News You Can Use
November 9, 2021
In Native American culture, giving is not only understood to be reciprocal, but is also an honor; as much as it is an honor to give, it is equally an honor to receive. Because it is such an honor to receive, there is also, in turn, an obligation to give.
- Berry and Adamson, First Nations Dev Institute, 2000
Our Redding Community is focused on giving in November and continues to celebrate our differences together. Happy Native American Heritage Month.
Ways to give back:
- Veterans Suit Drive – Professional men’s and women’s clothing and accessories are being collected in the front vestibule all week! Pass along your best to the country’s finest.
- Thanksgiving Food Gift Card – The annual tradition to support more than 100 Thanksgiving meals in Redding is back. Giving has never been easier thanks to our partner Caraluzzis – click and give back!
- Give the Gift of Spirit – Don’t forget your red, white and blue on Thursday to honor our Veterans.
- Run away - Literally! Don't miss the chance for the annual Turkey Trot in Redding. Space still available for the 5K or 3/4 mile races.
We are incredibly grateful for the support and dedication of our all-volunteer organization. May we all experience the joy of giving back this November.
Gratefully,
Angela & Meredith
RES PTA Meeting This Wednesday!
Come here all the exciting things happening with the PTA! All are welcome to join us this Wednesday at 7:00 pm via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85093947873?pwd=NU01UHVGemlOMHRpcHNWbEVGSXRDdz09
Meeting ID: 850 9394 7873
Passcode: 383854
Mira Jensen, School Psychologist
I grew up in Queens, NY and went to college in upstate New York and graduate school in Manhattan and Queens. I live with my husband and two daughters - ages 11 and 9 - as well as our 3 cats in Ridgefield. My family and I moved to Connecticut from New Jersey a little over seven years ago, and I have enjoyed getting to the beautiful Nutmeg state. I worked in special ed preschools in Brooklyn and the Bronx and, more recently, worked in the Trumbull public schools.
3 Fun Facts About You:
- I worked on an organic in Germany for a year after high school where I developed an appreciation for cheese, bread and homemade sauerkraut among many other things.
- I once hiked the Inca trail to Machu Picchu in Peru.
- The things that got me through the pandemic? Mediation, long walks, audiobooks and outdoor firepits.
Why did you choose teaching as your career?
- I have always felt most at home in a school setting. After college, I taught English to middle and high school students in Graz, Austria. It was during some small group instruction that I realized I wanted to work with students but didn't feel teaching to a classroom of students was my strength. When I learned about school psychology, I felt I found the right way for me to work with students in a school setting.
What excites you the most about this school year?
- I am most excited to be a part of the RES community and to connect with students, teachers, staff and parents. We learned these past 18 months how crucial relationships with others sustain and help us thrive. I look forward to developing these important relationships this upcoming school year.
Football Players Needed! Sign up by Tuesday, November 9th
Sign up by today, Tuesday, November 9th.
The Redding Park and Recreation's football class on Wednesdays for grades 2-4 needs 1-2 more players in order for the class to run. If your student has interest in football, this is a great opportunity to learn about the sport while engaging with their peers! Click here for a link to the course description.
To sign up, be sure to choose:
- Activity No: 12110-2
- Dates: 11/3/21-12/15/21 (Wednesdays)
- Time: 3:00-4:00pm
- Grades: 2-4
- Cost: $77
Veteran's Day Spirit Wear
In honor of all those who served, let's show our support and gratitude for our veterans near and far by wearing red, white and blue this Veteran's Day.
Thank you to Maria Woodward and her faculty partner Mimi Weiss for bringing the Spirit to RES all year!
Clean Your Closets To Support The Veteran's Suit Drive - November 8 through November 12
RES PTA has partnered with SaveASuit to provide veterans and transitioning service members (both men and women) with business suits and professional attire, and other clothing resources they need to achieve job security. Donated items do not need to be dry cleaned as long as they are in good condition, and items can be on hangers or in bags. Click here to learn more about SaveASuit.
Collection bins will be setup in the front vestibule - students can bring them to class or parents can drop them off.
Thanksgiving Drive In Support of the Redding Food Pantry
Dates: November 4 - November 11
Please help us provide 40+ Redding families with the necessities they need for celebrating a wonderful Thanksgiving!
How to Donate Through Caraluzzi's Website:
- Click on this link:
- Once there, please choose "Redding Food Pantry" as the recipient and add in "RES PTA Thanksgiving Drive" in the message line.
- Any amount is greatly appreciated.
We will dress up cans of pumpkin as little turkeys and attach gift cards. Donations will be delivered on Thursday, November 18, allowing families time to get what they need to make their holiday special.
Joel Barlow HS Proudly Presents... Beauty And The Beast
Charleston Wrap Holiday Fundraiser
Check out the Look Book sent home in last week's backpack flyer or click here for the online version! Be sure to add our RES ID: 22132. It's needed when registering.
Please note: All prizes will be available for pick up after sales are completed. This includes student prizes for sending a certain number of emails.
Lyman Pie & Cookies Orders - Pick Up Instructions
Upcoming Spirit Wear Opportunities
RES Flannel Friday - November 19th!
RES Spirit Wear is Back!
Wednesday, November 24
How cool is our school? Come decked out in your best RES Spirit Wear or wear RES colors.Order Your Spirit Wear Now!
A special RES PTA "Thank You" to:
- Danielle Fenzel and Jennifer Lyons for the community service opportunities and drives
- Maisie Todd Wallick for the beautiful new bulletin board displaying peoples and food of the world coming together at a dinner table.
- Maria Woodward and Mimi Weiss for leading the Spirit Days
- Thanks to the generosity of members, more than 50 Lyman Orchards Pies will be donated to the Redding Food Pantry, the Daily Bread Food Pantry and Dorothy Day Hospitality House, Danbury CT.
Volunteers Needed For:
- Lyman Orchard Pies & Cookie Dough - volunteers needed on November 16th from 3:30pm to 6pm to help sort and hand out pies).
- Snowball committee volunteers
Many hands make light work! Please click on this link to complete the PTA Volunteer Form.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact respta4kids@gmail.com. Thank you for helping serve our RES community!
Join The RES PTA
The RES PTA is a community that aims to make life better for every elementary student. We invite you to join us, either by becoming a member or by volunteering to help out with the work we do (or, hopefully, both!) Your membership supports our mission by funding school enrichment activities, staff grants and community engagement, as well as keeps you in the know about all the events we host throughout the year!
-Angela Caes & Meredith Schuchard
Co-Presidents
Questions? respta4kids@gmail.com
2021/2022 RES PTA Membership Rates
$25 Family Membership | $10 Faculty Membership
For more information on how to join, go to:
RESCTPTA.MEMBERSHIPTOOLKIT.COM
or simply scan the QR code below to get started with your membership!
Upcoming PTA Meetings
- Nov 10, 2021 07:00 PM
- Dec 8, 2021 07:00 PM
- Jan 12, 2022 07:00 PM
- Feb 9, 2022 07:00 PM
- Mar 9, 2022 07:00 PM
- Apr 6, 2022 07:00 PM
- May 11, 2022 07:00 PM
- Jun 8, 2022 07:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85093947873?pwd=NU01UHVGemlOMHRpcHNWbEVGSXRDdz09
Meeting ID: 850 9394 7873
Passcode: 383854
Community Events In Redding
October
- Grit Ninja (Outdoor Ninja Warrior Camp) | Tuesday, November 2, 10:00- 12:30pm | Kindergarten - 5th grade | Fee: $85