ROCKWELL SCHOOL FAMILY NEWS

Every student will bring a ticket home today. Please keep your ticket on the fridge or someplace you can find it. This ticket is good for a weekly drawing of 5 numbers throughout the entire school year. The school can win a cash award and the student can win $500.00 to go to support the non-profit organization of their choice. This is a wonderful way to keep the good deeds going!

Each week we will announce the classroom with the best attendance and the classroom with the least number of students tardy. This classes will keep the Star Award in their rooms until the next week's winners are announced. This week Mrs. Brum's class had no absences and Mrs. Cordeiro's class had no tardies!

October is here, which means Rockwell is officially entering the season of PTO meetings, costumes, candy, volunteers, and organized chaos. We have lots happening this month, so here are a few quick updates from your PTO!

As we get further into the school year and begin planning upcoming events, we want to make sure we have the most current volunteer interests and availability from our Rockwell families.

Even if you completed a volunteer form earlier this year, we’re asking everyone to please fill out the updated Volunteer Interest Form so we can start fresh with one current list.

Complete the updated Volunteer Interest Form here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfAVGWoiddMZrjVKixwM-3oT8RQDO0QgsdAharJkWoLc1tqZg/viewform

Choose as many—or as few—events as interest you.

Filling out the form lets us know where you might like to help. It does not sign away all of your future free time. Promise.

A separate flyer with additional volunteer information will also be included.

Wednesday, October 21

Session 1: 5:30–6:10 PM
Session 2: 6:20–7:00 PM
Rain Date: October 22
Cost: $10 per family

It’s official — families can now register for Trunk or Treat!

READY TO ATTEND? REGISTER + PAY HERE:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSen6XJP7md2cVWb6rYKFVcw8sQHpNw7vps921LFZ0WQEoDcGg/viewform?usp=publish-editor

Complete the form to register your family, select your preferred session, and follow the payment instructions provided.

Families will choose one of two sessions, with a 10-minute break from 6:10–6:20 PM so our volunteers can reset, restock, and prepare for round two.

And we have some good news:

6 of 6 trunks are FILLED!

Our cars are covered...but our tables need a little love.

We currently have 1 of 6 tables confirmed, which means we’re still looking for 5 more decorated tables!

Tables can be as simple or creative as you’d like. We’re also looking for volunteers to help:

• Run games and activities

• Set up the event

• Help with breakdown

Want to volunteer instead? Select Trunk or Treat on the Volunteer Interest Form above.

A separate flyer with additional Trunk or Treat information will also be included.

All Rockwell parents and caregivers are welcome—whether you come every month or this would be your very first PTO meeting.

Principal Tara McAuliffe attends every PTO meeting, and Rockwell staff members join us on a rotating basis throughout the year. This month, our First Grade Teachers, will be joining us.

Come hear what’s happening around Rockwell, learn about upcoming events, ask questions, share ideas, or simply listen.

And because we know finding childcare can be half the battle...

Childcare will be available for school-aged children during the meeting.

Come when you can and participate as much—or as little—as works for you.

View the October PTO Meeting Agenda here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UODH10Wdoo_BKhg4yctnSdkdJF4bmYDyXxU6FKC6WC4/edit?usp=sharing

A huge thank-you to the parents who volunteered to serve as Room Parents this year!

Room Parents help keep classroom families and teachers connected to PTO news, events, volunteer opportunities, and other happenings throughout the school year. Think of them as another friendly connection between your classroom and the PTO.

Kindergarten
Anderson/O'Neill: Courtney Cordeiro
Peecher: Ally Moura & Kate Fernandes

1st Grade
Clays: Megan Fonseca & Erin Medeiros
Cordeiro: Adrienne Chauvin & Karen Harrington

2nd Grade
Brum: Ally Moura & Kate Fernandes
Lawlor: Karen Harrington

3rd Grade
Gallo: Heidi Vermilyea & Laura Almeida
Caron: Adrienne Chauvin & Jeanne Griffin

4th Grade
Kirwin: Alyssa Paz
Hall: Stephanie Ferreira

Thank you to all of our Room Parents for volunteering their time and helping us keep Rockwell families connected throughout the year!

If you haven’t connected with your Room Parent yet, please feel free to contact your classroom teacher or email rockwellschoolpto@gmail.com, and we’ll help connect you.

We’re still looking for one additional Co-President for the 2026–2027 school year to serve alongside second-term Co-President Jade West.

If you’ve been thinking about it—even a little—now is the time to let us know! It’s a shared position with an established board and plenty of support along the way.

Interested in running? Please email rockwellschoolpto@gmail.com before our next PTO meeting so we know you’d like to be considered.

We plan to hold the Co-President vote at the Tuesday, October 6 PTO meeting.

No campaign posters required. Just send us an email.

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) Electronic Surveillance System for the Early Notification of Community-based Epidemics (ESSENCE) recently detected both unintentional and intentional non-fatal overdoses among people who received medical care at a Rhode Island emergency department. Unintentional overdoses included patient medication errors and unintentional ingestion. Additionally, about one in five overdose deaths in Rhode Island last year involved only prescription and over-the-counter medications.

RIDOH reminds Rhode Island healthcare professionals of their important role in educating patients and families/caregivers about medication safety at home. Over-the-counter and prescribed medications carry a risk of adverse effects, and medication errors can occur; however, these events can be prevented with the appropriate strategies in place.

Please share this important medication safety information when counseling patients and families/caregivers:

Check the Label

• Over-the-counter and prescribed medicines should be taken as prescribed or directed on the label. Check the active ingredients in prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

• Do not take or give children two medicines with the same active ingredient. For example, some cough and cold medicines contain combinations of substances. Do not take or give children a cough medicine that contains acetaminophen along with a separate acetaminophen medicine.

Know the Dose

• Before taking any over-the-counter or prescription medication, always read the label. Measure each dose as directed on the label or as instructed by a healthcare professional.

• If you do not understand label instructions, talk to your pharmacist or healthcare professional before taking the medicine.

• Do not give a child more medicine than what is recommended on the label or package.

Use the Right Tool

• Use the dosing device (oral syringe, dosing cup) if it comes with the medicine. If you do not have a dosing device, ask your pharmacist for one.

• Do not use household spoons to give medicines to children.

Lock the Safety Cap and Safely Store Medicines

• Children and youth are curious and always exploring the world around them. After securing the safety cap, always store medicines in a locked container where children cannot reach or see them. Never leave pills on counters, in bags, or in purses.

• Encourage patients and their families/caregivers to order a free medicine lock bag from the Rhode Island Regional Prevention Coalitions, which can be mailed to their home at no cost.

Take Medicine on Time

• Some medicines should be taken with meals or during a certain time of day (e.g., bedtime). Set timers or reminders to help you remember to take your medicines. You might try a reminder app.

• Ask your pharmacist about pre-sorted, clearly labeled medication packets to help you organize prescriptions by date and time of day, especially if you take multiple medicines. Keep all medication packets out of reach of children.

Dispose of Expired or Unused Medicines

• Safely dispose of expired or unused medicines. Take part in a local drug take-back day event or visit a Rhode Island-based drug disposal site.

Keep a List

• Keep a list of your medicines, vitamins, and other supplements.

• Make sure your healthcare professional knows about all the medicines, vitamins, and other supplements you take.

Teach Children

• Teach children what medicine is and why it is not something to eat or drink without a trusted adult supervising.

• Never refer to medicine or vitamins as “candy” or other appealing names.

Contact in an Emergency

• Call the Poison Help Line (1-800-222-1222) right away if a child eats, drinks, or touches a dangerous or poisonous substance. The Help Line is free, confidential, and connects you to a trained healthcare professional who can help you decide what to do next.

• Call 9-1-1 if a person is experiencing severe or life-threatening symptoms (e.g., has collapsed, is sedated or confused, and/or is having trouble breathing). Learn more about when to call 9-1-1.

Oct. 6 PTO Meeting 6:30 Library

Oct.12 Columbus Day - No school

Oct. 21 Trunk or Treat Event (Rain Date Oct. 22)

Nov. 3 Election Day - No school

Nov. 10 Parent/Teacher Conferences

Nov. 10 PTO Meeting 6:30 RW Library

Nov 10 Veteran's Day Celebration

Nov. 11 Veterans Day- No school

Nov.12 Picture Re-Take Day

Nov. 12 Parent Teacher Conferences

Beginning this month, our elementary schools will return to last year’s four-choice daily menu format:

• Choice 1: New featured option each day
• Choice 2: Hot option offered consistently throughout the week
• Choice 3: Cold option offered consistently throughout the week
• Choice 4: Sun Butter & Jelly, available daily throughout the school year

We have something fun to look forward to this month. On 10/22, we’ll be celebrating Apple Crunch Day with delicious local apples from Steere Farms!

It’s a great opportunity to highlight local produce and get our students excited about trying fresh foods.