Rocky's Weekly Roundup!
November 13, 2022
A Message from the Leadership Team
Dear RES Families,
We finished last week with tremendous gratitude. Especially as we celebrated our Veterans on Friday, November 11th. Our first whole school assembly in over two years honoring our Veterans was a HUGE success. The RES community truly came together to honor our Veterans. A special thank you to the following RES community members:
- Mrs. Roy for organizing the assembly and supporting our Fourth Grade Student Council
- Mr. Farina and Mrs. Saluzzi for their expertise and sharing with administration what has been done in previous years
- Miss Baker our fabulous music teacher who taught and lead our students in a medley of wonderful songs
- Mrs. Peronace and Mrs. Nordt for their technology expertise
- Our RES PTA for providing a wonderful breakfast and decorations for our Veterans
- Mr. Dayton for organizing and creating the beautiful flag made by handprint cutouts of students and staff (picture below)
- ALL RES staff and students who contributed to the beautiful decorations hung throughout the hallways for all to enjoy
Just a friendly reminder there are parent and teacher conferences beginning Tuesday, November 15th through Friday, November 18th. Students will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m.
Wishing you a wonderful week ahead!
Mrs. Melissa Labrosciano, Principal
Mrs. Kim Roy, Assistant Principal
What Types of Emergency Protocols Do We Practice at RES?
At RES we practice and learn the following safety protocols:
- Evacuation: We practice an evacuation when we need to exit the building. For example, if there was ever a fire or hazardous situation where staff and students could not stay inside the school building. Evacuation drills are typically conducted with the Redding Fire Department. The Redding Fire Department provides administration with feedback and supports any needed adjustments.
- Lock Down: During a lock down children remain in their classrooms and doors are locked. This drill typically includes the Redding Police Department who assists and monitors the drill with administration. The Redding Police Department provides administration with feedback and together we are always updating plans to ensure the safest outcomes.The purpose of a Lock Down is to protect staff and students if there was ever a direct threat to RES.
- Stay Put: During a stay put students and staff are asked to say in their location. Doors can be closed, but do not need to be locked. Stay put is used for situations that require temporary privacy and/or hallway clearance. For example, when a student/staff member needs assistance and/or is being transported by stretcher or ambulance.
- Shelter in Place: A shelter in place is used when there is a threat nearby RES. For example, a bear in the woods. Unlike a lock down, shelter in place means that nothing changes inside the school, we go about our day like any other. Except, no one can enter or leave the building for the duration of the shelter in place.
- Weather: If there was ever a weather concern due to high winds, etc. Students and staff are asked to leave their classrooms and sit against the walls in the hallway to avoid being near windows.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to administration if you have any additional questions. We hope this information is helpful!
Reporting an Absence at RES
We want to make sure all families are aware about absences. Since our recent PTA meeting we gained additional details regarding if doctor notes are needed after being absent for 10 or more days. We had shared that all absences beyond 10 days needed to have a doctor's note to be excused. While this is certainly helpful and preferred, it is not a requirement in our district.
The requirement is that a medical professional can excuse an absence if warranted. Our school nurse is that medical professional. Therefore, all health related questions should be forwarded to the school nurse regardless of how many days your child has been absent. When your child does reach 10 or more absences there is a required discussion with the school nurse about the absence(s) and the school nurse will determine whether or not the absence is excused and if a doctor's note is needed.
A letter is created, sent, and shared with families when a child at RES has 6 or more absences regardless of the reason. The purpose of this letter is to inform families of the absences and for RES to have appropriate documentation.
It is very important that you report your child's absence into School Dismissal Manager by 8:30 a.m. on the day your child will be absent from school.
RES PreSchool - Accepting Applications!
The RES PreSchool is now accepting applications for the 2023-2024 school year. Applications are due by January 10th. Please check out our school's website regarding the application process and lottery information.
Battle of the Books - Fourth Grade Parents We Need Your Help!
Car Tags - Parent Pick-Up!
Parents please be sure that all students who are parent pick-up have a green and white parent pick-up number tag attached to their backpacks and that all parents picking up their children have the coinciding number hanging from your rearview mirror. The green and white number tag should be displayed at all times throughout the car line.
The number tags serve many purposes and all of our staff members involved in the pick up process rely on them. If either you or your child NO LONGER HAS A TAG, you must stop in the office and pick up a new tag, a tag for your child's backpack and your car. Conferences would be a great time to stop in the main office if you have lost your tag.
PLEASE NOTE: BEGINNING MONDAY NOV 21ST, any child without a number tag or car without a number tag will be directed to leave the car line, park, and pick up their child in the main office.
RES Reads - Theme 2: Empathy
Just a reminder that when it is your child's turn to bring the book home the book should be returned the next day with all included materials. Our RES Reads website is a great resource and we love all the posted pictures of students and families reading together!
A Message from Nurse Connolly and Nurse Carley...
Updates from the RES Health Office:
The cold (and rather variable) weather is upon us. Please remember to send your children with a hat, gloves and a coat for outdoor gym and recess. We try to have the students go outside for recess as long as it is above 20 degrees and not raining.
- Flu Vaccine Clinic at RES 11/14 3-5pm in the Little Gym - you can still come for the clinic - there are no appointments needed. Bring your insurance card with you. Parents and other siblings may also get flu shots at this clinic. If you do have any questions you can email the nurse jconnolly@er9.org.
- Good handwashing is one of the best ways to prevent illness - work with your children at home on the steps of good handwashing (wet your hands, put soap on, lather the soap, sing the Happy Birthday song twice while getting all surfaces of hand scrubbed and then rinse thoroughly).
- Please continue to report all communicable illnesses (Flu, covid, pneumonia, strep, mono, pink eye, etc.) to the nurse at jconnolly@er9.org.
- Reach out to the nurse as well for any health updates - new diagnosis, surgery, major injuries especially those that require recess or PE restrictions.
- If your pediatrician prescribes a medication that needs to be taken at school you need to have them complete a Medication Administration Form and an adult needs to bring the medication to school to the nurse.
Thank you!
Jen Connolly & Deanna Carley
Questions or concerns that you want to discuss with the nurses? Email us or call us:
Jen Connolly - jconnolly@er9.org or (203)938-2519 ext 309
Deanna Carley - dcarley@er9.org or (203)938-2519 ext 342
Important Dates and Reminders
Tuesday - Friday, November 15 - 18, Parent & Teacher Conferences. 12:30 p.m. Early Release
Wednesday, November 23 - Early Dismissal - 12:50 p.m.
Thursday & Friday, November 24 & 25 - No School, Thanksgiving Recess
Bus Transportation Information
If you have any specific questions pertaining to your child's bus stop, please contact First Student directly, 475.470.0373. Unfortunately, we are not able to help you regarding bus information.
Morning Arrival Procedures
Students may be dropped off at school beginning at 7:55 a.m. - 8:05 a.m. There is no adult supervision at school prior to this time, so please be sure to listen for the morning bell before letting students out of your car to enter the school building. In the morning, all students arriving by parent vehicle, in Kindergarten through Grade 4 will be dropped off in the Big Gym parking lot and will enter school through the main entrance. Please see the RES Campus Map to view the drop-off route and location of drop-off. Staff members supervising morning drop-off will monitor students exiting cars. It is important that students are prepared with their backpacks on and all belongings are ready to go so they can exit the car quickly. Students will exit from the passenger side of the vehicle. Family members dropping children off must remain in vehicles during this time.
Afternoon Dismissal Procedures
We will begin dismissing students out to cars around 2:45 p.m. and this process will continue until 3:00 p.m. If students remain in the holding areas at 3:00 p.m., we will bring them down to the main office to be picked up.
Each family will be assigned a student pick up number. This number will be identified on a tag that attaches to the child’s backpack, and a separate tag that hangs from the rearview mirror of the vehicle being used for pick-up. Staff supporting the student pick-up process will help escort children out to cars, matching student pick up numbers on backpacks and vehicles.
For our returning families, please track down your student number tags and car tags you used last year. This includes both the rearview mirror tag and the smaller tags that attach to your child’s backpack. Please keep these car tags, until your last child enters JRMS.
For our new families, we will issue a student number tag & car tag to hang from your rearview mirror. This is needed if you are picking your child up at the end of the school day. There will be a corresponding number on your child’s backpack. New families will receive tags during Welcome Back to School meet and greet. If you are unable to attend the back to school orientation, please call the main office and make arrangements to pick up your car tags.
In the afternoon, all students being picked up by parent vehicle, in Kindergarten through Grade 4 will be picked up in the Big Gym parking lot. Please see the RES Campus Map to view the pick-up route and location.
Families must remain in vehicles throughout our pick-up process. Staff will monitor and assist students into vehicles, as needed.
Peanut and Tree Nut Free Classrooms
Due to the amount of students with life threatening peanut and tree nut allergies all classrooms at RES are designated as peanut and tree nut free areas. We are following the same practices as JRMS. Please do not pack classroom snacks that contain peanuts and/or tree nuts. Your child may still enjoy peanuts and/or tree nuts during his/her lunch period in the cafeteria. We only ask that snacks eaten in the classroom do not contain such products, as the cafeteria has additional procedures and special precautions to follow for children with food allergies. Students are encouraged to engage in safe practices in the cafeteria, which includes refraining from sharing or swapping meals and snacks. If food is being allowed at a classroom celebration, food products must be accompanied by the original packaging so that ingredients can be checked.
COVID-19 Information & Health Reminders
Please remember to keep your child home if they have a temperature above 100.0, any vomiting or diarrhea or if they are simply not feeling well enough to be at school. The symptom profile for covid is widely varied and oftentimes presents as mild cold symptoms, so please be mindful and test your child when they are sick or if they have been exposed to someone with covid.
The district is following the current CDC covid guidelines, which you can review here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html.
In summary:
**If positive, isolate at home for 5 days. Return on day 6 if no fever and symptoms are improved. Mask through day 10. (Test day or symptom start day are DAY 0).
**Report positive cases to the school nurse and enter absence into school dismissal manager.
**If exposed, wear a mask, test if symptoms develop. Or test 5 days after last exposure. If negative, continue with mask through day 10. If positive, isolate for 5 days.
We have test kits available at school. Contact Jen Connolly, school nurse, at 203-938-2519 ext. 309 or jconnolly@er9.org to pick up a test kit or have one sent home with your child.
Upcoming Chorus, Band, and Orchestra Concerts
Thursday, February 2nd: Grade 3 & 4 Chorus and Grade 4 Orchestra
Tuesday, May 23rd: Grade 3 & 4 Orchestra
Thursday, May 25th: Grade 3 & 4 Chorus and Grade 4 Band
More details to come!
Please reach out to Miss Baker and/or Mrs. Edwards with any questions.
Drop Off Table
Just in case your child forgot their homework, water bottle, lunch, instrument, library book, snack, sports equipment, etc. at home there is a drop off table located outside by the main office vestibule. You do not need to inform the main office when dropping off an item. We check the drop off table and make classroom deliveries twice per day.
- Items must be dropped off with your child's name and teacher's name on it by 10:00 a.m. for a 10:15 a.m. delivery time.
- Items must be dropped off with your child's name and teacher's name on it by 1:15 p.m. for a 1:30 p.m. delivery time.
The main office is a busy place and it is challenging to make multiple deliveries throughout the day. We truly appreciate your help in meeting our delivery times so that your child gets their needed item in a timely manner.
Visiting RES Reminders...
At RES we regularly discuss our safety protocols and procedures. The following protocols are implemented for visitors at RES:
In order to enter the vestibule at the main entrance, anyone wishing to do so MUST present a photo identification. Identification will be held up to the outside camera and checked by our office staff before you are allowed to enter the vestibule. This procedure includes dropping off your child, picking up your child, etc. Please do not take offense if you feel the office staff should know you. There will not be an exception made to this rule. Office staff will also be asking visitors the purpose of their visit.
Visitors will be allowed in the building by appointment only. Appointments could range from a specific meeting with a teacher, special education team, and/or administration. Appointments would also include any volunteer opportunities or visits in your child’s classroom. An appointment may also be a call from the nurse to pick up your child. All planned visits and appointments will be arranged for you by an RES staff member.
If you feel you need to enter the building and have not made previous arrangements. You must call RES to make arrangements prior to arriving. For example, access to our lost and found area.
A drop-off table will be placed outside of the vestibule. The table will be clearly marked. Please make sure items are properly labeled before you arrive (child’s name and teacher). You do not need to ring the bell to tell the office an item is being dropped off. The table will be checked twice daily at 10:30 a.m. and at the end of each school day.
Students are expected to be dropped off each morning by 8:05 a.m. If you are arriving at drop off after 8:05 a.m., please drop your child off by parking in the main parking lot, and have your child walk down the walkway to enter through the RES main entrance.
ER9 Incident Reporting Form
We wanted to share with the RES community that there is a district wide practice whenever there are concerns regarding mean spirited behavior and your child. Mrs. Kim Roy is not only the RES Assistant Principal, but also the Safe School Climate Specialist. If you ever have concerns regarding mean spirited behavior involving your child, you can access the ER9 Incident Reporting Form to address your concerns. Once the form is completed, Mrs. Roy receives an email and will be able to follow up with you if more information is needed.
The link to the ER9 Incident Report Form is on the Redding Elementary Website (scroll down to the bottom of the site and you will see it linked under Other Information). You can also access the form via this link below. You can choose to remain anonymous, however it is helpful if you add as much information as possible in case an investigation needs to take place.
Please call or email Mrs. Roy if you have any questions or concerns regarding the process, kroy@er9.org.
RES Job Opportunities - We Need Your Help!
We are hiring lunch and recess monitors! Please go to the ER9 website to apply for one of these positions. Our support positions for recess and lunch allow you to have a little bit of flexibility, where you still have time to get your child(ren) on and off the bus each day. Please log on to the ER9.org website; under human resources tab; employment opportunities.
We are also in need of substitute teachers. Individuals have the potential to work in many roles throughout the school year; Preschool-Grade 4 classroom teacher, work with students as a paraeducator, potentially be involved with our special education program, as well as helping out as a lunch or recess monitor. Qualified applicants should have a 4-year college degree. NOT necessarily in education. Please call Bobbie in the main office 203-938-2519 Ex. 304, if you are interested.
Quote of the Week
"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."
- John F. Kennedy
Redding Community Opportunities
Contact Us
Mrs. Kim Roy, Assistant Principal
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
Mrs. Jennifer Hankla, Supervisor, Special Services
Mrs. Marilyn Caruso, Secretary, Special Services
mcaruso@er9.org Ext. 312
Office hours for the main office is 7:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. 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