eRPDS - October Newsletter

-eRPDS October 2023

"The average American teen will spend 30 years of their lives behind screens."

Larissa May-

Head of School's Reflection

Dear Redeemer Family,

I recently came across a feature on the Today Show regarding the impacts that social media, smartphones, and screen time have on children and teens. I was struck from the beginning by a quote from Larissa May, educator and founder of the nonprofit, #halfthestory.

“The average American teen will spend 30 years of their lives behind screens.”

For many, this means more than a third of lives will be spent scrolling, liking, staring at a screen, disengaged, and distracted. That is not just shocking, it is outright alarming, a crisis. The feature goes on to describe the impacts this has on children’s mental and physical health. As a community who cares deeply about children, I encourage you to watch it and to learn more.

The silver lining is that we can change the course of this path. As parents and educators, we have the responsibility to stop this, and the time is now. We owe it to our children. Together we can move mountains!

Best regards,

Mary

Click here: The Impacts of Screen Time on Kids: What’s at Stake

OFFICE NOTES

BLAZING A TRAIL!

Redeemer is proud to be Baltimore's only full early learning experience, serving students ages 2 through 3rd grade. Click here to learn more about our model!

Admissions at Redeemer

We began accepting applications for NEW students October 1. Our families are our best admissions ambassadors. We appreciate you spreading the word about our unique model and program. Please consider forwarding this communication to families who might be interested in learning more about Redeemer.

Re-enrollment for 2024-2025 Program Year

To reserve a spot for your child for next year, please complete a re-enrollment form, which can be completed online via the parent portal on our website. The form must be completed by December 1, 2023. Students currently enrolled in the Day School have admission priority until then. After that date, we cannot guarantee your child a spot without a re-enrollment form. Please note that this is not a formal contract, and no money is due at this time.

Contracts will be mailed the second week in January. A non-refundable enrollment fee will be due with a signed contract in mid-February. Please note that the signed contract serves as a formal commitment to our program.

Redeemer is pleased to partner with Clarity, a financial aid platform, to process financial aid applications. More information will be forthcoming in the weeks ahead.

If for any reason your child will not be returning to the Day School next year, please notify the office. Feel free to contact us should you have any questions regarding the application or re-enrollment process as well as any questions you may have regarding our program offerings.

Parent Teacher Conferences

Parent teacher conferences will be held on Friday, November 10 for the 5/3s, pre-k, kindergarten, 1st, 2nd & 3rd grade classes. Those students will not be in school on November 10. Please note that the 3/2s & 3/3s will be in school, but there will be no extended day programs due to a faculty meeting. Child care will be provided during conference times only. Sign up Geniuses were emailed yesterday to register for conference slots. Please make every effort to attend the conference in person. We value the dialogue and consider the conferences an important part of our students' educational journey. We appreciate the partnership of our parents!

Seasonal Change Reminders

With the changing weather and fluctuating temperatures throughout the day, please be sure your child's cubby is stocked with a seasonal change of clothes and that they are dressed in layers. Also please be reminded that our health policy states that children with fevers and/or vomiting/diarrhea must be free of those symptoms 24 hours prior to their return to school.

November & Upcoming Events

Tuesday, October 31: Halloween Parade @ 9:15 AM

The parade will start at the Gaga Pit. Parents should line up on the field, leaving the carpool lane open for the parade.

Tuesday, October 31: 11:45 Dismissal

Faculty Professional Development

Wednesday, November 1: 3rd Grade Soccer Game @ 3:15

School of the Cathedral Turf Field

Thursday, November 2: Kindergarten Sneak Peek @ 9:15

For Pre-k Parents

Friday, November 10: Parent Teacher Conferences

5/3s, Pre-k, Kindergarten, Pre-first, 1st, 2nd & 3rd Grade Classes

3/2s & 3/3s will be in session.

Friday, November 10: 11:45 Dismissal

Faculty Meeting

No Lunch Bunch or RED

Tuesday, November 14: 1st & 2nd Grades Soccer Game @ 3:15

School of the Cathedral Turf Field

Wednesday, November 15: 2nd Grade Family Style Lunch @ 11:45-12:30

With 2nd Grade Parents

Tuesday, November 21: Thanksgiving Service @ 9:15 AM

Includes all classes & followed by a short all-school reception

Thanksgiving break begins after the service

Wednesday, November 22-24: Thanksgiving Break

School resumes Monday, November 27.

Click here to access our school calendar.

SPORTS UPDATE

By: Joaquin H, Will S & Jack Z (3rd Grade)

~"I felt in the Zone." Henry Z.~

October 19 marked a historic day when the Redeemer Racers took to the field for the first time in school history. All star, Henry Z, from the 1st & 2nd grade team scored a crazy goal versus Catholic School Cathedral. The score of the game was better than expected. The game ended 3-1, Cathedral.

~"I knew I could get better." Lizzie D~

All star goalie, Gabriel C. stopped about seven shots. Quite unlucky, Cathedral managed to score two goals on him. Lizzie D also saved a lot goals. Said by herself, "I knew I could get better. I felt scared on the field." We said, "It happens to everyone."

Congrats to the Racers on a successful start!

Click here to watch our October Student Video

Happy Place

Monthly PDS Values

Be a Redeemer Kid through...

Trustworthiness

Sharing

Gratitude

Cures for Tattling

A Fly on the wall...

What's happening in the classrooms?

First Grade with Mrs. Burkett

First grade has been busy “traveling” around North America this fall! Our early geography skills have included a study of the continents, maps, and atlases. We have learned about wildlife, weather, and people in Canada. We collected maple leaves and created a Canadian flag. We also enjoyed constructing “Inukshuks” out of Legos, blocks, and small rocks. Inukshuks are Inuit rock sculptures shaped like humans, which were once used to signify directions, food supplies, and peace. Recently, we headed south to learn more about Mexico and The Day of the Dead celebrations. We are working to create some beautiful calaveras (or skulls) to decorate for this festive holiday. Earlier in October, we enjoyed a picnic lunch with our parents during “Feast with First!” We made fresh salads from the garden with Mrs. Knott, and surprised our guests with a delicious, healthy side dish! In Language Arts, we are making good progress with our phonics skills, reading and writing. We have launched Writing Workshop with new journals and are learning how to write detailed sentences about our personal “news” (a precursor to personal narratives.) In Math, we have been playing a variety of games to build fluency for combinations of 10. We are also learning how to show our mathematical thinking while working in our math notebooks. We especially loved our field trip to First Fruits Farm with our friends in second and third grade. At the farm, we helped harvest 35,000 lbs. of potatoes for those who are hungry or in need. It was a wonderful experience, and at the end of the day, our bodies were tired, but our hearts were full!

Find out what's happening in all our classes.

CLICK HERE!

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

October continues to find us busy! Our 2s classes hosted their parents for Popsicles on the Playground. They loved sharing their playground and new friends with parents! The kindergarten and pre-first classes hosted friends from Good Shepherd and St. David's for our annual Episcopal Schools Service. The celebration was followed by snack and time together exploring the Redeemer playground. Early this month, our student body took very good care of our duck eggs, and we were thrilled to watch them hatch into fun and furry ducklings! First graders hosted their families for a picnic style lunch, Feast with First!, complete with salads they made from the PDS gardens. Our elementary division, 1st through 3rd grades, took a field trip to First Fruits Farm where the harvested 35,000 pounds of potatoes and enjoyed a picnic lunch in the Sensory Garden. The 1st & 2nd Grade Redeemer Racers Soccer team played the first game in school history. Congratulations to Henry Z for scoring the first goal in school history! GOOOOO Racers!!! Our Big Buddy Program matches our older and younger classes for activities and gatherings. The Pre-first and 2s are weekly Wednesday chapel buddies, and this month, our 3s classes were very excited to take their first trip to 1st Grade while the pre-k and 2nd grade had a puzzle playday! We also loved having Pre-first's Team Marvel visit the school to remind us of the importance of the Redeemer Rules: Be Kind! Be Safe! Have fun! It is such a great opportunity to learn from one another and demonstrate leadership. Mrs. Knott, Mr. Sheckells, and the 2nd grade cooked and shared a family style lunch using the church kitchen and harvest from the garden. October would not be complete without our wonderful Fall Family Festival. The weather was perfect for a day of smiles, community, and lots of fun. Thank you to event chair, Amy Rivlin, the PC Co-chairs, the PDS teachers, and many parent & student volunteers for helping to make the day a success!

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