IRE Families,
I hope everyone enjoyed the beautiful weekend outdoors before the weather turns wet and cold. I had a wonderful time crabbing and fishing with my boys and father, which helpped me feel renewed and re-energized.
October can be a challenging month as the days get shorter and the temperatures drop. Here are a few questions to consider discussing with your family this week:
  • How can we find joy and create fun family moments during the cold, wet weather?
  • What strategies can we use when we are feeling stress or overwhelmed?
  • What activities do we engage in as a family to renew and re-energize?
  • How do we support one another as a family when we see someone who is having a hard time?
  • Who can we reach out to when we need support?
This month, we focus on various aspects of belonging and safety (October is National Bullying Awareness Month). I encourage you to explore our School Safety resources, which cover both physical safety and emotional safety. This resource also includes an anonymous safety tip line for your convenience. If you have any concerns about bullying specifically, we have a clear policy and protocol to address any concerns that may arise. As always, feel free to reach out if you have questions.
Lastly, this October 4th is a Waiver Day, which means there is no school for students on that day. Staff from across the district will come together to engage in shared learning to improve our instructional practices.
Best,
Tyler Dockins, Principal
Student Devices
Starting on October 1st, teachers will be entering into Skyward whether or not your student brought their charged device (iPad or Chromebook). If your child did not bring their device, or they brought it and it was not charged, you will receive a ParentSquare message asking you to support them in bringing their charged device the next day. Please help your child build a system to keep their device charged and to remember to bring it each day. We did a pilot last year with this, and found that this was an effective way to ensure that students brought fully-charged laptops to school for their work.
Hispanic Heritage Month
Each year, Americans observe this time by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at Irene Reither Elementary School, we honor the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of our Hispanic and Latino students and their families, who make up nearly 30% of our community.
This month is a wonderful opportunity for families to explore and embrace the diverse traditions and stories that enrich our school environment. We encourage you to visit PBS Parents’ resource on Hispanic Heritage Month, which offers engaging activities and educational materials that celebrate this vibrant heritage. Together, let’s learn, share, and appreciate the unique experiences that shape our school and our world!
Trojan Trot
Trojan Trot (K-5th Grade) & Tot Trot (PreSchool & TK)
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Trojan Trot is Friday, October 11, 2024 (Rain or Shine)
Tot Trot is Thursday October 10, 2024 (Rain or Shine)
Please send students to school in weather appropriate clothes for the day.
Students may bring extra clothes to change into after the “trot”.
Students will not call home or go to the office for clothes.
Send students to school with FULL water bottles.
Trojan Trot Schedule (10/11):
10:15-10:50 1st
10:55-11:30 4th
12:00-12:35 2nd
12:40-1:15 Kinder
1:20-1:55 5th
2:05-2:40 3rd
2:45-3:15 Low sensory
Tot Trot Schedule (10/10):
2:00-2:30 – Pre and TK
What is the Trojan Trot?
It’s IRE’s annual PTA fundraiser! With your support, the PTA is able to fund field trips, skate nights, teacher requests and so much more.
Participate with fun costumes that week and then jog-a–thon on Friday, Oct. 11th. Look for your kid’s folder soon for information about donating, prizes, and volunteering.
Or go ahead and dive right in going to our secure donation site to log your little jogger.
Go Trojans!

Spirit Week

Monday, October 7th is Superhero Day (dress as your favorite superhero)
Tuesday, October 8th is Sports Day (represent your favorite sports team/athlete)
Wednesday, October 9th is Favorite Color (School Photo Day)
Thursday, October 10th is Decade Day (dress from past or the future)
Friday, October 11th is TROJAN TROT DAY
Picture Day
Students will be photographed by O’Connor Photography Studio for their school record on 10/9/24.
If you would like to purchase your student’s portraits, click below to pre-order their portraits today!
You can also purchase by visiting their website at: www.oconnorphotographystudio.com
If you have any questions or need assistance
please give our studio a call at 1-800-993-4929
Family Math Nights
We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming Family Math Nights! These engaging events will give you and your child the chance to explore math together and celebrate our learning journey.
For Grades 3-5:
  • October 8th
  • December 10th
  • February 11th
For Grades TK-2:
  • November 12th (Thriving Futures! night)
  • January 14th
  • March 11th (Thriving Futures! night)
Each event will take place from 4:00 PM to 4:50 PM. Mark your calendars and join us for an evening of fun and math exploration!
We look forward to seeing you there!
Safety Drill
In October, IRE students and staff will be practicing an EVACUATION Drill and an EARTHQUAKE Drill while participating in the worldwide Great Shakeout. The following is an example of how we explain an EVACUATION and EARTHQUAKE Drill to our IRE students:
An  EVACUATION drill is signaled by the fire alarm OR over a loudspeaker and results in all students and adults evacuating to the fields adjacent to each building.
An EARTHQUAKE may happen anytime and almost anywhere. Most injuries caused by earthquakes are from falling or flying objects. It is important to practice how to be safe!
DROP to the floor: During a large earthquake, the ground might jerk strongly and knock you down.
Take COVER: Get under something sturdy to protect yourself from objects that might be thrown across the room.
HOLD ON: Grab on to your shelter until the shaking stops. If you can’t get under something, stay low and protect your head and neck with your arms. 
Schools in our county use the Standard Response Protocol from iloveuguys.org.  You can learn more about the protocol here.

 

Toys and Electronics at Home
At our school, we encourage students to focus on their learning experiences by leaving electronic devices at home. This helps prevent issues like misplacement, damage, or theft. If students do bring devices, we kindly ask that they be turned off and kept in their backpacks upon arrival, remaining there until it’s time to leave.
Please note that the school cannot be responsible for any loss, theft, or damage to personal property.
Recently, we’ve noticed that some students have been excitedly trading for miniature toy figures. While this enthusiasm is wonderful, it has led to some challenges, such as students venturing into out-of-bounds areas and disagreements over trades. We want to maintain a positive environment for everyone, so we encourage students to find fun activities that everyone can enjoy together.
For recess, we provide a variety of equipment for play, so we kindly ask that students avoid bringing their own footballs, basketballs, or similar items. Let’s work together to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all!
Thank you for your understanding and support!