Calendar



***Please note:  Given the current uncertainty regarding COVID-19, all dates are tentative in the newsletter.  Please check on events closer to the date with the organizers.***

Oct 15
Back to School Night

ROOSEVELT ROUNDUP
RIS YEARBOOK - Important Updates 
New Picture Request!

This is an interesting year to say the least so over here at RIS the yearbook staff is going to roll with it! Something that we have never done before, but seems relevant now, is pictures of your RIS children with their PETS!! The teachers have all been commenting on how many adorable pets we have been able to "meet" over our virtual class sessions, so we figured, let's put it in the yearbook! Please use the link below to share with us for our yearbook spread, pictures of your RIS children with their beloved pets. All pets are welcome!
 
Please tell your friends and use the link below so we can have a great book for the kids this year!
 
Thank You - Your Yearbook Advisors

https://images.jostens.com/415467990
Welcome Back from the RIS PTO

Dear Parents and Guardians,

An early welcome back during these uncertain and very different times.  
This year the RIS PTSO is moving to a new platform for the directory, fundraisers and collecting dues - Membership Toolkit.  We want to make sure that you have access to Membership Toolkit and that you are staying informed of our activities and sales. Roosevelt School Masks sales continue. We flew through inventory and are ordering more.  Masks will be available for pick up soon.  More information to come.  Please take a few moments to activate your account by clicking the link and following the instructions listed below.  

Once you are logged in you will have access to the mask sale.  The masks are made by sport-stitch and are 3 ply cotton with adjustable ear straps. You will also be able to pay your dues and access the directory.  Dues are an important part of the PTSO here at RIS. This year Roosevelt will be using the dues towards teacher appreciation gifts (in lieu of luncheons), support staff appreciation gifts and teacher wish lists. Later int he year, we will be asking for your help by contributing to our direct appeal. With these funds, we will continue to keep up the landscaping around the building and buy new picnic tables. It is still unclear what our schools and students will need most during this coming year, but the PTSO is here to help support the students and the staff.  Please help us support Roosevelt School.

Thank you!
Roosevelt PTSO

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How to Activate Your Membership Toolkit Account
  1. Click https://rooseveltptso.membershiptoolkit.com and then click "Create Account".
  1. Complete the "Create Account" form.
Important:  Use the same email that you use to logon to Genesis (the address that this email was sent to).  Do not use a different email.  You will be able to change your email or add additional emails to your account once it is activated. 
  1. Once completed you will receive an email from Membership Toolkit.  Click the link in the email message to verify your email address and complete the process.
  2. Be sure to download the Membership Toolkit App on your mobile device so you always have your directory with you! App Store OR Google Play.  
ININ THE DISTRICT
Parent Teacher Council (PTC) General Meeting  - September 23 at 10:15am
The first PTC General Meeting of the year will be Wednesday, September 23 at 10:15am.  This meeting is open to the public.  If you would like to attend please email  ptc@westfieldnjk12.org.  A meeting link and agenda will be sent to you on Tuesday, September 22.
 
What is the PTC?  The PTC is an umbrella organization that oversees the activities of all Westfield school's Parent Teacher Organizations (PTOs). Goals of the PTC include maintaining open lines of communication between the Board of Education, administration, PTOs and community;  providing a forum for coordinated efforts and sharing amongst the PTOs;  working together to promote the best advantage for Westfield students.
 
PTC meetings typically include the following topics:
  • Update from Dr. Dolan
  • Update from the PTC BOE representative
  • Brief update from PTC committees
    • Allergy Awareness
    • BRAKES (Bikers, Runners and Kids are entitled to Safety)
    • Celebration and Recognition Committee
    • Gifted Education
    • Legislative
    • Municipal Alliance
    • PTC Scholarship
    • SNAC
    • Special Education
  • District wide upcoming dates to remember
Odyssey of the Mind Information Session - September 30th

Odyssey of the Mind Information Session
Wednesday, September 30 at 7 PM
Zoom Meeting

What is Odyssey of the Mind:
Odyssey of the Mind is an international creative problem solving competition for students.  Teams of 5 to 7 students collaborate together over 4-5 months to solve a predefined long-term problem and present their solution at a competition.  They must also participate in a spontaneous portion of the competition by generating solutions to a problem they have not seen before.  Participants use knowledge of STEAM fields, independent thought, time and budget management, imagination, and public presentation abilities.  In recent years many Westfield teams advanced to World Finals and some have placed in the top 10. 

Who Should Attend the Information Session:
Parents, elementary school students, middle school students, high school students, or anyone interested in learning more about Odyssey of the Mind including
  • understanding what it means to be part of an Odyssey team
  • understanding schedule and time commitments
  • understanding how the program might work in-person or virtual
If you would like to participate in the Zoom Virtual Meeting please email donnakenneykeith@gmail.com for the meeting link.
PTC Meet the Candidates Night - October 8th

Meet the candidates running for the Westfield Board of Education as the Parent Teacher Council (PTC) holds a virtual Candidates Night on Thursday, October 8 from 7:30-9:30 p.m. A link to the virtual forum will be shared with the community in early October. The evening will be moderated, with candidates asked a variety of questions to be gathered from the public prior to the forum. Questions may be submitted to ptc@westfieldnjk12.org by October 6. More information on the virtual forum and the candidates can be found under the Board tab on the district website.
ININ THE COMMUNITY
The Westfield Mental Health Council has created a website with important resources that may help families navigate their child's return to school.  The website, which includes COVID-related information, can be accessed at www.westfieldnj.gov/mentalhealthcouncil.  A link to the Westfield Mental Health Council website also is posted on the district's School Reopening/COVID-19 Information page at www.westfieldnjk12.org.
Thank you to the Westfield Education Fund for its support of an important new educational initiative on racial literacy.  The initiative will provide books and other materials to help teachers improve discussions of race in their classrooms.  The funding provided by the Ed Fund also will allow for professional development for teachers, including a November visit by historian David Schwartz of New York University's "Facing History" program, who will also provide forums for the community.  Thank you also to K-12 Supervisor of Social Studies Andrea Brennan and Dr. Tiffany Jacobson, then K-12 Supervisor of English Languages Arts, who researched and presented the proposal to expand and deepen the district's commitment to racial literacy.
ABOUT SHOUT
Editor: Josephine Stack
Please email articles to RISSHOUT@westfieldnjk12.org