Rutland Intermediate School
James (Jay) Slenker, Principal
Loren Pepe, Assistant Principal
Cathy Farman, Assistant Principal
63 Library Avenue
Rutland, VT 05701
Phone: 802-773-1932
August 2015
Dear RIS Families, Parents, and Guardians:
Welcome back to school for the 2015-2016 year! All of us at Rutland Intermediate School
(RIS) feel excited for the new year, with our older and wiser students, new and seasoned staff
members, and a fresh, new feeling to our wonderfully charming building! We hope your
children feel excited, too!
Please join us in welcoming new staff members to our school community. Mrs. Loren Pepe
joins us as our new assistant principal. Mrs. Pepe, a parent of RIS alumni, comes to us after
serving as the principal of Killington Elementary School, and we are thrilled to have her on
board. Mrs. Pepe will assume assistant principal duties with a focus on third and fourth grades;
meanwhile, our own Mrs. Cathy Farman will focus primarily on fifth and sixth grades in her
assistant principal position.
In the classrooms, we welcome Ms. Ashleigh McDonough, originally from Northwest
Primary School, as a sixth grade special educator, and we welcome two new teachers in fifth and
sixth grades: Mrs. Lacey Schwaner and Mrs. Megan Ehntholt, respectively. In our school
psychologist department, we welcome Mr. Nick DeVita. Our new faculty members are eager to
meet your children!
As you may know, our building underwent an extensive renovation of the electrical, heating
and ventilation systems. In the process, we spruced up many classrooms and the main office with
fresh paint and new carpeting. Renovations to the boys’ and girls’ restrooms on the main floor
also occurred with new floors, fresh paint, and shiny, new sinks and stalls. Our students will find
an even more comfortable and attractive building when they enter school this year!
Once again, we invite all families to join us on the first day of school, Wednesday, August
th
26 . Beginning at 8 a.m., both walkers and car riders may enter the school and head directly to
their classrooms. Bus riders may wait in the cafe until 8 a.m., at which time teachers will direct
them to their classrooms. By 8:20 a.m., all students are expected to be in their classrooms, where
nut-free muffins and juice will be served as part of the first day celebration. At 8:30 a.m., parents
and guardians will be called to the RIS auditorium for a short, informational meeting, which is
expected to conclude by 9 a.m. Please join us!
The first day of school is often met with excitement and apprehension for many children and
their parents. To help alleviate unnecessary anxieties, please read the attached document to help
your child prepare for the first day, and please know that we welcome both you and your child
with open arms! Our goal is to provide a safe learning community where children are free to
thrive and grow. All of us at RIS look forward to a happy and productive year with your child!
Sincerely,
Jay Slenker, Principal
Loren Pepe, Assistant Principal
Cathy Farman, Assistant Principal
Rutland Intermediate School
James (Jay) Slenker, Principal
Loren Pepe, Assistant Principal
Cathy Farman, Assistant Principal
63 Library Avenue
Rutland, VT 05701
Phone 802-773-1932
Re: End of Day Plans
End of day plans often cause unnecessary anxiety for children. To avoid
this, please make sure your child knows how s/he is getting home on the first
day of school, and kindly convey this information to your child’s teacher.
Dismissal begins at 2:48 p.m. Car riders always use the Church Street circle
for both drop off and pick up of students. You may note that this is also the
designated “Visitors’ Parking.” The front drive is for buses only.
At dismissal, walkers are directed from two locations: 1) the Church Street
circle for those children heading down Church Street or up to Route 7,
referred to as “Walkers East,” or 2) the Keefe Gym exit for children heading
across Grove Street, referred to as “Walkers West.”
If your child is riding his/her bicycle, please make sure your child has a lock
and knows to keep the bike locked at the bike rack located near our
playground.
Re: School Supplies
Please do not worry about school supplies prior to the first day of school.
Your child’s teacher will send home information regarding this on the first
day or shortly thereafter.
See you all soon!