Congratulations to Mrs. Beth Ferguson, the 2009 RES Teacher of the Year!

“Mrs. Ferguson exemplifies good teaching.  She goes out of her way to reach every student, to make learning fun, and to push her students to new levels of success.  She is an inspiration to her colleagues as well.” ~~Anne Keo, RES GIST Coordinator

“Mrs. Ferguson is a positive, dedicated teacher who provides memorable learning experiences for her students.  She encourages family, school, and community members to always do their best.” ~~Susan Vaughan, RES Library-Media Specialist

“The intangibles that truly make a great educator are very evident in Beth Ferguson’s work at RES.  The love for her students is the foremost virtue that enables her to make magic happen each day.  She simply does what it takes to help the students learn.  Beth’s love for the Goochland County community of people is just as noteworthy.  I am truly amazed at how many activities that she is able to participate fully in while balancing a very busy home life and civic duty with the Volunteer Fire and Rescue unit.  The other intangible that is unmatched is the level of energy and enthusiasm that is present in everything that Beth Ferguson sets out to accomplish.” ~~Stacey Austin, RES Principal

Dear 5th Grade Parents,

Don’t forget to send in your photos for the 5th Grade Slideshow!

Each year, during the hour before 5th Grade Graduation, parents have the opportunity to view photos from our 5th graders throughout the years.  This is a special chance to walk down “RES Memory Lane” before our students head to the middle school. 

Please send in 10-20 of your favorite photos in JPEG format on either a CD or USB flash drive.  You may also send paper copies!  All photos will be sent to the RES Library-Media Center to be added to the slideshow collection.  Once we upload your photos, we will return the originals to you.

We are looking forward to seeing your favorite images of your child from Kindergarten through 5th grade!  Thank you for your cooperation!

Internet Ban

Wednesday May 20 through Monday June 8, 2009

Once again we will be asking all staff and students to conserve our bandwidth to the Internet during the peak times of SOL testing.

The ban begins on Wednesday May 20. For each school day between May 20 and June 8, there will be a ban on using the Internet from 8:30 AM onwards each day. An email will be sent to each school division employee when testing is over for the day, when the ban is thereby lifted.

Testing still continues beyond June 8 at the high school. From June 9-12, Internet use is permitted, but we ask teachers and students to consider light use. This means to stay away from high-bandwidth websites during these times.

During the Internet ban, the following things are allowed:

- Access to PowerSchool (grades, attendance, etc.)

- Access to E-mail (web or using Mail on your laptop)

- Access to Pearson websites (for school testing coordinators, technology staff, etc.)

- Access to Goochland websites (this includes blogs, Moodle, our Wiki, etc. If it has “glnd.k12.va.us” in the address, it’s fine).

- iChat. Teachers will be asked to have iChat active (Jabber, Bonjour) throughout testing if you are a proctor or test administrator to communicate.

- SEAS (Special Education) access is allowed.

Please remind students that open surfing is not permitted during our SOL window. Once students have completed their online test, surfing the web is not permitted.

Thank you for your cooperation!

SOL Letter to Parents

Our RES families are awesome!!  We collected 306 pounds during our recent food drive.  This food has gone to the Goochland Food Bank, which gives out food to between 50 and 60 families each week.  Thank you for your support!

A note from Miss Holzbach:
“I am SO very proud of the kids.  We received an 88 out of 100 (Excellent rating) and after listening to the judges tapes, everyone was very impressed with the kids!”

Way to go, Roadrunners!  And congratulations to Miss Holzbach for an awesome year!

Click on the following link to view the official GCPS letter regarding Swine Flu.  It will include information about our plan and prevention tips.  This letter will be going home to parents on Friday, May 1, 2009.
GCPS Pandemic Letter to Parents

For more information…
GCPS Pandemic Response Information

GCPS Pandemic Flu Response Plan

NBC12:  Governor Kaine Confirms Two Cases of Swine Flu in Virginia (April 30, 2009)
Swine Flu in Virginia

All students will need to be present at the Kingswood Amphitheater by 11:00 AM.
Once you are admitted into the park, follow the signs to the left past the Beserker, to the Kingswood Amphitheater.  When you come into the area of the Amphitheater, you will see our group gathering near the front of the stage.  Once your child has joined our group please find a seat in the Amphitheater. 
Our performance time will be PROMPTLY at 11:36 AM.

The front gates will open at 10:00 am, and every person must either have a ticket or a validated season pass to be allowed into the theme park.  The front gate can become congested so please allow extra time to enter the park and find Kingswood Amphitheater.

Inclement Weather Policy:
Kings Dominion operates Rain or Shine.

Dress:
All Chorus students will wear the yellow chorus t-shirt with jeans or shorts, and sneakers.  No sweat pants please.

May
1—4th & 5th grade social
2—Chorus competition at King’s Dominion
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4-8.
The testing window for PALS & QRI is May 4 - 19.
6—2nd grade field trip
7—1:00 dismissal for students
8—Spring Fling ~ 5:00-8:00 PM
13—5th grade graduation meeting
18—5th grade field trip
19—PTA meeting, kickball game & ice cream social
The SOL testing window is May 20 - June 5.
25—Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL

June
5—Field Day
8—Honors assembly - grades 3-5 @ 9:00 AM
8—Honors assembly - grades K-2 @ 1:00 PM
9—5th grade graduation
10—5th grade picnic
12—11:00 AM dismissal - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

What is Spring Fling?
The RES PTA sponsors a spring carnival-like event each May.  Spring Fling is set up on the black top and surrounding areas.  Games and bouncies are worked by volunteer teachers and parents.  Each class/grade level is assigned a game or bouncy to run during the event.  Food is also sold - including hotdogs, hamburgers, chips, drinks, and snow cones. 

How can you get tickets?
Tickets are presold.  Look for the gold note that went home last week.  Tickets are also sold at the entrance table.
*Hot dog dinner (includes hot dog, chips, drink & dessert) - $3 each
*Hamburger dinner (includes hamburger, chips, drink & dessert) - $4 each
*Family pack (includes 4 hamburger or hot dog dinners) - $15 each
*Game ticket books (10 tickets/book) - $5 each
**Please make all checks payable to RES.**

When is Spring Fling?
Friday, May 8th from 5:00 to 8:00 PM

What can you do?
Talk about this event with RES friends and families. 

We need volunteers!  Speak with your child’s teacher to sign up for a shift at a game, cash/food ticket table, prize table, bouncy, ticket table, or snow cone table.  You can also help set up after school on Friday, May 9 or make posters to advertise this event.

When can you sign up to volunteer?
See your child’s teacher or stop by RES for more information.