In Outdoor Education, we try to go outside whenever we can. There is a curriculum that we need to follow (usually Science, sometimes Social Studies, etc.). Not all lessons are conducive to being outside. When they are not, we try to start in the building, and go outside for the second half of the class. Sometimes it is just too cold, too rainy, or too wet, and weather, like much of nature, goes in patterns. With the recent storms and wind, students have not gone out to the woods until a scan of the trees has been done. Safety is always our first priority. Please be sure that your student has the appropriate gear to be outside, and know that you can always be in touch if you have any questions. (emurphy@sau50.org).

Warmly,

Michelle Pitts

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Outdoor Education: The Mitten Tree

Outdoor Education News - This week, all classes did a lesson on The Mitten Tree by Candace Christianson. In this book, an older woman who lives alone notices a young boy at the bus stop who is not playing with his friends in the snow because he does not have mittens. She decides to knit mittens and hang them on a tree near the bus stop for him and others to find. This heartwarming story is one of kindness that comes from the heart without any expectations. The end will warm you to the core. (You can watch a YouTube video of the story being read at the link above.)

Students at RES have decided to collect mittens and gloves to create our own “mitten tree” in the Lobby. We are asking families to donate a new pair of mittens or gloves (for children

adults) during the week of February 12-16 to hang on our tree. These will be donated to Cross Roads House in Portsmouth. Their mission is to "...offer shelter, respect and collaborative solutions to unhoused individuals and families who aspire to return to permanent housing and thrive in their community." We feel this is perfect timing as it is just before February break, a time when many families will need mittens and gloves. If every family donates just one pair, that would be almost 200 pairs of mittens and gloves to help people in our community! Please reach out (emurphy@sau50.org) with any questions. Thank you so much for your support.

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TALENTS BY THE SEA- Our 20th Anniversay Edition!

A Gallery of Poems, Short Stories and Art

2024 Patron of the Arts

Dear RES parents,

The “Talents by the Sea” literary journal is an annual publication, which features the best artwork and writing samples of Rye students in grades K through 8. It is the well-conceived concept of a group of teachers, community members, and parents, whose primary goal is to foster great writing and art in our students. For the many wonderful artists and writers in our schools, being published is their Super Bowl trophy or their gold medal for a competition. Each year, a free copy is distributed to all Rye students, teachers, and involved community members. We cannot do this without many generous donations. Our biggest donor every year is Author Dan Brown.

Please encourage your child to submit a written piece or any artwork. Cover art work is due by March 8th and will be voted on by the community. Inside art and writing have a deadline of March 29th. The submissions can be done at home or at school. Please let me know if you are interested in judging written work for the journal at jdefreze@sau50.org.

Contributions to help publish this amazing magazine, of any amount, are greatly appreciated and are tax deductible. You can return this sheet to the office. All checks must be made payable to: Rye School District, Treasurer

Sincerely,

Jacquie DeFreze

Talents by the Sea coordinator

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Family To Do List: A NEW SECTION!

-Send your child in RYE gear or BLUE TOMORROW for our Blue Ribbon celebration!!!

-Send in donation of ready to eat pasta, soup, bar soap or toothpaste for GATHER.

-Consider helping your child submit a piece for Talents by the Sea! (see above)

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100th Day of School

On Tuesday, students celebrated the 100th day of school! We can't believe that we are there already. Students engaged in activities that recognized this accomplishment and teachers did an incredible job planning for the festivities. Some children visited other classrooms, made fun hats and focused on the number 100 through a myriad of math activities. So much fun!!

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Thank You Baking Club ASE!

We wanted to share a photo of the cookies that made by our ASE baking club, hosted by Eileen Murphy and Kim Boulay. These cookies were served to special guests at our Blue Ribbon celebration. What better way to teach our student how to give back than to teach them baking skills at the same time. Thank you, PTA and our staff for all you give to ASE and our students through these great programs!

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Wildlife Encounters

We had Wildlife Encounters come to introduce some animals to some of our students. We will be having them back, they were amazing! We met a bunny, a BIG lizard, a cockatoo and a wallaby. Yes, a wallaby!!!! We learned a lot and even communicated with the cockatoo. Having these presenters back in our building since COVID has been a gift.

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Lunch with Students

We do allow one family member at a time to have lunch with their child(ren) but this is very optional and we don't want families to feel pressured to attend.

Email resoffice@sau50.org if you would like to attend with the date/time (starting October 1). It is important to anticipate who will be in the building. We love these opportunities for students and their family members but we will always put safety first.
We do have a focus during this time...eating for energy and brain power!
Family members must meet the child in the cafeteria and leave from the cafeteria.
Lunch times are:

Kindergarten-11:45-12:10

First Grade-12:15-12:40

Second Grade-12:15-12:40

Third Grade- 11:15-11:40

Fourth Grade-11:15-11:40

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RJH Connection

In an effort to create a ONE STOP SHOP for families, we are now publishing the RES and RJH newsletter on Thursdays and sharing the link in one place:)

RJH Newsletter

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