The mission of the Renaissance Academy Charter School of the Arts is to provide children an enriched and rigorous education through the humanities and arts integration leading to success in college, careers and life.
SAVE THE DATE!
Hello RA Families,
Make dinner a selfless act by joining us for a fundraiser to support Renaissance Academy Charter School of the Arts. Come in to Chipotle at 640 Jefferson Road in Rochester on Saturday, October 17, 2020, from 4 pm - 8 pm. Bring in this flyer, show it on your smartphone or tell the cashier you're supporting the cause to make sure that 33% of the proceeds will be donated to Renaissance Academy. Be sure to invite your family and friends to join us! See you on October 17th.
#RAStrong
1. RA MEAL Distribution: RA is in need of volunteers who will deliver RA meals to families that are in need and are unable to pick up the meals themselves. Each Tuesday or Wednesday after 1:30 pm volunteers will pick up meals from Renaissance’s cafeteria and deliver to the doorstep (no contact) of 2-3 families.
2. FOODLINK BACKPACK PROGRAM: On a rotational basis, volunteers will pick up items from Foodlink’s Mt. Read location on Tuesdays between 8:30 am – 10:30 am and deliver the items to Renaissance Academy. Please pick one Tuesday (i.e. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Tuesday - once a month throughout the school year) that you will commit to transporting the backpack bags from Foodlink to RA.
For more information or to volunteer contact
Mrs. Felton at 225-4200 x209 or email felton@renacad.org no later than Friday, October 2, 2020.
#RAStrong
October Lunch Menu
Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are back at RA!
If your child is interested in registering, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/p4toyotGXeTjBfhc6 as soon as possible. Both programs begin virtually on Zoom the week of September 28th. You will also need to register online on the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts websites. Here are the links for online registration:
Boy Scouts: https://beascout.scouting.org/ (search for zip code 14612)
Girl Scouts: https://www.gswny.org/en/join.html (TROOP # 60174)
We hope to see you there!
Hello RA Families! Are you interested in enrolling your child in our first virtual after-school Encore program?! If so, please fill out the following form, https://forms.gle/p4toyotGXeTjBfhc6, by Monday, September 21st. You must submit one form per child. Encore Session One begins the week of September 28th and ends the week of November 16th. All classes will be held live on Zoom from 5:30-6:30 once a week. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Mrs. Tobeck at 225-4200, Ext. 233 or tobeck@renacad.org.
Register Today! Space is Limited
Biz Kid$ Virtual Camp
Free
9/14-9/18
3 pm - 4 pm
Questions? Contact Na'lm Wilcox at naim.wilcox@cityofrochester.gov
Dear Families,
The students of RA are entitled to breakfast, lunch and snack under the National School Lunch Program through the duration of virtual learning. RA families may pick up breakfasts, lunches and snacks from the school on Mondays and Wednesdays between 12:00-1:00pm.
In addition, your children are able to receive breakfast, lunch and dinner through Foodlink’s grab-and-go locations during school closures.
Any child under 18 years of age is able to receive a meal from Foodlink’s locations, regardless of where they attend school. If you need further assistance please do not hesitate to reach out to the school staff below, or call Lifeline at 211.
You may also refer to RA's website or Facebook page for a list of locations.
Liz Sullivan, School Social Worker
sullivan@renacad.org
585-225-4200 x222
Kimberly Felton, Family Services Coordinator
felton@renacad.org
585-225-4200 x209
Beth Looby, School Psychologist
looby@renacad.org
585-225-4200 X205
Throughout the school year, the City of Rochester After School in the Park (ASIP) Program provides an engaging and nurturing environment for city youth in grades K-6. Conveniently located at Cobb’s Hill Park, the ASIP program provides great benefits for youth and families including:
Friendly & well- trained staff
Fitness & arts activities
Healthy meals and snacks
Homework help
Starting in September 2020, the ASIP program will run as a full-day program certified through the Office of Children and Family Services. The ASIP program is open to youth ages K-6th grade for the very reasonable rate of $100 per week for City youth; $85 per week for siblings. Program operates Sept. 14th - Jun. 25th on weekdays from 8:30 am-5:30 pm.
Click here to download the registration packet.
IMPORTANT NOTE: To adhere to COVID safety guidelines, program spaces are limited. Spots will be reserved on a first come, first served basis. A completed application with full payment are required to reserve a spot.
Please contact Sara.Scott@cityofrochester.gov or 585-820-8860 for more information.
Hello RA Families,
Foodlink is partnering with sites across Monroe County to distribute emergency food supply boxes in response to the COVID-19 public health crisis. These will be drive-thru, no-touch distributions. Each registrant will receive 40+ pounds of groceries for their household. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. No walk-ups will be served.
TO PRE-REGISTER FOR AN EMERGENCY FOOD BOX DISTRIBUTION PLEASE CALL 211 OR TEXT 898-211 TODAY.
First to call, first to be served.
Please refer to the flyer for locations and dates for the month of September. The Flyer can also be found on RA's website.
Greetings RA Families,
Each week we will send a link with the menu and a survey to complete to help us serve our families better. Here is the link for this week https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScWiF9s0ZbX_zwxVf1xbe3iagu0la7GHVv0PJJ02DTkQgUJAA/viewform?usp=sf_link to confirm meal pick up on Wednesday, September 9th from 12-1pm. Please complete the survey by Monday, September 7th at noon.
Thank you and have a great weekend!
September Lunch Menu
Join New York's First-Ever Parent-Led Educational Council meeting on September 16th at 6pm.
Dear RA Families,
Thank you for participating in our orientation and for providing valuable information for our survey. While reviewing the internet portion of the survey, several families indicated that they had internet access and also requested a hot spot for their student(s).
At this time, Renaissance Academy can only provide hot spots to families who DO NOT have internet access and/or are utilizing their cell phone as a mobile hot spot with limited data. We are diligently working to obtain hot spots for our families and hope to begin distribution the week of September 1, 2020. Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mrs. Felton at 225-4200 x209.
Greetings RA Families,
Below is a message from KidsOutAndAbout. Enjoy!
This back-to-"school" season is stretching all of our parenting skills to the max, making us apply our strengths in new and creative ways, demanding that we take a hard look at how we're doing what we're doing, challenging us to optimize and simplify. You're taking what you already know and making it go farther. A lot farther. So are we. KidsOutAndAbout.com releases The Ultimate Parent Survival Guide to 2020-2021!
COVID-19 has turned the 2020-2021 school year upside down: How are you going to work and your kids get educated at the same time? You can't do it ALL, right? Fortunately, each local community has quickly developed resources to help, and virtual and online education options have exploded: Even in the midst of craziness, creativity reigns. This is KidsOutAndAbout.com's portal to what every family needs this year: Over 1000 well-organized links to local resources, virtual classes and tutoring, tips and tricks to keep kids entertained, and more. And get creative with 250+ activities to keep your family sane!
https://rochester.kidsoutandabout.com/content/ultimate-parent-survival-guide-2020-2021
STRONG SCHOOL CLUB
September 14–November 20
2, 3, 4, or 5 day a week options available
New! The Strong museum is excited to offer a program for working parents in need of a safe, supervised space for their child’s remote learning. The Strong School Club offers students in grades 1 through 5 an environment to attend their virtual school lessons, work on assignments and projects, and complete their homework in socially distant settings adhering to the museum’s Play Nice and Safe Play policies.
The Strong School Club also provides:
Supervision by museum staff
Dedicated, socially distant workspaces
Free Wi-Fi access
Activities in the museum after 3 p.m.
Additional pre-care and after-care options
Apply for Enrollment:
CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW.
https://www.museumofplay.org/school-club/application
Schedule
The Strong School Club offers 2, 3, 4, or 5 day a week options for families for the 10-week period from September 14 to November 20. The club runs daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Early Drop-off at 7:45 a.m. and after-care pick-up until 5:30 p.m. is available for an additional fee (see fees below).
The specific daily schedule for each student will depend on their school district needs but will include time for their virtual lessons and project work, along with breaks, lunch, and activities in the museum.
Daily Pricing
Strong School Club: $50 for members, $55 for nonmembers
Pre-care (7:45 a.m.): additional $5 per day
After-care (until 5:30 p.m.): additional $5 per day
Hello RA Families,
As you prepare for your students to head back to school, you may find the following information helpful.
The Greater Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce has done a backpacks for school drive with their membership. Various companies put together backpacks and they were subsequently distributed to the organizations below for distribution to students. It is unknown what the numbers or the status are of the backpacks. Please feel free to reach out to the organizations to inquire about the backpack distribution and if they are still available.
Cameron Community Ministries
Bivona Child Advocacy Center
Flower City Habitat for Humanity
Baden Street Settlement
Catholic Family Center
Lewis Street Child Care Center(YMCA of Greater Rochester)
Mission Share, Inc.
The Community Place of Greater Rochester
The Salvation Army of Greater Rochester
Volunteers of America
Sojourner Home/ Pathstone
YWCA
Center for Youth
Friendship Children's Center
NEW_ Hope Hall
Choice Boards! Have your student pick one to do each day!
Dear RA Families,
The leadership of RA hosted two virtual town hall meetings to review our school reopening plan. If you were unable to attend we will be hosting one more virtual town hall to answer any questions families have about RA's reopening plan this Wednesday evening. The information on accessing the meeting is below, we will also stream live on Facebook.
Please note: Questions posted on Facebook will not be viewed until after the event but any questions posted on the chat in Zoom will be answered in real-time.
You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Aug 12, 2020 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYrcOGrrzsoGNFFOqgiRcSDIpKWzam7je_k
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
You may also watch the replay of last week's meeting and feel free to read through the Frequently Asked Questions that have been compiled from the previous two meetings.
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/9_JJIJHJ1FxIc5GOt374aoImBYLbX6a8hHIZ-6ALyUukFbZKPWqv_QDHWEvCJC82?startTime=1596146572000
Hello families! We are looking forward to the start of the 2020-2021 school year. Please be on the lookout in the mail next week for a letter from RA. In that letter we will let you know your child/ren's teacher for the upcoming school year. It will also tell you the day and time you will need to come to school for a 1 hour mandatory orientation the week of August 24th. We will be doing very small groups to ensure social distancing in order to keep all parties safe.
At the orientation your child will receive a resource bag for virtual learning. In the bag we'll include a Chromebook, uniforms, masks, school calendar, and other materials that are necessary for virtual instruction. Live virtual instruction will begin the week of August 31st. Thank you and we are looking forward to kicking off the year strong at RA!
School Supply List
Reopening Letter for the 2020 -2021 School Year Dr. Cozine, Dr. Loury, and Mr. Eichmann will be presenting the two-stage roll-out plans to our families. We invite you to join us at a Virtual Town Hall meeting this Thursday at either 1:00 p.m. or 6 p.m.
Mindfulness in the Home Webinar
The School Mental Health Resource and Training Center is excited to bring you the latest installment in the Family Education Webinar series, Mindfulness in the Home.
This 30 minute webinar will highlight the physical and emotional benefits of mindfulness, such as enhanced whole body wellness, improved sleep, increased focus and attention, and stress reduction. Join us to learn the basics of Mindfulness practice; simple strategies to utilize mindfulness techniques and activities in the home and as part of your family's daily routine. Please note, the intended audience for this specific webinar is family and caregivers, professional development credit is not available.
Friday, July 31, 2020 from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM
REGISTER HERE.
Funding for the family webinar series is provided by Mother Cabrini Health Foundation.
To view recordings of previous webinars in this series, please go to our Family Education Webinar Series page https://www.mentalhealthednys.org/family-education-webinar-series/.
Hello RA Families:
The Summer Meals Partnership is excited to be able to share updates regarding summer meals distribution.
Both Foodlink and RTS have been incredibly adaptive and strategic in making changes to better meet needs of families. The updates are listed below and have been made on www.SummerMealsROC.org.
Click on the link for more information.
Mobile Site Updates:
Avenue Black Box Theater, 780 Joseph Ave. 14621, 11:15-12:00Brothers & Sisters Unisex Salon, 1274 Dewey Ave. 14613, 12:00-12:45Conkey Corner Park, 92 Conkey Ave. 14621, 12:00-12:45Green Knolls, Green Knolls Drive 14620, 12:15-12:45St. Stephen's Episcopal Church 14611, 12:00-12:45Troup Street Park, 210-266 Troup Street 14608, 11:30-12:15
RTS Meal Delivery Updates:
Charlotte route was adjusted to reach more housing/apartment complexesSouth Wedge route was adjusted to help cover some of the areas that East would have coveredMaplewood, Lyell-Otis and 19th Ward remain the same--
For more information:
www.SummerMealsROC.org.
Have a safe and fun summer!
Dear RA Families,
As we are crafting our back to school plan we would like to receive current feedback from our families. Please access the survey via the following link and do your best to reply by tomorrow by 3:00. If we do not get a high return we will be reaching out to families to record their preference.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W6CVZGH
Thank you,
RA's School Reopening Committee.
Dear RA Families,
We hope this message finds you well. Attached for your review is the approved 2020-2021 school calendar. Please be advised that as things change due to the COVID pandemic, this calendar may be adjusted. We are following the NYS Department of Health's, the NYS Department of Education's, and Governor Cuomo's guidance very closely to ensure we are providing the best possible school year for our children.
If changes to the calendar need to be made we will provide as much advanced notice as possible.
Good Morning RA Families,
The NYSED Charter School Office
recognizes that parents and guardians play a vital role in your children’s education and therefore we are seeking to learn from you what went right and what can be improved with regard to your children’s education
during the Covid-19 pandemic. In order to learn directly from you, we have created a brief survey. Please complete the brief survey: Click here to enter the survey or you may copy and paste following link
into your browser: https://tinyurl.com/csoparentcovid19 and enter the password: csoparent
We believe your input is essential to inform both policy and practice as we move toward the re-opening of our schools.
Thank you
Hello RA!
Please read the following letter from Mr. Koch regarding trimester 3 report cards. Thank you and have a great summer!
Don't Forget Your RA Charter School Renewal
Letter of Support
Greetings RA Families,
This is a reminder to bring your letter of support when you come to the school to pick up your student's belongings, return library books, and drop off the school's Chromebook and charger this Friday (6/26) or next Monday (6/29).
Please see the attached letters for further instructions regarding the letter of support and the schedule to drop off Chromebooks.
Please show your support and take action. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and thank you to the families that have already submitted their letters.
On behalf of Renaissance Academy Charter School of the Arts, have a safe and fun summer.
This organization is funded by the UR School of Music. This organization brings upwards of 100 classically trained musicians of African descent to Rochester to perform fundraising concerts in private homes and a grand concert at Kodak Hall, as well as, conduct workshops for minority students in local area schools. It’s a wonderful music festival that is supported by the Rochester Community.
School's out. Summer's in.
SUMMER MEALS
Free for kids 18 and under.
Find a site near you!
Click on the link below for a list of locations and times. You can also access the information on RA's website or Facebook page. Have a safe and fun summer!
https://www.summermealsroc.org/
New York State Charter Parent Council
SAVE THE DATE!
Dear RA Families,
Thank you to all who joined us last month for our first-ever New York State Charter Parent Council meeting! As a reminder, on July 1, 2020, at 6 pm we will be holding our second meeting. We are hoping to see the size of our original group double by our meeting next month!
You can join the July 1 meeting using the information below:
Join by link: https://nycharters.zoom.us/j/95289904440
Meeting ID: 952 8990 4440
Join by phone: +19292056099,,95289904440# US (New York)
I am so excited to watch this group grow and evolve as we work together to make a difference for our kids!
In partnership,
Ashara Baker
Community Engagement Manager
abaker@nycharters.net
Hello RA Families,
Take a few minutes to read the schedule for pick-up and drop-off of your student's belongings.
Dear Sixth Grade Families,
On Wednesday, June 24th @ 6:00 p.m. RA will be hosting our first ever virtual graduation via zoom. One hour prior to the graduation ceremony the zoom link will be sent to the 6th graders' school email address. We are asking that only the students use the zoom link, this will enable us to see the students and limit the number of people on the zoom meeting. For all other family members who would like to watch the graduation in real time, please direct them to RA's facebook page. We will be streaming the Zoom graduation LIVE on our page. We are very excited to share this momentous occasion with all of you!
Sincerely,
RA's Graduation Committee
Hello RA Families,
PANDEMIC EBT: EXTRA FOOD ASSISTANCE FOR CHILDREN
Pandemic-EBT provides money to families with school-aged children to cover the cost of meals that students would have received at school during the pandemic. Every family in the state with eligible school-aged children will receive $420 in food assistance per child. These funds can then be used at most supermarkets, corner stores, bodegas, and farmers markets to buy groceries for up to a year. For more information, please refer to RA's website or Facebook page to view the flyer.
Hello, 5th and 6th-grade Families,
Ms. Emily Nichol, the Coordinator of RA's Safety Patrol Program is asking any 5th and 6th-grade students that have a safety belt at home to drop it off at school when you return your Chromebooks and Library books. More information regarding when to return these items will be forthcoming. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Have a safe and fun summer!
Hello RA Families,
I hope this message finds you and your family well.
I just wanted to share with you a great opportunity for parents and school leaders at your school of PLTI, in partnership with East EPO and the U of R, will present an online discussion, where parent leaders will share the strong practices implemented at K-12 schools & districts that support parent empowerment. Our parent-leader panelists will also share perspective on building trust for a safe return to school beyond COVID-19 and anti-racism work inside of schools. Parent leaders will represent urban, suburban, charter and private schools.
The event will be on Wednesday, June 17th at 5:30 pm on Zoom. Please RSVP Here! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RSXVR7H.
Regards,
L. Alvarez
Hello RA Families! The end of the school year is nearly here and summer vacation is calling! But before we head into summer, would you kindly have your students check around carefully at home and locate all their missing library books. There are many books still checked out to students since mid-March when we had to suddenly leave our wonderful school building. Please gather them up and return them - when you return the chromebooks to school would be the perfect time. Thank you so much! I hope everyone has been able to thoroughly enjoy these books leisurely at home! Enjoy your summer! Mrs. Maltzan
P.S.
Remember to send in your letters of support for RA's Charter Renewal. Please refer to RA's website and Facebook page for more information. Thank you!
Good Afternoon RA Community,
Please complete this brief survey regarding the re-opening of charter schools. Thank you
Good Morning Families,
Just a kind reminder that we will continue to provide meals on Mondays and Thursdays until June 25th.
Have a great rest of your day!
Hello RA families and friends! There will not be a town hall meeting this evening. We will communicate when the next meeting will be held. Have a great day and stay safe!
Dear RA Families,
As the end of the year approaches RA needs to plan for the opening of school in the fall. We are not sure if we can reopen fully therefore a group of parents, staff members, and community members have been working to create options for opening school in the fall in two different formats.
The first format is 100% virtual, similar to what we have been doing since March 16th.
The second option is a hybrid program where half the students come to the school building two days a week, the other half attend the other two days and one day a week is all virtual from home. We are hopeful that by using all open areas in our building we will be able to service half of the school following the CDC guidelines for social distancing.
The committee is eager to hear your thoughts on each option and will use your feedback to continue to plan. We feel that these two plans will best meet the needs of our students.
As has been the case since the beginning of the Coronavirus outbreak, the actions that we take will be based on the guidance provided by Governor Cuomo’s office which should come by the end of June.
Please take a few moments to respond to these survey questions by Wednesday, Jun 10th at noon.
Please access the survey via this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Renacad
Thank you,
Donna Marie Cozine, Ed.D.
Rochester Youth,
Come together with youth across our city to talk about the events of last week.
Wednesday, June 3, 2020, 4 - 5:30 pm
ZOOM INFO:
Meeting ID: 915 9238 9509
Password: 820342
RCSD Offers Crisis Support Resources
RA Families:
Below is a listing of social/emotional supports that the Rochester City School district has to offer in wake of the events that occurred in the city of Rochester this past weekend. RCSD believes that each individual school is supporting families during this time in their own ways, but RCSD wanted to ensure that all have the resources provided by RCSD as well.
The RCSD Crisis Support Line, accessible for all city residents, is 262-8700. The support line is available for any questions pertaining to the events that occurred this weekend along with COVID-based questions.
Emotional supports are available at each of the Rochester City School District Food sites. Support will be provided in shifts by Trauma Practitioners from 8:00 to 2:30 Monday through Friday. CDC recommendations regarding social distancing, masks and safety precautions will be utilized. Click on the link below for a list of Rochester City Schools that will provide emotional support as well as grab-and-go meals. https://www.cityofrochester.gov/coronavirus/
Center For Youth and RCSD Team members will attend the next “Black Lives Matter” rally on Friday June 5, 2020 to provide emotional support to youth as needed. Telephone support line for students and families with resource connection 262-8700 Monday through Friday 8:00-5:00.
Dear RA families,
Please see the attached letter from Dr. Cozine.
Thank you.
Greetings RA Community:
Sending my best to you and your families for your safety, health, and wellness. During these challenging and uncertain times, Renaissance Academy and all charter schools are facing a new obstacle. Please read below.
New York Charter Schools are in a State of Emergency. A high performing charter school in Buffalo New York, BuffSci, was voted down in May by the New York State Regents after being recommended for a 5 year approval by the State Education Department.
In making its decision to close BuffSci the Regents cited concerns about the impact the school has on the local district’s finances. BuffSci is not being forced to close its doors because of poor performance, it is forced to close because it is a charter school. This was an unprecedented decision by the NYS Board of Regents.
In a stand of solidarity for BuffSci Charter School, and all charter schools, we are asking RA families and staff to write a letter to their state legislators who appoint the Regents. Click on the link below to register and send your pre-populated letter to your state legislator. https://nycharters.quorum.us/campaign/26555/.
This process will only take two minutes of your time. Please take action by this Saturday, June 6, 2020.
No school is safe. Charter schools are at risk. Don't let the Regents take away your school choice. Act Now!
Thank you, as we come together to ensure that charter schools remain an option for our children.
#WeStandWithBuffSci
Sincerely,
Kimberly M. Felton
Family Services Coordinator
Hello RA Families:
The New York State Charter Schools Association is launching the first-ever parent-led education advisory council that will empower and embolden charter school parents to advocate for their children and the great schools they have chosen for them. This council will meet monthly and we hope to have at least one parent from each charter school in the State. Please assist us in advocating for your students by joining us on June 3rd, 2020 at 6 pm for our first New York State Parent Council meeting. This meeting will feature testimonials from parents of MESA Charter HS, Young Women's College Prep and Academy of Health Sciences. Also during this meeting, we will talk about voter registration and connect with charter parents across NY state. Please refer to your email or RA's website, and Facebook page to view the flyer for more detailed information on how to access the meeting via link or by phone.
Join us today at 5pm for RA’s town hall meeting. Click the link below to join.
Join with Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/wah-umjd-zsa
Good morning RA friends and families.
Today is the RA Town Hall meeting. Join us via Google Meets at 5pm. The link will be shared prior to the meeting via Facebook and student emails. We hope you will join us tonight. Have a great day and stay safe.
Our friends from 2barnfarm are hosting a free drive through zoo on Saturday, May 30th from 11 am - 4 pm and would love to see some familiar faces!
Due to the holiday on Monday, next week meals will be served on Tuesday from 12-1 only.
Please join us for RA's Town Hall Meeting on May 26, 2020 at 5 pm on Google Meets.
Prior to the meeting, a link will be sent to all student email accounts.
Due to the holiday on Monday, next week meals will be served on Tuesday from 12-1 only.
Congratulations to our raffle winners from last week! You will be contacted about receiving your prize!
K-2: Tyasia Holford
3-6: Nalis Miller
Family Prize: Stacey Jernigan Jr.
We can't wait to see who wins next week!
https://youtu.be/1Ih4AqV6iMY
Monroe County Drive-Thru Food Distributions. Pre-registration is required. Each registrant will receive 30+ pounds of groceries. To pre-register for an emergency food box distribution please call 2-1-1 or text 898-211 today. First to call, first to be served. There are only a few dates left for the month of May. Call today!
Greetings RA Families,
As a reminder, Renaissance Academy has compiled a list of essential resources to support you and your family during this difficult time. The resource list can be accessed by clicking on the link below or go to RA’s website and Facebook page.
Family Resources COVID-19
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lqBVQevg7BLa7W9jFkGg4qEL9Kwfjc7Tgr7QMca_Mko/edit?usp=sharing
Hello Families!
Do you need a mask? Please click the link below for sites in Monroe county distributing masks.
shorturl.at/ekqBX
RA Community Town Hall today at 5:00pm!
Hello RA! Please join school administrators and staff today at 5:00pm for a virtual town hall. Administrators will provide updated information to families and answer any questions community members and families may have. We can't wait to see everyone's faces! Simply click the link below at 5:00pm to join us!
meet.google.com/zco-cwkn-feb
Parenting Village is providing Virtual Circles for Parenting Support. Free and open to all parents & caregivers. For more information call (585) 270-1832. Find Zoom info on their Facebook & Instagram pages or on their website: www.parentingvillage.org
**RA Virtual Town Hall Tomorrow**
Hello RA! Tomorrow at 5:00pm Renaissance Academy will be hosting the first virtual town hall. During this town hall, community members can hear from school administration, get up-to-date information regarding COVID19 as it pertains to education, and ask questions. We are anticipating some staff and faculty joining as well. Please click the link found in your student's RENACAD email or in the news section on www.renacad.org.
This upcoming Tuesday, May 12th @ 5:00pm, RA will be hosting the first Virtual Town Hall. We will provide parents and family members with important information, review family and community resources, and answer any questions you may have. We may even raffle off some RA swag for those who attend!
We will send a google meet link to ALL STUDENT EMAILS prior to the event. We look forward to seeing our incredible parents!
Free drive thru milk event. Please read the image for more information.
Hello RA Families,
As a reminder, RA's Virtual Staff Appreciation Week 2020 will kick off this week from May 4th - May 8th. We have provided a daily schedule of activities that students and parents can follow to honor their teachers and RA staff. No money is required, just your time. Don’t miss out! Take time to show your love and appreciation towards the teachers and staff at RA. For instructions and a list of scheduled activities, click on the link below, go to the school’s website or Facebook page.
Much Thanks,
RA Leadership Team
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1svLWOMfh3HKfLclwOdLD-crZKp9HqSTGq9p71ArBQdk/edit?usp=sharing
Greetings RA Families,
Renaissance Academy has compiled a list of essential resources to support you and your family during this difficult time. The resource list can be accessed by clicking on the link below, or go to RA’s website and Facebook page.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dMmJt1oht9X7cUqdRY33hlMtFZRu8dzsShcEYaM8fT4/edit?usp=sharing
Good Afternoon Families, Just a reminder, we will be providing meals for the week on Mondays and Thursdays only between 12 pm and 1 pm. This week we are serving breaded chicken breast sandwich, turkey sandwich, chicken corn dogs and uncrustables. If you are still in need of a chromebook, families can pick one up at this time. Have a great week!
Hello RA Families,
The New York State Charter School Association in collaboration with ROC The Future's Parent Engagement Collaborative Action Network (PECAN) will host a Parent Engagement Meeting on Monday, April 27th @ 5:30 pm. This is a great opportunity for charter parent voices to be heard.
How has COVID-19 impacted you?
With the impact of COVID-19 spreading far and wide, we want to know from parents, what is working, what's not, and what additional support would be helpful.
We invite you to our Zoom meeting on Monday, April 27th at 5:30pm to join the conversation. You are welcome to participate by computer or phone. This community-wide conversation is hosted by our Parent Engagement Collaborative Action Network (PECAN) and is open to all parents.
Register in advance for this meeting: https://zoom.us/meeting/regist...
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
SURVEY LINK
To help us do a community check-in, we want to collect your feedback in advance of the meeting by completing the parent COVID-19 impact survey.
in English: https://forms.gle/Z9V9Pvn2KTWs...
en español: https://forms.gle/JMT9qsDUYDP1...
Please share this survey link far and wide as we want to collect a comprehensive response representative of all neighborhoods and parents. Complete the survey here.
https://docs.google.com/forms/...
This correspondence is also available in Spanish here.
https://rocthefuture.org/april...
Register today!
Reminder: Parent Network of Western New York is hosting a Family Fun Hour! Scavenger Hunt today, Thursday, April 23 @ 5:00 PM. An hour of fun for the whole family. They will be engaging families in a Scavenger Hunt in our own homes and interacting via webcam. Families do not need to bring anything but themselves. For more details checkout RA's website and Facebook page to view the flyer. Join from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://parentnetworkwny.org/wp-content/uploads/Family-Fun-Hour-Scavenger-Hunt-04-23-2020-1-1-719x930.jpg.
Greetings RA Families,
Please take a moment to review the April edition of the Home & School Connection and the Math & Science Connection Newsletters. We have also included a COVID-19 Special Edition for Parents and Children.
Click on the links below.
HOME & SCHOOL CONNECTION: http://www.rfecustomer.com/Pubs/202004/899344_HS0420_E.pdf?ID=3401
MATH & SCIENCE CONNECTION:
http://www.rfecustomer.com/Pubs/202004/899344_MI0420_E.pdf?ID=6962
COVID-19 SPECIAL EDITIONS:
PARENTS AND CHILDREN:
http://www.rfecustomer.com/Pubs/202004/899344_HS20xx626E.pdf?ID=6242
PARENTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN:
http://www.rfecustomer.com/Pubs/202004/899344_EY20xx628E.pdf?ID=8704
Hello RA Families,
Although we are not sure if social distancing will still be in affect this summer we wanted to share the Rochester KidsOutAndAbout Summer Newsletter April 20, 2020, that includes the 2020 Virtual Camp Fair link and Master Guide to Summer Camps. Click on the link below. Please continue to stay healthy and safe. https://mailchi.mp/kidsoutandabout/rochester-2020b-camps?e=026856f82c
Hello RA Families, Starting tomorrow April 20th, we will be providing meals for the week on Mondays and Thursdays only between 12 pm - 1 pm.
Hello RA Families, Starting next week, we will be providing meals for the week on Mondays and Thursdays only between 12 pm - 1 pm. Have a fabulous day!
RA’s annual enrollment lottery will be held tomorrow, April 15th at 9am. Due to the COVID 19 restrictions on social gathering, our lottery will be recorded live, and a link will be posted on our website at www.renacad.org upon the conclusion of the lottery. Results can also be seen on the Good Schools Roc website by logging into your individual account. Thank you!
Good Evening RA Families,
Transportation forms for 2020-2021 school year should be submitted before April 15th. RCSD families should send the form directly to Renaissance Academy Attn: Mrs. Foreman at 299 Kirk Road Rochester, NY 14612, faxed to 585-225-4201, or emailed to foreman@renacad.org. Here are the links for transportation form RCSD:https://www.rcsdk12.org/Page/887 Greece:https://www.greececsd.org/Page/289 Gates:https://www.gateschili.org/domain/28
East Irondequoit:https://www.eastiron.org/Page/4230
Have a great weekend.
Greetings RA Families, Here is updated information regarding health insurance for NYS residents.
Greetings RA Families: Here is your Daily Digest of online / virtual events, activities, and resources to help get you through the COVID-19 crisis. We are sending daily digests of virtual events so you can scan the list each day and click on what interests you.
—Debra Ross, publisher
https://mailchi.mp/kidsoutandabout/rochester-digest-april-7-2020?e=026856f82c
Be sure to go to the KidsOutAndAbout website daily to see what virtual events, activities, and resources are posted.
Greetings RA Families, Please take a few minutes to complete this survey regarding RA's Distance Learning by Friday, April 10th.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1uL0god5Iw3h4EB_i29mJL_NxSJ7k4hRVGgywcmTdFGQ/edit?ts=5e8b0d9a We appreciate your feedback.
Save the Date for our 4th Annual Reach for the Stars Gala
Hello RA Families,
Kids Out and About.com has posted 250+ Creative Ways to Keep Your Family Sane During the COVID-19 Crisis, as well as some homeschooling tips.
Click on the link or copy and paste the web address below to view the information.
https://mailchi.mp/kidsoutandabout/rochester-250-ideas?e=026856f82c
Feel free to share these links on social media, too. You have friends who need the info!
Stay healthy and well.
Please read the following letter for an overview of meal resources available to you and your family.
EAT HEALTHIER WHILE SAVING MONEY
Join Nutrition Educators for a guided tour of the supermarket. Spend less time grocery shopping. Make the best choice for your family. Plan easy and delicious meals while saving money. $5 Healthy Food Gift Card. THE EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE AT PRICE RITE, WALMART AND TOPS. Refer to flyer for more details on Facebook and RA's website. Sponsored by Foodlink, Cooking Matters, and Cornell University Cooperative Extensions.
Hello RA Families!
Out of an abundance of caution Renaissance Academy will close immediately until further notice. All students were sent home with instructions in a packet should this occur. Please refer to the letter, our facebook page, or www.renacad.org for the instructions. We will be sure to update you with any future announcements. Thank you!
Hello Families!
The following events have been temporarily cancelled until further notice.
Saturday, March 14 - Family Skate Party
Thursday, March 19 - Family Science Night
Wednesday, March 25 - RAFFA Meeting
Thursday, March 26 - Teacher Appreciation Meeting
If there is any change, we will send a message out again. Thank you.
A message from COO, Craig Eichmann.
On the following dates students may dress down for $1 each day! The money raised is being used by the Staff Appreciation Committee for festivities to honor our staff during the week of May 4th - 8th. FRIDAY: March 13th & 27th, April 17th & 24th PLEASE BRING THE MONEY THE DAY OF AND GIVE IT TO YOUR TEACHER. Any questions, please contact Jamie Sebastian @ 225-4200 x248. Thank you RA family in advance for your support!
Hello RA Families! Are you interested in enrolling your child in session three of our after-school Encore program?! If so, please fill out the following form, https://forms.gle/qqDgMBnK5H9Q3fgWA, by Friday, March 13th. You must submit one form per child. Encore Session Three begins the week of March 30th and ends the week of June 5th. If you would prefer to register your child on a paper registration form, or if you have any other questions or concerns, please reach out to Mrs. Tobeck at 225-4200, Ext. 233 or tobeck@renacad.org.
Greetings RA Families
Can you believe that we are one week away from our annual family and friends skate party?
The fun will take place next Saturday, March 14th from 11 am - 2 pm at Skate Luvers Roller Palace located at 1684 Adirondack St., Rochester, NY 14606. There will be games, music, rollerskating, prizes, bounce houses and even a movie theater all for just $10, and you pay at the door. Be sure to spread the word and tell your family and friends to join as we have fun and raise money for RA. We hope to see you all next Saturday.
Have an awesome weekend!
What a wonderful Reading Week we have had here. We had guest readers in every classroom. Tomorrow is PAJAMA DAY and a special visit from children's book author Pam Rapoza! We can't wait to reveal the shopping spree winners from our Myon Challenge!
Greetings RA Families, we have a slight change to our calendar. Due to the NYS testing dates falling on Wednesday March 25th, and Wednesday April 22nd, we will not have an early release day. Both of those days will be regular dismissal at 3:30. Transportation has also been informed of the change. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the front office at 585-225-4200.
Happy Read Across America week! Don't forget to get your students logged into Myon! All students have an account on www.myon.com. Students are able to log on and read many titles. The 2 students who log the most minutes on Myon will earn a Barnes and Noble Shopping Spree!
Parents and Families don't forget- it's Read Across America week! Tomorrow we are celebrating Where The Wild Things are with WACKY HAIR DAY!
Renaissance Academy Presents: MOVIE NIGHT
Friday, March 6, 2020 from 3:30 pm - 6:00 pm.
There is no charge for this event, however, there is a limit to the first 100 spots! Students will stay after school and must be picked up by parents by the end of the program. Snacks will be provided. Please return form by Tuesday, March 3, 2020.
RA Families, we need your voice and support. As a reminder, our Parent Committee Meeting for Staff Appreciation Week is tonight, Wednesday, February 26th at 6:30 pm in the cafeteria. Come ready to brainstorm ideas and participate as we prepare for Staff Appreciation Week 2020. Dinner will be provided. There is still time to RSVP. Contact Mrs. Felton at 225-4200 x209. Please use the cafeteria entrance, door #7 and park in the visitors parking lot.
Thank you in advance for your support and we look forward to seeing you tonight!
SAVE THE DATE!
Our next RAFFA meeting is Wednesday, March 25th at 6 pm. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend. Important information will be shared.
NY State Assessment - Ben Koch, Building Principal
Missing and Exploited Children - Prevention, Reporting, and Resources
Jennifer L. Boutte - Candidate for Monroe County Clerk
Childcare for RA students and siblings ages 4 -12 will be provided. Dinner and Prizes.
If you have not attended all year, please don’t miss this opportunity. We look forward to seeing you there.
Contact Mrs. Felton at 225-4200 x209 to RSVP by Monday, March 23rd.
Let's get together and show our RA staff how much we appreciate them on Wednesday, February 26, 2020 from 6:30 pm - 7:45 pm. The focus of this meeting is to brainstorm ideas and assign tasks for Staff Appreciation Week (5/4 - 5/8). Dinner will be provided. Contact Mrs. Felton at 225-4200 x209 to RSVP by Monday, 2/24. PLEASE BRING IDEAS AND PARTICIPATION.
Calling all RA families to attend a parent committee meeting for our Staff Appreciation Week that will take place in May. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 26, 2020, from 6:30 pm - 7:45 pm. Dinner will be provided. Please bring your ideas and participation. Contact Mrs. Felton at 25-4200 x209 to RSVP by Monday, February 24th. We look forward to your involvement!
Black History Month Fun Fact of the Day!
Condoleezza Rice and Martin Luther King, Jr. started college when they were just 15 years old. She studied political science at the University of Denver; he majored in sociology at Morehouse College in Atlanta.
Happy Black History Month!
The celebration of Black History Month began in 1926 and was created by Carter G Woodson. The month of February was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.
Renaissance Academy Charter School of the Arts will be at the GoodSchoolsRoc Charter School Fairs: Wednesday, February 5th from 6:00 - 8:00 pm Saturday, February 8th from 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Rochester Public Library, Kate Gleason Auditorium located on the first floor of the Bausch & Lomb building - newer building across the from Rundel.
115 South Ave, Rochester, NY 14604
There will be activities for children.
We look forward to seeing you at our next RAFFA meeting, this Wednesday, January 29, 2020, from 6 -7:15 pm. The educational topic is “Interpreting your child's I Ready scores - Ben Koch, Building Principal. Community Resource Topic: Foodlink presents: "The Benefits of Fruits and Vegetables" along with a demonstration and tasting. The YMCA will also be in attendance for a brief discussion / Q & A- "Aftercare at RA". Dinner and childcare will be provided for RA students and their sibling's ages 4 -12. As always, we will have prizes to giveaway. Please call Mrs. Felton at 225-4200 x209 to RSVP.
Dear RA Families,
I wanted to share with you that we had a slight issue in the building of which you should be aware. Earlier today we were having our boilers serviced and one of the boilers was emitting gas into the building. The gas was NOT at a dangerous level but we chose to evacuate the building as we cleared out the gas and checked all areas with a gas meter.
The students were amazing during the evacuation and you should be very proud of them. They exited the building quickly and quietly and remained outside respectfully while they waited to come back into the building.
Again, the building is completely safe and we are "back in business" children are back in the classrooms and joyfully learning!
I hope you have a wonderful day!
Dr. Cozine
As a friendly reminder, our next RAFFA meeting is, Thursday, January 29, 2020 from 6 -7:15 pm. The educational topic is “Interpreting your child's I Ready scores - Ben Koch, Building Principal. Community Resource Topic: Foodlink presents: "The Benefits of Fruits and Vegetables" along with a demonstration and tasting. The YMCA will also be in attendance for a brief discussion / Q & A- "Aftercare at RA".
Dinner and childcare will be provided for RA students and their siblings ages 4 -12. And as always, we will have prizes to giveaway.
Please call Mrs. Felton at 225-4200 x209 to RSVP by Monday, January 27th.
Good Evening RA Families,
In observance of Martin Luther King Jr., there will be no school on Monday, January 20, 2020.
Have a great weekend.
REMINDER: RA has been in discussion with the YMCA of Rochester to provide aftercare at our school site. We are surveying our parents to see if there is interest. Please click on the link below and complete the brief survey by Friday, January 17, 2020. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfwX69O9W6pwbfxNoN6KHcwMz7qLInAlhc5kSmuEMtowRlpPw/viewform?usp=sf_link
RA PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Volunteers are needed for our upcoming Math Night 1/23 (4 needed) and Science Night on 3/19 (3 needed). Volunteers will serve dinner to RA families, assist with cleaning up, put leftover food away, and wash a few utensils and/or aluminum pans.
Please contact Mrs. Felton 225-4200 x209 by 1/17/20.
Thank you!
RA presents Family Math Night on Thursday, January 23, 2020. Free fun night for the whole family. Dinner will be served from 5:30 - 6:00 PM. Math Games & Arts and Math Integration Activities from 6:00 - 7:00 PM. Space is limited to the first 60 students and their families. Be sure to check your child's backpack for the flyer and submit your form by Thursday, January 16, 2020 to the Front Office.
RA has been in discussion with the YWCA of Rochester to provide aftercare at our school site. We are surveying our parents to see if there is interest.
Please click on the link below and complete the brief survey by Friday, January 17, 2020.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfwX69O9W6pwbfxNoN6KHcwMz7qLInAlhc5kSmuEMtowRlpPw/viewform?usp=sf_link
The staff's Hot Cocoa Bar was a huge success...especially on a snowy and cold day like yesterday. Thank you Family Liaisons for sponsoring such a special treat for our RA staff!
All busses except for Bus H have left the school. We will alert you when the bus has left.
Busses are beginning to leave the school. Please be prepared to receive your children.
Families of RA. Power is currently down at RA. Power is not expected to return until after 3:30. We anticipate bus transport home within the hour. Please feel free to come pick up your student at the front door. Phones are currently down at school. Please stay posted.
RA PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Volunteers will pick up items from Foodlink’s Mt. Read location on Fridays between 8:30 am – 9:30 am and deliver the items to Renaissance Academy once a month. Please contact Mrs. Felton 225-4200 x209 by 12/19/19. Thank you!
TONIGHT is Renaissance Academy’s third annual Chuck E. Cheese’s fundraiser from 3 - 9 pm, at 3130 W. Ridge Road. Be sure to mention Renaissance Academy when you make your purchase at the register. Invite your family and friends. We look forward to seeing everyone.
Good evening RA Families,
See you tomorrow night at our RAFFA Meeting from 6 - 7:15 pm. Dinner and Childcare provided. Also, Chuck E. Cheese's coupons and 10 free points will be sent home with your child on Wednesday. Check your child's backpack and don't miss out on the fun!
SAVE THE DATE:Renaissance Academy’s third annual Chuck E. Cheese’s fundraising event. Friday, 11/22/19 from 3pm - 9pm join us at Chuck E. Cheese's located at 3130 W. Ridge Rd and invite your family and friends. Mention Renaissance Academy when you make a purchase at the register.
Join us on Wednesday, November 20, 2019, for our second RAFFA Meeting. Topic of discussion: Fundraising and Afterschool Programs. Community Resource Partner Presentation: Advantage Credit Union - Teach your child about money and information for first time home buyers.
Renaissance Academy’s third annual Chuck E. Cheese’s fundraising event. Friday, November 22, 2019, from 3 pm - 9 pm join us at Chuck E. Cheese's located at 3130 W. Ridge Rd and invite your family and friends. Mention Renaissance Academy when you make a purchase at the register.
We are excited to invite you to ELA Family Night! This is a special night where we come together to celebrate the joy of books. This year our theme is Welcome Home to Reading! Dinner will be served then we will have numerous ELA activities that will engage all learning types.
Tomorrow, October 8 is Picture Day at RA. Students should wear there RA logo polo and khaki pants or skirt.
Hello RA Families,
Our first RAFFA meeting will take place tomorrow, September 25th at 6pm. Topic: “The State of Our School” presented by Dr. Donna Marie Cozine. Dinner and childcare will be provided. Please RSVP by Tuesday, September 24th. Contact Mrs. Felton at 225-4200 x209.
Good evening RA Families,
Our first RAFFA meeting will be next Wednesday, September 25th at 6pm. Topic: “The state of our school” Dinner and childcare will be provided and we will give away prizes. Please RSVP by Tuesday, September 24th. Contact Mrs. Felton at 225-4200 x209.
Hello RA Friends and Families! Just a friendly reminder that today is a half day at RA. Dismissal is at 1pm today. Have a great day.
This month's RAFFA meeting will be discussing the state of our school with Dr. Donna Marie Cozine and Ashara Baker from North East Charter Schools. Dinner and childcare provided. Contact Mrs. Kimberly Felton to RSVP. 225-4200 x209
Calling for Family Liaisons. Attend the orientation Saturday, September 21at 9:30 in the RA Cafeteria. To register call Mrs. Felton at 225-4200 x209.
Hello Families and Friends! A message was sent out in error regarding a 3:30 dismissal today. Please disregard this message. Today is a early dismissal at 1:00pm. All Wednesday school days from this point on are half days, unless otherwise stated. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Our fifth annual Back To School Bash will take place tomorrow, Saturday, September 7, 2019 from 10:30 am - 1:30 pm. If you did not get a chance to RSVP you can still attend. Lunch will be provided for only $2 per person.
Hello RA! Don't forget, today is a full school day.
8:00am - 3:30pm.
Have a great day!
Don't forget about our Back to School Bash on September 7. Register by August 30.
Wanda the Wombat lesson today
It's been a ruff day at Renaissance Academy
All the RA goodies!
Reach for the Stars date is set!
Some behind the scenes pics of the Black History Month Celebration
