Rocky's Weekly Roundup!

Dear RES Families,

How is it possible we are heading into the last full week of school for the 23-24 school year?!

On Sunday, June 2nd, the CT PTA Outstanding Educators were honored and celebrated during the annual CT PTA banquet. It served as a wonderful occasion not just to commend the remarkable contributions of Mr. Matt Farina, named Outstanding Teacher of the Year, Dr. Sammi Gureasko-Moore, recognized as Outstanding School Psychologist, and Mrs. Melissa Labrosciano, distinguished as Outstanding Elementary Principal, but also to acknowledge the exceptional dedication of our PTA in providing enriching opportunities, educational experiences, and community engagement. This partnership exemplifies our shared commitment to nurturing and empowering the next generation.

On Friday, June 14th, JBHS graduates will be taking part in a special "farewell walk" through the halls of RES. We're excited that the district has decided to introduce this enjoyable tradition to RES.

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead!

Mrs. Melissa Labrosciano, Principal

Mrs. Kim Roy, Assistant Principal

We're thrilled to share that Mrs. Melissa Hojdysz has been selected as the 2025 RES Teacher of the Year, while Ms. Bobbie Granskog has been chosen as the 2025 RES Staff Member of the Year! These exceptional individuals were nominated by their peers and earned this prestigious recognition through a voting process. Congratulations to Mrs. Hojdysz and Ms. Granskog!

We'd also like to extend our appreciation to all the members of the RES community who were nominated for this honor.

Teacher of the Year

Sallita Ballard

Ron Farina

Jessica Osso

Staff Member of the Year

Kate Jorgenson

Sue Sullivan

Christian Montefusco

Lynn Valenti

Bev O'Boza

Pamela Caraluzzi

If you are not returning to RES next year due to moving out of the area, changing schools, etc. Please reach out to Mrs. Mary Burritt, mburritt@er9.org in our main office for the appropriate withdrawal paperwork at your earliest convenience. It is helpful to know as we begin the class placement process.

RES Summer Academy 2024 registration is now open. Please use the following links to see the brochure and registration forms. Please note due to high interest, Ready, Set Kindergarten has a separate registration for the lottery.

K-5 REGISTRATION FORM

K-5 SUMMER ACADEMY BROCHURE

*There is a WEEK 3 Class for Kindergarten in this Brochure

KINDERGARTEN INFORMATION:

READY SET KINDERGARTEN LOTTERY FORM

KINDERGARTEN BROCHURE

We are happy to share that the John Read Middle School 2024 Summer Enrichment Program is on and begins the week of June 26th. Click on the list of programs to see all the different camps being offered and to register.

Please contact Judy Collentine at jcollentine@er9.org with questions.

From The Health Office:

The following communication was sent to families on April 23rd...

This communication is to inform you that as of Monday, April 22nd Mrs. Jennifer Connolly, RES School Nurse will be on a temporary leave of absence. Nurse Connolly will be returning on Monday, June 3rd.

While she's away, Deanna Carley and Danielle Frenzel, our part-time nurses, will be stepping into more full-time roles. Additionally, we're fortunate to have Carolyn Kearney, retired Samuel Staples School Nurse, joining our team. Please take a look at the schedule for these nurses below.

Do not hesitate to reach out to any of our nurses with any questions or concerns. Our school nurses can also always be reached by telephone, 203.938.2519 ext. 309.

• June 18th: Fourth Grade Stepping Up Ceremony @ 9:30 a.m. (RCC)

• June 18th: Last Day of School!

Visiting RES...

At RES we regularly discuss our safety protocols and procedures. The following protocols are implemented for visitors at RES:

• In order to enter the vestibule at the main entrance, anyone wishing to do so MUST present a photo identification. Identification will be held up to the outside camera and checked by our office staff before you are allowed to enter the vestibule. This procedure includes dropping off your child, picking up your child, etc. Please do not take offense if you feel the office staff should know you. There will not be an exception made to this rule. Office staff will also be asking visitors the purpose of their visit.

• Visitors will be allowed in the building by appointment only. Appointments could range from a specific meeting with a teacher, special education team, and/or administration. Appointments would also include any volunteer opportunities or visits in your child’s classroom. An appointment may also be a call from the nurse to pick up your child. All planned visits and appointments will be arranged for you by an RES staff member. In accordance with our volunteer guidelines, parents may not bring younger siblings to classroom celebrations, volunteer opportunities or on field trips.

• If you feel you need to enter the building and have not made previous arrangements. You must call RES to make arrangements prior to arriving. For example, access to our lost and found area.

• A drop-off table will be placed outside of the vestibule. The table will be clearly marked. Please make sure items are properly labeled before you arrive (child’s name and teacher). You do not need to ring the bell to tell the office an item is being dropped off. The table will be checked twice daily at 10:30 a.m. and at the end of each school day.

• Students are expected to be dropped off each morning by 8:05 a.m. If you are arriving at drop off after 8:05 a.m., please drop your child off by parking in the main parking lot, and have your child walk down the walkway to enter through the RES main entrance.

Morning Arrival Procedures...

A reminder that our doors open to students at 7:55 a.m. each morning and the official start of our school day begins at 8:05 a.m. Our goal is to have all students in the building and in their classrooms by this time, so that each classroom can begin their day together and can maximize their time with each other.

A challenge that we need your support with, if you are dropping your child off in the morning, is to ensure the following guidelines are being followed to help our car lines move quickly.

• parents and caregivers remain in vehicles

• backpacks on and ready

• students exit from the passenger side of the vehicle

• practice unbuckling seat belts and opening car doors

• do not stop in the middle of the car line, always pull forward closest to the dumpster

If your child needs support with unbuckling their seatbelts in the morning, we ask that you exit the car line as you approach the drop off and pull your vehicle into an available parking spot to assist with this process. This will help our car line move quickly. Once the student is out of the car, you may walk your child over to the sidewalk to be greeted by one of our staff members. From this point, students, only, will walk toward and enter the building. Of course, we want to foster independence in our youngest students and hope that most of our vehicles will remain in the line for dropping off.

Please be courteous, kind. Plan accordingly and expect to be running late if you need to be somewhere in the morning or afternoon at a certain time. If time is of the essence our recommendation is to have your child take the bus to school and home.

Peanut and Tree Nut Free Classrooms...

Due to the amount of students with life threatening peanut and tree nut allergies all classrooms at RES are designated as peanut and tree nut free areas. We are following the same practices as JRMS. Please do not pack classroom snacks that contain peanuts and/or tree nuts. Your child may still enjoy peanuts and/or tree nuts during his/her lunch period in the cafeteria. We only ask that snacks eaten in the classroom do not contain such products, as the cafeteria has additional procedures and special precautions to follow for children with food allergies. Students are encouraged to engage in safe practices in the cafeteria, which includes refraining from sharing or swapping meals and snacks. If food is being allowed at a classroom celebration, food products must be accompanied by the original packaging so that ingredients can be checked.

If you have been thinking of getting back into the working world, but needed something that works around your child(ren)'s schedule, RES has several part-time opportunities. We have positions as lunch and recess monitors, and kindergarten paraeducators. These positions allow you to have a little bit of flexibility, where you still have time to get your child(ren) on and off the bus each day. If you are interested in a position please go to the ER9 Website and complete an application online. Once you have completed an application feel free to call or email Bobbie Granskog or Rachel Saluzzi in the main office if you have additional questions.

Please check out the fliers below to see what is happening around Redding. Events may include town hall programs, Soccer, Park & Recreation, Mark Twain Library events, New Pond Farm, Redding Newcomers, Scouts, Easton/Redding Boys and Girls Club, etc. There is MUCH TO DO here in Redding!!

Website: www.reddingelementaryps.org
Location: 33 Lonetown Road, Redding, CT, USA
Phone: (203)938-2519

Office hours for Special Services is 7:30am - 3:00pm during the regular school year.

SPECIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

Ms. Katherine Matz, Director, Special Services

kmatz@er9.org

Mrs. Jennifer Hankla, Supervisor, Special Services

jhankla@er9.org

Mrs. Marilyn Caruso, Secretary, Special Services

mcaruso@er9.org Ext. 312

Office hours for the main office is 7:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. during the normal 10-month / 180 day school year.

SUPPORT STAFF:

Miss Bobbie Granskog, School Secretary

bgranskog@er9.org Ext. 304

Budgets, Payroll, & Liaison for Rocky's Weekly Roundup!

Mrs. Mary Burritt, School Secretary

mburritt@er9.org Ext. 302

Registrar & Enrollment

Mrs. Rachel Saluzzi, School Secretary

rsaluzzi@er9.org Ext. 301

Assistant to School Principals

School Dismissal Manager & Substitutes

OTHER FREQUENTLY CALLED NUMBERS:

Nurse Connolly — Ext. 309

Library— Ext. 343

Kitchen — Ext. 346

You will find a complete list of telephone extensions and email addresses for all central office and RES staff on the district's website, www.er9.org.