THE MIGHTY DRAGON
RUTH C. KINNEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
September/October 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
Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I hope that you had a wonderful summer vacation, filled with family time and exciting adventures!
It has been such a delight to welcome the children into RCK Elementary School for the 2019-20 school year. They have done an outstanding job adjusting to the school schedule. I have met many students in lunch, classes and during morning care. They are a true joy and I look forward to a spectacular school year filled with a plethora of opportunities for the children to excel academically and socially.
The RCK PTA has many exciting activities planned throughout the entire year and we hope that you will be able to attend these wonderful events. The PTA calendar has been sent home. In addition, the first PTA meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at 9:45 A.M. in our cafeteria.
In the midst of many after school activities it is important to find time to talk with your children about their school day. If your children are like most, they may not elaborate on their day in great detail. Try asking specific content questions such as "What different cultures are you learning about in social studies?" and "Are you currently learning about life science or physical science?" or "What are you reading in ELA?". These types of questions are more likely to provoke a meaningful conversation about the school day rather than "What did you learn today?" Which almost always provides with the response of "Nothing."
Together, through collaboration and communication, we will make this school year a success. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any concerns you may have. I can be reached at 631-581-1862 or e-mail at jjones@eischools.org.
On behalf of the entire staff at RCK Elementary School, we wish you a wonderful 2019-2020 school year!
Sincerely,
Janet Jones
Principal
Central Office Administration
John V. Dolan - Superintendent of Schools
Stephen Harrison - Assistant Superintendent for Business
Paul E. Manzo - Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Personnel
Lisa Belz - Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Administration
Eric Woellhof - Director of Facilities
Aileen O’Rourke Ed.D. - Executive Director of Special Education
East Islip Board of Education
President…………............William Carpluk
Vice President…….........Philip Montuori, Sr.
Trustee………...…............Jessica Carney
Trustee………………......….Christopher Nicolia
Trustee.........................Christopher Zachry
PTA News
Welcome to the 2019-2020 school year at Ruth C. Kinney! The RCK PTA has planned another amazing year of fun and we can’t wait to jump right in. We are so fortunate to have great families who believe in our community and who work together to make RCK a school where students, families, and staff succeed. You can show your support by becoming an RCK PTA member. Becoming a member does not require you to volunteer or participate, though we always welcome your time and talent. Becoming a member DOES benefit your child by showing support for an organization that is dedicated to making a difference. Please join today by filling out your membership form along with cash or checks made payable to the RCK PTA or pay online at https:ruthckinney.memberhub.com. Please join us for our first PTA Meeting on September 17th at 9:45 a.m. in the school cafeteria. Make sure to bring proper ID.
Nicole Montalbano
PTA President
FTK News
Dates to Remember:
September Carnival (Timber Point Elem.) - Friday, Sept. 20th through Sunday, Sept. 22nd.
November Taste of Life (Land’s End) - Friday, November 4th
NURSE MCLOUGHLIN's HEALTH INFO
Welcome back to RCK Health Office for the 2019-2020 school year. There have been some revisions to school health service regulations from New York State. The mandated years for health exams and screenings has changed. Currently the grades required are Pre-K, Kindergarten, grade levels 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 and all new entrants to our school district. There is also a N.Y.S.E.D. physical form to be used available on the NYSCSH website.
Looking forward to a healthy, happy school year.
Please contact me at RCK for any concerns or questions you may have.
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
Welcome back RCK musicians! We hope you enjoyed the summer and are as excited as we are to get started making music!
Band and Orchestra
Lessons begin on September 16th. Lessons are once a week during the school day.
5th grade band and orchestra rehearsals begin on Wednesday, September 25th and take place every Wednesday and Friday from 8:10am - 8:57am. (Orchestra drop-off time is 7:55am for tuning.)
Band students should use the main entrance at RCK when arriving for rehearsals at 8:10am. Only orchestra students will be permitted through the side door earlier for tuning.
Beginner band and orchestra students will start attending morning rehearsals in January and will perform in the Spring Concert.
Chorus
5th grade chorus rehearsals will take place every Thursday from 8:15am - 8:57am beginning September 26th.
See you soon!
Miss Maniscalco, Mrs. Stewart and Mrs. Strzelecka
And Now a Message From Mrs. Reilly THE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER
Welcome back to a new school year! We are off to a great start and look forward to an exciting year! All families received a lunch/breakfast form for the 2019-2020 school year in the mail. If you’ve misplaced this form or need a new one, they are available in the school lobby. Please complete this as soon as possible so that your eligibility for the program can be reviewed. Families who qualified last school year remain eligible for free or reduced lunch/breakfast for the month of September. A new form must be received by October 1, 2019 in order to continue in the program. Please remember, you may apply at any time during the year or make changes if your income status changes. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 631-224-2000 ext. 2282.
AROUND THE SCHOOL
Mrs. Eskedal's Class -
In honor of Patriot's Day, Mrs. Eskedal’s third grade class listened to the story, New York’s Bravest by Mary Pope Osborne. They discussed what it meant to be a hero and a patriot. Each student wrote about a hero in their life and drew a picture of their hero.
Mrs. Danowski's Class -
During the first two weeks of school, the students in Mrs. Danowski’s class did several activities to get to know each other. One writing activity they did was a “Bio Poem.” This activity had them thinking about many different things. They needed to think of adjectives to describe themselves, and think about things they wonder, feel and dream of. The best part was, they had a chance to become poets, while sharing information about themselves. We are looking forward to a wonderful school year!
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
MEET THE TEACHER NIGHT
Please reserve the evening of Wednesday, September 18 at 6 p.m., so that you may meet your child’s teacher. This invitation is for all Parents and Guardians only.
Thank you for your anticipated cooperation.
PICTURE DAY
September 24, 25 & 26
September 26 Fifth Grade Picture - WEAR RED SHIRTS
Welcome Back PTA Movie Night
October 4
RCK Book Fair
October 7 & 8
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 2019/2020 school year our 3rd, 4th, and 5th Graders will be taking the NYS ELA Assessment in March and the NYS Mathematics Assessment in April. 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 - March 2020
Grades 3, 4 & 5 Math- April 2020
Grade 4 New York State Science Performance Assessment- May 2020
Grade 4 New York State Science Written Assessment- June 2020
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:
September 30 and October 1 - Rosh Hashanah
October 9 - Yom Kippur
October 14 - Columbus Day
November 11 - Veterans Day
November 28, 29 - Thanksgiving
December 23 -January 3 - Winter Recess
January 20 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
February 17-21 Mid-Winter Recess
April 6-10 - Spring Recess
May 25 Memorial Day
June 26 Last Day of School
0-1 Day lost due to weather or other emergencies—No School May 22nd and May 26th
2 Days lost due to weather or other emergencies—No School May 22nd and school is open May 26th
3 Days lost due to weather or other emergencies—School is open May 22nd and May 26th
4 or more Days lost due to weather or other emergencies- School is open April 6 and working forward 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¢. 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 $2.10 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 631-224-2012
Lisa Belz, Compliance Officer
East Islip Union Free School District
1 Craig B. Gariepy Avenue
Islip Terrace, NY 11752 631-224-2012
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:
Aileen O'Rourke Ed.D., 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 11, 2019.