RES Family News
January 18th, 2026
Embedded Files
Welcome Back and Happy New Year!
Welcome back! Students are hard at work, and it has been wonderful to see so many smiles and feel the positive energy throughout the building as we settle back into our routines.
In Art class, 1st and 2nd graders have been learning about warm and cool colors. Students created warm- and cool-colored backgrounds using tissue paper, then chose a positive four-letter word to add on top of their artwork. As a class, we discussed examples of positive words and how art can be used to spread encouragement and positivity. Their finished pieces are bright, meaningful reminders of how words and art can lift others up.
What's New
Student Teachers have Arrived at RES!
We are excited to welcome several student teachers to Richmond Elementary School! Anna Pescod and Alison Willette join us from the University of Vermont, and Liberty D’Anto joins us from Champlain College. They will be with us through early May, working closely with our students and staff as they hone their teaching skills before graduation. We are grateful for the energy, dedication, and fresh perspectives they bring to our school community.
From Anna: I am from southeast Massachusetts and am so excited about joining the RES community. During my time at RES, I hope to make learning fun and meaningful while helping students build confidence, curiosity, and a love for school.
From Alison: I am a student teacher in third grade here at RES. I go to UVM, but I'm originally from Maine. I hope to build my teaching skills from working with all of the amazing students and teachers here!
From Liberty: I am so excited to be working as a student teacher in Ileen Gilbars Kindergarten classroom this year. I have worked in childcare for the past ten years and interned at multiple schools throughout our beautiful state, with a focus on learning through play and social-emotional development. I am so excited to learn with and from your children and the incredible educators at our wonderful school!
Learning About Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Kindergarten students have been learning about Martin Luther King Jr. as they prepare to lead the January assembly. Through stories and discussions, students explored his message of kindness, fairness, and standing up for others. To wrap up the lesson, students completed a directed drawing of Dr. King to showcase their learning.
Uplift: 4th Graders Strengthening Positive Mindsets
Fourth graders created a game called Uplift to practice positive self-talk in a fun and engaging way. Over time, students internalize these affirmations and learn strategies to support themselves during challenging moments. This activity helps build confidence, resilience, and a supportive classroom community.
Building Connections Through Learning
Ms. Kenny’s 2nd Grade class has been buzzing with excitement while studying insects and writing informational pieces about their chosen species. To celebrate their hard work, they invited their PreK reading buddies from Ms. Kelly’s class to join them and share their learning. Multi-generational learning truly rocks!
Get excited for this year's Kids Heart Challenge!!!!!
The Kids Heart Challenge (previously known as Jump Rope for Heart) is an optional fundraiser that RES has been participating in for over 20 years to raise money for the American Heart Association. Any and all money raised goes to supporting those with cardiovascular disease, heart disease, stroke victims, and many more. Over the years, we have raised a total of over $78,000, most recently finishing last year at just under $17,000. I have been blown away with our community's support and know that this year will be even better!!! Thank you in advance for all of your help as we get ready for 2026.
So get excited as we get ready to kick off this year's Kids Heart Challenge on Monday, January 26th. Please be on the lookout for more information coming home next Friday on registration and participation.
Mr. E
Playground Updates
Starting Tuesday, January 20th, the RES Playground will be open to community members after school starting at 2:50! Thank you for your patience, understanding, and support as we have worked to dial in our dismissal plans! We ask that you continue to refrain from using the play space until 2:50 to allow us to maintain visual clarity at the end of the day and continue to ensure that all students are safely dismissed. Below are the RES Playground Expectations; as a community member please support healthy and appropriate use of this space, particularly while it is shared with our after-school partners. In addition, Part 2 holds kids in their care to the expectations RES sets for safe playground use as well. Should an accident or incident occur involving a student in Part 2's care please bring it to the attention of either Part 2 Director, Matt O'Brien or Martha Dallas and they will work to help support or resolve the incident.
The RES Ice Rink has been filled, and is ready to go! Big thank you to the Brookes family and all the other volunteers who helped build the ice rink. There is a white trailer full of ice skates, crates, helmets, hockey sticks, etc. Feel free to use any equipment as needed on the weekends or after school. If you have any old youth hockey sticks that you would like to donate, please reach out to Brian Godfrey. If the weather is too hot, rainy, or if there is heavy snow it may cause the ice to be un-skateable. Be aware, and please be respectful if you see signs or caution tape indicating the rink is closed.
Penguin Plunge - Mr. Rector needs your help!
The five Elementary School Principals of MMUUSD are taking the Cool Schools plunge to support Special Olympics Vermont and its mission to foster inclusion and acceptance of individuals with intellectual disabilities! Mr. Rector is braving the icy waters to make a difference—please consider supporting our efforts and help us reach our fundraising goal by donating HERE. Your donation will help provide year-round sports training and competition for athletes and build a more inclusive community!
Together, we can make a big splash for a great cause!
Chittenden County Food Resources
We know that winter can be a challenging time for many families, and we want to be sure everyone has access to the support they need. The Chittenden County Food Resources guide offers up-to-date information on local food shelves, meal programs, and community resources available to families in our area. You can find the full list and details linked below! Please pass this along to anyone who may need a little extra support.
Coaches Needed!
Girls on the Run Coaches needed at RES! Ready to help girls speak up with confidence? Through the Spring 2026 Girls on the Run curriculum (GOTR), "Hello, Bold Heart!”, we teach girls how to share their thoughts, feelings, and ideas and help others do the same. Speaking up takes courage, and being a Bold Heart is all about building the confidence to share what’s inside—even when she feels nervous. Want to use YOUR voice and empower girls to speak up like never before? Learn more about coaching a ‘Hello, Bold Heart!’ team today!
Not a runner? Haven’t coached before? No problem! Girls on the Run VT (GOTRVT) provides training, easy to follow lesson plans, supplies and support for a transformational season. Our season begins the week of March 16, 2026 and ends with a celebratory 5K on Saturday, May 30th. Over the 10 week season our team will meet twice weekly for 90 minute sessions to connect, move, learn and have FUN!
Visit gotrvt.org/coach to learn more or sign up to volunteer. Families can fill out a participant interest form to get connected. Questions? Contact GOTRVT at stephanie@girlsontherunvermont.org, or 802-871-5664.
VOLUNTEERING
**If you think you might VOLUNTEER at any point during the school year, please be sure to fill out the Volunteer Form now.**
It is much easier to fill it out now so you can be cleared to volunteer at any point during the school year.
RES PTO
Richmond Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization Survey
The RES PTO is made up primarily of a group of parents who want to make a difference at Richmond Elementary School, and we would love to hear your thoughts on what could make the PTO more impactful.
Please fill out this survey to help us understand what the PTO means to you!
Please click HERE to access the survey.
RES Daily Information
ATTENDANCE
Consistent and regular attendance is paramount to student development and success. On time arrival provides a student with the most positive start to the day. If your student will be absent or tardy, please be sure to enter the information PickUp Patrol by 8:00am. Our first priority is your child's safety. If the absence or tardy is not entered into PickUp Patrol by 8:30am the office will begin to contact families. Students are marked absent until they have checked in with the office.
**Information about PickUp Patrol will be sent out by the end of the week**
From the Nurse
District Illness Guidelines
*Stay Home When Sick*
Students and staff should stay home with any potentially contagious illnesses or symptoms including the following:
Vomiting or Diarrhea - must be 24 hours symptom-free and able to tolerate food and drink before returning to school.
Fever 100.4 or greater - must be home until fever-free without the use of medication for greater than 24 hours.
Any infection requiring antibiotics - keep your student home until they have been on antibiotics for 24 hours.
A persistent cough that disrupts regular activity.
Excessive nasal drainage - check with your child’s doctor before sending your child back to school.
Unexplained rash - check with your child’s doctor before sending your child to school.
Red or draining eyes - check with your child’s doctor before sending your child to school.
COVID-19 - stay home until fever-free without medication for 24 hours and symptoms have improved. Please report any COVID-19 to the school nurse.
Influenza - stay home until fever-free without medication for 24 hours and symptoms have improved. Please report any influenza to the school nurse.
Any other symptoms or illness that impede a student’s ability to learn or staff’s ability to work.
Revised March 2024
Important Dates to Remember
January 19th - NO School
January 21st - Snow Motion Begins (Grade 3, Grade 4, and Grade 2)
January 22nd - Snow Motion Begins (Grade 1, Grade 3/4 SI, and Kindergarten)
Community News & Events
Bus Transportation
Below is transportation information for the upcoming school year. Please contact the Bus Garage with any questions you may have. They can be reached at 802-899-4840 or transportation@mmuusd.org.
Food Service
For the 2025-2026 school year, school meals will continue to be free. Even though there is no charge for snack and lunch, we encourage you to fill out this application for free and reduced-price school meals. If many families fill out and return this form, we will get more money from the federal government for free school meals now and in the future. We will also get more money for other school programs. Filling out this form also helps our community provide free summer meals to all kids, and free meals to kids in childcare. HERE is additional information outlining food service, free and reduced lunch, and common questions asked.
From the District
2025-2026 SY District Calendar
The district has put out the SY calendar for next year over the weekend. There are minimal changes compared to this year’s school calendar. The First Student Day is back on a Wednesday (August 27th).
You can view the full 2025-26 SY Calendar HERE and it was shared in the District Happenings as well!
STAY CONNECTED with WHAT'S HAPPENING @ RES
Richmond Elementary School
Richmond Elementary School
Email: resoffice@mmuusd.org
Location: 125 School St, Richmond, VT 05477
Phone: 802.434.2461
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