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District

Principal's Weekly Newsletter - November 17th

Posted Date: 11/17/25 (07:21 AM)


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R.K. Finn Ryan Road Elementary School

Principal's Weekly Update

November 17, 2025
school

This Week's Highlights

Health Screenings this week

Nurse Karen will screen vision for K through 5th grade students, hearing for K through 3rd graders, and perform postural screening (back checks) on 5th graders only. Students in grades 1st and 4th will also have their heights and weights checked. Students that wear glasses will need to have them available during this time period.  

You also have the ability to opt your child out of these screenings. Put your request to opt-out in writing and send it to Karen Schiaffo via email. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact her. 
 

Math in Mrs. Sidoti's Room

Second graders working on explaining their thinking in math!
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math
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First Graders Magnificent Things

In Mrs. Ramsdens first grade they used initiative, perseverance and collaboration to build a magnificent thing for their classroom.
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Supporting our Community

How You Can Access or Offer Support?
This resource list (English Spanishis a tool for the entire community. You can use it to:
  • Access food assistance: Find local pantries, programs, and opportunities for your family.
  • Offer help: Discover ways to donate food, time, or funds to help feed others in need. 

Important Dates this Week

Wed 11/19- ½ day - early dismissal- Caregiver Conferences

Upcoming Dates


NOVEMBER
Wed 11/26- ½ day - early dismissal- Caregiver Conferences
Thur 11/27 - NO SCHOOL - November break
Fri 11/28- NO SCHOOL - November break

DECEMBER
Wed 12/3- 1/2 Day- TWD
Wed 12/10- ½ day - early dismissal- Caregiver Conferences
Wed 12/17- ½ day - early dismissal- Caregiver Conferences
Wed 12/24 through Fri 01/02 - December Break

The Pulse Point

Quick health updates or reminders from Nurse Karen

Dear Caregiver:

RKF/Ryan Road Elementary School will be conducting mandatory annual health screenings during the week of November 17-21. We will screen vision for K through 5th grade students, hearing for K through 3rd graders, and perform postural screening (back checks) on 5th graders only. Students in grades 1st and 4th will also have their heights and weights checked. Students that wear glasses will need to have them available during this time period.  

Scoliosis screening attempts to find early signs of possible spinal problems. It is not a diagnostic exam, but a way to identify students who may need further evaluation. The postural screening involves checking the backs of 5th graders using privacy screens and hospital gowns. 

If your child has any unusual findings, you will be contacted by mail describing the results, explaining the need for follow-up with your child’s health care provider. Otherwise, you won’t be notified of screenings that fall within normal limits. If your child has had a physical within the last 6 months, and the provider has documented these exams, your student can be removed from the screening list. Please send me a copy of your child’s most recent physical, either by email or hard copy.

You also have the ability to opt your child out of these screenings. Put your request to opt-out in writing and send it to me via email. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Thank you,
Karen Schiaffo, RN
RKF/RR School Nurse
Phone: 413-587-1557
Fax:  413-587-1563

Just a Friendly Reminder

Inclement Weather


Steps the district takes for calling a snow day;
  1. Day before inclement weather -- DPW, Transportation Director and Superintendent put on their meteorologist hats and review weather reports to see if the decision can be made the day before. If no clear cut decision is made, go to step 2.
  2. Beginning at 4:00AM the day of inclement weather--DPW, Transportation Director and Superintendent have a conference call to discuss the current weather. At that time, a decision is made based upon safety, road conditions and timing of the poor weather conditions.
  3. Notifications of the decision is sent out to families via ParentSquare and posted on the weather channels 22 and 40 by 5:30AM. Notification will also be posted on the districts website (www.northaptonschools.org).

Important times to remember:
Delays are for two (2) hours, schools will begin at the following time:
  • Elementary at 10:00 AM

During delays, bus pick up will be two (2) hours after original time (i.e., bus picks up at 7:30 AM; for delay, bus will pick up at 9:30 AM).

Early Dismissal times:
Elementary Dismissal at 11:30 AM
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Update on Our 2024-2025 Caregiver Survey and A Look Ahead

Dear Ryan Road School Families,

Thank you to everyone who took the time to share your feedback in our 2024-2025 Caregiver Survey. The responses provided clear, consistent, and invaluable insights into what we are doing well and where we have opportunities to grow. It is important to note that while we only received a handful of responses, the insights shared are clear and actionable. We are treating these results as initial observations that help point us in the right direction, and we will be looking for more ways to gather your input throughout the year. 

Celebrating Our Strengths
We were truly heartened by the positive feedback, which affirms that the Ryan Road community is strong and welcoming.
  • Strong Welcoming Environment: Nearly all respondents stated they felt welcomed and connected to the school community. This is a direct reflection of our amazing staff and teachers who are consistently praised for being warm, kind, and proactive in their positive connection with you and your children
  • High-Quality Caregiver-Teacher Conferences: Our conferences received overwhelmingly positive ratings. We are proud that you felt teachers were well-prepared and demonstrated an individualized knowledge of each student, ensuring you received "good information about our student's learning.
  • Effective Communication Tools: Our use of ParentSquare and weekly teacher newsletters is working well for most families.

Key Areas for Growth: Refining Communication
The primary focus of your feedback, and therefore our work moving forward, centers on refining the volume, consistency, and specificity of our school-to-home communication.
  • We heard clearly that during times like unscheduled closures, the sheer volume of communication can be overwhelming.
  • We heard a desire for more proactive communication about your child's individual social and emotional well-being.
  • While general updates are appreciated, some families requested more specific information about daily or weekly learning to better support their child at home.

Your partnership is essential to making Ryan Road a vibrant and supportive environment for every child and family. Our annual Caregiver survey will come mid-year and we look forward to hearing about your family's experience with our school.
 

Youth Enrichment Program

We are working on this - and hope to have it out to families ASAP!

We apologize for the delay, but it was difficult finding individuals to teach classes.

Thank you for your patience!


 
2025 Welcome Back Letter
Carta de bienvenida de 2025
 

Logistics of RKFRR

Important Information

RKFRR FAMILY RESOURCE GUIDE
GUÍA DE RECURSOS FAMILIARES
Student Support Team (SST) FAQ
 
  • Our building is a scent free school - please make sure that anytime you're visiting that you refrain from wearing perfume/ cologne or strongly scented body products (for example, hair shampoo/conditioner, hair gel/spray, body wash, deodorant, and lotions).

  • Supervision will begin at 7:40 AM on the playground - please do not drop your child off prior to that time.

  • School Hours: 8 AM - 2:10 PM
scent free
 
no dogs

Dogs on Campus

Please refrain from bringing your dog on school grounds.
Thank you for your assistance in advance.
 
parentsquare logo

Absence Communication

This year we will be using parent square to contact families if your child is absent and we haven't heard from you.

Messages will be going out around 10 every morning.

It is a new process for us, so we appreciate your patience in advance!
 

Main Office

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Administrative Assistant: Vanessa Keillor
vkeillor@northampton-k12.us
587-1560

 

PTO CORNER

Liam Hurley - Scott Lodzieski - Emily Beaudry - April Igneri - Kelsy Sinelnikov

SIGN UP HERE - to volunteer
 
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Sign Up for PTO Newsletter
PTO Website
 

FSE & ELE

Family Student Engagement & English Learner Education

FSE & ELE Update
Actualización en español
 

District Information

Freshampton - School Lunch Menus
 
NPS Calendars
NPS calendar
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In Closing

As always, we hope that all families and caregivers feel welcomed, comfortable and valued at our school. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns.

Rebecca LeBeau, Principal
RK Finn Ryan Road Elementary School

Email: relebeau@northampton-k12.us
Location: 498 Ryan Road, Florence, MA 01062
Phone: 413-587-1550
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