Dear Tiger families,

I have a few school updates to share.

First, Mrs. Sheets is taking on the Registrar role alongside her Office Manager responsibilities, and Ms. Jenny, our Health Assistant, will continue to help keep the office running smoothly. Please report your child’s absences by phone at (970) 328-2910 or email at rsesattendance@eagleschools.net. Timely updates reduce the time spent on follow-up calls. We’ll also resume sending attendance emails and recorded messages as part of ECSD’s effort to reduce absences. Please plan trips and appointments during scheduled school breaks and days off; see the handout for dates.

Second, we hope to hire a permanent guest teacher for the second semester, pending a grant decision in early December. The position is posted, and we’d love to hear from anyone who enjoys working with children, is flexible, and finds helping others rewarding. Please ask us if you’d like to learn more.

Third, we will combine School Accountability Committee and PTO meetings to save everyone time and to share information. We’ll meet November 11, January 21, and April 15. I’ll share updates on academics, the budget, safety, etc., and answer your questions.

Finally, please remember to turn in your ballot. Your vote and voice matter!

Thank you for your continued support of our school community.

Appreciatively,
Anne

🗣️5th Grade Parents: 

Our RSES Shopping Fundraiser at Skipper & Scout is coming up and we need our amazing Tigers and parents to help make it a success.

When: Wednesday, November 4th and Thursday, November 5th
Where: Skipper & Scout - 242 E Meadow Drive, Suite C, Vail
Time: 4-6pm

Please Note: This is a Tiger AND parent/guardian volunteer opportunity, not a drop-off activity.

Volunteers will help wrap gifts purchased during the event. No professional wrapping skills required - just bring your Tiger spirit, helping hands and holiday cheer.

Let's pounce into the holiday season with some good wrapping RSES fun!

School Store Donations: Want to help us keep our school store stocked with fun goodies for our students? We've created an Amazon list with items we're hoping to add to the store. If you'd like to help, you can purchase an item directly from the list and have it shipped to the school. Every little bit helps, and we truly appreciate your support! 

Closed Campus Reminder: Eagle County School District would like to remind everyone that for the safety and security of our students and staff, all of our schools are “Closed Campuses” during the school day. That means that all school grounds are closed to the general public, including parking lots, school sidewalks, fields, and playgrounds. 

It is imperative that school staff know who is at their school grounds and why. If you are visiting one of our buildings for school business (such as picking up a child during the day for an appointment or volunteering in a classroom), please immediately check in with the front office.

Thank you for helping us to provide a secure environment for our students to learn and grow in without outside distractions.

Note: RSES can no longer provide before-school care on Wednesdays due to lack of resources. Please do not drop off your student before 8:40am. 

🎄 The Holiday Shop is Coming!

The holiday season is right around the corner, and we're getting ready for our annual Holiday Shop! We're looking for committee members to help make this special event happen. If you're interested in helping the committee, please reach out to rsespto@gmail.com. We’re also beginning to reach out to donors to help support the shop. If you’re interested in volunteering or would like to help, please scan the QR code to fill out our donation form.

Save the Date: December 3 – Join us a Avanti for our Holiday Shop Kick-Off Night! We can't wait to celebrate the season with our RSES families!

The Original Works Fundraiser ordering deadline is November 17 at 8pm. Order catalogs will go home with students the first week of November. 

Kindergarten, first, and second grade artists are learning more about the Elements of Art. Recently, they have been exploring ways to incorporate texture into their artwork using The Color Monster book as inspiration.

Third, fourth, and fifth grade artists recently got to explore Spark Kits. These kits are designed to spark creativity, independence, and problem solving. Some examples of the kits are origami, sculpture design, and sewing.

Happy November! The STEM lab is buzzing with hands-on fun. Here's what each grade is up to:

• 5th Grade: We’re in the middle of bridge testing- we have 3 more bridges to destroy (Leading the pack in total weight held is team "Laser Shields" at almost 25 lbs!) then we'll calculate which team has the best strength-to-weight ratio. Stay tuned!

• 4th Grade: Finishing biomimicry presentations, then moving on to owl pellet dissections and food webs. Always a favorite in the STEM lab!

• 3rd Grade: Exploring the human body and how our systems work together.

• 1st & 2nd Grade: Investigating force, from snow on roofs to impact on our bones.

• Kindergarten: Thanks to our scientists for helping me sort out my sugar and salt mix-up! Next up, STEM careers like veterinarians, astronauts, and engineers.

In SEL class, we are moving into the next unit of Second Step: Emotion Management. 

Kindergarten: Recognizing Feelings

Students will learn to recognize happy, sad, and mad feelings by looking at facial expressions, body language, and what is happening around them. They will practice slow breathing to help their bodies feel calm when emotions become strong.

Example: Taking slow breaths when feeling mad because it is time to stop playing.

1st Grade: Managing Strong Feelings

Students will learn to recognize feelings such as worry and frustration and practice slow counting and asking for help when they need support managing their emotions.

Example: Counting slowly and asking a teacher for help when a classroom activity feels difficult.

2nd Grade: Using Helpful Thoughts

Second graders will learn to recognize and describe more complex feelings, such as pride or disappointment. They will also practice calming strategies like thinking of happy memories and using positive self-talk, to help manage difficult emotions.

Example: Thinking, “Everyone makes mistakes, and I can try again,” after getting an answer wrong.

3rd Grade: Understanding Emotions and Taking a Break

Students will learn that emotions provide clues about what they need or want. They practice recognizing different levels of emotional intensity and taking a break to regain control when feelings become overwhelming.

Example: Taking a short break when disappointed about losing a game, then returning when ready to participate respectfully.

4th and 5th Grade:

Mrs. King and Mr. Felton’s classes began sessions lead by Mountain Youth - The You and Me, Together Vape-Free. This curriculum provides students with age-appropriate information designed specifically for an elementary audience.

Each lesson includes activities, quiz games, and worksheets along with presentations, resources, and other materials designed to address key factors associated with youth e-cigarette use.

The lessons will be offered in Mrs. Tonn and Ms. McKeone’s classroom starting November - more in-depth information and an option for Opt-Out was recently emailed to the families.

Please reach out with any additional questions to Ms. Asia!

Joanna.oleszczak@eagleschools.net

TIGER TALK - side note:

BESS Screener

As part of our efforts to support the whole student, ECSD schools will be implementing the BASC-3 BESS (Behavioral and Emotional Screening System), a universal social and emotional screening tool for students to provide a fair and impartial way of looking at how they are progressing in their social and emotional development. Screenings can also help identify areas where school staff and parents/guardians can collaborate to improve student success.

This screening is NOT an assessment or an evaluation, but will identify your student’s social, emotional and behavioral strengths and areas for growth. The screening tool will NOT be used to determine the presence of mental health conditions or eligibility for special education programs.

Parents/guardians of Kindergarten through 2nd grade will be expected to complete the screening on behalf of their student. 

Go to this website

Make sure you are using CHROME

Use your student’s id number to log in (9 numerical digits only); next screen requires DOB to be entered and name verification 

Confirm student identification on next page before survey begins

Students in grades 3rd-12th will complete the screening independently at school. If you, as a parent/guardian, would like to also fill out the screening for your student in grades 3rd-12th, please contact Candace Eves (candace.eves@eagleschools.net).

The screener will be open through November.