Rocky's Weekly Roundup
June 19, 2022
A Message from the Leadership Team
Dear RES Families,
Happy Father's Day to all who celebrate!!
How is it possible that this is our last Rocky's Weekly Roundup! for the 2021-2022 school year?! It has been an amazing school year. We could not have had such a successful school year without the continued support of our RES community. The end of the school year always brings bittersweet emotions, especially as we say goodbye to our amazing fourth graders who begin their next chapter of their educational journey in middle school.
Field Day 2021-2022 was so much fun. We are very lucky to have such fantastic Physical Education teachers, Mrs. Emerito and Miss Starkey who planned an incredible day for our students. We can imagine students were exhausted when they came home from school on Friday!
We truly believe that it is very important to get to know each of our families whether you are new to RES and the district or are already part of our RES family. Please look out for a communication regarding days and times during the months of July and August when we will be available to schedule meetings to meet with parents and students. Of course meeting with us is completely optional.
Summer is a super busy time for us as planning for the 2022-2023 school year gets underway. Please make sure your PowerSchool portal is always up-to-date to not miss out any summer communications. As an administrative team we are beyond excited to begin the 2022-2023 school year and be leading RES together!
Wishing all of our RES families a wonderful summer filled with laughter, good health, and cherished memories.
Mrs. Melissa Labrosciano, Principal
Mr. Joe Amodio, Assistant Principal
Report Cards
Attached are directions to access report cards in the parent portal. If you cannot recall your username and password, kindly contact Komal Kulkarni before Tuesday. Note that the name of the report card to generate is Elementary Standards Based RC 2021-22.
Unfortunately, report cards are not available on the mobile app.
LUNCH MENU FOR THIS WEEK
Monday, June 20 for Kindergarten thru Gr. 4:
Turkey Hot Dog with Tater Tots or Turkey & Cheese Sandwich or Bagel Fun Lunch
Tuesday, June 21 for Gr. 1 - 4:
Chicken Tenders with French Fries or Turkey & Cheese Sandwich or Bagel Fun Lunch
Tuesday, June 21 for Kindergarten:
Turkey & Cheese Sandwich or Bagel Fun Lunch
MEDICATION PICK UP FROM HEALTH OFFICE
The final home stretch. HAPPY SUMMER EVERYONE!
Medication Pick Up:
Medications cannot be stored at school for the summer and needs to be picked up on or before the last day of school. Students may not transport medication via backpack. An adult must come to school to retrieve it.
You may pick up anytime between 9:00am - 2:00pm on Monday, June 20 from the office. OR one of the nurses will be outside on Tuesday, June 21 from 10:00am - 12:00pm.
The school nurse will also be available after dismissal on Tuesday, June 21 from 1:15pm - 2:30pm.
If your child needs medication at school next year, please have this form completed by the pediatrician before the start of school, and bring it with the medication to the nurse at the beginning of the new school year.
Medication Administration Form
Enjoy the sunshine and relaxation this summer, and we will see you in the fall!
Questions: You can reach the nurse at jconnolly@er9.org or 203-938-2519 ext. 309
Registering or Withdrawing This Summer?
New Safety Protocols - Updates!
Last week we shared that at RES we frequently discuss our safety protocols and procedures. We shared with our community that moving forward visitors will experience greater vigilance in screening prior to entering the main entrance vestibule at RES. As an administrative team we have also met with the Central Office and district administration to discuss our collective protocols and changes that need to be made to ensure the safety of all staff and students. Moving forward the following protocols will be implemented 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 new 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.
We appreciate your efforts, understanding, and patience as we navigate our new procedures and protocols. Thank you for your continued partnership.
Lego Update!
RES Pond, Gardens and Shrubs
We have some very small and young trees/shrubs growing that do not have the strength to hold up our young learners exploring those areas. We are concerned for them, and their future growth. We'd love for our plants to also remain healthy and happy and grow strong like our students.
Thank you for your attention to this request.
Morning Drop Off
Summer Academy 2022
Important Dates and Reminders
Tuesday, June 21: Grade 4 Stepping Up Ceremony 9:30a - Redding Community Center
Tuesday, June 21: Report Cards accessible via PowerSchool (12:00 noon)
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - Tuesday, June 21st (K-4 12:50 pm Early Dismissal, Preschool 12:15 pm)
MORNING DROP OFF
A reminder that families with multiple children may now choose ONE drop off location in the morning. It is suggested that our youngest continue to be dropped off in the rear parking lot. Older siblings may also be dropped off here and can walk across the building to get to their classrooms. If you arrive to the drop off location and there are no adults present to welcome your children at the curb, or in the parking lot, please park in the big gym parking lot and walk your child to the school's main entrance vestibule.
MORNING BUS CIRCLE ACCESS
Please keep students and staff safe, and drop off LATE students at the big gym parking area, until ALL buses have cleared RES. As warmer weather prevails, it is safe to assume that on a regular school day, buses should have cleared the bus circle by 8:20am - UNLESS we have an exceptionally tough weather situation happening that morning.
CELL PHONES & ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Per our family handbook, laser pointers, electronic devices, and cell phones are also not allowed. With that said, we do understand as parents ourselves that there are times when it is a family's decision to allow their child(ren) to have a cell phone or smartwatch with cell phone capabilities in school. If this is the case, it is expected that the cell phone be turned off and in your child’s backpack at all times, including the duration of the bus ride.
Students are not to be making phone calls or sending text messages during the school day. Students can always come to the main office if a call needs to be made home. Similar to John Read Middle School’s handbook policy, if a cell phone or smartwatch is being used inappropriately or not consistent with our technology use policy, such device will be held in the main office for the remainder of the school day.
The use of a cell phone or other device can be a disruption to your child(ren)’s school day and negatively impact their learning environment. We appreciate your support and partnership regarding this matter.
POKEMON CARDS & TOYS
A reminder that Pokemon cards and toys will not be permitted at school. We have noticed that students are bringing cards to school and trading them with other students. This often leads to conflict and/or lost items. Please note page 15 of our student handbook, which states, "Toys and stuffed animals can cause a disruption to learning and conflict on the bus, café or playground. Children should not bring them to school." We ask for your support by talking to your child(ren) and checking backpacks to be sure trading cards and toys remain at home.
COVID-19 BUS UPDATE
As many of you might be aware, bus mitigation strategies that were set in place due to COVID-19 have been lifted. Students will no longer have assigned seats on the bus, unless there is a specific need. Students are now permitted to ride an alternative bus to a friend’s house. Being parents ourselves, we understand that there are extenuating circumstances where a child may need to ride the bus to a friend’s house after school. This is a courtesy that we are happy to extend to families, but please be mindful of not taking advantage of this opportunity. Students should not be riding another bus home to a friend’s house for birthday parties or other large playdates or group gatherings. Please understand that with some of our buses being close to capacity and others needing to double up due to driver shortages, there will be times when it is not possible to accommodate every request. Parent pick-up is a wonderful option for inviting several students to your home.
If your child is riding to a friend's house, whether on their own bus or on a different bus, this exception needs to be noted in School Dismissal Manager under Alternate Bus. When using this exception, please be sure to note:
The bus number your child will be riding on
The full name of the student who he/she will be getting off of the bus with
Again, please include this information under the exception labeled Alternate Bus. If you select the exception labeled Bus, notifications will not be sent to the correct individual and you will risk your child not receiving a note for the bus.
Quote of the Week
“Friends, sun, sand, and sea, that sounds like a summer to me.”
–Unknown
District News & Information
REDDING SCHOOL DISTRICT 2022 - 2023 CALENDAR
This calendar is also available on the ER9.org website, located at the bottom of the home page.
REDDING COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES
Contact Us
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
Ms. Michelle King, Administrative Assistant to Director of Special Services
mking@er9.org Ext. 313
Mrs. Jennifer Hankla, Supervisor, Special Services
Mrs. Marilyn Caruso, Secretary, Special Services
mcaruso@er9.org Ext. 312
Office hours for the main office is 7:30am - 3:45pm 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