The Richardson Review
March 5, 2023
Dear Richardson Families
This week we wrapped up our February, I Love to Read Month activities with our whole-school Reading Train! All students sat in the hallway (like a sitting on a train) and read for 15 minutes. It was a blast! We also chose the winner of our I Love to Read Month BINGO activity. I will share the winner next week (after I get a picture of that student). Thank you to everyone who supported their students in participating in this at home. Not only was it fun for students, it supported them academically as well!
We kicked off March by inviting Richardson staff and students to wear "Minnesota gear" - in honor of National Minnesota Day. Below you will see 1st and 4th graders learning about Minnesota through the use of a Giant MN Map (it takes up an entire classroom). This map will stay at Richardson throughout next week, so be on the lookout for more photos of students learning about the geography of Minnesota.
March brings with it conferences, our spring Book Fair and Spring Break, so please see below for important dates and information.
As always, if you have questions around any of the information in this newsletter, feel free to reach out to me at mhoude@isd622.org or 651-748-6910 (and/or you can always reach out to our main office at 651-748-6900).
Sincerely,
Melissa Houde - Principal
Note from Sheritta Phillips
Recently, Ms. Sheritta, our school-based therapist, taught Richardson's students about the idea of happiness. Below is a note from her - including some easy tips for families
Happiness is an important emotion for all kids. Happiness can help children be kind to others as well as to themselves. It is important for kids to individually find something that makes them happy so that when times are tough they are able to use this to get through those times. Besides feeling good, positive emotions do good things for our brains and bodies. They lower stress hormones, help ease anxiety and depression, and improve our immune system. Feeling some positive emotions every day has a big effect on our happiness and well-being.
Tips for families:
1. Encourage Play: Playing is when kids feel most free. Encourage outside play to get as much vitamin c as they can get. Some studies also show that scents (usually nature themed such as cut grass, lavender, or pine trees) can help improve mood. Playing outside also can activate the imagination and increase empathy, engagement, and social skills.
2. Practice gratitude: Talk about things that you may be grateful for and encourage your child to as well. Maybe send thank you notes to teachers, coaches, family members, or friends.
3. Encourage responsibility: Assign chores and then praise for completing those chores. Chores help kids feel connected to family members by helping out. This helps them to learn that even when tasks may be boring it is an essential part of life that must be completed.
4. Complete family activities: Introduce weekly, biweekly, monthly game nights or movie nights. This can even be simplified into eating dinner together nightly. This also provides the attachment that kids are looking for.
5. Get to know each other: As time passes our interests and likes change so it is never too late to discuss these changes.
Possible Books to read:
· When I’m Feeling Happy by Trace Moroney
· Happy Right Now by Julie Berry
· Everybody Feels Happy by Jane Bingham
Conference will be held Tuesday, March 7th, Thursday, March 9th, and Friday, March 10th
Tuesday, March 7th from 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Thursday, March 9th from 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Friday, March 10th from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm (No School this day due to conferences)
Please click Conference Letter Spring 2023 to sign up with your child's teacher.
Richardson's Book Fair will be open during conferences!!!
See below for info around the Shoe Away Hunger Fundraiser this week/during conferences.
Richardson Elementary will collect shoes for this program the week of March 6th - 10th. You can send the shoes with your students to school (please include a note that they are for donation to avoid any confusion) or you can drop them off when you come in for conferences this week.
UPCOMING EVENTS
March 7th - Conferences, 4:30-7:30 pm
March 8th - Wear Your Favorite Footwear Day - in honor of our Shoe Away Hunger Fundraiser
March 8th - Targeted Services Session 2, 4:05-5:25 pm
March 9th - Conferences, 4:30-7:30 pm
March 10th - No school, Conferences, 8:00-4:00 pm
March 13th - March 17th - No School Spring Break
***Classes resume on Monday, March 20th.***
March 20th - American Indian Education Classes
March 20th - PreK & Kindergarten Information Night 6:30 pm-7:30 pm
March 21 - Targeted Services Session 2, 4:05-5:25 pm
March 21 - Mismatch/fun sock day ***note this is on a Tues instead Wednesday this week***
March 22 - Targeted Services Session 2, 4:05-5:25 pm
March 22 - PTA Meeting on ZOOM, 6:30-7:30 pm
March 23 - Targeted Services Session 2, 4:05-5:25 pm
Summer Adventure Connection
Adventure Connection is now accepting registrations for the Summer. Adventure Connection is the district program for providing full day care for students going into grades K-5 (or 6-8) during the Summer. Students going into sixth grade can sign up for our EPIC Connection program that serves middle school students. Each week of summer is built around a different theme and packed with choice-based enriching, recreational, educational, and engaging experiences for your kids to grow their passions and discover new ones! Last Summer, 90% of parents surveyed agreed that Summer Adventure Connection and EPIC Connection were high quality programs featuring staff that developed strong relationships with children and a fun and enriching environment. Pick your days or weeks or join us for the whole summer. Morning and afternoon snacks provided. Space is limited, so register right away!
Michelle Dietz
Site ManagerRichardson Adventure Connection
she/her Why Pronouns Matter <https://www.mypronouns.org/>
Office/Site 651-748-6998 *(Leave schedule changes/absence voice mails here)
Site Cell # 651-651-359-3060
Ordering SY22-23 Yearbooks
If you are interested in ordering a yearbook, please click on the click below. (If needed, the school ID code is 1708223).
Health Office
Arrival & Dismissal Procedures
Attendance Line
Please leave a voice message with the date, your child's first and last name, the spelling of the first and last name, their grade, their teacher's name, and the reason for the absence.
Richardson Elementary
Email: mhoude@isd622.org
Website: isd622.org/richardson
Location: 2400 17th Ave E, North Saint Paul, MN, USA
Phone: (651)748-6910