Reed-Custer Elementary School
2021-2022 Back To School Issue
About us
Email: heather.faletti@rc255.net
Website: www.rc255.net
Location: 162 S. School St. Braidwood, IL 60408
Phone: 815-458-2145
Facebook: facebook.com/RCES255/
Principal's Message....β
Welcome to RCES! π
It is my privilege to welcome our new and returning families to RCES. We can't wait for the 24-25 school year! The staff has been busy all summer preparing for another exciting year of learning.
RCES IS IN ITS LEARNING ERA!
We are very excited to add some new positions and new faces to our already fabulous RCES staff.
New to RCES:
- Mrs. Tingley, Assistant Principal
- Ms. Thorson, 1st grade teacher
- Ms. Pacholski, 2nd grade teacher
- Ms. Leiterman, 4th grade teacher
- Ms. Hitchcock, 4th grade special education teacher
- Mrs. Mitchell, 5th grade teacher
- Mrs. Beever, 5th grade special education teacher
- Ms. Koziol, PreK teacher
- Mrs. Kersmarki, teaching assistant
- Ms. Sanders, teaching assistant
- Mr. Cromp, 5th grade band director
- Mrs. Mota, Nursing assistant
- Mrs. Wilkey, teaching assistant
- Ms. Bollino, permanent substitute
Other staff changes at RCES:
- Mr. Sukley is our new, and first ever, Dean of Students
- Mrs. Petersen is moving from her 2nd grade classroom to the library
- Mrs. Johnson moved from PreK to Kindergarten
- Mrs. Atwell moved from 5th grade to PE
- Mr. Dinelli is moving from RCMS to teach PE at RCES
Enjoy the last few weeks of summer!
Welcome Week!
We know our new and returning students may be anxious about starting the new school year and finding classrooms. Parents and students are welcome to visit RCES for a self-guided tour before the first day of school. Families can walk around the building and find classrooms. Teachers will not be present during these times.
Family Visit Schedule:
- August 5th 1:00-2:30 pm
- August 6th 5:00-6:30 pm
- August 7th 9:00-10:30 am
August 13th - First Day of School for 1st-5th grade π«
Many of our young learners might seem anxious about finding their classrooms on the first day of school. Don't worry! Staff will be available to bring students into the building and help them find their classrooms. If you plan to drop your child off at school, please use the car rider lane near the playground. The front parking lot is for staff and visitors only.
Mark Your Calendars
August 1st PowerSchool opens with teacher and transportation information
Family Visit Schedule:
- August 5th 1:00-2:30 pm
- August 6th 5:00-6:30 pm
- August 7th 9:00-10:30 am
August 13th First day of school for 1st-5th grade (8:30-3:30)
August 13th & 14th PreK & Kindergarten Orientation
August 28th RC Connection/Open House 5:30-6:30 pm (PreK-2nd grade)
August 29th RC Connection/Open House 5:30-6:30 pm (3rd-5th grade)
Building Schedule
RCES School Day 8:30-3:30
8:20 Doors open - Students report to classrooms or breakfast
8:30 School day begins
Students arriving after 8:35 should enter through the front doors.
3:20 Car riders called to dismissal areas
3:30 RCES school day ends-Buses called to the front entrance
Walkers will be released out the front doors after all buses have cleared the front of the building. (Approximately 3:35)
Early Dismissal Schedule
RCES Early Release Schedule 8:30-11:50
8:20 Doors open - Students report to classrooms or breakfast
8:30 School day begins
11:40 Car riders called for dismissal
11:50 RCES Early Release Day Ends- Buses are called to the front entrance.
Walkers will be released out the front doors after all buses have cleared the front of the building (Approximately 11:55).
Please note:
Lunch is NOT served on early release days!
No PreK classes on early release days!
From The Office
When your child is absent, please call the office and provide the reason for the absence before 9:00 AM. The absence will be marked unexcused if a student is not called in.
We understand that plans occasionally change for families throughout the day. If you need to change your childβs end-of-day routine, please notify the office NO LATER than 1:30.
Toys, fidgets, or trading cards
Toys, fidgets, and trading cards (Pokemon) should be left at home. Our classrooms and playground have games and equipment that the students can use while at RCES. We are not responsible for these personal items that come into the building.
There may be special celebration days in a classroom when students may bring toys from home. Watch for those special announcements from your child's teacher.
Cell Phones
We do not recommend that students at RCES have cell phones at school. If your child brings a cell phone to school, it must be off and out of sight throughout the day. We are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged cell phones or electronic devices. Electronic devices/gaming systems should remain at home. All students at RCES have a school-issued device to use throughout the day.
The ABCs of the car rider lane
Our car loop can be intimidating. If you follow these simple rules, it's a breeze.
A. Always follow the instructions of the staff members on duty in our car loop.
B. Be cautious and considerate of other drivers AND students on our school grounds.
C. Consider carpooling whenever possible to ease congestion.
Car Rider Pickup ID Card:
To speed up the student pickup process, we ask that you fill out the Google form (use the link below) to request a Car Rider Pickup Identification Card. This card should be displayed in the front windshield of your vehicle when picking up your child. Please request a card for anyone picking up your child in the car loop. If a card is not displayed in the window or we have any questions, you may be asked to pull around to the front entrance of the building and check in with the office.
Car Line Up: ππππ
To alleviate traffic on Walker Street, all cars should form two lines in our car loop for drop-off and pickup. Once the two lines reach the curve near the outbuilding, staff will direct cars to merge into one line for drop-off and pickup.
Loading and Unloading:
For safety reasons, students should only exit and enter vehicles on the school side of the lane. Staff will be outside to direct traffic and help students in and out of cars. We do our best to keep the line moving quickly, but our top concern is the safety of our students. We unload and load five vehicles at a time. In the morning at drop-off, when you pull into one of our five spots (marked by the diagonal yellow lines on the blacktop), please say a quick goodbye so they can exit the vehicle. Staff will be present to help open doors and let students out of the cars.
Please DO NOT get out of your car once in the line.
- Student drop-off begins at 8:20 a.m. Please do not get in line until 8:00 a.m., as district vehicles need to get through.
- Students will be called out to the car loop beginning at 3:25 p.m. Please do not line up before 3:00 p.m.
Breakfast and Lunch at RCES
Due to the increase in enrollment, our cafeteria will be closed for lunch visits.
Breakfast at RCES:
Cost: $1.50 for full pay student.
Breakfast is served each day at 8:20 in the cafeteria at RCES.
Breakfast will begin August 19th.
Please let the classroom teacher know if you do not want your child to eat breakfast.
Lunch at RCES:
Cost: $2.50 for full pay student
Lunch Times-
- Kindergarten 11:00-11:30
- 1st Grade 11:05-11:35
- 2nd Grade 11:40-12:10
- 3rd Grade 11:45-12:15
- 4th Grade 12:15-12:45
- 5th Grade 12:20-12:50
Parents sending in lunches - Please have your child practice opening containers and difficult packaging before sending them to school.