Rockport Elementary School

Principal

Shawn Maguire

Dear Parents,

October is coming to a close. Halloween is this weekend, the World Series starts this week, and, of course, H1N1 still dominates the airwaves. We have had two outstanding months of school already. Where does the time go? We also have been extremely fortunate with the weather. Only two indoor recess days have occurred so far. I’m not sure if that is a record, but it does seem very unusual not to have more inclement weather days during the months of September and October. I would like to remind you that fall weather frequently exhibits a cold start and a warm finish to the day. This often means that our students dress in layers, which is a healthy adaptation strategy. However, the down side is that the outer layers tend to be shed as the day gets warmer or the student gets warmer during active play outside. The extra layers that were worn to school get left out on the playground or other spots around the school, never quite making it back to the student’s cubby or locker. The lost and found that is located in our cafeteria fills up quickly. I encourage parents to make sure to write each child’s name on all clothing items, so that we can easily and quickly return all abandoned clothing items to their owners. Also, please take a look at the collection periodically. You may recognize some familiar articles that belong to your family. We routinely notify parents when the lost and found becomes full and unmanageable, and when we are about to donate the unclaimed clothing. All donations go to a Cape Anne agency that distributes the clothing apparel to those most in need.

On Friday, October 30, we will have another school spirit day. It will include a school wide assembly, and students and staff members are welcome to bring costumes. We are also pleased to be able to continue our popular, annual Halloween Parade to Den Mar. Everyone is really looking forward to this event, including the residents of Den Mar! I feel strongly that it is events / traditions like this that continue to uphold our school as an extraordinarily special, unique place. My own two children are jealous! Their school does not allow costumes or parties.

This month I would like to conclude with an update on the Tower Grant received by the Rockport Middle and Elementary Schools. This is a highly competitive grant on which our two schools collaborated and which we were thrilled to successfully receive. The main focus of the grant is Data Driven Decision Making. The way this plays out for our school is an introduction of substantial Critical Thinking professional development for our professional staff, the development of clicker technology use in your child’s classroom (more to follow on this next month), and the improvement of the integration of technology throughout the school. I will continue to keep you apprised in the upcoming months.

Please have a safe Halloween,

Shawn Maguire
Principal

LATEST NEWS

RES Science Day Video http://media.townonline.com/rockport/slideshow/CX_rockportscience_ptw/ Click on the link to view the video from the RES Science Day!

MUFFINS WITH MAGUIRE All parents are invited to an informal gathering with Mr. Maguire! Muffins With Maguire will be hosted, monthly on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, from 9:15 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. in the RES Cafeteria. Upcoming dates are: Wednesday, November 19th Tuesday, December 16th Tuesday, January 27th Tuesday, February 24th Tuesday, March 17th Tuesday, April 28th Tuesday, May 19th

CHECK OUT OUR NEWSLETTER ONLINE! Click on the "NEWSLETTER" link on the left of this screen, to view our monthly Principal's Newsletter, in COLOR, online!

MORNING DROP-OFF RULES

To assure the SAFETY of all the children, please follow these rules:

•No Parking in the Bus Area

•Do Not Leave Your Car! (If you need to leave your car, for any reason, please pull up beyond the bus area and park your car in the appropriate spot.)

•Drop off your children at the curb.

•Do not drop off your children in the outer lane.

•Do not angle your car to drop off your children.

•Drop off area is ONLY before the loop crosswalk.

•Please use turn signals at all times.

•Please DRIVE VERY SLOWLY!

HELP OUR SCHOOL YEAR-ROUND!
http://www.innisbrook.com
Our school can continue to earn money year round, through the Innisbrook Wrapping Paper Fundraiser!
Just visit www.innisbrook.com and place an order any time of the year. (Great for birthdays, anniversarys, graduation!)
The items ship directly to you and RES earns the credit! Just enter our school number #102339 and your high quality gift- wrap items will arrive on your doorstep!
Thank you for your continued support!

SAVE YOUR BOXTOPS for RES! The elementary school receives 10¢ for every General Mills boxtop collected there are over 3,000 items. This money is "earmarked" by the PTO to help maintain the playground. Please check your General Mills box tops for the “Big G BoxTops for Education” symbol. Please send these boxtops in with your child to their classroom teacher. Thank you!!