June Principal Newsletter
June Principal Newsletter
Dear RBS Family,
As the 2017 – 2018 academic year draws to a close, I want to express to all of you my deepest appreciation for your support and a most earnest commendation for a job well done. From time to time I tell people that the RBS is the best public elementary school in West Harlem. I realize that’s a bit arrogant. Still, it is true that the RBS have had a succession of outstanding years, allowing us as professionals to concentrate on our kids and their educational program. As a school community, we have not suffered as other schools with the negative effects of declining student enrollment or internal distractions that often shift attention away from student achievement. Nor have we experienced the difficulties that others regularly encounter when changing their programs or curriculum.
I know that we are not a perfect school, that up close there is much that can be improved. Still, I am continually impressed with the community-wide respect that we are afforded as educators. Parents/caregivers support and encourage us, and the kids, by and large, come to school daily, ready and eager to learn. In truth, our jobs are made easier by the absence of distractions and the respect the West Harlem community holds for its kids and for learning in general.
I also tell others that the RBS enjoys effective operations because the educators, administration, and support staff have collectively agreed to roll up their sleeves and go about their work in a serious and professional manner. As a result, the majority of kids are challenged across a broad spectrum of classes and well-planned extra curricular activities. This is made possible because of the staff’s collective work ethic and belief that our students are capable—physically, emotionally, and intellectually—of achievement levels much higher than might be expected elsewhere. As a school we promote, choice, interest, play and social-emotional development and we push our kids academically, we expect them to demonstrate pro-social behaviors, and we are willing to invest in ourselves in helping them to understand everything from the beginning sounds of words to the complexities of human rights.
As another outstanding year of teaching and learning comes to a close, I take this opportunity to thank the custodial team, school safety agents, food service staff, school aides, paraprofessionals, teachers, school psychologist, school social worker, guidance counselor, community base partners, volunteers, BMCC/Kellogg Grant Faculty for your good efforts and hard work. We make a difference in the lives of our kids and through them I believe we are making the world incrementally a better place for everyone.
Enjoy the summer respite. Relax, read a good book, and enjoy your time with friends, family and loved one. The RBS will be open for summer school starting July 5 – August 10 and you are encouraged to stop by and say hello!
Have a great summer,Reggie
June Events
June 1, 2018 Field Day at Randall’s Island
June 4, 2018 New York State Science Exam for 4th Grade
June 5, 2018 Final School Leadership Team Meeting
June 6, 2018 District 5 Spelling Bee
June 7, 2018 NO SCHOOL for KIDS
June 8, 2018 Boys and Girls Club End of Year Performances
June 9, 2018 PS 125 Spring Festival
June 11, 2018 NO SCHOOL for KIDS
June 12, 2018 PK/K Orientation in the RBS Auditorium (5:30pm)
June 13, 2018 Father’s Day Breakfast
June 14, 2018 Kindergarten Stepping-up Ceremonies
June 14, 2018 LAST DAY for Boys and Girls Club of Harlem
June 15, 2018 NO SCHOOL
June 18, 2018 Final PA General Meeting
June 21, 2018 Fifth Grade Promotional Ceremony (9:30am)
June 21, 2018 Fifth Grade Promotional Dance (12pm – 2:20pm)
June 22, 2018 Fifth Grade Senior Trip to Dave and Busters (10am)
June 22, 2018 PK Stepping Up Ceremonies
107 (9am)
103 (9:30am)
112 (10am)
June 26, 2018 LAST DAY of SCHOOL
Kids are dismissed at 11:30am