Thursday Notes 
The Raskob Parent Association Weekly Newsletter
 
September 4, 2014                                                                                       Volume 2   Issue 3
Message from RPA President

The Information and Communication Issue

We had a good turnout for the RPA (Raskob Parent Association) meeting yesterday. Thank you to everyone who was able to attend. Your feedback and input is extremely valuable and greatly appreciated. As a result, we have included a great deal of information in the newsletter today, and we hope you will find helpful.

 

Our next big event is Back to School Night next Thursday, September 11 from 6-7:30pm. You will have the opportunity to meet with your student's teacher(s), be introduced to the room parents, have a school wide meeting where Edee will introduce the faculty, and hear from the RPA.  The RPA will have a table where you can pay your dues, see examples of Raskob spirit wear and learn how to order it from our Cafe Press Store, and be able to ask questions about the various ways to stay informed at Raskob. The teachers will distribute packets of information that will include the best way to access teachers and SchoolNotes, an explanation of case managers and SSTs, and homework policies, as well as some information about the small ways the RPA raises money including how to sign up for eScrip, donate Box Tops, and make donations to Raskob when you purchase items on Amazon. Packets will be sent home to those families whom cannot attend.

New parents have requested more information about how the RPA and the school communicates with families.  The RPA's primary communication tool is this newsletter, Thursday Notes, which is sent out every Thursday that school is in session.  We also send out invitations and reminders about key events.  In the Thursday Notes each week there is a link located under the "Quick Links" section to the RPA website. A link can also be accessed from the school website where it says "for parents" on the top menu bar. The RPA website has a great deal of information which includes:
- A real time Google calendar, 
- Volunteer information and from to track your hours, 
- Archived Thursday Notes,
- A Thursday Notes article submission form,
- RPA meeting minutes and much more.  

We also have a Google Group which you should have been invited to join. This will allow for informal discussions which are difficult in a commuter school.  In addition to the RPA communication efforts, on Mondays the school also sends out reminders about school issues and important dates and Edee sends out a Director's Letter on a monthly basis.

The RPA is here to help the families, the students and the school. Please use us as resource as we are happy to answer questions and to provide as much support as possible. You can find a list of email addresses for all RPA Board Members here.


Best Regards, 

Marianne Mitosinka, RPA President 

RPA Activities & Information

Mark Your Calendars for Important Dates This School Year

As the RPA sets the calendar for social events as well as parent and teacher support events for the 2014-2015 school year, we wanted to make sure you know about them with as much advance notice as possible. 

 

Below are some of the upcoming events that you will hear about in the Thursday Notes and/or from your room parents. 
They include: 
- Teacher appreciation breakfasts (October, January, and March),
- Quarterly coffees with speakers will take place on RPA meeting days (first Wednesday of the month) in October, February, and April,
- Two evening parent education events, 
- Book Fair in early November, 
- Holiday concert during school on December 19,
- Raskob Parent Social (social event and fundraiser) on March 14,
- Teacher appreciation lunch on May 6, 
- Open House (for all current parents and students) on May 14, and 
- Awards Night on June 4. 

 

Each of these events can be found on the Google calendar on the RPA website and will be explained and publicized as we get closer to the event date.

Show Your Raskob Spirit

 

Click to see larger image.

 

Go to the Raskob Spirit Store to order your spirit wear.

 

All Raskob spirit wear must be ordered through Cafe Press. We don't stock any spirit wear or mark up the cost of the products.

As of today 45% of all Raskob families have paid their RPA dues. Thank you so much to those that have done so. 

Our goal is for 100% participation. Please help us reach this very important goal. The collection of dues is an important fundraiser for the RPA which is why the RPA Board seeks 100% participation. The suggested donation amount is $55, however, you can choose the amount that is right for your family.

RPA dues help cover the expenses for the Teacher Appreciation Lunch in the spring, parent education events, hospitality at quarterly coffees and some of the RPA's basic administrative functions such as the hosting of the RPA website and services used for the creation of this newsletter. 

Use the links below to download the Raskob Parent Association Membership Form that fits your payment option. Once you fill out the form please turn it into Marlen Valle in the front office.


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Have You Joined the Raskob Parents Google Group?
The Google Group is a forum/listserve designed to simulate the playground of a neighborhood school. The forum is meant to facilitate communication within the Raskob parent community - a place to share ideas and resources, ask questions, find a ride for your child as well as be a place to otherwise feel connected on a regular basis.

If you have a Google Account click here to join.
School Information & Sponsored Activities

Back to School Night

Thursday, September 11

6-7:30pm

 

Elementary school parents begin in your child's classroom.

Middle school parents will be given a schedule to follow when they arrive. All parents will meet on the playground area once they have finished their classroom time to hear from Edee and the RPA. This is parent only event.

 

Questions: Contact Marlene Valle

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It's Not Too Late To Join The Raskob Roadrunners Soccer Team
If your middle school student is interested in playing on the school soccer team, the Raskob Roadrunners, you can still sign up. All students at all experience levels are encouraged to join the team. The team practices Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3-4pm. Once games begin they will be scheduled on one of the practice days.

For questions about joining the team, please contact Ms. Flores.

Go Roadrunners!
In This Issue
Quick Links

RPA Dues Form for Payment with a Check

RPA Dues Form for Payment with a Credit Card

School Google Calendar 

Resources

Raskob Spirit Wear Store

Shop Amazon and Support Raskob

Volunteer Hours Tracking Form
Important Dates
Sept. 10
Pizza Lunch Begins

Sept. 11
Back To School Night
6-7:30pm

Sept. 19
Spirit Day-Crazy Hat Day
Workshops, Seminars and Speakers
PEN and Pathways Presents:
Social Emotional Aspects of Being "Different"
Friday, Sept. 12
More details and register

Ann Martin Center Parent Education Presents:

- Bullying, Cyber-bullying, and Suicide Risk in Youth
Thursday, Sept. 18

- Understanding the Special Education Process
Thursday, Oct. 23

-When "Stop Worrying!" Doesn't Help: Parenting the Anxious Kid or Teen
Thursdays, Oct. 2,16 & 30
Would you like an announcement to appear in the Thursday Notes?
 
All you need to do is fill out the online form, if you have any announcements, events, feedback, or calendar items you want to share. For questions, please contact Bridget Rivezzo RPA VP of Communications.
 
The deadline for submissions for Thursday Notes is Monday at 5pm.  
 

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