The Richey Weekly

Good morning, Richey Family!

Thank you for another great week of supporting our Richey Rabbits. A special thank-you to everyone who helped make our Open House such a success! Your preparation, warm welcome, and engagement helped our families feel connected to our school community. Take a moment to watch this reel highlighting the evening (Reel created by Angela Morrow)

We have another busy week ahead with our lockdown drill, Fall Picture Day, PTO meeting, Safety Team meeting, Cycle Review, and Custodian Appreciation Day. Please review this week’s important updates, reminders, and upcoming events. Thank you for your continued teamwork, flexibility, and commitment to our students!

Mission

Our mission is to deliver quality education in a safe and secure learning environment while nurturing the needs of the whole child.

Vision

The Richey Community nurtures the whole child through diverse learning experiences, academic excellence, and continuous collaborative efforts.

As we settle into our routines, let’s continue ensuring that our mission and vision are reflected in how we teach, support, and respond to every child.

Staff Hours

Contractual staff hours are 8:45 a.m.–4:15 p.m. Any changes to an employee’s regular schedule must be approved by administration.

Absences and Schedule Changes

Please enter all absences in DSC and Frontline as soon as possible. Notify an administrator directly if you are submitting a last-minute absence, expect to arrive late, or need to leave early so that coverage can be arranged.

• Dr. Kelly McCormick: 302-757-4877

• LaToya Irving: 484-368-2768

Please check the Daily Staff Coverage Assignments each morning for the most current coverage information.

Building Access

All staff members must use their identification badge to badge in each day upon entering the building. If your badge is lost or misplaced, replacements are available at the Red Clay District Office, 1502 Spruce Avenue, Wilmington, DE 19805, located directly behind Baltz Elementary School. Enter through the District Office’s main entrance and let the receptionist know that you need a replacement employee badge.

What’s Happening at Richey?

• September 28: Lockdown Drill at 1:30 p.m.

• September 29: Fall Picture Day (Optional Faculty Picture: Staff members who would like to participate should report to the gym at 8:35 a.m.)

• September 29: PTO Meeting at 6:00 p.m.

• September 30: Safety Team Meeting at 8:00 a.m.

• October 2: MTSS-B Tier 2/3 Cycle Review Team Meeting at 7:45 a.m.

• October 2: Custodian Appreciation Day

Looking Ahead

• October 5: CIP Visit

• October 5: SAEBRS Testing Window Opens

• October 6: Bus Evacuation Drill following morning arrival

• October 7: BLT Meeting at 7:45 a.m.

• October 8: Faculty Meeting at 7:45 a.m. (ALL staff must attend, including paraprofessionals)

• October 13: Fire Drill and Remarkable Red Clay Day

• October 15: Family STEM Night from 6:00–7:30 p.m.

• October 16: Staff In-Service Day

• October 19: Flu Clinic from 8:00–9:00 a.m. and Richey Pride Day

• October 22: Faculty Meeting at 7:45 a.m.

• October 23: SAEBRS Testing Window Closes and building heating system switches over to heat

• October 24: Trunk or Treat from 2:00–4:00 p.m.

Please refer to the Richey Master Calendar for additional information and updates.

All school staff must complete the appropriate Test Security Training for the 2026–2027 school year.

Staff Serving as Test Administrators or Proctors

Staff members who will administer or proctor IAB, Smarter Balanced ELA/Math, or DeSSA Science/Social Studies assessments must:

• Register for PDMS Course #24246. The PDMS portion is used for clock-hour recording and includes the training assurance.

• Complete the actual Test Administrator Training through:
  ClassLink → DeSSA Resources → Training → Test Administrator (TA) Training Course

• Complete all three training modules to administer assessments and access the Assessment Viewing Application (AVA).

Staff Not Serving as Test Administrators or Proctors

Staff members who will not administer or proctor an assessment must complete PDMS Course #26402.

Important Deadlines

• All staff must complete and submit the DeSSA Test Security Non-Disclosure Agreement to Ms. Irving by October 30, 2026.

• All required Test Security Training must be completed by October 30, 2026.

Kindergarten Teaching Position

Richey’s Kindergarten homeroom position has changed from a long-term substitute assignment to a full-time teaching position. Please share the job posting with anyone who may be interested or on social media if you feel comfortable.

Quaver Check-In

Now that we have completed our first week of Quaver implementation, please reach out to Mr. Bank or Ms. Irving with any questions, concerns, or support needs. We appreciate everyone’s flexibility and commitment as we become more familiar with the new curriculum.

Behavior Referral and Parent Contact Reminder

Please remember that every behavior referral submitted in DSC requires a parent or guardian phone call. All contact attempts and conversation notes must also be documented in the DSC i-Tracker.

If the listed telephone number is disconnected, not working, or you are unable to reach the parent or guardian, please document that information in the i-Tracker as well.

PLC Meeting Agendas

The Red Clay and RCEA negotiated agreement describes a Professional Learning Community as an ongoing process in which educators work collaboratively to achieve better results for students. PLCs are intended to be teacher-driven and are expected to meet for 45 minutes each week.

The agreement states that “PLCs are required to have an agenda, but no minutes shall be submitted.”

To provide teams with a central location for maintaining their required agendas, team leads should add each PLC agenda to the PLC Agenda Shared Folder . Meeting minutes are not required.

Instructional Walkthroughs

Instructional walkthroughs will begin during the first week of October using the district’s new 2026–27 Walkthrough Tool.

The tool is aligned with the RCCSD Instructional Framework and focuses on curriculum implementation and pacing, equitable practices, student engagement, academic discourse, rigorous instruction, and checks for understanding. These brief visits are intended to celebrate effective practices and help administration identify ways to support teachers and students, not to serve as “gotcha” moments. Please take a few moments to review the tool and become familiar with the areas of focus.

Recess Safety Reminder

Please continue to actively supervise students during recess and remain in your designated supervision zones. Active supervision includes moving throughout your area, scanning, interacting with students, and responding quickly when support is needed. Thank you for helping us keep recess safe and enjoyable for all students!

Nurse Donna's Lunch Reminder

Nurse Donna's office will be closed daily from 1:00–1:30 p.m. while she takes her lunch and walks outside the building. During this time, please contact the main office for any emergencies.

Picture Day Reminder—September 29

Picture Day is Tuesday, September 29! Please review the Picture Day schedule and be mindful of your class’s assigned time to help the day run smoothly. Picture Day order forms have already been placed in staff mailboxes. If you have not already done so, please send the forms home with students on Monday, September 28th. On Picture Day, please have students ready and arrive at the gym at your scheduled time. If you need to request a schedule change, please contact Ms. Irving.

Family STEM Night

Please consider volunteering for Family STEM Night on Thursday, October 15!

Your support will help make this a fun and engaging evening for our Richey students and families and something delicious will be provided for our volunteers! If you are interested in helping, please reach out to Angela Morrow.

Mandatory Non-Academic Training

Please complete your assigned 2026–2027 NAMT course by September 30:

• New Employees: PDMS Course #43731

• Returning Employees: PDMS Course #44572

• Administrators, School Nurses, and School Counselors: PDMS Course #43734

After completing your training, please place a copy of your certificate in Ms. Irving’s mailbox.

Arts & Letters Learning Labs

Great Minds is offering free, virtual 60-minute Learning Labs to provide teachers with practical strategies for instructional planning and Arts & Letters implementation.

Available Times: 4:00–5:00 p.m. | 5:15–6:15 p.m. | 7:00–8:00 p.m.

Teachers may earn professional learning and buyback hours by registering in DSC. View the registration directions.

Contributed by Kelly Harkins

Arts & Letters Implementation Resources

Year 1 Implementation Overview

Module 1 Deep Dives: Kindergarten | First Grade | Second Grade | Third Grade | Fourth Grade | Fifth Grade

Math, Science and Social Studies

Review the latest Curriculum Connection Newsletter for important Elementary Math, Science, and Social Studies updates and resources.

Contributed by Jodi Albers, Stephanie Fleetwood, and Holly Golder

IPR and Mark Reporting Calendars

• 2026–2027 Interim Progress Reporting Schedule

• 2026–2027 Mark Reporting Schedule

Contributed by Corey Heacock, Ed.D.

Elementary Math MTSS

The User-Friendly Elementary Math MTSS Guidebook is available to support staff with identifying student needs, planning appropriate supports, and navigating the Math MTSS process.

New Date: Monday, September 28, from 4:30–5:30 p.m.

This follow-up training is designed for new educators and teachers who have changed grade levels or would like additional support using Progress Book. The session will cover entering grades and accessing available reports.

• DSC Registration: Course #136862

• Google Meet: Join the training

Contributed by Stephanie Fleetwood

Ms. Boyer will no longer be serving as Richey’s RBT. We thank her for supporting our students and wish her the very best.

Please join us in welcoming Brittany Dill our new RBT, to the Richey family! Ms. Dill will begin on Monday, September 28, and will support our students in Room 302. We are excited to have her join our team!

First PTO Meeting—September 29

Please join us for our first Richey PTO Meeting on September 29 at 6:00 p.m. Attend in person in the Richey cafeteria or join virtually through Microsoft Teams.

The meeting will feature student presentations, upcoming events, and ways to get involved. Guest speakers include:

• A.J. Nowell, Supervisor of School Safety and Security, discussing school safety

• Michael Bank, Richey School Counselor, discussing school choice

Activities will be available for children, and all attendees will be entered into a raffle for a $25 gift certificate.

Annual Trunk or Treat—October 24

Join us from 2:00–4:00 p.m. in the Richey back parking lot. This event is open to Richey students, staff, and their families. It is not a drop-off event; parents and guardians must remain with their children.

• Volunteer or decorate a vehicle

• RSVP for Trunk or Treat

All volunteers will be entered into an end-of-year raffle for a $50 gift certificate.

The Candy Monster will return to the Richey front lobby from October 1–23 to collect candy and non-candy donations for the event.

PTO Meeting Dates

September 29, January 12, March 16, and May 11

Help us celebrate our Richey family!

• October 26: JeanMarie Jordan
• October 29: Amber Merritt
• October 31: Amy O'Neill

One Step at a Time

A busy week can feel overwhelming when we try to carry everything at once. Pause, take a breath, and focus on the next step, not the entire staircase.

You do not have to accomplish everything in one moment. Move forward with purpose, one task and one interaction at a time.