Moose Memo

October 26th - Egress Drill

October 30th - RMCS Night at Men's UVM Hockey

November 3rd - Teacher Inservice - No School

November 5th - RMCS Math Night

November 9th - PTO Meeting at 6:30 PM

November 10th - Diwali - No School

November 12th - Original Works Due

November 13th - LIVE Out LOUD Showcase

November 16th - Kick Off Anti-Bullying Week

November 18th - Multi-Lingual Night

As October comes to a close, I want to take a moment to celebrate all the wonderful things happening at RMCS!

This month has been filled with meaningful learning, creativity, and connection. From our artist residency and UVM partnerships to our Open House and family conferences, students have had many opportunities to learn, grow, and strengthen relationships.

Behind the scenes, our educators have been working collaboratively to review student learning data, strengthen literacy and math instruction, and ensure every student receives the support they need to succeed. We also continue to focus on building a school community rooted in kindness, respect, and belonging.

Across the district, we're using family and staff feedback to identify areas of strength and opportunities for growth. We're also looking ahead to November, when our educators will engage in professional learning focused on student achievement and belonging.

Thank you to our families for your continued partnership and to our incredible staff for the care and dedication they bring to our students each day. I'm proud of the work happening at RMCS and excited for what lies ahead!

At RMCS, everybody is somebody!

As Halloween approaches, we want to let families know that the South Burlington School District does not celebrate Halloween at school. We recognize that families celebrate this time of year in different ways. To respect the diverse religious beliefs and cultures within our school community, we kindly ask that students leave costumes, candy, and other Halloween-themed items at home. Our focus remains on learning, and we want to ensure an inclusive environment where all students feel comfortable and supported. Our students were great at this last year, we are so proud of them.

At RMCS, we believe every student has unique strengths, learning needs, and opportunities for growth. W.I.N. (What I Need) time is a regular part of our school day, built into both literacy and math, to provide all students with learning experiences that meet their individual needs.

During W.I.N., students work in flexible learning groups focused on strengthening skills, practicing concepts, extending their learning, and building confidence. Depending on their needs, students may work with their classroom teacher, another grade-level teacher, or a literacy or math specialist.

These groups are flexible and may change throughout the school year as students grow and their learning needs evolve.

At RMCS, W.I.N. is for everyone! Our goal is to ensure every student has meaningful opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed. We value our partnership with families and encourage you to reach out to your child's teacher with any questions about W.I.N. time.

Our RMCS kindergarten students are taking their learning outdoors through Wonder Roots, a nature-based learning experience that connects directly to our kindergarten curriculum! Through hands-on exploration, play, and discovery, students develop curiosity, creativity, problem-solving skills, and a deeper connection to the natural world.

We are excited to continue our partnership with Ferene through The Art of Being You artist residency! Students began this experience with a schoolwide kickoff and classroom sessions focused on storytelling, identity, creativity, and connection.

As we move into the next phase, All Heart Studio, students will come together across grade levels to explore what makes each of us unique, how we connect with others, and how we can create a community where everyone feels valued and included.

This residency is an important part of our schoolwide commitment to strengthening students' sense of belonging and celebrating what makes each member of our RMCS community special.

Please help us spread the word with families who may be interested in getting involved with our Special Education Advisory Council (SEPAC).

The district is looking for parents and caregivers who would like to be part of the team helping to organize and shape the SEPAC. Families who are interested can reach out directly to Nicole Carter at Ncarter@sbschools.net. Nicole will then follow up with information about the upcoming SEPAC organizing team meeting.

Thank you for helping us connect interested families with this opportunity!

This is a wonderful fundraiser, and $5 per ticket goes to RMCS! We will see you there.

If you were in the building for parent-teacher conferences, you may have noticed our KAHFOOTY bulletin board!

KAHFOOTY stands for Keep All Hands, Feet, and Other Objects to Yourself!

As a school, we are working together to practice KAHFOOTY during recess. Our goal is to help students build the skills to play safely, respect personal boundaries, and solve problems with one another. Ms. Burke, our new Behavior Facilitator, is currently outside during all recesses to help students navigate tricky situations, practice problem-solving strategies, and make safe choices.

Here's how our KAHFOOTY challenge works!

Each grade level is working toward completing 16 successful KAHFOOTY recesses! When a grade reaches its goal, students will earn an extra recess to celebrate their hard work! Once every grade level has reached its goal, we will come together for a whole-school bonus recess! We are excited to see our students encourage one another, practice important SEL skills, and work toward a shared goal. Every recess is a new opportunity to practice, grow, and show KAHFOOTY.

SBSD has introduced a new fundraising approval process and public calendar to help coordinate school fundraisers, improve transparency, and reduce overlapping requests to families. Families and community organizations can find more information at SBSD Fundraising.

Our educators will participate in a districtwide professional learning day focused on student achievement, belonging, equitable learning opportunities, and strengthening instructional practices. This work directly supports the ongoing improvement efforts at RMCS.

Fun Fest: Looking for FREE family fun? Join us for Family Fun Fest on November 7th from 1:00-3:00pm at Rick Marcotte Central School! Enjoy games, mini golf, face painting, arts & crafts, interactive activities, and more! Light refreshments and snacks will be provided.

Link: https://secure.rec1.com/VT/south-burlington-vt-recreation-parks/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTQxNTM0ODI=

Families can use the StopFinder app to access information about their child’s bus transportation. Information and helpful videos about StopFinder are available on the district website under the Bus Routes section.

If you would like an invitation to StopFinder, please email JMabee@SBSchools.net and include your enrolled student’s name (not the parent’s name).

A few important reminders:

• Invitations will come from RouteFinder/StopFinder, not directly from the district.
• Only one invitation can be sent to the primary parent/guardian listed for the student.
• That parent/guardian can then choose to share access with other family members.
• Bus times may continue to be adjusted slightly as drivers become familiar with routes and traffic patterns.

Thank you for your continued patience as our Transportation Team works to make routes as consistent and efficient as possible!

We would love to welcome family volunteers to support our students during lunch and recess! Having additional caring adults present is a wonderful way to support our school community and be part of the school day.

Please remember that volunteer paperwork must be completed before participating in any school-day volunteer opportunity or event, including lunch and recess support. The exception is attending school assemblies.

Thank you for your interest in supporting RMCS!

Do you want to join an amazing team, have a schedule that matches your childs on holidays and school vacations, and have the opportunity to make a positive difference in our community? Consider applying for one of these immediate openings! Just click the link for the job description and application. As always, contact Matt or Elizabeth personally with questions.

Recess Monitor - 3 hours a day, supporting recess. Starting pay is $19.28/hr. We are looking for someone 5 days a week, and also substitutes.

Lunchroom Monitor - 3 hours a day, supporting lunch periods. Starting pay is $19.28/hr. We are looking for someone 5 days a week.

Interventionists - Working with one or two students who have Individualized Education Plans with support from our Special Educators. This position comes with a comprehensive benefit package. Starting pay is $21.86/hour. We are currently looking three full time interventionist.

View this calendar for in-school dates, early dismissal dates, and school vacations.

Elementary schools dismiss at 12:30 p.m. on:

• September 23 - Complete
• October 14
• November 18
• December 9
• January 27
• February 10
• April 28
• May 19

The RMCS PTO is seeking more active members!

Every adult associated with the RMCS community is automatically a member of the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). The PTO plays a vital role in strengthening our school community by:

• Organizing events and activities that bring families, students, and staff together

• Raising funds to support enrichment programs, field trips, classroom resources, and school improvements

• Providing volunteers for school events, teacher appreciation, and special projects

• Serving as a bridge between families and the school to encourage communication and collaboration

There are so many ways for teachers, parents, caregivers, and other family members to contribute—whether it’s attending meetings, helping with an event, offering a special skill, or simply lending a hand when needed. Every effort, big or small, makes a difference for our students and school!

The Moose Memo includes information for the whole community, including RMCS staff. Follow this link to an archive of past newsletters.