Ravens Academy - Elementary Summer Literacy Program

What:

• Project Based/Inquiry Based instruction that targets key literacy skills. Teaching and learning will focus on:

• developing rich vocabulary

• engaging in hands-on learning

• building knowledge around topics that are of high interest and interdisciplinary

• Many students will attend local field trips related to their topic of study

Who:

• Students in grades Kindergarten through 5th who meet the criteria for Tier 3 intervention instruction with literacy skills well below grade level expectations

• Participation will be by invitation only

• Families of students who meet the criteria will be emailed an invitation to register

When/Where:

• 4 weeks, July 14- August 7, 2025

• 9:00-1:00, Monday-Thursday @ PBC

• Transportation is available

Please note that summer programming is contingent upon a successful budget vote on May 20th.

Once again, the New York State Education Department will highlight the local Month of the Military Child and Purple Up! Day celebrations. Information and resources can be found in the link above.

We wanted to send a quick reminder to families about some of our lunch and recess protocols as we enter the final tri-mester and the warmer weather.

- Students at all grade levels spend an equal amount of time eating lunch and playing at recess each day at PBC. The cafeteria and playground are monitored by our building aides and building administrators.

Cafeteria:

- Lunch is an excellent time for students to spend time with friends, old and new. They also practice good manners.

- During lunch, students may be seated by class, by grade level, or are allowed to sit anywhere in the cafeteria. These choices are dependent on the age levels of the students and on student conduct. When the lunch room gets a little too energized, we usually return seating to "by class." There is usually no assigned seating in any of these scenarios.

- Our cafeteria also has areas/tables where students can be assured of no potential allergens.

- Students in the cafeteria are expected to remain seated during lunch unless they are going to the lunch line, clearing their trays/garbage, or going to the restroom with permission.

- Students are expected to talk in a normal tone of voice with their friends and to clean up after themselves.

Recess:

- Recess is an excellent time for students to forge stronger relationships with their peers and to let out their energy.

- Students must be dressed appropriately (which is a lot easier as the weather warms up). Students who do not have warm clothes when it is very cold may be asked to have recess inside.

- There are designated areas for students to play which include the early childhood playground (for our youngest students), the paved area in front and side of PBC and on the playground (currently under construction). These designated areas may change based on the levels of supervision that are available.

- While at recess, students have access to...(various toys games - kick ball, four square, jump ropes, sidewalk chalk.. etc.)

- Students are expected to practice courtesy, good sportsmanship, and to follow the directives of the supervisors. Students who are unable to follow rules and expectations may be asked to take a timeout and/or stay inside for recess.

-Proper dress is required to take part in activities, including appropriate footwear (no flip flops on the playground. Closed or strap on the heel of footwear)

- Animal Land. - PBC Art show night. April 24th 5:30 - 7 p.m. at Pieter B.

- PTO Spring Book Fair - May 5 - May 9

- Touch-a-truck- May 4th at RCS Middle School 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

- PTO Drive-in Movie - End of School Year

6:30 pm meeting time

September 12 - virtually join the meeting click HERE

October 10 -virtually join the meeting click HERE

November 21 - -virtually join the meeting click HERE

December 12 - virtually join the meeting click HERE

January 9 - virtually join the meeting click HERE

February 13 - virtually join the meeting click HERE

March 13 - virtually join the meeting click HERE

April 10 - virtually join the meeting click HERE

May 8 - virtually join the meeting click HERE

Please consider joining Pieter B. PTO as our students can greatly benefit from your involvement and contributions to the school’s program and its operations. PTO is seeking volunteers to help with the following activities:

1) Teacher-led instructional support, usually in the classroom

2) School-wide events and activities

3) Student recognition events

4) Outreach and recruitment of parent and community volunteers

4/14 - 4/21 Spring Recess No School

4/9 Board of Education Meeting at High School, 6:00 p.m.

4/10 PBC PTO meeting 6:30 p.m.(Join virtually)https://meet.google.com/zbj-yuij-xds.

4/22 Purple Up! For Military Kids day!

4/23 Board of Education Meeting at High School, 6:00 p.m.

4/24 PBC Art show night & PTO Animal Land April 24th 5:30 - 7 p.m. at Pieter B.

May 1st - Pieter B. Spring Picture Day

Physical Activity & Recess will be conducted outside to encourage physical activity according to the following temperatures:

Cold Weather (based on Accu-weather real feel temperatures)

1. Students go outside for recess when the real feel temperature is 15 degrees and above.

2. If the temperature is close to 15 degrees, please send your students to student with their coat, hat and gloves ( just in case the students are able to go outside)

3. All students should wear a jacket during the winter season (especially on chilly days). Stay warm!

Hot Weather (based on Accu-weather heat index temperatures)

Above 95 degrees F No outdoor activity

90-95 degrees F Limited outdoor activity (10-15 minutes)

Below 90 degrees F Regular outdoor activity

Air Quality Index (www.Airnow.gov)

Above 150 No outdoor activity

101-150 Limited outdoor activity (10-15 minutes)

Below 101 Regular outdoor activities

*Proper dress is required to take part in activities

Just a reminder:

Please avoid having your children arrive at school before 9:00 a.m. Supervision is not provided, nor do our doors open prior to that time with the exception of students going to breakfast at 8:50 a.m.

Students report to their classrooms at 9:00 a.m. If you need to contact a teacher, please go to the main office for assistance. Please do not go directly to teacher classrooms at any time.

We have a lost and found table in the front lobby waiting area.

There are numerous water bottles, lunch boxes, clothing etc...

Please check for any lost items, as we will be cleaning it out later this month.

In an effort to control the spread of illness we ask for your cooperation with the following guidelines.

Do not send your child to school….

 If he/she has a temperature of 100 or higher. Please do not send your child to school until he/she is fever-free (under 100) for 24 hours without Tylenol or Ibuprofen.

 If he/she has been vomiting or had diarrhea during the night or early morning hours. They should stay home until they have been free of the episodes for 24 hours.

 If your child is coughing excessively and/or has a very runny nose. A constant cough is very uncomfortable for your child and it is also disruptive to the class.

 If they have a severe rash that has not been seen by a physician. If your child has an open wound, please cover it with a bandage; if it does not appear to be healing, please consult your physician.

 If your physician suspects strep throat or other infections do not send your child to school until the results are known. If the result is positive he/she should have at least 24 hours of antibiotics before returning to school.

 If you suspect your child has pink eye (conjunctivitis), please take them to your physician. If it is a confirmed case, keep them home until they have been treated for 24 hours.

 If your child has Head Lice- unless they have been treated according to the nurse or doctor’s instruction and no longer have live lice or nits (eggs).

We would like to remind families about the protocols that have been established for school closings, delays, and early dismissals, as well as the cancellation of extra-curricular activities.

In the event that weather impacts the school day, we use several information vehicles to communicate with parents and community members. All emergency closure information can be found on our website here.

Please remember Pieter B. is a smoke/tobacco free environment!

• 🌱 The spring season gets its name from the verb "spring." It's a nod to the flowers and plants springing up, springing open, and bursting into blossom.
• 🐣 The word itself comes from the Old English word "springan," which means "to leap, burst forth, fly up; spread, grow."
• 🌸 During the 14th century, the word came to describe the spring season, the time when plants wake from their winter sleep and bloom.
• 🌅 Before that, the word "Lent" was used to describe the season: "In the past it was the main word for ‘spring.' Lent surfaced as ‘lencten,' that is, ‘lengten': the season got its name because in spring days lengthen." (full article here)