Rocky's Weekly Roundup
April 24, 2022
A Message from the Office
Dear RES Families,
Although the number of school days left is dwindling, there is still much to do and lots of learning to be had. Our young learners continue to grow with excitement and many questions. And we hope they bring that same energy home and share what they are doing in school.
Thank you to the RES PTA volunteers who created wonderful science experiments at the STEAM Fair yesterday. Many helping hands worked hard with students to demonstrate some fun and interactive ideas. Learning how to use binoculars and spotting some unique birds on campus was very exciting.
The RES PTA has many more events on the calendar for this spring. We appreciate all the hard work of the volunteers and families who continue to support RES.
The RES Pond and garden have received some TLC recently. The pond has the waterfall running again, and we have 4 Koi fish and 2 frogs. When the weather gets warmer, the Garden Club will be planting vegetables and flowers that we will be able to harvest in the late summer and early fall. So much yet to enjoy.
This Wednesday, we honor our administrative assistants, who work tirelessly in our main and SpEd offices. Thank you!
Have a wonderful week -
The RES Office
Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week!
This year Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week begins on May 2nd and ends on May 6th. We are excited to celebrate the teachers and staff that make RES such a wonderful place!
Smarter Balanced Assessments
Summer Academy 2022
Heart of RES
RES administration and staff want to recognize students and faculty members who go above and beyond to make RES the greatest place in the world! Staff and students are being nominated for doing good deeds, and/or showing kindness to others in a spectacular way. Throughout the month students and staff are being recognized in a special way. Staff and students will receive a special Heart of RES certificate and students will get a special shoutout during our morning announcements!
Important Dates and Reminders
Sunday, May 1: School Principal Day!
Monday through Friday, May 2 - 6: Teacher Appreciation Week
Tuesday, May 3: Redding Board of Education Meeting - 7pm, JRMS Community Room
Wednesday, May 11: National School Nurse Day!
Friday, May 20: Early Dismissal - Gr. K - 4 at 12:50 p.m., PreS/PreK at 12:15 p.m.
Friday, May 20: Staff versus Parent Kickball Game
Monday, May 30: Memorial Day, School Closed
TENTATIVE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - Tuesday, June 21st
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 Nurses...
Finally the warm weather seems to be coming!!! With the warm weather, we get bug bites, ticks and sunburns. Please be mindful of checking your kids for ticks when they've been outside playing or if they're cuddling with pets who have been outside. Please consider applying sunscreen before school to help protect them from sunburn when outside for recess and PE.
Dress in Layers! We still have some days with cold mornings and chilly breezes and very warm afternoons, so encouraging students to choose short sleeve shirts and a sweatshirt or light coat will help when it's warmer in the afternoon and with variable weather.
Water bottles - especially with the warmer days upon us, it is very important for the kids to have a water bottle at school with them.
Spring Allergies - the flowers are out and the leaves are budding, which is beautiful, but for many us this means allergies. It is helpful to have our kids wash their hands and faces after playing outside or before going to bed at night.
When to keep your child home:
- Fever greater than 100.0, vomiting, diarrhea. sore throat, significant cough or runny nose. Students need to be fever free without medication and without vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours before returning to school.
- If your child is not fully vaccinated for covid and they have close contact with someone who tests positive for covid outside of school, especially if it is a household member who tests positive for covid then your child needs to quarantine for 5 days from last exposure.
- Contact the nurse if you are in need of a rapid Covid test. The symptoms of Covid are widely varied and are similar to many other illnesses. It is recommended to repeat the rapid test after at least 24 hours if the first test is negative in individuals who are showing symptoms.
Please continue to report positive COVID-19 results and COVID-19 exposures to the school nurse at jconnolly@er9.org or 203-938-2519 ext 309. Also, please report any flu, strep throat, pink eye or other communicable illnesses to the nurse.
We conducted routine vision and hearing screenings this week for students in Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd and 4th grade. You will receive notification only if your child requires any follow up after these screenings.
Thank you!
Nurse J. Connolly
LOST & FOUND
See image below.
Quote of the Week
District News & Information
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