WEEKLY FAMILY FOCUS Oct 17, 2021
RICK MARCOTTE CENTRAL SCHOOL Principal Kathleen Kilbourne
ZOOM AROUND THE ROOM- VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE
SAVE THE DATES NOW
Monday, October 18th:
5:00-5:30 PRE K
5:30-6:00 K
6:00-6:30 1
6:30-7:00 2
October 20th Zoom Open House: Creative Arts: Meet the Creative Arts Teachers together and hear about their programs that all children receive as part of our universal teaching.
5:30-6:30 pm
S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology, engineering, art and math) in kindergarten. Studying plastic bugs,Clay insects creations, Building slides
SCHOOL NURSE UPDATES
Vision & Hearing Screenings:
Vision and hearing screenings are conducted annually on students in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, 1st, 3rd and 5th grade. We have the opportunity to welcome the Vermont Lions KidSight program, to perform photoscreening on students in the recommended grades of pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and 1st. We will use traditional vision screening methods for 3rd and 5th graders; vision and hearing screening in those grades, will begin later this fall.
Vermont Lions KidSight program uses a photoscreening digital device called a SPOT vision screener to objectively check for vision problems. The photoscreener is like special-purpose camera; it takes a picture of a child’s eyes and by detecting special light reflexes from each eye, the device produces images that can help identify potential eye conditions.
If an eye concern is identified, we will send you the results of the photoscreener along with a recommendation for further vision testing by a specialist. If you do not hear from us, your child passed the screening.
As always, please contact us if you have questions or would like follow-up vision or hearing checks.
My child is sick, what steps do I take?
- With ANY COVID-like symptoms, even "just" cold symptoms, such as a runny nose and congestion, children need to stay home. Call your provider for next steps and/or obtain a COVID test.
- Please follow these guidelines and fill out the RUVNA app each morning, even if your student is not attending school, and alert the school nurse of next steps.
Update on Surveillance Testing/Test to Stay from Superintendent Young
Update on Surveillance Testing/Test to Stay
As many of you may know, the state recently unveiled a menu of COVID testing options that schools can choose to use. These are all optional. While we initially signed up to participate in surveillance testing and reached out to our community for support staffing this undertaking, we have decided to put this form of testing on pause and shift our energy toward the Test to Stay program. We hope that those who generously offered to assist us with surveillance testing, will be interested in shifting to this system (training required). We do not have a date or concrete details yet from the state on when we could begin implementing the test to stay program, but the idea is that it would help to decrease the number of days that students would have to quarantine should they be considered a close contact of a person with a positive test result. This could also reduce the amount of time and the impact of contact tracing on school personnel
We are not alone in our struggle to implement these testing programs; especially from a staff perspective. This Seven Days article highlights some of the challenges districts are facing in deciding whether and how to bring these methods on board.
If you would like more information on the testing methods proposed by the state, please click the link for the memo above or view this infographic. Each of these measures will require the permission of a parent or caregiver for the school to implement and a single consent form will cover all of these new testing options (separate from the surveillance testing form).
Upcoming Counselor Coffee
What: This is an opportunity for parents to come to RMCS and informally meet with the school counselors and a guest to discuss relevant parenting topics. This month we are offering a time to meet outside, under our tent, to discuss gender and sexuality as it relates to children in grades pre-k-5. Emma Makdessi from Outright Vt (www.outrightvt.org) will join us to help answer questions and share resources.
When: Thursday, October 21st 8:30-9:30 - Under the RMCS tent
Why: Counselor Coffee times are offered to provide support and connection to parents around complex parenting topics. While we understand that this time of day is not ideal for many parents, we ask that you email us if this is something you would have attended if you could. If there is enough interest, we will attempt to coordinate an event via zoom at a better time for more families this year.
RSVP: Please email school counselors, Meaghan or Laura, to let us know if you plan to attend. Last minute drop in’s are absolutely welcome!
Meaghan Rice - mrice@sbschools.net
Laura Standard - lstandard@sbschools.net
Important Dates to Note:
Oct.18th and 20th- Virtual Open House/Zoom Around the Room
Oct. 21st- Counselor Coffee, this month with guests from Outright VT
Fri. Oct 29th- Half Day, Early Release at 12:30pm
Nov. 10th -PICTURE RETAKE DAY 8:30 -9:30 am
Nov .2nd- NO SCHOOL Election Day
Nov. 22nd/23rd- Parent Teacher Conferences- NO SCHOOL
Nov. 24-26 Thanksgiving Break- NO SCHOOL
PTO MEETING DATES: PTO Meetings are held the 2nd Tuesday of each month.
11/9 -Zoom (too cold outside)
NO Dec meeting
1/11/22
2/8/22
3/8/22
4/12/22
5/10/22
NEW TEACHER FEATURE: Meet Kindergarten Teacher Lauren Dvorak
Mrs. Dvorak is originally from Marblehead, MA and is a 2015 graduate from the University of Vermont. Mrs. Dvorak majored in Early Childhood Education with a concentration in sociology. Ever since college Mrs. Dvorak has fallen in love with Vermont and has now made it her home. Mrs. Dvorak is in her 7th year of teaching and has worked at several different schools being a teacher in preschool ,Kindergarten, First grade, 4th grade, and a multi-grade classroom.
Here are a few other quick fun facts about Mrs. Dvorak:
Favorite thing about Vermont: hiking and the foliage in the fall
Favorite children’s book: (one of many favorites) The Mitten by Jan Brett
Favorite subject: Reading
Favorite food: Sushi!
Favorite thing about RMCS: the warm welcoming community between students and teachers
FREE MEALS FOR ALL STUDENTS- Please fill out the forms (they help us to identify the needs in our school community, as we apply for other grant funding).
THIS SCHOOL YEAR ALL STUDENTS CAN HAVE FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH! WE WOULD STILL ASK EVERYONE TO FILL OUT THE FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH FORM. SEE THE LINKS BELOW FOR THE FORM AND THE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH MENUS.
DOES YOUR CHILD NEED MILK FOR THEIR HOME LUNCH?
If you have any questions, please contact Rhonda Ketner rketner@sbschools.net.
MT. MANSFIELD AT SBHS for VARSITY SEAWOLVES FOOTBALL Friday, Oct 22nd, 7:00pm COME SUPPORT OUR ATHLETES AND COACHES WHO HAVE SHOWN US HARD WORK AND TEAMWORK PAYOFF!
Please remember to label your children’s clothing so that we may easily identify them when they end up at lost and found.
RMCS HIRING- Current Open Positions
Interventionists- Full time
Recess/Lunch Supervisors (3 hours a day)
Substitute Teachers (2 full time floating sub, 5 days a week, now through Dec.)
Substitute Teachers- Flexible scheduling
Please apply via SchoolSpring.com or call Kathleen Kilbourne for more information at 652-7200.
Daily Health Screening - Ruvna App
Families will again be required to complete the daily health screening questions about your child's health status through an email or text through an app called Ruvna. Please be sure to complete it daily before your child comes to school. Nurse Cannon follows up by phone with families who have not completed the health screening questions. Thank you!
Need Help with Technology? Use this link to access Tech supports!
https://sites.google.com/sbschools.net/sbsdedtechforstudentsfamilies/home
Rick Marcotte Central School
Email: kkilbourne@sbschools.net
Website: sbschools.net
Location: 200 Market Street, South Burlington, VT, USA
Phone: 802 652 7200
Twitter: @rmcschool