RES Welcome Back 2023-24

Dear Ripton Elementary School Families,

Greetings! I hope this Back to School letter finds you well and enjoying the final days of summer break. Enclosed you will find some of the dates and details for the start of school and some information about the year ahead.

This past month I have really enjoyed connecting with families, staff, and kiddos and cannot tell you how much I have appreciated everyone’s kindness and warm welcome! Joining the Ripton community is such a privilege and I am excited to start the year together and engage in a year (and beyond!) of growth and learning!

The teachers, staff and I look forward to connecting with students and families, and sharing more information about the year ahead at the Back to School Picnic on Monday, August 28th at 5:00 p.m.

The first day of school for all students, Kindergarten through 5th grade, will be Wednesday, August 30th starting at 8:00 a.m. The school day begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 3:00 p.m. each day. Students may be picked up at 3:00 or ride the bus home - 3:00 (Ripton students), 3:40 (Hancock/Granville students). View the bus schedule and routes here for either the Ripton or the Hancock Granville bus.

All necessary student forms will be sent home electronically and on the first day of school (please let us know if you would prefer paper copies). We ask that you please return them by Friday, August 30th. Thank you in advance for helping us maintain up-to-date records on your child(ren) and accurate contact information for families.

It is a privilege to be of service to this incredible community and I am so excited to begin our work together!

With so much gratitude,

Meg Cheresnick

Ripton Elementary School Principal

ps. Please read the "Nuts & Bolts section at the bottom of this email for a few other important school details.

Every year ACSD recognizes two members of the district’s support staff who are outstanding members who consistently go above-and-beyond in their commitment and care for our community. This year, our very own Alex Cox was the recipient of this Barb Whittemore Award!

Anyone who knows Alex will understand how deserved this recognition is, and I would like to share an excerpt from Tracey Harrington’s presentation Alex’s award at the district’s 2023 Welcome. “He sees, appreciates and fosters students’ individual talents by lifting them up with kindness and empathy. Alex makes the school, the community and the world a better and more beautiful place. Alex has a tremendous ability to always remember what's most important and reminds everyone around him, both students and adults alike, that above all, they matter, they're important, and they are loved. He clearly cares deeply for kids and the community. There is simply nothing happier or more hopeful than seeing Alex work with students! Alex can do anything, and be anyone in the whole school. He always says YES to helping students, YES to supporting staff, and YES to doing it all over again the next day. He lifts our spirits, and calms us down (both students and adults).”

We are beyond grateful that Alex is such an integral part of our school’s community! Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition, Alex!

We are so excited to welcome Liam Battjes-Greenwood to Ripton Elementary School as our special educator! Liam has been in the field of education for 13 years and most recently served as the special educator at Shoreham Elementary School and the Social Emotional Learning Coordinator at the Middle School.

Over the summer, many hands have worked hard to clean and fix up the halls, rooms, and playground at Ripton Elementary School. Thanks to FORS and our families, we now have a Gaga Pit for students to enjoy! Also, so much gratitude goes out to the families who helped with clean-up days, to the ACSD buildings and grounds crew, and for Erin’s tireless work and effort! Also, our amazing custodian, Maryann, who has put an incredible amount of time and effort into caring for our building - she is truly a superhero!

Our community shared an evening filled with joy, treats, and connection on July 21. We enjoyed lots of popsicles, we played a lot (even got some playground time in before the rain started again!), and there were definitely many, many puddles! We look forward to many more fun-filled community events in the coming months!

A huge thank you to Greg Pask and the Ripton Conservation Commission for hosting two Bug Blacklighting Nights at RES last month! It was fascinating to learn all about the many tiny (and not so tiny!) creatures that also call Ripton home!