Dear RCSD Community,
Last week I received a call from a local newspaper reporter asking me about the lack of snow days this winter. I explained that it was far too early to be talking about the lack of snow days as there have been many years when March and April brought snow to our region. And just like that, our first snow day of the year came to be on Tuesday! I will be the first to admit that the timing - one day after returning from break - was not ideal, but I heard the kids (both big and small) enjoyed themselves greatly. Last school year’s single, sad snow day was actually an ice storm, presenting zero opportunity to get outside in the white stuff. While Tuesday’s snow was on the heavy side for sledding, I understand it was ideal for snowman (or woman) construction. See testimonial photos at bottom, courtesy of two Milton and Osborn families!
As a result of the snow day, we will now have school on Tuesday, May 30. There are two additional snow/emergency days remaining: May 26 and April 10. Should we have another weather or emergency event, the next day we would “take back” would be May 26, followed by April 10 should there be a third snow/emergency day. Fingers crossed that March will be more like a lamb than a lion!
Celebrating Reading in the RCSD
World Read Aloud Day is traditionally celebrated on the first Wednesday of February and the anniversary of Dr. Seuss's Birthday (March 2) is National Read Across America Day. No matter what the occasion, RCSD elementary schools celebrated the lifelong joy of reading this month. On February 1, Osborn School marked World Read Aloud Day, with teachers, administrators, older RCSD students, Rye Police officers, and even school mascot Ozzie the Bear visiting classrooms to read a special book. Midland School promotes reading annually with the Great Midland Read Aloud, held on February 27 this year. Students return to their classrooms from the previous year to enjoy a book read by their former teachers along with their erstwhile classmates. Milton School students had special dress-up days related to reading all this past week and participated in National Read Across America Day on Thursday, also visiting their classrooms from the year prior.
School Board Service Informational Meeting
If you’ve ever been even the teensiest bit curious about what school board service entails, we cordially invite you to attend our annual Board of Education Service Interest meeting coming up this Tuesday, March 7, at 6:30 p.m. in the Middle School Multipurpose Room, immediately prior to our regular Board of Education meeting. It’s an informal session where Board members will talk about the work of the Board, the process of running for the Board, and what it’s like to be a Board member, from time commitments to committee responsibilities. We promise that we will not forcibly draft attendees into running for the Board, but if you might want to dip your toe in the water, now or sometime in the future, please come join us to learn more!
This Weekend Only: Footloose The Musical
This weekend the RHS Parsons Street Players are set to perform Footloose The Musical in three performances: one on Friday, March 3rd, at 7:00 p.m. and two on Saturday, March 4th, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the RHS Performing Arts Center. It’s sure to make you want to get up and dance (note: I will be at the 2:00 p.m. show and will spare everyone the sight of me dancing)! Please be aware that the show does contain some mature themes and may not be appropriate for the youngest children. A link to the show flyer is here. Tickets are available at the door. To the cast and crew, break a leg!
Sincerely,
Eric Byrne, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
