Kindergarten and New Families

Radnor Elementary School (RES) Administration:

• Principal: Dr. Nancy Young
• Assistant Principal: Jon Smerecky
• School Counselor: Sarah Casey
• Secretaries: Susan McCaffery and Anne Von Hertsenberg 
• Main Office: 610-788-9300

Radnor Township School District (RTSD)

For all information regarding the school district e.g. Transportation, Administration, Community etc., please refer to RTSD website 

RTSD Central Office Administration 

135 S. Wayne Ave, Wayne, PA 19087
Telephone: 610-688-8100
Administration Staff Directory 

RTSD Transportation

Telephone: 610-293-1947
Department webpage

Visiting School Premises

All visitors to RES must ring the front doorbell and be buzzed in to register at the front desk. Please have your driver’s license or photo ID ready to generate your visitor badge. 

RES Daily Schedule 

8:45 a.m. Student Drop-Off Begins
8:55 a.m. Students Enter Building
9:05 a.m. School Day Begins 
3:40 p.m. Student Dismissal
3:40 p.m. Car Line Begins (the school asks parents not to arrive before 3:30 p.m. for car line dismissal)
3:50 p.m. Buses Depart and Car Line Concludes

For additional information on Arrival and Dismissal Procedures, review the Elementary School Handbook 

Going to be Late? (After 9:05 am)

Students arriving after 9:05 a.m. are considered tardy. For more information, see Tardiness on the district's attendance information.

Please send an email or note as early as possible (preferably by 9:00 a.m.) to your child's classroom teacher, the Building Administrative Secretary (Anne.Vonhertsenberg@rtsd.org), and the Principal's Administrative Assistant (Susan.McCaffery@rtsd.org).

If you cannot provide a note or access email, you may call the office at 610-788-9300 (leave a message if before 7:30 a.m.).

Early Dismissals

RTSD recognizes that our families have busy schedules but ask that early dismissal be used only for appointments or necessary reasons to the greatest extent possible.

Please try to avoid last-minute notifications or pickups between 3:20 p.m. and 3:40 p.m., as the office is bustling at this time, managing nearly 600 children at dismissal.

Please submit early dismissal notes as soon as possible (by 9:00 a.m. preferred) but by 2:00 p.m. at the latest for any last-minute changes to avoid disruptions to instruction (late notifications require staff to call the classroom and disrupt teachers).

Absence Due to Illness

If your child will be absent from school, please send an email or note as early as possible (preferably by 9:00 a.m.) to your child's classroom teacher and res.absence@rtsd.org to notify the school's administrative staff. Be sure to include your child's full name, the date of absence, the reason for the absence, and the parent/guardian's full name.

If you cannot provide a note or access email, you may call the office at 610-788-9300 (leave a message if before 7:30 a.m.).

An excuse note is required within three days of any absence, but if your original reporting method is via email, that is sufficient.

Please also notify Before & After Care of absences, if applicable.

For more information, see Absence on the district's attendance information.

Absence for Family Trips/Educational Tours 

If you wish to take your child out of school for educational travel, please submit the Pre-Approved Educational Travel form. Families are granted 5 approved school days per school year. For days 6-10, pre-approval by the building principal is necessary and only approved for extenuating circumstances.

Find more information on Absences for Family Trips/Educational Tours (and download the request form). 

School Closing Information (including snow days and remote instructional days) 

For all information regarding school closures, delays, snow information etc. please refer to the Closures and Remote Instructional Days webpage 

Delayed Openings

In the event of a two-hour delayed opening, school/bus pick-up will begin two hours later than the normal starting time. Lunches will be served. 

Buses

Students are assigned a bus at the beginning of the school year or upon enrollment if during the school year. Information will be sent at the end of August with the bus numbers and stop locations. For any issues, please call the RTSD Transportation Department: 610.293.1947 or refer to the Transportation Department webpage 

‘Car-riders’ - Car drop off and pick up 

For students not using the bus, drop off takes place in the car loop by the gym entrance, between 8:45am and 9:00am.

The afternoon car line dismissal is at 3:40 pm. For the safety of our K-2nd grade children on the playground, we kindly request that you refrain from arriving before 3:30 pm. Placing a paper with your family name on the front windshield will help expedite the process. We appreciate your cooperation in refraining from requesting early dismissal between 3:15 pm and 3:40 pm to avoid the car line. Please also note we do not have access to the corporate center parking lots for dismissal procedures. 

Please review the car line procedures and contact the school office with questions.

‘Walkers’ - Walking your child to school 

Please be mindful not to cross the bus zone if you are walking to pick up your child. Our bus traffic has priority, and we want to keep everyone safe.

Change in pick up plans for your child

All dismissal changes require parental notification. Send a yellow "note to school” (see below) in with your child on the day if you know in advance otherwise call the school office at 610-788-9300 as early as possibly and no later than 2 p.m. Please also notify After Care for changes in plans, if applicable.

Most importantly, please ensure your child's teacher knows about after-school dismissal plans, especially if they differ from the norm.

"A Note to School" pads

These are a 50-page pad of yellow flyers to inform teachers of changes with your child regarding dismissal, leaving early, being picked up by someone else other than a parent/guardian or needing to speak with a teacher. You will receive one pad on entry to the school; more can be purchased from the PTO.
 

Your Child’s Teacher and School Supplies

Families are notified by mail at the end of August of their child’s teacher assignment and via email through HAC (Home Access Center). You can contact your child’s teacher by email. Staff are listed alphabetically on the Staff Directory on the RES website. 

The RTSD website will provide general supply lists by school and grade level, and your child’s teacher may request some additional supplies.

School Lunches, Snacks and Water

RES offers breakfast and lunch options for students to purchase, or students may pack a lunch. Weekly menus are posted online. Digital pre-paid accounts for purchasing meals are created for each students, and parents/guardians are encouraged to register with EZSchoolPay to fund these accounts. See the Food Services page

Families who may be eligible for meals at a free or reduced cost are encouraged to complete the Free and Reduced Meals application on the Food Services page. In addition to the free\reduced meal pricing approval entitles students to other opportunities, including fee waivers and discounted home internet.

Water fountains are found at regular points around the school site. Your child’s teacher will provide guidance on suitable snacks for consumption at recess/in the classroom, to ensure children with allergies are kept safe.  

Emergency Medical Card

An Emergency Medical Card for each student is required yearly and kept on file with their health details. This is sent home in the First Day Packet for completion. 

Absentee Cards

The RTSD official Absence Excuse Card must be completed following your child’s absence from school due to illness or a medical issue. They may be obtained from the school office or downloaded from the RTSD website  Cards should be submitted within 3 days of your child's return to school.

For all information regarding required Physical and Dental Exams, Immunizations, when to keep you child at home, Emergency Cards etc., please visit the RTSD Health Services webpage  

School Nurses

If you would like to talk to the RES certified school nurse/s, please call 610-788-2363. They will be happy to discuss specific health concerns and are accustomed to working with children with allergies, diabetes and other ongoing health challenges. The RES Health Office (nurses’ station) is located next to the main school office. 

RES Before and After School Care 

For parents requiring childcare before 9:00 AM or after 3:30 PM, there is an extended day program. This program is operated by Right At School (find general information or RES-specific information).

It offers childcare for students in kindergarten through fifth grades before and after the school day. Transportation is the responsibility of parents. The extended day program opens at 7:30 a.m. and extends to 6:00 p.m. after the close of the regular school day. Fees are charged for this childcare program, which includes both part-time and full-time arrangements to meet the needs of the families served. Visit the Right At School website for details, fee information, and enrollment forms. 
 

Resources to Keep Parents Connected

Please register with the following to ensure you stay informed with school, PTO and district news. Please register even if you enroll later in the year.

Membership Toolkit – Online Student Directory 

We encourage all families to be part of the PTO communication app, Membership Toolkit. This system is used for PTO emails, an online student directory, and classroom communications. Please register as a new family or update your existing details. Visit the Membership Toolkit FAQs for details on how to enroll.  

RES PTO Website

Check the PTO webpage regularly for Recent Announcements, PTO upcoming events, district events etc. Find out about Club registration, Committees and groups you can join, Radnor Spirit Gear, RES merchandise, Fundraising and Donating. 

RES Facebook and Instagram pages

Join our Facebook page (private group for RES families only) or Instagram page for updated alerts and information. Contact radnorelementarypto@gmail.com for more information. 

RES Express Newsletter

The RES Express is emailed 1-2 times a month and filled with all of our RES PTO news, information on upcoming events, and district happenings. Families that are registered in Membership Toolkit (see info above) are automatically enrolled in the RES Express subscription.

The Radnor Reader - The RTSD weekly E-Newsletter -Sundays

Subscribe for free to the Radnor Reader. The Radnor Reader will keep you informed about events, news and other happenings going on within RES and the other RTSD schools. There is a Radnor Reader Archive list on the RTSD website under Popular Links should you want to refer back to past communications. 

PTO meetings

The PTO formally meets 4 times a year to discuss the PTO, our school, district news and business. We aim for 1-hour meeting and all RES parents are encouraged to attend. Your feedback is vital to the growth and success of our PTO.

School Spirit Wear

Students join in a school-wide spirit-day celebrations throughout the year.  Follow the channels noted above for updates on when students are encouraged to wear RES spirit wear clothing (e.g. t-shirts, hoodies, etc.) or other special outfits. Radnor Elementary spirit gear can be purchased through Silver Linings. The store also offers a wide range of Radnor items, outerwear, bags, novelty items etc.

Calendars

Make sure you keep your schedule up to date using the online calendars below.

Families can also add these calendars to your smartphones and digital calendars using iCal feeds, to ensure you never miss an important event:

• RTSD Instructional Calendar - district holidays, teacher in-service days, etc.
  • Standard iCal URL: https://www.rtsd.org/calendar/calendar_432.ics
  • Google iCal URL: https://www.rtsd.org/calendar/calendar_432_gmt.ics
• RES Calendar - RES school and PTO events
  • Standard iCal URL: https://www.rtsd.org/calendar/calendar_354.ics
  • Google iCal URL: https://www.rtsd.org/calendar/calendar_354_gmt.ics

Learn more about adding iCal feeds to Google Calendar, iOS, Outlook, and more.

RES PTO Annual Events

RES PTO strives to create a community not just for the children, but also for families as well. The PTO is involved in hosting and supporting a wide range of events throughout the year, we offer many events that include everyone. These broadly feed into 4 categories: Family Fun Nights, Fundraisers, Parent socials and School Led Events. Please note that all events are subject to change.

More details on upcoming events can be found on the PTO webpage 

• August/September: Kindergarten Playdates & bus orientation
• September: Open Houses
• September: New Parent (grade 1 to 5) Parent Social
• September: Back to School Picnic
• October: Halloween Parade and class parties
• October: Trunk or Treat 
• October:  4th Grade Circus Week
• November: Book Fair
• November: Whole School Cultural Arts Assembly
• November: American Education Week Parent Visitation Day
• December: 3rd Grade rocks & minerals assembly
• January: RTSD MLK Day of Service
• January: RTSD International Week and RES Potluck Dinner
• February: Family Fun Bingo Night
• February: Read Across America Day & Dr. Suess’ birthday celebration
• February: Class Valentines Parties  
• March: 5th Grade Spring Musical
• March: Art Goes to School Radnor Chapter delivers sessions at grade level
• March: Science Joe visits grades 1, 2 & 4
• March: Science Fair
• April: Mother Goose Assembly for Kindergarten
• April: Betsy Ross Assembly for 1st grade
• April: Someone Special Game Night
• May: Field Day
• May: Talent Show
• May:  5K or 1 mile SMART Run
• May: Camp Canadensis for 5th Grade
• May: Walk to Wayne for 3rd Grade
• June: PTO End-of Year celebration 

The RES PTO is committed to ensuring no students are left out of an event or activity due to financial need. Please contact the RES School Counselor to confidentially discuss or request financial support.

Note: This section of the Welcome Packet provides just some of the many options available in our community for activities outside of school. The RES PTO is not promoting or suggesting that any of the providers are preferred.

Know an organization we should add to the list? Let us know.

We can always help you further - just ask!

How can I find a dentist or pediatrician, babysitter or childcare for my child/children? I have further questions about the greater Philadelphia area, Radnor Sports, summer camps, where to purchase items I need etc., is there anyone who can help me?
For specific questions regarding medical providers or community information, please feel free to contact one of our Welcoming Committee members. We are happy to field your specific questions and provide you with helpful information. GOOD LUCK!