RES PRINCIPAL'S BLOG TO STAFF - Sun., Aug. 20, 2017

Dear Hardworking Staff,

And the new school year is about to begin!  I am finally finished with my 5 grad classes over the summer and am fully immersed in all things Reading Elementary.  My husband and I have been in daily and nightly putting the finishing touches on things.    I'm so excited about the new school year and the new additions to our staff!  It's going to be an AWESOME year!  Happy Eclipse!



KUDOS to STAFF Who "Stepped Up":  
  • Amy for all her hard work getting the school clean and ready!
  • All of you who have stopped by during the summer and worked in your rooms!  
  • Lisa K. for providing summer art opportunities for our students!  
  • Heather who has agreed to be our "kitchen substitute" until we can find someone for her position.     
Important Items to Know:

Summer Maintenance - There were several improvements made to the building over the summer, including the wood in the front lobby being resurfaced.  PLEASE do not put beverages on wood surfaces without a coaster.  Window sills in the K and PK room will be replaced with formica as the wood was beyond repair.  The grant for the security improvements has finally been approved, so improvements will continue once school has started.  This includes mag locks for your doors to make it easier to comply keep your door open safely and yet be able to close during a fire or lockdown, and a camera on the front and back of the building for security purposes. 

Message from Secretary Holcombe - Please read the attached LETTER.  

Orders - Due to a very tight budget, all orders must be pre-approved prior to ordering anything. 

School Supply List - We are asking families to spend no more than $15. on school supplies, as they help us "make the ends meet."  Please complete the Google Doc I have shared with you.  I will post your list in next week's blog.

Composting - So this year we will be participating with a company that specializes in composting - Grow Compost VT.    You will see more on this as the year progresses.

Staff Retreat - Please bring a refillable water bottle.  We will be having breakfast and dinner there.  Please bring last year's folder and copies of the Action Plan.  I will bring copies for our new staff.  I will send out the agenda on Thursday for your review.  


Staffing Update - I have an interview this week with a potential Special Ed./Interventionist candidate at the SU.  I have interviewed several possible candidates for the custodial work.  I will keep you informed.

New Staff - We welcome Joan Nagle as our General Education Paraeducator (formerly Sherry's position.)  Joan is highly qualified and we are so glad she's joining us!  Jill Tofferi will be joining us as Guidance Counselor.  She was in last week with Mary Dolan and is excited about joining our family.

Parent Blog - For those of you who are new to us, I put things in the "parent's" blog that I don't put in this blog, so please read both of them so you are aware of what's going on.

Supplies - Most supplies have come in, but there are still several expected this week.  Please send Cathy an e-mail with any outstanding orders if you don't have them by Thurs. Please remember I cannot reimburse purchases you make unless they have been pre-approved by me.  

Building Hours - Just a reminder to all that the new building alarm hours are 10 PM to 6 AM.  PLEASE see me if you don't remember your code. 


Floors Stripped - The floors have been stripped and they look wonderful.  PLEASE do your best to encourage students NOT to drag chairs on the floor.  We have "tennis ball" bottoms ordered. 

Schedule - The DRAFT schedule is ready for your review.  We know it's going to be tweaked so put your thinking caps on and let me know your suggestions, etc. on how to make things better if you have an idea.  Guidance will be on Wed. and Friday, so you will work with Jill to schedule that.  

Principal Hours - For those of you who are new, I am paid as a part-time principal.  I am principal 3 days a week, and one day a week(Fri.) I put on my library-media/ed. tech hat.  On the days when I am NOT in the building, usually the nurse and the admin. asst. handle things.  I can be reached via cell phone with an emergency.  When the schedule says, Cathy "OFF" it means I am not in the building that day.  It happens to be Tuesdays because that's when our nurse, Jean Chick is here.  Again, Sherry can reach me if need be, but I am not in the building those days.  On my "teacher" days, I defer to the admin. asst. or guidance counselor to handle discipline, etc. while I teach.  If it's an emergency, they take over for me in library and I deal with the emergency.  Please see me with questions.  

Happening this Week: 
    • Sun., Aug. 20 - 1st Blog of 2017-18
    • Mon., Aug. 21
      • Cathy and Sherry at SU 8 - 10 AM - Rediker Training
      • Cathy has 3 PM interview with Special Ed. Candidate
    • Tues., Aug. 22 
      • CPI Training - 8 - 3 PM - WUHS Library - Pam, Sherry, Cathy, Liza
    • Wed., Aug. 23
      • Cathy and Sherry at SU 8 - 10 AM - Rediker Training
      • 3 PM - Cathy and Leticia have IEP Meeting at RES
    • Thurs., Aug. 24 - 
      • New Staff Orientation at the SU - only teachers.  8 - 11:30 AM.  
      • Meet & Greet New Staff - 5:30 - 6:30 PM
      • Pre-K Orientation 5:45 - 6:30 PM
      • Cathy at Admin. Team 1 - 4 PM at Forest Center
    • Fri., Aug. 25 - Staff Retreat - Keeper's Cafe - 8 AM - 3 PM
     Mark Your Calendar/Upcoming Events: 
    • Mon., Aug. 28 - Inservice
      • 8 AM - 3 PM -Math & Science Inservice at WES
      • Cathy and Sherry at Rediker Training at SU - 10 - 12 Noon
    • Tues., Aug. 29
      • 8 AM - 9:30 AM - SU District Meet & Greet
      • 10 AM - 3 PM - Time in your classrooms (Cathy providing lunch, bring your own beverage.)
    • Wed., Aug. 30 - 
      • 1st Student Day for 2017-18 School - 1st Day Breakfast Provided by the PTO
      • 2:55 - 3:15 PM - 1st Day "BRIEF" Debrief - Gr. 5/6 Classroom
    • Mon., Sept. 4 - Labor Day
    • Tues., Sept. 5 - Cathy "Off"
    • Wed., Sept. 20 - 6:30 PM - RES Board Meeting
    • Wed., Oct. 4 - Picture Day
    • Mon., Oct. 9 - NO SCHOOL
    • Tues., Oct. 10 - Cathy "Off"
    • Thurs., Oct. 12 - Back to School Open House - 5:30 - 6:30 PM
                    Thoughts to Ponder:



                    Comments

                    Popular posts from this blog

                    RES PRINCIPAL'S BLOG TO STAFF - Sun., Nov. 3, 2017

                    RES PRINCIPAL'S BLOG TO STAFF - Sun., April 1, 2018

                    RES PRINCIPAL'S BLOG TO STAFF - Sun., Jan. 29, 2017