News You Can Use
January 12, 2020
ER9 School Community COVID-19 Information
National PTA Statement on Riots at the U.S. Capitol
“National PTA condemns the storming of our nation’s capital. Like so many Americans, we were outraged by the violence, destruction and attack on our democracy. Wednesday was another hard day for our nation, and one that we should never have experienced...
“This is an important time for all of us to sit down together with our children and talk with them about how democracy and government works in our country, the importance of practicing civility, and the importance of using our powerful voices for good.
“National PTA offers tips to help families and educators have conversations with their children about incidents such as the riots at the U.S. Capitol and ways to use such situations to reinforce family and community values and beliefs. The tips can be accessed at PTA.org."
You can find their full statement here.
President's Note
New Year, New Ideas!
As we head into 2021, the PTA wants to hear from YOU! What would your child love to see as a virtual program? How can we add some fun during these hard times? Do you have ideas on programs, fundraisers or events? Watch your inbox and our social media for the link to participate! Our next great program idea could be yours!
I Matter Because...
This is the final last call to participate in the National PTA Reflections Program! Friday, January 15 is the deadline!
We hope you can join us for our January PTA Meeting tomorrow night (Wednesday) at 7pm on zoom! Hear the latest PTA news as well as learn and ask questions about the upcoming Student Assessment and Evaluations from Principal Hammond. See you there!
-Meredith and Angela
Explore the Arts and Express Yourself
Updated Friday, January 15, 2021 Deadline -- See entry form below
Submit all contest entries directly to the RES PTA. For details and an entry form, please email: RESPTA4Kids@gmail.com.
National PTA's Reflections program provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts which boost student confidence and success in the arts and in life.
Each year, over 300,000 students in Pre-K through Grade 12 create original works of art in response to a student-selected theme. This 50+ year-old program helps them explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful in school and in life.
The theme for the 2020-2021 program year is I Matter Because.... Students submit their completed works of art in one or all of the available arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts.
RES has heART -- update!
RES Has HeART thanks to the tireless efforts of our art teacher, Mimi Weiss! What will your child's heART be when complete? All RES students are completing 4"x4" canvas tiles to contribute to a community mural. We anticipate more than 480 hearts to be completed by mid-January. Funding for this project and all art supplies is thanks to the National PTA and TikTok Grant awarded to the RES PTA in 2020. Each RES student received a PTA art kit with watercolors, markers, pastels, an art journal, a canvas tile inside a mesh pouch (approximately $4,500). We hope to construct the community mural in late Winter 2021.
Driving Social and Emotional Wellbeing
The awarded grant focused heavily on engaging students artistically and equipping students with tools to cope through the changes, stress and frustrations of our pandemic times. Our collaborative efforts stretched from the PTA to all teaching staff, wellbeing staff and art team to consistently offer tools and coping mechanisms to navigate the ups and downs of every day. Work initiated over the summer has been actively in place for the school year.
Thanks to the leadership of Meredith Ferris and the professional skills of Jay Patts, the RES team created a video on our strong emotions and what we can do to manage our feelings. We are incredibly appreciative of the time of Dr. Sammi Gureasko, Kristin Miller, Ms. Carr and Mrs. Fisher. Click to watch it at home - as parents, as a family, as an extended family! https://vimeo.com/464223877/c5d3cf6e14
As always we appreciate ideas and feedback on these initiatives -- reach out in person or email respta4kids@gmail.com.
2020-2021 HRRA Annual Billboard Contest
The deadline is January 15th and artwork can be submitted electronically but students are asked to keep their original artwork. More details can be found here. And the template to enter can be found here.
Our local coordinator for the contest is Peggy Palmer: ppalmer@townofreddingct.org
La Comida Social
La Comida Social founder, Jenny, has been baking for as long as she can remember. Using a step stool to reach her mother’s baking bowls to measure out the flour and sugar. She learned early on from her mother how to make people smile by baking them delicious homemade treats. As she grew up, Jenny carried that love and aspiration with her as she worked in bakeries on Long Island.
She knew there was something out there for her in baking, and years later found it in La Comida Social. Jenny makes custom-made desserts and sweet treats for any occasion. Putting much time and thoughtfulness into each creation, every dessert is made with the highest quality ingredients and freshness. You will taste it in the first bite. Jenny uses organic King Arthur Flour, organic sugar, organic cream and organic eggs. All orders are custom made one-of-a-kind creations.
A big thank you from the RES PTA to La Comida Social for being a Silver Sponsor!!
Email: lacomidasocial@gmail.com
Website: https://lacomidasocial.com/
Phone: 203-984-5059
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lacomidasocial/
4th Grade Yearbook
Thanks for the pictures you have sent already! We want to make this year memorable for your 4th Grader; Do you have any photos of friends, class parties, SnowBall Dance, field trips, garden club, Boys and Girls Club Activities, Art Show, and International Festival...
Click here to upload your images directly to our yearbook website
Browse to select the photo(s) you wish to upload, click on “Select My Images.”
Enter information about the photo and provide contact information in case the staff needs additional information.
Click “Upload Chosen Images.”
It’s that easy, submit your photos today!
In case you missed it -- January PTA meeting
Easton, Redding, Region 9 Special Education Committee
The tri-district special education committee works to support students and families who rely on additional support services in kindergarten to 12th grade.
Learn more about the committee's efforts and events at its website here.
Employer Donation Matching
As we approach the end of the year, you may be thinking about charitable donations. The RES PTA is a 501(c)(3) organization, and if our work is valuable to you, you can consider making an angel donation right here, or by mailing it to the RES PTA at 33 Lonetown Rd., Redding, CT 06896.
We'd also like to remind you that your employer might be like Thomson Reuters -- a company that generously matches employee gifts to local nonprofits doing the work communities rely on. If that's the case, please let us know, and we'll help you complete all the paperwork you need to make it happen!
Contact Us
Email: respta4kids@gmail.com
Phone: (203) 938-2519
Join the PTA!
As a PTA, our main goals will remain what they have always been:
- To provide academic, cultural and social programs for our children to enhance their learning and
- To support our teachers and staff and to act to unify our school community.
To fulfill our mission for a unified parent/ teacher community, we strive for 100% PTA membership. Dues are $25 per family this year. For more information on how to join, go to:
RESCTPTA.MEMBERSHIPTOOLKIT.COM
We are planning lots of safe and exciting virtual events this year that will be available to PTA members only, so sign up today!