RFS Ray Report

September:

23-Sept - Family Information Night

October:

9-Oct - Early Release (PD)

12-Oct - No School-Columbus Day

15-Oct - Staff Meeting (All staff) 3:15-4:15

16-Oct - Picture Day

22-Oct - Fall Fest 4:30-6:00

28-Oct - Early Release (PreK-6 Conferences) and Nov. 10

RFS 3rd and 4th grade students celebrated Constitution Day and Citizenship Day with a special visit from Dave Alcox, a Constitution expert. Students learned about the founding of the Constitution and explored the meaning behind our rights and responsibilities as citizens.

The conversation connected beautifully to what it means to be a good community member—both in our country and within our own school community. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to learn, ask questions, and think about how their actions contribute to a strong and caring community.

Dear Families and Caregivers,

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we roll into the second full week of school, we want to share a few reminders to help keep things running smoothly at school. To create a safe, focused and enjoyable learning environment for all, we ask that students leave the following items at home:

• Toys and Stuffed Animals: Trading cards, such as Pokémon cards. Stuffed animals, while we know these can be comforting, we ask that students keep them at home to avoid distractions during class.

• Electronic Devices: Cell phones, smart watches, electronic games, and similar gadgets should stay home, as they can interrupt learning. This includes any devices that can send or receive texts or calls.

• Cameras: Personal cameras are not needed unless a teacher gives special permission for a field trip or project.

We really appreciate your help with this. If you have any questions or need more information, just let us know!

Thank you for your support and understanding.

Bonnie Painchaud, Principal

If you have not updated PowerSchool yet, please do so as soon as possible. If you are having any trouble, please call or email Ashley Schaefer - ashley.schaefer@sau26.org.

Dear Families,

We are looking forward to welcoming you to our Family Information Night! The purpose of this evening is to give parents and caregivers an opportunity to learn more about their child’s classroom, grade-level expectations, routines, curriculum, and the learning experiences ahead this school year.

Each grade level will have a designated 10-minute classroom presentation, with 5 minutes between presentations to allow families time to transition to another classroom or grade level:

• Preschool: 5:25-5:35 PM

• Kindergarten: 5:40–5:50 PM

• Grade 1: 5:55–6:05 PM

• Grade 2: 6:10–6:20 PM

• Grade 3: 6:25–6:35 PM

• Grade 4: 6:40–6:50 PM

Visiting classrooms (when classrooms are open to visit)

Preschool: 5:15-6:15 PM

K-2: 5:30-6:30 PM

3-4: 6:00-7:00 PM

UAs, ESOL, and other staff that works with students - 5:45-6:45 PM

Families with children in multiple grade levels are welcome to attend each of their children’s presentations.

A Special Activity for Families

Our PFA will provide a scavenger hunt for families to complete throughout the evening! Before or after your child’s presentation, we encourage you to explore the school together and participate in the scavenger hunt. This is a fun opportunity for children to show their families around the school while also becoming more familiar with our school community.

A Reminder About Classroom Presentations

We know that many families will have their children with them for the evening, and children are welcome to attend. However, during the 10-minute teacher presentations, it is important that children remain quiet so that all parents and caregivers can hear the information being shared. We ask families to please help their children understand this expectation before arriving.

The presentations are brief and specifically designed to provide parents and caregivers with important information about the school year. Your support in maintaining a quiet environment during these 10 minutes will help make the presentations valuable for everyone.

If you are unable to attend Parent Information Night, teachers will make their presentation or information available to you afterward so that all families have access to the information being shared.

We hope the evening provides a chance to learn more about your child’s school experience, explore the building together, and strengthen the partnership between home and school.

We look forward to seeing you!

Protecting student privacy is an important responsibility of the Merrimack School District. Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and New Hampshire law, school districts may disclose certain information designated as Directory Information without prior consent, unless a parent or legal guardian has exercised the right to opt out.

Directory Information may include:

• Student name and address
• Field of study
• Weight and height of student-athletes
• Most recent previous school attended
• Date and place of birth
• Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
• Dates of attendance, degrees, and awards

Directory Information is commonly used for purposes such as school yearbooks, student directories, graduation programs, honor rolls, athletic rosters, school newsletters, recognition of student accomplishments, school websites and social media, photographs, and press releases. It may also be shared with organizations or individuals for legitimate school-related purposes, unless a parent or legal guardian has exercised the right to opt out. Parents also have the right to opt out of disclosing certain pieces of directory information.

Parents and legal guardians have the right to refuse the disclosure of their student's Directory Information to third parties. If you wish to exercise this right, please email the Superintendent's Office stating that you do not want your student's Directory Information disclosed to third parties. Parents and legal guardians may also choose to opt out of specific uses or categories of Directory Information instead of opting out of all Directory Information.

Please send your request to: directoryinformation@sau26.org

We are encouraging every family to complete a free/reduced-price meal application.

Did you know filling out the school meal application may help provide:

• After School Academic & Enrichment Programs.

• Free/Reduces meal 30-day rollover for the next school year.

• State and Federal funding for school budgets.

• Fund computers and technology at home and for your school.

• Fee waivers for college applications and admission tests.

If you need an help with the application, please call the RFS Office at 603-424-6215. More information can be found on the District's website: https://www.sau26.org/Page/5047

All volunteers, chaperones, and substitute teachers must complete a background check and be fingerprinted. If you intend to volunteer for any of these opportunities, please contact the district office for an appointment ASAP. If you have already had your fingerprints done through the school in previous years and have volunteered within the last year, you do not need to have them done again.

You will have to complete the two Vector training courses yearly: Bullying and Cyberbullying Prevention for Schools (K-12) and Preventing Workplace Harassment for Employees. Follow this link for directions to the online trainings: Training Directions.

Connect with the K-8 Social Worker 26/27

MSD Community Resource Page

Emily Robinson's District Phone Number 603-857- 4350