Ruth L Chaffee PTA

📚 Keep Kids Reading This Summer — Earn a FREE Book! 📚

Looking for a fun way to keep your child engaged in reading over the summer?

The Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program gives kids in grades 1–6 the opportunity to earn a FREE book by reading and recording their books in a summer reading journal. It's a great way to help prevent the "summer slide" while encouraging a lifelong love of reading.

☀️ Read books
📝 Complete the reading journal
📖 Earn a FREE book from Barnes & Noble

It's an easy, fun, and rewarding way to keep reading all summer long!

Learn more and download the reading journal here:
🔗https://tinyurl.com/mtfz39dy

Happy reading, Ruth Chaffee families! ❤️📚

👇 What's the first book on your child's summer reading list? Share it in the comments!

🏀 Looking for a fun and active way to keep your child engaged this summer? 🏀

The NEOS Basketball Summer Camp is happening this July! Whether your child is new to the game or looking to sharpen their skills, this camp offers a great opportunity to learn, compete, build confidence, and make new friends.

✅ Skill development
✅ League play & competitions
✅ Teamwork and sportsmanship
✅ Guest speakers
✅ Open to ages 8–16

📅 July 13–17
⏰ 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
💲 $225

Players should bring a basketball, lunch, and a water bottle.

Spots are limited—register today!

🔗 https://recreation.newingtonct.gov/webtrac/web/iteminfo.html?Module=AR&FMID=78913553

🎉 JUST 2 DAYS AWAY! 🎉

The PTA Block Party is almost here, and we can’t wait to celebrate with our school community! ☀️🎈

Join us for:
✨ Inflatable games
✨ Face painting
✨ Glitter tattoos
✨ Photobooth fun
✨ Raffle prizes (bring cash!)
✨ Chick-fil-A booth & ice cream truck 🍦

Bring the whole family and come help us kick off summer with a night full of fun, laughter, and community spirit! ❤️💙

📍 Lower Playground
🗓 Friday, June 5
⏰ 5:30–7:30 PM

See you there! 🎉

We're just one week away from our Rock the Block end-of-year celebration, and we still have a few volunteer spots to fill!

In particular, we're looking for someone to help with the games station from 7:00–7:30 PM. Without a volunteer during that time, one of our activity areas may need to close down early.

The good news? Most volunteer shifts are just 30 minutes long. That's only a small portion of the event, but it makes a huge difference for our students and helps ensure all activities can stay open and running smoothly.

If you've been thinking about volunteering, now is a great time to jump in and help make this event a success. Every shift filled means more fun for our kids!

Sign up here:
🔗 https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508054EADAD2AA0FE3-63978537-rock

Thank you to everyone who has already signed up. Your support is what makes events like this possible! ❤️

🐾 Final Reminder: Aqua Hawks Donation Drive 🐾

There’s still time to help the Aqua Hawks support animals in need through their donation drive for Protectors of Animals! ❤️

Donations can be sent in with your student and placed in the collection box at the front of the school.

Most-needed items include:
• Dog & cat food
• Toys & treats
• Blankets & towels
• Cleaning supplies
• Pet beds & bowls

📅 All donations are due by Friday, May 29th.

Thank you for helping our students make a difference in the community and supporting animals in need!

🎉 The countdown is on! 🎉

Join us for the end-of-the-year Block Party on Friday, June 5th from 5:30–7:30 PM for an evening packed with family fun, games, music, treats, and community connection! ☀️🎈

✨ Face painting
✨ Glitter tattoos
✨ Photobooth
✨ Inflatable games
✨ Chick-fil-A booth & ice cream truck
✨ Raffle prizes (bring cash!)

This is always one of our favorite events of the year, and we can’t wait to celebrate together as we head into summer! ❤️💙

Please note: food and ice cream items will be available for purchase, and dairy-free/nut-free options will be offered.

See you there, Ruth Chaffee families! 🐦🎉

🎸 Rock the Block Needs Y-O-U! 🎉

Our PTA’s “Rock the Block” end-of-year celebration is coming up on June 5th, and we’re so excited to give our students a fun and memorable way to wrap up the school year!

But events like this only happen because of volunteers. ❤️

We’re looking for parent/family volunteers to help with setup, activities, and/or cleanup. Sign-ups are broken into just 30-minute increments, so even a small amount of time can make a HUGE difference and helps ensure the event runs smoothly for all of our students.

If you’re able to lend a hand, please sign up here:
🔗 https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508054EADAD2AA0FE3-63978537-rock

Thank you for continuing to support our school community and helping us make this event a success for the kids!

🐾 The Aqua Hawks Need Your Help! 🐾

The Aqua Hawks, our school leadership club, are working to help improve our community through service projects and donations. Right now, they are collecting donations for Protectors of Animals, an organization that provides shelter, care, and support for dogs and cats in need.

The students are asking for your help collecting items for the animals! Suggested donations include:

• Dog food and cat food
• Dog and cat toys
• Blankets and towels
• Pet treats
• Cleaning supplies
• Pet beds and bowls

Every donation helps animals feel safe, healthy, and loved. ❤️

Donations can be sent in with your student and placed in the collection box at the front of the school.

📅 All donations must be received by Friday, May 29th, which is the day items will be delivered.

Thank you for supporting our students and helping animals in need!

❤️ Reminder: School Nurses Day is coming up! ❤️

Wednesday, May 6th is School Nurses Day, and we’d love to help celebrate our wonderful school nurse, Caryn!

She does so much each day to care for our students and support our school community, and we are so grateful for all she does. If your child would like to bring in a card, drawing, note, or small token of appreciation, Wednesday would be a great opportunity to do so. 😊

Thank you, Caryn, for helping keep our students healthy, safe, and ready to learn each day! ❤️

✏️🍎 A little note can make a BIG difference. 🍎✏️

As Teacher Appreciation Week approaches, we’d love to help fill our teachers’ week with kind words from the students they care about every day. ❤️

Last week, a teacher thank-you note template was sent home with students. We encourage every family to complete at least one note for a teacher, support staff member, or anyone at Ruth Chaffee who has made a difference this year.

Whether it’s a heartfelt message, a funny memory, or a simple “thank you,” these notes truly mean so much to our staff and often become keepsakes they hold onto for years.

📝 Notes can be sent in any day during Teacher Appreciation Week!

Didn’t receive a template? Need an extra copy?
📧 Email us at [email protected] and we’ll gladly send one your way!

Thank you for helping us make Teacher Appreciation Week extra special for the incredible people who support our children each day. 💙💛❤️