Reading Elementary Rockets Report: April 2017

Sunday, April 30, 2017

RES PRINCIPAL'S BLOG - ROCKETS REPORT - Sun., April 30, 2017

Dear Reading Elementary "Rockets" Families & Community Members:

This will be a very busy week for our school family! We have these calendar-filled days from time to time, but it's downright amazing that there is only 32 days left of school at this point! Time truly does fly when you're having fun! This is a busy and important time for State Testing as well. Please help us help your child by having them here promptly and with a protein breakfast.

Kudos and heartfelt thanks to:

Amy Harkins for planting beautiful pansies out front of RES!
Kate Allen for helping with Kid Chefs on Wed. after school!
The drivers for swimming in Pre-K 3 & 4, Kindergarten, Gr. 3/4, and Gr. 5/6.
Donna Martin and Rick for helping me set up the multi-purpose room for class and rehearsal.
All of you who attended the RES Board Meeting!

Other Items of Interest:

PTO NEWS - Time to hurry and sell raffle tickets for the CSA at Sunrise Farm. A dollar from each sale goes towards the local food back. They are $5 for one, or $25. for 6 tickets. The drawing is THIS Fri., May 5!

Spring RES "Day of Caring" Event - We will be having a "spring" clean-up day here at RES and volunteers are REALLY needed. Do you have a skill you could share - carpentry, window washing, landscaping, painting, etc? We are tentatively planning for Sat., May 6. We also need to "pick up sticks" from the winter and do some general grounds upkeep. Help us beautify our school! If you can help, please e-mail me or call Libbet. Thanks!

SBAC Testing - Effective Mon., May 8, the annual required testing for Gr. 3-6 begins at RES. We want our students to do their best and show what an outstanding school we have here at Reading! Please help us by having your students here, well-rested, and having a protein-filled breakfast. Please avoid having appointments during these weeks as it can affect your child's testing scores. Students can't "study" for these tests, but a well-rested student will do better! Please check out this website for more information - practice tests, tutorials, etc.

Alternative Structure Committee for Act 46 - The Reading Elementary School Board approved the creation of an alternative Structure Committee to study options available to Act 46. The first meeting is Wed., May 3, 6:30 PM. The committee is seeking 4 volunteers to join If interested, please attend the first meeting.

Pre-K 2017-18 Sign-Up - If you have a pre-schooler in a class NEXT school year, would you please complete this SURVEY? We will be having a formal pre-school sign-up day in May. Do you know of anyone planning on attending next year? Please share this notice with them. This survey is not the "official" paperwork.

Last Day of School - The RES Board voted to make the last day of school, Wed., June 14, a noon dismissal! There will only be a half day of school that day.

Do You Know An RES Alumni? - Our library media/tech classes are conducting a survey and creating a digital living history to represent the past and present of Reading Elementary School and we need your help! Did you attend Reading Elementary School? Do you know someone who did? If you did, then please complete the survey and ask other alumni, to complete the attached SURVEY. Students will be researching their town and school history and preserving it digitally. Check out what we've done so far at RES PAST AND PRESENT.

OTHER WAYS TO HELP READING SCHOOL

Come to a Reading Elementary School Board Meeting!
Come read to the students or volunteer to help in the library!
Serve on the RES Board!

LUNCH & BREAKFAST MENU FOR THIS WEEK:

Please send in your payment if you have not already done so. Lunch accounts should be paid in full each month. Thank you!

Mon., May 1 - Roast Beef Sandwich on whole grain bread, Oranges, Mixed Green Salad; Breakfast:- Omelet & The Regulars
Tues., May 2 - Chicken toes (drum sticks), Apples, Green beans & Peas, Super Grain Blend; Breakfast: Hard boiled Eggs - The Regulars
Wed., May 3 - Gardener''s pie, Strawberries, Broccoli, (beans), (whole grain topping) - Breakfast: French Toast & The Regulars
Thurs., May 4 - Fish tacos, Melon, Coleslaw, Rice ; Breakfast: Hard Boiled Egg - The Regulars
Fri., May 5 - Cheesy noodles with Ground Turkey, Pears, Spinach with iceberg and tomatoes (whole grain noodles); Breakfast: Fried Egg Cup - The Regulars

Happening this Week:

Mon., May 1 -

Gr. 1/2 Swimming 8:15 - 10:30 AM
K Swimming 12:30 - 2:30 PM

Wed., May 3 -

Gr. 3/4 Swim Lessons at Edgar May Center in Springfield 12 -2:30
NO Afterschool Program
RES PTO Meeting 6 PM - Gr. 5/6
RES Alternative Study Committee Meeting 6:30 PM - Gr. 3/4

Thurs., May 4 -

Pre-K 4 yr. old Swim Lessons 8:15 - 10:30 AM
Spring Concert 6 PM - Students should arrive PROMPTLY - 5:45 PM

Fri., May 5 -

PTO does CSA drawing in Morning Meeting
Pre-K 3 yr. old Swim Lessons 8:15 - 10:30 AM
Gr. 5/6 Swim Lessons 12 - 2:30 PM

Sat., May 6 -

"Day of Caring - Beautify & Green-Up Reading Elementary" - 8 - 12 Noon - VOLUNTEERS needed!
12:30 - Potluck Luncheon at Town Hall

Mark Your Calendar/Upcoming Events:

Mon., May 8 -

SBAC Testing begins Gr. 5-6 - ALL WEEK!
Gr. 1/2 - Gr. 1/2 Swimming 8:15 - 10:30 AM
K Swimming 12:30 - 2:30 PM

Thurs., May 11 - Pre-K/K Field Trip to Lebanon Opera House
Fri., May 12 -

Pre-K 3 yr. old Swim Lessons 8:15 - 10:30 AM
Gr. 5/6 Swim Lessons 12 - 2:30 PM

Mon., May 15 -

SBAC Testing Begins for Gr. 3/4
Gr. 1/2 Swim Lessons at Edgar May Center in Springfield 8:15 - 10:30 AM
K Swimming 12:30 - 2:30 PM
Gr. 6 travels to Nature's Classroom through Sun., Fri., May 19.

Tues., May 16 - VINS visits Pre-K, K
Wed., May 17 - RES School Board 6 PM
Thurs., May 18 - Pre-K 4 yr. olds - Swim Lessons 8:15 - 10:30 AM
Fri., May 19 -

Pre-K 3 yr. old -Swim Lessons 8:15 - 10:30 AM

Mon., May 22 -

Gr.. 1/2 Swim Lessons at Edgar May Center in Springfield 8:15 - 10:30 AM
K Swimming 12:30 - 2:30 PM

Thurs., May 25 - Pre-K 3 yr. old Swim Lessons 8:15 - 10:30 AM
Fri., May 26 -

Pre-K 3 yr. old Swim Lessons 8:15 - 10:30 AM
Gr. 5/6 Swim Lessons 12 - 2:30 PM

Mon., May 29 - NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day
Fri., June 2 -

Gr. 1/2 - Jr. Rangers 8-2:30 PM
Gr. 5/6 Swim Lessons 12 - 2:30 PM

Mon., June 5 -

Gr.. 1/2 Swim Lessons -Edgar May Center- Springfield 8:15 -10:30 AM
K Swimming 12:30 - 2:30 PM

Tues., June 6 - VINS visits K/Pre-K
Wed., June 7 -

Pre-K/K Field Trip to Montshire Museum
RES PTO Meeting 6 PM

Mon., June 12 - Gr. 1/2 Junior Rangers & Camp Drinker
Wed., June 14 - Last Day of School - HALF DAY! and "Step-Up" Day for 6th graders at WMS

Thoughts to Ponder:

LIFE AT READING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL:

GR. 1/2 PRACTICES FOR MUSIC CONCERT

PRE-K DO JACKSON POLLOCK!

PRE-K VIA JACKSON POLLOCK

NATURE'S CLASSROOM PREP TIME

Gr. 3/4 Swimming

Gr. 3/4 /Swimming

MAKING BUCKWHEAT PANCAKES IN KID CHEFS

CODING IN KINDERGARTEN

COMFORTABLE W/TECHNOLOGY!

Making Wontons in Kid Chefs

Baking bread in Kid Chefs

PRE-K ARTS AND CRAFTS

Sunday, April 23, 2017

RES PRINCIPAL'S BLOG - ROCKETS REPORT - Sun., April 23, 2017

Dear Reading Elementary "Rockets" Families & Community Members:

I hope all of you had a wonderful week off from school! We really missed the students and are looking forward to them returning. Just a reminder that it's not quite "warm" yet, so dressing in layers is the best. If your student is wearing flip-flops, please send in shoes they can run and play on the playground in.

PLEASE join me in celebrating "Admin. Asst. Day/Week." We deeply appreciate Libbet Downs, the RES Admin. Asst.!

Kudos and heartfelt thanks to:

The Souper Supper Chefs & cleaner-uppers - Janet, Tatiana, Boolie, Jess, Darcy, Beth Ann, and Pam B.
All of you who have sold raffle tickets, read with your students, encouraged them to "Code" and do Dreambox over the break!
Vanessa Maxham for serving the "Rice Bowl" ingredients during lunch!
All of you who helped with the "Bunny Hop!"

Other Items of Interest:

PTO NEWS - We are now selling raffle tickets for the CSA at Sunrise Farm. A dollar from each sale goes towards the local food back. They are $5 for one, or $25. for 6 tickets. The drawing is Fri., May 5!

Spring RES "Day of Caring" Event - We will be having a "spring" clean-up day here at RES and volunteers are needed. Do you have a skill you could share - carpentry, window washing, landscaping, painting, etc? We are tentatively planning this for Sat., May 6, but it depends on whether we have snow cover - hopefully it will be green by then! We also need to "pick up sticks" from the winter and do some general grounds upkeep. We will also need flowers to plant. Help us beautify our school! If you can help, please e-mail me. Thanks!

OTHER WAYS TO HELP READING SCHOOL

Come to a Reading Elementary School Board Meeting!
Come read to the students or volunteer to help in the library!

LUNCH & BREAKFAST MENU FOR THIS WEEK:

Please send in your payment if you have not already done so. Lunch accounts should be paid in full each month. Thank you!

Mon., April 24 - Tuna Fish Sandwich, Grapes, Broccoli, Potatoes, Whole Grain Bread; Breakfast:- German Pancake & The Regulars
Tues., April 25 - Chicken Enchilada Bake, Oranges, Romaine & Iceberg w/Cherry Tomatoes, Whole Grain Corn Tortillas; Breakfast: Hard boiled Eggs - The Regulars
Wed., April 26 - Minestrone Soup, Melon, Whole Grain Corn Chips - Breakfast: Hash & The Regulars
Thurs., April 27 - Ground Turkey Cup, Pears, Glazed Carrots, Peas & Green Beans, Whole Grain Rice; Breakfast: Hard Boiled Egg - The Regulars
Fri., April 28 - Spaghetti Pizza, Apples, Mixed Green Salad, Whole Grain Pasta; Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs - The Regulars

Happening this Week:

Mon., April 24 - K Swimming 12:30 - 2:30 PM
Wed., April 26 -

Gr. 3/4 Swim Lessons at Edgar May Center in Springfield 12 -2:30
Last Afterschool Program for Session 2
RES Board Meeting 6 PM (changed due to Spring Break)

Thurs., April 27 -

Pre-K 4 yr. olds - Swim Lessons 8:15 - 10:30 AM
RES Spring Concert PRACTICE

Fri., April 28 -

Pre-K 3 yr. old Swim Lessons 8:15 - 10:30 AM
Gr. 5/6 Swim Lessons 12 - 2:30 PM

Mark Your Calendar/Upcoming Events:

Mon., May 1 -

Gr. 1/2 Swimming 8:15 - 10:30 AM
K Swimming 12:30 - 2:30 PM

Wed., May 3 - RES PTO Meeting 6 PM
Thurs., May 4 -

Pre-K 4 yr. old Swim Lessons 8:15 - 10:30 AM
Spring Concert 6 PM

Fri., May 5 -

PTO does CSA drawing
Pre-K 3 yr. old Swim Lessons 8:15 - 10:30 AM
Gr. 5/6 Swim Lessons 12 - 2:30 PM

Sat., May 6 -

"Day of Caring - Beautify & Green-Up Reading Elementary" - 8 - 12 Noon - VOLUNTEERS needed!
12:30 - Potluck Luncheon at Town Hall

Mon., May 8 -

SBAC Testing begins Gr. 5-6 - ALL WEEK!
Gr. 1/2 - Gr. 1/2 Swimming 8:15 - 10:30 AM
K Swimming 12:30 - 2:30 PM

Thurs., May 11 - Pre-K/K Field Trip to Lebanon Opera House
Fri., May 12 -

Pre-K 3 yr. old Swim Lessons 8:15 - 10:30 AM
Gr. 5/6 Swim Lessons 12 - 2:30 PM

Mon., May 15 -

SBAC Testing Begins for Gr. 3/4
Gr. 1/2 Swim Lessons at Edgar May Center in Springfield 8:15 - 10:30 AM
K Swimming 12:30 - 2:30 PM
Gr. 6 travels to Nature's Classroom through Sun., Fri., May 19.

Tues., May 16 - VINS visits Pre-K, K
Wed., May 17 - RES School Board 6 PM
Thurs., May 18 - Pre-K 4 yr. olds - Swim Lessons 8:15 - 10:30 AM
Fri., May 19 -

Pre-K 3 yr. old -Swim Lessons 8:15 - 10:30 AM

Mon., May 22 -

Gr.. 1/2 Swim Lessons at Edgar May Center in Springfield 8:15 - 10:30 AM
K Swimming 12:30 - 2:30 PM

Thurs., May 25 - Pre-K 3 yr. old Swim Lessons 8:15 - 10:30 AM
Fri., May 26 -

Pre-K 3 yr. old Swim Lessons 8:15 - 10:30 AM
Gr. 5/6 Swim Lessons 12 - 2:30 PM

Mon., May 29 - NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day
Fri., June 2 -

Gr. 1/2 - Jr. Rangers 8-2:30 PM
Gr. 5/6 Swim Lessons 12 - 2:30 PM

Mon., June 5 -

Gr.. 1/2 Swim Lessons at Edgar May Center in Springfield 8:15 -10:30 AM
K Swimming 12:30 - 2:30 PM

Tues., June 6 - VINS visits K/Pre-K
Wed., June 7 -

Pre-K/K Field Trip to Montshire Museum
RES PTO Meeting 6 PM

Mon., June 12 - Gr. 1/2 Junior Rangers & Camp Drinker
Wed., June 14 - Last Day of School and "Step-Up" Day for WMS

Thoughts to Ponder:

LIFE AT READING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL:

Sunday, April 9, 2017

RES PRINCIPAL'S BLOG - ROCKETS REPORT - Sun., April 9, 2017

Dear Reading Elementary "Rockets" Families & Community Members:

The Reading Elementary PTO Souper Supper is TONIGHT from 4 - 7 PM at the school. Cost $8 Adults, $5. Children <5, and $20. for families. There will different varieties of soup and homemade bread (most of it made but the students). There is soup to go available as well. This event begins the selling of the raffle tickets for the CSA at Sunrise Farm. A dollar from each ticket sold will go to the local food bank.

Kudos and heartfelt thanks to:

Jane Cleveland for helping me bake breads with the students for the Souper Supper.
Chef Brent (Donna Martin's son-in-law) who led the after-school class Wed. for Kid Chefs! They learned how to make wontons!
Matt Foley for helping us out as a sub for maintenance!

Other Items of Interest:

Blog - The next blog will be Sun., April 23 due to Spring Break. Over vacation, please read with your students and do "mental math" with them whenever possible. Also, students should be going on Dreamworks and the Code.org website to keep up their learning over break! Students have their passwords, but e-mail me if you need it. Thanks for your support!

Breakfast - Breakfast starts at 7:20 AM and ENDS at 7:40 AM. If your child wants breakfast, please have them at school no later than 7:30. Several students have been arriving at 7:40 and then by the time they make it down to the cafeteria breakfast is over and they get upset, causing a rough way to start their day. Thanks for your help!

Subs - There continues to be a major shortage of subs in our district and in surrounding schools. If you know of anyone who has retired and enjoys working with students, please have them contact the school. Libbet can get them started on the process of becoming a sub. Teachers don't like to be out but the SU has specific PD teachers must attend, and we all get sick on occasion, but when they are it's critical that we have qualified substitutes to help cover.

Donations - We are in need of: toilet paper cardboard rolls, a working large up-to-date television, and a VCR. If you know of anyone who can donate these, please contact the office.

Reading Rec. News -

Bunny Hop - April showers? Check. Easter right around the corner? Check. The Reading Bunny Hop fast approaching? Check.
A huge time commitment to help with the event? NO! NOT AT ALL!
The Reading Recreation Commission does need some assistance planning and running the Bunny Hop. Here are 2 ways you can help.
EGG STUFFING PARTY- April 12 at 6:30pm at Town Hall. We have lots of goodies to pack in the eggs we’ll be hiding. We’re going to get it done in one night, so the more people to help out the better. Bring a snack to share (so we don’t eat all the chocolate) and help make it a festive event with friends and neighbors!
THE READING BUNNY HOP- April 15 at 8:30am. We’ll need help hiding the eggs and running the games for the kids. The games include the Bunny Hop (sack race) Egg toss, and the Runny Egg (that is running with an egg on a spoon).
The time commitment is minimal. You’ll be helping out the Rec Commission, giving the kids something fun to do as spring kicks into gear, and you can spend some time with your fellow Readingites.
If you’re interested in lending a hand, feel free to reply to this email or call one of the members of the Rec Commission. Our numbers are below.
HAPPY SPRING!
Stephen (802-484-5425), Lisa Kaija (802-952-8395) Lisa Morrison (802-952-1011), Joe Braun (203-313-1458) - The Reading Recreation Commission

Spring RES "Day of Caring" Event - We will be having a "spring" clean-up day here at RES and volunteers are needed. Do you have a skill you could share - carpentry, window washing, landscaping, painting, etc? We are tentatively planning this for Sat., May 6, but it depends on whether we have snow cover - hopefully it will be green by then! We also need to "pick up sticks" from the winter and do some general grounds upkeep. We will also need flowers to plant. Help us beautify our school! If you can help, please e-mail me. Thanks!

PBIS - We are a "PBIS" school like many other schools in the State. We emphasizes "positive behavior interventions & supports." As you visit our school, you will see charts on the walls that clearly spell out the expectations for students in different settings. Each classroom will have "rockets" that will hold "respect tiles" that students receive when adults reinforce the expected behavior. We will be "rolling this out" this week with the students. If you find a blue "tile" in the wash, please send it back to school. Pam B. is the coordinator for PBIS at our school and will be sending home a letter with more details in the next blog.

OTHER WAYS TO HELP READING SCHOOL

Come to a Reading Elementary School Board Meeting!
Come read to the students or volunteer to help in the library!

LUNCH & BREAKFAST MENU FOR THIS WEEK:

Please send in your payment if you have not already done so. Lunch accounts should be paid in full each month. Thank you!

Mon., April 10 - Fish Sticks, Tangerines, Cole Slaw, Whole Grain Couscous; Breakfast:- OMELET & The Regulars
Tues., April 11 - Chicken Vegetable Curry, Grapes, Broccoli, Cherry Tomatoes, Whole Grain Rice; Breakfast: Hard boiled Eggs - The Regulars
Wed., April 12 - Corn Chowder, Cottage Cheese, Oranges, Spinach w/Carrots, Whole Grain Corn Chips - Breakfast: Pancakes & The Regulars
Thurs., April 13 - Turkey Hash, Pears, Peas, Zucchini, Whole Grain English Muffin; Breakfast: Hard Boiled Egg - The Regulars
Fri., April 14 - Rice Bowl with all the Fixins; Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs - The Regulars