Principal Madden’s Weekly Message—Week of September 7, 2021
Greetings Caregivers!
Please remember, we have new school hours from 8:00-2:10. Adult supervision begins on the playground at 7:45. Free breakfast (bagged to go!) is available for all starting at 7:45.
It was such a wonderful start to the school year! Thank you for having your children here on time and with such enthusiasm for the return to school. How lucky we are to have them here at Ryan Road School!
Photos
This week’s photos show new school shoes, yummy raspberry picking in our school garden at recess, our welcome back sign on the first day of school, and the bulletin board created by our new behavior specialist, Dan White.
Here are a few resources for you (some which you may have already seen).
1. Code of Conduct, Character, and Support
The Prek-12 Code of Conduct, Character, and Support is available on the district website at https://northamptonschools.org/project/code-of-conduct/
2. Supportive Adults at School
Adults-who-Support-Students-RKFRR3. Breakfast and Lunch are Free to All Students for School Year 2021-2022
For more information regarding food services and to access the breakfast and lunch menu please go to: https://northamptonschools.org/project/food-services/
4. Please remember to keep your child home if they are ill.
Here is a link with some guidelines to help you make the decision: https://northamptonschools.org/project/illness-prevention/
5. Birthday Treats
A reminder about not sending treats to school is linked here. Thank you!
Birthdays-No-Treats-RKFRRAfter School Care
I know that after school care is still presenting a challenge for many families. I am really sorry about that. Families have told me that the YMCA program, which operates an after-school program here at Ryan Road, is full.
We will offer Liftoff Learning to some students in grades 3-5 who qualified for some extra academic support. Depending on how that program goes, we may be able to expand that to second and first graders. At this point, we have contacted caregivers for those students in grades 3-5 who qualify for the program based on assessment results from last year. Here is a link for more information about that program. Contact Principal, Sarah Madden, if you have any questions.
We will also be holding YEP (Youth Enrichment Programs) on Mondays and Fridays until 4:00. YEP runs three 8-10 week sessions throughout the school year. At this point, we have very few teachers/classes, but we are hoping to get more and have some options. Fingers crossed. We’ll send more information about YEP classes soon, but they will begin the week of September 27.
The other option for after school activities is Girls on the Run, and I have attached that flyer.
Ryan-Road-registrationCOVID Updates
At school, we are masked indoors. This is a safety precaution for all members of our school community. At this point, visitors are not allowed in the school building during school. Last year, when we were at school in-person, we operated very smoothly and had no transmissions of COVID 19. We are glad to be in-person, and we will do all we can to make sure your children are safe at school. Please send your child to school with a mask and an extra, but also know that we have extra masks at school for anyone who needs them.
We will, again, have some of our lunches outdoors, while we are able. One grade during each lunch period will eat outdoors. If it is too rainy or cold, all students will eat in the cafeteria. Last year, our students got very good at eating during lunch and not talking with masks off, and we will make sure this happens again. “No Mask, No Talk” is my mantra.
We continue to use HEPA filters and fans in all classrooms. We have stocked up on sanitizer, and each classroom has a sink for hand-washing. We will certainly keep distanced as much as possible.
Very soon, I will be sending an online link to sign up for COVID testing. I have also attached paper copies regarding this process. You can send in the paper copy or wait until the link is set up. Either way, your child can get signed up for testing. Here is a letter outlining COVID information and the paper sign ups, if you wish to return that to school
Letter-to-Parents Letter-to-Parents-Spanish student-consent-form student-consent-form-spanishImportant Upcoming Dates
September 9: First day of School for Kindergarten!
September 14: Liftoff Learning Begins
September 16: No School—Yom Kippur
September 21: School Photos (information will go home soon)
September 22: Autumnal Equinox—Happy Fall!
October 8: Early Dismissal (11:30) for Teacher Work Day
Stay up to date with all of our school activities on our School Website’s Calendar!
I hope that all families and caregivers feel welcome, comfortable, and valued at our school. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. I am happy to meet with any of you after school hours (when I can allow you inside!) or can talk on the phone anytime.
I am really looking forward to the year ahead!
Sincerely,
Sarah Madden, Principal