November 2024 Newsletter 🌾🍂

Parent Volunteer Newsletter

November 2024

Academic Calendar

Dining Hall Menu

Special Message:

The Kapplers are so deeply touched by the outpouring of love and support they have received since Libby's breast cancer diagnosis.

As they navigate treatment, they are using CookUnity, a meal delivery service that offers a wide variety of options to ensure they have access to nourishing and enjoyable meals. (This also helps take some of the pressure off the issue we all face, “What should we have for dinner?”)

If you want to contribute, you can donate CookUnity gift cards via their website. (Details below) This will allow them to choose meals that best suit their needs at any given time. There is even a place to include a personal note!

Your kindness and generosity mean the world to them. They are so grateful for the incredible support system they have.

How to donate:

It’s easy! https://www.cookunity.com/gift-cards

Libby’s email is: eskappler@gmail.com

You do not need to have an account to donate, although it says enter “Your account info”. After clicking on “Go to Check”, click “Pay without link” if you don’t have a phone number associated with your email address.

UPCOMING EVENTS

S.M.A.R.T (Social Media And Responsible Technology)

Parent Presentation by Scott Driscoll

Wednesday, November 13 | 6:30 pm

Location: Study Hall

With the constant surge of new information, programs, and apps, the world is a click or text away. But with new advances come new dangers and concerns. Parents need to be aware of the technology their children use and the trouble that can follow if safety rules are not in place.

Most apps can be used in fun, positive ways – but not all programs are appropriate for all ages. This program shows parents the positives and potential pitfalls of today’s most popular programs.

Topics covered range from the following:

Social Networking: Concerns parents should have
Cyberbullying: How to talk to your children about getting involved
Texting and Sexting
Popular/Trending Apps
Picture Sharing
Privacy Settings: Understanding the importance
Digital Footprints: Positive and negative impacts
Apps/programs that help parents monitor their families
Parental controls and available resources

***Babysitting will be available. You can sign your children up below when you R.S.V.P.

R.S.V.P. Here

Pilates w/ Heather

Class Day: Fridays, 8:15-9:15 AM

Class Duration: 60 minutes

Location: Rumsey Hall/Magnoli Gymnasium

Cost: $20/class

Pilates is for EVERYBODY. Join us for morning Pilates where we will be incorporating the basics of Classical Pilates Mat work with an extended repertoire of contemporary Pilates exercises. Focusing on strength, stability, posture, flexibility, and breath. Bring your own mat and props

will be provided.

Heather Szymanski is a fully certified Pilates Instructor who teaches at Mind Body Connection Pilates Studio and Phys-Ed, both located in New Milford CT.

“Pilates is complete coordination of body, mind and spirit.” – Joseph Pilates

PARENT SPEAKER SERIES

Screenagers Next Chapter: Addressing Youth Mental Health in the Digital Age

Parent Screening and Q&A

Thursday, January 16 | 6:30 pm

Location: Maxwell A. Sarofim ’05 Performing Arts Center

UPPER SCHOOL PARENTS

Reminder to Upper School Parents: We've created a WhatsApp platform designed exclusively for the Upper School parent community. This voluntary platform aims to foster a sense of community and engagement among parents by providing a convenient resource for sharing important news, events, and discussions related to the Upper School.

Within the WhatsApp Community, you’ll have the opportunity to create and join specific groups tailored to your interests, whether it’s related to sports, specific classes, or other relevant topics. These groups will facilitate easier communication and provide a space for like-minded parents to connect and collaborate. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with Robin Izadnapah if you have any questions or difficulty joining.

We hope you join us in making this a vibrant space for communication and support!

If you’re interested in joining the RCPA Rumsey Hall Upper School Community on WhatsApp, simply click on the green link below to get started. We look forward to building a thriving community together!

If you'd like to join an individual class, we have taken the liberty to create separate group chats for each class. You can join by clicking the following links...

SCHOOL STORE

The Rumsey Hall School Store is located via a separate entrance below Farmen Hall. We welcome students and parents to shop during open hours.

School Store Hours:

Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 7:30 AM - 11:00 AM & 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Friday: 7:30 AM -11:00 AM & 2:00 PM -3:00 PM

If you have any questions, please email gnewman@rumseyhall.org

Super Scary SnapChat AI and Other AI Chatbot Companions

I try to write things from a calm tone, but today I am pissed and scared. A few weeks ago, I read a report from a wonderful organization called Voicebox, called Coded Companions, about what young people were experiencing when engaging with Snapchat’s built-in AI chatbot, My AI, and another character chatbot called Replika...

A Day In the Life of a Screen-Free Kid

When people hear that my three kids don’t have smartphones, tablets or video games, they can’t help asking, “What do they do all day?” It seems we have forgotten a time before these handheld devices became children’s primary source of entertainment. The notion of a bunch of kids playing screen-free now sounds as outdated as the dodo bird, and yet, these rare creatures do exist. My own brood is living proof.

Good Inside

by Becky Kennedy

Over the past several years, Dr. Becky Kennedy--known to her followers as "Dr. Becky"--has been sparking a parenting revolution. Millions of parents, tired of following advice that either doesn't work or simply doesn't feel good, have embraced Dr. Becky's empowering and effective approach, a model that prioritizes connecting with our kids over correcting them.

Parents have long been sold a model of childrearing that simply doesn't work. From reward charts to time outs, many popular parenting approaches are based on shaping behavior, not raising humans. These techniques don't build the skills kids need for life, or account for their complex emotional needs...

101 ESSAYS that will CHANGE the way YOU THINK

by Brianna Wiest

Over the past few years, Brianna Wiest has gained renown for her deeply moving, philosophical writing. This new compilation of her published work features pieces on why you should pursue purpose over passion, embrace negative thinking, see the wisdom in daily routine, and become aware of the cognitive biases that are creating the way you see your life. Some of these pieces have never been seen; others have been read by millions of people around the world. Regardless, each will leave you thinking: this idea changed my life.

Listen For The Lie

by Amy Tintera

What if you thought you murdered your best friend? And if everyone else thought so too? And what if the truth doesn't matter?

Lucy and Savvy were the golden girls of their small Texas town: pretty, smart, and enviable. Lucy married a dream guy with a big ring and an even bigger new home. Savvy was the social butterfly loved by all and, if you believe the rumors, especially popular with the men in town. But after Lucy is found wandering the streets, covered in her best friend Savvy’s blood, everyone thinks she is a murderer.

It’s been years since that horrible night, a night Lucy can’t remember anything about, and she has since moved to LA and started a new life.

How to Influence Instead of Control

When humans feel high stress and out of control, we tend to exert more control where we can. For parents, it makes sense that our children become frequent objects of our controlling impulses. It’s not that big of a deal to direct our constant mess-makers to pick up their filthy socks in an attempt to add order to the living room floor, but if our children feel controlled most of the time, problems follow.

Positive and Negative Reinforcement Made Easy: Let's Break it Down

Positive and negative reinforcement are common words bandied about in parenting books and on blogs. If you head to Google, you’ll find a slew of articles talking about positive reinforcement as a parenting “hack” for good behavior.

But what is reinforcement, really? And is it the gold standard of parenting prowess that the internet would have you believe?

Click Here for More Photos

2024-2025 RUMSEY CIRCLE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

President

Danielle Young P'22, '23, '26

Vice-President

Becky Alves P'32

Communications Coordinator

Ledlie Pastor '92 P'27, '29

Recording Secretary

Mille Perry P'27

Treasurer

Elizabeth Dayton P'32, '35

Lower School Coordinator

AnaCristina Joseph P'29, '30

Upper School Coordinator

Robin Izadpanah P'26

TEXT MESSAGE NOTIFICATIONS

If you would like to receive text message reminders about upcoming Rumsey Circle events and opportunities, please click on the button below to sign up for our mailing list.

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK!

We invite you to join our private Rumsey Circle Facebook Group to stay connected with fellow parents, get notifications about meetings, upcoming events, and volunteer opportunities!