THE MIGHTY DRAGON
RUTH C. KINNEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
May/June 2019
Contact us:
1 Spur Drive South, Islip Terrace, New York 11752
Main Office: 631-581-1880 Attendance Line: 631-581-0969
Follow us on Twitter @RCKeipride
A Message from the Principal
Dear Families,
The minds of our children continue to bloom like the flowers of spring. Each student's personality and ability represents the hundred different types of flowers found across our Island. Nurturing each to it's own specifications on a regular basis is the key to a successful education. Making reading and practicing math fun is the equivalent to daily watering of your garden. As summer approaches, and the sun gets hot, please encourage your children to keep reading and practicing math!
The spring will be a busy place at RCK. Our end of the year festivities are swiftly approaching. Please note, all of the dates to remember are listed below.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support during my first year as Principal of RCK Elementary School. This is a wonderful community and I am so thankful to have the privilege of working with your children each day. Have a wonderful summer!
Your Partner in Education,
Janet Jones
Central Office Administration
John V. Dolan- Superintendent of Schools
Stephen Harrison- Assistant Superintendent for Business
Paul E. Manzo- Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Personnel
Eric Woellhof- Director of Facilities
Lisa M. Belz, Ed.D.- Executive Director of Special Education Grade 6-12
Aileen O’Rourke Ed.D.- Executive Director of Special Education Grade K-5
East Islip Board of Education
President…………............Christopher Zachry
Vice President…….........William Carpluk
Trustee………...…............Steven Behan
Trustee………………..........Jessica Carney
Trustee..........................Philip Montuori Sr.
What's Going On in Mr. Chiarelli's Class?
Mrs. Chiarelli's class have completed their non-fiction feature articles about a Polar animal. They are packed with facts and have amazing text features. Look for them at a bulletin board near you! Also, while on a field trip to the Old Bethpage Village Restoration Museum, students learned about Colonial Life first hand and experienced more about what life was like at the start of our country.
Old Bethpage Village Restoration Museum
Old Bethpage Village Restoration Museum
Huge Shout Out to our Custodial Staff
May/June Events and Happenings at RCK
May 13 - Progress Reports posted on Parent Portal after 3 p.m.
May 23 - Parent Education Program - 5th Grade Maturation Curriculum - 7:30 p.m. RCK Cafeteria
May 30 & May 31 - BOGO Book Fair
June 6 - Field Day - Rain Date June 7
June 12 & June 13 - Men's Boutique
June 19 - RCK Moving Up Ceremony 10 a.m. High School Auditorium
June 21 - RCK Yearbook Signing/Bagel Breakfast
And Now a Message From Mrs. Merlucci, THE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER
Spring is here! Hopefully this rain will let up and we will start to enjoy the warmer weather. I love seeing how hard all of our students are working to end the school year as proud, happy students! Everyone remember to be kind and thoughtful and do something every single day that is good and healthy for yourself.
Enjoy a safe and happy summer.
Bethany Merlucci, LCSW
RCK School Social Worker
PTA News
Dear Parents and Students,
I would like to start with a huge thank you for allowing me the honor to be your PTA President for the past two years. This experience has taught me many things; organization, patience, scheduling, juggling- lots of juggling, but what resonates most with me is the community that we live in genuinely cares about our children, and that I am very proud to be part of. Thank you.
The Mother's Day Plant Sale was a tremendous success. Thank you again to all our volunteers who make these events possible.
Our last Scholastic Book Fair of the year will be a BOGO event! Now is the time to stock up on books for summer reading! The book fair will be held on May 30th & 31st. We are always looking for volunteers to help the students shop, restock shelves, setup, breakdown, and other various tasks. If you may be interested please contact Tiffany Williams. Payment options for scholastic book fairs are cash, credit/debit, personal check made out to RCK PTA, or E-wallet which will be activated 2 weeks prior to the sale (instructions to follow).
Our next PTA meeting and installation will be held on Tuesday, June 4th at 9:45 am.
Upcoming dates to remember:
May 24th –May 28th – SCHOOL CLOSED
June 4th – PTA meeting @ 9:45 am
June 6th – RCK Field Day (June 7th – raindate)
June 12th – Long Island DUCKS game @ 6:35 pm
June 12th & 13th – Men’s Boutique
NURSE McLoughlin's Two Cents
New York State Education Department requires a current physical examination for new entrants and students in Pre-K, K, grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11. Please attend to this as it is required for your child. If your child has had a physical exam within the past 12 months this is acceptable. Please send a signed and stamped copy from your doctor. The new physical form can be found on the school website.
5th Grade students are required to have the T-dap immunization for entry to the East Islip Middle School. Please check with your physician and vaccinate your child as this is required by New York State.
Enjoy the summer and please keep your children "SUN SAFE" during this time of year.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Noreen E. McLoughlin, R.N.
631-581-1883
***PLEASE NOTE
RCK is a latex safe school. Latex balloons will not be permitted in the RCK school due to severe allergies. Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Please visit our district’s website to review the allergy and wellness policies.
The Music Department Chimes In
Congratulations to all of our RCK musicians! All performing groups sang and played beautifully at our spring concert on May 15. We are very proud of your accomplishments this school year.
If you are interested in joining the band or orchestra in September, please make sure to fill out the paperwork with your three instrument choices and return it as soon as possible. Follow up letters with your child's instrument selection will be sent home in June.
Papers to join chorus will be distributed in September.
Attendance Really Really Counts
ATTENDANCE: Unless there is a legal excuse, your child must come to school every day and be on time. Please remember that the continuity of instruction is compromised when students stay home. If your child will not be in school, it is important that you call the attendance hotline at 631-581-0969 and leave a message. Homework can be sent home if this call is made early enough in the day. Absence Notes/Direct Telephone for Reporting an Absence: The State Education Department requires all pupils to bring a written excuse from parents or guardians in each case of absence and tardiness. If not submitted, these absences will be noted as illegal. These notes are required even if a parent notifies the teacher or calls the absentee line. A doctor’s note is required for 6 or more consecutive absences. For your child's safety, the school will call home to verify absenteeism. In order to keep the number of verification calls to a minimum, we strongly urge you to call our absentee hotline at 631-581-0969. This district has a telephone answering machine in each elementary school for the sole purpose of absentee reporting.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Very Important Dates and Times
Schedule for the last days of school, Friday, June 21 - Wednesday, June 26
HALF DAY SCHEDULE Arrival/Dismissal
Fri., June 21, 2019
CES 9:42 a.m. 12:12 p.m.
JFK 9:12 a.m. 11:42 p.m.
RCK 9:12 a.m. 11:42 p.m.
TPES 9:42 a.m. 12:12 p.m.
HALF DAY SCHEDULE Arrival/Dismissal
Mon., June 24, 2019
CES - 9:42 a.m. 12:12 p.m.
JFK - 9:12 a.m. 11:42 p.m.
RCK - 9:12 a.m. 11:42 p.m.
TPES - 9:42 a.m. 12:12 p.m.
HALF DAY SCHEDULE Arrival/Dismissal
Tues., June 25, 2019
CES - 9:42 a.m. 12:12 p.m.
JFK - 9:12 a.m. 11:42 p.m.
RCK - 9:12 a.m. 11:42 p.m.
TPES - 9:42 a.m. 12:12 p.m.
ONE HOUR SCHEDULE Arrival/Dismissal
Wed., June 26, 2019
CES - 9:42 a.m. 10:42 a.m.
JFK - 9:12 a.m. 10:12 a.m.
RCK - 9:12 a.m. 10:12 a.m.
TPES - 9:42 a.m. 10:42 a.m.
SCHOOL DAY
This year students will be admitted to their classes at 8:57 A.M. The school day begins at 9:12 A.M. Students will be dismissed at 3:12 P.M. Students arriving after 9:12 A.M. will be marked tardy. Information about the Before and After School Program is available by calling Mrs. Parker at (631) 224-2041.
NYS Exams
For the 2018/2019 school year our 3rd, 4th, and 5th Graders will be taking the NYS ELA Assessment in April and the NYS Mathematics Assessment in May. In addition, 4th Graders will take the NYS Science Assessment in May & June. Visit the NYS website at www.nysed.gov for information and practice materials.
Exam & Administration Dates
Grades 3, 4 & 5 ELA - April 2 & April 3, 2019
Grades 3, 4 & 5 Math - May 1 & May 2, 2019
Additional Dates:
To help you plan your vacations and arrange for childcare, the following is a list of days when school will not be in session for students:
November 12 Veterans Day
November 22, 23 Thanksgiving
December 24 -January 1 Winter Recess
January 21 Martin Luther King Jr. Day
February 18-22 Mid-Winter Recess
April 19-26 Spring Recess
May 27 Memorial Day
June 26 Last Day of School
0-1 Day lost due to weather or other emergencies—No School May 24th and May 28th
2 Days lost due to weather or other emergencies—No School May 24th and school is open May 28th
3 Days lost due to weather or other emergencies—School is open May 24th and May 28th
4 or more Days lost due to weather or other emergencies- School is open April 26 and working backwards based on total days lost
Breakfast Program and School Lunch
Breakfast Program- Breakfast is available from 8:30 A.M. – 9:00 A.M. The cost is 75¢. Students must purchase breakfast in order to participate in the program. Please do not drop off your child before 8:30 AM, as there will be no supervision. Your cooperation is appreciated.
School Lunch- Students may either bring their lunch or purchase hot or cold lunch in the cafeteria. The cost of lunch is $2.00 and milk is 70¢. The district’s lunch provider will continue to use an electronic accounting system. You may deposit cash or checks into your child’s account. Please make the checks out to EIUFSD.
East Islip Website
NONDISCRIMINATION NOTICE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PUBLIC NOTICE
The East Islip UFSD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. The district hereby advises students, parents, employees and the general public that it offers educational as well as employment opportunities, including vocational educational opportunities, without regard to race, color, national origin, creed, religion, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation or disability. Inquiries regarding this non-discrimination policy may be directed to:
Lisa Belz/Aileen O'Rourke (alternate)
Title IX Coordinators
East Islip Union Free School District
1 Craig B. Gariepy Avenue
Islip Terrace, NY 11752 631-224-2060
Lisa Belz, Compliance Officer
East Islip Union Free School District
1 Craig B. Gariepy Avenue
Islip Terrace, NY 11752 631-224-2060
Eric Woellhof, ADA Coordinator
East Islip Union Free School District
1 Craig B. Gariepy Avenue
Islip Terrace, NY 11752 631-224-2035
CHILD FIND NOTICE
Special Education/Section 504 Programs
The East Islip Union Free School works with an interdisciplinary team to determine the educational needs of both preschool and school-age children.
If you have concerns about your child’s academic and/or developmental progress, please contact your child’s primary school to discuss these concerns with the team. The Procedural Safeguard Notice, including due process information, is available to the parent.
If you feel your child may have a disability that impacts his or her academic performance, you may contact:
Lisa Belz, Compliance Officer
East Islip Union Free School District
1 Craig B. Gariepy Avenue
Islip Terrace, NY 11752 631-224-2060
District-wide Committee Application
The deadline for receipt of these applications will be Friday, October 12, 2018.