RBS Principal’s Notes
March 6, 2020
We had a great turn out at last night’s Math & Literacy Night! It was a lot of fun watching families take part in some fun and engaging activities and challenges. If you would like to view the wonderful Book Talks that were videoed at the event, please click HERE.
Snow Day Count = 4 days (Tentative Last Day of School – June 12th)
*After the 5th snow day, we will need to make them up.
IN THE NEWS:
Covid-19 Communication
The Bedford School District continues to follow the guidance from NH Department of Health and Human Service and the CDC with respect to travel and the concept of self-quarantine. That information can be found HERE. Each individual case is discussed with DHHS, the family physician and the school district. Based on those conversations, a decision is made regarding what precautions to take.
At Riddle Brook, I have asked each classroom teacher to reach out to parents regarding how they are implementing precautionary measures in their classroom. In addition to that, our custodians are providing an added layer of disinfecting each evening as well as during the school day. We also have Purell stations in our cafeteria for students to use prior to eating. However, please feel free to send in personal bottles of hand sanitizer in your child’s lunch box. Staff members are encouraging the following precautions with our students (recommended for all respiratory illnesses):
- Stay home and avoid public places when sick (i.e., social distancing)
- Cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing
- Wash hands frequently (students are washing at minimum prior to snack and recess)
- Avoid being in close contact to a person who is sick
- Avoid sharing drinks, utensils or objects that may transmit saliva
- Disinfect frequently touched surfaces
If anything changes, or if we have any updates/information, either Mr. Fournier or I will communicate to parents. We appreciate your understanding that this is an evolving situation and that we only want to share accurate and appropriate information.
State Geography Bee Competition
The results are in! The National Geographic Society named RBS 4th grade student, Gemma Harl, as a semifinalist eligible to compete in the 2020 National GeoBee State Competition.
As the School Champion, Gemma took an online qualifying test, which was submitted to the National Geographic Society. Only 100 of the top-scoring students in each of the 50 states, District of Columbia, Department of Defense Dependents Schools and U.S. territories were invited to compete in the State GeoBees.
The contest will be held on Friday, March 27th. Best of luck to Gemma!
Popcorn Day at RBS
We are bringing back a former Principal’s Council-sponsored treat for our students—Popcorn Day. Each quarter we will be providing freshly popped popcorn (from our own popcorn machine that was donated to our school several years ago). Parent volunteers will pop the corn in the morning and deliver it to classrooms in time for the students to have it for snack that day (if they choose). Mrs. Ouellette and classroom teachers are working with parents of allergy students in order to accommodate the needs of those students and classes. Our plan moving forward is to have Popcorn Day each quarter. Teachers and/or I will communicate those dates to families. Our first day will be on Thursday, March 19th.
School District Vote on March 10
Please remember to vote on Tuesday, March 10th. 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 support the following Warrant Articles:
o Sprinkler Bond (Memorial, Peter Woodbury and McKelvie)
o Contracts for BESSA (Custodians & Maintenance) and BEPA (Instructional Assistants, Secretaries, Clerks, Food Service)
o Athletic Maintenance & Improvements
o Operating Budget
More information can be found HERE.
KidVote 2020 (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 10th. At RBS, students will vote on the following:
Who would you like to see dress up for the day and visit classrooms?
1. Gilley (Mrs. McCarthy's dog): Wearing a Baby Shark costume (Picture)
2. Mrs. McCarthy: Wearing a Gilley the Dog costume (Picture)
3. Mr. Munsey: Wearing a Batman costume (Picture)
Family Fun Night Volunteers Needed
We are looking for volunteers for our annual Family Fun Night on Friday, April 3rd. If you are interested, please use the Sign Up Genius links below to sign up.
After School Program Cancelled for April 3rd
New Morning School is cancelling their After School Program on Friday, April 3rd in order to accommodate our Family Fun Night. Parents/guardians will need to make alternative plans for their child that day. Please let you child’s teacher know what those plans are. The Imagine Program WILL be running that day because it’s held off site.
Spring Class Pictures
On Wednesday, March 18th, Geskus will at RBS to take class pictures, and families will be able to purchase a 5x7 print for $12. 20% of the proceeds will come back to the school. Order envelopes were sent home with students this week. Students will need to bring their picture envelope with them on Picture Day (March 18) if they are ordering.
Harlem Wizards Event
The Harlem Wizards are coming! On Friday April 17th at 6 PM, the Harlem Wizards will be facing off against the teachers of Lurgio. Come see a night full of trick hoops and alley oops! Tickets go on sale on Friday, March 6th. Anyone who purchases tickets by 3/13 will be entered into a raffle to win a Wiz Kid Jersey! Tickets can be purchased at: https://harlemwizards.thundertix.com/events/151595. Questions can be directed to Dr. Rachel Fairhurst at fairhrustr@sau25.net
REMINDERS:
March 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 collect 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 27th. 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.
Intelligent Lives (Film)
Intelligent Lives is a film by New Hampshire’s own Dan Habib. The film stars three young American adults with Intellectual Disabilities who challenge the perception of intelligence as they find their way through high school, college and the workforce. This film questions what it means to be intelligent and points to a future in which people of all abilities can participate in higher education, meaningful employment, and personal relationships.
Bedford School District, in partnership with Amherst School District, Merrimack School District, Manchester School District, the Bedford PTG, and St. Anselm’s Meelia Center, will be hosting a screening of the film on March 31, 2020 at 6:30 PM in the Bedford High School theatre. Following the film, there will be a question and answer session led by the filmmaker, Dan Habib.
Free tickets can be reserved by clicking HERE.
BEEP (Bedford’s Early Education Program) 2020/21
BEEP is now accepting registrations for their three and four year old classes for the 2020-2021 school year!
Bedford’s Early Education Program (BEEP) is a developmentally appropriate preschool that is respectful of the talents and needs of individual children. Each class has a teacher that is a certified early childhood educator and a classroom paraprofessional.
Classes for three year olds meet 2 days a week on Tuesday-Thursday, 3 days a week on Monday-Wednesday-Friday, or 5 days a week. Classes are from 8:10 AM to 10:40 AM.
Classes for four-year olds meet from 8:10 AM -10:40 AM five days per week or from 11:40 PM- 2:10 PM four days per week, Monday-Thursday.
For more information please contact Melissa Gray, Assistant Director of Special Services at 627-1776 ext. 23216 or grayme@sau25.net.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
March 10 – District Workshop Day/Town Voting Day – NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
March 18 – Spring Pictures
March 27 – End of Quarter 3
April 3 – Report Cards Released (on-line)
April 3 – RBS Family Fun Night & Art Show
April 8-16 – Passover
April 6-9 – Scholastic Book Fair
April 10 – Good Friday
April 12 – Easter
April 17 – Spain Brothers’ Concert (tentative)
April 21 – RBS 4th Grade Play (6:30 PM – Multipurpose Room)
April 27-May 1 – Spring Vacation
May 8 – Boy’s Choice Dance
May 26 – Grade 2 Full STEAM Ahead Day
May 29 – Grades 3 & 4 Full STEAM Ahead Day
May 5 – Kindergarten Orientation (12:30 PM)
May 6 – Grade 1 Orientation (12:30 PM)
May 7 – PTG Coffee with the Principals (9:30 AM @ BCTV)
May 12 – RBS Grandparents’ Day
May 13 – RBS Spring Concert (6:30 PM BHS Theater)
May 20 – McKelvie Parent Information Night (4th to 5th grade) *More information to come
May 25 – Memorial Day Observed – No School
May 27 – Field Day Grades 1 & 2 (Rain Date: May 29)
May 28 – Field Day Grades 3 & 4 (Rain Date: June 1)
May 31 – PTG Color Blast
June 4 & 5 – Grade 4 Field Trip to State House
June 12 – Tentative Last Day of School/4th Grade Clap Out/Move Up Day
Events that will be scheduled once the last day of school is set:
- Kindergarten Recognition Day
- BHS Senior Clap Out
- 4th Grade Talent Show (and try outs and rehearsals)