Welcome New Rheem Families,

 

You are receiving this message because we have you listed as a brand new family to Rheem Elementary.  If you are not new to our school, please respond and I will remove you from the list.  

 

I am so thrilled to have you join our Rheem Team!  My name is Meghan Donnelly Hetke, and I am the PTA VP of Communications.  I have three kids - an 8th grader, an incoming 5th grader and a 1st grader.  I am here to help you and answer questions about anything related to our school or community.  Continue to check your emails for updated information from the Moraga School District, Principal Sullivan and the Rheem PTA.  

 

Here are a few things you should know about for the beginning of the 2022/2023 school year:

 

MANDATORY STEP! Please create an account on Membership Toolkit:  

  • Membership Toolkit enables you to handle all of your purchases (PTA membership, directory, yearbook, etc), volunteering, ASEP and other PTA event sign-ups, and paperwork online.  
  • During the year, there will also be PTA sponsored events and you must sign the PTA waiver on Membership Toolkit at the beginning of the year in order for your child to participate.
  • Membership Toolkit also allows you to access all kinds of information about PTA events and programs!

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES:

Below you will find many important dates at Rheem for the Fall. I encourage you to also look at the school's calendar on its website and include the dates that you want to remember in your own personal calendar.  Also, remember to check the calendar throughout the year for any additions or changes.  

 

  • PTA Registration Opens: Wednesday, July 27th: Register on the PTA website to become a member, fill out your PTA waiver, complete your MEF pledge form, and order your school yearbook!  
  • Kindergarten Meet and Greet: Monday, August 8th from 3:30-4:00pm on the Rheem Kindergarten Playground. This is an opportunity for Kindergarteners to see the campus, meet the Kindergarten teachers and Principal Sullivan before the first day of school.   
  • Roadrunner Day: Monday, August 8th 4:00pm-5:30pm. This is our official welcome back to school event!  Come connect with other families, order Rheem spirit wear, learn more about the Rheem PTA, the Moraga Education Foundation, Roadrunner Club and after school enrichment classes through the Town of Moraga. Incoming Rheem 5th Graders will also be leading tours of the campus to all new families via a fun Scavenger Hunt that is sure to help your new student feel comfortable for the first day of school. 
  • First Day of School:  Tuesday, August 9th –  there will be more details to come from Principal Sullivan. School starts at 8:25am. Students can arrive on campus starting at 8:10am. Drop off is on Laird Drive.  
  • Back to School Parent Coffee: Join us for a first day coffee in the Multiuse Room/Frank on Tuesday August 9th after dropping your kids off.  We are excited to meet and see you all! 
  • Back to School Night for Kindergarten: The date and time will be communicated shortly! Stay tuned. 
  • Back to School Night 1st -5th: Thursday, August 11th is Back to School Night for grades 1st-5th. Evening times by grade will be communicated by Principal Sullivan closer to the date.  
  • First Minimum Day: Thursday, August 11th is a minimum day of school for your child, which means they will attend school from 8:25am-12:12pm (no hot lunch). 
  • First Rheem PTA Association Meeting of the 2022-2023 Year: Wednesday, September 14th at 8:30am at Rheem or available via Zoom.  Anyone can attend and we would love to have you join us! 

RHEEM SCHOOL INFORMATION:

  • School Calendar:  It is always helpful to note holidays/teacher work days, minimum days, shortened minimum days, etc now so you can plan accordingly.  Take particular note of the parent/teacher conference week in October! Utilize the Rheem Elementary website to access the school calendar (currently being updated) and the Moraga School District calendar.   You can also subscribe to the PTA Google Calendar. 
  • Volunteering: If you do volunteer on campus this year, here is some information about what is needed. Every time you visit the school you must sign in at the office and get a badge.  There is a computer system called RAPTOR in the office where you will sign in/out and receive a printed badge with your name and photo.  On your first visit to the school you must provide Lisa Fitzinger, the school Secretary, with your driver's license.  After that initial visit you may sign in and out yourself.  See more information about volunteer expectations from the district HERE.
  • Communication is Key: Make sure you are receiving all important communications from Rheem School.  
    • Rheemarks is a weekly email (look for it on Sundays) sent through Parent Square from Principal Sullivan.  Family email addresses are pulled from our database (the info provided at registration) to make sure that all  families receive this newsletter.  This newsletter focuses on current school events and issues.  
    • The Roadrunner Review: is our Rheem PTA Newsletter. This is generally sent out every other Wednesday once school begins and is limited to important information and updates about PTA programs, activities, opportunities, and more!  

OTHER PROGRAMS AT RHEEM: 

  • Roadrunner Club: Roadrunner Club is our school district run, before and after care program for students.  It is located in the back of the school by the steps up to Ascot. The coordinators come to each classroom to pick up Kindergarten students after school and then the parent/caregiver signs them out at Roadrunner. Roadrunner Club is currently open and accepting sign-ups. Here is the link to more information, FAQs, and to sign up for Roadrunner Club.
  • After-School Enrichment Programs (ASEP) –  The Town of Moraga will offer After School Enrichment Programs at the Hacienda. You can find more details here. Registration opens on August 9th and classes begin the week of September 6th. 

JOIN THE PTA!  

  • PTA (Parent Teacher Association):  We encourage you to join the PTA and become active in the school community!  We really have a great group of parents who help out at the school in all different ways.  Association meetings are typically held at Rheem four times a year. Even if you can't make the meetings, there are many ways that you can get involved.  If you are interested in getting more involved, let me know, and I can help you find a job that works for you! Below is a list of everything to consider while completing your PTA registration!
  • 1) Buy a PTA Membership: Joining the PTA is $15 per adult and your donation is crucial to directly supporting our classrooms, teachers, students and our families here at Rheem which in turn enriches your students' experiences. So, we ask every parent to please join the PTA. Joining the PTA requires absolutely NO time commitment! You are not required to attend any meetings or volunteer. Of course anyone who would like to attend and/or volunteer is greatly welcomed and appreciated! You must be a PTA member to vote. 
  • 2) Purchase your MSD online directory: $20 for all four schools access, also supports the PTA!  Buy your membership and directory here.
  • 3) Sign the mandatory PTA waiver for participation in all PTA events:  If you don’t sign, your child can’t participate.
  • 4) Sign up to volunteer for the PTA: There are lots of areas of need listed in the form. Please let us know what you are most interested in helping with or just that you want to help and we will find a match! We are most urgently in need of a Reflections Chair.
  • 5) Update your family information, directory and publish (photo release) preferences: Confirm what information you would like published in the directory and select your preference on your children’s photo release for the PTA website, newsletter, social media and yearbook.
  • 6) Order your 2022-2023 school yearbook
  • 7) Complete your MEF pledge form: Also be sure to check out their website! moragaeducation.org 
  • Click here to complete these forms. 

 

MORAGA EDUCATION FOUNDATION: 

 

You will be hearing a lot about MEF around school.  California ranks 41st in per-pupil funding, and within California, Moraga is one of the lowest-funded districts.  But with your support of the Moraga Education Foundation, our public schools are among the best in the state.  Your donations fund STEAM, academic support, student wellness, and enrichment at Rheem.  Every donation makes a difference in your child’s academic experience. Visit moragaeducation.org to find out more about the impact your donation makes at Rheem.  Thank you for your support!

 

There are many ways to donate. 

Lastly, if you are on Facebook make sure to join the Rheem School Adults: PTA Group or Instagram @rheempta. 

Please let me know if you have any questions or need any help.  In the meantime, visit Rheem's website to find out more about our school community!

 

You can always reach out via email with any questions as well! RheemPTA@gmail.com

 

Go Roadrunners!

Meghan Donnelly Hetke



 

Upcoming PTA Meetings

September 13, 2023 - 9:00am
January 17, 2024 - 7:30pm
March 13, 2024 - 9:00am
May 15, 2024 - 9:00am

PTA Meeting Calendar

Rheem PTA Loyalty Programs

Help raise funds for Rheem PTA while you shop!  It's FREE, EASY MONEY!

Moraga Education Foundation

 

Your donation makes a difference!