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

Dear Reading Elementary "Rockets" Families & Community Members:

When we "circled up" that first morning with families, community members, staff, and students, the energy in the room was so full of excitement. It was a powerful moment demonstrating the unity of this community and the support behind the school. What a wonderful three days we had last week! Smiling faces abounded as new students met current students, and new staff met current staff! We're all happy to be here and honored to be learning with your student!

Kudos and heartfelt thanks to:

The PTO for the yummy 1st day breakfast!
All the parents who came to "the 1st day breakfast" and stayed for morning circle!
All of you who have already prepaid your Aug. & Sept. lunch bill!

Other Items of Interest:

READING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HOURS (as of 9/1/17)

7:15 AM……………....Busers and students eating breakfast arrive.

7:15 - 7:30 AM……….Breakfast

7:30 AM……………….All students arrive.

7:35 AM……………….Morning Community Circle in the Cafeteria.

7:45 AM……………….Learning begins in classrooms.

11:15 - 11:45 AM.........K-6 Recess

11:30 - 11:45 AM…….Pre-K dismissal/parent pick-ups

11:50 - 11:55 PM.........Handwashing

11:55 - 12:25 PM.........Lunch

12:30 PM.....................Afternoon learning begins

2:20 PM……………….Busers dismissed.

2:25 PM……………….Bus leaves

2:30 PM……………….Walkers/parent pick-ups dismissed.

Lunch Bills - In order to keep our lunch costs down, we ask that families PRE-PAY, and in doing so, pay less. IF you pay your Aug./Sept. fee by next Friday, Sept. 15, your child's lunches will be $2.50 each. Otherwise, they are $3.00 each meal. Please send in a check for $55. for Gr. K-6, and $30. if your child is Pre-K. Snacks are provided through our Fresh Fruit and Veggie Grant. Please send it in an envelope with your child's name in. Thank you!

School Supplies - There's something magical about shopping for school supplies in August. I remember going with my family and it created an excitement about the coming school year. Each class will be creating a small "supply list" <$15. per family for the 2017-18 school year that we'd appreciate you purchasing the first week of school. We'll be sending home lists with each grade and there is an electronic list HERE thought some teachers have not filled theirs out yet.

Box Tops - We are still collecting BOX TOPS. Please bring in your supply from the summer and ask your neighbors/family members to collect them for us!

Price Chopper - Please sign up to help our school earn points. Last year we were able to purchase two "character books and posters" for the school through your points. Just go to the website and register your card for our school. Every point helps!

Staff Bios - So we will highlighting various staff members each week so you can get to know who your child's education team is. Please see below:

A Message from Mrs. Grenier - RES Physical Education Teacher

Hi, My name is Rose Grenier; I will be the new physical education teacher. I have a BS with a dual option of Athletic Training and Teacher Certification (NH/VT) from Plymouth State College. This will be my 19th year of teaching PE in the Upper Valley. In the past year, I have earned my group fitness and personal training certification with a youth specialization. I have been coaching learn to skate and figure skating for preschool through adults for over 20 years. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my husband and our two dogs. I also like cooking, crafting, kayak/ paddle boarding, fishing, and camping.

During physical education class students will participate in variety of developmentally appropriate units for individual, partner, and group activities, such as dance, basketball, volleyball, and parachute. All physical education classes will emphasize learning a variety of skills along the benefits of physical activity & fitness and the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. For more information about class and expectations please see my welcome letter.

Message from Lisa Kaija - Art Teacher:

Revive Reading Runners?

One of the highlights of my kids’ time at Reading Elementary School was participating in “Reading Runners”, an elementary cross-country running program. It began in 1999, I believe, and was initially coached by Lisa Marks (who now teaches at Ludlow Elem.) and Joy Grossman, a parent and school board member at the time. RES students in grades K-6 practiced a couple times a week and then competed at running meets sponsored by Kurn Hattin Homes in Westminster and The Grammar School in Putney.

Generally, 6-8 other elementary schools and a couple middle schools appeared at the running meets. They are low pressure events with great energy and abundant encouragement for elementary kids who make the effort to get out and try running. There are four meets currently scheduled in September and October.. The first scheduled meet is Wednesday, September 20 at Kurn Hattin. At the meets, ages 5-8 ran .5 mile, ages 9-11 ran 1.0 mile and ages 12+ ran 1.5 miles. We generally left school a little early and carpooled to the meets.

My memories are only of sunny, gorgeous, colorful autumn afternoons at Kurn Hattin.

With the help of teachers and parents, I coached Reading Runners for a number of years between 2006-2009. We typically practiced one day each week on the trails behind RES or around town and another day on Fred (now Bill and his siblings) Hunt’s beautiful 3-mile logging road off the Tyson Road. Again, my memories are mostly of beautiful days spent running with kids in the woods without traffic.

I am willing to revive “Reading Runners” this fall, if I can find some help from parents and/or teachers. Depending on the number of kids who are interested, I will need at least one other adult besides me to assist at practices. If you are only able to assist one day each week, but be there consistently, that is great. Volunteers needn’t be skilled runners, but simply willing to keep up with the kids at the back of the pack. I will also ask parents to help with providing healthy snacks for the group after each practice.

Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:45-4:00 pm are the best time for me to practice. These times do not conflict with Woodstock Rec. Center soccer practices for elementary students, as far as I know. If you or your student(s) are interested, please contact me via e-mail (lqkaija@gmail.com). I am excited to see if we can make this happen again!

OTHER WAYS TO HELP READING SCHOOL

We need a little help with weeding & painting! Please volunteer!
Volunteer to help do some little repair projects!
Serve on the RES Board - there's still an opening!

LUNCH & BREAKFAST MENU FOR NEXT WEEK:
Please send in this month's prepaid lunch bill - Gr. K-6 $55 per child, or PK - $30. per child. Please send in your free and reduced forms as well!
Lunch accounts should be paid in full each month. Thank you!

Tues., Sept. 5, 2017 - Chicken & Broccoli w/Pineapple, Whole Grain Rice Breakfast: Hard Boiled Eggs & the Regular
Wed., Sept. 6, 2017- Veggie Quiche, Melon, Carrots, Green Beans & Potatoes, Whole Grain Crackers: Breakfast: Oatmeal & the Regulars
Thurs., Sept. 7, 2017 - Turkey Reuben Melts in whole grain pita bread, Apples, Rainbow Peppers, Cherry Tomatoes & Coleslaw: Breakfast: Hard Boiled Eggs and the Regulars
Fri., Sept. 8, 2017 - Whole Grain English Muffin Pizza, Grapes, Caesar Salad; Breakfast: Omelet & the Regulars