Rocky's Weekly Roundup!
October 30, 2022
A Message from the Leadership Team
Dear RES Families,
We are very excited for our Halloween parade tomorrow! 🎃
A few general reminders:
- Our parade will be held on October 31st at 9:00 a.m. Families may come and observe the parade. For safety reasons and concerns we ask that parents who are observing the parade do not bring pets nor dress up in costume.
- Students may come to school dressed in their Halloween costume and can bring clothes to change into if they wish to do so.
Costume guideline reminders:
- Please note our RES costume guidelines below. Please do not put RES staff in the situation of calling home and requesting a change of clothes for your child.
Costumes must be comfortable to wear for the duration of the entire day. Children should be able to learn and participate in a typical school day while wearing their costume. This might mean you need to modify your child’s costume.
No inflatable costumes
No props, costume masks, or weapons of any kind
Costumes should not be scary and appropriate for school
Do not wish to participate in the Halloween parade, no problem! Students who do not wish to participate in dressing up or wish not to be in the parade will have the opportunity to go to an alternative setting for the duration of the parade. Please let your child’s teacher know if you wish to not have your child participate in the parade.
Whether children participate or not, wearing a costume or not wearing a costume should not result in anyone feeling excluded or judged.
Over the past week students have been navigating and exploring our RES Halloween House. Thank you to our 'faboolous' physical education teachers and volunteers for creating a fun obstacle course and memorable experience for students!
We can't believe we are heading into the month of November. Parent and teacher conferences are right around the corner. See additional information below.
Wishing you a wonderful week ahead!
Mrs. Melissa Labrosciano, Principal
Mrs. Kim Roy, Assistant Principal
Parent & Teacher Conferences - November 15th, 16th, 17th, and 18th
Veterans Day! 🇺🇸
We are excited to host a Veterans Day Whole School Assembly at RES on November 11th. On this day we will honor all Veterans of the uniformed services who served or are still serving.
If there is a special Veteran in your life or if you are a Veteran who would like to attend our assembly, please complete this form by Friday, November 4th. Due to limited capacity in our gymnasium we are limiting guests attending our assembly to only Veterans, staff, and students. We understand that due to age and medical needs, some of our Veterans may need support from an additional family member. Please indicate if a family member will be joining our ceremony on the form provided.
Veterans will have the opportunity to meet other Veterans and take part in our assembly. Our assembly will begin at 9:00 a.m. and we will be serving a light breakfast for our Veterans beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Upon arrival, Veterans will need to check into the main office and provide identification.
We look forward to honoring our Veterans on November 11th.
RES PreSchool Information Session
What: PreSchool Tour and Q&A
Who Should Attend: New Prospective Families
When: November 4, 2022 at 1:45 p.m.
- Join the preschool teachers for a tour of the classrooms and an opportunity to learn more about the preschool program at RES.
- Please RSVP via email to Stacey McGee smcgee@er9.org if you plan to attend.
- This is an adult only tour. If you are unable to arrange childcare, but have questions you may email Stacey McGee smcgee@er9.org to set up a phone call.
On November 4th please come to the preschool entrance located at the far left of the building near the handicap ramp at 1:45 p.m. Picture identification will be required and checked prior to entering the building.
Upcoming Chorus, Band, and Orchestra Concerts
Thursday, February 2nd: Grade 3 & 4 Chorus and Grade 4 Orchestra
Tuesday, May 23rd: Grade 3 & 4 Orchestra
Thursday, May 25th: Grade 3 & 4 Chorus and Grade 4 Band
More details to come!
Please reach out to Miss Baker and/or Mrs. Edwards with any questions.
A Message from Nurse Connolly and Nurse Carley...
Updates from the RES Health Office:
Halloween can be a very fun and exciting time for kids, but for some kids it may not be as fun whether it's something that makes them feel uncomfortable or for those with allergies or health concerns it can present other challenges. Sometimes our natural instinct is to offer quick reassurances or coaxing, but this may not always be the most helpful.
Here are some scenarios and thoughts from Caley Kukla, M. Ed:
Instead of: Try:
"It's not that scary." "You seem unsure about this one. What do you think?"
"Don't be scared. It's not real." "It's okay, I'm right here."
"If you don't do X, you can't have candy." "Would you like me to go with you or skip this one?
"Children learn to trust themselves through their caregivers' response to their hesitancy, fear and uncertainty. If caregivers tell them their fear isn't valid, a child will learn that their perception of the world can't be trusted."
"Children learn NOT to trust themselves and to ignore their internal messaging, which increases insecurity and dysregulation. If we meet their uncertainty with validation and confidence, they learn to honor their own instincts while also learning that they are capable of moving through uncertainty, at their own pace."
Thank you!
Thank you,
Jen Connolly & Deanna Carley
Questions or concerns that you want to discuss with the nurses? Email us or call us:
Jen Connolly - jconnolly@er9.org or (203)938-2519 ext 309
Deanna Carley - dcarley@er9.org or (203)938-2519 ext 342
Important Dates and Reminders
Monday, October 31st: Halloween Parade at 9:00 a.m. More details to come!
Tuesday, November 8th: No School!
Friday, November 4th: 1st Student Council Meeting
Thursday, November 10th: Picture Retake Day - 8:15a
Friday, November 11th: Veterans Day Whole School Assembly at 9:00 a.m.
Bus Transportation Information
If you have any specific questions pertaining to your child's bus stop, please contact First Student directly, 475.470.0373. Unfortunately, we are not able to help you regarding bus information.
Morning Arrival Procedures
Students may be dropped off at school beginning at 7:55 a.m. - 8:05 a.m. There is no adult supervision at school prior to this time, so please be sure to listen for the morning bell before letting students out of your car to enter the school building. In the morning, all students arriving by parent vehicle, in Kindergarten through Grade 4 will be dropped off in the Big Gym parking lot and will enter school through the main entrance. Please see the RES Campus Map to view the drop-off route and location of drop-off. Staff members supervising morning drop-off will monitor students exiting cars. It is important that students are prepared with their backpacks on and all belongings are ready to go so they can exit the car quickly. Students will exit from the passenger side of the vehicle. Family members dropping children off must remain in vehicles during this time.
Afternoon Dismissal Procedures
We will begin dismissing students out to cars around 2:45 p.m. and this process will continue until 3:00 p.m. If students remain in the holding areas at 3:00 p.m., we will bring them down to the main office to be picked up.
Each family will be assigned a student pick up number. This number will be identified on a tag that attaches to the child’s backpack, and a separate tag that hangs from the rearview mirror of the vehicle being used for pick-up. Staff supporting the student pick-up process will help escort children out to cars, matching student pick up numbers on backpacks and vehicles.
For our returning families, please track down your student number tags and car tags you used last year. This includes both the rearview mirror tag and the smaller tags that attach to your child’s backpack. Please keep these car tags, until your last child enters JRMS.
For our new families, we will issue a student number tag & car tag to hang from your rearview mirror. This is needed if you are picking your child up at the end of the school day. There will be a corresponding number on your child’s backpack. New families will receive tags during Welcome Back to School meet and greet. If you are unable to attend the back to school orientation, please call the main office and make arrangements to pick up your car tags.
In the afternoon, all students being picked up by parent vehicle, in Kindergarten through Grade 4 will be picked up in the Big Gym parking lot. Please see the RES Campus Map to view the pick-up route and location.
Families must remain in vehicles throughout our pick-up process. Staff will monitor and assist students into vehicles, as needed.
Peanut and Tree Nut Free Classrooms
Due to the amount of students with life threatening peanut and tree nut allergies all classrooms at RES are designated as peanut and tree nut free areas. We are following the same practices as JRMS. Please do not pack classroom snacks that contain peanuts and/or tree nuts. Your child may still enjoy peanuts and/or tree nuts during his/her lunch period in the cafeteria. We only ask that snacks eaten in the classroom do not contain such products, as the cafeteria has additional procedures and special precautions to follow for children with food allergies. Students are encouraged to engage in safe practices in the cafeteria, which includes refraining from sharing or swapping meals and snacks. If food is being allowed at a classroom celebration, food products must be accompanied by the original packaging so that ingredients can be checked.
COVID-19 Information & Health Reminders
Please remember to keep your child home if they have a temperature above 100.0, any vomiting or diarrhea or if they are simply not feeling well enough to be at school. The symptom profile for covid is widely varied and oftentimes presents as mild cold symptoms, so please be mindful and test your child when they are sick or if they have been exposed to someone with covid.
The district is following the current CDC covid guidelines, which you can review here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html.
In summary:
**If positive, isolate at home for 5 days. Return on day 6 if no fever and symptoms are improved. Mask through day 10. (Test day or symptom start day are DAY 0).
**Report positive cases to the school nurse and enter absence into school dismissal manager.
**If exposed, wear a mask, test if symptoms develop. Or test 5 days after last exposure. If negative, continue with mask through day 10. If positive, isolate for 5 days.
We have test kits available at school. Contact Jen Connolly, school nurse, at 203-938-2519 ext. 309 or jconnolly@er9.org to pick up a test kit or have one sent home with your child.
School Dismissal Manager Reminder
This past week we experienced many families that needed to make alternate plans after 9:30 a.m. In addition families were emailing the office with alternative plans. Email is not an effective way to change your child's dismissal plans, many times emails are not checked in a timely manner or prior to the end of the school day - or the person you are emailing or leaving a voice message for may be out for the day.
The following can also be found in our RES Family Handbook...
Changes to dismissal plans cannot be taken by phone. If you have a dismissal change, you must note the exception in School Dismissal Manager (SDM) by 9:30 a.m. Reports are then sent to RES staff and to the Park & Recreation Department. Noting the dismissal plans by 9:30 a.m. allows the Park & Recreation staff time to verify if students that are signed up for their programs are on our SDM list. This allows teachers time to review the after school plans with each of their students prior to the end of the school day. Last minute changes have a very large impact on our reports to teachers and support staff that are handling dismissal in various parts of the building, as well as student safety. You must contact a school administrator via phone in the main office for approval of any last minute changes.
Drop Off Table
Just in case your child forgot their homework, water bottle, lunch, instrument, library book, snack, sports equipment, etc. at home there is a drop off table located outside by the main office vestibule. You do not need to inform the main office when dropping off an item. We check the drop off table and make classroom deliveries twice per day.
- Items must be dropped off with your child's name and teacher's name on it by 10:00 a.m. for a 10:15 a.m. delivery time.
- Items must be dropped off with your child's name and teacher's name on it by 1:15 p.m. for a 1:30 p.m. delivery time.
The main office is a busy place and it is challenging to make multiple deliveries throughout the day. We truly appreciate your help in meeting our delivery times so that your child gets their needed item in a timely manner.
Visiting RES Reminders...
At RES we regularly discuss our safety protocols and procedures. The following protocols are implemented for visitors 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 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.
ER9 Incident Reporting Form
We wanted to share with the RES community that there is a district wide practice whenever there are concerns regarding mean spirited behavior and your child. Mrs. Kim Roy is not only the RES Assistant Principal, but also the Safe School Climate Specialist. If you ever have concerns regarding mean spirited behavior involving your child, you can access the ER9 Incident Reporting Form to address your concerns. Once the form is completed, Mrs. Roy receives an email and will be able to follow up with you if more information is needed.
The link to the ER9 Incident Report Form is on the Redding Elementary Website (scroll down to the bottom of the site and you will see it linked under Other Information). You can also access the form via this link below. You can choose to remain anonymous, however it is helpful if you add as much information as possible in case an investigation needs to take place.
Please call or email Mrs. Roy if you have any questions or concerns regarding the process, kroy@er9.org.
RES Job Opportunities - We Need Your Help!
Anyone that has volunteered to be a lunch buddy - maybe you want to consider being a permanent lunch monitor at RES. We also need one more recess monitor. Please go to the ER9 website to apply for one of these positions. Our support positions for recess and lunch allow you to have a little bit of flexibility, where you still have time to get your child(ren) on and off the bus each day. Please log on to the ER9.org website; under human resources tab; employment opportunities.
We are also in need of substitute teachers. Individuals have the potential to work in many roles throughout the school year; Preschool-Grade 4 classroom teacher, work with students as a paraeducator, potentially be involved with our special education program, as well as helping out as a lunch or recess monitor. Qualified applicants should have a 4-year college degree. NOT necessarily in education. Please call Bobbie in the main office 203-938-2519 Ex. 304, if you are interested.
Quote of the Week
-Aggie Cromwell (Halloweentown)
Redding Community Opportunities
Contact Us
Mrs. Kim Roy, Assistant Principal
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
Mrs. Jennifer Hankla, Supervisor, Special Services
Mrs. Marilyn Caruso, Secretary, Special Services
mcaruso@er9.org Ext. 312
Office hours for the main office is 7:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. 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