Silver Spring Elementary School

Runner's News

August/September 2022 Edition

Greetings and Welcome Back to School Silver Spring Families!

We hope that you are all doing well and enjoyed many enriching and fun experiences this summer.

Our office will be open beginning August 17th. We will be working on re-opening our school, which includes sending out postcards that will notify your child of their teacher's name, so please be patient.

With the return to school, it is very important that you stay informed and engaged. Please take time to read this monthly newsletter, school website, emails, Dojo messages, Facebook page and complete all documents that are sent home, emails. Our school calendar is also a great resource, as it includes each month's events. We don't want you to miss opportunities to be engaged in your child(ren)'s activities.

If you have questions or concerns at any time, please do not hesitate to reach out to myself, teachers, or staff. We are here to help!

With your help, this year is sure to be a great one! Thank you for your support!

Mrs. Avila

ClassDojo

Home & School Communication

Stay connected with the ClassDojo app.

School Website

School website address:

https://sites.google.com/epschoolsri.com/silver-spring-elementary-sch/home

2022- 2023 Elementary School Hours

8:40 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Arrival

Upon arrival (between 8:30 and 8:35 a.m.), students will line up on their number as follows:

Kindergarten: In front of Door No. 9

Grade 1: Along the side of the building near Door No. 10 (Dodge Street)

Grade 2: Along the sidewalk between Doors 9 and 10

Grade 3: Along the walkway to the left of the playground equipment

Grade 4: Along the walkway near the blacktop (kickball field)

Grade 5: Along the center walkway between the blacktop and playground equipment

Room 15: Along the sidewalk in front of Room 15 door

Room 20: Along the sidewalk in front of Room 20 door

Bus students will report to their class lines upon arrival.

Parents/guardians are encouraged to escort and remain with their child until their are escorted into the school.

Students Who Arrive On Time

Students who arrive on time report to their class line and they will be escorted into the school by their teacher.

Students Who Arrive Late (after 8:40 a.m.)

Students who are late report to Door No. 1 with an adult who will need to sign the student. The student will be escorted to his/her class by a staff member.

Attendance

The Seven Habits for Successful Silver Spring Stars were created to help improve attendance. One of the best attributes about Silver Spring is the strong teachers who LOVE teaching and students who LOVE learning... If they are not here we cannot teach them.

Students must be present 90% of the time in order to be in good standing by the Rhode Island Department of Education. Currently, we've been in school 75 days. If a student has been absent 6+ days, they are considered chronically absent by the RIDE. (Quarantine absences are not factored into this number.)

Families should make every effort to get students to school every single day. If a student takes days off for vacations or birthdays, and later needs to be quarantined, the absences add up quickly. If there is an appointment, please attend school before and/or after.

We are here for you. Feel free to reach out to Mrs. Francescon

on Class Dojo or email DFrancescon@epschoolsri.com

While there are obstacles this year due to the pandemic, we can do better. Our students are growing academically and socially every day, and we want to help them build their confidence and resilience.

Let's finish this school year strong, by coming to school on time everyday until the last day of school!

Please reach out if you need help getting your child to school everyday. We are here to help.

Breakfast

Students who are having breakfast should arrive at 8:20 a.m. and enter through Door No. 3.

During the pandemic, the Federal government allowed all students to receive free meals. That waiver ended June 30, 2022.

Families must now fill out the Household Application for Free and Reduced-Price Meals in order to qualify for free or reduced breakfasts and lunches for the upcoming school year. This is very important and we encourage all families to complete and return the application to see if they qualify.

There is no risk in applying to see if you are eligible. Applying is fast, easy, and confidential.

Sign up for reduced or free breakfasts and lunches by visiting this website https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application

Dismissal

Students will be dismissed at 3:00 p.m. by their classroom teacher to their parent/guardian and/or to authorized adult whose name is on the student's emergency form.

If there is a change in dismissal, the parent/guardian must contact Mrs. Duarte and the classroom teacher in the morning in which the change will occur to ensure that the child is safely dismissed.

Silver Spring Playground & Park

There are children enjoying the playground and park after school, which we are happy to see. We want our students to get fresh air and have opportunities to play with their friends.

Please remember that once students are dismissed to their parents/guardians, school personnel are no longer responsible for incidents that occur at the playground and/or park, which are both public and open to all community members.

We encourage parents/guardians to supervise their children during this time to ensure that their children are safe and having fun.

Thank you for helping to keep our students safe!

PTC

Our first PTC meeting of the year is Thursday, September 8th at 6:00 p.m.

The Agenda is as follows:

SILVER SPRING PTC MEETING AGENDA

September 8th @ 6:00pm in the Library

Welcome Back & Introductions:

What does the PTC do and who is involved?

Treasurer’s Report & Fundraising Ideas:

How much money do we have and how do we spend it?

Kids Kreations Fundraiser Sept. 17th - Oct 1st

Principal’s Report:

Upcoming Events & Planning:

Back to School Luau September 22nd 5:30pm - 7:30pm

This event is for families to meet up with new and old friends and will be held outside of the school. Snacks and drinks will be sold and possibly Silver Spring t- shirts will be available for sale. Anyone willing to bring yard games, or activities to share for the event, or if you can help with the event set up/clean up or work the sale tables, please let the PTC know by Monday Sept. 19th. Text Kelly 401-368-3289 or email kelly.ob1977@gmail.com

Meet the Teacher September 22nd 5:00pm - 6:00pm

This event is for families to meet their child’s teacher and get an overall understanding of what goes on during the school day. This event is to present general information about the school. Individual Parent Teacher conferences are scheduled for November.

Next PTC meeting scheduled for October 6th @ 6:00pm

Student School Supplies' List

The following are school supplies that students will need for the new school year, by grade. Student Supplies' Lists can also be found on https://www.teacherlists.com/

Kindergarten

Box of crayons (24 pack, Crayola preferred)
Box of pencils (Ticonderoga #2 preferred)
2-3 Erasers (not pencil top, please)
Pack of Expo dry erase markers
2-3 Glue sticks
Student scissors
Headphones (NOT EARBUDS)
Box of Tissues
Clorox disinfecting wipes
Hand Sanitizer

**PLEASE: NO NOTEBOOKS OR PENCIL BOXES, THEY WILL NOT USE THEM! ALSO, PLEASE BE SURE TO LABEL HEADPHONES WITH YOUR CHILD’S NAME**

Grade 1

3 Packs of 12 #2 Ticonderoga Pencils (pre-sharpened welcomed but not required)
4 Boxes of Crayons (8 pack only)
1 Package of 12 Crayola Colored Pencils
4 Glue Sticks
1 Package of Expo Dry Erase Markers
1 One-inch hard covered 3-ring binder with durable clear view
2 One-subject notebook (wide ruled)
2 Plastic Pocket Folder- Yellow
2 Plastic Pocket Folder- Blue
1 Package of three Pink Pearl Erasers
1 Pair of headphones (no earbuds)- Please label headphones.
1 Box of Gallon Sized Ziplock Bags
1 Box of Sandwich Sized Ziplock Bags
2 Containers of Clorox Wipes
2 Boxes of Tissues
1 8 oz. Hand Sanitizer

**Some items will need to be replaced as they wear out or are depleted.

Grade 2

Crayola colored pencils
Box of 24 Crayola crayons
Pre-sharpened No. 2 pencils
Personal pencil sharpeners
Package of erasers
Highlighters - green, yellow, pink
Expo dry erase markers
Glue sticks
Student scissors
Composition notebook
2 plastic pocket folders - red, blue, yellow & green
One subject notebooks - wide-ruled
Zipper pencil cases
Headphones (no earbuds)
Boxes of tissues
Container of disinfecting wipes

Grade 3

A set of good quality Headphones
3 two pocket plastic folders
2 large erasers
2 Glue sticks
Good pencil sharpener (with attached container to collect shavings)
2 dozen Pre-sharpened Ticonderoga Pencils (no decorative ones)
Package of dry erase markers
Dry erase eraser
Pair of scissors
Pencil box, LARGE. Important so they can carry their
materials between classrooms.

For the Classroom

Large bottle of Hand Sanitizer (used daily) or provide individual size for your child to be replenished as needed)

Large box of Kleenex
Disinfecting Wipes

Grade 4

Pair of good quality headphones (NOT earbuds)
Four 1-subject wide-ruled notebooks
4 plastic folders (color coded to match the 4 notebooks if possible)
Package Crayola colored pencils
Small Package of crayons (no more than 24)
1 pack washable markers (optional)
Package of glue sticks
2 packages plain TICONDEROGA pencils (no decorative pencils)
Pencil box for personal supplies
Pair of scissors

Donations Requested for Use by Classroom:

Box of kleenex to share throughout the year
Clorox wipes for cleaning desks (cylinder type container)
Bottle of hand sanitizer for class use.

If possible, please have supplies labeled with the student’s name before they come to class. Thank you!

Grade 5

Pair of headphones
1 2” three ring binder
4 1 subject notebooks
4 different colored folders
Pkg. (24) of #2 pencils (not decorative)
Pkg. of colored pencils
Pair of scissors
Pkg erasers that go on the ends of pencils
Pkg dry erase markers (very important)
Pencil box or zipper pencil case
4 different colored highlighters
Big box of Kleenex
Bottle of hand soap
Container of disinfecting wipes (cylinder type)

Bridgepointe Back to School Fair

Please register at: https://bpri.church/backtoschool to attend this event.

School Wide Expectations

School wide expectations are shared with our school community on a daily and weekly basis. This ensures that all members of our school community know what to expect when he/she is at school.

Expecttions

Wellness Routine

Office

Special Subjects

Lunch Time in Cafeteira

Lunch Time in Classroom

Bathroom

Hallway

Outside Time

Bus

Technology

All Areas

Star Students

Star Students are selected based on how they model Attendance, Achievement, Participation, or Kindness, and their names are announced on a weekly basis in our Monday Morning Announcements. This is a great way to celebrate our role models!

From Our School Nurse

Stay Safe and Healthy!

As you know, it is a challenge to know for sure if signs/symptoms of illness are COVID or non COVID related. Home tests are a great tool to have handy if your child wakes up with symptoms. Home Test resources are listed below.

Please also inform the school nurse if your child is showing signs of illness. (Negative home tests need to be confirmed with a school test.) Thank you for staying safe!

COVID Home Test Kits

Where can I get a free COVID-19 self-test kit?

Federal Government kits: All Rhode Islanders can order free COVID-19 self-test kits directly from the federal government. To learn more, visit covidtests.gov.

Local Pharmacies:You can buy or order test kits from local pharmacies and through online retailers. Most health insurers are required to cover the cost of up to eight tests per month. Check with your insurance company or pharmacist to see how you can get reimbursed or if you need to file a claim. Often, reimbursement is immediate and a claim is not required.

For more information click here: How to get your At-Home Over-The-Counter COVID-19 Test for Free

K-12 Testing Online Appointment: https://covid.ri.gov/testing

Contact Nurse Maria via Dojo, phone or email, if your child is ill/meets testing criteria.

Phone: 383-0908

Email: mfazioli@epschoolsri.com

Informational Elementary School Handbook

Handbook21-22 Final.docx

Dress Code

The Dress Code is located in the Code of Student Conduct (Policy V.D.1)

The following dress code is not meant to be restrictive, but is intended to guide students and their parents/guardians in choosing clothing that is safe and appropriate to wear in school.

The following articles of clothing and/or items are not to be worn in school:

1. Hats/headgear

2. Articles of clothing with designs or wording which is obscene or vulgar, etc.

3. Articles of clothing with designs or wording referring to illegal substances such as alcohol or drugs

4. Articles of clothing which depict, in any form, acts of violence

5. Articles of clothing that are too revealing such as midriff blouses/shirts, halter-tops, tube tops, see-through clothing, low cut blouse/shirt

6. Students will not attach cell phones, beepers, pagers, radios, headsets, stereos, etc. to clothing or to their person

7. Shorts are not to be worn, with the following exception: three-quarter length shorts are permitted during the first and fourth quarters of school only

Disapproved items (pagers, cell phones, iPods, mp3 players, etc.) brought to school in violation of this code and applicable State Laws are subject to confiscation by teachers and/or administrators. Cell phones, pagers/beepers, headphones, etc. may be returned to parents/guardians and students after school hours.

Students who are dressed in violation of this code will be asked to call home for an appropriate change of clothing. School principals will have final authority in their schools in deciding what constitutes compliance with this code. Any exception to this code for medical or other reasons must be substantiated in writing by an appropriate authority and is subject to approval by the building principal.

East Providence City Hall News

Stay up to date with East Providence events and activities throughout the summer by visiting East Providence City Hall website at:

https://eastprovidenceri.gov/

East Providence Public Library

Visit East Providence Public Library

Stay up to date with East Providence Public Library events and activities throughout the summer by visiting its website at:

https://www.eastprovidencelibrary.org/

2022-2023 District Calendar

Upcoming School Events

2022-2023 Upcoming School Events

August 2022

20 BridgePointe Back to School Fair at Martin Middle School from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

22 New Employee Orientation from 9 - 11 a.m.

29 Teacher and Staff PD

29 Faculty Meeting at 11:00 a.m.

30 Staff Convocation beginning at 8 a.m. at East Providence High School

30 Teacher Meet & Greet at 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (on the blacktop)

31 First Day of School for Gr. 1-5 Only

31 Kindergarten Screenings (by appointment)

September 2022

1 Kindergarten Screenings (by appointment)

2 Kindergarten Screenings (by appointment)

5 Labor Day - No School

6 All Grades Report to School

7 Faculty Meeting at 3:15 p.m.

8 PTC Meeting at 6:00 p.m. (in Silver Spring Library)

13 Primary Day - No School

22 Meet the Teachers’ Night from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

22 PTC Luau from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

26 School Improvement Team meeting at 3:15 p.m.

October 2022

3 - 7 Scholastic Book Fair during Library Classes

5 SIT Data Subcommittee meeting @ 3:15 p.m.

6 Flu Clinic at East Providence High School from 4 - 7 p.m.

6 PTC Meeting at 6:00 p.m.

10 Indiginous People Day - No School

12 Faculty Meeting from 3:15 - 4:15 p.m.

12 Flu Clinic at Riverside Middle School from 4 - 7 p.m.

14 Spirit Day ~ Wear Purple & White

14 Townie Pride Parade at 5:45 p.m. at Pierce Memorial Field

19 National Unity Day - Wear ORANGE

20 PD for Staff/Distance Learning Day for Students

23 Red Ribbon Week Begins

24 Picture Day

24 School Improvement Team Meeting @ 3:15 p.m.

28 PTC Trunk or Treat at 6:00 p.m.

31 Red Ribbon Week Ends

November 2022

3 Flu Clinic at Martin Middle School from 4 - 7 p.m.

3 PTC Meeting at 6:00 p.m.

4 Quarter 1 Grades Close

8 Election Day - No School

11 Veterans Day - No School

16 Faculty Meeting (Parent/Teacher Conferences) from 3:15-4:15 p.m.

17 Early Dismissal at 12:00 p.m.

17 Parent/Teacher Conferences from 1:15 - 3:15 p.m.

17 Parent/Teacher Conferences from 5 - 7 p.m.

22 Spirit Day - Sports Day

23-25 Thanksgiving Recess

December 2022

5 Picture Re-Take Day

7 Faculty Meeting at 3:15 p.m.

8 PTC Meeting at 6:00 p.m.

19 School Improvement Team meeting at 3:15 p.m.

22 Spirit Day - Pajama Day

23-30 Holiday Recess

January 2023

2 School Reopens

4 Faculty Meeting at 3:15 p.m.

5 PTC Meeting at 6:00 p.m.

10 PD for Staff/Distance Learning Day for Students

23 Early Dismissal at 12:00 p.m.

25 Quarter 2 Grades Close

February 2023

1 Faculty Meeting from 3:15 - 4:15 p.m.

2 PTC Meeting at 6:00 p.m.

20-24 Winter Recess

March 2023

1 Faculty Meeting from 3:15 - 4:15 p.m

2 PTC Meeting at 6:00 p.m.

13-17 STREAM Week

14 STREAM Night from 6 - 7 p.m.

17 Spirit Day - Green Day

TBD Science Fair Kick-Off Assembly Gr. 4&5 @ 1:15 p.m.

27-31 Scholastic Book Fair during Library Classes

April 2023

TBD RICAS & NGSA Testing

4 Quarter 3 Grades Close

6 Spirit Day

7 Good Friday - No School

10-14 Spring Break

20 PTC Meeting at 6:00 p.m.

26 Administrative Assistant Day

May 2023

1-5 Teacher Appreciation Week

6 Nurse’s Day

4 PTC Meeting at 6:00 p.m..

10 Faculty Meeting from 3:15 - 4:15 p.m.

19 Books & Breakfast from 8 - 8:30 a.m.

22 School Improvement Team meeting @ 3:15 p.m.

23 Staff Photo at 1:30 p.m.

24 Incoming Kindergarteners’ Orientation @ 6:00 p.m.

25 SIT Family Involvement Subcommittee mtg 3:15p.m.

TBD Science Fair from 3:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

TBD Spring Concert @ 6:30 p.m.

26 Spirit Day

29 Memorial Day, No School

June 2023

TBD Field Day

TBD Field Day Rain Date

5 School Improvement Team meeting at 3:15 p.m.

7 Faculty Meeting from 3:15 - 4:15 p.m.

9 Kindergarten Picnic @ 11:10 a.m.

12 Grade 5 Celebration at 1:30 p.m.

15 Last Day of School!

TBD PTC Obstacle Course!

Dates/times are subject to change

Ice Cream for i-Ready Rewards

Students who pass four (4) i-Ready lessons per week, two (2) reading and two (2) math, are entered in a raffle.

Please reach out to your child's teacher or Mrs. Francescon for more information regarding this initiative.

Message from the Dean of Students

From Our School Psychologist & School Social Worker

With Summer vacation coming up, many children find themselves with unstructured time that is often filled with various electronic devices. Screen time for youth has increased dramatically since the beginning of the pandemic and many children may have developed unhealthy habits around their use of devices. Here is a link to a website that outlines research around the levels of screen time that older children and teens are using. It provides links to resources on teaching children to safely use internet-connected devices as well.

Common Sense Media Research

If you want to know more about your child’s use of screen time or want to help them develop healthy habits for their screen time use, here is a link to some guidance in having those conversations:

Common Sense Media Conversations

Happy Birthday to Our Amazing School Community Members!

September Birthdays

Roadrunner of the Month

Each month students who exhibit our school's core values of Respect, Responsibility, Achievement, and Safety are selected as Roadrunner of the Month and their names are posted here. Names for this school year will begin to be posted in October's Runner's News.

Student Chromebook

Acceptable Use Policy approved 3.9.21 (2).pdf

Each student is assigned a Chromebook once the student has returned the signed Acceptable Use Policy: Computer, Technology, Internet and google for Faculty, Staff and Students Instruction - Instructional Resources and Materials page and the Chromebook Loan Agreement page.

These and other documents can be found at the District's website: https://epschoolsri.org/parents/

Student Breakfast/Lunch Application

The School lunch application portal is now live. https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application

The following letter was sent out to families:

Dear East Providence School Department Families:

We would like to update you regarding school meals for the upcoming school year. Prior to the last two school years, school lunches were available at reduced or free pricing only for those families who qualified. Applications needed to be submitted each year in order for the child’s eligibility status to continue.

During the pandemic, the Federal government allowed all students to receive free meals. That waiver ended June 30, 2022. Families must now fill out the Household Application for Free and Reduced-Price Meals in order to qualify for free or reduced breakfasts and lunches for the upcoming school year. This is very important and we encourage all families to complete and return the application to see if they qualify. There is no risk in applying to see if you are eligible.

Applying is fast, easy, and confidential. Sign up for reduced or free breakfasts and lunches by visiting this website https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application.

In addition, you may also consider applying for SNAP, the federal nutrition program that provides eligible residents with monthly financial assistance to purchase groceries. The application for SNAP is available now and more important information can found at https://healthyrhode.ri.gov/HIXWebI3/DisplayHomePage If you have any questions, please contact Beverly Lefort, Administrative Assistant for Purchasing and School Lunch at blefort@epschoolsri.com.

Thank you

Craig T. Enos Director of Finance

Each month, we collected items for the Hope & Faith Drive.

Thank you for your continued generosity and kindness!

Winning numbers will continue to be announced every Monday on WPRI Channel 12 during their prime time 4:30 p.m. news program and repeated the following day on our Facebook and Virtual Club.

Please keep your ticket in a safe place and check your ticket each week to see if you and our school are winners!

If you have a winning ticket, present it to Mrs. Avila and she will take a photo of your child holding the winning ticket and send the photo to Mr. Feinstein. Mr. Feinstein will then make a donation to our school and present your child with a check to donate to charity.

We could all be winners!

Our School's Feinstein Newsletter

Created by Mrs. Lardner

Spirit Wear

https://teamlocker.squadlocker.com/#/lockers/silver-spring-elementary-school

The PTC is selling spirit wear! You may order your spirit wear by clicking on the link above.

If you are wondering which educational and fun books, games, and/or manipulatives will help your child develop academic and social emotional skills, the list below may help you thanks to our staff's suggestions. Happy Holidays!

Social Charades and other SEL games (https://www.thepathway2success.com/using-games-to-teach-social-emotional-skills/)

In Closing....

Thank you again for your kindness, patience, and partnership throughout the school year. Take care of yourself and stay safe!

Principal Fatima Avila

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