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A Near Perfect Day One
Rain Romero dons his new Yoda backpack as he enters RGS on the first day of third grade. 158 students started at RGS today, and were greeted with ample sunshine and hugs from teachers and staff. |
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Greetings!
Most people celebrate a new year on January 1st, but here at RGS we get especially excited about the new academic year. The gap between June and August supplies our kids with new stories, sharp haircuts, and taller frames. Our faculty and staff delight in these changes and we are as happy to see your children as they are to see us. There are always so many things to share in the first newsletter, but let me keep it limited to some great news:
- We welcome 13 new families and 26 new students to the RGS community;
- Nearly 25% of our students represent an ethnic heritage other than Caucasian--an all time high for this type of diversity;
- We open the year with the return of the fabulous Country Fair, this Saturday on the field from noon to 3;
- Our faculty and staff are as strong as ever, and the energy and excitement are high.
Over the course of the next few weeks, please read NewsGrande carefully and frequently to stay current on all the happenings at the school. You also won't want to miss getting to know the people and programs of RGS which will be featured regularly. And please let us know your news! We are happy to feature announcements about your accomplishments or to share information about school-related events. Please refer to the NewsGrande publication schedule marked on our school calendar and email editor Kate Remsberg with your information.
We hope those first day stories your children tell tonight are memorable and joyful, and we look forward to hearing them! |
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Take care,
Jay Underwood
Head of School |
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The Country Fair Returns  Burgers and dogs on the grill...sunshine and balmy weather...games and prizes for kids of all ages...talented guest performers and entertainers...and a dunking booth. You guessed it, the RGS Country Fair is BACK!
Join us on the RGS field this Saturday, August 29 from 12 to 3 p.m. for food, fun, and fellowship. All ages are encouraged to come--the youngest kids will have a great time!
And you won't want to miss your opportunity to dunk your favorite (or least favorite) staff member, including "Penguins" Pendleton, "Tidal Wave" Turnquist, "Seasnake" Scarola, "Dolphins" Devlin, and "Undertow" Underwood. Chances are $1 for three throws, so bring some dunking cash.
We are particularly grateful to sixth grade parent Larry Hill and his team of volunteers for putting this magical event together. If you are interested in volunteering, email Larry or just show up early.
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Meet Our New Team Members
 Mollie Parsons, Science Specialist: Mollie recently moved to Santa Fe from Massachussets, where she taught fifth and sixth grades at Newton Country Day School. Mollie is a New Mexico native, and the only one of our teachers to have attended an ISAS sister school, Sandia Prep in Albuquerque. She earned her undergraduate degree at Brown University and holds masters degrees in education from Harvard University and Boston College.
Sara Hughes, Third Grade Lead Teacher: Originally from Burlington, Vermont, Sara moved to Santa Fe this summer just to teach at RGS. Before coming here, Sara was a third and fourth grade associate teacher at Greens Farms Academy in Connecticut. Sara received her B.A. degree from Colby College and her masters in education from Fairfield University.
 Rich Virgin, Director of Finance and Operations: Rich came to RGS and Santa Fe this summer after 28 years in the Boulder area. Prior to coming to Santa Fe, Rich was Director of Finance for Jarrow Montessori School for four years and has 11 total years in the school finance profession. He is a graduate of Rutgers University and he received his MBA from the University of Colorado. |
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RGS Stars  Associate Head of School Maureen Devlin was selected by the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS) to join a team of educators in a re-accreditation visit of the Isidore Newman School in New Orleans...Head of School Jay Underwood was recently appointed Chair of the Elementary Standards Committee for ISAS...Director of Admission Barbara Bentree was recently accepted into the organizational learning and technology master's degree program at UNM.
Staff Members Celebrate Milestones at RGS
Congratulations to our eight staff members who are beginning a "milestone" year:
5 years: Maintenance Staff Member Jim Anaya, Grandes Teacher Joanne Aversa, Upper Elementary Teacher Jennifer Jackson, First Grade Teacher Bridget Green, Grandes Associate Teacher Katy Kaiser, Upper Elementary Associate Teacher Stuart Pendleton, and Head of School Jay Underwood
10 years: Director of Technology Tom Goodwin
Do you know any RGS Stars? Let us know! We take pride in the accomplishments of our students, parents, grandparents, staff, and alumni. Please email your star's information to NewsGrande editor Kate Remsberg. | |
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Mark Your Calendar
New Parent Orientation, Thursday, August 27 at 8:00 a.m., Media Center, Main Building
New Parent Reception, Thursday, August 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the home of Will Halm & Marcellin Simard
RGS Country Fair & Family Cookout, Saturday, August 29 from 12-3 p.m. on the RGS field
NO SCHOOL-Labor Day, Monday, September 7
Wednesday, September 9 at 8 a.m. in the courtyard
Parent Association Meeting, Wednesday, September 9 at 8:15 a.m. in Gilbert Hall
Student Photos, P-3rd Grade, Tuesday, September 15
Student Photos, 4th-6th Grade, Wednesday, September 16
Back-to-School Night, Thursday, September 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. in Gilbert Hall |
What's Hot at RGS? Hot Lunch!
The hot lunch trial program for K-6 began today and is serving 60 students who have selected from one of two entrees each day. We welcome your feedback on the program and your children's comments on the food. Please send your feedback to Parent Association President Leah Swanson. Order forms for the remainder of the semester will be emailed on Friday, September 4, and will be due on Tuesday, September 8.
Homework Time at Extended Care
One of the features of the upper grades Extended Care Program is the opportunity for students in grades 3-6 to complete homework. The small conference room in the MAC is equipped with a table and chairs, and students may work quietly on their assignments. Although the room is supervised, this is not a time when students will have adult guidance for homework help. If you would like to have your child take advantage of this time, please inform Kate Remsberg, our extended care coordinator.
Late Fees Upped for Extended Care
It pays to be on time for extended care! Students picked up after 5:30 p.m. will now be assessed a late fee of $1 per minute. |
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Warm Up With RGS Spirit Wear
Click here to go to our online school store where you can purchase fleece vests, hoodies, hats and other items that display your RGS pride! | |
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