THE MIGHTY DRAGON
RUTH C. KINNEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
March/April 2019
Contact us:
1 Spur Drive South, Islip Terrace, New York 11752
Main Office: 631-581-1880 Attendance Line: 631-581-0969
Follow us on Twitter @RCKeipride
A Message from the Principal
Dear Families,
As the days get longer, our school remains a cognitively and socially busy place. All three grade level curriculum nights take place in March and our NYS exams are rapidly approaching.
We strive to provide students with avenues to explore new learning opportunities in a variety of ways. The Science Fair, Wax Museum and March Mathness Tournament do just that. Please follow us on Instagram or Twitter @RCKeipride for updates on these events.
Our March Mathness Tournament will push our students to complete as many math problems as possible over a two week period starting on March 8th. We are expected to surpass the 1 million problem mark during this challenge!
As more and more of our feathered friends return for our warmer months, take time to read and practice math with your child. Every additional moment on task, is a step toward a brighter future.
Your Partner in Education,
Janet Jones
Central Office Administration
John V. Dolan- Superintendent of Schools
Stephen Harrison- Assistant Superintendent for Business
Paul E. Manzo- Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Personnel
Eric Woellhof- Director of Facilities
Lisa M. Belz, Ed.D.- Executive Director of Special Education Grade 6-12
Aileen O’Rourke Ed.D.- Executive Director of Special Education Grade K-5
East Islip Board of Education
President…………............Christopher Zachry
Vice President…….........William Carpluk
Trustee………...…............Steven Behan
Trustee………………..........Jessica Carney
Trustee..........................Philip Montuori Sr.
Mrs. Miller's class learns about Buoyancy
The Great Boat Float
Mrs. Miller’s third grade class recently completed a hands-on science unit exploring buoyancy. Students explored the properties that made objects float and sink. Students used tools including rulers, pan balances, spring scales, and beakers to measure and record data throughout the unit.
As a culminating STEAM project students designed and constructed their own boats using whatever materials they thought would work best to meet the challenge. The challenge was to: Design and construct a boat that floats and holds cargo. On the day of The Great Boat Float, students worked in small groups in the Science/STEAM Lab. They took turns floating their boats and adding small weights for cargo until they sunk their boats. Students then weighed the weights that sunk their boat on a spring scale and recorded their results on the class data sheet. Everyone did an awesome job and was successful in the challenge – all the boats floated and held some cargo. Some of the boats held a lot of cargo. Ava put over 2 kilograms of cargo in her boat! It was not even close to sinking, but we were out of weights. Finally, students reflected on their results and discussed any ways they thought they could improve their designs.
Kudos to Mr. Clancy's Drama Club
March & April Events/Happenings at RCK
March 8 - March 22 - March Mathness Tournament
March 22 - RCK Movie Night 6-8 p.m.
March 28 - 5th Grade Curriculum Night - 6-7 p.m.
April 5 - World Autism Day
April 5 - Grades K-5 Report Cards available on the Parent Portal after 3 p.m.
April 6 - FTK 21st Annual Gala at Land's End
April 9 - Earth Day Project - 5:30-7 p.m.
April 12 - 15 min. Evacuation Drill - Dismissal at 2:57 p.m.
April 19 - 26 Spring Recess (school closed)
And Now a Message From Mrs. Merlucci, THE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER
During the month of April, our school will be recognizing Autism and Disability Awareness Month.
On Friday, April 5th, we are asking all students and staff to wear specific colors to recognize World Autism Awareness Day. Grade 3 will be wearing yellow, Grade 4 will be wearing red, and Grade 5 will be wearing blue. Please be on the lookout for our puzzle piece flyer that will be coming home for the students to decorate, so that we can create a beautiful bulletin board to show how "We All Fit Together."
Bethany Merlucci, LCSW
RCK School Social Worker
PTA News
Dear Parents and Students,
I hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing winter break! February was an exciting month at RCK! PARP was a ‘Souper” big success. The classes with the most recorded minutes were Mrs. Eskedal’s class, Mrs. Fix’s class, and Mrs. Johnson’s class. Each student in these classes will receive a $5 Scholastic Book Fair gift certificate to use at our BOGO book fair in May. Our Soup and Story Night was also a huge hit with the students sharing beautiful original works and staff reading personal favorites.
We had an amazing turnout on February 28th, as we hosted a Red Carpet themed Talent Show. From the students to the surprise STAFF performance, RCK is definitely filled with some very talented individuals! Thank you to all the parents and volunteers that make these events possible!
PTA nominations will take place at the March 5th PTA meeting. If you or someone you know is interested in serving on the PTA board for the 2019/2020 school year, there is still time. Please attend the meeting for more information.
On April 9th, we will be holding an Earth Day activity afterschool. Details and permission slips will be coming home soon. Also be on the lookout for an invitation to our RCK Movie night. The student council took a vote and selected 3 films to choose from. We will be popping popcorn and serving pizza and water.
We hope to see you soon and Thank You for your continued support!
RCK PTA
Upcoming Events:
- March 5th, PTA Meeting, Nominations, 9:45am
- April 9th, PTA Meeting, Elections, 7:00pm
NURSE McLoughlin's Two Cents
New York State Education Department requires a current physical examination for new entrants and students in Pre-K, K, grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11. Please attend to this as it is required for your child. If your child has had a physical exam within the past 12 months this is acceptable. Please send a signed and stamped copy from your doctor. The new physical form can be found on the school website.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Noreen E. McLoughlin, R.N.
631-581-1883
***PLEASE NOTE
RCK is a latex safe school. Latex balloons will not be permitted in the RCK school due to severe allergies. Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Please visit our district’s website to review the allergy and wellness policies.
The Music Department Chimes In
We are looking forward to resuming rehearsals in order to prepare for the Spring Concert on May 15th!
The groups performing in the Spring Concert will be the Beginner & Advanced Bands, the 4th & 5th Grade Orchestras and the 4th & 5th Grade Chorus.
Beginner Band & 4th Grade Orchestra: Rehearsals resumed on Wednesday, 1/16 and take place before school every Wednesday & Friday. Band drop-off is at the main entrance at 8:10 a.m. and Orchestra drop-off is at the orchestra door from 7:55 a.m. to 8:05 a.m.
Advanced Band & 5th Grade Orchestra: Rehearsals resumed on Tuesday, 1/15 and take place before school every Tuesday & Thursday. Band drop-off is at the main entrance at 8:10am and Orchestra drop-off is at the orchestra door from 7:55am to 8:05am.
4th Grade Chorus: Rehearsals resumed on Thursday, 1/24 and take place before school every Thursday. Drop-off is at the main entrance at 8:15 a.m.
5th Grade Chorus: Rehearsals resumed on Wednesday, 1/23 and take place before school every Wednesday. Drop-off is at the main entrance at 8:15 a.m.
3rd Grade Chorus & Recorder Club will be performing an in-school concert on May 8th. They will not be included in the evening concert on May 15th. More information regarding the in-school performance will forthcoming.
Congratulations to the students below for their selection in the groups listed!
SCMEA
Mya Dandona (chorus)
Krista Deutsch (band)
Alexandra DeVita (chorus)
Zeynep Oztas (orchestra)
Matthew Pasfield (orchestra)
LISFA
Zeynep Oztas
SCMEA Day of Horn
Peyton Scholl
Attendance Really Really Counts
ATTENDANCE: Unless there is a legal excuse, your child must come to school every day and be on time. Please remember that the continuity of instruction is compromised when students stay home. If your child will not be in school, it is important that you call the attendance hotline at 631-581-0969 and leave a message. Homework can be sent home if this call is made early enough in the day. Absence Notes/Direct Telephone for Reporting an Absence: The State Education Department requires all pupils to bring a written excuse from parents or guardians in each case of absence and tardiness. If not submitted, these absences will be noted as illegal. These notes are required even if a parent notifies the teacher or calls the absentee line. A doctor’s note is required for 6 or more consecutive absences. For your child's safety, the school will call home to verify absenteeism. In order to keep the number of verification calls to a minimum, we strongly urge you to call our absentee hotline at 631-581-0969. This district has a telephone answering machine in each elementary school for the sole purpose of absentee reporting.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Very Important Dates and Times
Schedule for the last days of school, Friday, June 21 - Wednesday, June 26
HALF DAY SCHEDULE Arrival/Dismissal
Fri., June 21, 2019
CES 9:42 a.m. 12:12 p.m.
JFK 9:12 a.m. 11:42 p.m.
RCK 9:12 a.m. 11:42 p.m.
TPES 9:42 a.m. 12:12 p.m.
HALF DAY SCHEDULE Arrival/Dismissal
Mon., June 24, 2019
CES - 9:42 a.m. 12:12 p.m.
JFK - 9:12 a.m. 11:42 p.m.
RCK - 9:12 a.m. 11:42 p.m.
TPES - 9:42 a.m. 12:12 p.m.
HALF DAY SCHEDULE Arrival/Dismissal
Tues., June 25, 2019
CES - 9:42 a.m. 12:12 p.m.
JFK - 9:12 a.m. 11:42 p.m.
RCK - 9:12 a.m. 11:42 p.m.
TPES - 9:42 a.m. 12:12 p.m.
ONE HOUR SCHEDULE Arrival/Dismissal
Wed., June 26, 2019
CES - 9:42 a.m. 10:42 a.m.
JFK - 9:12 a.m. 10:12 a.m.
RCK - 9:12 a.m. 10:12 a.m.
TPES - 9:42 a.m. 10:42 a.m.
SCHOOL DAY
This year students will be admitted to their classes at 8:57 A.M. The school day begins at 9:12 A.M. Students will be dismissed at 3:12 P.M. Students arriving after 9:12 A.M. will be marked tardy. Information about the Before and After School Program is available by calling Mrs. Parker at (631) 224-2041.
NYS Exams
For the 2018/2019 school year our 3rd, 4th, and 5th Graders will be taking the NYS ELA Assessment in April and the NYS Mathematics Assessment in May. In addition, 4th Graders will take the NYS Science Assessment in May & June. Visit the NYS website at www.nysed.gov for information and practice materials.
Exam & Administration Dates
Grades 3, 4 & 5 ELA - April 2 & April 3, 2019
Grades 3, 4 & 5 Math - May 1 & May 2, 2019
Additional Dates:
To help you plan your vacations and arrange for childcare, the following is a list of days when school will not be in session for students:
November 12 Veterans Day
November 22, 23 Thanksgiving
December 24 -January 1 Winter Recess
January 21 Martin Luther King Jr. Day
February 18-22 Mid-Winter Recess
April 19-26 Spring Recess
May 27 Memorial Day
June 26 Last Day of School
0-1 Day lost due to weather or other emergencies—No School May 24th and May 28th
2 Days lost due to weather or other emergencies—No School May 24th and school is open May 28th
3 Days lost due to weather or other emergencies—School is open May 24th and May 28th
4 or more Days lost due to weather or other emergencies- School is open April 26 and working backwards based on total days lost
Breakfast Program and School Lunch
Breakfast Program- Breakfast is available from 8:30 A.M. – 9:00 A.M. The cost is 75¢. Students must purchase breakfast in order to participate in the program. Please do not drop off your child before 8:30 AM, as there will be no supervision. Your cooperation is appreciated.
School Lunch- Students may either bring their lunch or purchase hot or cold lunch in the cafeteria. The cost of lunch is $2.00 and milk is 70¢. The district’s lunch provider will continue to use an electronic accounting system. You may deposit cash or checks into your child’s account. Please make the checks out to EIUFSD.
East Islip Website
NONDISCRIMINATION NOTICE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PUBLIC NOTICE
The East Islip UFSD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. The district hereby advises students, parents, employees and the general public that it offers educational as well as employment opportunities, including vocational educational opportunities, without regard to race, color, national origin, creed, religion, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation or disability. Inquiries regarding this non-discrimination policy may be directed to:
Lisa Belz/Aileen O'Rourke (alternate)
Title IX Coordinators
East Islip Union Free School District
1 Craig B. Gariepy Avenue
Islip Terrace, NY 11752 631-224-2060
Lisa Belz, Compliance Officer
East Islip Union Free School District
1 Craig B. Gariepy Avenue
Islip Terrace, NY 11752 631-224-2060
Eric Woellhof, ADA Coordinator
East Islip Union Free School District
1 Craig B. Gariepy Avenue
Islip Terrace, NY 11752 631-224-2035
CHILD FIND NOTICE
Special Education/Section 504 Programs
The East Islip Union Free School works with an interdisciplinary team to determine the educational needs of both preschool and school-age children.
If you have concerns about your child’s academic and/or developmental progress, please contact your child’s primary school to discuss these concerns with the team. The Procedural Safeguard Notice, including due process information, is available to the parent.
If you feel your child may have a disability that impacts his or her academic performance, you may contact:
Lisa Belz, Compliance Officer
East Islip Union Free School District
1 Craig B. Gariepy Avenue
Islip Terrace, NY 11752 631-224-2060
District-wide Committee Application
The deadline for receipt of these applications will be Friday, October 12, 2018.