Rocky's Weekly Roundup
June 5, 2022
A Message from the Leadership Team
Dear RES Families,
We hope you have found opportunities to enjoy this beautiful weekend. We are in the homestretch of the school year, with just 12 more days to go! There are many end of year activities and happenings, so please be sure to take a few minutes to read through the updates in this newsletter.
Thank you to all families for your attention to the updated safety protocols we shared with the community earlier this week. They also can be found below for your reference.
Congratulations to our preschool students in Mrs. Hojdysz and Mrs. McGee's classrooms for 'stepping up' earlier this week! We are proud of your hard work this year and look forward to welcoming many of you to Kindergarten next year!
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!
Mrs. Melissa Labrosciano, Principal
Mr. Joe Amodio, Assistant Principal
New Safety Protocols - Updates!
Last week we shared that at RES we frequently discuss our safety protocols and procedures. We shared with our community that moving forward visitors will experience greater vigilance in screening prior to entering the main entrance vestibule at RES. As an administrative team we have also met with the Central Office and district administration to discuss our collective protocols and changes that need to be made to ensure the safety of all staff and students. Moving forward the following protocols will be implemented at RES:
In order to enter the vestibule at the main entrance, anyone wishing to do so MUST present a photo identification. Identification will be held up to the outside camera and checked by our office staff before you are allowed to enter the vestibule. This procedure includes dropping off your child, picking up your child, etc. Please do not take offense if you feel the office staff should know you. There will not be an exception made to this new rule. Office staff will also be asking visitors the purpose of their visit.
Visitors will be allowed in the building by appointment only. Appointments could range from a specific meeting with a teacher, special education team, and/or administration. Appointments would also include any volunteer opportunities or visits in your child’s classroom. An appointment may also be a call from the nurse to pick up your child. All planned visits and appointments will be arranged for you by an RES staff member.
If you feel you need to enter the building and have not made previous arrangements. You must call RES to make arrangements prior to arriving. For example, access to our lost and found area.
A drop-off table will be placed outside of the vestibule. The table will be clearly marked. Please make sure items are properly labeled before you arrive (child’s name and teacher). You do not need to ring the bell to tell the office an item is being dropped off. The table will be checked twice daily at 10:30 a.m. and at the end of each school day.
Students are expected to be dropped off each morning by 8:05 a.m. If you are arriving at drop off after 8:05 a.m., please drop your child off by parking in the main parking lot, and have your child walk down the walkway to enter through the RES main entrance.
We appreciate your efforts, understanding, and patience as we navigate our new procedures and protocols. Thank you for your continued partnership.
Fourth Grade Lunch Update
Kindergarten Lunch Update
Lego Donations Needed!
Report Cards
Incoming Kindergarten Family Opportunity
Coffee with the Principals and Kindergarten Teachers - Wednesday, June 8th
Families are invited to join us for a conversation about the transition to kindergarten. There will be an opportunity for a Q&A session, too! Our session will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the RES cafeteria. PTA will join, and provide light refreshments. We look forward to seeing you there!
Field Day 2022
Grade 4 Orchestra Concert
RES Pond, Gardens and Shrubs
We have some very small and young plantings that do not have the strength to hold up our young learners. We are concerned for them, and their future growth. We'd love for our plants to also remain healthy and happy and grow strong like our students.
Thank you for your attention to this request.
Morning Drop Off
Summer Academy 2022
Important Dates and Reminders
Monday, June 6: PreSchool Olympics - 8:30a - 10:30a
Wednesday, June 8: Kindergarten Conversation - RES Cafe 8:30a
Wednesday, June 8: RES PTA Meeting - 7 pm (via Zoom)
Wednesday, June 15: Gr. 4 Orchestra Concert - Big Gym 9:30a
Thursday, June 16 Field Day (rain date Friday, June 17)
Tuesday, June 21: Grade 4 Stepping Up Ceremony 9:30a - Redding Community Center
TENTATIVE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - Tuesday, June 21st (K-4 12:50 pm Early Dismissal, Preschool 12:15 pm)
MORNING DROP OFF
A reminder that families with multiple children may now choose ONE drop off location in the morning. It is suggested that our youngest continue to be dropped off in the rear parking lot. Older siblings may also be dropped off here and can walk across the building to get to their classrooms. If you arrive to the drop off location and there are no adults present to welcome your children at the curb, or in the parking lot, please park in the big gym parking lot and walk your child to the school's main entrance vestibule.
MORNING BUS CIRCLE ACCESS
Please keep students and staff safe, and drop off LATE students at the big gym parking area, until ALL buses have cleared RES. As warmer weather prevails, it is safe to assume that on a regular school day, buses should have cleared the bus circle by 8:20am - UNLESS we have an exceptionally tough weather situation happening that morning.
CELL PHONES & ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Per our family handbook, laser pointers, electronic devices, and cell phones are also not allowed. With that said, we do understand as parents ourselves that there are times when it is a family's decision to allow their child(ren) to have a cell phone or smartwatch with cell phone capabilities in school. If this is the case, it is expected that the cell phone be turned off and in your child’s backpack at all times, including the duration of the bus ride.
Students are not to be making phone calls or sending text messages during the school day. Students can always come to the main office if a call needs to be made home. Similar to John Read Middle School’s handbook policy, if a cell phone or smartwatch is being used inappropriately or not consistent with our technology use policy, such device will be held in the main office for the remainder of the school day.
The use of a cell phone or other device can be a disruption to your child(ren)’s school day and negatively impact their learning environment. We appreciate your support and partnership regarding this matter.
POKEMON CARDS & TOYS
A reminder that Pokemon cards and toys will not be permitted at school. We have noticed that students are bringing cards to school and trading them with other students. This often leads to conflict and/or lost items. Please note page 15 of our student handbook, which states, "Toys and stuffed animals can cause a disruption to learning and conflict on the bus, café or playground. Children should not bring them to school." We ask for your support by talking to your child(ren) and checking backpacks to be sure trading cards and toys remain at home.
COVID-19 BUS UPDATE
As many of you might be aware, bus mitigation strategies that were set in place due to COVID-19 have been lifted. Students will no longer have assigned seats on the bus, unless there is a specific need. Students are now permitted to ride an alternative bus to a friend’s house. Being parents ourselves, we understand that there are extenuating circumstances where a child may need to ride the bus to a friend’s house after school. This is a courtesy that we are happy to extend to families, but please be mindful of not taking advantage of this opportunity. Students should not be riding another bus home to a friend’s house for birthday parties or other large playdates or group gatherings. Please understand that with some of our buses being close to capacity and others needing to double up due to driver shortages, there will be times when it is not possible to accommodate every request. Parent pick-up is a wonderful option for inviting several students to your home.
If your child is riding to a friend's house, whether on their own bus or on a different bus, this exception needs to be noted in School Dismissal Manager under Alternate Bus. When using this exception, please be sure to note:
The bus number your child will be riding on
The full name of the student who he/she will be getting off of the bus with
Again, please include this information under the exception labeled Alternate Bus. If you select the exception labeled Bus, notifications will not be sent to the correct individual and you will risk your child not receiving a note for the bus.
A Message from our School Nurse...
We have arrived at the month of June and that brings warm weather, bug bites, poison ivy, and the end of the school year. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Send your child to school with a water bottle everyday to help them stay well hydrated on these warm days.
- Consider putting sunscreen and bug spray on your child at home in the morning to protect them at recess and PE.
- If your child has poison ivy/oak or excessive bug bites please try to put calamine lotion or some anti-itch treatment on before school to help them start their school day off smoothly.
- If your child has medications at school (epi pens, auviQ's, benadryl, inhalers, etc) these need to be picked up before summer break (June 21). Please reach out to the nurse, Jen Connolly at 203-938-2519 ext 309 or jconnolly@er9.org to make arrangements to pick these up.
- Please continue to report covid cases or other communicable illnesses (influenza, strep throat) to the nurse.
- We have rapid test kits available at school that we can send home with your child or you can pick up from school if you are in need of covid test kits.
Thank you!
Nurse Connolly
Quote of the Week
– Anonymous
District News & Information
REDDING SCHOOL DISTRICT 2022 - 2023 CALENDAR
This calendar is also available on the ER9.org website, located at the bottom of the home page.
REDDING COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES
Contact Us
Website: www.reddingelementaryps.org
Location: 33 Lonetown Road, Redding, CT, USA
Phone: (203)938-2519
Additional School Contacts
Office hours for Special Services is 7:30am - 3:00pm during the regular school year.
SPECIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Ms. Jennifer Del Conte, Director, Special Services
Ms. Michelle King, Administrative Assistant to Director of Special Services
mking@er9.org Ext. 313
Mrs. Jennifer Hankla, Supervisor, Special Services
Mrs. Marilyn Caruso, Secretary, Special Services
mcaruso@er9.org Ext. 312
Office hours for the main office is 7:30am - 3:45pm during the normal 10-month / 180 day school year.
SUPPORT STAFF:
Miss Bobbie Granskog, School Secretary
bgranskog@er9.org Ext. 304
Budgets, Payroll, & Information for Rocky's Weekly Roundup!
Mrs. Komal Kulkarni, School Secretary
kkulkarni@er9.org Ext. 302
Registrar & Enrollment
Mrs. Rachel Saluzzi, School Secretary
rsaluzzi@er9.org Ext. 301
Assistant to School Principals
School Dismissal Manager & Subs
OTHER FREQUENTLY CALLED NUMBERS:
Nurse Connolly — Ext. 309
Library— Ext. 343
Kitchen — Ext. 346
You will find a complete list of telephone extensions and email addresses for our staff on our website www.reddingelementaryps.org