Reed-Custer Elementary School

Email: heather.faletti@rc255.net
Website:https://sites.google.com/rc255.net/rcesreed-custer-255u/mrs-faletti
Location: 162 S. School St. Braidwood, IL 60408
Phone: 815-458-2145
Facebook: facebook.com/RCES255/

🍁🍂 Happy September 1st! 🍁🍂

September is a busy month! Please watch for important information from the office and your child's teacher.

Early Parent-Teacher Conferences (Teacher Request)

On Thursday, September 19th, RCES will host our early parent-teacher conferences. If your child's teacher requests a conference, please use conference manager to schedule a time that fits your schedule. Conference manager is located in your PowerSchool dashboard, on the right-hand side. Please see below for instructions. If your child's teacher does not request a conference at this time, but you have a concern and would like to request a conference with a staff member during our September conferences, please email your child's teacher/staff member to schedule a time.

Please Note: Our September conferences are a time for staff to connect with families and offer support early in the school year. Teachers may not request to meet with all families at this time. We will meet with all families during the October Parent-Teacher Conferences.

October Parent-Teacher Conferences (10/16 & 10/17)

The October parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for all RCES parents/guardians to meet with the teaching staff to discuss current academic progress and review assessment information.

We look forward to seeing all RCES families in October.

RCES IS IN ITS LEARNING ERA!

In order to maintain a safe environment for our students to learn and grow at RCES, it is necessary that we practice our emergency and crisis response plans by having drills designed to exercise our procedures. We will be conducting various required drills throughout the school year, and want to ensure our families understand the importance of these drills as well as understand each type of drill.

RCES will be practicing 4 primary emergency drills.

1. Fire Drills
2. Lockdown Drills
3. Shelter-In-Place/Severe Weather Drills
4. Evacuation Drills

Fire Drills

RCES will conduct several fire drills, both announced and unannounced, throughout the school year. We want all the students at RCES to understand and be aware of the importance of this drill but also not be afraid when the fire alarm is sounded. By practicing this drill various times during the year, the students will know what to do and how to do it.

Lockdown Drills

During a lockdown drill, we will secure the building and safely shelter all students, staff, and visitors inside the building. The purpose of this drill is to keep students safe from any danger outside or inside the building. During a "lockdown drill," all of the perimeter doors of the school will be locked and will remain locked until the danger or issue outside or inside the building is removed. To keep everyone safe, no one will be allowed to enter or leave the building until the drill is completed.

Shelter-In-Place Drills

The "Shelter-in-Place/Severe Weather" drill will be conducted each school year. The purpose of this drill is to be prepared to move to a safe location within the building in case of severe weather or tornados.

Evacuation Drills

During an "Evacuation Drill," students will be safely escorted along a designated evacuation route to one of our pre-determined evacuation sites. After the drill, all students will be escorted back to the school.

All RCES students also practice bus safety and bus evacuation drills during PE classes.

Please remember that these safety practice drills help maintain our schools as safe places to learn and grow.

September 2nd No School! Enjoy your long weekend!

September 4th 4th & 5th grade choir begins

• Please make sure to review the choir information packet and sign the commitment form.

September 9th FORCES fall fundraiser begins

September 9th FORCES meeting at 3:45 pm in the RCES cafeteria

September 9th 5th grade band instrument rental night 6:30 pm 🎺

September 9th-13th Jr. Comets Homecoming Dress Up Days - See schedule below.

September 10th 5th grade band instrument rental night 6:30 pm 🎷

September 11th Early Release at RCES 11:50 dismissal

• No PreK or lunches will be served on early release days.
• This is our first early release day at RCES. Please ensure your child's teacher and the office know of any dismissal changes for your child by 9/10.

September 19th Early Release (11:50) No PreK or lunch served

September 19th Early Parent-Teacher Conferences (requested) 2:00-8:00 pm

September 19th CLASS COLOR DAY!

RCES will join RCHS in wearing their class colors!

• PreK - Red ❤
• K- Orange🧡
• 1st-Blue💙
• 2nd-Green💚
• 3rd-Red ❤
• 4th-Orange 🧡
• 5th-Blue 💙

September 20th BLACK & GOLD DAY at RCES!

Wear your COMET gear with pride! 🖤💛

September 20th RCES students will be walking with their classes to the RC Homecoming Parade at 2:00 pm (Main Street)

September 20th Reed-Custer Homecoming Game at COMET Stadium

🖤💛🏈Go COMETS 🖤💛🏈

October 1st Preschool Screening at RCES - No PreK Classes!

October 4th Say Cheese! Fall Pictures at RCES! 📷

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: 🚗🏎🚙🚓

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.

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.