June 12, 
2016
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Royle PTO Online
In This Issue
 
Calendar of Events

6/14  Flag Day 
6/15  5th grade Promotion
         Ceremony 10am
6/15  ELP Last Day 12pm
         Dismissal 
6/16  Last Day for Students
         Early Dismiss 12:55pm
6/17 Teacher Work Day
 
For more details on these events, please visit the PTO website homepage
Useful Links


 

 
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. 

From the Front Office

Dear Royle Families,
 
It has been my absolute pleasure to serve as Royle's Interim Principal for the last two years. Now it is time for Royle and me to move on. What was to be a one year assignment grew into a two year commitment to this wonderful school community.

Royle has so much going for it and when I pass the keys to Mr. Dean Ketchum, your new principal, I will make sure he knows this is a very special place. Your children were terrific and STARS in every way. I hope you enjoyed the community events we offered and that you will work with the new principal to increase parent involvement in school life. Educating children is a partnership and we need all of you to be engaged in the process.

Change is in the air in Darien! The Central Office Team has worked tirelessly to understand the needs of the staff and students. They are collaborating with school administrators to enhance a great school district. The principal interview committee made up of Royle staff, parents and central office personnel worked hard to find a highly qualified principal in Mr. Ketchum and I am confident he will do great things for Royle.

While there are so many people to thank I want to single out Ms. Torre and Mrs. Presser, for their skills and caring. I am a true believer in collaboration and team work. Working with these women and others for the last two years has been a wonderful experience.
I wish you and your family a terrific, restful summer and the best of luck as you move forward as the Royle Family.

Thank you again for your support and kindness.

John Grasso
Interim Principal of Royle School
 
Flag Day- Don't forget to join us on Tuesday, June 14 as we celebrate Flag Day at 8:25, weather permitting.

Give Before You Go- A special student initiative is currently underway to collect items for two very worthwhile causes. Please help with a donation on June 14.


PTO Thank Yous
 
Thank you to our Blast Editors for keeping us connected to our Royle Community.  Shelly Arrix, Kim Macdonald and Jenn Seely have done an amazing job informing us week in and week out. We would like to bid a fond farewell to both Kim and Jen.  Please enjoy a well deserved break over the summer. 

Thank you to our departing Royle families.  Many of you have been here for quite some time, it will be difficult to think of Royle without you.  Please know your consistent positive influence ensures that Royle remains the wonderful community that we all enjoy. 

Thank you to the outgoing Executive Board Members, Anouk Krantz who led a dynamic Enrichment Program for this school year, Patti Roderick, who as Secretary for the PTO, maintained our minutes, consistently voiced reason and managed all of the informative  bulletin boards throughout the school, and Tara Wurm, our fearless leader during a transitional time who righted the ship.

Lastly, thank you to Principle John Grasso for his steady leadership and consummate professionalism. We are a far better school for having had you here. Our best wishes in all of your future endeavors.


Messages From the PTO
 
To all Royle families - Enjoy a happy, healthy summer.  We will see you in the Fall!


SAVE THE DATE FOR THE ROYLE FALL FUNDRAISER 2016!
Saturday, October 15th at Wee Burn Country Club

Please mark your calendars for Royle's key fundraising event next fall!  It will be an amazing evening with music and silent auction. 
It's a great opportunity to support our school and have a great time!

If you are interested in volunteering to help, please contact Maggie Kelly (203-803-3474, [email protected]) or Deb Hidy (203-505-8200, [email protected]).

2016-2017 Royle School Prepackaged School Supply Order Information  
 
Order your supplies online now through June 30 at www.suppliestoplease.com
 
TO ORDER SUPPLIES ONLINE:
1.  Visit  www.suppliestoplease.com between now and June 30.
2.  Click on "Parents Login" and log in using the following information:
 
Username:  Royle
Password:  roy2016 (case sensitive)
 
Once on the Royle School page, follow the instructions to place an order OR print an order form to mail to Supplies To Please.
 
School supply kits will be delivered directly to your child's classroom and will be waiting for them on the first day of school.
 
IMPORTANT NOTE
Order confirmations are sent for EVERY order we receive. If you do not receive confirmation of your order, contact Supplies To Please ASAP at [email protected] or 914-219-5422.
 
Questions? Please contact Jenn Seely, [email protected] or 203-300-6276 or Supplies To Please at [email protected] or 914-219-5422.

School News 
5th Grade End of Year Festivities & Promotion Ceremony

Yearbooks will be handed out next Tuesday, June 14th at a special 5th grade gathering after the Flag Day ceremony.  If you still need to order a yearbook please contact Shannon Silsby at [email protected].

5th Grade Promotion Day, Wednesday, June 15th at 10:00am in the Common Room 
Doors will open at 9:30am.  Enter the Common Room through the doors on the field side of the building.  Seating is limited and you will not be permitted to save seats early.  5th Grade students will be receiving a white Royle School T-shirt to wear during the ceremony and field day.  After the ceremony and video presentation, 5th graders will move right into a student-only pizza party and field day activities.  Students will be dismissed at the regular time.

If you have not already done so and you wish to order a graduation photo of your child receiving his/her certificate, please bring your order form and check to the ceremony for Katherine Sweet Photography.
 
Questions?  Concerns?  Please reach out to 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony Chairs, Karen Brennan, [email protected] or Stephanie McGraw, [email protected], directly.


Darien After School


Dear Parents,
Thank you for all the wonderful support and feedback for our programming before and after school.

We are excited to share we have been approved by the Darien School District to continue offering our program to schools next school year.

Working in Darien these past 3 years, and growing a program built with your input in mind has been an incredible experience for us.  Your support, and the commitment of our dedicated teachers and local vendors, is what has allowed us to continually adapt and grow Darien After School and bring your kids enriching programs and easy, flexible, high quality after school management for busy families.  

Please email us at [email protected] with your input on programming for next school year.

We will send out Fall schedules by July 15th, at the latest.

THANK YOU!

See you after school in September;),

Hayley & Liane 


Library Inventory 

Volunteers needed for annual year-end inventory. Inventory will take place June 7-15.
All Welcome!! You don't have to be a regular library volunteer to help - no library experience is necessary.  Please click on the link & sign-up for a time slot below (Groups of two work best. Sign-up with a partner if you can).

Sign Up Genius

We look forward to your support!!
Please contact Sherrie Lanier with any questions.
 
Thanks!!

District News 
Volunteer Opportunities for Parents of Incoming Sixth Graders

The nominating process for the Middlesex Parent Association 2016-2017 school year has begun.  We are always looking for new volunteers to join the MPA Slate, especially parents with new students to MMS.  The job descriptions are on the MPA website which can be reached through the Parents link on the Middle School website, then the Middlesex Parent Association and then About and the 2016-2017 job descriptions or use the following link:  
 

Please contact nominating chairs Dawn Edgar at [email protected]Elizabeth Fitzpatrick at [email protected], or Liane Zielinski at [email protected] and let us know if you would like to volunteer for the MPA.  We can help you decide what job best suits your interests and schedule.

Community News 


New Community News

"We need to be the adults we want our children to be." - BreneBrown
 
As parents, we want our children to grow up strong, healthy and resilient. One of the best things you can do as a parent is to model healthy coping skills in your own life. What tools do you use when you are feeling disappointed, anxious or overwhelmed? Developing habits like meditation, journaling, exercise and talking to a friend or counselor can help you channel that energy in positive and productive ways. And once you employ those healthy coping skills, an added perk is that your kids will learn them, too! Talk early, talk often... The Community Fund of Darien/Thriving Youth/CDSP

WALTER SCHALK SCHOOL OF DANCE FALL 2016 REGISTRATION NOW IN PROGRESS
The Walter Schalk School of Dance invites all new and returning students to register for our 60th season of dance!  We offer jazz/hip hop (grades 1-12), boy/girl musical comedy (grades 7-12), cotillion ballroom (grades 5-6), Creative Tots (age 3) and Kinder Kids (ages 4-5).  Dancers are invited to perform in our annual Holiday Spectacular and Spring Revue.  For more information, please call 203.762.7508 or visit our website at www.walterschalk.com.  For our 2016-17 schedule of classes, please click http://www.walterschalk.com/darien_schedule.php and for a downloadable registration form, click 

Drop It & Drive In Darien and "Safe Summer '16"
Did you know that Summer is the deadliest season for road-related injuries and fatalities? Help keep Darien a safe community this Summer. On the Road = Off the Phone! Pick up a free Drop It & Drive In Darien car magnet while supplies last from: Barrett Bookstore, Browne & Co., Darien Library, Town Hall, Darien Police, Darien Toy Box, Michael Joseph's, UPS Store, Wild Birds Unlimited. (Drop It & Drive In Darien is endorsed by the Darien Police Department). Visit www.dropitct.org or email [email protected] to find out more about Safe Summer '16. 

Cub Scout Packs 55 and 56 are recruiting new Scouts!
Do you have younger brothers/sons or family friends (grades 1-5) who would like to get involved in a fun, character building & service oriented organization?  Then please come out to learn about the Cub Scouts!
 
Pack 56 at Royle is recruiting new Scouts (grades 1-5).    If you are interested in joining Pack 56 or would like more information, please contact Jim Mitchell at 

DARIEN ARTS CENTER - PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD for DARIEN'S GOT TALENT: Now you can vote for your favorite contestant! The DAC has added a fun new way to be a winner in their talent show, Darien's Got Talent. In addition to competing on stage for cash prizes, contestants can now compete to help raise money for the DAC. You can vote online at darienarts.org, as many times as you wish, for your favorite contestant(s) in order to elect the winner of the Darien's Got Talent 2016 People's Choice Award. The contestant with the most votes will be awarded the People's Choice Award trophy at the conclusion of Darien's Got Talent, which takes place at 7 p.m. on June 25th at Darien High School. Voting will remain open until June 24th. Cost per vote is $1, with a 5-vote minimum, and all proceeds from voting will support ongoing programs at the DAC. For more information or to buy tickets for Darien's Got Talent, visit darienarts.org or call (203) 655-8683

 
Previously Published Community News

Girls and Boys!!! Summer STEM Camp offered at the Darien Boy Scout Cabin June 20-24
The program curriculum is coeducational and broken down by grade level (1st - 3rd) and (4th - 6th) in a fun and engaging way with trained teachers. There will be a student to teacher ratio of no more than 10:1, and older Scouts will participate as mentors as well, to ensure that each child will have maximum hands-on instruction and get the most out of each experiment and each subject unit in the curriculum.  On the last day of camp, campers will have a family science fair to showcase their work.  The camp runs from 9am-3pmJune 20-24. Cost is $350 per camper for instruction, materials, t-shirt & water bottle, with a $25 Early Bird discount offered by May 15th and sibling discounts available as well. Register online by visiting http://stemdaycamps.org/camp/15/connecticut-yankee and start your child's summer off with a BLAST! For more information contact Susie Flaherty at 

Darien Fall Field Hockey Registration Opens June 1st
Registration for the Darien Youth Fall Field Hockey Program is open for all players grades 3 through 8.  DYFH accepts new players at all age levels including grades 7 and 8. The season includes practices, games both home and away, jamborees and lots of fun!!! All registered players are assigned to teams. There are no cuts.  Special Shout Out to Current 2nd Graders (Rising 3rd Graders): We hope to see you on the field next fall!  Registration and Fall Field Hockey information can be found at darienfieldhockey.com.  We encourage you to sign up now!
Spread the word and bring a new friend. Go Darien!!!  Questions? Contact Kelly Vegliante at [email protected]


ELP Kindergarten Readiness Summer Class has OPENINGS!
Summertime fun with a focus on Kindergarten Readiness! A Regular Education Teacher and a Special Education teacher will be teaching an integrated class of typically developing students and students with special needs. Each class is modeled after a typical kindergarten classroom with approximately twenty students per classroom. The goal of the readiness program will be to develop independence and familiarity with the Kindergarten school day. The course will promote academic readiness skills such as letter and number recognition and counting, while encouraging students to work independently, in small groups, and large groups on various pre-academic activities. (Children who are age eligible for Kindergarten in the 2016-2017 school year and WILL NOT turn six years of age before January of 2017 are eligible.)
Tokeneke Elementary School
Dates: 7/5/16 to 8/11/16
Monday-Thursday 8:00 AM to 11:45 AM
 
Darien Arts Center - Summer is right around the corner! Register Now for Summer Camps & Classes for all ages in dance, visual arts, music, theatre, & martial arts.
New: Performance Kids, theatre camp for ages 3-5, Ninja Kids, martial arts camp for ages 4-8, Camp DAC Comedy Show! variety show/comedy camp for gr. 5-8, Staycation Art Workshop, multi-media visual arts for ages 7-12, Student Directed Musical Revue for high school students, Let's Put on a Show! Art, Dance & Theatre Camp for gr. 1-4, Dance Intensive for gr. 2-5, Martial Arts for ages 4-12, Music Composition for gr. 2-7, Private Music Instruction,  & Choreography. Ballet Intensive/Pointe by permission. Register at darienarts.org or call (203) 655-8683. The DAC is located at 2 Renshaw Rd., behind Town Hall.


The Youth Commission is pleased to announce its Family Concert Series at Weed Beach 
Scheduled to take place at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday's, the line-up is as follows: 

�        June 15 -  "Annie & the Natural Wonder Band";
�        June 22 - Les Julian;
�        June 29 - Jeffrey Friedberg & the Bossy Frog Band. 
The cost to attend any concert is $4.00 per person; $10 per vehicle per concert.)   On the 29th, the concert will be preceded by the 10th annual Sand Castle Building Contest!  Co-sponsored by TD Bank, the contest is free and begins @ 4:00 p.m.  Following the concert, the Youth Commission/Parks & Recreation Department will be sponsoring their annual movie at the Beach.  The feature film this year is TBD.  Showtime is dusk (@ 8:30 p.m.).  Uncle's by the Shore will be open for dinner, however there will be NO lifeguards on duty, so swimming will be at your own risk.  For additional information, call the Youth Commission at 656-7388.  Or, visitwww.darienct.gov/yc and down load the full concert schedule there!  

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]  
Shelly Arrix
Royle Blast Editor

Royle "school" Blast | 133 Mansfield Ave | Darien | CT | 06820