RES PRINCIPAL'S BLOG TO STAFF - Sun., Oct. 8, 2017

Dear Caring RES Staff,

The fall colors are so beautiful.  I read recently that our glorious leaf change helps us get through "stick season" and the winter, and I hadn't thought of it that way but it's certainly true!  I hope you each have a rejuvenating weekend! 

KUDOS to STAFF Who "Stepped Up":  

• The "library elf" who helped reorganize the library annex off the 1/2 classroom and helped us gain a place for meetings!  
• Pam for volunteering her classroom for Thursday's SU leadership meeting! 
• Libby for all her flexibility and willingness to have lunch with students who are struggling!  

Important Items to Know:   

Message from Nurse Chick - Please read the attached guidelines for nurse visits from Jean.  If students are coming to the office, they are missing class time.   Sometimes students need a break from class, and a nurse visit is a good way to get one.  As adults, we've learned to "self-monitor," and we have to teach students to do the same.  Questions to consider:  does the student always need to go to the office when it's math time?  writing time?  reading time?  Are they bored?  Do they need to stretch?  Are they anxious? Encourage students to look out the window, stretch, drink water in your classroom before making a "nurse" visit.  

Field Trip or Specials Changes - One of the things I appreciate about the RES Staff is their ability to think outside the box and provide resources for our students.  For safety sake, PLEASE discuss your plans with the principal.  If you decide to change special schedules, we need to know because if we need to find a student, we need to know where they are. Communication is appreciated.  Thanks for your help with this! If you change a field trip date, the office needs to know.  If you don't see it in the blog, or it's wrong in the blog, then it's because I don't know.  

PBIS Reinforcement - Just a reminder to all staff that blue "respect" tiles are to be given to positively reinforce respectful behavior.  If a child struggles with good choices, but is making one, then by all means recognize that good choice.  If a child is working hard, then by all means give them a tile.  Just like we get a "paycheck" by doing our job, students can receive momentary recognition of them doing their "job," i.e. working at their seat.   Staff members should avoid telling another staff member that they "shouldn't" give a tile.  If you're not sure about when to reward a child with them, please see Pam B. or Cathy K. 

Walkthroughs - The new superintendent has clarified that every teacher is to have a documented walkthrough every quarter.  I will be in to each classroom for a minimum of 20 minutes.  I will give you a copy of the notes I take while I am in there and a written copy of the walkthrough form as soon as possible afterwards.  I am in your classrooms frequently as you know, but don't write up each one.  

Who to Call When - 

• If you are an hourly employee, and you complete a timesheet, if you have a question regarding your paycheck, please check with Cathy or Sherry first before calling the SU.  We do our best not to make mistakes, but sometimes things happen.  HR is a bit overwhelmed with insurance changes, so check with us before contacting Linda.
• Tech questions are handling by your tech contact - your principal. Please don't contact Raph regarding tech questions as he and I are working through our various tech growth.  If I'm not here, feel free to tell Sherry what you need.  I speak to Sherry at least three times a day when I'm "off" so I can often address them then.

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.

• R - Recess - Extra 5 min. - Already happened.  
• E - EXTRA recess - Students will have 10* min. extra recess on Friday, Oct. 13. 
• 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 plan on having a calendar/schedule written up for 20-30 min. parent conferences to occur before Friday, Nov. 17.  and for families to sign up for Thursday night.  This way everyone can plan ahead.  Please provide copies of all schedules to the office before Nov. 1.  Report cards come out Wed., Nov. 8, so that's a perfect time for conferences.  If you need me to attend a parent conference with you, please let me know.  EVERY family should have an in-person family conference PRIOR to Fri., Nov. 17.  

Happening this Week: 

• Mon., Oct. 9 - NO SCHOOL
• Tues., Oct. 10 - 
• Cathy at Prof. Development Training (last Waddington)
• Leticia and Pam at PBIS Conference
• Chuck in
• 1st Aid & CPR Training - 2:45 PM -  Gr. 5/6 Classroom
• Wed., Oct. 11 - 
• Cathy at Prof. Development Training(last Waddington)
• Chuck in
• Thurs., Oct. 12 - 
• Cathy at Elem. Principal Meeting at SU 2 -4 PM
• PTO Pizza Dinner 5 - 5:30 PM
• Back to School Open House - 5:30 - 6:30 PM
• Chuck in
• TIMESHEETS ARE DUE! 
• Fri., Oct. 13 - 
• 8 AM - Fire inspector here - fire drill
• Libby in
• 10 min. extra lunch recess (covered by Mrs. Knight, Mrs. Nagle, Ms. Dionne)
• Sun., Oct. 15 - Leaf Peeper's PTO Breakfast 8-10:30 AM  

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

• Mon., Oct. 16 - 
• Chuck in
• 1 PM - Annie Luke visits
• Cathy at Tech Meeting 2:30 - 4 PM
• Guidance 
• Tues., Oct. 17 - 
• Pam B. out 1:45 PM
• Chuck in
• 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 - 1:30 - 4:30 PM
• Libby out
• Pumpkin Field Trip for Gr. 1/2
• 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
• 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
• No Libby
• Fri., Oct. 27 - 
• End Term 1 - Pumpkin Raffle
• PBIS Celebration - Crazy Hat & Mismatch Day 
• 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
• 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
• Mon., Nov. 6 - 
• Grades due in VCAT
• Tues., Nov. 7 - Cathy "off"
• Wed., Nov. 8 - Report cards go home
• Tues., Nov. 14 - PK/K Field Trip to Lebanon Opera House

Thoughts to Ponder: