It has been such a wonderful year here at Charles. The students have really jumped in with two feet on our Take Charge mantra. Please make sure you are checking your students backpacks each night. This will help you stay in touch with what they are doing in school. It will also be a great conversation starter. I would also suggest that instead of asking what you did in school? Ask them what did you learn in Math? Or what did you read about in Reading? This will make them reflect on their day and the learning they did each day. Once again, if you have any questions feel free to reach out to the school.

Mr. Steve Jones

Principal

sjones@rcs.k12.in.us

765-973-3441

Reminders:

School Goals:

Attendance Rate Above 96%

Proficiency on IREAD at 2nd Grade 80%

Proficiency on ILEARN ELA 55%

Proficiency on ILEARN Math 65%

Winter is Coming:

Although November has felt more like September recently. We all know living in Indiana that will change and can change very quickly. Please make sure your student has a winter coat, hat, and gloves. We will try and get the students outside as much as possible for recess. Fresh air and sunshine does good things for everybody. It also gives time to expel some energy.

Take Charge:

The students have really taken a liking to our Take Charge Mantra. The best part of this is that it has improved behaviors, raised expectations, and these are skills or character traits that will make them better members of society.

Take Charge:

Cooperate

Help Others

Act Responsibly

Respect Everyone

Give Your Best

Expect Success

Healthy Snacks:

Please make sure you are sending healthier snacks with your students. I understand we have some children that are picky eaters, but snacks like cookies, rice crispy treats, potato chips are not the best. Fruit, veggies, muffins, cheese sticks, granola bars, pretzels, and crackers are always a good option. It is kind of like a car, better gas gets you a better running car.

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:

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. If you are unable to get online, please call Charles. We can help you.

Upcoming Events:

Mobile Dentist 11/13

Spell Bowl 11/13 @ Civic Hall 5:00PM

Picture Retake Day 11/17

Thanksgiving Break 11/22-11/24