WEEKLY FAMILY FOCUS Sept. 12, 2021
RICK MARCOTTE CENTRAL SCHOOL Principal Kathleen Kilbourne
How many nursery rhymes can you and your child(ren) find in this painted mural in one of our RMCS Hallways?
NURSE UPDATES AND INFORMATION ON COVID
Students should stay home if they are not feeling well. If COVID-19 symptoms arise while at school, those individuals will be sent home. Consider contacting your student's health care provider. Even when experiencing mild symptoms, a COVID PCR test may be needed (at a testing site or through the health care provider).
NEW ILLNESS GUIDELINES FOR STUDENTS
The State has provided schools with guidance for if your child gets sick and when to return to school. For any COVID-19 symptoms, please reference the Return to School Following Illness COVID-19 Information for Families.
What are the next steps if my student has symptoms while at home or develops symptoms while at school?
If your student has illness symptoms (even a runny nose!), please refer to the above guidelines regarding when your student should be tested for COVID-19 and when to return to school following an illness.
If a COVID-19 test is obtained:
- It must be a PCR test.
- Please have your student stay home, and avoid others, while awaiting the COVID test results. Please also notify the school nurse, of the outcome of the test result, before your student returns to school.
Important Dates to Note:
Tuesday September 14th- PTO Meeting, 6:00 pm
Wednesday September 15th- Dot Day- Wear Dots or circles to school
Friday, September 24th - 12:30 Dismissal, Staff PD
Friday, October 1st- RMCS PTO Family Directory Info Due to PTO
Wed. Oct 6th - RMCS Picture Day
PTO MEETING DATES: PTO Meetings are held the 2nd Tuesday of each month.
9/14- 6:00 under the tent outside at RMCS- THIS WEEK!! COME ONE, COME ALL!
10/12-6:00 under the tent outside at RMCS
11/9 -Zoom (too cold outside)
NO Dec meeting
1/11/22
2/8/22
3/8/22
4/12/22
5/10/22
David Young's Monday Zoom at 6 pm will have guests!
Pop-in chat for families this Monday, September 13 (Meeting ID: 889 8242 4454 Passcode: 683582) beginning at 6:00 pm. Bring your questions, concerns, thoughts, and ideas. I look forward to hearing from you! (From Superintendent Young)
Guests Include: Heather Danis, Public Health District Director at the Vermont Department of Health and Dr. Ben Lee associate professor of pediatrics and pediatric infectious diseases specialist at the UVM Larner College of Medicine.
Drop OFF Times in the Mornings- Class begins at 8:10
Now that we all know how to drop off safely by pulling up to the curb, after the busses leave at 8am....we are starting classes promptly at 8:10 am. Please drop off your child(ren) by car between 8am and 8 :08 so they have time to pick up FREE Breakfast and get to class by 8:10 am.
Anyone coming in after 8:15 is marked tardy, and has missed out on the announcements about the day. Thanks for helping us to get started all together!
ADD YOUR CONTACT INFO TO THE PTO FAMILY DIRECTORY
The RMCS PTO publishes a family directory each year - free of charge. The directory is used for families to contact other parents, make play date plans, send birthday party invites, etc. If you would like to be included, please fill out our online form or the paper copy today. Information is due OCTOBER 1st.
Mrs.Copper's 5th Grade Class Earned a PBIS Celebration..."YES DAY!" Can we play games for 10 min?...She had to say YES!
PLEASE JOIN US on 9/14 Under the Tent on the Playground- PTO's 1st Meeting!
Join the SeaWolves Team at their upcoming HOME FOOTBALL GAMES:
Join the fun and show your SB school spirit! We are a PRE K -12 System!
September 24th vs. BFA @ SBHS
October 15th vs, St Johnsbury @ BHS
October 22nd vs. MMU @ TBA
Check out the WCAX newstory featuring RMCS, and Mrs. Liguori's Class (with consents given)
Changing Your Child's Regular Transportation Schedule?
Just a reminder if you are picking up your child or changing their daily routine schedule, please notify your teacher and main office prior to two o’clock. Last minute changes after 2:00 are very difficult to accommodate, as we dismiss over 400 young people. Thanks for your help in making sure the main office and your child's teacher know about any changes as early as possible on that given day.
4th Graders Use Many Adjectives
To Describe Themselves
Acknowledging Their Gifts and Strengths
Does Your Child Need A Backpack?
Place Value Practice
Scavenger Hunt Outside
Place Value Practice
BUSSES- Your Own Bus Only Please
Reminder: Students cannot ride on different buses (other than their assigned bus) due to covid precautions and assigned seats.
Please check the bus schedule on our website ,as the bus schedule gets adjusted these first few weeks of school, updated bus times are on the website under families tab and then the transportation tab.
BucketFillers Are People Who....
The Bucket Fillosophy is to help people of all ages live happier lives by growing in kindness, self-control, resilience and forgiveness. We do this through three simple guidelines:
- Be a bucket filler. Be kind.
- Do your best not to dip. Don't be mean.
- Use your lid. Protect your bucket and the buckets of others.
Ask your K student who helped fill their bucket this week, or what did they do this past week to help fill someone else's bucket?
This concept is easily to implement far beyond The K level...it works with young adults, and grown up too! Enjoy!
Snacks and Birthdays
There are no community snacks or birthday snacks in our school. Students are asked to bring in a daily snack and to follow any allergy guidelines that you received from Nurse Cannon and the classroom teacher. We do not share snack or lunch items.
1st Graders Learn About Perseverance
Painted Mural in Gr 5 Hallway
1st Graders Say, "I think I can!!" ...
RMCS HIRING- Current Open Positions
Interventionists- Full time
Recess and Lunch Supervisors (3 hours a day)
Sub Caller (10 hours a week from home)
Substitute Teachers (1 full time floating sub, 5 days a week, now through Dec.)
Substitute Teachers- Flexible scheduling
Please apply via SchoolSpring.com or call Kathleen Kilbourne for more information at 652-7200.
Safe Use of Technology
Students are reviewing expectations on how to use technology in our district! In grades 2-5, each child has a chromebook that they use at school for learning. In the event that we have to quarantine a class/grade level, chromebooks will come home (with grades 2- 5) so students can access their learning online. Please view the SBSD Elementary Chromebook Responsibility Agreement below and have a conversation with your child about using technology safely and responsibly - and feel free to use the same expectations on devices at home.
Girl Scout Info for Kindergarteners
Cub Scout Info for SB- FALL 2021
VT PBS Kids and Education Resource
Vermont Public Broadcasting System (PBS) and the Agency of Education (AOE) continue their
partnership to support learning for Vermont students and school communities heading into the new school year. This partnership provides access to free educational programming, curricular connections, offline kits, and distance learning tutorials through Vermont PBS Kids and Education. The Broadcast Schedule can be found online, continuing through the fall for in classroom or take home enrichment.
Daily Health Screening - Ruvna App
Families will again be required to complete the daily health screening questions about your child's health status through an email or text through an app called Ruvna. Please be sure to complete it daily before your child comes to school. Nurse Cannon follows up by phone with families who have not completed the health screening questions. Thank you!
Meet the RMCS STAFF as they introduce themselves via FLIPGRID (Video)
We know that we are not able to start the year with the traditional Tours, Open House, or Curriculum Nights as we had hoped for due to maintaining the safety and wellbeing for all our students, staff, and families. However, we recognize the need for parents and families to have an introduction to what their teachers look like and sound like. Please click below, enter the password, and then simply click on the staff member you would like to "meet". We hope this provides some comfort and takes away the mystery of who will my child be learning with this school year.
Click Meet RMCS Staff Flipgrid- VIdeo and audio introduction from each staff member
Click Join with your guest password and enter: RMCS2021
News from Superintendent Young Sept.9, 2021
September 9, 2021,
Dear Parents/Guardians and Staff,
How are you doing so far this school year? I know it is a busy time for us all as we transition from summer into back-to-school routines. With all students back to in-person learning 5 days per week, I hope that this shift feels hopeful for families, students, and staff. This week, more clubs and activities had their first meetings, and it is exciting to see the arts return as well. I know there continue to be concerns and uncertainties around COVID-19 and one question that has come up frequently regards student safety at lunch and in our cafeterias where masks are temporarily removed. Our outdoor tents have provided ample space for students to spread out and we have been using our plexiglass barriers at the elementary schools. WCAX did a great piece on how we’re keeping students safe at lunchtime! Shout out to RMCS Principal Kathleen Kilbourne! See more updates below.
Join Me for my Next Zoom Pop-In Chat!
Please join me for my next pop-in chat for families this Monday, September 13 (Meeting ID: 889 8242 4454 Passcode: 683582) beginning at 6:00 pm. Bring your questions, concerns, thoughts, and ideas. I look forward to hearing from you!
FHTMS Update
We continue to process the loss of FHTMS Principal Karsten Schlenter and will keep offering counseling services to students and staff in the days and weeks to come. Currently, Assistant Principal Dave Hyatt is serving as interim principal with assistance from retired administrators Bob Goudreau and Joe O'Brien. They will assist through the end of September/beginning of October then we will be looking for a mid-term individual to take us through June. After a permanent replacement is hired, Dave Hyatt will return to his Assistant Principal role.
COVID19 Vaccination Clinics Next Week
The state is continuing to offer vaccinations at a variety of sites throughout the state and we, like many of our fellow Districts, are offering pop-up vaccine clinics for those ages 12 and above at the high school from 9:00 am-5:00 pm Thursday September 16 and Thursday, October 7. Vaccination is an important tool to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and ultimately for keeping our students learning in person.
Surveillance Testing Update
We have received a lot of questions and expressions of interest in the voluntary COVID19 surveillance testing the SBSD will be participating in beginning later this fall. Thank you! We think this will be a valuable tool to guide our decision making throughout the school year. Both vaccinated and unvaccinated students (ages 5 and above) and staff will be able to participate. Our start date has not yet been confirmed, but October is a current possibility. You can find more information about testing in this informational video from CIC. In the meantime, the state continues to offer numerous options for getting a COVID19 test if you need or want one. More details to follow!
Transportation Updates
The Transportation Department is working hard to make sure your children arrive at school and home safely and we need your help. Please check your child's route often for changes over the next few weeks as we continue to make adjustments. To ensure the safe and effective use of our buses, we ask that parents/guardians have their children at the bus stop five minutes before the published stop time in the AM. This will ensure students will not be missed, as we do not have the resources to go back to pick them up. Also, for elementary parents/guardians who pick up their child at the published PM stop, if you could arrive at your child's stop five minutes early, it will help buses deliver every child on time. You can find bus routes on the District website. If you have specific concerns, please email Kathy LaRock, klarock@sbschools.net for assistance.
COVID Symptoms and Testing
Students and staff should stay home if they are not feeling well. If COVID-19 symptoms arise while at school, those individuals will be sent home. Consider contacting your student's/your health care provider. Even when experiencing mild symptoms, whether vaccinated or not, a COVID PCR test may be needed (at a testing site or through the health care provider). If testing occurred due to symptoms, the individual should stay home and avoid others, while awaiting the COVID test results.
NEW ILLNESS GUIDELINES FOR STUDENTS
The State has provided schools with guidance for if your child gets sick and when to return to school. For any COVID-19 symptoms, please reference the Return to School Following Illness COVID-19 Information for Families.
We’re Hiring! Transportation, Custodial, and School’s Out!
We have several full and part-time benefit eligible custodial positions available! Flexible hours and flexible shifts available as well.
We also have full-time, benefit eligible positions that have flexible hours and part-time positions with as few as 12 hours per week available. We will provide paid CDL training for both full and part time employees. Good opportunity for parents with school age children to work some mid-day shifts.
Interested? Contact Director of Operations and Finance Gary Marckres at gmarckres@sbschools.net
In addition, School’s Out is currently seeking qualified individuals to work with children at one of our after-school programs for this school year. Our programs operate out of public schools in South Burlington and serve children between the ages of 5 and 13. The hours of operation are 2:00 -- 5:45 pm Monday through Friday. Job duties include planning of daily activities, participation in activities and assisting with supervision of children. Only available a few days a week? Not a problem. We can be flexible with scheduling. Requirements: Experience working with large groups of children in an educational or recreational setting. Interested candidates, please forward a copy of your resume, contact information, and days you are available to Ida Pero ipero@sbschools.net
School’s Out is also hiring for our Early Education program. Similar job expectations, supporting play, regular cleaning and guiding our district's youngest learners, 3-5 year olds. Program runs 7:30 am - 5:30 pm and is looking to hire for opening and closing shifts.
SBFD September 11 Memorial Observance at Overlook Park
The 20th Anniversary of the September 11 attacks is this Saturday. The South Burlington Fire Department will be conducting an hour-long Sunset Memorial Event at Overlook Park, from 6:30-7:30 pm. There is limited parking in Overlook Park proper, with many spaces being reserved for several emergency vehicles, and those with a handicapped parking placard. Street parking is available along Nowland Farm and Deerfield Rds. with excellent sidewalk access to the park.
School Happenings
SBHS Science Students Learn how to Do Stitches
Students in Stephen Rizner and Theresa Akerley’s “Biology for the Medical Profession” course engaged in a fun activity this week: doing sutures (stitches) by practicing on bananas. This is how many medical students also get their exposure to this important skill. Students practiced both intermittent (single stitch) and continuous (many stitches) sutures.
FHTMS Fall Play is On!
The fall play at FHTMS this year will be Peter and the Starcatcher. It is a wonderful story about how the Peter Pan characters came to be. It features British sailing ships, lost boys, pirates led by the ruthless "Black Stache", the heroine and Starcatcher Molly Aster and of course Peter Pan. Auditions for the over 40 roles begin next week and all Tuttle students are welcome to audition. Later in September, there will be an informational meeting for any Tuttle student interested in working behind the scenes.Anyone with questions is welcome to contact David Bailey at dbailey@sbschools.net.
Gertrude Chamberlin School Art Installation Inspires
Last year, students worked with retiring art teacher, Ms. Wales to create tiles for a hallway installation about making it through a year of learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each student and staff member decorated a tile to express what they were happy about when the restrictions were lifted last spring. This past weekend, Ms. Wales, Ms. Murphy, Mr. Provost, Mr. Melen and parent Travis Mott worked together to put the tile display up in the GCS main hallway. Thank you to Ms. Wales for helping to create this wonderful piece of art! Be sure to check out Principal Rouelle’s newsletter to families tomorrow for pics!
Rick Marcotte Central School Carnation Ceremony
In September, each 5th grader welcomes a new Kindergarten student by giving them a carnation and wishing them a great school year! This touching event occurred last week. In June, each Kindergarten student will give each 5th grader a carnation to wish them well at the middle school! See photos in Principal Kilbourne's newsletter to families. This great tradition occurred at Chamberlin School today too!
Orchard’s All School Morning Meetings are back: Virtual Style!
Orchard School is adapting one of its traditions this year. They will be moving their all-school morning meetings online! The goal will be to have one bi-weekly. All classes and staff will be invited through Zoom while Principal Mark Trifilio is stationed at the library reading steps with co-host and music teacher Amy Frostman. Meetings will provide opportunities to learn about each class as well as the variety of cultures present at Orchard School. Mr. Trifilio said, “Even during a pandemic, where we are all physically distanced, online morning meetings are keeping us a close community!”
Thanks for reading and have a great weekend,
David
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Rick Marcotte Central School
Email: kkilbourne@sbschools.net
Website: sbschools.net
Location: 200 Market Street, South Burlington, VT, USA
Phone: 802 652 7200
Twitter: @rmcschool