September News
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Rebecca Potash
https://secure.smore.com/n/kgp3fb
RowaytonElementary SchoolSeptember 15, 2024
Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are an important part of the Rowayton School community. Please consider volunteering to support two upcoming schoolwide events. Use the Sign Up Genius links below for details.
Volunteer for Picture Day on September 19
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E45AAAE29A2FAC16-51285784-picture
Volunteer for Walkathon on October 4
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E45AAAE29A2FAC16-51188408-rowayton
Special thanks to all the volunteers that helped with composting in the cafeteria last week. You were very helpful...and brave!
Picture Day is September 19
It’s that time of year again! Picture Day will be Thursday, September 19. Classes will follow a schedule for picture throughout the day. Sibling photos can be taken that day. If you would like your children photographed together, please come to school between 8:45am and 9:10am. Order forms will be sent home with students on Monday.
October 4 at 2:15pm
We are looking forward to the 2024 Walk A Thon! This is one of our biggest fundraisers, so get excited! Each student will walk a mile around the school field while listening to fun and loud music and cheers from their family and friends! Students will also receive a Walk-A-Thon shirt to wear that day, courtesy of our PTA Walk-A-Thon Committee. Families are invited to cheer on students.
FUNDRAISING! CLICK HERE to start your fundraising efforts! Awards will be handed out for the grade who makes the most money!
Wellness Connection: Walk a mile, and you’ll have a blast! It’s like a mini adventure that keeps you fit, gives you ton of energy, and lets you hang out with friends or family. Plus, it’s a great way to clear your mind, have fun conversations, and maybe even discover cool new places!
PTA Memberships
Our PTA is one of the reasons Rowayton Elementary School is so special. The PTA provides numerous opportunities for students to enrich their learning.
Please consider a PTA membership. Your membership helps set the stage for a financially successful year. All membership packages include e-blasts, communications, school app access, and a Rowayton School sticker. Visit the PTA website for more information.
https://www.rowaytonpta.org/ptamembership
NWEA Map Growth Assessments
NWEA MAP Growth assessment is a nationally standardized test which measures what students are ready to learn by using a computer adaptive test that adjusts to the individual. Your child's teacher will use the results of the NWEA MAP Growth assessments to better understand your child's individual needs in order to promote progress. Students in Grades 1 through 5 at Rowayton will participate in the NWEA MAP Growth assessments in math and reading at the beginning, middle, and end of the year.
The window for administering these tests is coming up. Below is an outline of the grades that will be testing each day. Your child’s teacher can provide you with a more a more detailed outline of the testing schedule.
If your child must be absent during this window, a make up date will be arranged. Teachers have prepared for positive and calm testing environments. We are also talking about testing strategies and goal setting during Community Builder Meetings.
Please join us in ensuring that our students are both mentally and physically prepared. We encourage rest the night before, and breakfast will be available at school if needed. Thank you for your continued support!
September 17: Grades 3, 4, and 5
September 18: Grades 3, 4, and 5
September 19: Grades 3, 4, and 5
September 20: Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
September 23: Grades 4 and 5
September 24: Grades 1, 2, 3, and 4
Important Guidelines on Food and Snacks at School
Please take a minute to review the following guidelines regarding food and snacks in school. These guidelines are in place to keep students safe while promoting wellness. The entire Wellness Policy is available on the Norwalk Public Schools website.
Sharing and Trading Food: Support us in sharing the message with your child that some students cannot eat certain foods due to allergies or restrictions. Students should never share or trade meals or snacks.
Birthdays or Celebrations: Parents, families, and visitors are welcome to school to celebrate a birthday or special event. Please communicate with your child’s teacher to arrange a time for your visit. Birthday celebrations should include activities or experiences such as reading a book, making a craft, or hosting a dance party. Food is not allowed. It is a safety concern as we have many students with allergies. Goody bags for birthdays are optional. Goody bags should not contain food or treats of any kind as students may ingest something on the bus or in locations outside of school. Goody bags should be limited to one or two small items such as a pencil, eraser, or bracelet.
Snacks and Lunch: Due to dietary restrictions and life-threatening allergies, we encourage children to bring nut-free lunches and/or snacks. Snacks will not be provided by teachers. Please communicate with your child’s teacher about policies for snacks as some of our classrooms are entirely peanut and nut free. Snacks should be healthy, and your child should be able to eat their snack independently in approximately ten minutes.
Food on the Bus: No food should be eaten or shared while students ride the bus to and from school.
Water Bottles: Students are encouraged to bring water bottles to school in order to stay hydrated throughout the school day. There are filtered refilling stations throughout the school. Classroom teachers will develop their own guidelines for water breaks throughout the day.
Lunch Seating: There is a labeled nut-free table in each lunch shift. Students with allergies must sit at the table with other students who either also have allergies or who are eating the lunch provided from the cafeteria. This is the only way to ensure that students with allergies are not exposed to any foods they should not have.
Breakfast and Lunch: Breakfast and lunch are available free of charge this school year. Cafeteria food is nut free. Every student has a card attached to their backpack that serves as both a bus pass and cafeteria card. Each day, the cafeteria offers a cold breakfast bag and two lunch choices. Students can get breakfast upon entering school by scanning their backpack card or entering their student ID. Students can place their order for lunch in the morning with their teacher. Students always have the option to “add on” milk and two vegetables or fruits. This can be ordered in addition to lunch from home.
What I Need
Throughout the district, schools are providing targeted instruction to students in grades 1 through 8 during a "What I Need" (W.I.N.) period. This period allows students to receive 30 minutes of targeted instruction daily. Every six to eight weeks, the school will analyze data and create different groups to tailor instruction to the specific needs of students. This approach ensures that students receive the support and instruction they need to succeed academically. Your child's teacher can share more updates and information with you about W.I.N. time.
District and School Policy Reminders
Clothing Policy
The entire policy is available on the Norwalk Public Schools website. Students should not wear
- Shirts and/or blouses that reveal the abdomen, chest, or undergarments
- See-through clothing, tank tops (with thin straps), or sleeveless shirts
- Shorts, miniskirts, or pants that reveal the upper thigh or undergarments
Every Friday is Spirit Friday at Rowayton! We encourage students to wear blue and yellow, or any Rowayton gear. Rowayton attire is available for purchase from the PTA at RowaytonPTA.org.
Cell Phone Policy
Students are not to use cell phones or communication devices while at school. This includes smart watches, wireless earbuds, wearable tech, or any device that allows messaging and/or calls. These devices are not allowed in any learning spaces within the school including but not limited to the gym, library, cafeteria, bathrooms, recess areas, and classrooms.
If a student is found to be carrying or using a device during school hours, the device will be held for parent or guardian pick up in the main office.
We understand that families like students to have a device for communication outside of school. If your child must carry a device, please follow the following procedure.
1. Turn the device completely off before entering school
2. Secure the device in a backpack before entering school
*The school is not responsible for any lost or stolen devices
Save the Date
September 15: Hispanic Heritage Month begins
September 16: Rowayton Academy begins
September 19: Picture Day
September 27: Rock Your School Day OR Picture Day rain date
October 1: Pink Wellness Month Begins
October 2: Walk, Bike, or Roll to School
October 4: Walkathon