WEEKLY FAMILY FOCUS Nov 22 , 2021
RICK MARCOTTE CENTRAL SCHOOL Principal Kathleen Kilbourne
RMCS Food Drive Exceeds Expectations....THANK YOU TO ALL WHO CONTRIBUTED!
Important Dates:
Nov. 24, 25, 26 Thanksgiving Recess - NO SCHOOL
Dec.4th- RMCS DAY at Barnes and Noble: 9am -9PM- shop on 12/4 and a % of sales will go to help RMCS fundraise. Just mention RMCS at checkout.
Dec. 11th- Author Event- Ashley Wolff is at SB Public Library at 11:00am (See below )
Dec. 23rd- Jan 2nd- No School for Winter Break
PTO MEETING DATES: PTO Meetings are held the 2nd Tuesday of each month, via zoom.
1/11/22
2/8/22
3/8/22
4/12/22
5/10/22
Partnering with our SB Town Offices to support RMCS Families
Barnes and Noble Book Fair will be on December 4th 9am-9pm at Barnes and Noble
Barnes and Noble Book Fair will be on December 4th 9am-9pm at Barnes and Noble. RMCS will get a percentage of the sales from that day from anyone who presents a RMCS Bookfair voucher or mentions RMCS book fair at checkout. The PTO will have a table set up at the B and N. We are asking volunteers to come sit at our table for an hour shift throughout the day to promote our fundraiser. Below, I have included a sign up genius link asking for volunteers.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E084AA4AE29A5FC1-rmcs8
The flyer to advertise the book fair along with vouchers that are to be used at checkout will be following soon. Stay tuned!
What an easy way to help raise funds for RMCS and spoil yourself or a loved one with the gift of reading! Please share this date and time widely with friends, neighbors, family members, colleagues who may be shopping at Barnes and Noble anyway. This is a WIN -WIN program. Please plan ahead and shop on December 4th!
Supports offered from the RMCS CHILD ADVOCACY TEAM (CAT)
There are several giving initiatives that the RMCS Child Advocacy Team (CAT) works on each year. Some of these include:
Food drive for the South Burlington Community Food Shelf
The mitten tree (a holiday gift giving program)
Gift cards as needed (ex. Grocery stores/ Target)
School photo gift cards- Scholarships
Winter gear support
As we approach the winter and holiday season, please reach out to one of us if you are in need of additional support. Please be assured, this is confidential, and not shared with other members of our school or community.
Kindly, The RMCS CAT Team,
Michelle Cannon, Ashley Wilson, Alyssa Cuddy, Meaghan Rice, Laura Standard, and
Kathleen Kilbourne
The Mitten Tree Project... Giving this season
Once again RMCS will be sponsoring a mitten tree to share during the holiday season.
This year due to COVID, we are asking people to donate the gift cards and send them into school, so that we may redistribute them to families who benefit from some support and assistance for their children.
Please stay tuned for more specific needs. Gift Cards to Hannaford Grocery and Target are always helpful, as they are within walking distance of our school and local options.
Thank you for sharing this season of giving as you are able.
We will be sending out a Sign Up Genius in our next edition of this newsletter for specific needed donations.
With apprciation,
RMCS CAT TEAM
SCHOOL NURSE NOTES AND UPDATES
GATHERINGS:
Celebrating Thanksgiving or just gathering with others? Here's how to do it safely:
VT data indicates that gatherings are a source for COVID-19 spread. The Delta variant is very contagious, so let's all do our part to keep one-another safe. If you plan to gather, please:
- Discuss ahead of time
- consider indoor mask wearing, when not eating, especially when gathering with those who are unvaccinated
- Keep your gathering small
- larger groups mean a greater chance of someone having the virus and exposing others
- Get tested
- schedule a PCR test by 11/22/21 and consider rapid (antigen) testing, on Wednesday and Thursday, prior to your gathering
- If you have symptoms, even mild ones, STAY HOME
- it may be difficult, but it's the right choice
- Test 5-7 days after your gathering
- even if fully vaccinated and without symptoms
TRAVEL
The CDC recommends avoiding travel until you are fully vaccinated, to avoid risk of COVID-19 exposure. If you choose to travel internationally, please be aware that Vermont (and SBSD) follows the CDC's recommendations:
- ALL TRAVELERS: get PCR tested 3-5 days after travel.
- NOT FULLY VACCINATED TRAVELERS: stay home and quarantine for 7 days after travel, even if the test is negative at day 3-5. If not tested, stay home and quarantine for 10 days.
COVID VACCINE:
Resources for Parents and Kids
CNN and Sesame Street have teamed up to help answer questions from kids and families (and they are not just for preschoolers!):
- Sesame Street and the ABCs of COVID Vaccine Video.
- Big Bird Talks About COVID-19 Vaccine Fears Video.
Others:
- Video for Children: How COVID Vaccines Work
- But Why? Podcast for Curious Kids: Why is it a shot? Kids Questions about COVID Vaccine.
Denise Aronzon, M.D., a local pediatrician and SBSD parent, provides some solid advice when considering the vaccine:
We are so excited that the Pfizer Covid vaccine has now been approved for the 5-11 year old age group! We are encouraging parents to have their children vaccinated as soon as possible. Here are some great reasons to have your child vaccinated:
- Vaccinated children are far less likely to become infected with Covid. If vaccinated children do get infected, they are far less likely to become seriously ill or need to be hospitalized. Children can and do become seriously ill with Covid.
- Vaccinated kids are less likely to infect their families and friends. Vaccinated kids protect vulnerable family and community members, such as infants and toddlers, the elderly, and those who are immunocompromised or have underlying health issues.
- Vaccinated kids do not need to stay home to quarantine if they are exposed to someone with Covid and continue to feel well.
- Vaccinated kids can travel and participate in certain activities where vaccination is required.
- Hundreds of millions of Americans, including many kids between the ages 12-17, have been vaccinated already and side effects have been extremely rare. In rare cases, some children have developed myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, following the Covid vaccine. Myocarditis occurs in Covid disease as well and we are learning that myocarditis in the disease occurs much more often and is typically more severe than following the vaccine. As for long-term side effects from the vaccine, research and monitoring on other vaccines show that side effects almost always happen within six weeks of getting a vaccine.
- Here is a great FAQ for parents from the American Academy of Pediatrics on the Covid vaccine for kids. It answers questions about vaccine safety, side effects and timing.
And as always, please contact your child's pediatrician or family doctor if you have further questions.
Zoom Conversations: Join discussions with members of the Vermont Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. See dates and zoom links here.
Vermont Department of Health: Answers for Parents
Make an Appointment: visit HERE. Children will receive 2 doses of the vaccine, given 3 weeks apart. A child will be fully vaccinated 2 weeks after the 2nd dose.
- Any families without internet access or who other would like assistance to make their appointment should contact the Health Department call center at (855) 722-7878, Mon - Fri 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Sat and Sun 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- To speak with someone in a language other than English, dial the call center, and then press 1.
- People who are Deaf or hard of hearing can make a TTY call to this number by dialing 711 or 1-800-253-0195.
TEST TO STAY (TTS)
Unvaccinated, asymptomatic students (ages 5 and up) and staff, who are identified as close contacts to an in-school COVID-19 exposure, are eligible to participate in TTS. Click HERE to view some TTS Frequently Asked Questions.
Please give consent and permission ahead of time by clicking on the links. If you need assistance, please call the school's main office.
Girma...We will miss you!
Physical Education News and Views
"It's not just a class, It's a way of LIFE!!"
PE PARENT CONFERENCES
If you would like to discuss your child/children’s PE progress this year, please email
Mr. Day at dday@sbschools.net
I would love to hear from you!!!
Fitness testing has always been a part of physical education programs throughout the country. Trying to determine the fitness level of kids has been a focal point of a lot of PE programs. When I first started teaching PE, I did the stereo-typical fitness testing as I had kids run a mile, do sit-ups, test their flexibility, and have them do an upper body test like a pull up or push-up. But after a couple years, I noticed a lot of problems with standardized fitness testing.
When we ran the mile, I would take a whole class out to the soccer fields and time them. I always told kids it was not a “race” and they could walk it, run it, or do a combination. (No matter how much I said it - it always turned into a race!) I had some kids who loved fitness testing. They were the competitive ones who were usually already quite fit. I had a middle group who did not really care - it was part of school and they could just do it with a friend. In each class, though, I had 4 - 5 kids who absolutely hated the fitness testing. They hated me for “forcing” them to do it as I was embarrassing them in front of their classmates. My job as a PE teacher is to turn kids ON to physical activity. I was actually doing the opposite with those 4-5 kids in each class. I was turning them OFF to physical activity. We had problems with all the other tests as kids would compete in those events and would not be as honest as possible when recording for a friend. Fitness should be PERSONAL, not a class competition.
I decided a long time ago to change how I went about giving fitness tests at RM Central PE. Just about this time, I wrote a letter to one of the leaders of PE in the country - Dr. Charles Corbin of Arizona State University. I talked about all the things that I mentioned above and told him of my idea about using pedometers for fitness testing. He responded with a 3 page letter agreeing with a lot of what I had to say. Needless to say, it was a highlight of my career. (I ended up getting Dr. Corbin to come to VT to speak - another highlight of my career.)
Your 3-5th grader just completed fitness analysis using pedometers in PE. Pedometers track how many steps you take in an activity. The great thing about pedometers is: 1) Kids cannot compare scores - everyone has a different stride rate - some people take big steps, some take small steps. 2) They can choose the activity they want to set a personal goal. They then try to beat that goal. Everyone else’s score does not matter! I have some classes where most of the class runs the mile as their choice. I have other classes where no one wants to run the mile. They may choose jump roping, dancing, scooters, etc. to try to get as many steps as they can and then try to beat their goal. I am not forcing fitness on kids - they are choosing how they want to stay fit! These are choices I hope they make the REST OF THEIR LIVES!!!
It doesn’t end there. Kids recorded their scores and brought the sheets home. I hope they showed you what they did for fitness with pedometers. Kids also can try to come up with their own fitness test idea at home. The reason I did this was that kids have things at home they use for exercise that I don’t have in PE like bikes, trampolines, scooters,etc. Through the years, I have had a TON of great ideas from kids. I have already had some great ideas handed in this year! It is not mandatory - I just hope kids can see it as a FUN way to think about exercise at home. Maybe they will involve YOU in their test?
One last thing about fitness - the state of Vermont now requires all 4th graders to do the FITNESSGRAM national fitness test every year. Most PE teachers do it as a whole class event and run into the same problems that I mentioned with fitness testing above. Dr. Corbin was one of the creators of the Fitnessgram test, but he wanted kids to do each event individually or with a friend - a much less stressful way to do fitness testing. Needless to say, I try to make the Fitnessgram test at Central as personal as possible. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
**PLEASE look forward to the December PE newsletter where I will present the:
Winter Schedule for PE
We change the schedule so kids come see me for an hour a week in January and February. (Instead of 2x a week for 30 minutes.) We have not skied in 2 years so it will be great to get back outside on the snow!! Look for that schedule next month.
Until next time - Stay Active, Stay Healthy and most of all - HAVE FUN!!!
Your PE Teacher - Mr. “Exercise Every” Day
What is the upcoming Health Education Unit?
In our next health unit guided by CDC educational standards and Vermont Health Education Guidelines, students will be introduced to the skills needed to prevent the spread of communicable diseases and the skills needed to keep oneself safe in a variety of settings. You can expect your student to learn that while microorganisms are naturally all around us in the world, we can take certain steps to keep ourselves safe from those that make us sick. Older students will be introduced to the basic differences of those microorganisms. Students will be introduced to the importance of safety practices (the importance of wearing a helmet and using a seatbelt to name a few) as well as ways to prevent common childhood injuries. I anticipate this unit lasting about 3-4 weeks in health class. I look forward to continuing to learn with your students!
-Ms. Lizzy
HELP....we have 87+ Pieces of Clothing in our RMCS LOST & FOUND
2. Review all of these photos, and have your child go pick up what belongs to them.
3. We also have a huge pile of LOST hats, mittens, water bottles, shoes/ boots, and lunchboxes
4. Please be aware all items not claimed by DEC 22nd, will be laundered and donated
5. We will start the New Year with an empty LOST & FOUND...please help us by LABELING your child's items with their name.
THANK YOU!
Letter from Commissioner Levine and Secretary French on Vaccination for 5-11-year-olds
Please read and share this letter to Vermont parents from Department of Health Commissioner Mark Levine and Agency of Education Secretary Dan French. The letter notes that the best way to keep Vermont families safe and healthy and the best way to keep Vermont students in school is to make sure children age 5 and older are vaccinated against COVID-19. Additional information about vaccinations for this age group is available on the Health Department website.
American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter Schedules Additional Town Halls on COVID-19 Vaccines for Children
American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter Schedules Additional Town Halls on COVID-19 Vaccines for Children
The AAP Vermont Chapter is inviting Vermont families to join them for a conversation about COVID-19 vaccines for children from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. via Zoom on the below dates. Check the AAP website for updates as additional dates are scheduled.
Tuesday, November 30th with Alexandra Bannach, M.D. (Newport) - Nov. 30 Zoom link
Tuesday, December 2nd with Tracy Tyson, M.D. (St. Albans) - Dec. 2 Zoom link
Monday, December 6th with Monica Benjamin, M.D. (Middlebury) - Dec. 6 Zoom link
Wednesday, December 8th with Judy Orton, M.D. (Bennington) - Dec. 8 Zoom link
Monday, December 13th with Stanley Weinberger, M.D. (Burlington) - Dec. 13 Zoom link
Wednesday, December 15th with Sarah Weidhaas, M.D. (Springfield) - Dec. 15 Zoom link
RMCS 2021-2022 Yearbook NOW ON SALE!! $15.00 Each
Don't miss a single edition of the Rick Marcotte Central School Year book!
Order forms have been sent home, but if you would like purchase your yearbook online, please click here:
https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1140092/Rick-Marcotte-Central-School/
Then select Order My Yearbook to make your purchase and check out. Please put your child's teacher's name under 'Homeroom' All yearbooks are shipped to the school then delivered to your child's classroom the last week of school.
Any questions please contact Holly Young or Carrie Rice.
Dec 11, 11:00 a.m., South Burlington Public Library, South Burlington VT
Ashley Wolff has been an artist since she declared herself one at the age of 5.
She grew up in Middlebury, Vermont and holds a BFA from Rhode Island School of Design.
Ashley is the author and/or illustrator of over 70 children’s picture books including WILDFIRE!, How to Help a Pumpkin Grow, Compost Stew, Bear Sees Blue, Baby Beluga, and the Miss Bindergarten Series.
Every summer Ashley teaches writing, drawing and introduction to media in the Children’s Picture Book Writing & Illustration MFA and certificate programs at Hollins University.
One of Ashley’s favorite pastimes has been traveling to schools all over the US, speaking to children about finding, nourishing and using their passion and imagination to help them find their own paths to the future.
She lives and works beside a lake in Leicester, VT.
Kate Burrell RMCS Recess Supervisor!
Update with Farm to School...staffing shortages here too
RMCS has open positions for:
Interventionists- Full time - 4 positions available
Recess/Lunch Supervisors (3 hours a day)
Substitute Teachers (2 full time floating sub, 5 days a week
Substitute Teachers- Flexible scheduling
Substititue Caller - 10 hours a week
Howard Center is also seeking an additional School Based Clinician to serve at RMCS- Full Time (to add to our current mental health partnership).
Please apply via SchoolSpring.com or call Kathleen Kilbourne for more information at 652-7201.
The COLD WEATHER IS HERE
THE COLD WEATHER IS HERE!
Being a VT parent takes on a whole new meaning in November! As the temperature starts to drop, we are in need of warmly dressed students for recess. Students can no longer wear shorts and short sleeves outside. Please be sure your child is equipped with VT winter gear – snowpants, boots, hats, mittens and a warm coat. Our students go outside every day, except if the wind chill or temperature is below 0 degrees. There is not an indoor recess option. If students are too sick to go outside for recess, then please consider an early pick up. Use a permanent marker to write your child’s name on EVERYTHING. Many times, students have the same kinds of boots, coats and snowpants, and it gets confusing in the cubby areas! You can support the reduction in winter gear loss by practicing at home. Teach your child to put their mittens in their hat, and their hat in the sleeve of their coat. Make it fun by having timed practices to see how fast they can get their snowpants on, coats on and zipped, everything off and hung up on a hook…who can do this faster, you or your child?
Daily Health Screening - Ruvna App
Families are required to complete the daily health screening questions about your child's health status through an email or text using 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