It is hard to believe that the first 20+ days of the school year are in the books. It has been a wonderful and very smooth start to the year. We have added some new faces, but the goals have remained the same. Attendance rate above 96%, IREAD Proficiency in 2nd grade at 80%, ILEARN English Language Art proficient 55%, and ILEARN Math 65% proficient. We have the students and the staff to not only meet our goals, but to exceed them. We need your help. You can reinforce and support what your children are learning at school when they come home. Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions.

Mr. Steve Jones

Principal

sjones@rcs.k12.in.us

765-973-3441

Reminders:

Take Charge:

We have started asking students to "Take Charge" of their learning, their behavior, and their attitude. We want our students to be empowered to be the best possible version of themselves.

Take Charge:

Cooperate

Help Others

Act Responsibly

Respect Everyone

Give Your Best

Expect Success

If the students can do this everyday, they not only will be better students, but they we also be better people. This is also a great conversation starter each night. Ask your student; How did you take charge today? How did you help others today?, or Did you give your best at school?

Restaurant food and drinks:

Please do not send coffees and other drinks in with your students in the morning. We have had some incidence of students bringing coffees and other drinks into the gym or cafeteria in the morning and they end up getting spilled. Also, if you are going to bring your student in lunch from a fast food place at lunchtime they will be eating in an alternative location than the cafeteria. This includes fast food in lunchboxes. Regardless of the packaging it is still outside food. We have seen issues arise with people wanting to share or not wanting to share at the table at lunch. Thanks for your understanding.

Birthday Invites:

It has been past practice at Charles that if you are going to send your student in with Birthday Invitations to school for your child to distribute we would ask that you send in for the entire class. This avoids that awkwardness of being the only student to not be invited to a Birthday Party. We will be reevaluating this practice going into next school year.

Clothing:

We try to keep a variety of clothes in our clinic for a variety of reasons if a child needs to change. We are currently running low in all sizes. If you would like to make a donation we would greatly appreciate it. We are not asking you to go and buy clothes, but if you have some clothes that have been gently used and outgrown we will be more than happy to take them off your hands.

The student's schedule is the same most weeks. Please make sure your student wears appropriate shoes for those days they have Physical Education (gym). Sandals, flip flops, hard bottomed dress shoes, and Crocs (even in Sport Mode) are not the best for physical activity. This would include recess time.

Toys and cards:

Once again, I cannot stress this enough. Please make sure your student is not bringing toys or cards (Pokemon & Yugioh) to school. These are non essential learning items. We have too many students bringing them to school and either trading them or losing them. We do not need these things for learning.

School Starting Time:

Please remember that students need to be in the classroom by 7:50. After that they are considered tardy. Being on time in everything you do is a good habit. Being on time is actually an employability skills. When your student is tardy or late, they are missing out on valuable learning opportunities. We need all students here on time.

Attendance:

We totally understand if your student is ill or sick. We truly appreciate you keeping them home if they are running a fever, throwing up, or have diarrhea, but if they are just having a case of the Mondays on a Thursday please send them. Every minute of every day is important here at Charles. We need your student here so they can learn. If your student is going to be absent, please call the office to let us know. Our goal for attendance is 96% present.

Medications:

We are aware that it is cold and flu season. Please do not send any medications, prescription or over the counter, with your student to school. These must be brought in and picked up by an adult. There are required papers for each available in the office. Parents are able to sign for over the counter medications but prescription medications must have the form signed by the doctor.

Transportation Changes:

If you are going to change how your student is going home, please contact the office 765-973-3441. This needs to be done before 1:00 of that day. We would like to ensure all of our students arrive to their destination safely.

Building Entry:

We are going to continue to limit the number of people entering the building. In the event your students forget something, we have a table just inside the main doors you can leave a note on it and leave it on the table and we will deliver it for you to your student. We appreciate your help and understanding in keeping our students safe.

Employment:

Looking at the 2023-2024 school year (Next Year) Charles as well as many other Richmond Community Schools will continue to look for good candidates for unfilled positions. This includes bus drivers, teachers, and assistants. If you are interested you can apply at werrichmond.com.

Upcoming Events:

9/12 Title I Parent meetings 9AM & 4PM @ Charles

9/20 Kindergarten Vision Screening

9/21 Boston Run Semifinals @ Charles 1:30

9/25- 9/29 Charles Book Fair

9/28 Boston Run

9/29 Boston Run Rain Date

10/2 Picture Day

10/9 3rd Grade Vision Screening