RBS Principal’s Notes
March 9, 2018
Reminder… this coming Tuesday (March 13th) is a District Workshop Day—no school for students.
Snow Day Count = 7
Tentative Last Day of School = Friday, June 22nd
IN THE NEWS:
Improving our Attendance Practice – A Note from Superintendent McGee
The district has tightened up our attendance practices this year. This is because many absences can make it challenging for a student to be successful in school. There has been an unintended (but very real) consequence to this change. Some families have shared with us that our approach has felt insensitive. I want to make it clear that there are times when students need to be out of school -- it could be for medical reasons, a family loss, or (especially this year) the flu. At the same time, we still need to be proactive with families about the impact of absences. So, if a student is absent for 10 days in one year, the school will continue to contact the parent/guardian to make sure we understand the challenges the family is facing. If a student reaches 15 days absent, the school will arrange a meeting to develop a plan (if one is not already in place) to help the student and family manage those underlying challenges. While our new practice will remain in place, we will work hard to communicate more clearly AND sensitively. - Sincerely, Chip McGee
Math/Literacy Night (Rescheduled)
Our annual Math/Literacy Night, which was originally scheduled for Thursday, March 8th, has been rescheduled to Thursday, March 15th (all other logistics will remain the same).
Full STEAM Ahead Day (Grades 3 & 4)
We are offering an exciting opportunity for our 3rd and 4th grade students to participate in a day of STEAM/STEM activities on Monday, March 12th. For more information, please take a look at THIS FLYER.
Family Fun Night Volunteers Needed
We are looking for volunteers for our annual Family Fun Night on Friday, April 13th. If you are interested, please use the Sign Up Genius links below to sign up.
Seating One Sign up
Seating Two Sign up
Ticket Processing Sign up
Special Olympics Young Athletes Program (YAP)
The Special Olympics Young Athletes program is an eight-week activity for kids ages 2-7 with and without disabilities designed to teach a wide variety of gross motor skills through games, songs, and play. Please click here for more information. The spring session begins on March 23rd at Memorial Elementary School.
School District Vote on March 13
Please remember to vote on Tuesday, March 13. Polls are open from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm at Bedford High School in the gymnasium.
- Voters will select two people for open Board seats.
- Voters will decide whether to proceed with an energy efficiency feasibility study.
- Voters will decide whether to support the district-operating budget for 2018-19.
- A citizen's petition article asks voters to decide whether to fund a switch from Styrofoam lunch trays to compostable lunch trays.
More information can be found HERE.
Discussing Substance Abuse in our Community
These are two truly excellent community discussions on substance abuse. They were hosted by BeBold at their regular speaker series. If you could not attend, you might be interested in watching the videos. All of these discussions (and a lot more) is available on the BCTV website.
- "The Slippery Slope to Substance Abuse" with Guests from Teen Challenge NH
- "Marijuana - The Gateway Debate"
REMINDERS:
KidVote 2018 (Sponsored by Bedford PTG)
Bedford School District students will have an opportunity to cast a vote during our School/Town Voting Day on Tuesday, March 13th. At RBS, students will vote on a day for April Spirit Week. The choices are:
1. Holiday Day (Dress for your favorite holiday – no matter what time of the year it is!)
2. Comfy Day (Wear your most comfortable clothes.)
3. Teacher/Student Mix Up Day (Students dress like their teacher, and teachers dress like a student.)
4th Grade Play
Save the Date! On April 17th the entire fourth grade will present "Rats! The Story of the Pied Piper." Every boy and girl in fourth grade has a part to perform in the colorful re-telling of this classic folktale. Rehearsal (all during school hours) begins right after our February vacation, and will culminate in what promises to be a fabulous presentation to parents and friends at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, April 17th. You will not want to miss this!
Riddle Brook School Day at the Monarchs – March 11
Please join us for a fun-filled afternoon when our Manchester Monarchs take to the ice against the Norfolk Admirals on Sunday, March 11th. Our choruses will lead the National Anthem before the 3:00 PM game, and all RBS students will be invited to greet the players in the "High Five Tunnel." Everyone who joins our reservation group on-line will enjoy special pricing. Watch for notices and details to be released soon!
Food Drive
RBS is working with the Bedford Food Pantry to help collect food items that are most needed by families. Every other month we will be collecting 1 food item. For the month of March, that item is CANNED FRUIT. If you are able, please bring in canned fruit until Friday, March 30th. We will have a box for donations in the office hallway outside of the library. Thank you so much for supporting this very worthy cause, which supports Bedford families.
B.E.E.P. 2018/2019 Open Enrollment
For information about our district’s Early Education Program (located at Memorial School) for preschool-aged students, please click HERE.
Yearbook Information
Riddle Brook School yearbooks are currently on sale for $20. Checks can be made to Riddle Brook School and returned in the order envelope provided (forms were sent home) or ordered online (no additional fee) at the following link: www.schoolannual.com Select “Buy Student’s Yearbook” and enter the school information.
The order deadline is March 16th....be sure to order your yearbook prior to the deadline.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
March 5-12 – RBS Artist in Residence (Randy Armstrong)
March 12 – Full STEAM Ahead Day (grades 3 & 4)
March 13 – District Workshop Day – No School for Students
March 15 – RBS Math/Literacy Night (5:30-6:30 PM Gym/Library)
March 30 – End of Quarter 3
March 30 – Good Friday
March 30-April 7 – Passover
April 1 – Easter
April 2-5 – Scholastic Book Fair
April 13 – RBS Family Fun Night
April 17 – 4th Grade Play (Rats!)
April 20 – Spain Brothers Concert
April 23-27 – Spring Vacation
May 4 – Mother/Son Event
May 8 – Kindergarten Orientation (12:30 PM)
May 9 – Grade 1 Orientation (12:30 PM)
May 15 – RBS Grandparents’ Day
May 16 – RBS Spring Concert (6:30 PM BHS Theater)
May 25 – District Workshop Day – No School for Students
May 28 – Memorial Day Observed – No School
May 30 – Field Day Grades 1 & 2 (Rain Date: June 1)
May 31 – Field Day Grades 3 & 4 (Rain Date: June 4)
June 3 – PTG Color Blast
June 6 & 7 – Grade 4 Field Trip to State House
June 22 – Tentative Last Day of School/Move Up Day
