Rocky's Weekly Roundup!
January 22, 2023
A Message from the Leadership Team
Dear RES Families,
We are truly in the midst of budget season. We encourage you to review Dr. McKinnon’s budget presentation and to view the recent budget workshop held on Thursday, January 19th. The Redding budget website can be found here. The website includes an opportunity for the community to ask questions and provide comments.
On January 27th we will have a Rocky Rally (whole school assembly) to promote and kick-off kindness. Fourth grade students and student council will be hosting our kindness assembly and preschool will be leading us in a song about kindness!
Wishing you a wonderful week ahead!
Mrs. Melissa Labrosciano, Principal
Mrs. Kim Roy, Assistant Principal
Report Cards
Looking ahead, the K-4 report cards will be available in the PowerSchool Parent Portal on Friday, February 10, 2023 after 3:00 p.m. Directions for accessing the Parent Portal can be found at this link: How to View Online Report Cards in Parent Portal. While you are accessing the Parent Portal please review the demographic information for your family. It is imperative that your demographic information is up-to-date. Please make sure all information is up-to-date and that you remember your password prior to trying to access your child's report card.
On February 8th, RES administration will be discussing report cards and report card ratings at our February Parent University in conjunction with our February PTA meeting. In addition look out for a communication regarding report cards around February 1st.
Valentines 💗
Upcoming Spirit Days!
Don't forget the last Friday of the month at RES is school spirit day! Students and staff are encouraged to wear their favorite RES Spirit Wear and/or school colors! Rock your school spirit on January 27th!
Mark your calendars for future Friday school spirit days; February 24th, March 31st, April 28th, and May 25th.
A Message from our PE Teachers ⛷
Winter has arrived! Our 3rd and 4th Grade students have been fitted for cross country ski boots. All 3rd and 4th Graders will have the opportunity to cross country ski and/or snowshoe on their PE days if we have enough snow. Although there are times when students may not go outside for their recess period, there is a chance that they might go outside for PE classes if weather conditions permit. These are wonderful lifetime activities that our students can participate in and are fun for the whole family. Not only are these activities self-paced but they are great heart healthy activities for all.
Once again, as a reminder, we are asking that your child be prepared to go outside for PE on the days where there is snow. The students need to come to school with proper snow attire (jacket, snow pants, hat and gloves). We would hate for them to miss these terrific activities and the opportunity to have fun alongside their friends!
Thank you for your continued support of our PE program.
Upcoming Grade 3 & 4 Chorus and Grade 4 Orchestra Concert 🎶 🎻
On Thursday, February 2nd RES will be hosting a grade 3 & 4 chorus and grade 4 orchestra concert. Our concert will begin at 6:30 p.m. and is open to all chorus and orchestra families. We will need to limit families to two guests per student for all of our chorus and orchestra concerts. We currently have about 68 chorus members and 22 orchestra members and want to ensure our audience fits comfortably in our gymnasium. We want everyone to enjoy the performance!
Upcoming Concerts:
Tuesday, May 23rd: Grade 3 & 4 Orchestra
Thursday, May 25th: Grade 3 & 4 Chorus and Grade 4 Band
Please reach out to Miss Baker and/or Mrs. Edwards with any questions.
It is Getting Cold Outside! ❄️
Students go outdoors for recess every day unless the weather/temperature is severe. We will have indoor recess when the ‘feel like’ temperature is below 20 degrees. It is very important that your child has the appropriate outerwear every day. Outerwear should include gloves, a hat, snow pants (when snow is on the ground), a jacket, and the like. When there is snow on the ground, children are not allowed to play in the snow without gloves or mittens, snow pants, and snow boots. It is always suggested to make sure you label your child’s items. Everything should be labeled including lunch boxes, book bags, etc.
A Message from Nurse Connolly and Nurse Carley...
Updates from the RES Health Office:
Thankfully we have seen a big decrease in the number of illness related absences at school in the past few weeks, but please remain vigilant. Please continue to report all absences to school dismissal manager by 8:30am and reach out to the nurses if you have questions about your child staying home and when they can return to school. Here's a brief review:
- Fever greater than 100.0 (child should be fever free for at least 24 hours without tylenol or motrin before return).
- Vomiting or diarrhea (symptoms resolved for more than 24 hours before return).
- Conjuctivitis (pink eye) - child needs to stay home, see the doctor and be on antibiotic eye drops for 24 hours prior to return.
- Strep throat - 24 hours on antibiotics prior to return.
- Report all communicable type illnesses to the nurse (strep throat, pneumonia, conjuctivitis, influenza, covid).
With a relatively mild winter so far the kids have been able to go out to recess a lot, which is great, but it can still be hard for our kids to get their energy out in the winter. Here are a few ideas for things you can do at home to entertain them and engage the minds: puzzles, board games, scavenger hunts around the house, learn a new card game, have them help you cook dinner or bake, check out the library and the activities they offer or kids yoga videos. And for those of us who like snow, you can do a snow dance so that we might be able to go and play in the snow!
Your nurses,
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
Friday, February 10th: Report Cards viewed in the Parent Portal after 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 16th: Early Dismissal
Friday, February 17th: No School, February Break
Monday, February 20th: No School, President's Day
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.
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.
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.
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
—Josie Bisset
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
Ms. Yennifer Nunez, Administrative Assistant to Director of Special Services
ynunez@er9.org Ext. 313
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