The RES Reporter: May 7, 2026

Important Dates

Here are the dates for the REST OF THE YEAR!!!! Please mark your calendars!!!

*Means ask your child about this event!

May 12

Principal Advisory Council (8:00 AM)

*Audubon Field Trip (Grade 2)

*Great Bay Discovery Center (Grade 1)May 13

Kindergarten Orientation (6:00 PM)

May 15

World Language Assembly at 8:30 (Families invited!)

*NHSPCA Walk-a-thon at 1:45-2:30 (Grades K and 1)

May 18

*RAIN DATE NHSPCA Walk-a-thon at 1:45-2:30 (Grades K and 1)

May 19

NH SAS Reading Testing (Grades 3 and 4)

May 20

NH SAS Math Testing (Grades 3 and 4)

Early Release (12:35 PM)

School Board Meeting 5:30 PM

May 21

NH SAS Writing Testing (Grades 3 and 4)

May 22

*Memorial Day Assembly (Students/Staff only)

May 25

No School

May 26

*Kindergarten to NHSPCA

May 28

4th Graders Visit RJH (8-10:30 AM)

*4th Graders should be dropped off at RJH or take their regular bus there from home!

May 29

Field Day

June 1

Field Day Rain Date

June 2

PTA Meeting 6:30 PM

June 4

Kindergarten NHSPCA Projects (8:30 AM, Families Invited)

Fourth Grade Passion Projects (8:45 AM, Families Invited)

June 5

*PHS Student Clap Out

June 8, 9, 10

Fourth Grade Gundalow (one class a day, info from the teacher)

June 11

Kindergarten Picnic on the Commons (10:30 AM, Families invited)

June 12

Last day for K

June 15 and 16

K Screening

June 15

Beach Day (Grade 4)

June 16

Grade 4 Moving On Ceremony (9:00 AM)

Grade 1 Celebration of Growth (10:15-11:00 AM)

Grade 3 Celebration of Growth (1:15-2:00 PM)

Grade 2 Celebration of Growth (2:00-2:45 PM)

June 17

Beach Day Rain Date (Grade 4)

Preschool and PreK End of Year Celebration (1:30 PM)

June 18

Last Day of School

Early Release (12:35 PM)

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Important Links

Reference Material

Rye Elementary School Homepage

2025-2026 Handbook

Curriculum

Principal's Archived Newsletters

Staff Slideshow: Get to Know Us!

Links for Social Emotional Support

STAND UP/SPEAK OUT Report Form

Family Referral Form for Counselor

Handle with Care Form

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PLEASE READ: A Note from Mrs. Pitts

Dear RES Families,

We want to give a HUGE thank you to REF for the OCEAN WEEK GRANT, which allowed our students to be immersed in an entire week of ocean-related activities and learning. Mr. Rushforth and the team at UNH visited along with MANY other community members to teach our students about the beautiful ocean that is part of their community. Please take some time to explore the pictures and descriptions below to see some of the amazing action that was happening throughout the week. We appreciate the support we receive from organizations like REF to help us provide the most engaging learning opportunities for our students.

Warmly,

Michelle Pitts

Keper Connell Talks Fishing

Keper talked to our second graders about his career as a local fisherman. Students learned about his fascinating life on the ocean catching a variety of fish, such as cod, bass and tuna. He shared photos of his boat and crew and talked about his pathway to becoming a fisherman. He highlighted the early morning start, when our RES students are still fast asleep but the fish come alive. It was so engaging and we were so pleasantly surprised about what our students already knew about fishing from living in Rye! For more information, visit:

Clanfish.com

Gulfofmaineconservas.com

Seacoast Critters

Students in grades Preschool-1 were able to learn about ocean creatures by seeing them LIVE in person. You should have seen the gorgeous starfish, the crabs and more. At one point the students became barnacles and learned how they capture food in low vs. high tide! Students were enamored with these creatures up close and knew so many interesting facts by the end!

Jim Machinchick Talks Sharks!

During Ocean Week, fourth grade was lucky to have a presentation by experienced master diver and shark photographer, Jim Machinchick, whose photos have been featured in the Discovery Channel's Shark Week advertising. He came to share his experience, knowledge, and reasons we should protect sharks. Living here on the coast, it is important for our students to understand the dynamic ocean ecosystem and why we should protect sharks to help maintain its delicate balance. It was also an amazing kick-off to start our shark tracking unit.

The Giant Whale

Students got to stand right next to a GIANT WHALE! Ok, so it wasn't real but they learned so much about whales. The children could walk around to sense the true size as well as feel and explore various whale facts and artifacts. Thank you to the Seacoast Science Center!

Ralph Masiello: Artist in Residence

Famous children's author and illustrator, Ralph Masiello, moved in with us for one week to create art pieces with students in Preschool-Grade 4 that eventually he turned into ocean masterpieces. This mural installation is at RES and we strongly encourage you to take a look if you are here!

Seacoast Science Center

Students in grades 2-4 took a field trip to the Seacoast Science Center. They had an opportunity to visit the center and see some of the ocean animals that live INSIDE and then do some tidepooling to see some of the animals that live OUTSIDE. The children had an incredible time exploring this incredible resource right down the road from our school. If you have not been, you should visit!

Field Day 2026

Field Day is a fun outdoor activity day for grade K - 4. It is scheduled for Friday, May 29, 2026 from 8:40 - 12:35. The rain date is Monday, June 1, 2026. The event will take place on the lower playground at RES. Volunteers are needed. Please use this link to sign up. Field Day Sign up genius 2026

On Thursday, April 16th, our fourth graders traded their desks for a seat at the table with the local Rotary Club for a special luncheon. It was a meeting of the minds as our students took on the role of teachers, showing the Rotarians the finer points of chess strategy.

Arden Schran, the New Hampshire State Chess Champion for his age bracket, was a featured speaker. He shared his insightful Capstone project opinion piece, "Should Classrooms Practice Chess Daily?" making a compelling case for the game.

It was a wonderful afternoon for everyone involved. A huge thank you to Ted Alex and the Rotary Club for their warm hospitality and for giving our students a platform to share their passions!

As I begin my fourth year of teaching my favorite grade, I am thrilled to be joining the RES community! Having grown up in this area, it is especially meaningful to now be teaching here. When I am not at school, I enjoy spending time with my family or relaxing at the beach with an iced coffee. Kindergarten is my happy place, and I look forward to meeting new families and having a wonderful year together!

Shari Turner will be retiring this June, which will be such a huge loss for our RES community!

Starting next year, Michelle Swenson, one of our current paraprofessionals at RES, will be taking on the role of Office Assistant. She already knows many of our students, understands our processes and procedures and is already learning from Miss Shari now. We will be sad to lose Shari but are happy to welcome Michelle Swenson into this role!

You are welcome to join us in the cafeteria during your child's lunch block! There is no pressure to attend but it the door is open to you if you find this works with your schedule. Due to cafeteria space and tables, we invite one family member at a time to have lunch with their child(ren). Lunch is a wonderful time for kids to practice their social skills and build relationships with their peers. We actively monitor these times and encourage student growth and independence while also keeping a focus on fueling their bodies with food! This occasional experience offers you a special time to join your child in their social world at RES.

Email resoffice@sau50.org if you would like to attend with the date/time. 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.
Adults must bring their own lunch and can bring lunch for their own child.
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 BEFORE we line up all the children.
Days for family visits are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
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

SAU 50 Connections

In an effort to create a ONE STOP SHOP for families, we publish the RES and RJH newsletter on Thursdays and share the link in one place:). Also provided are the central office's SAU 50 newsletter and my monthly board report.

RJH Newsletter

SAU Sensation

March School Board Report