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Scotty Updates
A Newsletter from Scotland Elementary School
Week of May 27, 2024
Scotty Updates
Scotty Updates has been created to provide families and staff with information regarding upcoming events, happenings, and programs at Scotland Elementary School. Please take time each Monday to review our newsletter.
Scotland Visitor Form
A Message from Jill & Tim
Good afternoon, Scotland families and staff!
Happy Sunday! In observance of Memorial Day, we recognize and honor the sacrifices made by our soldiers for the freedoms we cherish daily. We offer our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation.
We had a beautiful spring concert this past Thursday led by the talented musicians, Mr. Tornatore and Mr. Sette! Our students wowed us with their singing, and musical performances in orchestra and band. The concert was filled with energy and excitement - it was just a wonderful experience!! They presented a heartfelt concert, congratulations to all!! 🎶
As we get closer to the end of the year, this week on May 22nd will be the last day to check out books in our library media center. As students cycle through library in the coming weeks, Mrs. Gonillo will be asking for students to return their books so she can begin processing them for inventory and preparing for next year.
Wishing you a wonderful week!
Kind regards,
Jill
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Please find some important dates as we get closer to the end of the year. Once we have additional dates, grade level teachers will share them out.
Tuesday, May 28th:
- Mini-Kindergarten
- Information has been shared with incoming K families - please reach out to Linda Lupinacci if you have not yet received this.
Tuesday, June 4th:
- 3rd Grade Recorder Presentation - 9:00am
Friday, June 7th:
- Field Day
Tuesday, June 11th:
- Rain date - Field Day
Thursday, June 13th:
- 5th Grade Moving Up Ceremony - 9:30AM
Have the best week!
Kind regards,
Jill
As you may be aware, kindergarten Registration is now happening If you have a child turning 5 before September 1, 2024, please contact the main office at (203) 894-5825. If you have a child who will be turning 5 between September 2, 2024-January 1, 2025 and you are interested in enrolling them in kindergarten for this fall, please reach out to the main office for more information. Additional information about mini-kindergarten will be forthcoming. We officially have 46 students enrolled for the 2024-2025 school year, which will result in THREE sections for kindergarten next year! Please ensure if you have an incoming kindergarten student, you have enrolled your child in kindergarten. Thank you!
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A reminder about dismissal. The cutoff in School Dismissal Manager is 12PM daily, and any changes need to be made prior to that time. We truly appreciate your help!
Thursday, June 6th - Student Council Presents...
Field Day!
Events & Happenings:
Monday, May 27th:
- No school - Memorial Day
Tuesday, May 28th:
- C Day
Wednesday, May 29th:
- D Day
Thursday, May 30th:
- E Day
Friday, May 31st:
- F Day
- Scotty Spirit Day
- Poetry Cafe - (5th Grade only)5:30PM
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Upcoming Events:
Tuesday, May 28th:
- Mini-Kindergarten
- Information has been shared with incoming K families - please reach out to Linda Lupinacci if you have not yet received this
Tuesday, June 4th:
- 3rd Grade Recorder Presentation - 9:00am
Friday, June 7th:
- Field Day
Tuesday, June 11th:
- Rain date - Field Day
Thursday, June 13th:
- 5th Grade Moving Up Ceremony - 9:30AM
Snaps around Scotland 📸
Summer Bridge
Summer Bridge Registration Now Open
The elementary program is device-free and includes multiple opportunities for outdoor time with peers, creativity, an emphasis on social-emotional support, and thematic project-based sessions.
Register Here
Ridgefield Public Schools Digital Backpack
RPS distribution flyers for outside groups via a Digital Backpack.
Organizations that meet the RPS policy may submit their request for inclusion in the digital backpack. Please help us in our effort to go green by checking students' Digital Backpacks Organizations that meet the RPS policy may submit their request for inclusion to cmelagrano@ridgefieldps.net. Thank you!
A Note from the Health Office
Head Lice Information
Head lice: They’re the words no parent wants to hear. Head lice can be acquired by anyone, but it is most common in kids ages 5-12. According to the CDC every year as many as 6-12 million children are affected by head lice. Our own community has just experienced our first few reported cases. The good news is that head lice are not harmful and can be treated. To detect, treat and prevent head lice, it helps to know more about them.
Below I have included a link to an article titled Head Lice: What Parents Needs to Know (Healthychildren.org/AAP). Please take a few minutes to read the article. It provides parents with a good source of information about head lice detection, management, and treatment.
Essentials Schedules - 2nd Half of the Year
❤️ A Message from Our PTA 🖤
Join the PTA!
Joining the PTA helps you stay connected with the school community. You will receive information about family events, before & after school programs, school events, parties and much more! Get to know teachers & staff better with informational sessions throughout the year!
To join, visit our website: www.scotlandpta.org
The new PTA registration form is now live on the website, click here!
Important Information
Volunteering in the Library Learning Commons
Volunteers in the Library Learning Commons:
We are looking for volunteers in the LLC! We would love to have you come in and help out! Please click below on the grade level in which you would like to volunteer. Our updated volunteer calendar starts January 19 - May 31.
Thank you so much!
-Mrs. Gonillo
Kindergarten- https://signup.com/go/afZpBQb
First Grade- https://signup.com/go/cGNYUCe
Second Grade - https://signup.com/go/xFXYUMj
Third Grade- https://signup.com/go/CKryWTj
Fourth Grade- https://signup.com/go/kmPMRMp
Fifth Grade- https://signup.com/go/rfRZAkM
Reminders:
Playdates and Riding the Bus:
We know how fun it is for our students to get together after school and enjoy time together! Due to safety and limited space on the buses, we are asking that students have no more than 2 guest riders with them at a time. Anytime there is a need for more than 2 additional students to ride, families will need to make arrangements for parent pick up that day. Thank you for understanding!
Hats & Hoodies:
Over the last several years there was no standard hat/hood procedure in the elementary schools, likely related to Covid, when classroom windows were kept open for air circulation and there was the potential for it to be cold in classrooms.
As we have started the 23-24 school year with a typical school opening, we will return to only permitting hats to be worn outside the school building. Students may choose to wear a hat, but will be reminded to remove it upon entering the school building. Students will be permitted to wear hats for outdoor recess. Teachers have discussed this with students and I will remind our school community during the morning announcements on Tuesday.
On special occasions/spirit days, hats may be permitted and this will be communicated to students and families.
2023-2024 School Hours
⚽️ 🎼 Essentials 🎨 📚
- Each class will have one 45 minute essential per day (Art, Library, Music, or P.E.)
- We will continue to follow the six day A-F day schedule
- Please find the essentials rotation below
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
Arrival & Dismissal 🚗
We will follow a similar drop off / pick up procedure that we did last year.
Arrival
- Drop off begins at 8:30am. Please do not drop off your child prior to 8:30am as there will be no supervision at this time.
- After 8:45am, you will need to walk your child into school, as they are late. You will need to sign them in with security. Please do not drop your child off without adult supervision.
Dismissal
- Pick up will begin at 3:25pm.
- Each day, please have your child(ren)’s first and last name displayed on your passenger visor, and have it remain visible until your child is in the car. This needs to be bold and large enough to be visible at a distance. This is a very important step to ensure we have your child ready when you arrive.
- For the safety of both students and staff, proceed carefully and slowly through the lot.
- Please have your child exit/enter the vehicle when your gear is in the park position and is one of the cars at the front of the line designated for drop off.
- Students must exit the vehicle on the passenger side (building side) of the vehicle. Multiple children must exit on the passenger side. It is dangerous to exit/enter on the driver's side of the vehicle!
- Students need to have all of their items ready in hand and will then exit the car immediately.
- Parents, please stay in your vehicle at all times so that the process will prevent backups on Barlow Mountain Road.
- If you miss the drop off time (after 8:45 a.m.), please park in the front lot and walk your child across the designated crosswalk to the main entrance of the building. If you arrive after the drop off window and must park in the parking lot, we kindly ask that you use the crosswalk.
Chromebooks 💻
- For information on this year's Chromebook distribution and policies click here to watch a short video
- If you have further questions or concerns email: helpdesk@ridgefieldps.net
School Lunch 🥪
School lunch will be available from the first day of school. Aramark is the new District-wide food service provider. The school lunch menu is available online on the RPS website; click Departments and click on Food Service. For all students, we have transitioned away from LunchTime software to MySchoolBucks for families to fund student lunches.
MySchoolBucks is available via the PowerSchool Parent Portal, and communication was sent to families in early August regarding adding funds for lunch. Any balances have been rolled over from LunchTime to MySchoolBucks. Additionally, the district sent a communication in early August regarding Reduced Lunch for eligible students.
Snacks for Purchase in the Cafeteria:
Students in grades 2-5 are permitted to purchase snacks during lunch (last 10 minutes). Please be sure you have set up MySchoolBucks if you would like your student to be able to purchase a snack.
- In short, students eligible for reduced lunch will be provided free lunches in grades K-8 for the 2023-24 school year.
- Should you have any questions or concerns regarding the Free School Meals for Children grant, please do not hesitate to contact us or the District Business Office.
- Questions in regard to school MySchoolBucks can be directed to Eric Nickelson, RPS Food Service Director at 203-894-5550 x2143 or enickelson@ridgefieldps.net
Website to set up an account.
Some Support Links for Troubleshooting:
Updating Your Payment Method | MySchoolBucks
Setting up Automatic Payments | MySchoolBucks
Adding a New Student | MySchoolBucks
Setting Up Low Balance Alerts | MySchoolBucks
School Dismissal Manager
We will continue to use School Dismissal Manager this year at Scotland. Please click below for information regarding this system. This system will be available to families in late August. A welcome letter will be emailed to families when the system is available. If you have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us!
Contact Us!
Email: jkatkocin@ridgefieldps.net
Website: https://ses.ridgefield.org/
Location: 111 Barlow Mountain Road, Ridgefield, CT, USA
Phone: 203-894-5825
Twitter: @Scotland_Elem