Regional Day School Newsletter
Volume 17, Issue 1
December 2021
PLEASE GIVE A BIG RDS WELCOME TO OUR NEW STAFF:
Fire Prevention Week
Halloween Parade
Letter From Our Principal - Mrs. Lisa Michallis
The 2021-2022 school year is off to a superb start! The RDS staff and students are prepared for the new school year and are ready to learn each day. We continue to be open with a full-day schedule. Health and safety protocols continue to be implemented as well.
Thank you to all of the families for attending our virtual Back to School Night and virtual Coffee with the Principal. It is always so wonderful to see many family members in attendance to meet with the teachers and support staff. As always, these are informative events for our parents to learn about the curriculum, initiatives and programs for the new school year. I am excited that Music Therapy has been added to our students’ schedules. The program is well received by both students and staff. In addition, this fall we launched the online Parent Portal for families to update their contact information, complete the students’ daily health screening form and this month the report cards can be viewed on there too!
We are continuing with our “Color Our School with Kindness” character education initiative. Recently we celebrated Week of Respect with various activities and lessons to celebrate our differences and review what it means to be a good friend and an upstander. Last month, we had an excellent Veterans Day Assembly. Thank you to Sergeant Holzer and the MTHS ROTC for continuing to be part of this annual event and Miss Dawn for coordinating this moving assembly to honor our heroes and veterans.
As the weather turns chillier and leaves start to fall from the trees, everyone is looking forward to their Thanksgiving feast with family and the upcoming holiday season. Many of our holiday traditions will continue this year and our elves are already busy. I would like to extend many thanks to our entire RDS family and everyone who has contributed to our school’s continued success!
Warmest wishes for a great school year and the happiest holiday season to each of you!
Miss Lisa
A-1 News - Ms. Jeanie
A-1 has transitioned nicely into the new school year! We would like to welcome Avaya to Regional Day School! She is working very hard in class and making friends. We’re very proud of the effort of the students in A1. Our class loves working on our Promethean board this year, which we have been very excited to use! It’s like having a huge, rolling Chromebook to learn on! We can access Google Chrome, Apps, and many more features. We’ve only been in school for a little over three months and have covered so many topics. We just ended our first novel study called The Bridge to Terabithia. Our new novel study will be on the novel Hatchet. In science, we are on our way to becoming experts on natural disasters. Watching videos and discussing the different types of natural disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, hurricanes, droughts, floods, forest fires, avalanches, and more! Each student is learning different topics for math and becoming math experts at their level. Our class has been focusing on being mindful of others and respecting others. We discuss ways to be mindful and how to help others in need. Our class is also learning about life skills, how to look for jobs, and thinking about future goals. Every day the students watch CNN10 and get updated on the local news happening around the world. It was so much fun celebrating Halloween, learning about Hispanic Heritage Month, and celebrating Veterans Day. We are having lots of fun in school and in A1!
Keep up the great work A-1 and try your best every day!
Ms. Jeanie and Ms. Jeanette
A-2 News - Mr. Gunn
It’s that time of year again. If you stay late, there is a good chance that you might be driving home in the dark. Halloween, Veterans Day and Thanksgiving come and gone. Christmas and New Year's are on the horizon and approaching at light speed.
The new school year has brought many changes to A-2 with both students and staff members moving in and out of the classroom. Jacob, Amaiya, Cody, and Miss Da’Jah moved to A–4. Miss Kelly has joined the preschool class and Miss Jeanette is currently working in A-1. The class would like to welcome the new addition Marques, who transferred from C-2, along with three new staff members. Mr. Keith, Miss Amanda and Miss Nikki. It did not take long for everyone to be acclimated to the classroom's routine and procedures. Their hard work and dedication are acknowledged and appreciated.
We continue to work on our academic skills in all subject areas. Topics covered in social studies and science include National Heritage Month activities, Patriot’s Day, the Constitution, Veterans Day, various science experiments, and a unit on spiders. One reading group finished reading Hatchet and started reading Holes. Another reading group read The River and is taking on the challenge of reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. In addition to using traditional paper and pencil tasks, the children are being engaged using computer-based instruction such as iReady, Freckle and Edpuzzle sites.
Until next time,
Mr. Gunn, Miss Amanda, Mr. Keith, and Miss Nikki
A-3 News - Ms. Kirsten
We are off to a great school year in A-3! Our class has been working hard on our work readiness skills. We are having a great time learning about ways to make good decisions in school and in the workplace. There are some classmates that are currently employed and earning wages in the community. Some of our other classmates are attending vocational school for computer repair and technology. We are happy to utilize those skills learned at vocational school in our own classroom with some of our new technology such as the class Promethean board. Our class is also looking forward to beginning our Transition program training at a local fitness facility. We will continue to practice and learn the skills necessary for future gainful employment. The sky's the limit in A-3. Also, we are continuing our role at creating and organizing the school food pantry for those in need. Everyone is excited to have the rest of the school year to have an opportunity for more learning and fun!
Hope you’re having a great school year!
From your friends in A-3
A-4 News - Mrs. Byrnes
It has been a great year so far and it's crazy to think it's the holiday season already. We have been working hard In A-4. Amaiya, Jacob, and Cody have done a great job adapting to their new class! The students in A-4 have been introduced to a classroom economic system. In this program the students applied and interviewed for jobs, and receive a salary for that job. With that salary they are responsible for paying rent for their desks, along with being responsible for paying fines they incur in the classroom. The students are also rewarded with bonuses in their accounts for good behavior. They are also learning how to write checks and manage their money in their online bank accounts. The students are practicing mindfulness. We like to take time in the morning to practice yoga, meditate or learn breathing techniques so we can start our day calm and refreshed! In A-4 we think of ourselves as a family and we promote a healthy and happy environment where we support and uplift each other which is why it has been such an enjoyable year so far!
- Mrs. Byrnes & Miss Da'Jah
B-1 News - Ms. Angela
We have had a fantastic start to our 2021-2022 school year in B-1! We are learning and growing together as a class each day. Our class has learned so much already, but some of our highlights include seasonal changes that occur in autumn, living vs. nonliving things, the life cycle of pumpkins, and awesome science experiments like making Halloween slime!
A few of our favorite events and activities so far have been visiting the RDS Pumpkin Patch, and participating in Music Therapy. We are looking forward to the holiday season quickly arriving, where our class will participate in school-wide events that we love, including Holiday Express, Holiday Bingo, and Polar Express Day!
As the second marking period approaches, some of our topics in class will include animal adaptations, hibernation, and winter holidays. B-1 is looking forward to another exciting school year together!
Sincerely,
Ms. Angela, Ms. Chrissy, Ms. Emily, and our B-1 classmates
B-2 News - Mr. Dominick
Wow, can you believe it is already the holiday season?! I guess time does fly when you’re having fun, and there’s never a shortage of that in B-2. We welcomed a new student into B-2 recently. Myrtle has been welcomed with open arms, and we are all excited to see her progress in our community.
Students in B-2 have learned about various scientific subjects, including weather and sound with engaging activities. The students have been learning about current events, various historical events, and many life skills with various stories and videos on the Promethean Board. We are also enjoying our new Music Therapy Program with Ms. Hannah. The students love listening to her calming voice and getting involved in her very creative songs.
Everyone is looking forward to a fantastic school year and is very excited about what the rest of the year will bring us!
Fondly,
Angelo, Victoria, Abby, Nicole, Taylor, Myrtle, Christian, Brandon, Mr. Dominick, Miss JoAnn, Miss Diane, Miss Lori, Miss Monica, Miss Nanette, and Miss Jeanal
B-3 News - Ms. Anna
It has been an exciting return to school for B-3. Everyone is very happy to see each other in person, working together as a great team. We follow the rules about washing hands often and wearing masks to keep everybody safe and healthy.
Every day is a new adventure filled with learning experiences, exploring new information, sharing opinions, and having fun together. We all enjoy the colorful season of fall! Some of the topics of our lessons and activities are related to harvest and seasonal changes around us.
Gathering our pumpkins from the school pumpkin patch, our class created scary or funny “jack-o-lanterns.”
We continue to work on academics, pre-vocational skills and practice mindfulness. During this beautiful season, we remember and share with each other many reasons to be thankful. Enjoy upcoming holidays, stay safe and healthy!
B-4 News - Ms. Karen
News from B-4:
Everyone settled into the new school year rather quickly. We began by reviewing the class rules: Listen Carefully, Follow Directions, Be Courteous, and the procedures and protocols for maintaining health and safety.
We welcomed a music therapist, Ms. Hannah, to Regional Day School. The students are enjoying our scheduled sessions. Ms. Hannah has included activities that involve the students rewriting lyrics to familiar songs and performing the finished product.
Social and emotional learning lessons included the topics of relationship skills, friendship and conflict resolution. The students learned tips for making new friends including being kind and being flexible, and strategies such as a three-step plan (get calm, talk about it, come up with a plan together) for resolving conflicts.
Letters and mini-posters honoring veterans were created and contributed to Operation Gratitude. Thank you to Ms. Phoebe for organizing the project.
Everyone enjoyed the RDS Pumpkin Patch. The students had the opportunity to experience a seasonal display, pick the perfect pumpkin and enjoy sweet treats.
Thank you, Ms. Lisa!
Topics in social studies included Hispanic heritage. The students watched a video featuring the first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor, learned basic vocabulary and number words in Spanish, and participated in a B-Pod taco luncheon. Thank you to Mr. Dominick for preparing the ingredients!
Topics in science included learning the steps scientists use to conduct an investigation. The Scholastic News issue titled Buggy About Bugs introduced the students to an entomologist. The students learned how the scientist does his job by asking questions, observing, measuring, and writing about insects.
Everyone enjoyed participating in the Week of Respect daily events. Tie-Dye / Peace-inspired clothing was a favorite.
Remember TURKEY on Thanksgiving:
Take time to thank someone
Use your skills to help out
Respect yourself and others
Kindness and caring count
Everyone matters
You can make a difference
C-2 News - Ms. Dawn
The air has grown cooler,
The leaves are now bright
C-2 is striving
To shun wrong and learn right.
We learned about friendship,
We share and we play,
Embracing our differences,
They put fun in our day!
There were apples and pumpkins,
And good things to cook,
Parades and some costumes,
Many pictures we took!
Made discoveries in science,
Even made “Witch’s Brew”
Honored our Heroes
They often were “you!”
As we moved toward Thanksgiving,
We appreciated so much.
Doing good deeds for others,
Many lives we can touch.
We all are a blessing,
Each and every young heart,
We can make this world better,
If we all do our part.
Let’s learn from the children,
With hearts oh so pure,
Through laughter and kindness,
This world has a cure.
C-2 Students and Staff wish you a very happy holiday season!
C-3 News - Ms. Michelle
C-3 is so excited to be back to school and happy to have all of our friends back in person. We want to welcome Max-E, Ms. Patti and Ms. Debbie to our room. Our class enjoyed learning about apples, pumpkins and all things fall. We love incorporating music into our daily lessons. There are some great dancers in the room! Everyone is very excited for the upcoming holidays. We want to wish everyone a happy, healthy and safe holiday season!
C-4 News - Ms. Maria
Preschool is so excited about the 2021-2022 school year!
A big C4 WELCOME to Daisy, Daniel, Charlotte B., and Reagan!
The first few months of this school year have flown by and our preschoolers have enjoyed all the hands-on and fun lessons that were incorporated in our “all about me” theme and our investigations of apples, pumpkins, and community helpers. The students loved picking and painting pumpkins at the RDS Pumpkin Patch, touring the Ridgeway fire trucks, participating in the Halloween Parade, our new weekly Music Therapy sessions, and dressing up for all the fun spirit days. We also enjoyed making patriotic crafts and cards for our Veterans to thank them and their families for their service and sacrifice. This Thanksgiving, as well as every day, we are so thankful for our students and their families.
We wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season!
C4 - Ms. Maria, Ms. Nancy, Ms. Rosemarie, Ms. Kelly, & Ms. Courtney
Art News - Ms. Paula
We are off to a great start in our RDS Art classes. Fall was full of color, kites, leaves and scarecrows which adorned our hallways and can be seen in our 2021-22 gallery on our Art Department web page. Be sure to check it out often as I add new artwork as the bulletin boards change numerous times throughout the year. Here is the link to the Art Department web page https://www.manchestertwp.org/rds/departments/art
With the holidays fast approaching our students are busy making ornaments for our school-wide tree lighting. A variety of textures and materials will be used in new and different ways to create gingerbread houses, trees, gifts, Santa/snowmen sets, wreaths, bells, and angels. I can't wait to see them all displayed on the tree together before they get sent home for you to enjoy.
Have a very happy, healthy holiday season and we will be keeping you posted on what will be coming next for the Art Department after the new year.
Miss Paula
Industrial Arts - Mr. Peters
The younger students have been exploring with Lincoln Logs to construct homes, barns and farms. The older students have been engaged in activities in the area of STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math). On nice days we've been taking advantage of the good weather and set up shop outside. Students reviewed the scroll saw for their first and second projects which included cutting out pumpkins and turkeys. There was also an opportunity at the beginning of the year to work on a special project for fallen police officers in Philadelphia. Students and staff fabricated and painted picture frames for Project Blue Memorial Bike Ride. It was a memorial ride for law enforcement and emergency service professionals who have lost their lives.
I am currently collaborating with the transition teacher and we have innovative ideas for students to learn both vocational skills and life skills.
Nurse's Corner - Nurse Deb
“Prevention is the Best Medicine”
Happy autumn!
I hope everyone started with a healthy, safe and successful school year. This is a few reminders from the Health Office. It is important, for the health of all students, staff and families, that your child should not be at school when sick. If you have any concerns of any symptoms, please contact your healthcare provider.
Please continue to fill out the screening daily. The student’s temperature will be taken daily upon arrival at school. Your child needs to wear a mask at school unless they have a doctor’s note to go without a mask.
Also, I would like to remind you that if there are any changes to your student’s health, and or changes to the medications taken during the school year, it is important to let me know to keep us up to date.
Please review the following information to help guide you through the year. If you have any questions, feel free to call me at 732-928-1500 or email me at dgallaro@mtschools.org.
Medications in school
If your child requires medication during school hours, you will need to provide the nurse with a physician’s prescription (signed and office stamped) with the name of the medication, dose, how often, and how long the medication is prescribed. These need to be renewed every school year. I have forms, and there are forms available online. Doctor’s orders and Plans (Asthma Action Plans and Seizure Action Plans, etc.) can be faxed to the school at 732-928-0451 by the doctor’s office.
Medications should be sent in the original container with a pharmacy label that includes the student’s name and medication name. Medications include prescription drugs (eg. antibiotics, narcotics, inhalers, etc.), over-the-counter medications (such as decongestants, Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Tums, just to name a few). All of these, in other words-anything given in school, need a doctor’s order for the nurse to give in school.
Physical Education Excuses
If your child is unable to participate in physical education due to illness or injury, a doctor’s note is required. When your child is allowed to go back to participating in gym class, a note is required stating this.
Your child should not attend school if:
They have a fever of 100 degrees or above during the previous night or in the morning
They must be fever free for at least 24 hours without medication before returning to school. Tylenol and Ibuprofen can mask a fever.
They have experienced vomiting or diarrhea during the night or in the morning.
They have a persistent cough.
They have a widespread rash. The rash must be cleared up or they need a doctor’s note allowing the student to return to school.
They have open or draining skin sores. Wounds must be covered while in school.
Their eyes are irritated and have cloudy, thick drainage.
They have nits or insects in their hair.
We will send a student home if they are exhibiting the symptoms of illness that make it difficult for them to stay in school. Also, if they have 2 or more symptoms that could be COVID-19 related then they may receive a letter that could request a doctor’s note to return to school.
Please call or send a note if you have any concerns about your child’s health on a particular day. We can work together to help prevent the spread of illness and limit the days of school missed. Thanks again for your cooperation!!!
Let’s have a great year!! -Mrs. Debra Gallaro -RDS Nurse
Here is a chart for COLD vs FLU vs COVID-19: Know the symptoms:
Occupational Therapy - Ms. Alex, Mr. Brian, & Ms. Leslie
We are so excited to be back for another fresh and new school year. Autumn and the holidays are upon us and our students that participate in OT/Speech Cooking Group have been busy creating seasonal dishes. So far this year we have made Halloween-themed cupcakes, pudding dirt-cups, homemade apple sauce, apple pie, and pumpkin pie. Cooking is a fun way to work on so many different functional skills that require the use of two hands, paying attention, following directions, and fine motor skills. Working with a variety of utensils provides our students with the chance to access so many different skills of coordination and motor control. Below are some photos of a few of the things we have made so far this year. We hope that you enjoy!
Physical Education/Health - Ms. Traci
Welcome to a new school year from the Physical Education Department.
I am excited about all the fun and amazing things we will be learning. Together we will learn and practice fundamental skills to live an active healthy life. My goal is to not only teach physical fitness through various sports and activities but also foster the enjoyment of it. Music plays an important and fun part in our daily classes. A positive view of physical fitness and wellness, sportsmanship, and a safe environment are my top priorities.
On PE days, have your child come prepared to participate wearing supportive sneakers. Please let me know if they cannot participate in class via email (tfuller@mtschools.org) or a note if they are sick or injured.
What to expect this school year.
Students at all grade levels will strive towards achievement in the six goals areas.
Movement skills
Physical fitness
Team building
Health promotion, prevention & treatment
Human body systems
Communication and decision-making
Throughout the year, we will focus on cooperative skills as well as locomotor and non-locomotor movements with various activities and team-building games. We always begin each class with a positive attitude and mindfulness towards each other.
Here are some activities you can do at home while making physical activity part of your family's daily routine.
Follow the leader around the block, park, or in your yard using your locomotor skills: walk, jump, run, hop on one foot, jump on two feet, skip, gallop, (traveling with one foot always in the lead), side-slide, leap, crab walk, roll like a log(straight arms/legs).
Hula hoop skills-around waist, neck, arms, rolling, jumping through it etc.
Bean bag tossing (or use a sock) to self or with a partner, into a bucket, hula hoop, laundry basket.
Throwing and catching underhand/overhand, hit a target, frisbee practice.
Non-locomotor movements: balance on one foot, stretch, pull-ups, push-ups, sway, swing, curl.
Simon Says
Jump rope
Ride a bike
Let’s have a spectacular school year. I look forward to being a part of your child’s school year.
Ms. Traci Fuller
Physical Education/Health
Physical Therapy - Ms. Joyce & Ms. Kerry
We can’t believe this school year is already over two months old! It has been great welcoming all our students back and meeting some new ones as well. Our PT students work hard on improving their flexibility, strength, balance, motor planning, coordination, and developmental gross motor skills. We are also keeping an eye on our students' assistive equipment needs such as braces, adaptive seating, mobility needs, and standing program. We work together with Mr. Wayne Lawall from Harry Lawall Orthotics and Prosthetics, from braces and splints and Ms. Gila Miodownik from National Seating and Mobility, for wheelchairs and other adaptive equipment that our students need at school and at home.
Just a reminder that there is a distinct difference between school-based physical therapy and community-based physical therapy. The following link to a fact sheet of the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy explains the difference between both.
https://pediatricapta.org/includes/fact-sheets/pdfs/15%20PT%20for%20Educational%20Benefit.pdf
The main focus of the school-based physical therapist is the following:
1. Assist a student to achieve educational goals developed by the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team.
2. Promote access to academic curriculum and participation in other school activities.
3. Improve access to the school environment.
4. Address post-secondary transition goals.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to us via telephone, email or in person!
Ms. Joyce and Ms. Kerry
Safety Patrol - Mr. Peters
School Psychologist - Ms. Phoebe
We are continuing our HIB prevention and school climate improvement theme of Color Our School with Kindness this year. Throughout the school year there will be many activities to address this goal. We have had our Week of Respect (10/4); School Violence Prevention Week (10/18), Red Ribbon Week (10/25), and all students participated in a slide show presentation on HIB at their developmental level. This slide show will be posted on the CST webpage for your review. On the CST webpage there are community resources that a parent can access to prevent HIB and to address any other concerns. We also have monthly parent support meetings on topics such as HIB, Childhood Obesity, and Self-Care Practices coming up. Please review our school’s monthly calendar for specifics.
Phoebe Pennypacker
School Psychologist
Anti-Bullying Specialist
Speech Therapy - Ms. Haley, Ms. Lauren and Ms. Regina
We are grateful for group speech!
Since the beginning of the school year A3 students have been working hard in group Speech Therapy. Alongside the Occupational Therapist (OT), our School Counselor, and our Transition Teacher, our group works on organizational and cooking skills. In this group we guide the students to find their own recipes, make lists of what items are needed, and write down step-by-step directions on how to prepare and cook the food. All of the ingredients are inventoried by the group members on a regular basis. When it is time to get started on cooking, students use their organizational and following directions skills to gather all necessary ingredients. Once all items are gathered they follow their directions and make delicious recipes. It has so far been a fun and interactive group that targets speech-language skills in a functional way, and function in Speech
Therapy is something we are always grateful for!
*To view photos of our recipes see the OT section of this newsletter*
Student Council - Mr. Peters
Transition Program - Ms. Megan
Our transition students have been busy this fall. Some students started working on pre-vocational tasks, while others started vocational school, started job sampling within the community, staffed our school store, as well as working on social skills essential for their adult lives. I have collaborated with classroom teachers and related service professionals to promote interdisciplinary lessons that enforce the skills required to be gainfully employed, promote self-advocacy, and plan for life post-graduation. Students are getting to know not only their interests and skills, but also exploring career options and post-secondary options. We are establishing goals and laying out the foundation needed to achieve such goals. I am excited to see our students learn and grow throughout the school year.
Megan Scheffler
Transition Teacher
732-928-1500 x7025