Reading Elementary Rockets Report

Sunday, November 4, 2018

RES PRINCIPAL'S BLOG - ROCKETS REPORT - Sun., Nov. 4, 2018

Dear Reading Elementary "Rockets" Families & Community Members:

Kudos and heartfelt thanks to:

The Ameele Family for donating supplies to the RAP Program.
Everyone who has brought their lunch accounts current.

Other Items of Interest:

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. The family district handbook can be found on our website and hard copies can be obtained from RES. The topics covered are being discussed in schools district-wide.

BUS TRANSPORTATION

Bus transportation is provided to students attending the WCSU schools, and bus routes will follow the most direct roads to serve our students. Bus routes will be formulated as needed by the District in conjunction with the transportation contractor.

Students may be required to walk a reasonable distance (up to 1/2 mile) from the school or from an established bus route. In locations where, in the opinion of the school directors, it is neither feasible nor practical to drive a school bus, families may be required to provide transportation for their child to the nearest established bus route.

Students are expected to maintain school appropriate behavior on school buses to create a climate of safety, respect, and cooperation.

Be seated right away and stay seated until the bus stops at its destination.
Sit where the driver tells you to sit.
Be respectful to each other and the bus driver
Speak nicely to others on the bus using inside voices

Keep the aisles of the bus clear (of feet and belongings.)
Keep your body in your seat.
Obey the bus driver.
Keep the bus clean.
No skateboards, skis, fishing poles, or sharp objects.
Use the rear door ONLY in cases of emergencies.

Any instance of a child not conducting him/herself properly on the bus is to be brought to the attention of the principal by the bus driver. Children who have serious disciplinary issues on the bus may have his/her privileges suspended by the principal. In such cases, the family of the child involved becomes responsible for transporting their child to school.

Butler Bus Company Rules

Observe school and classroom conduct
Be courteous: no profane language
No eating or drinking on the bus
Keep the bus clean
Cooperate with the driver
No smoking or vaping
Do not damage or tamper with bus or equipment
Stay in your seat
Keep head, hands & feet inside the bus
No fighting, pushing or shoving
No pets on the bus
No flammable materials on the bus
Provide a signed permission slip to get off at a different bus stop
The driver has the authority to assign seats at any time
Items carried on the bus are only allowed if space permits

All equipment must be in fully enclosed bags.
Carry-on items must be held on the lap or between knees unless there is space on the adjacent seat
Aisles must remain clear for emergency evacuation

If the bus driver refers a student for distracting or potentially dangerous behavior, the student will receive a warning and appropriate consequences from the school administration.

Bus Discipline Procedures:

If a rule is broken, the driver will warn your child once.
The second incident results in a written notification from the bus driver or principal, per district policy.
The third incident, the family of the child involved will become responsible for transporting their child to school.

Regular Bus Routes/Bus Stops:

Parents/guardians are responsible for the safety of their students at bus stops prior to the arrival of buses in the morning and after the delivery of the students in the afternoon.
Students in Gr. K-3 must have a parent or assigned guardian to meet the child at the bus stop unless a written note is presented to the school.
Students should arrive at their designated bus stop 5 minutes before the scheduled pickup.

Afterschool Program - Session 2 of the afterschool program starts next Mon., Nov. 5. The sign-up sheet is attached HERE. Due to the distance many of our staff drive and the early darkness, we are adjusting our hours to end at 5 PM daily. If school is closed due to inclement weather, we will not have afterschool. Also, if the district closes school early due to bad weather, we will not have afterschool. We are looking for an after-school director to take over the position that Cathy Knight and Pam Boyer Sheldon currently hold. If you know of anyone interested, please contact Cathy Knight.

WCUD Board Meeting - There is a meeting NEXT Mon., Nov. 5. Here is the agenda.

Thank You - It has been an honor to be the principal and librarian/tech teacher here at Reading Elementary School for the last three years. I have enjoyed every moment working with your amazing children and wish you all nothing but the best. I have informed the Superintendent that I will not be returning to the district for the 2019-20 school year. My husband and I are considering relocating, and he has some health issues we must address. Thank you for your kind and supportive comments to me throughout the years.

Upcoming Events - It's that time of year - pie sale AND the Thanksgiving Community Feast. We will need supplies for the pies and the PTO will be sending out lists of supplies needed. So more time can be spent on academics, pies will be made in the afterschool program on Fri., Nov. 16. The Community Thanksgiving celebration is Tues., Nov. 20 from 12 - 12:45 PM. A list of supplies will also be coming out next week.

OTHER WAYS TO HELP READING SCHOOL

Turn in Box Tops for school! Each label is worth 10 cents!
Sign up your Price Chopper account so RES gets points!
Offer to teach a course in the After School program - share your skills!

BREAKFAST & LUNCH & MENU FOR NEXT WEEK:

Lunch & Milk Questions - If a child is free and reduced, milk is FREE with either breakfast or lunch. If a child wants milk by itself, there is a 50 cent charge. This is a federal government/state rule. Please let us know if you have questions.

Happening this Week:

Mon., Nov. 5 -

PE - students should wear tennis shoes and be prepared to go outside for PE.
WCUD Board Meeting - 6 PM - WCSU Conference Room

Tues., Nov. 6 -

Library/Tech - please bring back library books!
PTO Meeting 5:30 PM - RES Library

Wed., Nov. 7 -

Thurs., Nov. 8

Music & Band
Make-Up Picture Day

Fri., Nov. 9

Spanish

Mark Your Calendar/Upcoming Events:

Mon., Nov. 12 - NO SCHOOL
Wed., Nov. 14 - Report cards come home
Fri., Nov. 16 - Pie Making AFTERSCHOOL
Sat., Nov. 17 - Pie Sale & Chili Cook-off
Tues., Nov. 20 - RES Community Thanksgiving Dinner 12 - 12:45 PM
Wed., Nov. 21 - 23 - SCHOOL CLOSED

Thoughts to Ponder:

LIFE AT READING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL:

Sunday, October 28, 2018

RES PRINCIPAL'S BLOG - ROCKETS REPORT - Sun., Oct. 28, 2018

Dear Reading Elementary "Rockets" Families & Community Members:

(Time change is NEXT weekend.)

Kudos and heartfelt thanks to:

All the parents who bought pumpkin raffle tickets and congrats to the winners!
The Reading Fire Dept. for visiting and educating us about fire safety!
All of you who read this blog!

Other Items of Interest:

CLOSINGS OR DELAYS

In the event that school is closed or there is a delayed opening (due to inclement weather or any emergency), a message will be sent to all families through our emergency notification service. Announcements will be on local TV and radio stations. If the school has a website, it will be posted there as well. Please be sure to provide us with current phone contacts so we may contact you at the correct number. The full snow day protocol can be found here.

No Costumes Please - Wednesday is Halloween, but we want to keep the focus on learning so we ask that no costumes be worn. We also ask that Halloween candy not come to school the next day. We will be having a "costume" day as part of our PBIS positive reinforcement system in the next few weeks.

Snacks Needed - Snacks are not provided this year, so please send in snacks for your student every day. Some students are eating their lunch for a snack, and they don't have enough lunch so it may be helpful to "label" the snack. Last year we always had extra fruit, but this year we do not qualify for the Fresh Fruit Grant that we had last year, so please send in fresh fruit for your child in their packed home lunch. If you have questions about your the lunch program, please contact Gretchen Czaka, at gczaja@wcsu.net.

Afterschool Program - Session 2 of the afterschool program starts next Mon., Nov. 5. The sign-up sheet is attached HERE. Due to the distance many of our staff drive and the early darkness, we are adjusting our hours to end at 5 PM daily. If school is closed due to inclement weather, we will not have afterschool. Also, if the district closes school early due to bad weather, we will not have afterschool. We are looking for an after-school director to take over the position that Cathy Knight and Pam Boyer Sheldon currently hold. If you know of anyone interested, please contact Cathy Knight.

WCUD Board Meeting - There is a meeting NEXT Mon., Nov. 5. Here is the agenda.

Flu Shots Available - Our school nurse, Mrs. Clark, has arranged for Rite Aid to come and provide flu shots and will bill your insurance. They are scheduled to be at RES from 2:30 - 3:30 PM on Tuesday, Oct. 30. Please bring your insurance card. More information and the forms to be signed can be found HERE.

Message from Mrs. Morton -

Dear Band Parents,

I am so pleased that your children decided to join the instrumental program. It is such a worthwhile opportunity. I have registered each student onto the Essential Elements website (https://www.essentialelementsinteractive.com). You will find their username and password on the inside cover page of their book. On this site, you will find outstanding learning tools like pedagogy videos that will help them with assembling and holding their instrument, mouth placement, and embouchure. The music studio allows them to access all the songs in the book and practice tools like recording their performance. They also can play along with many different style accompaniment tracks which make practicing more fun. Essential Elements is a web base and can be used anywhere there is an internet signal. There are apps for both iPads and smartphones. Please encourage them to use this site to help them become better musicians. Also, please contact me with any questions.

Thank you for your help and support,

Christine

Strategic Plan Committee - A voice for Reading is important - please consider joining!

Profile of a Graduate Survey - Your voice is important. Please take a moment and complete the survey with regards to your thoughts of the "Profile of a Graduate."