News You Can Use
October 19, 2021
We had the distinct pleasure to meet our new ER9 Superintendent, Dr. Jason McKinnon, this week. From touring RES with live kangaroos to his new ER9 Instagram page (@er9district), his passion and excitement for education and connecting with families in our community is contagious! Please help us give him a big RES welcome and check out that Instagram page to keep up to date with all the fun things going on across our Easton/ Redding School Districts.
As we approach the season of giving, the RES PTA is excited to share a few *new* opportunities for families to give back to our community. This year, we are partnering with the local non-profit, Save A Suit, to provide Veterans and transitioning service members with business suits and professional attire to assist in their efforts to achieve job security. It's not just a suit, it's a fighting chance is their motto and we're proud to support them with a clothing collection drive as part of our Veterans Day celebrations this year. Start cleaning out those closets!! Our donation bins will be popping up in a few weeks. Additionally, our Lyman Orchard/ Otis Spunkmeyer Cookie Sale ends this week. New this year is the opportunity to donate a pie to the Redding Food Pantry or Dorothy Day Hospitality House in Danbury. Our volunteers will deliver the pies right before Thanksgiving! Help others and be the pie hero at your own celebrations- win win!
Lastly, we have one more social opportunity this Thursday to connect with others in our RES community. Get those tickets to Fall Bar Night (formerly Guys Night Out) while they last. Enjoy meeting new parents, catch NFL/ MLB on the big screen, take a chance on amazing raffle items or play in the corn hole tournament all while supporting the RES PTA! All are welcome!! See link in the flier below for all the ticket information.
BIG thanks for your support of the RES PTA!
Meredith and Angela
PTA Meeting Recap
Did you miss last week's PTA Meeting? Click on this link or the picture on the side to access the recorded Zoom meeting!
Topics discussed included ...
- A new mosaic gift for Redding Elementary School
- Meet the Board of Education (BOE) Candidates
- New Programs -- Imagine a World Outdoors
- Community Service Opportunities ... and so much more
For comments, questions or suggestions, email us at respta4kids@gmail.com.
Social Media & Cyberbullying 101
Did you get a chance to listen to the new podcast from PTA? Listen to the insight of Dr. Sameer Hinduja on social media and cyberbullying.
https://player.captivate.fm/episode/74dcff9e-e14d-4147-a7a1-cbfaddcfaded
Meet Our Board of Education Candidates!
On November 2, Redding is holding municipal elections and 4 new seats on the Board of Education will be filled. Three of four candidates were able to join our PTA Meeting (click here to view the meeting). The key message from our candidates was communication, and they would love to hear from you! Please find their names and contact details below.
Republican
- John Belfatto - john@ilifeforme.com
- Julie Hardridge - jhardridge@gmail.com
Democrat
- Laura Gibbons -lauraann08@gmail.com
- Chirag Sadana - chirag.sadana@gmail.com
And don't forget to vote on Tuesday, November 2nd!
Diane DeBonis, Grade 1 Teacher
Why did you get into teaching?
- I think I felt a calling at an early age! Being the big sister to two younger brothers and a babysitter through high school and college, it was natural for me to seek out opportunities to be with children. As a child playing school with neighborhood friends, I was always the teacher!
Which teacher had the greatest impact on you and why?
- My high school biology teacher, Ann Dougherty, had the greatest impact on me. She truly cared about kids! She made it well- known that she wasn’t just there to teach us; she was there if we needed a friend to talk to or a quiet place to just be. She provided a safe zone and I knew I could head to her room anytime!
Favorite Author/book:
- For my adult reading, my favorite authors are Jodi Picoult and Kristin Hannah.
What’s the funniest/most impactful/most notable thing a student has ever said to you?
- Funny: "Miss DeBonis, you are a legend" (after learning that I was older than Johnny Depp).
- Most impactful: "Our classroom is my home away from home".
- And also: "School is the best place for me!"
Favorite Quote:
- They may forget what you said, but they will not forget how you made them feel.
Birthday: September 11
Favorite Food: pizza with lots of fun veggies (no peppers, onions or mushrooms though)
Favorite Snack: popcorn
Favorite Beverage: Starbucks iced green tea
Favorite Sports Team: NY Giants
Favorite Store: J.Jill
Favorite Music/Song: I enjoy classic rock, country music, Josh Groban
Favorite Color: I don’t really have one…but if I had to commit…I guess turquoise
Favorite way to pamper myself: with a pedicure or a massage
Thank you, Ms. DeBonis, for being such a positive light to our students!
Support The Veteran's Suit Drive - November 8 through November 12
RES PTA has partnered with SaveASuit to provide veterans and transitioning service members (both men and women) with business suits and professional attire, and other clothing resources they need to achieve job security. Donated items do not need to be dry cleaned as long as they are in good condition, and items can be on hangers or in bags. Click here to learn more about SaveASuit.
Check back soon for more information on drop-off instructions and locations.
Charleston Wrap Holiday Fundraiser
Check out the Look Book sent home in last week's backpack flyer or click here for the online version!
A special RES PTA "Thank You" to:
- Laura Cole, who packaged the Charleston Wrapper mailer in last week's backpack flyers.
- Heather Hopkins for organizing the Lyman Orchard Pies and Cookie Dough campaign.
- Kristi Kearney for organizing our Fall Photos.
We are so grateful for all you do to make RES such a special community!
Volunteers Needed For:
- Fall Bar Night - night of help
- Lyman Orchard Pies & Cookie Dough - volunteers needed on November 16th from 3:30pm to 6pm to help sort and hand out pies).
- Snowball committee volunteers
Many hands make light work! Please click on this link to complete the PTA Volunteer Form.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact respta4kids@gmail.com. Thank you for helping serve our RES community!
Join The RES PTA
The RES PTA is a community that aims to make life better for every elementary student. We invite you to join us, either by becoming a member or by volunteering to help out with the work we do (or, hopefully, both!) Your membership supports our mission by funding school enrichment activities, staff grants and community engagement, as well as keeps you in the know about all the events we host throughout the year!
-Angela Caes & Meredith Schuchard
Co-Presidents
Questions? respta4kids@gmail.com
2021/2022 RES PTA Membership Rates
$25 Family Membership | $10 Faculty Membership
For more information on how to join, go to:
RESCTPTA.MEMBERSHIPTOOLKIT.COM
or simply scan the QR code below to get started with your membership!
Upcoming PTA Meetings
- Oct 13, 2021 07:00 PM
- Nov 10, 2021 07:00 PM
- Dec 8, 2021 07:00 PM
- Jan 12, 2022 07:00 PM
- Feb 9, 2022 07:00 PM
- Mar 9, 2022 07:00 PM
- Apr 6, 2022 07:00 PM
- May 11, 2022 07:00 PM
- Jun 8, 2022 07:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85093947873?pwd=NU01UHVGemlOMHRpcHNWbEVGSXRDdz09
Meeting ID: 850 9394 7873
Passcode: 383854
Community Events In Redding
October
- Oct 21 | Night Out + 50/50 Cornhole Tournament @ The Redding Roadhouse