Weekly Community Update
NO SCHOOL
Monday, Sept 2nd
K-2nd Grade Trip departs Wednesday, Sept. 11th
Dear RWCS Community,
The 3rd—5th graders return from their adventure into the Rio Grande Gorge today! This is just a reminder that we are still in need of bus chaperones and last-minute fill-ins.
Please help us keep this bus service available to our students! The portable project had another positive milestone: the air conditioning units were fired up after sitting for over 12 years! We are now waiting for the septic permit to be reapproved to continue the Phase II work. I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Labor Day Weekend!
School Calendar Notes
As we move into September, please look at Mondays closely. We have some Mondays off, like Labor Day, but then on September 9th is our first Asynchronous Day, which for students counts as a school day, but they work from home. All students will have assignments for Asynchronous Days (don’t let them tell you otherwise!). Look closely at
the calendar. From Monday through Monday, November 4th, students will have either Asynchronous Days or off days.
ALL Bus Riding Families, Please Read - Blue Bus Service
The RTD, the Blue Bus, is a rural public transportation system for northern New Mexico. RWCS has a working relationship that allows our students to ride this free transportation system publicly. The Blue Bus IS NOT a school bus, and RWCS has NO control over the Bus. RTD Blue Bus sets its policies and procedures. One of the Blue Bus requirements is that RWCS provides a bus chaperone for both the morning and afternoon routes. If no RWCS Bus Chaperone is on the bus, then STUDENTS MAY NOT RIDE THE BUS.
Families will be required to provide transportation for their students to school. No bus service is NOT an excuse for absence from school. The RTD Blus Bus can deny service to any individual or group, so if families want this service to continue, PLEASE make sure your child follows the rules. I did receive a message from the Blue Bus folks. There have been some safety concerns to start the year, which include students standing on seats, moving around when the bus is moving, getting off the bus and running across parking lots without looking for traffic, loud voices or yelling on the bus, and not respecting directives from the chaperones or drivers. Please review the RTD Bus Policies and Student Conduct with your student. Please let the office know if you need a printed copy; we will send one home.
Trip Dates, Paperwork, and Fees
Class trips are a unique RWCS program component tied to our curriculum and charter.
They are designed to work on group dynamics, character building, personal growth, and outdoor skills. Attending the school requires participating in these trips. Besides personal items, RWCS has all the required gear that students can borrow for the trip.
K - 2nd Grade - September 11th - 13th. Fees: $60
All families should have received a trip packet for the fall; if not, please contact your child's classroom teacher. If trip fees are a financial burden, please contact Marina at office.manager@rwcs.org. Parents requesting financial aid must have submitted their Free and Reduced Lunch form.
Bus Chaperones are NEEDED for 24-25 SY!!
We need bus chaperones for the 24-25 school year. The bus will NOT take any students if no adult chaperone is on the bus. Please help keep this free service for our students. We could use help for as much or as little as you can give. You can chaperone on the morning ride to school (7:40 am-10:20 am), the afternoon ride from school (2:00 pm-4:40 pm), or both. It can be a paid position if you can commit to riding regularly. PLEASE contact the school at 575 586-2076 or email Alice Allen at aallen@rwcs.org.
If you can commit to chaperoning, here is the link to sign up for specific days.
Harvest Fest - Saturday, October 19th - Required School Day
RWCS is in the planning stages for its annual Harvest Fest on Saturday, October 19th.
The Harvest Fest is our annual fundraising event, and the proceeds will go to our Class Trip Program. We need community support to help plan and support this event. Andrea Griffin (agriffin.gc@rwcs.org) and Odalys Diaz (odiaz.gc@rwcs.org), both parents and
RWCS Board members, are heading up the organizing committee. If you can help, please contact them for more details.
School Picture Day - Wednesday, October 2nd
Once again, Southern Exposure Photography will be taking our school pictures. As we approach the date, we will send out more information on how to order from them. Southern Exposure will handle all orders online, and you will receive information directly from them.
Governing Council Meetings and Recruiting New Members
The Regular GC Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 20th, at 5:30 pm. ALL G.C. Meeting Agendas with the Google Meet link are posted on the school website 72 hours before the meeting. All are welcome to attend. We seek new board members to help and serve on the RWCS Governance Council. If interested, please contact Jon Orris, Director, at jorris@rwcs.org.
As always, thank you for all your support and for trusting us with your children's education! We are looking forward to a wonderful school year!
Sincerely,
Jon Orris, Director
