December 20
, 2015
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Royle PTO Online
In This Issue
 
December
12/23   Holiday Recess Early               Dismissal 12:55pm

January
1/4   Students Return 
1/6   PTO Exec Mtg 9:15 am
1/15  Animal Embassy 
1/18  Martin Luther King Jr.            Day No School
1/20  Kids Care Darien EMS             Post 53 CPR and First             Aid presentation 3:00pm
1/27  PTO Meeting co-                   sponsored with YWCA

For more details on these events, please visit the PTO website homepage
Useful Links



From the Front Office

'Tis the Season
 
On behalf of Ms. Torre, myself and the entire Royle staff we would like to wish you a wonderful Christmas and holiday season. We hope that you are able to spend some quality, relaxing time with family and friends. When you do be sure to look around and give thanks for all your blessings.
 
A ten day break from the routine will give you some extra time to read with your child, play outside, maybe in the snow, stay in your PJ's one day while you watch a movie and bake cookies. In other words time to find your own peace on earth.
 
We look forward to welcoming all of you back on January 4, 2016! (Can you believe it?)

Thank you for your continued support for Royle School and our Royle family.
 
Sincerely,
John Grasso, Interim Principal
 
The web team has created a Royle PTO Facebook page and Twitter account.  Like the page to join in the community and stay in the know with what is going on at Royle. 
 
      

Messages from the PTO

Thank you to all that contributed to Caroling for a Cause.  It was a great success and a wonderful community event! 

School News 

Open Referral Period for Darien's Gifted Program
 
December 9th-January 8th
Correction:  the referral period now also includes students in 1st grade.  

If you have a child in grades 1-8 that you believe may be gifted, you may refer him/her for evaluation to be placed in Darien's gifted and talented program.  This referral period will identify children for placement beginning in September of the 2016-2017 school year.  Before referring your child, please take a few minutes to review the following information on typical traits of gifted children:
 

E-mail your child's assistant principal to begin the process and refer to the program's website for further information:  www.ideaprogram.wordpress.com
Endeavors After School

Endeavors After School Winter classes are open for general registration, at www.darienafterschool.com.  For a printable copy with descriptions, click here:  Printable Endeavors After School Schedule

New this winter is a school musical, newspaper, video game design and more!  With options to suit many interests and grades each day, we hope you can join us this winter for FUN after school.

General registration is open through 1/6/16, for winter classes running 1/11 through 4/8/16.

Questions to [email protected]

Early Learning Program Applications

The Early Learning Program Applications are accepted from November 1, 2015 to January 6, 2016 for students who will be turning 3 and 4 years old during the 2016-2017 school year. At this time, ELP does not have a preschool option for children who are 5 years old or who will be turning 5 years old.  

A lottery drawing will be held and parents will be notified/emailed by January 16, 2016 regarding acceptance.

To apply for the 2016-2017 School Year please click the link below:

ELP Open House
 
For families interested in ELP for the 2016-2017 School Year will be held at Tokeneke School.
Monday, December 21, 2015 from 7pm to 8pm.
Please come learn about the program.
Laura Straiton
Program Director of Early Childhood, SESS

District News 
         

Community News 


New Community News

Tip of the Week:  Did you know 58% of 7th-12th graders in Darien report having high self-esteem? Research shows that young people who feel good about themselves have positive relationships with parents and peers, increased academic achievement, and a decreased susceptibility to negative peer pressure. Young people's self-esteem increases when they feel loved, respected, and accepted; taken seriously; and listened to. This holiday season, do thingswith children not just for them. Although children love getting presents, the best gift you can give them is your time and attention - a powerful message of love and value. 
Let's Get Talking - Thriving Youth/The Community Fund
 

Previously Published Community News

Noroton Fire Department's Annual Toys 4 Tots Collection 
Noroton Fire Department is an official drop off location for the US Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots Foundation.  With the community's help we collected over 2,000 toys last year.  We're asking for you to join us again this year to help us achieve our goal of collecting 2,300 new, unwrapped toys for Toys For Tots.  So please stop by Noroton FD anytime and leave a donation in the Toys for Tots bin in the back parking lot.  We're located at 1873 Post Road across from St. Luke's Church.  Or better yet, get together with your friends, neighbors or organizations and start your own collection.  Then give us a call and we'll come to your neighborhood with a fire truck to pick up your donations.  We're available on weekends (and some weekdays too) from November 28th through December 20th from 10am - 3pm. This is a great cause and giving back is what the holiday season is all about.  Please consider donating a new, unwrapped toy to a child in need. 
We have had the pleasure of working with Boy/Girls Scout Troops,  and Kids Care Clubs.  We would love to partner with you again this year and either come to your meeting with a fire truck or offer a tour of the fire house. Please contact Alan Hyatt at 203.943.8649 or 
[email protected] to schedule a pick up for your neighborhood or organization.

Darien Little League Registration is Now Open!
Give your child a meaningful gift this holiday season.  Give them the gift of Darien Little League.
DLL is open to all boys and girls (born after April 30, 2003) in Kindergarten through Middle School. Players of all abilities are encouraged to join one of our exciting programs this spring.  Early bird registration ends:  Thursday, December 31 (baseball and softball) and Sunday, January 31 (baseball grades K &1).  Register now and save!  www.dybs.org.  For questions, contact [email protected].
 
Darien Nature Center
Outdoor adventures await this winter in the wilds of Cherry Lawn park. Bundle up your 3-8 year old and join us outside as we spend the afternoons going where ever curiosity takes us. Rosy Red Cheeks and huge smiles are guaranteed. Join us for our Sticks and Stones program at the Darien Nature Center-Wednesdays ages 3-5 year old from 1:30-2:30pm, Tuesdays ages 5-8(K-2nd grade) 4:00-5:00 pm. January 12 -February 10 (5 weeks) $150 and membership is required. Go to www.dariennaturecenter.org to register, call us at 203-655-7459 or email [email protected].



Royle Blast Guidelines


If you would like to post a message in the Royle Blast, please note the following guidelines:
  1. Send information to [email protected]
  2. Please no attachments
  3. limit submission to approximately 100 words
  4. Include contact name/phone/email
  5. Submissions must be age-appropriate and Darien school and/or community relevant. We will not include advertisements for businesses. Only community events that are child-oriented and for charitable purposes (not-for-profit) or are school related will be considered for inclusion in the Community section of the Blast. "Community News" information/events will run for a maximum of two consecutive editions.  Please time you submissions accordingly. 
  6. Must be submitted no later than Thursday at 5 pm. 
  7. Editor has final discretion as to whether information is appropriate for the Royle Blast. All text may be edited. For questions or comments on the Royle Blast, please send an email to [email protected]  
Jenn Seely, Kim Macdonald and Shelly Arrix
Royle Blast Editors