RES Newsletter
January 19th, 2024
Dear RES Families,
January has been a busy and engaging month for our staff and students. Please take a look at this newsletter to learn about some important details from our nurse, the PTO. as well as a possible after school program.
PTO:
Happy New Year, RES families and staff. We have some exciting events coming up at Ascutney Outdoors and we'd love you to join in the fun!
Reading PTO will be holding a slopeside fundraiser on Saturday, January 27 during Ascutney Outdoors' opening weekend! Bring your family and come ski or ride with us. Please consider signing up to make food/treats for the event and/or volunteer to help out at the event.
Then come join us under the lights Saturday, February 3rd for Reading Night at Ascutney Outdoors! The event is open to all, but from 6:00-8:00 Reading residents will get discounted tubing (10 rides for $10) and access to the rope tow for skiing and riding (donation). The event is co-sponsored by the Reading PTO and Ascutney Outdoors, with all proceeds going to support non-profit Ascutney Outdoors to keep snowsports local and affordable.
Arrival/Dismissal Times:
School hours:
7:55 a.m. to 2:40 p.m.
Bus arrives at 7:40 a.m.
Bus departs at 2:40 p.m.
Supervision in the morning begins at 7:40 a.m. for K-4; supervision ends in the afternoon at 2:45 p.m.
PreK Drop Off is from 7:55 to 8:05 a.m.; PreK pick up is from 2:30 to 2:40 p.m.
Note from Our Nurse:
Hello RES Community!
I would like to introduce myself. I am the new RES Nurse and am in on Wednesday afternoons and Friday mornings. As a nurse for 20 years, I have worked in most areas of nursing and, while most of my bedside nursing occurred at DHMC, I have also worked at or taught clinical at Mt. Ascutney and the VA Medical Center. I have been a nurse educator at DHMC and taught for Norwich University, WGU and was Chair of Nursing at Castleton University for a few years. When I'm not at RES, I am leading a team of nursing faculty in evaluation of assignments for a national nursing college and enjoying working from home. My husband and I live in South Pomfret and have three children. Two of our kids are at WUHSMS and the oldest is at Norwich University studying to be a Physical Therapist.
I'd like to remind everyone that we are in the depths of the cold and flu season with a COVID uptick joining the party. Attached to this newsletter you will find the Elementary School Handbook and the WCSU Illness Procedure. I realize that the Illness Procedure PDF is from last year but it still applies this year and is used by all schools in the district. Please remember that we are not only asking you to keep your child home if ill for their own comfort and benefit but also to protect other children, families and educators from becoming ill. Please do not medicate your child for fever prior to sending them to school. While reducing a fever does help your child to feel a bit better, it only masks the illness which can then spread throughout our school community. A child with a fever should remain home until they've been fever free (without the use of fever reducing medication) for at least 24 hours.
I look forward to meeting everyone and would love to say hello at pickup on Wednesdays or drop-off on Friday mornings! Stay warm and healthy while enjoying the snow that has finally fallen!!
Sincerely,
Kim
Weather Shift Reminder:
As the winter continues, the cold is seemingly here to stay. With these colder temperatures, please remember to send your child in with the appropriate winter gear (hat, gloves/mittens, jacket, snow pants, and boots).
After School Program:
Jenn Parker, from Creative Kids Adventures, Inc. visited RES on 1/17. She enjoyed the quaint feeling of our school, and hopes that we can work together to provide an after school program. Our next hurdle will be staffing. If you know of anyone who would be interested, please share this flier with them. Additionally, here are the details about the program:
This program is for students in K-4, and would cost $89/week per child.
The program would run from dismissal until 5:30 PM Monday-Friday.
This program is licensed through the state of Vermont.
RES on the Big Screen:
In November, author Lisa Hamm-Greenawalt visited the PK-2 students at RES. While here, she shared her first iteration of the children’s book she wrote, The Loon and the Eagle. Our students generated illustrations that went along with her storybook-in-progress connecting nature, art, writing and conservation. The link below will bring you to the recording from Okemo Valley TV of her visit!
2024-2025 PreK Registration:
Registration for next year’s PreK class remains open. Please click on this link for more information regarding registration of PreK for the 2024-2025 school year.
Volunteers:
If you are interested in volunteering in our school or during field trips, please fill out the required paperwork. These files are found in the RES foyer in the hanging wooden holder. There are three different levels detailing necessary requirements and permissions. Please call the school if you have any questions.
Wishing all families a safe and happy holiday season.
Cheers,
Brandon Hill
Principal
Reading Elementary School
Reading, VT 05062
(802)484-7230 Ext. 1501
Pronouns: he/him