Rose Tree Elementary Weekly Update

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Rose Tree’s Halloween Celebrations will be held Friday, October 30, 2026.

Rose Tree Elementary will be holding classroom parties as well as our annual Halloween parade. The time of the party will depend on the grade level (please only four volunteers per classroom). Parents/guardians, siblings, and family members are invited to join us at 2pm in the bus loop to view our parade.

Party is limited to classroom volunteers ONLY

10:15 - 11:00 AM: AM Kindergarten Fall Classroom Party

Parents/guardians, siblings, and family members are invited to the AM Kindergarten Halloween Parade

11:10: AM Kindergarten Halloween Parade (Side Parking Lot Flag Pole)

2:00-2:35 PM: PM Kindergarten - Fifth Grade Halloween Parade (Front Bus Loop 1st AVE)

**please check with individual teacher for classroom party time**

Campus VISITORS:

• We have limited parking on our campus (please try to carpool if you can).

• PM Visitors should park in the playground lot or on the street.

• All classroom volunteers must sign in (with our security greeter) and obtain a Volunteer badge

• Adults - in the interest of safety, please do NOT wear costume masks or face paint.

STUDENTS: Students may choose to bring a costume for the parade but it is not required.

• COSTUME GUIDELINES - If your child wishes to wear a costume, please adhere to the following:

• AM & PM Kindergarten students should come to school dressed in costume.

• First through Fifth Grade students bring their costumes to school in a bag.

• Children’s costumes must be of a nonviolent nature that is appropriate for a school setting.

• Students are not permitted to carry any item that could be characterized as a prop weapon (grim reaper’s staff, sword, lightsaber, devil’s pitchfork, nerf gun, etc.)

• Students should be able to put their costumes on independently in their classrooms, as we will be having 4 volunteers per classroom in the building to assist students.

• Please limit face make-up since we will have only a limited amount of time to support the students.

• We request that students do not wear inflatable costumes, as they can be very challenging to maneuver through stairs and hallways.

Caution your student about the safety factors involved in getting on or off a bus or walking home while carrying their costume. Children are not permitted to go home at lunch to get dressed.

For those who do not wish to participate in the Halloween Parade or classroom parties, or do not celebrate Halloween, there will be alternative fun offered! Please be sure to fill out the survey to let us know if your student would like to participate in the alternative activities so that we can plan accordingly!
Alternate Activities for Halloween Survey

In the event of inclement weather, the parade will be moved indoors.

Thank you for your support in making this a fun and safe event for our school community!

In anticipation of the Principal Advisory Board (PAB) meeting that will be taking place on October 22nd we would like to invite our parents and guardians to submit agenda items to be discussed at the meeting. If you'd like to let us know what you think has been working well at Rose Tree Elementary, share a challenge, or simply make a suggestion, please consider submitting a survey response. Our PAB discussions are focused on Rose Tree Elementary.

If you have a topic that is specific to RTMSD, consider submitting a talking point to our Superintendent Advisory Board representative Adam Roth-Saks ags312@gmail.com

PAB Survey Link

School hours for the 2025-2026 school year are as follows:

Grades 1-5

Student Arrival: 8:40 - 8:50 AM (Note: School Day starts at 8:50 AM)

Student Dismissal: 3:30 PM

AM Kindergarten

Student Arrival: 8:40 - 8:50 AM (Note: School Day starts at 8:50 AM)

Student Dismissal: 11:25 AM

PM Kindergarten

Student arrival: 12:55 PM (Note: School Day starts at 12:55 PM)

Student Dismissal: 3:30 PM

This school year, Rose Tree Media School District will introduce revised standards-based progress reports for students in grades K–5. While elementary students have received standards-based reports for many years, the updated format will provide clearer, more specific information about students’ progress toward grade-level expectations aligned with the Pennsylvania Common Core Standards.

Families will notice two key changes:

• Progress reports will identify specific grade-level skills within each subject area, helping families understand both the skills their child demonstrates and those still developing.
• A simplified three-level Learning Indicator system will be used:
  • 3: Demonstrates understanding and applies the assessed skills effectively.
  • 2: Demonstrates a developing understanding of the assessed skills.
  • 1: Demonstrates limited understanding of the assessed skills.

These indicators are not traditional letter grades or percentages. They reflect a student’s current progress on skills taught and assessed during that reporting period. Because learning develops over time, a 2 indicates that a skill is still developing and should not automatically be interpreted as below-grade-level performance. Our goal is for students to meet grade-level standards by the end of the school year.

The previous “Exceeds Grade-Level Expectation” designation will no longer appear on the report. The revised format focuses on progress toward grade-level standards; however, a 3 is not a ceiling for learning. Students ready for greater challenges will continue to receive enrichment, extension, and deeper learning opportunities in the classroom.

We hope these reports will support meaningful conversations among students, families, and teachers about what students understand, which skills are developing, and how families can support learning at home.

Members of the Curriculum and Instruction Department provided a brief overview at our Back-to-School Night. In addition, the district website will include a new Elementary Progress Reports section with sample reports, frequently asked questions, Learning Indicator explanations, and other resources. (Links provided below).

We appreciate your partnership as we implement this updated reporting system to strengthen our understanding of each student’s learning needs and progress.

Welcome back! It’s been wonderful seeing all your children this week!

Parents and caregivers are reminded to check their children for ticks if they have been playing outside. The American Academy of Pediatrics has advice on how to prevent and remove ticks, as well as symptoms to watch out for following a tick bite. Ticks found on students during the school day will be sent home with an information sheet. Feel free to call the nurse's office with any questions.

Is anyone in your home scratching their head? Here's a quick reminder about the district's Lice Management Plan. Classrooms are not screened for lice. You can contact the school nurse at 610-627-7228 for guidance if you are uncertain or if you discover lice/nits.

Updated guidance for parents about head lice was recently published by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Click the link for everything you need to know about finding them and treating them. Get in the habit of checking your children’s heads periodically for lice and if you notice itching. Please remind your children not to share hats, brushes, hoodies or headbands / hair ties with their friends.

Thank you for helping us keep our school community healthy!

Contact Mrs. Hefferan (610)627-7228 with any questions.

Sincerely,

Bridget Hefferan

School Meals Information – 2026–2027

• Breakfast: Free for all elementary students (begins Monday, August 31, 2026)

• Lunch: $3.55 per meal

• Free/Reduced Meals: Families may apply online through the district website. Students receiving Direct Certification do not need to apply.

• Menus: Available on the district homepage under the Meals tab

• Meal Accounts: Funds can be added through MySchoolBucks.com, or by sending cash/checks to school (change is added back to the student’s account).

For complete details, please see the attached letter from Food Service Supervisor Jenni Lee.

Join the RTES Box Tops brigade!

Turn your grocery store purchases into money for RTES with Box Tops for Education in three easy steps:

1. Download the BTFE app via the link

2. Buy products marked with the Box Tops logo

3. Scan your paper receipts or email in your digital receipts.

That's it! Twice a year, our cumulative efforts result in a check that is sent directly from BTFE for use by the PTG. Let's see if we can top last year's BTFE total of $418!

*NEW FOR THIS YEAR*

The grade with the most Box Tops earned will be awarded with an extra recess! Be sure to “give credit” every time you submit a receipt, and check out the Give Credit Leaderboard directly in the app.

Any questions? Please email Jessica Kapadia at jessica.passero@gmail.com

> Monday, October 5 - Oasis Family Fun Center

The PTG has organized a fun, family-friendly event At the Oasis Family Fun Center in Glen Mills on Monday, October 5. Details will be shared in the weeks ahead.

Click on the link to RSVP. RSVP Link:

Friday, October 23 - Grandparents and Special Friends Day

Grandparents or special friends are invited to spend some time visiting Rose Tree Elementary on Friday, October 23, 2026.

Guests visiting Students in Grades 1,2 and AM Kindergarten

9:30 – 9:45 AM – Refreshments in Cafeteria

9:45 – 10:45 AM – Classroom Visitation

Guests visiting Students in Grades 3 – 5 and PM Kindergarten

1:45 – 2:00 PM – Refreshments in Cafeteria

2:00 – 3:00 PM– Classroom Visitation

Guests visiting students in K – 5th grade are invited to enjoy light refreshments in the cafeteria before their classroom visit. Please note refreshments times for each group above.

Parking will be available on the blacktop at the rear of the building and entrance will be by way of the cafeteria entrances. Any guests requiring handicapped parking will need to park near the main entrance on First Avenue and enter the building by way of the main entrance.

Please Click on the RSVP Link

https://rosetreeptg.membershiptoolkit.com/form/m/406286

American Education Week

Parent/Guardian Visitation Day on Thursday, November 19, 2026

We look forward to welcoming parents and guardians for American Education Week on Thursday, November 19, 2026.

Please note that Parent/Guardian Visitation Day is an adults-only event, and siblings will not be permitted in the building during the visit. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in helping us maintain a focused environment for our students and guests. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to us at 610-627-7200.

AM Kindergarten

10:00 – 11:00 AM (Classroom Visitation)

PM Kindergarten

2:00 – 3:00 PM (Classroom Visitation)

First Grade

9:45 - 10:45 AM (Classroom Visitation)

Second Grade

9:15 - 10:15 AM (Classroom Visitation)

Third Grade

2:00 – 3:00 PM (Classroom Visitation)

Fourth Grade

1:40 - 2:40 PM (Classroom Visitation)

Fifth Grade

12:00 - 1:00 PM (Classroom Visitation)

1:00 - 1:30 PM (Parent Lunch)

5th Grade Parents can bring in lunch and eat with their fifth grader.

Please consider signing up and/or updating your student's information!

The Rose Tree Elementary PTG is pleased to continue providing Membership Toolkit as our school's family directory. Membership Toolkit is the PTG's tool for our family and faculty directories, online store, volunteer signups and email communications, including emails from your child's homeroom parents. It's secure, easy to use, and free to families of Rose Tree Elementary.

Already signed up for MTK in past years? Your child has already been graduated to this year's grade level - please just log in and update your child's teacher in the database.

New to the school? Register at rosetreeptg.membershiptoolkit.com and create a new account

Once we've had a chance to verify your family information, you'll receive permission to view the online directory.

Questions? Contact our system administrator at rtesptg@gmail.com

Install the Free app! After you get your login information, download the app by searching for Membership Toolkit in the iTunes App Store or Google Play. The app allows you to access our directory, manage your family information, purchase in our store and signup for volunteer activities all from your phone!

A Collaborative Effort

Welcome to the 2026-27 School Year!

Parents, teachers, students, and administrators came together to learn about and discuss the cultural holidays and events observed throughout the school year. Together, they developed the list of holidays and events our schools will recognize, teach about, or celebrate. The selections featured in this newsletter reflect the voices and input of our community.

By learning about the cultures, traditions, and experiences represented in our community, we build greater understanding and acceptance of one another. This shared learning strengthens relationships and enhances each person’s sense of belonging in our schools.

Please select the “Resources” links to learn more.

Please email Ralph Harrison if you have any suggestions or ideas about our monthly events and holidays. We honor dignity by taking the time to learn about the cultures of all of our community members. The events/holidays are listed in the order they occur during the month. For more details, please click on the "Resources" links.

• PA Criminal Background Clearance
• PDE FBI Clearance
• Child Abuse Clearance

Information about obtaining these clearances can be obtained by accessing the following link: https://www.rtmsd.org/Page/39

Please contact the main office at Rose Tree Elementary with any questions.

Email: ebucci@rtmsd.org
Website: https://www.rtmsd.org/6/home
Location: 1101 First Avenue, Media, PA, USA
Phone: (610) 627-7200