Roosevelt SHOUT! 
August 28, 2018
CALENDAR
Sept 4
6th Grade Orientation - 3:00-4:00 pm RIS Gymnasium
6th Grade Parent Welcome - 3:00-4:00 pm RIS Auditorium
Sept 5
First Day of School
Sept 6
Back to School Night - 7:00 pm RIS
Sept 10-11
NO SCHOOL - Rosh Hashanah
Sept 14
PTSO Parent Coffee - 9:00 am RIS Cafeteria
LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL
At Roosevelt, we have been busy preparing for another school year! The custodians and staff have been working hard all summer to get our buildings and grounds ready for students on September 5 th . This September, we are excited to welcome new staff members in the Social Studies, Language Arts, Science and Special Education Departments. This additional staff will reduce class sizes in the academic courses.

As we continue to focus on school safety and security, we have made some improvements in procedures, programs and added personnel. In cooperation with the Westfield Police Department, I am happy to share that Officer Kristopher Jackus will be assigned to Roosevelt School as our School Resource Officer (SRO). In addition to security, he will be a resource for the entire school community through providing educational programs and activities to increase knowledge of and respect for law enforcement. We have modified the procedures for building access for visitors and people dropping off items to students. Decreased access to the main office is effective in increasing overall security. Finally, as security is closely linked with mental health issues, our Social and Emotional Learning initiative will focus on supporting all students and connecting them to the school community.
   
Last week, you should have received my welcome letter, which contains important dates and links to information to have a smooth start to the school year. It is also available here and on our website.

I hope that you and your families have enjoyed the summer and I am looking forward to another great year working with the Roosevelt Intermediate School community.  

Mary Asfendis
ROOSEVELT ROUNDUP
Volunteer with the PTSO
Do you want to get involved or learn more about RIS? Consider helping out on one of the many PTSO committees. We have many opportunities to be involved that require little commitment and /or can be done at night or from home.

We are especially looking for parents to volunteer for:
  • Parent Welcome Coffee Coordinator
  • Box Tops Collections Coordinator
  • Staff Appreciation Brunch Coordinator
  • Done in a Day Committee Members
  • SHOUT newsletter Editors

Please log onto your  PTOBAY  account and click on the committees tab to see a list of volunteer opportunities.
Pay PTSO Dues to Receive Student Directory
Your $25 annual dues payment helps support cultural arts assemblies, school dances and parties, Roosevelt Award recognition, staff appreciation events, student directories, teacher mini-grants, and club gifts. Because of rising printing costs and the PTSO's increased support to the school, student directories will only be provided to families that are members of the PTSO.

Please log onto your  PTOBAY  account to pay your dues by September 20.
RIS Annual Fundraising Appeal
At the start of each school year, the PTSO asks families to consider making a single donation for the school year to our Direct Appeal Campaign. No other major fundraisers are held during the course of the school year. 

Enhancements that your donations will help fund this year include:
  • Upgrades to science classrooms, including storage and more flexible work spaces
  • Additions to the new makerspace in the media center, including laptops and iPads for coding and robotics
Please log onto your  PTOBAY  account to make a donation by September 20.

On behalf of our students, thank you for your generosity!

The RIS Parent-Teacher-Student Organization is a registered 501(c) 3 charity; donations are tax deductible as allowed by law (tax exempt #900-910-975). Questions regarding the deductibility of your donation should be addressed to your tax advisor.
6th Grade Orientation
The RIS Student Council (SC) invites our incoming sixth grade students to our 6 th  grade orientation. This orientation will consist of ice breaker activities, games, and a brief tour of the students' homerooms. 

When: Tuesday, September 4, 3:00 - 4:00pm
Where: RIS Gymnasium

Click here for the Student Council's "6th Grader's Survival Guide" which includes a list of suggested school supplies.
6th Grade Parent Welcome
Mark your calendar to attend our New Parent Welcome in the RIS Auditorium while your 6th grader is at the RIS orientation on September 4th at 3 pm.

Click here to read the PTSO "Recommendations for a Smooth Transition to Middle School".
RIS Spirit Wear
Show your school spirit with RIS car magnets, reusable water bottles, and drawstring bags! Order items on PTOBAY or purchase at 6th grade orientation and back to school night.
AROUND THE DISTRICT
Used Backpack and Reusable Lunch Bag Collection
The Westfield Green Team, WHS Green Team and Tamaques Service Learning Team  will be collecting used Backpacks and Reusable Lunch Bags to donate to Bernice’s Place Children’s Program on the first day of the school, Wednesday, September 5, 2018,  ONLY . Clearly labeled boxes will be placed in front entrances of Tamaques School, Roosevelt Middle School, and Westfield High School to deposit bags. More information can be  found here .
IN THE COMMUNITY
As part of the Westfield Public School District’s new website, you’ll find a  Community Flyers  section under the  Family Resources  tab. Here you will find information about upcoming events sponsored by non-profit organizations in Westfield. We’ll also continue to alert you to these events in our newsletter and encourage you to click on the link provided for specific details.
Imagine, a Center for Coping with Loss will be offering a  Facebook Live talk  entitled "Packing Your Child's Backpack: Coping Skills for the Year Ahead" on Thursday, September 6th at 1pm. 
As part of the Westfield Historical Society’s  First Wednesday Luncheon series , Professor John Rossi will be speaking on the topic of Cuba: Magical, Vibrant & Passionate  on September 5, 2018. The event will begin with check-in at 11:45 am at the Echo Lake Country Club, located at 515 Springfield Avenue, Westfield.
Mark your calendar for these upcoming events, sponsored by the Friends of the Westfield Memorial Library.
The Westfield Historical Society will hold its  10 th  Annual Apple Fest , on Saturday September 29 from noon - 4pm on the grounds of the Reeve History & Cultural Resource Center at 314 Mountain Avenue is Westfield.
Since 1991, the Education Fund of Westfield has funded programs to support educational excellence and innovation in our schools. Please click  here  to read more about the Ed Fund and to consider making a tax-deductible donation.
ABOUT SHOUT
Editors: Stacey Shepherd/Suzann Duncan
Please email articles to  RISSHOUT@westfieldnjk12.org