THE MIGHTY DRAGON
RUTH C. KINNEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
January/February 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,
Happy New Year! The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to refresh! There is great depth in each of us and I wish you strength and resilience during this time of transition for many. The new year also brings fresh opportunities to support our children. Each child has so much to offer and it's often hidden underneath the surface like an iceberg. Let's continue to nourish their hearts and minds by giving them one of the greatests gifts, a love of reading.
Here at RCK as we begin the new year we will focus on continuing to foster a love for reading. PARP will commence at the end of the month and we have worked with the PTA to schedule a fun filled two weeks focused on reading!
Stay warm and know that sounds of birds chirping is not that far away.
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.
January - 4th Grade Wishes
New Year’s Wishes
The students in Mrs. Cardillo’s 4th grade class had a class discussion about the upcoming New Year of 2019. Some of the students wrote wishes for themselves, others, or for the world.
My wish for the New Year is…
…for the world to be healthy and for people to recycle more. I wish for no more litter.- Annalyne
…for my family to be happy and healthy. - Kayla
…to have a lovely family forever.- Malia
…for the world to be happy and healthy.- Caylee
…to not have a fourth surgery.- Abby
…for my family to be safe.- Raymond
…to be better at math so I know my math facts real quick.- Sean D.
…for my baby brother to get better and to come home from the hospital.- Gulan
…for my cousin to have another baby and to go to the Dominican Republic to visit family.- Isabella
…to end world hunger, poverty, keep peace, world health, and end global warming.- Eric
…to have my family beside me forever.- Evelyn
…for my aunt’s eye to get better. – Anthony
…to go to Turkey to see my grandma because she had surgery. – Hayel
…to see all my family members because some live in Russia. – Sophia
…for everyone to have an amazing 2019! – Sean H.
…to keep excelling in math. I love math and I hope I keep doing well in it. – Alexa
…for everyone to be safe and nice to each other. –Carly
… to stop starvation. – Griffin
…for people to raise money for the sick. – Ava
…for my friend’s grandpa to get better. – Alexander
…to never get sick and be healthy. – Makenna
…for the world to be healthier, safer, and a better place so the world could be happy. – Daniel
…to be healthy. – Taryn
…I want to be able to do good things in school.- Sean C.
…for it to snow a lot. - Diana
February - 3rd Grade Snowflakes
The children’s picture book Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin is without a doubt the most favorite book the children in Mr. Clancy and Mrs. Massaro’s class have read this winter! The book is about Wilson Bentley, the first known photographer of snowflakes. After reading Snowflake Bentley, the third graders were inspired to create some unique snowflake artwork! They decided to create original winter related haikus and put together elaborate paper snowflakes that go perfectly with this winter story.
It’s very cold
Hanukah is coming
Winter is the best!
-Michael B.
Yummy gingerbread
Snowing on Christmas Eve
Happy Christmas Eve!
- Joanna L.
I make snow angels
Lay on the ground on your back
Move your arms and legs!
-Henry B.
Opening presents
Eating chocolate cookies
Playing on Christmas!
-Layhana H.
January & February Happenings at RCK
January 28 and 29 - RCK PTA Book Fair
February 4, 2019 - Progress Reports available on the Parent Portal after 3 p.m.
February 5 - Reading Night - 6 p.m.
February 11 - RCK Talent Show Rehearsal
February 28 - RCK Talent Show (snow date 3/4/19)
And Now a Message From Mrs. Merlucci, THE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER
Happy New Year!
A new year brings about thoughts of new goals and making good choices. Let's make a goal to be as kind and respectful as possible to all people we interact with.
Fun idea for something to do with your family:
Start a gratitude journal where once per week the family members all write down three things that they are grateful for in their life; then have a family member talk about the things they are grateful for.
Bethany Merlucci, LCSW
RCK School Social Worker
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.
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
To all RCK musicians...congratulations on an amazing Winter Concert! We are so proud of you!
We are looking forward to resuming rehearsals in order to prepare for the Spring Concert on May 15th!
The groups performing in the Spring Concert will be the Beginner & Advanced Bands, the 4th & 5th Grade Orchestras and the 4th & 5th Grade Chorus.
Beginner Band & 4th Grade Orchestra: Rehearsals begin on Wednesday, 1/16 and take place before school every Wednesday & Friday. Band drop-off is at the main entrance at 8:10 a.m. and Orchestra drop-off is at the orchestra door from 7:55 a.m. to 8:05 a.m.
Advanced Band & 5th Grade Orchestra: Rehearsals resume on Tuesday, 1/15 and take place before school every Tuesday & Thursday. Band drop-off is at the main entrance at 8:10am and Orchestra drop-off is at the orchestra door from 7:55am to 8:05am.
4th Grade Chorus: Rehearsals resume on Thursday, 1/24 and take place before school every Thursday. Drop-off is at the main entrance at 8:15 a.m.
5th Grade Chorus: Rehearsals resume on Wednesday, 1/23 and take place before school every Wednesday. Drop-off is at the main entrance at 8:15 a.m.
3rd Grade Chorus & Recorder Club will be performing an in-school concert on May 8th. They will not be included in the evening concert on May 15th. More information regarding the in-school performance will forthcoming.
Congratulations to the students below for their selection in the groups listed!
SCMEA
Mya Dandona (chorus)
Krista Deutsch (band)
Alexandra DeVita (chorus)
Zeynep Oztas (orchestra)
Matthew Pasfield (orchestra)
LISFA
Zeynep Oztas
SCMEA Day of Horn
Peyton Scholl
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
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 2019
Grades 3, 4 & 5 Math- May 2019
Grade 4 New York State Science Performance Assessment- May 2019
Grade 4 New York State Science Written Assessment- June 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.