RSPS Back to School Guide

Dear RSPS Families,

We hope that you are enjoying a wonderful summer break! Don't worry, there is still a month left of fun and relaxation.

As we gear up for the 2023-2024 school year, we are excited to share some important updates, dates, and information to help you and your child(ren) prepare for a successful school year ahead.

Please read this Back-to-School Guide carefully and make note of the updated arrival/dismissal procedures, upcoming dates/events, and much more. There will be more forms and information coming your way during the first week of school, so please bear with us as we get the school year up and running.

School Updates:

• Enhanced Security Measures:
• Your child's safety is our utmost priority. We have updated our access control systems and visitor management to restrict entry into the building.
• We have installed surveillance cameras throughout the campus to monitor activity and assist in maintaining a secure environment.
• We have added to our internal communications for improved
• We continue to partner with local authorities who review our plans and work with us to coordinate emergency response plans/protocols. (more information to be shared soon)
• Our staff will receive comprehensive training on security protocols and procedures.
• School Enhancements:
• New playground areas for the PK and K-8 students.
• Security fencing around the PK play areas.
• Interior painting in the entrance hall and stairwells.
• New nurses suite.
• New hallway to access the gym (to be completed this fall).

Additionally, the Vision 2020 project for the church has made a lot of progress over the summer and it is on schedule to be completed this spring. You will notice some changes to the front "loop" with the addition of peninsulas and head-in parking in front of the school. This has condensed the drive lane from three lanes down to two. This means you should not leave your vehicle unattended at any time. Also, there will be no parking along Paulskirk Drive this year. See the updated arrival/dismissal procedures below for more details.

Enjoy the last month of summer, and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Sincerely,

Ryan Hellem

Principal

Staffing Updates

• Ms. Carrie Pugh - MS ELA

• Mrs. Linda Judson - MS Learning Resource Teacher
• Mrs. Kehinde Oni - Technology Specialist
  
• Mrs. Lauren Shutz - Development Director
• Fr. Paul Kongnyuy - Associate Pastor (Church of the Resurrection)

Important Upcoming Events

• Popsicles with the Principals on the Playground - Wednesday, August 16 (4-6 PM)
• Join us for an evening of fun with Mr. Hellem and Ms. Santucci as we officially open the new playground.

• HSA Used Uniform Sale - Wednesday, August 16 (4-6 PM)
• Outside near the playground.

• PK & K Back to School Night - Tuesday, August 22 (6-7 PM in the Tent)
• Park near the Parish Center and enter the tent. We will meet briefly together before transitioning to classrooms to meet your child's teachers. Important PK & K specific information regarding arrival/dismissal, etc. will be shared this evening.

• Teacher Meet and Greet/Supply Drop-off - Wednesday, August 23 (1-2 PM & 5-6 PM)
• Mark your calendars to meet and greet RSPS teachers and staff on Wednesday, August 23rd. Students and families will be able to stop by and see their homeroom, say hi, and drop off any supplies. This is a voluntary event and there is no pressure to attend.

• HSA/EPI School Supply Pick-up - Wednesday, August 23 (1-2 & 5-6 PM)
• Pick up all of your pre-ordered supplies from EPI.

• First Day of School (K-8) - Monday, August 28

• Friday, Sept. 8 - HSA Back to School Parent Social at Manor Hill Brewing 5:30-8 PM
• Join your HSA for our first event of the year Friday, Sept. 8 at Manor Hill Brewing. Catch up with friends old and new and enjoy your first drink free courtesy of the HSA. We can’t wait to see everyone there! Adults-only preferred.

Volunteer Opportunities

An informational and sign-up table will be set up in the school lobby on 8/23. Contact the school office for more information if you are unable to make it. As a reminder, all volunteers must be VIRTUS trained and have a background check complete prior to volunteering. Here are some areas we are looking for support with to start the year off:

*** Please contact Joy Afable if you are not VIRTUS trained***

• Lunch/Recess Duty - 10:45-1:45 daily (times vary) contact Dave Hoffman dhoffman@resstpaul.org
• School Reception Desk - 11:00-1:00 daily (flexible) contact Joy Afable jafable@resstpaul.org
• Professional Photography - contact Stephanie Finamore sfinamore@resstpaul.org
• Car Dismissal Duty - 3-3:45 daily -- contact Emma Santucci esantucci@resstpaul.org
• Picture Day (9/14) -- contact Joy Afable jafable@resstpaul.org

To log service hours, CLICK HERE. Save this link to your favorites to enter service hours throughout the year.

Join our Sub-list

If you are interested in joining our team as a substitute, please contact Emma Santucci (esantucci@resstpaul.org) to get the process started.

RSPS Milk Program & Yay Lunch!

Information will be sent to you closer to the start of school.

Important Calendar Dates

• August 16 - Popsicles with the Principals on the Playground (4-6 PM)
• August 22 - PK & K Back to School Parent Meetings (6-7 PM) -- Tent & Classrooms
• August 23 - School Social/Drop-off (1-2 & 5-6 PM)
• August 28 - K-8 First Day of School
• **PK3 and PK4 staggered start. See email sent through School Admin on 6/21
• August 29 - Parent Back to School Night (grades 1-5) from 6-8 PM
• August 31 - Parent Back to School Night (grades 6-8) from 6-8 PM
• September 4 - Memorial Day - No School
• September 8 - HSA Back to School Parent Social from 5:30-8 PM
• September 20 - AOB High School Fair (6:00-8:00 PM)
  
• September 21 - 12:30 Dismissal (Faculty PD)
• October 5 - Parent-Teacher Conferences - 12:30 Dismissal
  
• October 6 - AOB Professional Day - No School
• October 12 - Parent Teacher Conferences - 12:30 Dismissal
• October 13 - Faculty/Staff Retreat - No School
• November 22 - 12:30 Dismissal (End of T1)

Students in Grades 1st-8th – Arrival at 8:40 – Enter from N. Chatham Rd OR Paulskirk Dr.

Please proceed to the loop and main front entrance of the school building. Please stay in your vehicle and let your child/children out of your vehicle. Students will enter the school building and head up the stairway to their classrooms. All RSPS students in your vehicle should exit at the same time and on the passenger side of the car for safety and to help keep the flow of traffic moving. Please pull forward as far as possible closing any gaps between cars. Students can enter through either the “link” or main entrance doors.

Students in Pre-K 3, Pre-K 4, and Kindergarten: Arrival at 8:40 – Enter from N Chatham Rd

Drop Off – Parents will pull into the designated area of the back parking lot as indicated on the map. Once there, staff members will assist in helping your child from the vehicle. Parents should stay in the vehicle. Please unbuckle your child(ren) to help speed the process. All RSPS students in your car should exit and enter through the “PK” doors. For example, your Kindergartner, 3rd, and 7th grader will all be dropped off in this location.

***Kindergarten families will start the year dropping off in the back. After a few weeks we may open the front to Kindergarten families to drop off in the front.

3rd-8th Grade Dismissal Procedures

In order to maximize instructional time, announcements will start at 3:25. Afternoon pickup for 3rd-8th grades will all take place in the front loop of the school. 3rd – 8th grade families must enter the loop from Paulskirk Drive. All RSPS families have been assigned a family number on RSPS cardstock that must be displayed in the front dash. "Family numbers" will be available to be picked up the week of 8/21-8/24 at the front office and at the in person "Social" events on Wednesday. We will also send a digital file to you. RSPS staff members will be located at the entrance of the loop to enter your number(s) into an application that will be sent to the classrooms alerting your child(ren) that you are here. Students will remain in their classrooms until your number has been displayed. Teachers will remain in the classrooms with their students.

***YOU WILL RECEIVE A NEW NUMBER THIS YEAR***

Watch this video to see it in action. (Scroll down to “See Driveline in Action”.) 1 min.

"Family numbers" will be available to be picked up 8/21-8/24 at the front office and at the in person "Social" events on Wednesday 8/23. We will also send a digital file to you.

Procedures:

• Enter from Paulskirk Drive ONLY in a single file lane.
• After the RSPS electronic sign, split into two lanes (inside and outside) see Maps below
• Stay in your lane the whole time.
• Hold or tape up your family number.
• Once your number has been entered by an RSPS staff member, pull forward and park in the designated lane in the loop. (see Map #3)
• Park your vehicle. Standing outside and waving down your child(ren) helps.
• Once all students in your carpool are in your vehicle, turn on your flashers.
• We will dismiss the lanes one at a time.
• Exit campus via Paulskirk Dr.
• Note that Paulskirk Dr. connects to N Chatham Rd and St. Johns Ln via Church Gate Rd.
• Be courteous and mindful of the neighbors and their need to exit their driveways. Leave space at intersections as well.
  
• Repeat procedure
• Be patient

Carpool Procedures:

Families will be given 3 copies of their number to share with authorized individuals. Carpool families should coordinate with each other and share a sign with those particular families.

PK - 2nd grade (and older siblings)

PK - 2nd grade students and their older siblings will be walked to the designated area between the Parish Center and staircase. PK - 2nd grade parents ONLY should carefully park inside the blue box, turn off your vehicle, and then walk up to your student’s teacher to pick them up. Parking is on a first come, first served basis. Please return to your vehicle safely and as quickly as possible. Once all students are safely in their vehicles, we will begin dismissing the lines starting with the line closest to the school (see map #2).

When Parking

• Enter through Chatham entrance only.
• Please do your best to park as straight and within the lines as possible.
• Pull forward all the way to the next vehicle or to the cone so that we can fit all of the vehicles in the square.
• Do not block or cut off access to the painted blue box by trying to park in the row closest to the entrance (you will be the very last one dismissed)
• Wait until your row is dismissed to depart

When Waiting for your children:

• Please allow ALL of the classes to get out and around the corner near the fence before going to your child. It is a safety concern to have PK - 2nd grade classes backed up on the sidewalk.

Reminders & FAQ:

• If you have a child in PK, K, 1st, or 2nd grade and older siblings, you will always pick up your students in the Parish Center Pickup
• If your PK/K/1st/2nd grade student is sick or absent -- You should still go to the Parish Center Pickup at the end of the day to pick up the older sibling.
• If there are other students that are not normally with you in your car, please notify the office by 10 AM so that we can make sure they get to the Parish Center Pickup area.

Do I need my assigned number?

You do not need a number in the PK-2nd grade pickup area.

What if I arrive after the cars have started leaving?

Start by replacing the first row of cars closest to the fence (row 1 and so on in the map below). This will allow you to walk to your child's teacher without crossing the exiting traffic.

What if there is a car parked and no one is in it?

We will help you maneuver around the vehicle when leaving.

What if I want to speak to my child's teacher about something when I pick them up?

We encourage you to communicate with your child's teacher(s) as much as needed, but dismissal time would not be good time for this. Please arrange a phone call, meeting, or send them an email. This will allow everyone to depart in a timely manner.

What if I have a meeting after school, where should I pickup my child and park?

Pick them up as you normally would at their designated spot. Park near the Parish Center but NOT within the blue box.

Parents can pick up your PK student at 1:00 PM by parking along the curb closest to the school in the front loop.

Parents should pull through the front loop and park near the front PK doors. Please park and walk your child(ren) to the front PK doors. If you are unable to get to the location due to a backup of cars, please park near the Parish Center and walk to the front PK doors location. This is subject to change.