staff comm logo     

August 16, 2018
In This Issue
Preparing Each Student for a Successful Future

As a reminder, the Staff Communicator will be distributed each Thursday that we are in session, and two summer issues are also distributed. Archived copies can be found on the "Communications Department" web page. 
Week One is Almost Done!
We are almost through the first week of having students back in our buildings! Thanks to each of you for your role in making our students feel welcome and excited for the year ahead. It's been a great start to 2018-19! 

REMINDER: Every Friday is an Early Release
As a reminder, every  Friday throughout the school year K-12 students will be dismissed one hour early for teacher collaboration time. This will not impact EC students. Below are dismissal times for throughout the week at each building level. For more information  on Friday Early Release visit  https://www.republicschools.org/fridayearlyrelease.

ELEMENTARY:
Monday- Thursday: Dismiss at  3:30 p.m.
Friday: Dismiss at  2:30 p.m.

RMS:
Monday- Thursday: Dismiss at  2:40 p.m.
Friday: Dismiss at  1:40 p.m.

RHS:
Monday- Thursday: Dismiss at  2:30 p.m.
Friday: Dismiss at  1:30 p.m.

*Teachers, please remind your families of this!

Car Line Help, Please! 
CLICK Image to Watch Video!
We are asking families for their help! Traffic congestion gets pretty heavy, especially at dismissal times near the elementary buildings. We think one way we can help combat this is by asking families using the car line to arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before dismissal time. As a reminder, once students are dismissed the wait isn't too long at all! From the first student who is picked up to the last student, there is only about a 12 minute difference! Of course, the first few days of school will take a bit longer as more families are picking up, but with some patience we will get the car lines moving smoothly, safely and as fast as possible soon! Check out this video for more! Be sure to share this information with anyone who picks up your student from school. 

**Teachers, please share this in your family communication! 

Training Videos Due Tomorrow, August 17
In July all employees received an email from "Republic R-III" with the subject line "SafeSchools Online Training."

This email houses a link to the required training videos that all employees must watch annually. The username is your district email address.

T he due date to have these completed is Friday, August 17. 

If you did not receive this email, please contact your supervisor directly.
 
Chats with Chance Dates
Below is the schedule of meeting times for " Chats with  Chance." As a reminder, each month Dr. Wistrom will visit a building to host conversations with employees. These meetings are casual opportunities where employees can visit with Dr. Wistrom regarding any topic of their choice. Building libraries will be the location of these meetings with the exception of EC (classroom) and the Transportation Department (meeting room). 

ALL employees are invited to EVERY meeting, if you'd like to attend! Dr. Wistrom looks forward to visiting with many of you through this opportunity! 

CHATS WITH CHANCE SCHEDULE
September 11: Lyon library at 7:30 a.m.
October 2: RHS library at 6:30 a.m.
November 13: McCulloch library at 7:30 a.m.
November 27: Transportation meeting room at 8:30 a.m.
December 4: RMS library at 6:30 a.m.
January 8: Sweeny library at 7:30 a.m.
January 22: Early Childhood classroom at 7:30 a.m.
February 12: RHS library at 6:30 a.m.
March 5: Price library at 7:30 a.m.
April 2: RMS library 6:30 a.m.
May 7: Schofield library 7:30 a.m.

 
Staff Accolade
Our very own Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Matt Pearce has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the American Heart Association, Midwest affiliate, for a two-year term.  The American Heart Association is the world's leading voluntary health organization devoted to fighting cardiovascular disease.

The effects of cardiovascular disease are never far from Dr. Pearce's mind. His 8-year-old daughter, Audrey, was born with a congenital heart defect. Instead of being attached to an aorta, her left coronary was connected to the pulmonary artery. This defect enlarged Audrey's heart and damaged her left ventricle. As a result, she underwent a heart transplant before her first birthday. At the age of seven, Audrey was diagnosed with post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder - a cancer that sometimes occurs due to immunosuppression after an organ transplant. We are so happy to report that Audrey is doing well!

As a member of the Midwest Affiliate Board of Directors, Dr. Pearce will help lead the achievement of the association's mission to be a relentless force for a world of stronger, healthier lives through oversight of local revenue generation and health impact activities. Pearce will help oversee the American Heart Association's efforts in an 11-state region, comprised of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Congratulations to Dr. Pearce on this board appointment! 

Smore Now Available for All Buildings!
Last year the district asked for feedback regarding Smore (e-newsletter distribution tool), and EC and elementary teachers overwhelmingly supported the purchase of a district account. Grade level accounts for each elementary building and EC were created and implemented last fall, and those are still available for use this year. Several secondary teachers have come forward asking for access to Smore. In response we have now added three accounts at RMS (6th, 7th & 8th grades) and three accounts at RHS (1st, 2nd and 3rd floors) to accommodate any secondary teacher who would like to use this e-newsletter service! An account for specials teachers along with extra-curricular activities are available as well. 

An introduction email was sent last fall that included helpful information and directions on how to access Smore accounts.  CLICK HERE for that information. A video tutorial is included, but can also be found in Google Drive. Keep in mind, the video and original information was geared toward EC and elementary teachers, but is pertinent for any Smore user.   
Free Mobile App
Have you downloaded the Republic School District free mobile app? If not, simply search for "Republic School District" in your app store. This free app has been designed to provide our patrons with a quick and easy resource for the most sought after information distributed by the district. 
 
Upon downloading, you will be asked to set-up the app for your personal preferences. During this process you can tap to select the schools for which you'd like to receive information. At any time you can update your preferences in the app's settings. Specifically, the calendar, announcements and notification areas will be customized to your school settings. Keep in mind the notification area will be used very minimally as we will continue to utilize the current text and voice calling system in place.
Phone Manual
As you are aware, new phones were installed throughout the district. CLICK HERE for the new phone manual. 
Bus Rider Expectations
The safe transportation of our students is a top priority for the Republic School District. To ensure that each route and trip provided to our students is safe and pleasant, it is imperative that a safe, clean and controlled environment is present on the bus. In that regard, we ask that all bus riders and guardians review the bus riding expectations listed  HERE  

**Please share with students and families. 
Grandparents' Night
We are excited to continue the tradition of welcoming grandparents and grand-friends into our EC and elementary buildings this fall! Below are the dates and times for these come and go events. All in attendance will have the opportunity to pick-up a free game pass for the RHS home football game against Carl Junction on  Friday, September 7 beginning at  7:00 p.m.  
 
Tuesday, September 4: 
Lyon and Schofield  5:00-6:30 p.m.
EC AM classes  5:00-5:45 p.m.
EC PM classes  5:45-6:30 p.m.
 
Thursday, September 6: 
McCulloch, Price and Sweeny  5:00-6:30 p.m.
All Day Preschool Class 5:00-6:00 p.m. 

**Elementary and EC...Please share this with your families! 

Activity Facility Grand Opening Events
The new activity facility at RHS is completed! Thank you to everyone who was able to join us for the Open House on  August 9 and also those who joined us at the Football Hydration Scrimmage on  August 11! 

Weren't able to attend either? No worries! The first home football game is  August 24. Gates open at  5:00 p.m. and the opening ceremony will take place at approximately  6:25 p.m. prior to game time at  7:00 p.m.Thank you again to our community for their support of this project!
RHS Stadium Event Expectations
Thank you in advance for your help in following the below expectations for Republic High School Stadium. If we work together to adhere to these rules we can ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for all event attendees. 

1. If children are not at the concession stands, restrooms or canopy/vendor area, they need to be seated in the bleachers. Playing, socializing and running in open areas of the stadium will not be permitted. 

2. Adults are welcome to stand next to the railing in the plaza areas on each side of the home bleachers. However, we ask that no one stand along the north end zone fence. 

3. During the game, members of the general public are not allowed on the track.  

4. No outside food/drink, pets, large bags or student re-entry permitted.

Text Opt-In Response
Those who contacted Josey McPhail in response to not receiving the test text that was sent last Friday, your situation is being reviewed and you will be contacted soon. Many of those who contacted her did not receive the text because they had not opted in yet. Please do that using your cell phone, if you have not yet. Simply text Y to code 67587. 
D istrict & Community Events  Find More on Peachjar HERE!




Upcoming Dates
August 23: Board of Education Meeting, 7:00 p.m. at Central Office
August 24: Opening Night at the Republic High School Stadium, Opening ceremony begins at  6:25 p.m., Gates open at  5:00 p.m., Kick-off at  7:00 p.m. 
August 31: RHS End of Progress 1
September 3: District Closed in Observance of Labor Day
September 4: Lyon and Schofield Grandparents' Night  5:00-6:30 p.m.
September 4: EC AM classes Grandparents' Night  5:00-5:45 p.m.
                       EC PM classes Grandparents' Night  5:45-6:30 p.m.
 
September 6: McCulloch, Price and Sweeny Grandparents' Night  5:00-6:30 p.m.
September 6: All Day Preschool Classes Grandparents' Night  5:00-6:00 p.m. 
September 7: RHS Progress 1 Reports Distributed
September 12: K-8 End of Progress 1
September 20: K-8 Progress Reports Distributed
September 20: RHS End of Progress 2
September 20: Board of Education Meeting, 7:00 p.m. at Central Office
September 21: School Improvement Day, No School for Students
September 28: RHS Progress 2 Reports Distributed



**Every Friday during the regular school year students are dismissed one hour early for teacher collaboration time. Visit https://www.republicschools.org/fridayearlyrelease for details.** 

 
For additional dates, please view the website calendar HERE         
For questions or comments please contact josey.mcphail@republicschools.org or call extension 6008.
  
Sincerely,
  
Josey McPhail
Republic School District