Rocket News
April 2024
Placement Process
The form provides K-2 parents with an opportunity to share information about your child that our team is not aware of and you feel will be helpful to the placement process. Please only complete this form if you feel there is essential information about your child that the school is unaware of.
World Autism Day
Each April, we celebrate Autism Acceptance to shine a colorful light on Autism Spectrum Disorder and those affected by it. The colorful infinity symbol represents the scope of abilities and diagnoses on the autism spectrum-highlighting the variety of abilities and challenges each faces. Children with different abilities paint the world with beautiful colors each day! Throughout the week of April 8-12th, all three schools in USR will participate by wearing a different color each day to represent the spectrum of abilities, experiences, and possibilities. During this week, our classrooms will be discussing autism acceptance and reading a story about autism, acceptance and friendship. Each student will participate in creating colorful artwork and a writing activity focused on the importance of understanding and including students of all abilities at Reynolds School. These creations will be displayed throughout the school to “color Reynolds School with understanding.” Our actions and activities will help cultivate understanding and inclusion.
In addition to these schoolwide Autism Acceptance activities, we are excited to announce that we will be installing a brand new Playground Communication Board designed specifically for our Reynolds School’s field and playground areas. We have many students in USR who use symbols or speech-generating devices to communicate with others. However, everyone can communicate with symbols! Communication breakdowns can happen to anyone, especially in less structured activities like playing on our fields and playgrounds. Our new Reynolds Communication Board will allow ALL of our students to find the power to communicate on the playground and fields. It will also expose all of our students to other ways to communicate. This new playground communication sign will create an inclusive environment for all of the students in our Reynolds School community. Once it is installed it will be available for everyone to communicate using it, so check it out! All forms of communication matter!
During April and the rest of the year, we will continue to spread a positive message about inclusion, the importance of belonging, and that every member of our school community is unique and special.
2024 Autism Awareness and Acceptance Week/Donnelly
Enrichment Opportunities at Reynolds with Ms. Goralski
Kindergarten- Divergent Thinkers
Our Kindergarteners have been learning how to be divergent thinkers in enrichment class. We started by reading the book, Not a Stick by Antoinette Portis to explore how one can use their imagination and creative thinking to come up with many innovative ideas. Students were then challenged to examine different beginning parts of images and ponder the question, “What could this be?” Students added detail and color to the images to make others see their divergent thinking. When students shared what they had created, it was exciting to discover all the possible solutions. Students were able to brainstorm many possibilities and were so proud of their unique creations.
Grade 1- Line Challenge
First Graders continue to build their communication and collaboration skills through our enrichment challenges. This past month, students participated in our Line Challenge. While working in small groups, students had to select two materials from a list of options with the goal of creating the longest line possible. Students had to collaboratively defend their choices, then test out their theories. Through each stage of the engineering design process, students had meaningful debates surrounding measurement, quantity vs. units, and the limitations and possibilities of working with different materials.
Students were challenged to apply what they had discovered in a second attempt, with the goal of increasing their length within a limited time. Students planned new ways to collaborate with teammates to ensure success. An eruption of cheers could be heard each time teams successfully achieved their goal.
Grade 2 - Erosion Challenge
In Second grade, students were challenged to design and build structural supports that could prevent or minimize stream erosion. This engineering design challenge was an extension to the Earth Processes Science unit. While working in teams, students brainstormed possible solutions, sketched out a plan, developed a budget for materials and constructed models. Students tested their models in different conditions, from a slow trickling stream to gushing river rapids. Students observed and identified any evidence of erosion and discussed the impact on the land and property owners.
This enrichment challenge enabled students to practice and further develop essential skills such as articulating ideas effectively, understanding different points of view and working through setbacks. It’s so impressive to observe the growth students make over the years in our Enrichment classes as they tackle new challenges.
National Green Week
During the week of April 15th, Reynolds School will celebrate National Green Week. This year’s theme is “Be Kind to the Earth.” Students will participate in activities to raise awareness of our personal responsibility to spread kindness to the Earth by protecting the environment and going green.
This exciting week will also include classroom discussions, an in class green challenge, and a school wide planting activity sponsored by the Saddle River Garden Club. The Garden Club will also sponsor a Crayon Recycling Drive which our Rocketeers will help to organize. The Reynolds Environmental Club will visit each grade level’s lunches to educate our students on recycling. Later in the week, we will celebrate making treasures out of trash with a Rocket Day assembly sponsored by the USREF entitled “Bash the Trash.” Thank you to the Garden Club, the USREF, as well as Señora. Cook, Ms. Squiccimarri, and the entire Green Week Committee for all of their hard work.
Rocketeers
Calling all 1st grade role models! Do you like to spread kindness to students and staff? Are you a positive kid that looks out for others, makes good choices, and follows the Code of Conduct? The Rocketeer Program is looking for 1st graders just like you! Rocketeers are 2nd grade leaders that do special jobs in Reynolds School to help others, spread kindness, and be good role models for their peers.
Mrs. Slacin and Ms. Titunick will be visiting 1st grade classrooms this spring looking for Rocketeer candidates for the 2024/2025 school year. Future 2nd graders will have the opportunity to learn more about The Rocketeer Program and fill out an interest form. Feedback from classroom and specialist teachers will be considered when selecting students. We look forward to finding another amazing group of Rocketeers for next year!
2nd Grade STEM Field Trip
From March 4th-6th, our second graders embarked on an exciting STEM Field Trip to iFly Paramus! This trip was aligned with our New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Math and Science. It included an interactive STEM presentation, a physics demonstration in the wind tunnel, a classroom experiment, flight and safety training, and one-on-one flying time with a certified instructor. It was an unforgettable experience for our Second Graders as they soared to new heights and discovered the wonders of STEM!
Performing Arts
March was a busy month for Reynolds School! Kindergarten, First and Second Grades all had wonderfully successful music shows! The students worked hard in Performing Arts class with Ms. Alberta to learn the songs, movements, and instruments. Their beautiful performances were enjoyed by all the students, staff, and families!
April Showers Bring May Flowers...
Reynolds School
Email: dsevers@usrschoolsk8.com
Website: www.usrschoolsk8.com/reynolds
Location: 395 West Saddle River Road, Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States
Phone: 201-961-6300
Twitter: @ReynoldsUSR