RFS Ray Report

October:

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

28-Oct - Early Release (PreK-6 Conferences)

Dear Reeds Ferry Families,

I am writing to address a critical safety issue regarding our morning student drop-off procedures. The safety and well-being of our students, families, and staff is our highest priority every day.

Recently, we have had several dangerous close calls where vehicles did not follow our established traffic loop. Drivers cutting across to exit directly onto Lyons Road instead of following the designated car loop have almost struck staff members who are arriving at school.

This is an extremely important safety issue. We need every driver to strictly follow our outlined traffic patterns without exception to ensure everyone remains safe.

Thank you for following our traffic patterns on a daily basis,

Bonnie Painchaud

Family/Teacher conferences are coming up! The first opportunity is on October 28th from 1:10-3:15 pm. This is during your student's early release. The second opportunity is on November 10th from 4:00-7:00 pm. You should have received an email from your student's classroom teacher to sign up for a conference.

Halloween is on Saturday, October 31st. Classes will participate in a variety of fall activities on Friday, October 30th which may include counting pumpkin seeds, reading spooky stories, and community building activities. Students are invited to wear costumes during the day. However, when selecting a costume we respectfully request that it be school appropriate and considerate of the wide age range of students that attend RFS. No fake blood, gore, face makeup, masks, pretend weapons, or inflatable costumes. In addition, be mindful of small items such as gloves, crowns, badges, etc. which, if forgotten at school, will make for a disappointing evening.

If your student's classroom teacher is asking for families to send in food items for a celebration please consider sending in healthy items and send in only prepackaged food choices. Thank you with your help keeping one of the sweetest day of the year healthier.

As part of our Wit & Wisdom Module 1, we took a closer look at Picasso’s Le Gourmet. Students created a tableaux, using their bodies and expressions to recreate the painting and show what they noticed about the character and scene. This extension activity allows us to carry our Wit & Wisdom learning into a new medium, deepening understanding while encouraging creativity and self-expression.

All of our first grade classes recently took a field trip to Currier Apple Orchard in Merrimack. It was an AMAZING experience where they learned all about how apples are sorted using machines, how apple cider is made, where it's stored in a BIG freezer...and everyone even got to try some! Classes also rode on a tractor out to the apple orchard where first graders picked a Cortland apple to eat from trees that are over 70 years old. When we got back to school, classes learned about the life cycle of apples, how different apple foods are made, and what the biggest kind of apple in the world is (it's a Hokuto, from Japan, and the largest recorded one was over 4 pounds). Overall, first grade had a wonderful apple day!

Our 3rd graders have been hard at work mastering their multiplication skills, and we love seeing all the different ways they learn!

From whole-class explicit instruction and interactive Solve & Share problems to small group collaboration, hands-on multiplication puzzles, and focused independent practice, these students are building strong math foundations every single day.

We are so proud of their hard work, problem-solving skills, and how confidently they share their solutions with their classmates!

Check out some highlights of our young mathematicians in action!

Jimmy Inamorati spoke to fourth grade about the three branches of government. Students discussed how the branches have equal powers but separate responsibilities.

Fourth graders had a visit from mathematician Lisa Swazey. She reviewed place value and used math manipulatives.

Kindergarten students are learning their primary and secondary colors. They are painting spiderwebs making color wheels mixing primary colors to make secondary colors.

First graders this week will be read the book Mouse Paint. Students will be learning the 3 primary colors. Then students are taught which 2 primary colors to mix together to make a secondary color. Next week they will be cutting mice from their colors and creating a mouse color wheel.

3rd grade students are learning the 4 parts of a landscape. They are also learning about warm and cool colors. Students are asked to create a landscape of choice grouping warm and cool colors in their piece of art.

The RFS Swag Store will now be open for shopping through Friday!

Get your RFS gear while you can!

If Santa needs help in your household providing warm clothing or toys, Merrimack Lioness Club may be able to help. Our office will provide the Club family coded numbers, ages and gender of individuals’ wish lists. Typed cards with these codes get place on area Christmas Trees for donators to take and fulfill some of the items.

Connect with the K-8 Social Worker 26/27

MSD Community Resource Page

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

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.