Principal Madden’s Weekly Message—Week of May 3, 2021
Dear Caregivers,
• May 2-15 We are throwing a Scholastic virtual book fair! We missed having an in-person fair last fall during open house. A regular Scholastic classroom order only kicks back 2% of sales to our school. During a virtual fair event, we get 25% back to spend on new library books. So, join us this week and/or next online for an all new virtual book fair experience with interactive shelves kids can browse that are set up just like an in-person fair. AND, stay tuned to our social media channels and emails for some fun events.
Please use this link to shop our virtual fair
https://www.scholastic.com/bf/rkfinnryanrdelemsch1
Pooled Testing
• I hope that you received the call from Superintendent, John Provost, recently regarding pooled testing for COVID-19. Here is a letter for you to sign up your child, if you so choose. Teachers will also be sending the same letter. Thank you!
Pooled-TestingPhotos
• This week’s photos show recess fun (our swings are very popular!), lunch talk on banana phones, sand play in our wonderful courtyard (where we have baby birds nesting!), gardening, fourth grade fraction fun, and excellent kindergarten balancing in PE. And, one student was so tired from recess activity, that he fell asleep (he was faking for a joke!). Lots of good times at Ryan Road!
School Sprouts Gardening
• We will continue with our school gardening this week with our garden educator from School Sprouts, Hope Guardenier. Each class will have 4 sessions with Hope this spring (always on Tuesdays).
MCAS Dates and Information 2021
Third Grade Duffy
Monday, May 10–ELA (yes, it is also picture day—that should not be a problem)
Monday, May 24—Math
Third Grade Cleary
Friday, May 14—ELA
Friday, May 28—Math
Fourth Grade Desmond
Thursday, May 13—ELA
Thursday, May 27—Math
Fourth Grade Simmons
Monday, May 17—ELA
Tuesday, May 25—Math
Fifth Grade (both classes)
Friday, May 21—ELA
Friday, June 4—Math
Thursday, June 10—Science
We will do all we can at school to make these days go smoothly for your children. It is important to remember that any test is only one measure of a child’s performance at school, especially this year! Teacher evaluations through the years, day-to-day work, other academic screeners we use during the year, and other types of performance assessments and projects are additional ways to evaluate learning. However, these tests are important, and we will do all we can to prepare our students to take these tests with calm confidence. All of the tests are taken online, and the state has modified them this year to only take place one day per subject area (instead of the usual two days per subject).
Please make every effort to get your children to school on time for their testing days. Please do not schedule appointments on testing days. Thanks!
Please contact me with any questions and concerns (about the MCAS or anything else).
From our Nurse, Karen Schiaffo:
The COVID-19 protocol is as follows:
In order to minimize risk and keep the school community safe, district nurses are required
to send students home that have 1 symptom. Symptoms include: headache, stomach ache, nausea, vomiting, chills, fatigue, body aches, cough, congestion, runny nose, sore throat, diarrhea, or fever since these mimic COVID-like illness. Caregivers will be asked to contact their health care provider to see if testing is needed. There may be other diagnoses that cause these symptoms and your provider can discuss that with you. In order for your student to return to school, you will need to provide a negative test result or a note from your provider documenting an alternative diagnosis as the cause for the symptoms.
Many students experience seasonal allergies at this time of year and allergy symptoms can mimic COVID-like symptoms. Please consult your child’s health care provider about treating your child’s seasonal allergy to avoid your child being sent home for symptoms that appear Covid-like.
Remember to review the Student Daily Checklist before sending your child to school.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Information About Upcoming Parent Workshops:
As a school district, we aim to support families through this difficult time. So, we’ve invited Dr. Sharon Saline, local clinical psychologist and international ADHD expert, to offer some workshops based on your survey responses about mental health. These presentations are aimed at improving daily life for students and caregivers during these challenging times.
Building better brains: Helping children learn critical executive functioning skills for school and life
Are you tired of struggling with your child over school, homework or chores? Would you like more strategies in your parenting toolbox? In this dynamic and interactive workshop, Dr. Sharon Saline, author, international speaker and consultant, will show you how to foster progress at home and school by working with your kids to improve their executive functioning skills. Using current research about the brain, neurodiversity and social-emotional development, Dr. Saline will offer new approaches to daily challenges while reducing family conflict and building better connections. With a deeper understanding of these skills, you’ll be able to create more effective strategies to nurture your child’s cognitive strengths and self-esteem. You will walk away with easy, practical tools to improve motivation, organization, follow through and much more.
Building better brains: Helping teens learn critical executive functioning skills for school and life
Are you tired of struggling with your teen over school, homework or chores? Would you like more strategies in your parenting toolbox? In this dynamic and interactive workshop, Dr. Sharon Saline, author, international speaker and consultant, will show you how to foster progress at home and school by working with your kids to improve their executive functioning skills. Using current research about the brain, neurodiversity and social-emotional development, Dr. Saline will offer new approaches to daily challenges while reducing family conflict and building better connections. With a deeper understanding of these skills, you’ll be able to create more effective strategies to nurture your teen’s cognitive strengths and self-esteem. You will walk away with easy, practical tools to improve motivation, organization, follow through and much more.
Dr. Sharon Saline is the author of the award-winning book, What Your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew: Working Together to Empower Kids for Success in School and Life and The ADHD solution card deck. She specializes in working with neurodiverse children, teens, young adults and families and helps them learn effective communication tools, deepen personal insight and build closer connections. She is a part-time lecturer at the Smith College School for Social Work, blogger for PsychologyToday.com and hosts a weekly Facebook Live event for ADDitudemag.com. Learn more at www.drsharonsaline.com.
Elementary – Wednesday, May 5 at 7:00 p.m.
Topic: Parent Workshop: Led by Dr. Sharon Saline – Wednesday, May 5 at 7:00 pm
Time: May 5, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/93713385968
Meeting ID: 937 1338 5968
Passcode: 123
One tap mobile
+16468769923,,93713385968#,,,,*123# US (New York)
Dial by your location
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
Middle & High School – Wednesday, May 19 at 7:00 p.m.
Topic: Parent Workshop: Led by Dr. Sharon Saline – Wednesday, May 19 at 7:00 p.m.
for Middle School & High School
Time: May 19, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/97411807382
Meeting ID: 974 1180 7382
Passcode: 123
One tap mobile
+16468769923,,97411807382#,,,,*123# US (New York)
Dial by your location
+ 1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
2021-2022 School Year
• The 2021-2022 school calendar has been approved by the school committee. Here it is. Please note the change in school hours (in the lower left-hand corner) that were recently approved by the School Committee to allow for a later start for high school students.
2021.2022.Calendar• Looking for information about Kindergarten for the 2021-2022 School Year?
https://northamptonschools.org/kindergarten-2/
Also, I have had many questions about whether or not we are planning to have our kindergarten students in-person full time, and that is certainly our plan. We are all looking forward to a typical and spectacular start at Ryan Road School!
Important Upcoming Dates:
• Monday, May 10: School Photos (taken outside).
Ryan-Road-School-Photos-• Tuesday, May 11: Half day with a 12:20 dismissal (Teacher Work Day)
• Wednesday, May 26: Half Day with an 11:30 Dismissal (Staff Professional Development)
• Monday, May 31: No School for Memorial Day
• Friday, June 18: Last day of School! 12:20 Dismissal
Stay up to date with all of our school activities on our School Website’s Calendar!
I hope that all families feel welcome, comfortable, and valued at our school. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Sarah Madden, Principal