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Red Stick Academy
February 2024
Site Leader Corner:
February is the "love" month because of Valentine's Day. We are recognizing February as American Heart Month with a special activity on campus. See below for details. Thank you for your support of our school this year. The love you have shown at all of our campus activities is incredible. We love the support we receive from our parent body. It warms my heart when I get to see the students playing on the sport court. We get to see kids playing together, helping each other and cheering each other on. It's worth every penny we raised. Webster's Dictionary may spell love "l-o-v-e" but kids/students spell love "t-i-m-e." Make an effort to be present with your child when you are home together during the week or on the weekend. Get out a board game or a deck of cards and teach them your favorite game. Even if it is a simple card game like "Battle". The thrill of the competition easily outweighs the child looking at the cards, comparing the two for a match and securing the pile for themselves. Stop by the book fair Thursday afternoon (3:15-5:00) for family night, and pick out a book that you can read to your child (or they can read to you!). Let's help our students become lifelong learners and do everything we can to set them up for a successful and happy life. <3
Panda Paws: Your RSA Parent Organization News
Thank you for your continued support of RSA and the Parent Association through your participation. Please make note of the following items.
RSA Parent Association Meeting – Thursday, February 1
Our next Parent Association Meeting will be Thursday, 2/1 after carpool in the RSA Multi-Purpose Room. We hope to see you there!
The RSA Parent Association meets monthly after carpool in the Multi-purpose Room. The purpose of the meetings is to plan and organize school-wide events. We would love to have as many parents as possible attend as your schedule permits. For more information on the Parent Association or to be added to the volunteer list, please contact Lydia Lafleur at 225-938-7949 or lafleurl@bellsouth.net.
RSA Connections – Weekly reminders
Thank you to Ms. Silburn for initiating “RSA Connections” weekly email and text message reminders. Please check this email for ways to volunteer and SignUp Genius links for upcoming events.
Upcoming CommUNITY Events in February:
· Pizza Friday – Friday, 2/9
· Lunch on the Lawn – Friday, 2/23. Please sign up here to donate items for sale.
· February is Heart Month! Please be on the lookout for a special activity.
Looking Ahead to March:
· RSA Parent Association Meeting: Monday, 3/4 after carpool
· Pizza Friday: Friday 3/8
· Lunch on the Lawn: Friday 3/28
Please contact the RSA office to let us know how you would like to get involved or to share your ideas.
Thank you!
RSA Scholastic Book Fair
Thank you to everyone who donated their time and/or purchased items at this year's book sale. We had almost $400 in sales the very first day! Scholastic book fairs help us ignite the love of reading in our students. We want to create lifelong learners at RSA and what better way than through immersing themselves in a book!
Last Chance to Order the 2023-24 Spirit Shirt!
LEAP Practice Week of 2/5
Next week is LEAP Practice for our 3-8th grade students. Testing will start promptly at 8:30 AM daily. Our students will be taking practice tests in all 4 subjects - ELA, Math, Science and Social Studies, which means practice testing all day Monday-Wednesday. There is one session scheduled for Thursday morning. We have scheduled breaks in-between sessions and a longer lunch period to give them a brain break. Please be sure your child gets a good breakfast every day and brings a refillable bottle of water. Water keeps the brain hydrated and ready to think. Students may bring small, healthy snacks. If a student arrives to school late next week, he/she will not be able to join the session in progress and will be required to take the session that same day. Please be on time next week. Good news is NO HOMEWORK during LEAP Practice for 3-8th grades. Please be sure that your child keeps their Chromebook charged nightly. Students are required to give their smartphones and smartwatches to their teachers at the beginning of each day. It might be a good week to keep these items at home. We will be testing until 2:30 PM each day. Please encourage your child to do their best. As most athletes will tell you, the way you practice is the way you will perform when it matters... in a competition. The actual LEAP testing will be administered April 17-24.
February is Heart Month
February is American Heart Month, a time when all people—especially women—are encouraged to focus on their cardiovascular health. We all know someone who has heart issues. On February 21, we are encouraging our campus to wear red. In PE, students will walk as many as laps as they can - hopefully a mile or more. We will also give our students a heart healthy snack of red delicious apples after they finish their laps. I can't wait to see how many "miles" we walk in honor of our family members and heart health.
CSUSA Student Wellness Surveys
We wanted to send a reminder that in February, CSUSA will be administering a Student Wellness Survey. The consent form for this survey was in the 23-24 First Day Packet. If you provided your student consent, they will be participating in this survey that assesses how your child’s grade-level thinks about themselves and interacts with others.
More specifically, the survey gathers grade-level, formative data on self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. The survey results will be for internal, instructional use only and no student-specific responses will be analyzed. This survey is not a mental health evaluation and cannot be used to diagnose or refer a student for mental health services. Survey responses will be anonymous.
Mardi Gras Dance
Our Kinder - 8th grade students have been practicing a dance to perform Friday, February 9. Our parent organization will be providing King's Cake to kick off the Mardi Gras season. Laissez le Bon Temps Rouler!
NO AFTERCARE Friday, 2/9
In anticipation of our week long holiday break, there will be no aftercare the Friday before the holiday.
Reminder: No School the week of Mardi Gras
NO SCHOOL Monday, February 12-Friday, February 16
LEAP Day, February 29
Every four years, we are given a "bonus" day. This year is a LEAP year. RSA is going to take advantage of the day and spend it giving back to our community and "learning outside the classroom". As a campus, we will be conducting a food drive the entire month of February to benefit the Baton Rouge Food Bank.The morning of 2/29, our 4-8th graders will be going to the Baton Rouge Food Bank and help sort and pack non-perishable items. Our Kinder-3rd graders will be decorating coffee cup sleeves for The Lighthouse Coffee Shop that seeks to employ refugees from other countries. After lunch, K-8 will head to All Star Bowling lanes for an hour of learning outside the classroom from 1PM-2PM. Our students will not only be exercising their bodies, they will be exercising their math and science skills. It will be a day of community service for our campus as well as learning! More information and permission slips will be coming home soon.
Dress Code Reminders
Although RSA does not require uniform attire for our students, the school is eager to help children learn to discern modesty and discretion in choosing apparel appropriate for their age and activities. They will need parental assistance and guidance in choosing comfortable play clothes and shoes. No pajama pants unless it is a specifically designated dress day. Girls should wear shorts under skirts. Students should wear tennis shoes for physical education and/or recess.
Colder Weather Means Outerwear
With the colder weather comes the need for your child to come to school with a jacket or sweater. Please don't forget to put their name in it!
EBR Bookmobile
Water Bottles!
Don't forget to send a refillable water bottle with your child each day. Water keeps your brain hydrated and it's hard to learn when you are thirsty and/or distracted by headaches. Per the handbook, please do not send your child with a sports drink or a sugary drink in their water bottle. Be sure your child's name is on the bottle. :)
Morning Arrival
- Students should be in their desks by 8:00 am.
- Please make sure to have your child at school before 8:00. You can drop off your child as early as 7:45. If you need early drop off, it starts at 7:30 and is $5/day.
- Late arrivals have to sign in at the administration office and be sent to class with a pass.
- If your child is out sick for 3+ days, please send them back to school with a mandatory doctor's note for an excused absence. If your child is out sick for 1-2 days, please send them back with a parent or doctor's note.
Absences and Makeup Work - Page 9 in the Handbook
If a student is to be absent, parents should notify the teacher by 9:00 am on the first day and every day of the absence. For anticipated absences, parents are asked to give notice well in advance to the principal. Notice can be given by phone, email, or in writing. For excused absences, students are given the same number of days as the number of days missed to make up a test or to turn in make-up work. Make-up tests will be given at the discretion of the teacher within the allotted days, and students may be required to report to school early or stay late to make up tests. However, if there is a test given or assignment due on the day the student returns that he or she knew about or reasonably should have known about during the absence, and if the student was present for the original instruction (not review) related to the test or assignment, then the returning student will take the test or turn in the assignment on the day of return.
For excused absences of five days or more, teachers and the principal will formulate a personalized make-up plan for the student. With prior notification, the principal may allow students to make pre-arrangements for family or student trips, although such absences will still be considered unexcused. In such a case, the student must take all tests in advance of the trip and must turn in all work occurring during the trip immediately upon return to school. In any case of a missed test, for whatever reason, a make-up test may be different than the original test given to the rest of the class.
Administration of Medication
Please do not send medication in your child's backpack. All medication (prescription and over the counter) should be administered through the front desk. Please see the form below for your convenience.
PowerSchool and Schoology
School Dismissal
- School finishes at 3:00 pm.
- If there is any change in your child’s transportation schedule, please submit it in written form, so we can adjust accordingly.
- Aftercare begins as soon as carline is over. The first 20 minutes is dedicated homework time.
- Aftercare is provided until 5:00 p.m. for $15/day or $50/week.
Afterschool ELA/Math Lab
Afternoon Carline
- Thank you for remembering to use your hands free connection while in carline.
- We appreciate you showing your carline sign on your rearview mirror up until the time your child gets into the vehicle.
- Please stay in your vehicle.
- Please pull up close to the vehicle in front of you.
- If you are not inside the gate, help us keep the line off of Jefferson Highway by creating two lines and take turns going into the gate.
February Birthdays
1. Ellie G (2nd); Londyn (4th)
10. Collin (7th)
19. Izabella (6th)
20. Chad (Tech Guru)
22. Roan (Kinder); Khloe (4th)
27. Farryn (4th)
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Q3 Progress Reports
Student progress reports will be emailed home today. Please contact your child's teacher if you have any questions.
Thursday, Feb 1, 2024, 10:00 AM
6455 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
EBR Bookmobile
9AM: 3rd
9:10: 4th
9:30: Kinder
9:40: 1st
9:50: 2nd
10:00: 7th
10:10: 8th
10:20: 5th
10:30: 6th
Friday, Feb 2, 2024, 09:00 AM
Pizza Friday
Look for order form to come home with your child 2/5. Orders must be in by 3:15 2/8.
Friday, Feb 9, 2024, 11:00 AM
6455 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
Mardi Gras Holiday - NO SCHOOL
NO SCHOOL Monday, February 12 - Friday, February 16
Monday, Feb 12, 2024, 07:00 AM
Lunch on the Lawn
If you haven't been to a lunch on the lawn yet, you need to put it on your calendar! Special time for family to eat with their RSA student.
Friday, Feb 23, 2024, 11:00 AM
6455 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
LEAP DAY
Day of community service benefitting the BR Food Bank and The Lighthouse Coffee Shop, as well as learning outside of the classroom (All Star Bowling).
Thursday, Feb 29, 2024, 08:00 AM
About RSA
Email: info@redstick.academy
Website: https://redstick.academy
Location: 6455 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, LA, USA 70806
Phone: (225) 960-1370
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RedStickAcademyOfficial