Important Dates
We are sharing events for the REST OF THE YEAR so you can mark your calendars!
May 3
School Lunch Hero Day!
Grade 4 Shark Presentation
May 6-10
Teacher Appreciation Week!
May 7 and 8
All Northeast Passage event (THANK YOU REF!)
May 7
Grade 2 Portsmouth High School Eco Education Presentation
PTA Volunteer Appreciation Event 6:00-7:30 PM
May 8
Nurse Appreciation Day
May 9
Grade 4 Chess Lesson (Lyons Club)
May 13
All RES Field Trip to Seacoast Science Center
May 14
Second Grade Field Trip to Audubon
Grades 3 and 4 NH State Test (Reading)
May 15
School Board Meeting (5:30 PM)
May 16
Grades 3 and 4 NH State Test (Math)
Incoming Kindergarten Orientation (Adults only) at 6:00 PM
May 17
All May 17th French Music Assembly featuring grades K-4 and a special guest from PMAC
Neurodiversity Presentation for ALL Caregivers (9:15 or after the assembly)-THANK YOU PTA!!
May 20
Third Grade Field Trip to Audubon
May 22
Staff meeting
May 23
Fourth Grade Passion Project Presentation (Families invited) at 8:45 AM
Kindergarten Field Trip to Webster at Rye
Principal Advisory Council Meeting at 3:00 PM
May 24
Memorial Day Assembly 8:30 AM
Mrs. Pitts Absent for Doctoral Program Exams
May 27
No School
May 29
Kindergarten NHSPCA Projects for Families at 8:45 AM
Grade 1 Great Bay Discovery Center Field Trip (Grade 1)
May 31
ALL Field Day
Adults Improv Night 5:0-10:00 PM at RES (Sponsored by Rye Rec)
June 3
All Field Day Rain Date
June 4
Grade 1 Field Trip to Music Hall
Grade 3 Trolley Ride
Grade 4 Trip to RJH Wax Museum
PTA Meeting at 6:30 PM
June 5
Fourth Grade Trip to Star Island
June 7
Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 2 Music Concert (Families Invited) at 8:45 AM (time change)
*Please be patient as we will be doing a clap out for the graduating SENIORS at 8:30, concert to follow.
Kindergarten Picnic at the Commons
June 10
Fourth Grade Beach Day
Kindergarten Last Day
Kindergarten Rain Date for Picnic at the Commons
June 11 and June 12
Incoming Kindergarten Screening
Fourth Grade Beach Day Rain Date
June 12
Fourth Grade Moving On Ceremony at 9:00 AM (Families Invited)
Second Grade Celebration of Growth (Families Invited) at 10:00 AM
Third Grade Celebration of Growth (Families Invited) at 10:45 AM
First Grade Celebration of Growth (Families Invited) at 11:30 AM
School Board Meeting at 5:30 PM
June 14
Fourth Grade Clap Out at 9:30 AM (Families Invited)
Last Day of School-Early Release at 12:30 PM
Important Links
A Note from Mrs. Pitts
Dear RES Families,
There will be some changes in teacher assignments for next year, mostly due to the changing enrollment in various grades due to shifts in enrollment. We wanted to share these changes with you now but please know these could change again. Please read this entire newsletter for some additional staff news!
Teacher Assignments 2024-2025
Preschool-Carole Ryan and PreKindergarten-Katelyn Caswell
Kindergarten-Vicki Scally, Maggie Hanna
Grade 1-Ellen Jackson, Jennika Mannesto, Aimee Caruso
Grade 2-Jen Sabine, Michelle Gwinn
Grade 3-Eric Ross, Amanda Goss, Shannon Woodhouse
Grade 4-Diane Smaracko, Jacquie DeFreze
Please note that there will be many classroom moves this year. We would really love your help in collecting boxes for teachers and perhaps even volunteers to help us on moving day, June 13!
Knowing there may be an extenuating circumstance that is related to these teacher moves, please read the placement information below.
With MUCH respect and appreciation,
Warmly,
Michelle Pitts
Placement 2024-2025
Based on the small community that we have at RES, sometimes with only two options for class placements, we cannot honor any requests. HOWEVER, if you have an extenuating circumstance that is truly unique and should be considered, please email Michelle Pitts. This information will be considered, but due to many factors, may not be possible. After class placement for 2024-2025 is sent to students, we know that we can work through any potential challenges that were not originally anticipated because we value teamwork, especially between home and school.
Below are some factors to consider:
-We only consider information from this current year as we may not be privy or have information about particular relationships between students, etc. from previous years.
-Please do not assume that incidents between certain children will be recalled during the placement process as this is a challenge when so many factors are being considered.
-It is important to understand that anything written will be shared with teachers after the Principal has read them.
-Requests for specific teachers cannot be honored. The process of placing students is multifaceted, rendering it impossible to honor these requests.
-Please understand that the Rye Elementary staff cannot take calls or discuss placement regarding specific placement requests. To do so would compromise the hard work of all involved.
Teacher Appreciation Week!
We love our teachers! Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week. Please consider sending a note to a teacher, ANY teacher, that you feel has made an impact on your child or family. We love our staff and know you do too. We sent home thank you note templates, if that is helpful. We would like to thank our PTA for their generous support of our teachers in creating memorable experiences for our staff next week.
Goodbye to Mrs. Wheeler
We would like to share some sad/happy news with our RES community. Denise Wheeler, our library media specialist for the last 26 years, will be moving on to a new adventure. She will be the new Grade 5 ELA and Social Studies teacher at Rye Junior High. Denise has a passion for history, civics, writing and (of course) reading so this is a wonderful position for her. For Blue Ribbon, we asked the children what the loved MOST about RES. Several children talked about library (see below)! Denise is known to bring books alive for our students. No costume is too grand for her and students truly connect with the books through her incredible reenactments. Thank you, Denise for so many years of hard work and joy!
Student Quotes:
"My favorite subject is library because it is fun to dress up."
"I love library because I get to listen to books and I love books."
"I love library because I love to read."
"The thing I like about RES is the library because we get to dress up!"
New Art Teacher: Julia Barrett Joins Our RES Family (Pending School Board Approval)
My name is Julia Barrett, and I'm thrilled to be your new art teacher at RES! I reside in Greenland with my husband, Gus, and our four-year-old daughter, Scarlett. Fun fact: I went to RES myself, and now I have the privilege of returning as your art teacher – and let me tell you, I couldn't be more excited!
As a lifelong artist and an experienced educator, I bring a deep passion for nurturing children's creativity and fostering a love for learning. With a B.A. in Fine Arts from the University of New Hampshire and a Masters degree in Teaching Elementary Education, I've spent over 7 years working with children, honing my skills and refining my approach.
Being a mother myself, I understand firsthand the importance of creating a nurturing environment where children can freely express themselves and feel supported. My goal is to ensure that every student feels welcomed and embraced each day, allowing their creativity to flourish in a safe and encouraging space.
I'm excited to engage our students in hands-on, play-based educational experiences that seamlessly integrate the arts into a multitude of subjects. Whether it's painting, sculpting, or exploring mixed media, I'm here to guide and inspire each child along their creative journey!
One of the best parts of being an art teacher is the energy and enthusiasm that students bring to the classroom. I absolutely love helping them grow as artists and getting to know them as individuals. It's truly a joy to witness their development and see the world through their eyes.
I can't wait to embark on this creative adventure with you all. Please feel free to reach out with any questions, ideas, or simply to say hello!
Warm regards,
Julia Barrett
Family To Do List: A NEW SECTION!
- Sign permission slip for Seacoast Science Center if your child is attending.
- Send in any other permission slips (see dates above!)
- DONATIONS NEEDED!:
- Blow up costumes (like this, for a special surprise!)
- Plastic bottles for the bottom of the beds in the pollinator garden!
- Splits any plant splits if you have them!
- Boxes-Due to the room changes we have to make this year, we are looking for boxes so teachers can easily move belongings at the end of the school year!
- Sign up for Field Day volunteering, optional!
Boston Marathon and Mrs. Hanna!
Students learned about the Boston Marathon the week before April break in World Language Health with Madame Piper and Mrs. Warden. Second grade teacher, Maggie Hanna, visited our fourth grade classes to share her experience with running the Boston Marathon multiple times! She spoke to the students about the power and importance of positive thinking and inspired everyone to work through challenging moments through an encouraging mindset.
Pollinator Presentation
As both classes are doing research on native plants for our two new gardens (The Pollinator Garden by the patio and the Alphabet Garden by the Kindergarten doors), we thought it would be great to have some local experts present their knowledge. Mr. Joe Marttila (of Sea Bee Honey and dad to Robert and Jackson) and Joe Tucker (Rye resident who created the Pollinator Habitat on Garland Road) gave presentations to both grades about native bees, native plants, and the importance of maintaining these species. “Native plants are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions where they naturally occur. These important plant species provide nectar, pollen, and seeds that serve as food for native butterflies, insects, birds and other animals.” (From the US Forest Service) It is so exciting and important that children this young are learning about how to sustain our natural environment. We are so grateful to Mr. Marttila and Mr. Tucker.
Gardeners' Supply Field Trip
On Friday, April 19, 2024, Fourth Grade students took a field trip to Gardeners’ Supply on Breakfast Hill Road in Greenland, NH. Students were able to put their research to the test, as they explored the plants available for our Pollinator Garden. They also had a tour of the greenhouses. We are so grateful to Gardeners’ Supply and manager, David Toth, for giving our students this opportunity. They were even sent home with six-packs of pansies! Thank you! We can’t wait for you to see the completed gardens!!!
Blue Marble and Earth Day Presentation
We had a busy week before the April break! We want to thank Ms. Murphy and all of our students for putting on an unbelievable Earth Day assembly for our Rye community. Students learned about child change agents from all over the world and, of course, showed their talents for singing and performing!
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
RJH Connection
PTA News
TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK IS NEXT WEEK! We have some fun things planned for our staff at RES. We have sent home thank you card templates. We would LOVE for you to work on with your RES student to express their appreciation for their teachers. If you can have them think outside their classroom too and thank Unified Arts or other staff members! We would like all staff to get something! Send back in with your student to give to Mrs. Pitts.
1- Luau @ RJH on May 17th 6-8. This is not a drop off event. See attached flyer for some more details! Who is ready for a dance party?! We are also looking for some food donations for the attendees during the event! Plus Volunteers
Luau Food Donation and Volunteer sign ups
2- Lt. Chuck Gallant Bike Rodeo- May 19th- 12-1:30 @ RES. Bring your bike or scooter over for fun with friends on bike course, with helmet fitting, and bike parade! Honoring Lt. Chuck Gallant who held this event so near and dear to his heart. Looking for volunteers to help run this event! Make sure to sign the waiver for participation.
3. Also many have been invited to our Volunteer Appreciation night next week at Common Roots. It is our way of saying thank you to our volunteers who come and help us throughout the year at events! Let me know if you did not receive the invitation and would like to come as we say thank you, farewell to myself and Ryan, and vote in our new President and Treasurer!
Hope to see many of you at these upcoming events!!!
Contact Information
Email: mpitts@sau50.org
Website: https://res.sau50.org
Location: 461 Sagamore Road, Rye, NH, USA
Phone: (603) 436-4731