placed in the top four out of nine teams:

Delaney Dundas and Ashley Boyd - 2nd - Girls Doubles
Jorie Elliott - 4th - Girls Singles
Alessandra Lozada and Raymond Tan - 4th - Mixed Doubles

Overall, KDSS placed fifth, with 20 points.

The junior students will competing at CWOSSA on April 18th at Conestoga College in Kitchener.

Congratulations to all the students! 

#PROUDtoBEaKNIGHT

KDSS Robotics Team is Heading Back to World Championship!

The drive teams of the winning alliance!

After competing at three regional competitions, Team 781 has finally come out on top!

The Kinetic Knights FIRST Robotics Team spent their Easter weekend competing at the inaugural Queen City Regional in Cincinnati, Ohio, playing against 56 other FIRST Robotics teams from Canada, Brazil and the U.S.A. 

In a basketball themed game with robots scoring baskets and balancing on a seesaw style bridge the Knights finished the qualification matches in the 21st seed. 

However, during the alliance selections the Kinetic Knights were invited to join the 8th ranked Alliance consisting of Teams 45, The Techno Kats, and Team 3940, The Cyber Tooth, both from Indiana. 

Team 781 outside Xavier University with the Winner Banner

Although their alliance were the underdog throughout the elimination matches, Team 781 found themselves competing in the finals, thanks to their alliance’s ability to balance three robots on the bridge. 

The first match of the finals finished with the alliance earning the highest scoring match of the competition, 91-83. However, the Knight's competition would not give up that easily keeping the second match of the finals at a tight score. It wasn’t until the concluding seconds of the final match when Kinetic Knights’ human player, Luke Splettstoesser, scored a basket from across the field winning the match and the competition, 64-62. 

A special mention goes out to the Kinetic Knights’ drive team, Matt Pagnan, Luke Splettstoesser, Bradley Reid, lead by build captain James Jackson. 

The Knights didn’t just come home with the regional champion title but also our 5th regional website award.  

Game Winning, Human Player
Luke Splettstoesser with the winning net around his neck

Winning this regional secures a spot for the Kinetic Knights in two weeks at the FIRST World Championship in St. Louis, MO, where they finished second last year. For those unable to make it down with the team, there will be a live stream of the competition, Facebook updates, and Tweets with more information available on their award winning website, team781.com.

Team 781 will be holding a Penny War at the high school next week and an elementary school dance in the beginning of June to help with assist the cost but they are always looking for new sponsors. If you would like to donate or sponsor the team please contact sponsorship@team781.com or call Kincardine District Secondary School at 519-396-9151.

The Kinetic Knights would like to thank all our current sponsors who have already made this season possible and the community for all their support this past year.

Photos provided by 

Mickey Collins, PR & Awards lead  of Team 781

6 Gymnast heading to OFSAA!

On April 2nd, six gymnasts from KDSS travelled to Owen Sound to competed in the CWOSAA Gymnastics Competition.  After a long day all 6 students are moving on to OFSAA! (Ontario Federation of School Athletics Association). The level one gymnasts were Valeria Contartese who place 6th on floor, and Christine Benny who placed 5th on floor and 2nd on bars. The level 2 gymnasts were Alexa Masur who placed 5th on bars and 1st on floor, Katie Morris who placed 5th on vault, 3rd on bars, 5th on beam and 4th all around, and Delaney Hasson who placed 2nd on vault, 2nd on bars 5th on floor, and 2nd all around. And finally the level 5 gymnast Taylor Hasson who placed 4th on vault, 1st on bars, 4th on beam, 3rd on floor and 3rd all around. Congratulations girls, and good luck at OFSAA on April 29! #PROUDtoBEaKNIGHT


Special thanks goes out to coaches Mrs. Hasson (Parent) and Ms. Treidlinger (Teacher).