Dolphin Parent Connection
August 2021 Volume 7, Issue 1
Welcome to the 2021-22 school year! Mrs. Keros and I can’t wait to welcome both our newest Dolphins and those of you returning to us. While the realities of COVID mitigations still present challenges for our staff and students, we are still committed to providing the highest quality literacy & numeracy instruction, supporting each child’s social & emotional development, and encouraging a love for and ownership of learning. Our vision is to nurture & empower caring leaders, life-long learners, and confident problem solvers. Your child’s education and overall well-being are of the utmost importance to us, and we are honored to partner with you while your child is here at Red Mill.
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
· Thursday, August 19th: Class placement letters are placed in the mail; Your child's assigned teacher should also be viewable in ParentVue (see below for sign-up directions)
· Monday, August 23rd: Red Mill office returns to school year schedule Monday through Friday 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
· Wednesday, August 25th: Popsicles on the Playground (for all rising Kindergarteners and 1st Grade Students) 10:00-11:30 @ Red Mill ES Playground
· Thursday, August 26th: Teachers report back to work
· Monday, August 30th: Parents will receive email from their child's teacher with information regarding SeeSaw communication and the Meet & Greet Sign-up
· Thursday, September 2nd: Meet & Greet Scheduled Tours 3:00-6:00 PM (see flyer below for more info)
· Thursday, September 2nd: Parents will receive link to Flipped Open House Information from their child's teacher
· Thursday, September 2nd, Friday, September 3rd, and Wednesday, September 8th: Students without an assigned chromebook can pick-up chromebook and charger from school. Pick-up information will be sent to affected families.
· Monday, September 6th: Red Mill closed in observance of Labor Day
· Thursday, September 9th: First Day of School
· Friday, September 17th: PTA Summer Reading Logs are Due
Does Your Child Need Medication on File at School?
If your student is required to take prescription or non-prescription medication during the school day, the medication must be brought to school by parents or guardians or an adult designee. All medication, prescribed (in original labeled container) and over-the-counter (in new sealed container), should be accompanied by a Request for Administration of Medication in Hampton Roads School form completed by either a physician, nurse practitioner, or dentist and include the parent's signature. Updated forms must be completed for each school year. Please bring in your child’s medication with updated copies of the attached form. Our school nurse, Ms. Janice Hart, will be in the clinic starting August 26th from 7:40 AM--3:00 PM. She will be out of the building Wednesday, September 1st for training. Ms. Hart will also be available at the Meet & Greet on September 2nd. If you have questions, you can also reach Ms. Hart via phone at 648-3567 beginning August 26th.
Student Chromebooks
All VBCPS students must have a school-issued chromebook for the upcoming school year. If your child was at Red Mill last year, he/she should already have his/her assigned chromebook and charger. If your child transferred from another VBCPS school over the summer, he/she should have kept his/her assigned chromebook and charger and will bring that device with him/her to school. Now is a good time to check on the status of your child's chromebook and assess for any damages so we can ensure your child has a working chromebook for the start of the school year. Please check for any issues, such as issues with speakers, headphone jack, touch pad, keys, etc. Please contact the school if you identify any issues. If your child is new to VBCPS and Red Mill, you will need to pick up your child's assigned chromebook during the week of August 30th. More information regarding pick-up times will be sent towards the end of the month.
School Supply List
ParentVue Accounts
Transportation Info and Parent Pick-up Car Tags
If you signed up to provide your own transportation for your child, be on the lookout next week for an email from us regarding picking up your car tag for the Parent Pick-up line.
Parent Communication
This school year, we will continue to utilize SEESAW for class/school communication purposes in order to keep communication consistent. Please keep an eye out for an email from your child's teacher by Monday, August 30th with instructions on how to connect. It will be very important for you to stay connected with your child’s teacher in order to stay informed and up to date on important class/school information.
The school division will continue to utilize the AlertNow messaging system to disseminate information at the division level. The specific email addresses and phone numbers that receive these messages from the AlertNow system are based on information we currently have in our Student Information System.
Additionally, Red Mill may occasionally send text messages via the AlertNow Messaging system with important reminders and transportation changes. In order to receive text messages, you have to Opt In. See below for directions on how to Opt In or Opt Out of text messages.
How do I know if I have Opted-in?
You can check if you are opted-in by texting “Y” or "YES" to 67587.
How do I opt-out?
You may opt-out at any time by texting “STOP” to 67587.
What if I opted-out but later decide I would like to opt-in again?
As long as your child’s school has your text-enabled phone number on record, you may request to begin receiving text messages by texting “Y” or "YES" to 67587. If the school does not have your text-enabled number on record, you will need to contact the school.
SCA News
The SCA will begin their elections for the 2021-2022 school year in the Fall. Information will go home to interested students in 4th and 5th grade in September.
PTA News
Hi Red Mill Families,
My name is Anna Campbell, and I am your new PTA President. I look forward to all this year has to offer Red Mill students. Thank you to Emily Desouza and Megan Tereshko for serving on the board for the past year. Thank you to Kimberley Turner for returning as Vice President and to Andrea Swihart for staying as Treasurer for another year. It is also my pleasure to welcome Ashleigh Hudson as the newest board member, joining us as Secretary. Thank you to all the volunteers who will continue in their roles for next year. We are always looking for new volunteers. Listed below are some of the chair positions that are open for next year. Also listed below are some of our upcoming events. If you have any questions or would like additional information about the PTA, please email me at redmillpta@yahoo.com.
Thank you,
Anna Campbell
Popsicles at the Playground
Wednesday, Aug. 25th, from 10-11:30, the Red Mill Elementary PTA invites all incoming Kindergarten and 1st Grade students to join us at the playground at Red Mill Elementary School for an opportunity to meet a new friend before school starts. Red Mill PTA will provide the popsicles!
Joining the PTA
Why join the PTA? PTA offers all parents, caregivers, teachers, staff, and grandparents an opportunity to be involved in their school community. PTA membership and dues support your child by funding essential educational and curriculum needs. Dues are only $5.00! Please go to the following website rmes.new.memberhub.store/store, to sign up. You will also have an opportunity to sign up in person at the PTA table at the Meet and Greet Event from 3-6 Sept. 2nd.
Volunteer Information
The Red Mill PTA is always looking for volunteers. Volunteering is a great way to get involved, meet new people, and support our school. We are looking for volunteers to fill the following positions: Talent Show Assistant, Silent Auction Chairperson, Craft Fair Chairperson, and Winter Wonderland Cookie Decorating Coordinator. Please email redmillpta@yahoo.com if you have any questions or complete the attached form below. The form can be emailed to redmillpta@yahoo.com or turned in at the PTA table at the Meet and Greet Event from 3-6 Sept. 2nd.
Summer Reading Program
All summer reading logs are due by September 17th. Students must use the new form that was sent out at the end of the year. The form is also attached below. Students can return completed forms to their teacher or take a picture of it and email it to redmillpta@yahoo.com. Students who read all summer, complete the form and return it by Friday, September 17th, will be invited to an ice cream social held September 24th. Please contact Leah Lancione at leahlancione@gmail.com with any questions.
Reflections
The PTA Reflections contest entries are due in October. This competition encourages students to explore the arts and express themselves by providing positive recognition for their artistic efforts. Students create theme-based artwork in dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography or visual arts. The theme for the 2021-2022 program year is “I will change the world by…” Please visit https://www.vapta.org/programs/student-programs/reflections for rules and additional information.
Please “like” our Facebook page, Red Mill PTA, in order to receive the most current PTA information.
Free & Reduced Meal Application Info
Please note that Free & Reduced Price Meal Direct Certification approval letters will be e-mailed to eligible households tomorrow, August 17. These approval letters are sent to families that have been pre-approved via SNAP or TANF. If you do not receive an approval letter or need an eligibility letter to obtain other benefits, such as dental service, childcare, etc., please fill out the Free & Reduced Price Meal Application that will be available online at SchoolCafé.com on Wednesday, August 18.
If you were approved for the 2020-2021 school year, please note that your child's 2020-2021 Free & Reduced Price Meal Application carryover eligibility will expire on October 20, 2021. If a 2021-2022 school year application is not processed by our office by October 20, your child's cafeteria account will default to full price status and may affect your eligibility for other possible benefits.
Although school meals will be provided free to all children aged 18 and under, other school funding sources such as Title I, and many federal grants, depend on completed meal application data to provide needed assistance to the district. Also, once a household is eligible for Free & Reduced Price Meals for the 2021-2022 school year, a 30-day eligibility carryover will transfer to the 2022-2023 school year.
Questions may be directed to the Office of Food Services at 757-263-1101 or via e-mail to vbfoods@vbschools.com.