The Red Mill Reader

We’re off to a fantastic start to the school year here at Red Mill! The energy in the building has been electric as students and staff reconnect, make new friends, and dive into learning with enthusiasm. It’s been heartwarming to see familiar faces light up and new friendships begin to blossom.

Our beautiful campus has been buzzing with activity. Whether it's outdoor learning, recess adventures, or simply enjoying the fresh air, we’re making the most of the incredible space we’re fortunate to have. The joy and laughter echoing through our halls and across our grounds remind us of the special community we have here.

We’re excited for all that’s ahead and grateful to partner with our families to make this year one of growth, connection, and memorable experiences. Take a look below to see what’s coming up at Red Mill!

Tuesday, September 2 - 5:15pm

PTO Meeting-- this meeting will also serve as our Title 1 Family Engagement Evening

Tuesday, September 9 - 6:00-7:00pm

Grade 3 and 4 Back-to-School Night

Monday, September 15

Picture Day

Back-to-school Nights

This evening is designed to give parents/guardians valuable information related to the upcoming school year. The informational sessions and evening as a whole are geared towards adults only. Teachers will have presentations prepared to update and inform parents/guardians of what can be expected this coming year. There will be no general assembly. We ask that when you arrive at 6:00pm, you head directly to your student’s classroom (with the exception of 4th grade who will do a whole grade presentation in the cafeteria). We will make multiple announcements throughout the evening and set up rotations so that parents/guardians with students in multiple classrooms can attend each of the informational sessions. Upon arrival for this event, please come through the main front doors into the lobby. Staff will be there to greet you and point you in the right direction.

PBIS Assembly

We’re excited to kick off the school year with our first PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) assembly during the school day on September 3rd! This month, students will come together to celebrate the Red Mill way: being respectful, responsible, and safe. The assembly will highlight our school-wide expectations, recognize positive behaviors, and build a strong sense of community.

Be sure to ask your child what they learned from the assembly and how they plan to show Red Mill Pride each day. It’s a great chance to spark meaningful conversations and reinforce positive habits at home!

We believe the best way to support every child is to first get to know them as learners. Throughout September, students will take beginning-of-the-year assessments that help teachers understand their strengths and areas for growth. The information we gain allows us to create meaningful groupings, guide learning plans, and provide the right supports for each student.

Here’s what students will complete:

All students: Acadience Reading assessment
Kindergarten: Kindergarten Acceleration Program (KAP) screener
Grades 1–2: Kickstart Math
Grades 2–4: Reflex Math
Grades 3–4: Exact Path Diagnostic (September) and, starting in October, Study Island Benchmarks or the Firefly pilot, which help us monitor progress and prepare students for future success on the PSSA's.

These are not traditional “tests.” Instead, they’re quick tools that give us a clear picture of how to best challenge and support each child. Together, they help us make Red Mill a place where every student can grow and thrive.

To allow more student transportation time, the West Shore School District has slightly adjusted the bell schedules in the primary and high schools. Red Mill times will operate as followed:

School Doors Open at 8:35 a.m.
Morning Kindergarten: 8:55 a.m. - 11:40 a.m.
Afternoon Kindergarten: 12:55 p.m. - 3:40 p.m.
Grades 1-4: 8:55 a.m. - 3:40 p.m.

To help ensure the safety of our students and maintain smooth arrival and dismissal procedures, we kindly ask all families to park only in marked spaces when dropping off or picking up students. Using designated spots helps keep traffic flowing efficiently and ensures that all children can enter and exit the building safely. Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to student safety!

Please click here to access food service menus: https://wssdk12pa.nutrislice.com/menus-eula

In the month of September, we will be focusing on the character trait of respect. We hope that you find opportunities to explore the importance of respect with your family this month! More details about CharacterStrong can be found on our district website.

We will be back with another update in early October. If you have not already done so, we encourage you to follow us on both Instagram and X (@RMDolphins).

Thank you for your continued support and engagement. We hope to see you soon!

Ryan P. Deveney

Principal, Red Mill Elementary School

T: 717.938.3778

E-mail: RDeveney@wssd.k12.pa.us

Adam Marshall
Assistant Principal, Red Mill Elementary School
T: 717.938.3778

E-mail: amarshall@wssd.k12.pa.us