Reading Elementary Rockets Report: RES PRINCIPAL'S BLOG - ROCKETS REPORT

Dear Reading Elementary "Rockets" Families & Community Members:

We have such admiration for parents in this day and age - so much to do and in spite of the "conveniences" of today, there's never enough time! I'm glad the RES after school program has assisted many in a little less rushing. The students and staff of the "RAP" program are learning lots and having fun!

Kudos and heartfelt thanks to:

All of you who went online and paid for your meals in advance.
Those of you who turned in all your paperwork.
Jessica Seman for volunteering to help last Wed. with Reading Runners!

Other Items of Interest:

Reading After School Program - Payment is only needed a week in advance, even though you sign up for other days within the session. Reading Runners will be run through the After school program. Please complete the form and return.

We have over 20 students signed up for the RES licensed after school program, which is almost half of our student population! In order to keep safe staffing ratios, we ask that if parents need to add a student to a day they weren't scheduled for, they do so 24 hr. in advance by contacting Mrs. Knight.

Highlight on the Handbook - The WCUD Family/Student Handbook is full of important information and all principals will be highlighting information in our communications to families. Monday will be the 13th day of school! Just a reminder that the district handbook can be found on our website and hard copies can be obtained from RES. Over the next few weeks, we are focusing on attendance.

Extended Absence

WCSU has several scheduled school vacations throughout the year including a week off in February and April. Please consider, before you plan a trip, that missing school for several days in a row can become a source of anxiety for students, create gaps in their learning, and makes it difficult to assess their skills and assign grades. Attempting to complete work on a trip without attending the accompanying lessons or having a teacher available for guidance creates stress during what should be an enjoyable family time. Much of the work we do in school cannot be sent with students. Students return and face the stress of being behind on assignments and having missed lessons that are essential for understanding what is happening in class when they return. Teachers work very hard to support students who have been absent, but there is limited time to catch up. There is simply no substitute for being in school.

It is the expectation of the WCSU School Districts that all students will be in attendance for all scheduled school days unless the child is ill or there is an unexpected emergency. If a family chooses to go on vacation during the school year, homework will not be provided ahead of time. A folder of class work will be saved for the student to complete when he/she returns to school. Extended vacations have a detrimental effect on a child’s educational program and negatively impact the environment for the other students in the class.

We request that families inform the principal two weeks in advance of the planned vacation. If your child is going to be out of school for an extended length of time (over 3 days), it is necessary for the parents to contact both the child’s teacher and either the principal or administrative assistant. This pertains to vacations, special camps, illness, injuries, hospitalization, etc. Any student who is absent for vacation purposes will be marked with an unexcused absence if prior notice is not received. The student will be given a reasonable period of time after returning to complete all make-up work and tests/quizzes.

Message from our PE Teacher, Mr. Drost - Hello Friends &Families, FUN-DAY MONDAY is coming. Hope everyone enjoyed the weekend and the summer like weather! I am anxious to hear from students what type of exercise they got over the weekend? Monday will be an outdoors day and we will continue to revisit some cooperative challenge activities.Please remember your sneakers on Mondays!! Thank You everyone!

Back to School Open House - Wed., Sept. 26, 5:30 - 6:30 PM. We changed our date as the high school scheduled it the same night as ours. This evening is not for parent conferences, it's just a brief presentation by your child's teacher. Parent conferences will occur in November.

The PTO will have a table and are looking for volunteers. Please note there is no food provided this year.

Picture Day - Wed., Oct. 3 is the annual picture day. Forms will be coming home this week so you can plan ahead. Please send the completed forms back into school.