PRINCIPAL'S BLOG TO STAFF - SUN., OCT. 15, 2017

Dear Dedicated RES Staff,

There's nothing like a PTO Leaf Peepers breakfast to make you appreciate our community even more!  It was an amazing turnout!  The parents were there at the crack of dawn to get things going, and that doesn't count all the hours they put in before getting the bacon cooked!  Without the PTO's funding, our students would not have many of the opportunities they do.  As your students are practicing writing this week, perhaps some "Thank you" letters could be written from the students.   

KUDOS to STAFF Who "Stepped Up":  

• Pam B. for volunteering to clean up from the Leaf Peeper's Breakfast and donating fruit to the breakfast!
• Amy H. for coming in and washing dishes!
• Lisa K., Señora Elaine, Liza, and Libbet who came and ate and supported the breakfast with their dollars and presence!

Important Items to Know:   

Professional Guidelines  - In the absence of a staff manual, I will be covering various topics over the next few weeks in the blog, including last week's tile reminder.  It's just a reminder for everyone so we are all on the "same page."  If something mentioned bothers you, it's an opportunity for self reflection.  Feel free to talk to me if you have questions.   A staff manual will be completed before the end of the year as we cover topics in our Principal's meetings.  

Discipline Process Reminder - NO student should come to the office if they are "acting up" or need to talk to the principal without a referral form.  Sherry will be sending students back to class if they come down without a yellow or a blue slip.  Without the full story and a form, it's hard to process properly with the student.  If it's serious enough to send them, then please fill out the appropriate form.  The forms are necessary for documenting the incident and it sends a serious message to students.  It may take a few moments of your time, but it's an investment in them making better choices.  Students should also not be sent to other classrooms without a yellow slip being written up on it.  

Professional Behavior - Below are a few of the professional behaviors that we expect of one another:

• Be kind to one another at all times.  Just like we teach our students, if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all.  Sometimes our stress comes out on each other, and that's not okay.  Make it right as soon as possible.
• Respect each other's space - no one should go through anyone's drawers, closets, under desks, or tables without asking the person first. 
• All staff are expected to behave maturely and appropriately at all times.  No one should be raising their voice at another staff member.  
• It's okay to ask for help.  If you are too upset to work, then please CALl the office and we will provide sub coverage for you.
• If you send a student down to the office, please send a note or make a phone call to us.
• All CLASS phones should be on and answered during the day.  If there is a school emergency, we must be able to reach your classroom.

EAP - Employee Assistant Program brochures were placed in your mailboxes last week.  This is a FREE service available to ALL staff.  Life gets downright hard, and sometimes we need to talk to someone objective about it.  It's easy to call and the appointments are flexible.  If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, please reach out.  Otherwise, it has a tendency to "ooze" out on the students and those around you.  We care!

Meeting with the Principal - Due to my "part-time" schedule, I recognize that sometimes it's hard to meet with me and each of you are important to me.  I will publishing a schedule so that we can have a weekly check-in.   IF you have a burning question, student concern, etc., please schedule a time with Sherry and she will put it on my calendar.  

PBIS Celebrations - The RES Student Council met, and suggested many different ways to celebrate our PBIS success.  We will be celebrating the following ways on FRIDAYS staring this Friday.   It's important to follow through on student requests and be excited about the celebrations for them.  The choices may not be what we as adults would choose, but student choice and voice are important.  If you have a question about the days or events, please see Cathy or Pam.

• S - Slippers Day, Fri., Oct. 20
• P - Pajama Day, Fri., Oct. 20
• E - EXTRA recess - Students have extra* 5 min. on Fri., Oct. 13(See above.)  
• C - Crazy Hat Day - Students will wear a CRAZY hat for the day, Fri., Oct. 27
• T - TOTALLY mismatched clothes for the day - Fri., Oct. 27.

To celebrate the filling of the Rocket, the students have requested a "movie and popcorn" day like they had last spring.  So teachers can have extra time to do their grades, students will have movie time from 12:30 - 2:20  PM on Wed., Nov. 1.  Teachers will have time in their classrooms for grades and extra planning. No special is affected as it is Wed. afternoon.  Thank you for your team spirit and supporting STUDENT choices!  

Parent Conferences in Nov. - Please submit copies in a Google Doc of all scheduled parent conferences by Oct. 31.  Please allow a column that shows a check-off for it actually happening and any notes that we may need to know as a result of it.  Thanks!

Insurance Info. - Linda Loprete is going to be around the SU meeting with employees with regards to insurance changes.  She will be in our building at 2 PM on Tues., Oct. 17.  She will be using my office since I won't be here.  She will be here until 3:30 PM - please come by and talk to her about your options for the rest of the year.

Happening this Week: 

• Mon., Oct. 16 - 
• Chuck in
• Art is the Special
• 1 PM - Annie Luke visits Cathy - potential mentor program
• Cathy at Tech Meeting 2:00 - 4 PM
• Guidance here - Friday's schedule today
• Mindfulness
• Tues., Oct. 17 - 
• Pam B. out 1:45 PM
• Chuck in
• Cathy "off"
• 2 PM - Linda Loprete here to discuss insurance
• Wed., Oct. 18 - 
• Chuck in
• Superintendent Visit 9-11 AM
• Gr. 5/6 Field Trip to N. Branch River w/Lisa 11:30 - 2:15 PM
• PMA K-2 Teachers - 1:30 - 4:30 PM
• Libby out
• Pumpkin Field Trip for Gr. 1/2 8 - 9:30 AM
• RES Board Meeting - 6 PM
• Thurs., Oct. 19 - 
• Chuck in
• Libby out
• Lockdown Drill 2 PM
• Fri., Oct. 20 - 
• Payday
• No Guidance
• PBIS Celebration - Pajama & Slipper Day

 Mark Your Calendar/Upcoming Events: (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

• Mon., Oct. 23 - 
• 7 AM EST Meeting 1st grader
• 1 PM CSP Meeting - 4th grader
• EST meeting - 2:45 - 3:45 PM
• Tues., Oct. 24 - 
• Cathy "off"
• K-2 Teachers at Spelling Training
• Libby off
• Wed., Oct. 25
• Libby OFF
• Thurs., Oct. 26 - Libby off
• Fri., Oct. 27 - 
• End Term 1 - Pumpkin Raffle
• PBIS Celebration - Crazy Hat & Mismatch Day 
• Libby off
• Bills due to SU
• Mon., Oct. 30 - 
• 4:30 PM - EST Meeting - 2nd grader
• Pumpkin carving in Art
• Tues., Oct. 31 - 
• Cathy "off"
• Fright Night at Town Hall
• Wed., Nov. 1 - 
• Photo Retake Day 8 AM - 10
• Spanish in Classrooms 
• PBIS Rocket Celebration - 12:30 - 2:20 PM - Movie & Popcorn in the Cafeteria/Teachers do their grades.  
• Thurs., Nov. 2 - 
• Cathy at SLT meeting 8:30 - 1  PM
• Timesheets due 8 AM
• Mon., Nov. 6 - 
• Grades due in VCAT
• Tues., Nov. 7 - 
• Cathy "off"
• Wed., Nov. 8 - 
• Report cards go home
• Gr. 3-5 Math Training - leave by 1:15 PM (2 - 4 PM) FOREST CENTER
• Thurs., Nov. 9 - Jill/Guidance here today
• Fri., Nov. 10 - NO SCHOOL - Veteran's Day
• Tues., Nov. 14 - PK/K Field Trip to Lebanon Opera House
• Wed., Nov. 15 - 
• Superintendent Visit 1-3 PM
• Gr. K-2 Math PD - 2 - 4 PM
• Thurs., Nov. 16 
• Cathy at Elem. Principal Meeting 8:30 - 11:30 AM - SU
• Cathy at SU Tech Integration Meeting 2 - 4:30 PM
• Fri., Nov. 17' - 
• Pie Day
• Payday
• Sat., Nov. 18 - 
• Pie Sale at Town Hall
• Chili Cook-off at Town Hall 
• Mon., Nov. 20 
• Jill/Guidance in
• Tues., Nov. 21
• Heather off
• Community Turkey Dinner
• Jill/Guidance here
• Wed., Nov. 22 - 24 - SCHOOL CLOSED
• Tues., Nov. 28 -  Cathy "OFF"
• Wed., Nov. 29 - Inv. 3 - GR. 3-5; 1:15 - 4 PM - FOREST CENTER
• Thurs., Nov. 30 - Cathy at SLT(Principal's) Meeting 8 - 1:30 PM WES
• Fri., Dec. 1 - Payday

Thoughts to Ponder: