News You Can Use
December 1, 2020
December PTA Meeting
Meeting ID: 836 3796 9924
Passcode: 06896
Dial by your location
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Wednesday, Dec 9, 2020, 07:00 PM
undefined
President's Note
The sun came out and the Redding skies cleared in time to complete a close-knit Thanksgiving celebration for our members and families. We have so much to be thankful for as our PTA season moves from raising money to dedicating funds to enrichment, learning and education enhancement at RES.
Thanks to you…
- 40+ families received cash gift cards to buy food for Thanksgiving and beyond. Unemployment
- benefits are running out for persons statewide this month so every little bit counts.
- We funded 20+ staff grant requests looking for additional books, study tools, subscriptions and social/emotional learning tools for our students.
- We are organizing upcoming arts, kindness, STEM and cultural programs to bolster the opportunities for students to think broadly and embrace our diversity.
- Please join us next Wednesday at 7:00 PM for an update from our creative leadership team who continue to welcome new ideas every day to help meet our core mission reaching every student.
- Angela and Meredith
Fourth Grade Yearbook
We are currently gathering photos for the yearbook, and are in need of many more. We are looking for 2020 Halloween and 2020 learning at home photos as well as memories "through the years" (think field days, class parties, class trips, groups of friends, etc.).
Please send your photos to Jen Lyons at reddingyearbook@gmail.com
Note that not all photos may make it into the yearbook, but we would love to gather as many as possible!
2020-2021 HRRA Annual Billboard Contest
The deadline is Dec 18th. More details can be found here. And the template to enter can be found here.
Our local coordinator for the contest is Peggy Palmer: ppalmer@townofreddingct.org
RES PTA Frosty Gift Drive
Join us is helping out a child in need this year. The RES PTA Frosty Drive is taking on a new online form this year due to Covid-19. Please access the Sign-Up Genius form here and choose a child's wish you'd like to make a reality this holiday season. Once you commit to a gift, please purchase the gift as soon as possible.
Don't Forget -- Use Amazon Smile for your Holiday Shopping
Hannah Barber -- Behavioral Therapist
Hannah grew up in Redding and was in the last 5th grade class at RES (Class of 1999)! She has a B.A. in History from WestConn/WCSU and loves history, reading, trivia, hiking, traveling, and visiting cemeteries. Hannah is involved in cemetery restoration work and is a member of the Association for Gravestone Studies (AGS) -- she was the co-chair for the Danbury Conference in 2018.
Miss Barber lives with her dog, Winston, who is a 4.5 year old Portuguese Water Dog (PWD). In the summer, she does water work with other PWDs; this year he earned his Apprentice Water Dog title! Next year they're training for his Working Water Dog title. Hannah's favorite animal is a moose, if she could live anywhere in the world it would be London, and she loves being back home at RES!
Jennifer Basso -- Data Secretary
Jennifer grew up in Eastchester, NY and lives in Newtown with her husband Art, and their two children Amanda (yes Miss Basso in 3rd is her daughter), Arthur, and their furry children Leo and Daisy.
Mrs. Basso has been in the educational field for the past 13 years, starting at PreK level and then moving on to Elementary K-4 as a Kindergarten/Reading Paraeducator.
Jennifer LOVES beach vacations! Her favorite things to do are listening to music, reading and spending time with family and friends.
Caraluzzi's
Caraluzzi's is a family owned and operated grocery store located in Bethel, Georgetown, and Newtown.
A big thank you from the RES PTA to Caraluzzi's for being a Silver Sponsor!!
Caraluzzi's Bethel Market
98 Greenwood Avenue
Bethel, CT
203.748.3547
Caraluzzi's Georgetown Market
920 Danbury Road
Wilton, CT
203.544.7021
Caraluzzi's Newtown Market
5 Queen Street
Newtown, CT
203.270.7500
Website: https://caraluzzis.com/
Parents-Helping-Parents
Thanks to Becky Parkin for starting a thread of Facebook, we have terrific tips and tricks as parents-help-parents successfully navigate remote learning. Keep the ideas rolling to respta4kids@gmail.com!
Tips to keep you on task
- Add the zoom schedule into the google calendar with 1-minute reminders and a quick link
- Check email in the morning and create a list of tasks for the day
- Set alarms on house smart speakers
- Name alarms on the iPhone
- Download your child’s ER9 account and classroom app to your phone so you can take a photo and easily upload it to the assignment
- Investigate the “NOTES” app allowing you to create documents with multiple pages and scan a child’s work
- Erase/archive older emails or assignments so you can navigate quickly
Tips to keep children on task and focused
- Utilize small whiteboards to write tasks -- schedule and erase after completion
- Synch the Chromebook screen to the household TV with a Chromecast device
- Place a clock within the workspace to help the child take ownership of time and schedules
- Keep healthy snacks and drinks in an easy to reach location
Keeping worksheets organized
- Purchase a storage clipboard with side opening – keep all the week’s work in one place
- Print out all the worksheets for the week/night prior and review order with your child
Structure the day
- Encourage quiet activities in between lessons – e.g., arts & crafts
- Create a scheduled time for work vs. time for play
Thank you super parents for these tips and tricks – Becky Parkin, Sarah O’ Dell, Martine King, Kori Gawrych, Teresa Elizabeth, Melissa Lukas, Nicole Lilley, Alex Zuluaga, Steve Arnott, Dana Schmitt, Chase Sobelman, Dani Garavito, Pina Jabbari, Melissa Stern, Marla Wendell and Becky Rappoccio!
In case you missed it -- November PTA meeting
Easton, Redding, Region 9 Special Education Committee
The tri-district special education committee works to support students and families who rely on additional support services in kindergarten to 12th grade.
Learn more about the committee's efforts and events at its website here.
Contact Us
Email: respta4kids@gmail.com
Phone: (203) 938-2519
Join the PTA!
As a PTA, our main goals will remain what they have always been:
- To provide academic, cultural and social programs for our children to enhance their learning and
- To support our teachers and staff and to act to unify our school community.
To fulfill our mission for a unified parent/ teacher community, we strive for 100% PTA membership. Dues are $25 per family this year. For more information on how to join, go to:
RESCTPTA.MEMBERSHIPTOOLKIT.COM
We are planning lots of safe and exciting virtual events this year that will be available to PTA members only, so sign up today!