News You Can Use
December 22, 2020
ER9 School Community COVID-19 Information
President's Note
"Alone we can do so little; Together we can do so much" -Helen Keller
When we look back to the start of this school year, there was so much uncertainty ahead of us. We are so proud of the progress that our PTA community made this year. Despite the difficulties we've all faced and with your help, the RES PTA set records for total members and the amount of community partner/sponsorship dollars raised, established a new diversity and inclusion program, collected enough (and more) to give Thanksgiving meals to 40 families in our community, and fulfill all the Frosty gift requests for children in need. Additionally, you showed up over and over to celebrate and thank our RES Staff. From parking lot chalk decorating and building outdoor classrooms in August/September, to stocking the staff lounge in November -- our parents have repeatedly shown their compassion, support and gratitude in so many ways.
Special thanks to the RES PTA Executive Board -- Seana, Tara, Melissa, Stephanie, Melissa, Amy, Laura and Diana -- for their hours and hours of behind the scenes work to make this all possible!
As we move into 2021, we are excited to share a new slate of programs and activities for our children to enjoy no matter what our learning looks like -- stay tuned!!
Wishing you and your families a beautiful and restful Winter Break! See you in January!
-Meredith and Angela
Explore the Arts and Express Yourself
National PTA's Reflections program provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts which boost student confidence and success in the arts and in life.
Each year, over 300,000 students in Pre-K through Grade 12 create original works of art in response to a student-selected theme. This 50+ year-old program helps them explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful in school and in life.
The theme for the 2020-2021 program year is I Matter Because.... Students submit their completed works of art in one or all of the available arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts.
RES has heART -- update!
RES Has HeART thanks to the tireless efforts of our art teacher, Mimi Weiss! What will your child's heART be when complete? All RES students are completing 4"x4" canvas tiles to contribute to a community mural. We anticipate more than 480 hearts to be completed by mid-January. Funding for this project and all art supplies is thanks to the National PTA and TikTok Grant awarded to the RES PTA in 2020. Each RES student received a PTA art kit with watercolors, markers, pastels, an art journal, a canvas tile inside a mesh pouch (approximately $4,500). We hope to construct the community mural in late Winter 2021.
Driving Social and Emotional Wellbeing
The awarded grant focused heavily on engaging students artistically and equipping students with tools to cope through the changes, stress and frustrations of our pandemic times. Our collaborative efforts stretched from the PTA to all teaching staff, wellbeing staff and art team to consistently offer tools and coping mechanisms to navigate the ups and downs of every day. Work initiated over the summer has been actively in place for the school year.
Thanks to the leadership of Meredith Ferris and the professional skills of Jay Patts, the RES team created a video on our strong emotions and what we can do to manage our feelings. We are incredibly appreciative of the time of Dr. Sammi Gureasko, Kristin Miller, Ms. Carr and Mrs. Fisher. Click to watch it at home - as parents, as a family, as an extended family! https://vimeo.com/464223877/c5d3cf6e14
As always we appreciate ideas and feedback on these initiatives -- reach out in person or email respta4kids@gmail.com.
2020-2021 HRRA Annual Billboard Contest
The deadline is January 15th and artwork can be submitted electronically but students are asked to keep their original artwork. More details can be found here. And the template to enter can be found here.
Our local coordinator for the contest is Peggy Palmer: ppalmer@townofreddingct.org
John Read Middle School Principal Search Survey
In advance, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts as this survey will be collated with anonymity. The survey may be accessed at this link.
Please direct any further comments to search consultant, Dr. Joseph Erardi, at erardij@gmail.com or by calling 571-480-0313.
The last opportunity to share your thoughts through this survey will be Friday, January 22, 2021.
RES PTA Frosty Gift Drive
Frosty jumps for joy at the 130 gifts donated by our community -- RES, JRMS and the Town of Redding -- to Redding Social Series, Kids in Crisis and the Boys and Girls Village. Thank you for making the 2020 Frosty Drive a tremendous success! A special thank you to the master organizer Nicole Lilley who transitioned the whole drive virtually and encouraged more gift giving than ever before.
Staff Appreciation Day
Raffle prizes and winners:
- 203 Baskets: Kathy Weiss & Lauren O'Neil
- La Comida Social Gift Card: John Parisi
- Movie Night Basket: Roth
- Dooney & Bourke Umbrella: Jeanne Deyo
- Kitchen Essentials: Rebecca Richards & Cheryl Armstrong
- Umpawaug Farm Gift Card: Kristin Anderson
- Enlighten Infrared Sauna Studio & Wellness Boutique Package: Jennifer Marandola, Hannah Barber, Sandra Scott, Darcie Szwec & Pattianne Nordt
- Soulber Health and Living: Mikell Washington
- Old Redding Farm Basket: Jennifer Basso
- Car Supplies: Shana Schmid
- Rest and Relaxation Basket: Kristen Jolls
Don't Forget -- Use Amazon Smile for your Holiday Shopping
Employer Donation Matching
As we approach the end of the year, you may be thinking about charitable donations. The RES PTA is a 501(c)(3) organization, and if our work is valuable to you, you can consider making an angel donation right here, or by mailing it to the RES PTA at 33 Lonetown Rd., Redding, CT 06896.
We'd also like to remind you that your employer might be like Thomson Reuters -- a company that generously matches employee gifts to local nonprofits doing the work communities rely on. If that's the case, please let us know, and we'll help you complete all the paperwork you need to make it happen!
Ring's End
Ring's End is a Connecticut-based lumber and building materials retailer serving Connecticut, South County, Rhode Island, and Westchester County, New York. They are a third-generation, family-run company with a rich history dating back to 1902. Guided by a tradition of service and a commitment to innovation, Ring's End dedicates themselves to their vision to be the premier resource in the building supply industry for builders and remodelers, painting contractors, architects, and homeowners.
A big thank you from the RES PTA to Ring's End for being a Gold Sponsor!!
Bethel, CT
9 Taylor Avenue
Bethel, CT 06801
Phone: (203) 797-1212
Open: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wilton, CT
129 Danbury Road
Wilton, CT 06897
Phone: (203) 761-1000
Open: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Website: https://www.ringsend.com/
Library Books
Library books are available to RES Families!
Our RES Library staff is providing an opportunity for our students and families to continue borrowing books from school during Distance Learning. Mrs. Peronace and Mrs. DiScipio have shared the following steps necessary for checking out a book. You can find the steps here or by following the steps below:
Step 1: Student will search the online Destiny catalog
Step 2: Student will complete a Google Form to request a book
Step 3: RES Library staff pulls the book and prepares it to be distributed
Step 4: RES Library staff emails the student and parent that book is ready for pickup
Step 5: Requested books will be prepared and left in the front vestibule on a blue cart marked “Library Book Request Holds”
AND... We want your help with adding books to our RES library. If you have any recommendations of children's books that will help us with our diversity and inclusion goals please let us know! We will be working with the library to add books that represent all families and cultures. Email dianajimenez11@gmail.com with your recommendations.
Notes From the Backpack: A PTA Podcast
You may not be aware, but every school has LGBTQ youth and families. Is your PTA using inclusive language and offering affirming programs and activities? We sat down with two guests from the Human Rights Campaign Ellen Kahn, senior director of programs and partnerships, and Jodie Patterson, board chair of the HRC Foundation, to learn how to become better allies to the LGBTQ community.
Parents-Helping-Parents
Thanks to Becky Parkin for starting a thread of Facebook, we have terrific tips and tricks as parents-help-parents successfully navigate remote learning. Keep the ideas rolling to respta4kids@gmail.com!
Tips to keep you on task
- Add the zoom schedule into the google calendar with 1-minute reminders and a quick link
- Check email in the morning and create a list of tasks for the day
- Set alarms on house smart speakers
- Name alarms on the iPhone
- Download your child’s ER9 account and classroom app to your phone so you can take a photo and easily upload it to the assignment
- Investigate the “NOTES” app allowing you to create documents with multiple pages and scan a child’s work
- Erase/archive older emails or assignments so you can navigate quickly
Tips to keep children on task and focused
- Utilize small whiteboards to write tasks -- schedule and erase after completion
- Synch the Chromebook screen to the household TV with a Chromecast device
- Place a clock within the workspace to help the child take ownership of time and schedules
- Keep healthy snacks and drinks in an easy to reach location
Keeping worksheets organized
- Purchase a storage clipboard with side opening – keep all the week’s work in one place
- Print out all the worksheets for the week/night prior and review order with your child
Structure the day
- Encourage quiet activities in between lessons – e.g., arts & crafts
- Create a scheduled time for work vs. time for play
Thank you super parents for these tips and tricks – Becky Parkin, Sarah O’ Dell, Martine King, Kori Gawrych, Teresa Elizabeth, Melissa Lukas, Nicole Lilley, Alex Zuluaga, Steve Arnott, Dana Schmitt, Chase Sobelman, Dani Garavito, Pina Jabbari, Melissa Stern, Marla Wendell and Becky Rappoccio!
In case you missed it -- December PTA meeting
Easton, Redding, Region 9 Special Education Committee
The tri-district special education committee works to support students and families who rely on additional support services in kindergarten to 12th grade.
Learn more about the committee's efforts and events at its website here.
Contact Us
Email: respta4kids@gmail.com
Phone: (203) 938-2519
Join the PTA!
As a PTA, our main goals will remain what they have always been:
- To provide academic, cultural and social programs for our children to enhance their learning and
- To support our teachers and staff and to act to unify our school community.
To fulfill our mission for a unified parent/ teacher community, we strive for 100% PTA membership. Dues are $25 per family this year. For more information on how to join, go to:
RESCTPTA.MEMBERSHIPTOOLKIT.COM
We are planning lots of safe and exciting virtual events this year that will be available to PTA members only, so sign up today!