Moose Memo
Weekly Newsletter Dec. 16, 2022 Vol. 1, Issue 19
I hope you had a fun-filled snow day! There are only four more school days before the first winter break. To welcome our snowy Vermont winter and to celebrate having completed 84 days of learning together, RMCS will have a school-wide Comfy Clothing and Snuggly Day on Thursday, December 22nd. All students may wear their most comfortable clothes, including PJs, and your favorite snuggly is welcome to attend school with you on this special day. We'll end the day with a gathering and a surprise in the gymnasium. I can't wait to celebrate with you!
As a reminder, we are releasing our students who walk home from school at the BEGINNING of the dismissal process. Walkers will be called to the RMCS Lobby to meet up with PrinciPAL McD at the same time bus buddies are called to meet kindergarten students. Mrs. McD will escort our fabulous group of walkers to the parent pick up area, and students may leave with adults BEFORE buses leave the parking lot. We hope this will be more convenient for parents, siblings, and caregivers who have been patiently standing in the cold (and sometimes rain) while waiting for their students at dismissal. See ya at dismissal!
At Rick Marcotte Central School, Everybody is Somebody. Committed to our mission, we want students to see a representation of themselves, their cultures, and their lived experiences in the literature we share. Books provide windows to look into the lives of others and mirrors for self-representation and reflection. Members of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee at RMCS have been working to expand our student libraries with titles that represent our diverse school population and the world around us. Not only do we want students to see a representation of themselves in our books at school, we also want to make space for conversation.
In January, we will introduce a school-wide monthly read-aloud program called, Beginning with Books, in PreK-5 classrooms. We've chosen read-alouds of picture books each month, with grade-appropriate extension activities and conversation starters for teachers. These books were specifically chosen for the following reasons: they feature Black, Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) as the main character, they avoid stereotypical portrayals of BIPOC, and they are written by authors/illustrators who share an identity with the characters in the book. Some are stories of racism and oppression, and gender identity, but others introduce, explore, and celebrate human differences and show children in everyday situations because we don't want to send the message that struggle alone defines the BIPOC experience. This program aligns with the District’s Global ENDs Policy.
Orchard Elementary School is in year 3 of its commitment to bring diverse books into classrooms, and educators from Gertrude Chamberlin School began their read-alouds in September. We are grateful for the sharing of ideas, insight, and work from our district elementary partners, and we are excited to join them in the effort. RMCS will begin with the book, All Because You Matter, by Tami Charles.
From Amazon:
"Tami Charles pens a poetic, lyrical text that is part love letter, part anthem, assuring readers that they always have, and always will, matter. This powerful, rhythmic lullaby reassures readers that their matter and their worth is never diminished, no matter the circumstance: through the joy and wonder of their first steps and first laughs, through the hardship of adolescent struggles, and the pain and heartbreak of current events, they always have, and always will, matter. Accompanied by illustrations by renowned artist Bryan Collier, a four-time Caldecott Honor recipient and a nine-time Coretta Scott King Award winner or honoree, All Because You Matter empowers readers with pride, joy, and comfort, reminding them of their roots and strengthening them for the days to come."
Accolades:
The #1 Amazon Best Children's Book of 2020
A Chicago Public Library and New York Public Library's Best Books of 2020
A TODAY's Favorite Children's Books of 2020
A Shelf Awareness's Best Children's and Teen Books of 2020
A Best Books of 2020, School Library Journal
A Best Picture Books of 2020, Chicago Public Library
A NPR's Best Books of 2020
PreK students invited the PrinciPAL to attend their field trip to the SB Public Library this week. Librarian Miss Kelly read a book and invited us to explore the beautiful Marabella KidSpace. She challenged us to find cars and a doll house. After our scavenger hunt, students selected books, created crafts, played games, and enjoyed the kinesthetic challenges of climbing, jumping, and balancing. Check out the calendar below for upcoming events at the SB Public Library. I also encourage you to fill out the paperwork for a library card today!
By: Sora, Lydia, Clara G., and Amisha
Were you wondering why 64 rockets launched into the air on Wednesday, December 14, 2022? It’s a long story. The 5th graders took an annual field trip to Starbase, our national air force base, to represent RMCS. Half of the grade went on Friday, December second, and the other half, Wednesday, the seventh of December. There they wore call signs, learned about lots of interesting subjects, and conducted fun, hands-on experiments. There, the 5th grade made rockets about 2 feet long, with cool parts like parachutes and tail fins, which the students brought back to school.
About a week later, on the 14th of December, Starbase members came to RMCS to help our 5th graders put in motors and fuel for our rockets. Then, after they checked to make sure their rockets were ready, the students and teachers walked out bundled in snow gear, holding decorated and about to be launched rockets. Out on the soccer field, pressed against the fence, the whole 5th grade formed 4 lines. When it was their turn, one student from each line came forward and placed their rocket on the launch pad with the help from a Starbase member.
Then after lots of safety checks, a countdown would begin. “5… 4…3…2…1!!!!!! Blastoff! And, Swish! The rockets flew into the chilly December air and arced 200 feet into the air. Then, if it worked correctly, a parachute would pop out, and the owner would run to catch it, with their friends cheering them on. When someone caught it, everyone cheered like crazy!
Lasty, believe it or not, the teachers launched a rocket too. They did the same thing to get ready as the 5th graders did, but had a motor that would go 400 ft. When they pushed the red button, it launched up into the sky, and into the clouds. And the whole time, the air smelled of sulfur. Get ready for next year, 4th graders! Thank you Starbase, and Happy Holidays to all!
Do you know that research indicates when students believe they have a voice at school, they are seven times more likely to be academically motivated than students who do not believe their voice is welcomed, heard, and celebrated? My goal as your PrinciPAL is to give you a platform to share your stories and creativity, so RMCS students, keep sending me your work!
Sora, Lydia, Clara G., and Amisha wrote an impressive piece about Starbase and the Rocket Launch.
Speaking of creativity, 4th grader Grayson is back with another publication of Epic AJ!
Finally, students describe the 3 Cs of RMCS in their movie below.
I'm proud of each student's contribution to the Moose Memo this week.
Thank you!
To encourage students to continue to read over the upcoming break, everyone will be coming home with a Winter Break Bingo board. If kids can complete at least 5 squares, they can turn it into me for a fun bookmark! If they complete all of the squares AND have a parent/guardian’s signature on the sheet, they will receive an “I Love to Read” wristband, too! In addition to the bingo challenge, all students will be given the choice to borrow two extra books over the break. This means Kindergarten and 1st Grade will be allowed to borrow 4 books, and 3rd-5th Grade will be allowed to borrow 5 books.
Library Notices
Next week will be the last week we will send home paper overdue notices as we transition to only doing email notifications. I apologize if anyone received multiple emails last week as I was testing the system (I think I accidentally sent it twice without knowing it!!). The emails will auto-send on Sundays. If a book is lost and making a contribution to replace the book is a hardship, please let me know. I am happy to work with your family so that your child can continue to check books out of the library!
I hope everyone has a wonderful break!
Annie
Gift Card Drop Off by Monday, December 21st
Thank you to those who have committed to participating in our efforts to help families in need. If you have not already done so, please drop off your gift cards at the main office at by Monday, December 21st.
Your generosity with this effort makes a difference for many members of our community and is greatly appreciated! Click here for the Gift Card Sign up Genius
As you know, UVM Hockey players have been visiting RMCS classrooms and making connections with our students. I'm excited to announce that we have been invited to participate in an RMCS Family Night at the UVM versus AIC hockey game on January 14. Students will be admitted for free!
Here's the link to sign up for your student's complimentary ticket. The password is wolves (case sensitive). This link also allows parents and caregivers to purchase tickets for $10.00 each. If you are purchasing a combination of free and purchased tickets, the system won’t let you choose two offers for one “cart.” There is a limit of 1 comp per order, so parents and caregivers who are claiming for multiple students should place a second (or third, or fourth) order if you have more than one child. This is UVM's first attempt at ticketing like this, so please be patient. The comp tickets (free tickets for students) will all be at the Will Call booth. Please reach out to athletic.tickets@uvm.edu if you have questions.
These are general admission tickets in sections 9-12, so your family members and friends will be able to sit together no matter the number on the ticket.
As always, reach out to a member of the care team (counselors, nurse, princiPALs) if you need financial assistance for this event. See names and emails above. We hope to fill the rink with RMCS families!!!
We continue to welcome volunteers to help us at recess. We are fortunate to have a large playground and appreciate the parent volunteers who sign up to help us with supervision from time to time. If you have availability, please visit the Sign Up Genius to schedule the times you are available to join us in late November through the next winter break. Thank you!
According to the Vermont Department of Health: Influenza-like Illness (ILI) activity level has increased from low to moderate in Vermont.
ILI is defined as the presence of a fever equal to or exceeding 100°F with the addition of cough or sore throat.
Influenza (Flu) is determined by fever, with the addition of cough or sore throat, and a diagnosis of influenza.
What can you do to reduce your risk of acquiring seasonal flu and its serious complications?
According to the CDC, the single best way is to get vaccinated.
Engage in other healthy habits, that we all learned so well during the pandemic, to help limit the spread of germs:
Avoid those who are sick.
Stay home when sick!
Stay home 24 hours after fever is gone (without fever-reducing medicine)!
Cover your cough (cover your mouth and nose).
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Wash hands often.
Clean/disinfect commonly touched surfaces.
Opportunities at Rick Marcotte Central School
RMCS is still hiring. Please contact us about joining our team if you qualify for these openings. Training will be provided for all new hires.
- Clerical Assistant
- Special Educator
- Interventionists - working 1:1 with students who have Individualized Education Plans
- Recess Monitor
Stephanie Sumner, Assistant Principal & Lissa McDonald, Interim Principal
Email: ssumner@sbschools.net; lmcdonald@sbschools.net
Website: https://www.sbschools.net/Domain/11
Location: Rick Marcotte Central School, 200 Market Street, South Burlington, VT, USA
Phone: 802-652-7200
Twitter: @lmcdvt