Ravine Drive Elementary School
March 2020 Newsletter
Interim Principal - Ms. J. Zitarosa
Welcome Spring!!!!
The month of March also includes Read Across America Week when we celebrate literacy and the brilliant mind of "Dr. Seuss" (Theodor Seuss Geisel). Be sure to check out our Read Across America section below for ideas to celebrate reading with your child!
At the March 23rd Board of Education Meeting, we will be honoring our Ravine Drive Elementary School Educators of the Year: Mrs. Mary Ellen Doyle - Teacher of the Year and Mrs. Barbara Lyttle - Educational Support Services Professional of the Year. Be sure to come out and support our fantastic educators and celebrate all that they do for the Ravine Drive community!
I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome new staff members to Ravine Drive Elementary School:
- Ms. Candice Arey is our new art teacher.
- Ms. Jaime Roche is our new speech language pathologist.
- In addition, Ms. Amy Gallagher, who has worked for the MARSD, will be joining our school as a speech language pathologist.
In addition to our monthly newsletter, be sure to visit our school's Virtual Backpack for additional information on some of the events noted below!
If you have any questions, please call the main office and we will be happy to provide you with additional assistance.
Dates to Remember!
Be sure to mark your calendar for the following school events:
- 03/02 - 03/06: Linkit! Assessment - Grade 3
- 03/11: Early Dismissal Grades PreK-3 - Dismissal is at 1:20 PM
- 03/11: Afternoon Conferences - As Scheduled
- 03/11: School Book Fair - During School Hours Only
- 03/12: Early Dismissal Grades PreK-3 - Dismissal is at 1:20 PM
- 03/12: Evening Conferences - As Scheduled
- 03/12: School Book Fair - During School Hours Only
- 03/13: In-Service Day - School Closed for Students
- 03/17-03/19: CogAT - Grade 2
- 03/19: Spring Pictures
- 03/20: Strategic Planning Goal Setting Renewal Day @ MRHS - 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM
- 03/21: Strategic Planning Goal Setting Renewal Day @ MRHS - 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
- 03/23-04/03: Access for ELLs
- 03/23: BOE Meeting @ Matawan Aberdeen Middle School - 7:00 PM
- 03/26: PTO Meeting/Spotlight Students - 7:00 PM
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent/teacher conferences will be held on Wednesday March 11th (Afternoon Conferences) and Thursday March 12th (Evening Conferences). Both days are Early Dismissal for students at 1:20 PM.
Please try your best to attend these conferences as they help strengthen the home-school connection. Teachers will be prepared to discuss your child's academic progress and show samples of your child's work and assessments. Teachers look forward to sharing strategies that can be used at home to support your child's learning.
Here are some ideas to make the conference more meaningful:
- Before the conference, review your child's grades online and talk with your child about his/her progress in school.
- Make a list of questions beforehand to ask during the conference (e.g., Is my child performing at grade level? What do you see as his/her strengths? How could he/she improve?).
- Ask the teacher what you can do at home to help your child learn.
- Think about ways you would like to become involved in your child's learning and discuss with the teacher.
- Make a plan. Write down what you and the teacher will do (and how often) to support your child.
- Schedule the next time to talk with the teacher. Discuss the best way to communicate and set up a schedule to stay informed about your child's progress.
March 2nd kicks-off Read Across America Week!
Ravine Drive will be celebrating Dr. Seuss and Read Across America Week with daily themes and activities:
- Monday 03/02: Fox in Socks Day
- Tuesday 03/03: Cat in the Hat Day
- Wednesday 03/04: Wacky Wednesday
- Thursday 03/05: Thing 1 and Thing 2 Day
- Friday 03/06: Oh, the Places You Will Go!
Click here for more information!
A special thanks to our media specialist, Ms. Arenella, for organizing the week's events!
Additionally, here is a great parent resource to celebrate Dr. Seuss: Seussville
Pennies for Patients Campaign
Ravine Drive Elementary School has officially joined The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Hero Squad and is participating in Pennies for Patients! This is a science-based philanthropy program designed to give children the tools to make a difference by supporting blood cancer patients and their families throughout NJ.
Our school's campaign will begin on March 16th and will conclude on March 20th.
March Star Students
A Million Dreams - 3rd Grade Winter Concert
Reminder - Weather Alerts!
Although spring is around the corner, please keep the following in mind when sending your child to school each day.
- Classroom temperatures vary throughout the building, so if possible, please dress your child in layers.
- Be sure your child is dressed for recess outdoors as well! Students still go outside for recess as long as it is not bitterly cold, and the blacktop and playground are dry and free of ice.
- Please make sure all contact information is correct in the Parent Portal. In the event of a school closing, delayed opening, or early dismissal, the district will notify you using the information you have provided. Please check to make sure that your phone number(s) and email address(es) are correct and your preferences for notifications are set.
Kindergarten Registration - Additional Dates Added
Click here for details on the process and dates.
MARSD Strategic Planning Committee
MARSD Preschool Registration for 2020-2021
Our district is pleased to offer full day preschool to residents of the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District. Please click here for more information.
Early Dismissals and School Closings
- Wednesday March 11th: Early Dismissal at 1:20 PM
- Thursday March 12th: Early Dismissal at 1:20 PM
- Friday March 13th: (In-Service Day) - School Closed for Students
Census 2020
Every decade, the U.S. Constitution requires a nationwide census of everyone who resides in our country. Census data is used to guide decisions for the next 10 years, from Congressional representation and legislative districts for each state, to allocating over $675 billion dollars in federal funding annually to states and communities.
Federal assistance to schools includes Title I funds, special education, school lunches, teacher training, classroom technology, afterschool programs, and much more. Federally funded programs for children include WIC (food stamps), Head Start, CHIP Children’s Health Insurance Program, childcare subsidies, Child Development Block Grants, etc.
Starting in mid-March, households will receive a mailing inviting them to fill out their census form online. It is imperative that all New Jersey residents are counted so that we can receive our fair share of political representation and federal funding.
This is our chance to shape New Jersey’s future so that every child gets the resources they need. Educators are trusted voices in our communities, so our participation is important to share accurate information and shape positive attitudes about the census. Information is available at census.nj.gov and census.gov.
Notes from Nurse Lorenzo
Nurse Lorenzo is always finding ways to educate our children on Healthy Living. Here are a few reminders for Eating Right!
- Remember to include healthful foods from all food groups.
- Hydrate with water.
- Learn how to read Nutrition Facts Panels.
- Practice portion control.
- Take time to enjoy your food!
MARSD Parent University Workshop: Social Emotional Learning for Parents
Social Emotional Learning for Parents - What Adults Can Do to Build Resilience
Facilitated by Alisha De Lorenzo, MS. NCC. LPC.
Consider how Social Emotional Learning and Mindfulness can be one path toward healing students and ourselves from the toxic stress that is plaguing our schools, homes, and communities.
When: April 7, 2020
Where: MRHS Media Center - Admission is FREE!
Click here for more information and to register.
Parent Resource Corner
Your Involvement in Education Matters to Your Child
Research has provided undeniable evidence that family engagement makes a difference in children's learning. Family engagement leads to improved student achievement, better attendance and a more positive attitude toward school. Students whose parents are involved in their education also gain greater awareness of options for higher education and work.
Teachers benefit when families get involved in education, too. They gain a better understanding of families' backgrounds, cultures, concerns, goals and needs. They also develop improved communication skills as they reach out to work with parents.
Parents benefit by gaining a better understanding of school programs and policies. They can also develop skills that help them help their child. Parents often become more aware that the challenges they face in parenting are shared by others in their community. They can also gain support from other parents.
Given all these benefits, it is clear that getting involved is important for you and your child. Set aside time to take an active role your child's education, at school and at home.
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