Reading Elementary Rockets Report: RES PRINCIPAL'S BLOG - "Rockets Report"

Dear Reading Elementary "Rockets" Families & Community Members,

We are the only SU school system that does not have a designated "day off" for Parent-Teacher Conferences. In most SU's, there is a "no school day" when parents can come in, or teachers meet in the evenings, and have the day "off" to make up for the extra evening time. The times that Reading Elementary teachers are making is on their own time and they are not "paid for it" - but that's the kind of teachers they are! They all lead with their heart! We are so fortunate to have each of them! Thanks for being flexible with them on scheduling your conference. I know they are all looking forward to it. If you believe we should have a "designated" day for Parent Conferences, please send an e-mail to me and I will forward it to the "school calendar" committee."

Kudos and heartfelt thanks to:

Matt F. for bringing in the sign off the road!
Ester Allen for organizing the "Spirit Night!"
Everyone who has scheduled a parent conference with their child's teacher!

Other Items of Interest:

Act 46 Community Forum - Please plan to attend this community forum on Tuesday, November 15, 2016, at Reading Elementary School at 6 PM. Dinner and childcare will be available if you pre-register. This is a very important information that will outline dramatic effects on this school and community. Please spread the word and be there to get a complete picture of this important law. As it stands now the proposed plan includes both Barnard and Reading being only a Pre-K - 2 school with our 3-6th graders heading to Woodstock Elementary effective as soon as the 2018-19 school year. (OUR current 1st - 4th graders would be bussed to Woodstock if the plan is approved. Barnard's students would go to Prosper Valley School for Gr. 3-6.)

Picture Day - School picture day IS Thurs., Nov. 10, and all pictures will be in in time for holiday gift giving. Pre-K Parents of 3 yr. olds are asked to bring them in special for pictures that day - that was the only available day. Thank you for your support and understanding. Picture envelopes came home last week - please check your child's book bag.

Outdoor Recess - Temps have dropped, flakes have fallen, and so its time for winter hats, coats, mittens, and boots. Its super helpful if you check with your child as you pick them up to see if they have all the clothing they bring to school. We currently have two items in Lost & Found - a grey hoodie and a purple hoodie. Items hang on the hooks in the front lobby. Thanks for labeling items as well.

Family Folders - PLEASE send in your folders that are sent home to families from Teacher Libbet. This is a major way to "reuse" and keep communication current. Please send them in if you haven't done so.

Emergency Call Alert - Since we've had our first snow, and our first power outage, we need to retest our phone alert system. Please expect a call at 6 PM Tues., Nov. 1 which will be a TEST call on all your phones. If you don't receive one, please call Libbet on Tuesday.

Ski Runner Details - Information packets and forms will be coming home in the next week. PLEASE check your students' backpacks. Please note the following dates. In the past the PTO paid 40% of the fee, but this year has not been decided on yet.

Where: Suicide Six Ski Area Base Lodge

When Fridays 1/6, 1/13, 1/20, 1/27, 2/3, 2/10, 2/17, 3/10 (2:00 – 4:00 PM)

Fee: $75 until 12/01/16 OR $85 after 12/01/2016

There is NO program Feb. 24 due to Presidents Week, or March 3th due to the Special Olympics. Registration opens October 5, 2016. Registration closes December 18, 2016.

Coming Soon - In December we will be having after school clubs on Wednesdays. Time and offerings will be sent home before Thanksgiving!

MESSAGE FROM OUR TEACHERS:

From Ms. Kathi Faulkner, Pre- K Teacher:

Thanks go to Amy and Scott Harkins for the cover for our sandbox to keep out rain, snow and unwanted critters.
Thanks also go to Heather and Robert Westney for the boxes for our "fire trucks". They are very popular in helping us drive to put out fires and rescue kittens in trees!
Many thanks to our pre-k families who drive and help us at swim lessons.

OTHER WAYS TO HELP READING SCHOOL -

-Volunteer to be an officer of the PTO!
-Read or volunteer to help out in a classroom!

LUNCH & BREAKFAST MENU FOR THIS WEEK:

Lunch accounts should be paid in full each month. Please send in your payment if you have not already done so. If you need help complete the Free/Reduced Paperwork, we are here to help! ALL APPLICATIONS are kept confidential. Thank you!

Mon., Oct 31 - Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese, (whole grain bread) Apples, Celery & Cucumbers (tomatoes); Breakfast: Fried Egg & Toast - The Regulars
Tues., Nov. 1 - Chicken Pot Pie, Oranges, Spinach Salad (whole grain topping); Breakfast: Hard Boiled Egg - The Regulars
Wed., Nov. 2 - Scrambled Egg and Tofu Burrito, Melon, Tomatoes, Avocadoes, Shredded, Lettuce. Bean Salad, (whole grain tortilla); Breakfast: Bagel w/Cream Cheese - The Regulars
Thurs., Nov. 3 - Turkey & Cheese Melts, Pears, Carrots & Coleslaw, (whole grain pita); Breakfast - Hard Boiled Eggs - the Regulars
Fri., Nov. 4 - Spaghetti (whole grain pasta) with Sausage, Applesauce, Mixed Green Salad; Breakfast - Fried Egg - the Regulars