September 29, 2023 - "September 29th Radio Park Rauport"

Radio Park Families,

We had another fun week here at Radio Park.  One exciting highlight to share was that we had our first Monthly Pride Slip Drawing today and one recipient from each class got to enjoy a breakfast of apple cider and apple cider donuts with me, Ms. Simpson, and our amazing PTO Co-President, Mrs. Caldwell.  BIG thanks to Ms. Simpson for organizing this event and see attached for some fun photos of our winners.

Have a GREAT weekend!

Alex Raup, Principal

Pride Stride Details - Friday, October 13th

We're only TWO WEEKS away from our Mini Lion Pride Stride fun run.  Now is the time to get registered and start collecting those donations.  Our website makes it super easy to get your student registered and then share the event with friends and family via Facebook, email, and text.

We need ALL PARENTS to complete these 3 easy steps:
1. Register your child(ren) by going to www.getmovinfundhub.com and using our School Identifier 5d7fdd2784cf3
2. Email and/or text your child's fundraising web page to 10-15 friends and family. (It's super easy!)
3. Post a link to your child's fundraising web page to your social media. (It's two clicks of a button to post. You'll be surprised when donations come in from relatives living far away, friends, or co-workers.) 

For your planning, here is the schedule for when students will be running that day:

In addition, in the days leading up to the Pride Stride, we'll be having a spirit week to get students, faculty, and staff pumped to participate.  Here is the schedule:

Tuesday, October 10th- Grade level colors (K: red, 1: orange, 2: yellow, 3: green, 4: blue, 5: purple) - we will provide the bandannas for the Harvest Festival in these colors in time for this event so students can get double the use

Wednesday, October 11th: Wacky Wednesday (if you're matching, you're doing it wrong)

Thursday, October 12th: Funny socks and hats (self explanatory)

Friday, October 13th: RP and SCASD Spirit Wear (RP logo, red, white, black, maroon, and gray are all good)

Conference Details

Next Monday, you should receive information from your student's grade level homeroom teacher about signing up for conferences.  This year's window is October 23rd to November 3rd and I have asked our teachers to make every effort to hold these conferences in person if that works for you and your family.  Thanks in advance for making the time to take part in these important conversations.

Math Regrouping - Third Grade

At Radio Park and throughout the school district, we desire to have a flexible approach to responding to students’ needs in math and continually evaluate students and their placement.  Prior to the beginning of each unit, teachers will review available data and consider classroom observations as they plan and group students to teachers.

In Third Grade, there will be an advanced math class for students who are ready for additional extensions of the core math program and the other classes will be of mixed ability and based on students’ needs in the current unit of study.  Teachers will assess students on a regular basis through pre and post-assessments and make adjustments to instructional grouping as needed.  Parents/guardians will receive communication at the beginning of each unit from their student’s math teacher, which may change based on the unit.  Our first regrouping for math in Third Grade will begin next week.

If you have any questions about this process, please feel free to reach out to me or your student's homeroom or math teacher.

PSSA Results

Coming home today with fourth and fifth graders are results from last school year's PSSAs.  As a school, we have a lot to celebrate with how our students performed.

PTO Directory

If you haven't yet provided your information for the PTO Directory and would like to do so, please click here to access the submission form.

PTO Meeting Reminder

Our next PTO Meeting is scheduled for this coming Monday from 7:00-8:30 PM in the RP Library or virtual (meet.google.com/gaj-ywmb-ydz).  As always, at these meetings, I'll give a report and we'll talk through upcoming events and volunteer needs.  Please note that, at this meeting, the plan for the Harvest Festival, not the decision behind it, will be discussed.  Information about this pivot have already been discussed at a PTO Meeting and shared in my Rauport last week.  In addition, I've made myself available via email, phone, or meeting to everyone who has reached out with specific questions.  If you have anything you'd like to discuss about the Harvest Festival, please reach out to Mrs. Moore and she can help us find a time to talk.

September 22, 2023 - "September 22nd Radio Park Rauport"

Radio Park Families,

Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me about our school's recognition as a Blue Ribbon School.  While I appreciate all of the kind messages and words that have been shared with me, I'm truly just the guy who submitted the application - all credit for this award goes to the amazing faculty and staff members who teach, support, feed, clean up after, and love on our students each and every day.  We all know that our school is one of the best out there and it's really fun that others now know it, too.  ALL of us should be VERY proud.

As a reminder, there is no school this coming Monday.  I hope that you all enjoy a nice long weekend.

Alex Raup, Principal

Arrival Parent Drop-off Procedure Changes

Things looked really good this week with our new drop-off structure.  I'm sharing our updates again just to ensure that everyone is on the same page.

1. No cars are allowed to unload students until they are past the crosswalk.

2. Once you pass the crosswalk, you should pull the whole way up to the flagpole (or to the cars lined up at the flagpole) to unload.

3. No cars should pass each other after they've unloaded and cars should exit in a line.

4. No adults should get out of a car in the drop-off line to help students unload.  If your student requires help to gather their items, we ask that you park in a spot in the Visitor & Parent Drop Off lot.

Pride Stride Details - Friday, October 13th

Information about our annual Pride Stride FUNdraiser has gone home and we have BIG goals for this school year!  For your planning, here is the schedule for when students will be running that day:

This year's Pride Stride will again take place in the Bus Loop and spectators will be able to park in the Visitor & Parent Drop Off lot or at Discovery Space.  More logistical information will be coming home in early October.

Harvest Festival Celebrations - Wednesday, October 25th

As I shared at our first PTO Meeting last Monday evening, this year at Radio Park we will be discontinuing our Halloween Costume Parade in place of a full day Harvest Festival.  Please know that, as a proud Radio Park Alum who himself enjoyed these Halloween events when I was a student here, I did not make this decision quickly nor do I take this change and its impact lightly as I have been evaluating and reflecting on this event since returning to RP back in the fall of 2021.

Every elementary school in our district is different and celebrates this day differently and, knowing that I am responsible for creating a welcoming environment for all students and families here at RP, I no longer feel good about offering an event where a number of students and families do not feel comfortable with costumes or the Halloween celebration and choose to opt out or sign out early.  This is the only event we offer all year where alternative arrangements and opt outs are in place and, as a public school, I feel like every schoolwide event we offer during the school day should be good by all of our students and their families.

On October 25th during the school day, we will have our first-ever full school Harvest Festival which will be a day that includes movies, class treat parties, special events throughout the day, and a mini field day where parents can sign up to volunteer to help run outside stations. Students, faculty, and staff will be encouraged to wear their best fall gear (flannel, cozy sweaters, overalls, etc.) and will be provided with a bandanna to celebrate the day. In addition, the evening of October 25th from 6:30-8:00 PM, we will have our first-ever Harvest Movie Party at Mount Nittany Middle School where students can dress up in costume, enjoy some free snacks, and watch Monsters, Inc. The evening event will be for the whole family and parents will be asked to attend and younger and older siblings will be encouraged to join in on the fun, too.  Classroom specific details about class parties and more information about both the festival and movie party will be shared out in the coming weeks.

I know that change (especially to a beloved event) can be hard and I ask for your trust and understanding that I’m moving our school in this direction with the purest of intentions and with all of our students at the forefront of my mind

September 15, 2023 - "September 15th Radio Park Rauport"

Radio Park Families,

I hope you all had a great week.  As a reminder, tonight is the big Kindergarten Night at the State High Football Game against Altoona.  Even if you don't have a kindergartner, it's a great night for all elementary aged students and their families to attend.  I hope to see you there.

Happy weekending!

Alex Raup, Principal

Arrival Parent Drop-off Procedure Changes

I have witnessed a few almost fender benders in the parking lot at parent drop-off in the morning and would like to make some changes to help things run more safely and smoothly.  Beginning on Monday, the following will be in place:

1. No cars will be allowed to unload students until they are past the crosswalk.  Cones will block off the passing lane at the crosswalk.

2. Once you have passed the crosswalk, you should pull the whole way up to the flagpole (or to the cars lined up at the flagpole) to unload.

3. No cars should pass each other after they've unloaded.  Cars should exit in a line.  Please note that this may add a few extra seconds to your drop-off time as some cars unload faster than others and you may need to wait.

As has been in place the past two school years, no adults should get out of a car in the drop-off line to help students unload.  If your student requires help to gather their items, we ask that you park in a spot in the Visitor & Parent Drop Off lot.

We'll have additional adults out to help with drop-off on Monday and Tuesday as we all settle into these new procedures.

Student Birthday Party Communications and Invitations

I have asked our teachers to no longer send out emails about birthday parties to class families and to only pass out invitations to parties if there is one for every student in the class.  Any invitations for students in other classes should be handled by a family outside of school.  Please plan accordingly for future parties and events involved your student and their classmates.

PTO Directory

If you haven't yet provided your information for the PTO Directory and would like to do so, please click here to access the submission form.

September 8, 2023 - "September 8th Radio Park Rauport"

Radio Park Families,

I hope you all had a nice week.  Reminder of our first PTO Meeting this coming Monday, September 11th from 7:00-8:30 PM in the library.  Hope to see you there!

Happy weekending!

Alex Raup, Principal

Change to Dismissal Times

Due to the increased number of students in our building and, thus, the increased number of students at Parent Pick-up, we will be making a slight adjustment to end of day dismissal times.  Beginning on Monday, our new dismissal schedule will be as follows:

2:53 PM - Parent Pick-up

2:55 PM - Kindergartners dismissed

2:58 PM - First and Second Graders dismissed

3:01 PM - Third, Fourth, and Fifth Graders dismissed

Approximately 3:06 PM - buses leave parking lot

Fall Measures of Academic Progress Assessment

Beginning next week, our district will begin administering the Fall Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment to all students in Grades 2-9.  Here at RP, we will assess reading next Wednesday, September 13th and math the following Wednesday, September 20th.  Please see the attached letter for more information.

Request for Assistance Form

If, after contacting me or another member of the faculty or staff, you still have concerns about your student, please use our new Request for Assistance Form linked here or available on our school's website under "Site Shortcuts."  This will be reviewed by a member of our school team and someone will follow up with you in a timely manner to discuss how we can provide support.

September 7, 2023 - "RP Plays Cancelled for This Evening"

Good Afternoon,

Due to the current rain at Radio Park that will leave the ground wet and playground equipment quite slippery, we are canceling RP Plays for this evening.  The district calendar is quite full for the rest of the month, so we will not be rescheduling this event for this year.

Stay dry!

Alex Raup, Principal

September 6, 2023 - "First Stay-Put Drill Heads Up"

Good Afternoon,

Tomorrow (Thursday, September 7th), we will have our first Stay-Put Drill of the year.  As a reminder, this type of drill is conducted at least once per trimester and prepares us for a dangerous person/situation outside of the school, any situation inside the school that will not require evacuation, or a medical emergency requiring hallways to be clear.  During this drill, I will come over the intercom; explain that we are practicing Stay-Put; and provide all faculty, staff, and students with directions (see attached).  During this drill, all rooms are locked and secured and teaching continues.

If you have any questions or concerns about this drill (or any of our drills or safety preparedness), please don't hesitate to reply to this email.

Alex Raup, Principal

August 31, 2023 - "August 31st Radio Park Rauport"

Radio Park Families,

I'm sending this email a day early to remind everyone that tomorrow is our first spirit day of the year: Beach Day!  All students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to wear Hawaiian shirts, sundresses, swim trunks, or their other best beach or summer gear.  We will be providing a lei for every student.  I can't wait to see how everyone gets decked out.

Happy Labor Day Weekend to you and your family!  Reminder that we do not have school on Monday due to the holiday.

Alex Raup, Principal

Updated Dismissal Procedures

1. Reminder to all families to please have a sign with your student's name on it when you come to Parent Pick-up.  As we have a lot of new team members and different adults covering this post each day, signs help to more quickly connect students with their adults.

2. Once you've connected with your student, please move away from the doors so that families still needing to pick up can do so.

3. Please supervise your students and ensure that they are not running around during dismissal.  With so many buses, cars, and people on campus at this time, we want to ensure that everyone is staying seen and safe.

Radio Park Plays - Thursday, September 7th (5:30-7:00 PM)

August 30, 2023 - "Accompanying Children at State High Football Games"

Dear RP Parents and Guardians,

This Friday, September 1st, the State High Varsity Football Team will open its season at home against Downingtown East in what looks to be an exciting matchup. 

This year, in a new protocol for home games, the district asks that adults accompany elementary and middle school students at the game. Please abide by this request and help us supervise our young fans so that they and everyone else can fully enjoy a Memorial Field “Friday Night Lights” experience.

Please also mark your calendars for the second home game of the season on Friday, September 15th when the district will celebrate Kindergarten Night.  This is always a fun evening for ALL of our elementary students.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation and GO LITTLE LIONS!

Alex Raup, Principal

August 22, 2023 - "First Day Follow-up"

Good Afternoon,

It was a GREAT first day here at Radio Park!  I really enjoyed seeing so many smiling faces and excited students ready to learn, play, and grow.  If, as you're debriefing with your student(s) this evening, any questions or concerns are raised, please feel free to reply to this email and I'll do all I can to make their second day even better than their first.

Have a great evening and rest up for Day 2!

Alex Raup, Principal

August 14, 2023 - "Radio Park 2023-2024 Back to School Information"

Good Morning,

I hope this email finds you and your family enjoying these last few days of summer vacation.  My family and I have had a great summer and we are also looking forward to getting back into school year routines and enjoying all of the fun that fall in Happy Valley has to offer.

It's hard to believe but, in just over a week, we'll have students back in school.  We have lots of new faces at RP this year on our team and I am excited for us all to welcome them just as we will welcome back all returning students and new students to our pride of Mini Lions.

Below is a welcome back video from me and a number of important notes.  As always, if you have any questions, please call the school (814-231-4115) or email me.  We're all in this together.  This email and all other whole school emails I send this year can be accessed through our school's website on the "Emails and Communications" page under "Site Shortcuts."  Please also like and follow our school's Facebook page to keep up to date on events and fun photos throughout the school year.

I hope to see you this Thursday at Back to School Night!

Alex Raup, Principal

Principal Welcome Back Video

Class assignments will go live tomorrow (Tuesday, August 15th) at 8 AM in ParentVUE.  Since assigning classes takes into consideration many variables to create balanced classes, I respectfully request that you refrain from making requests to change teachers at this close date to the start of the school year. Our teachers and counselor put A LOT of time into grouping students in the spring and I know that every teacher at RP will provide excellent experiences for your student.

Back to School Night is scheduled for this Thursday, August 17th.  This will be an open house format and we will not have another Back to School Night once the school year gets rolling.  Our times for the evening will be as follows:

• 5:00-5:45 - Kindergarten Social on RP Playground

• 6:00-6:45 - Kindergarten families and last name A-G families

• 7:00-7:45 - Last name H-Z families

If you and your student attend, you'll be able to check out your their classroom, explore the building, and connect and reconnect with old and new friends.  Please plan to carpool or walk if you are able as our parking lot will be quite full throughout the evening.

Our PTO would like to stock our school with a few extra backpacks, water bottles, and lunch boxes for our community of students in case any needs arise.   Please bring any gently used or new items to Back to School Night or to school during the first two weeks of school and turn them in at the PTO Table.  Any extra supplies will be donated to other local elementary schools for their use.

School supplies are provided for every student by our amazing PTO.  If a classroom teacher has a specific need or request, they will communicate that out to their families directly.

Our first day of school is scheduled for Tuesday, August 22nd.  First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Graders will have a normal day that day (7:55 AM to 3:00 PM).  Kindergartners will report with a parent on the first day at different times depending on their teacher (Zahuranec and Garlicki - 8:30-10:30 AM, Sibiga and Shukan - 12:00-2:00 PM) and will then follow a normal school day on Day 2 (Wednesday, August 23rd).  Kindergarten Families, please note that the orientation on the 22nd is just for your student and their parent(s) and that younger siblings should not attend.

School Bus: Information on your student's school bus number and pick-up and drop-off times can be found in ParentVUE.  Please ensure that your student is at their bus stop at least five (5) minutes before their scheduled pick-up time each morning.  As a reminder, kindergartners do not ride the bus to or from school on the first day.

Arrival: Our doors will open for family drop-off at 7:50 AM and buses will begin to unload at 7:55 AM.  Families should use only the "Visitor & Parent Drop Off" portion of our parking lot up until 8 AM.  Between 8:00-8:10 AM, parents can also use the bus lane (main parking lot) so we don't get too backed up.

If you are dropping off and getting out of your car to walk your student(s) up to the building, you must park your car in a spot, not in the carpool lane.  In addition, please use the crosswalks to walk to and from the building.  If you are just dropping off, please remember to pull up in the carpool lane as far as you can.

Our front doors will close at 8:10 AM and students arriving after this time will be marked late and need to be signed in at the Main Office.

Dismissal:  Students should be picked up where they were dropped off with those doing the picking up parking in a spot in the "Visitor & Parent Drop Off" section and coming up to the building to get their student OR pulling the whole way up to the flagpole to ensure we don't get too backed up on West Cherry Lane.

If you are picking up and getting out of your car to walk up to the building to retrieve your student(s), you must park your car in a spot, not in the carpool lane.  In addition, please use the crosswalks to walk to and from the building.

Both cars and individuals out of cars must have a sign with their student's name on it clearly displayed to help with dismissal.

We'll dismiss at the following times this school year:

K-2 - 2:58 PM

3-5 - 3:01 PM

Buses will leave the parking lot beginning at approximately 3:06 PM.

Attendance: Please reference the email you received from Mrs. Jeanne Knouse this past Friday, August 11th ("Attendance Email") for a ton of helpful information in regards to all things attendance.

If your student is absent from school, please call the RP Safe Arrival at School Line (814-231-1011 ext. 4549).  Remember...if you don't call us, we'll call you.  This call does not eliminate the need for a written excuse and please remember to write and send in or email (tms18@scasd.org) this excuse within three (3) days upon return from the absence.  You may also submit an all day excuse in ParentVUE.  

Lunch: All students eat in the cafeteria with all students assigned to tables based on their classroom teacher.

As was the case last school year, we are not a peanut-free school but label ourselves, as directed by our nurse and Director of Food Services, as allergy aware.  We will have one allergy aware table in the cafeteria where students who have an allergy can choose to sit with students who buy lunch.

Visitors: Visitors to the building must go to our front entrance, ring the bell, and state the purpose for their visit.  There is a kiosk for the new visitor management system located in the Main Office.  Visitors intending to enter the school beyond the Main Office will need a state-issued photo ID card to complete the check-in process.

Volunteers: As in the past, clearances will be required if volunteering in our school.  This information can be found on our district website or via this link.

Social Emotional Learning: All classroom teachers will continue to use Second Step and the Zones of Regulation in their SEL work with students this school year.  Research suggests that even just 5-10 minutes a day of SEL work or one-on-one time with a student can have a huge impact on a student's development in this area.

Safety: We'll be spending a lot of time as a faculty and staff talking about safety in our first few days back together this week.  We've made a lot of improvements to district and building safety plans this summer and have added 13 brand new video cameras in our building to increase safety and supervision.

For your reference, here are some key things I'll be stressing with my team:

- See something, say something

- Be aware (esp. in parking lots, neighboring roads, and on playgrounds)

- Wear badges at all times

- Do not hold or prop doors

- Ensure you have a walkie talkie or cell phone when outside or off campus with students

Student Expected Behaviors Matrix: Please take the time to read and review the attached matrix with your student(s) before the first day of school.  All of our classroom teachers build their classroom expectations and rules around this document and it's very helpful when home and school are reinforcing the same things with students.

August 7, 2023 - "Early August Radio Park Rauport"

Good Morning,

I hope this email finds all Radio Park families having a GREAT start to August.  With Champs Camp and Extended School Year wrapped here in our building, our custodial team has been busy getting things looking shiny and new for our teachers to start returning to the building to begin classroom preparations.  I've had the pleasure of seeing many members of our teaching team at professional development trainings this summer and everyone seems refreshed and READY to get rolling in a few short weeks.

Below are a few updates and reminders for all families.  I'll be back in touch early next week with the official back to school email and details about teacher assignments.

Have a great week!

Alex Raup, Principal

School Announcements

• Back to School Night will take place next Thursday, August 17th.  This will be an open house format and we will not have another Back to School Night once the school year gets rolling.  More information is still to come but, for now, please mark your calendars.  Our times for the evening will be as follows:

  • 5:00-5:45 - Kindergarten Social (only Kindergarten teachers need to attend this portion of the evening)

  • 6:00-6:45 - Kindergarten families and last name A-G families

  • 7:00-7:45 - Last name H-Z families

• I'm pleased to announce that Mrs. Jodie Franks, currently an intervention teacher in the Bald Eagle Area School District, will be joining our Second Grade Team as the fourth teacher.  Mrs. Franks has been on my radar for awhile and had 19 years of experience in First and Second Grade before her most recent stint as an interventionist.

• I'm also excited to announce Ms. Lisa Strayer as our new Instrumental Orchestra Teacher replacing Mrs. Mary Krohn-Smith.  I've heard WONDERFUL things about Ms. Strayer from her current colleagues in Altoona and know she will do amazing things for our music program.

• Our Curriculum Office and amazing instructional coaches created this Google Presentation with some curriculum update for families as we begin another school year.  I encourage you to give it a look as it gives a great overview of our new reading program, Into Reading, and provides a fun look at how your student can expect to learn each day.

August 2, 2023 - "Radio Park Employment Opportunities"

Good Afternoon,

I hope this email finds you all well.  August is officially on the calendar, back to school items are available in stores, and the start of the 2023-2024 School Year will be here before we know it.  I plan to send out my first back to school email early next week but wanted to reach out this week with information about a few employment opportunities in and around our school.

As you may have seen in an email from the district on Monday ("Call for Crossing Guards, Bus Drivers and more"), there are some needs for crossing guards at arrival and dismissal times at Radio Park.  If you or someone you know is interested in this position, please reference that email and the specific links included.

At Radio Park specifically, we are currently in need of three Instructional Paraprofessionals and one Lunch Paraprofessional.  The Instructional Paraprofessional positions will be primarily housed in a First or Second Grade classroom and would assist the classroom teacher throughout the day.  These positions are 4.5 hours (usually 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM) and have the option to be full-time with benefits in conjunction with our after-school program.  The Lunch Paraprofessional position is a two (2) hour position (most likely 11 AM to 1 PM) and would assist our two current Lunch Paraprofessionals and the cafeteria team with lunch service each day.  If you or someone you know is interested in any of these paraprofessional positions, please email me.

Have a great start to your August and keep an eye out for another email from me next week.

Best,

Alex Raup, Principal

July 10, 2023 - "Midsummer Radio Park Rauport"

Good Morning,

I hope this email finds all Radio Park families enjoying Summer Break.  Our building is currently bustling with students and teachers taking part in Champs Camp and Extended School Year.  We still have PLENTY of summer to enjoy but I wanted to send out an email with a few updates to keep you all in the loop.  For those of you new to Radio Park, during the school year, I send out a "Rauport" every week when there is information to share.  During the summer, my communications are much less frequent.  Unless any other pressing information needs to be shared, I'll be in touch again in early August when classroom assignments are live and then again with back to school information and reminders.

Enjoy the rest of your July!

Alex Raup, Principal

School Announcements

• Our librarian, Ms. Herring, has hidden our July books on the playground.  If your family finds a book please email her at elh16@scasd.org a picture so we can share it with families on Facebook and so she can keep track of which books are still hidden.  You can see our school's Facebook page or the email Ms. Herring sent out on Saturday for picture clues.  Thank you again to the Radio Park PTO for sponsoring this event. 

• Back to School Night will take place on Thursday, August 17th.  This will be an open house format and we will not have another Back to School Night once the school year gets rolling.  More information is still to come but, for now, please mark your calendars.  Our times for the evening will be as follows:

  • 5:00-5:45 - Kindergarten Social (only Kindergarten teachers need to attend this portion of the evening)

  • 6:00-6:45 - Kindergarten families and last name A-G families

  • 7:00-7:45 - Last name H-Z families

• I'm pleased to announce that Mr. Nick Downs, currently a Fifth Grade Teacher at Benner Elementary, will be joining our Fifth Grade Team.  Mr. Downs brings with him a ton of elementary experience and SCASD knowledge and will be a great addition to our team.

• We have hired Mr. Levi Davis as our second full-time Building Substitute.  Mr. Davis just wrapped his third year teaching Third Grade at Nittany Christian and has previous experience interning at Gray's Woods Elementary and Mount Nittany Middle School.  I worked with Mr. Davis at my last school and know he will do a great job wearing many hats for us here at RP.