Rocky's Weekly Roundup
May 15, 2022
A Message from the Leadership Team
Dear RES Families,
We had a very busy week at RES! We were thrilled to have our first in-person PTA meeting this past Wednesday. We shared during our meeting that moving forward we would like to continue having monthly in-person meetings that can be recorded for future viewing. It is our goal to begin a 'Parent University' and have monthly topics to discuss and share with the RES community. We know as parents ourselves that the home and school connection is vital for the overall success of our students. Our topic for May was our Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Second Steps program. More details below!
Just a reminder that on Friday, May 20th students will be released early from school! Early dismissal times are noted below.
Wishing all of our families a wonderful week ahead!
Mrs. Melissa Labrosciano, Principal
Mr. Joe Amodio, Assistant Principal
What is Second Steps?
This past Wednesday we had our first in-person PTA meeting in over 2 years! The topic of discussion was our Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Second Steps program. The program includes weekly lessons that students are engaged in around different aspects of social and emotional learning. Dr. Sammi Gureasko-Moore, School Psychologist and Kristin Miller, School Social Worker supported answering questions and Joe Amodio, Assistant Principal did a great overview of the program. The presentation was recorded and can be viewed at any time through the RES PTA Facebook page. The Second Steps program has a tremendous amount of resources to support the home and school connection. During our meeting we realized that some of the Second Steps communications may have not been shared with all of our families (thank you families who shared this important feedback with us). Below you will find a letter for each grade level introducing the program which includes a website and activation key to watch videos about your child's learning.
Attention Grade 2 and Grade 3 Families!
Nominations for gifted identification are due Friday, May 27, 2022. If your child was in class with Mr. Farina this year in 3rd grade, that does not guarantee placement in 4th grade. All students have to go through the testing process again. Please see the attached communication below regarding the nomination and identification process for giftedness.
Smarter Balanced Assessments
Upcoming Spirit Week!
Lost & Found
Morning Drop Off
Incoming Kindergarteners - Important Dates
Visitation Day - Friday, May 20th
Students and families will be invited to join us at RES to tour the Kindergarten classrooms and meet our teachers!
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!
Save the Date - Fourth Grade Stepping Up Ceremony!
Grade 4 Orchestra Concert
Summer Academy 2022
Heart of RES
RES administration and staff want to recognize students and faculty members who go above and beyond to make RES the greatest place in the world! Staff and students are being nominated for doing good deeds, and/or showing kindness to others in a spectacular way. Throughout the month students and staff are being recognized in a special way. Staff and students will receive a special Heart of RES certificate and students will get a special shoutout during our morning announcements!
Important Dates and Reminders
Friday, May 20: Early Dismissal - Gr. K - 4 at 12:50p, PreS/PreK at 12:15p
Friday, May 20: Fall Incoming Kindergarten Visitation Day 1:20p - 2:45p (see flier in this newsletter)
Friday, May 20: Staff versus Parent Kickball Game 4p RES Field (rain date May 26)
Week of May 23 - SPIRIT WEEK (see flier in this issue of daily ideas)
Monday, May 30: Memorial Day, School Closed
Wednesday, June 8: Kindergarten Q/A - RES Cafe 8:30a
Thursday & Friday, June 16 & 17 - TENTATIVE Field Day
Tuesday, June 21: Grade 4 Stepping Up Ceremony 9:30a - Redding Community Center
TENTATIVE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - Tuesday, June 21st
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...
Weather seems to be up and down - but warmer weather IS coming!!! With warmer weather, children tend to get more bug bites, ticks and sunburns. Please be mindful of checking your kids for ticks when they've been outside playing or if they're cuddling with pets who have been outside. Please consider applying sunscreen before school to help protect them from sunburn when outside for recess and PE.
Dress in Layers! We still have some days with cold mornings and chilly breezes and very warm afternoons, so encouraging students to choose short sleeve shirts and a sweatshirt or light coat will help when it's warmer in the afternoon and with variable weather.
Water bottles - especially with the warmer days upon us, it is very important for the kids to have a water bottle at school with them.
Spring Allergies - the flowers are out and the leaves are budding, which is beautiful, but for many us this means allergies. It is helpful to have our kids wash their hands and faces after playing outside or before going to bed at night.
When to keep your child home:
- Fever greater than 100.0, vomiting, diarrhea. sore throat, significant cough or runny nose. Students need to be fever free without medication and without vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours before returning to school.
- If your child is not fully vaccinated for covid and they have close contact with someone who tests positive for covid outside of school, especially if it is a household member who tests positive for covid then your child needs to quarantine for 5 days from last exposure.
- Contact the nurse if you are in need of a rapid Covid test. The symptoms of Covid are widely varied and are similar to many other illnesses. It is recommended to repeat the rapid test after at least 24 hours if the first test is negative in individuals who are showing symptoms.
Please continue to report positive COVID-19 results and COVID-19 exposures to the school nurse at jconnolly@er9.org or 203-938-2519 ext 309. Also, please report any flu, strep throat, pink eye or other communicable illnesses to the nurse.
Thank you!
Nurse J. Connolly
LOST & FOUND
Remind your child to take a look thru the many items while they are having lunch. They may be surprised by what they find they may have lost.
Quote of the Week
“You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.”
- Wayne Gretzky
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