Rocky's Weekly Roundup
May 29, 2022
A Message from the Leadership Team
Dear RES Families,
The past few weeks we have been very busy planning June happenings and events. This past Friday we met with our amazing PE teachers, Mrs. Emerito and Ms. Starkey to plan for our upcoming Field Day. We are looking forward to a fun filled day, check out the date and Field Day t-shirt details below. Many of our June events are included in this week's Rocky's Weekly Roundup!
Recently we shared a communication with families regarding being more vigilant when checking-in guests at RES. A recap of our communication can be found below.
We hope you are enjoying the long weekend. With our deepest admiration, we think of all members of our military in all branches who made the ultimate sacrifice defending our country. Happy Memorial Day!
Mrs. Melissa Labrosciano, Principal
Mr. Joe Amodio, Assistant Principal
Visiting RES? Remember your ID!
At RES we frequently discuss our safety protocols and procedures. As we reflect on past practices we make every effort to adjust and make changes to our procedures in the best interest and safety of staff and students. Moving forward visitors will experience greater vigilance in screening prior to entering the main entrance vestibule 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.
We appreciate your efforts to have your identification with you and at the ready when you ring the bell of the main entrance. Please understand if you do not have identification you will not be allowed to enter RES.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Lego Donations Needed!
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
Save the Date - Fourth Grade Stepping Up Ceremony!
Grade 4 Orchestra Concert
Morning Drop Off
Summer Academy 2022
Important Dates and Reminders
Monday, May 30: Memorial Day, School Closed
Tuesday, May 31: Gr. 4 Visits JRMS
Wednesday, June 1: PreK Stepping Up Ceremony - PreK Playground 9a (rain date 6/2)
Wednesday, June 8: Kindergarten Conversation - RES Cafe 8:30a
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 seen a decrease in covid cases this past week, which is great, but we are still seeing some.
- Please continue to be vigilant in monitoring your child for symptoms and keep them home from school when they are ill.
- The symptoms we have been seeing most recently are widely varied and include fever, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, cough, vomiting, headache, fatigue, and body aches.
- Many of the symptoms are similar to other illness and seasonal allergies. Please consider testing your child if they are exhibiting any of these symptoms.
- Contact the nurse, Jen Connolly at jconnolly@er9.org or 203-938-2519 ext 309 to report covid cases or request a test kit. We have plenty of rapid test kits available at school that we can send home with your child or you can pick up from school.
- Please remember if your child is NOT vaccinated and they are exposed to someone who is positive for covid 19 outside of school (i.e. positive family member, babysitter, friend on a sports team) they do need to quarantine from school for 5 days after last close contact with the positive individual.
Remember to drink plenty of water and send water bottles daily with your child with the warm weather.
Thank you - Nurse Jen Connolly
Quote of the Week
– Scott Adams
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