With winter weather nearly behind us, momentum and energy are building around our remaining projects for the year. The COOL Project continues on schedule (see full update below) and we are starting to focus on socials, the Spring Artisan Fair, staff/central office & bus driver appreciation, 8th grade celebrations, and building our executive board for the coming year.

As always, we endeavor to share timely and interesting presentations and guests at our meetings. Last month, Mr. Kelly, led us through an enlightening STEM Lab demo and shared beautiful examples of student work and masterpieces. Our students are truly fortunate to have an amazing STEM, Robotics, Woodworking and Graphic Design studio with an exceptional and enthusiastic leader in Mr. Kelly.

This Thursday, we welcome Joy Squiterri, School Counselor Grades 5/7, to our March 3rd meeting at 9:30am in the Community Room. Joy will share details about the inception of the PTA Grant sponsored "Peace Corners," a new tool in social emotional development at JRMS, and student response so far. As always, we will share a PTA business update, a Principal's update with Meghan Ward, and welcome open conversation and camaraderie. Everyone is welcome and we look forward to seeing many of you there.

Check out our PTA sponsored Peace Corners and STEM lab tour photos below!

Recent PTA Staff Grants provided...

• Multiple "Peace Corners" installed to provide 5th graders with quiet and comfy settings for mindfulness activities during moments of struggle, frustration or overwhelm.
  
• Our Wingman team will spread their wings and lead in cohesive style with new custom made T-shirts. Our youth-led Wingman program promotes social-emotional learning and inspires children to be empathetic, courageous and inclusive young leaders inside our school and within our world community.
  
• A virtual author visit and discussion with Lisa Fipps, author of Starfish, along with books for a future book club read to celebrate the All Connecticut Reads initiative.

Spring is just around the corner and as the weather warms up you will soon see more progress on the installation of our outdoor classroom located on the south side of JRMS (on the right as you approach the student drop-off area). The pavilion is scheduled for delivery later this month and we will share photos of our progress in the next issue. Stay tuned! We are still looking for project sponsors. Every donation helps, no matter how small! Your tax-deductible donation will make it possible for us to complete the project this Spring which will benefit all students at JRMS for many years to come. To donate via PayPal today, please click: Donate Now

Heartfelt thanks to:

• Carolyn Baker, Laurie Jandura and Becky Parkin for the festive monthly Birthday Board Announcements celebrating every student's birthday each month.
  
• Stephanie Dionne for maintaining the "Student of the Month" display.
• Mr. Kelly for an enlightening STEM lab tour for our parents and providing an enthusiastic and engaging program for our kids.
  

Volunteers power every aspect of our PTA. We cannot possibly do all that we do without you! We are currently recruiting 2022-23 Executive Board nominees for open positions as well as Volunteers for key committee roles. If you have interest or know a good candidate, please let us know at JRMSptainfo@gmail.com.

• VP Programs
• Membership Chair
• Scholastic Book Fair Chair
• For a complete list of volunteer positions, click here

• Sneakers must be worn in the newly resealed gym floor on PE and Project Adventure classes.... no sneakers, no participation!

• February 28 kicks off Read Across America and JRMS Spirit Week. Click the link for the theme days. Read Across America Week

• Board of Education Update: Please take a moment to view the JRMS Board of Education Report for March 2022

• PLAY SPRING BASEBALL! Redding Baseball is a program of the Boys & Girls Club of Redding-Easton. Ages 9-12 play in both Redding & Easton (Easton Redding Baseball League). Great fun for all ages! *Must play spring baseball to be eligible for summer baseball. Register now @ the link below! Registration Deadline is March 11th.

https://www.leagueathletics.com/Registration/Default.asp?n=95245&org=rbgcbaseball.org

• Winter Clinics offered by Easton Redding Baseball League for ages 9-12. Registration Deadline is March 1st. Register @ http://www.eastonbaseballleague.com/

• The second annual Redding Pickleball tournament will take place on Sat. June 11th. The committee is already busy planning the event and hope to have a junior league this year. If you have a middle schooler interested in participating, please email : reddingpball@gmail.com

• Co-President – Jackie Dyar ​

• Co-President – Darrell Bradford​

• VP Fundraising & Membership – Maritza Jones

• Treasurer – Gosia Tedawes

• Secretary – Janet Parry