Current Parents
- 2022-2023 Tentative School Calendar - Major Dates
- RCDS Ready - COVID-19 Policies
- Dress Code Guidelines
- 2022-2023 Arrival and Dismissal Details
- Health Portal, Forms, and Information
- Bus Forms
- Summer Reading Lists
- School Store
2022-2023 Tentative School Calendar - Major Dates
2022-2023 Tentative School Calendar Major Dates*
August 29: Faculty Meetings Begin
September 1: New Student & Beginners Orientation
September 6: School Begins for Beginners–8th Grade (12:30 PM Dismissal)
September 8: School Begins for Early Childhood
September 26: No School – Rosh Hashanah
October 5: No School – Yom Kippur
October 21: No School for Students - Parent/Teacher Conferences
November 21-25: No School - Thanksgiving Break
November 21 & 22: Faculty in for Professional Development
December 19: Winter Break Begins
January 3: School Reopens
January 16: No School - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
February 3: No School for Beginners-4th Grade - Parent Teacher Conferences
February 20 & 21: No School - Presidents’ Day & Phi Beta Kappa Day
March 8: No School for Upper School – Student Led Conferences
March 13: Spring Break Begins
March 27: School Reopens
April 7: No School - Good Friday
May 5: No School for Beginners-4th Grade – Parent Teacher Conferences
May 29: No School - Memorial Day
June 5: 12:30 PM Dismissal Begins for the Last Week of School
June 8: Last Day for Early Childhood
June 9: Last Day of School for Beginners - 8th Grade | Class Day** | Commencement
*Dates subject to change.
**School is dismissed at the end of Class Day (approx. 9:30/10 AM) Bussing is provided to school only. Parents provide transportation home at the end of Class Day. There is no child care on the last day of school.
RCDS Ready - COVID-19 Policies
Dress Code Guidelines
Dress Code Guidelines
Dress Code for Early Childhood Center (Nursery & Pre-K): Uniforms are not required for students in the Early Childhood Center. However we ask that students are dressed to reflect the following dress code guidelines:
• Neat serviceable clothing.
• No jewelry.
• No open-toe shoes or shoes without backs (including “Crocs”).
• Socks or tights must be worn. Sneakers may be worn.
• Students must have a change of clothes available in their cubbies on a regular basis.
Uniform Requirements for Beginners-8th Grade
**PLEASE MARK YOUR CHILD’S NAME ON ALL ARTICLES OF CLOTHING**
Vendors: Our uniform vendors are Lands' End (School Code: 9000-8558-0) and Corey Uniform (School Code: 718-967-1388). For a list of approved uniform items, please reference the lists below by grade level. These lists are meant for quick reference. Please visit Lands' End and Corey Uniform online for a more comprehensive listing. Please keep in mind that shirts, sweaters and vests must be embroidered with the school logo.
Clothing: All clothing except slacks, socks, shoes, and blazer must carry the RCDS logo. Pants should be in the style of the Lands’ End khakis that have traditionally been part of the uniform. The RCDS logo is no longer required on the uniform pants. While this does make it possible to purchase pants from different manufacturers, please use the pictures available on the Lands’ End website as your guide. Appropriate pants are still available for purchase from Lands’ End.
Shoes: A traditional dress shoe is required for grades 2-8. Beginners and 1st graders may wear sneakers. Shoes may be tan, brown, black, blue, or gray. Boat shoes with laces are permitted. Shoes should be no higher than the ankle. No boots, no sneakers, or other athletic looking shoes are permitted for grades 2-8. NONE of the following are permitted: shoes with heels over 1 ½ inches, platform shoes, backless or open-toed shoes, sneakers or other athletic look shoes for Grades 2 - 8, boots, sandals.
Popular Shoe Options 2nd-8th Grade: Loafers, Mary Janes, Merrell Jungle Moc, OluKai: Moloa, Sperry: Gamefish, Tevin, Bahama or Songfish, Vans: Classic Slip-on
• For boys, socks are permitted to have school appropriate patterns and logos. There can be no additional attachments to socks and they should be crew length. Socks must be worn.
• For girls, leggings, tights, knee-socks must be navy blue, forest green, white, gray or black. socks are permitted to have school appropriate patterns and logos. There can be no additional attachments to socks and they should be crew length. Ankle socks must come up at least 3 inches above the ankle bone. (Fleshcolored pantyhose is not allowed.) Socks, tights, etc. must be worn.
• Skirts, jumpers, and skorts must be modest and appropriate in length, approximately 2 inches above the knee.
• No hats, bandannas, or headscarves are permitted unless they serve a religious or medical reason.
• Students in Grades 1 – 4 are required to wear a smock or shirt to Art or Crafts class to protect their clothing.
• Jewelry should be small and classic and must not interfere with any school activities and should not be too valuable to lose in school. Only one earring is allowed per ear.
• When wearing a sweater or blazer, shirts must be tucked IN.
• Students in Grades 5-8 who are not in dress code may receive a “general detention”. No student will be allowed to call home for a change of clothes once he/she is in school.
Uniform Requirements by Grade Level
- Lower School Boys (Beginners-4th Grade)
- Upper School Boys (5th-8th Grade)
- Lower School Girls (Beginners-4th Grade)
- Upper School Girls (5th-8th Grade)
Lower School Boys (Beginners-4th Grade)
Lower School Boys (Beginners-4th Grade)
The uniform for boys in Beginners through Grade 4 is uniform shorts or uniform slacks, uniform polo shirts or uniform turtlenecks, and socks (at least 3 inches above the anklebone). A uniform sweater (cardigan, pullover, or vest) or fleece may be worn. Dress shirts, ties, belts, and jackets are not required for boys in B-4.
| Item | Style | Color |
|---|---|---|
| Polo Shirt | Mesh or Interlock (long and short sleeved) | White, Evergreen, Navy, Maize, Pink |
| Sweater | Crew, Full Zip, or V-Neck | Evergreen, Navy |
| Fleece Jacket | Full or Quarter Zip | Evergreen |
| Shorts/Pants | Chino (any brand) | Navy, Khaki |
| Socks | Crew or Ankle | Navy, Forest Green, White, Gray or Black |
Upper School Boys (5th-8th Grade)
Upper School Boys (5th-8th Grade)
The RCDS school uniform for boys in grades 5-8 consists of uniform slacks, uniform blazer and/or uniform cardigan, pullover or sweater vest, or fleece, uniform button down dress shirt – long or short sleeve, and neatly pressed uniform slacks, a tie, belt, and socks that are at least 3 inches above the anklebone. Pants should be in the style of the Lands’ End khakis that have traditionally been part of the uniform. The RCDS logo is no longer required on the uniform pants. While this does make it possible to purchase pants from different manufacturers, please use the pictures available on the Lands’ End website as your guide. Appropriate pants are still available for purchase from Lands’ End. (Boys may choose their own ties, belts, and socks, as the uniform company does not offer them.)
| Item | Style | Color |
|---|---|---|
| Polo Shirt | Mesh or Interlock (long and short sleeved) | White, Evergreen, Navy, Maize, Pink |
| Oxford Dress Shirt | Long or Short Sleeve | White, Blue |
| Blazer | Navy | |
| Sweater | Crew, Full Zip, or V-Neck | Evergreen, Navy |
| Sweater Vest | V-Neck | Evergreen, Navy, Maize |
| Fleece Jacket | Full or Quarter Zip | Evergreen |
| Shorts/Pants | Chino (any brand) | Navy, Khaki |
| Socks | Crew or Ankle | Navy, Forest Green, White, Gray or Black |
| Tie | Any Style | Any Color or Pattern |
Lower School Girls (Beginners-4th Grade)
Lower School Girls (Beginners-4th Grade)
The uniform for girls in Beginners through Grade 4 consists of uniform polo shirts or uniform blouses, (short, long or ¾ sleeves). Uniform skirts, uniform jumpers, uniform skorts, or uniform slacks, and uniform ankle socks, knee socks or tights/hose. (Girls in Beginners through Grade 2 may also wear uniform shorts.) Uniform fleece, pullover or cardigan sweaters may be worn.
| Item | Style | Color |
|---|---|---|
| Polo Shirt | Mesh or Interlock (long and short sleeved) | White, Evergreen, Navy, Maize, Pink |
| Sweater | Cardigan, Zip Front, or V-Neck | Evergreen, Navy, Maize (cardigan only) |
| Fleece Jacket | Full or Quarter Zip | Evergreen |
| Jumper | Pleat or Solid | Navy, Khaki |
| Skirt | Pleated, A-Line, or Skort | Navy, Khaki, Green |
| Formal Skirt | Corey Plaid | Gordon Plaid |
| Shorts/Pants | Chino (any brand) | Navy, Khaki |
| Socks | Crew or Knee-High | Navy, Forest Green, White, Gray or Black |
Upper School Girls (5th-8th Grade)
Upper School Girls (5th-8th Grade)
The uniform for girls in grades 5-8 consists of polo shirts, turtlenecks, or blouses with skirts or slacks, and optional fleece, sweaters, pullover sweaters or sweater vests, all of which must be purchased from either Lands’ End or Corey Uniform company. Girls must also wear socks, leggings (with socks) or tights with shoes.
| Item | Style | Color |
|---|---|---|
| Polo Shirt | Mesh or Interlock (long and short sleeved) | White, Evergreen, Navy, Maize, Pink |
| Sweater | Cardigan, Zip Front, or V-Neck | Evergreen, Navy, Maize (cardigan only) |
| Fleece Jacket | Full or Quarter Zip | Evergreen |
| Jumper | Pleat or Solid | Navy, Khaki |
| Skirt | Pleated, A-Line, or Skort | Navy, Khaki, Green |
| Formal Skirt | Corey Plaid | Gordon Plaid |
| Shorts/Pants | Chino (any brand) | Navy, Khaki |
| Socks | Crew or Knee-High | Navy, Forest Green, White, Gray or Black |
Casual Dress Day Guidelines:
• Clothing must be modest, clean, and not torn or ripped.
• Midriffs must be covered.
• Students may wear jeans, leggings, capris, or joggers. In the case of tight pants such as leggings, shirts must reach to mid-thigh. Shorts must be no more than 3 inches above the knee. There should be no writing on pants.
• Leggings made of both synthetics and cotton are permitted with solid fabric throughout. There can be no cut outs or see-through fabric. Design can range from any school appropriate pattern to solid color. Logos must be small and indiscrete.
• Gym type sweatpants are not allowed.
• Shirts must have sleeves; writing (if any) on t-shirts must contain no references to drugs, alcohol, sex, or any inappropriate language.
• Midriffs must be covered.
• Students may wear jeans, leggings, capris, or joggers. In the case of tight pants such as leggings, shirts must reach to mid-thigh. Shorts must be no more than 3 inches above the knee. There should be no writing on pants.
• Leggings made of both synthetics and cotton are permitted with solid fabric throughout. There can be no cut outs or see-through fabric. Design can range from any school appropriate pattern to solid color. Logos must be small and indiscrete.
• Gym type sweatpants are not allowed.
• Shirts must have sleeves; writing (if any) on t-shirts must contain no references to drugs, alcohol, sex, or any inappropriate language.
• Shirt length must be at least two inches below the waistband of any pant or legging, and when arms are lifted in the air, no skin should be shown.
• Footwear must be safe and appropriate and cover both heels and toes.
• Sneakers may be worn.
*Casual dress day is usually scheduled for the first Friday of each month. Please refer to the online calendar and Gator Bytes for the official casual dress days.
Formal Dress Day Guidelines for Lower School (Beginners-4th Grade): follow the usual dress code.
Formal Dress Day Guidelines for Upper School (5th-8th Grade):
• Boys must have their usual uniform with blazers and white shirts. (No sweaters) Tie of their choice. Traditional black or brown shoe.
• Girls must a white blouse or polo shirt, plaid skirt, navy blue knee-socks, and a traditional black or brown shoe.
Warm Weather Dress for Upper School (5th-8th Grade):
• Shorts - Shorts must follow the color and style of our regular dress code, i.e. traditional khaki or navy blue shorts. Colored shorts, cargo and similar outdoor wear shorts are not acceptable. Shorts are not required to have the RCDS logo. Shorts must be modest in length and ride on the hips. For all students, they should fall approximately two inches above the knee. Shorts should not extend below the knee or expose the midriff. All students should wear belts with their shorts. Shorts may be worn during warm weather dress as indicated on the school calendar.
• Polo shirts with the school logo should be worn with the shorts. Polos should be appropriate in length: neither too long or too short that the midriff is exposed. Dress shirts are not acceptable with shorts.
• Shoes & Socks - Students should follow the same guidelines as the regular dress code. Boat shoes, such as Sperry Topsiders are recommended. Sneakers are not allowed. Socks must be worn. They must be solid in color without excessive designs. Ankle socks are acceptable.
Physical Education Clothing and Dress Code for Lower School (Beginners-4th Grade): We have no athletic locker facilities for these students, and the children in these grades are not required to have a school uniform for physical education classes. We do recommend, however, that all of the children keep a pair of sneakers, a sweat suit, shorts and extra socks in their lockers for use on the playing fields or in the gym. (No slip-on sneakers are permitted, as they fly off their feet when they are running or kicking a ball.) A suitable place to change will be provided.
Physical Education Clothing and Dress Code for Upper School (5th-8th Grade): There is a required gym uniform. The uniform, consisting of a T-shirt, shorts, sweatshirt and sweatpants is included in your tuition. Any replacement or additional gym clothes needed throughout the school year will be billed to you by the school. All students are required to have sneakers and athletic socks. We ask that parents help us and make sure that the gym clothing is laundered on a regular basis.
Gently Worn Uniform Store:
The GWUS provides uniforms for our students at a fraction of the price. As children grow out of sizes, parents donate items to the Gently Worn Uniform Store, which are then sold to our greater school community. If you would like to visit the GWUS , please contact our parent volunteers at gwus@rcds.org to set up an appointment.
2022-2023 Arrival and Dismissal Details
Arrival Details
Arrival Early Childhood Center (N-Pre-K) Students
The entry for ECC students begins at 8:15 am and the school day will begin at 8:30 am.
Parents of Nursery students should park on Bellevue Avenue and enter the school with their children through the front door.
Parents of Pre-K students should park in the Riker Hall lot horseshoe, and enter the school with their children through the Riker Hall doors. They will proceed to the playground for drop-off.
If you have both Nursery and Pre-K students, you may choose your preferred entrance.
Beginners-8th Grade Students
The School will open its doors each day at 7:45 am. Upper School students (Grades 5-8) must be in homerooms for the start of the school day by 8:00 am. Upper Schoolers who are not in their homerooms at 8:00 will be marked late. Lower Schoolers (Grades B-4) need to be in their classrooms by 8:10 am.
All Upper School students will enter the school through the Bellevue Avenue entrance. Lower Schoolers will enter through the Riker Hall entrance. This year, parents should enter the Riker Hall parking lot through the parking lot entrance off of Ridge Road, not through the 101 Ridge Road entrance, for drop-off only. If you have both Upper and Lower School students, you may choose your preferred drop-off entrance. Students who take the bus will enter through the Bellevue entrance.
All students who are late to school must enter through the Bellevue door and proceed to the front office to sign in and get a late pass.
Dismissal Details
Early Childhood Center (N-Pre-K) Students
ECC students will be dismissed out the Riker Hall doors, parents may park in the horseshoe to collect their children. Lunch Bunch (Nursery only) will dismiss at 1:00 pm. Pre-K and all other Nursery students are dismissed around 2:30 pm. Teachers will provide more information regarding each class’s pick-up time.
Beginners-8th Grade Students
The RCDS school day will end at 3:00 pm for all students, Beginners-8th grade. Options for dismissal will include bus, rolling pick-up, patio pick-up, and walkers (must be in 4th grade or above and live within one mile of RCDS).
Rolling Pick-Up
Rolling pick-up takes place in the Riker Hall lot off of Ridge Road. Parents will enter the parking lot through the 101 Ridge Road entrance for rolling pick-up only. Access to the parking lot for rolling pick-up will begin at 2:55 pm on full days and 12:25 pm on half days. Please do not arrive early as there is no parking along Ridge Road.
Patio Pick-Up
If you prefer to meet your child/ren on school grounds, you will pick them up from the Riker Hall Patio. Parents are asked to park on Bellevue Avenue and walk to the patio through the Bellevue Avenue field entrance near the gym. Lower School students will be accompanied by their teachers and released once the teacher and parent make eye contact. Upper School students will also leave through this patio door.
Walkers (4th-8th Grade Students)
Walker students must be in 4th grade or above and live within one mile of the school. Walkers must register with the main office by signing and returning the official walker permission slip. You can download the walkers permission slip here. Print and return to the main office by August 23, 2022. Students who walk home will depart through the main Bellevue doors by security. If students need to cross the street, they must cross at the Ridge Road/Bellevue Avenue intersection.
Bussing
If you are eligible for bussing you will receive a bus pass in the mail from either your public school sending district or the county (MOESC) by the end of August.
Please click here to indicate your dismissal choice for students in Beginners-Grade 8 by August 23, 2022.
Note: The dismissal choice you select will be your dismissal choice for the remainder of the school year.
If you have any questions regarding dismissal please contact Sue Leslie at sleslie@rcds.org.
Health Portal, Forms, and Information
Health Forms and Information
Welcome to The Rumson Country Day School! I am looking forward to meeting you and your children, but in the meantime I have some information that might help you get started in your enrollment process.
At RCDS we use a web based medical records system called August Schools where you will complete the necessary requirements, such as health information, insurance information, consent to treat form, physical forms, medication permission form, and action plans.
In order to access the portal, you will use this link: rcds.augustschools.com/portal. Next, you will enter the email address you provided the school, as well as the date of birth of your student(s) to prove your identity. It is very simple and does not require a username and password. You will then be brought to the main page to begin to enter your information in a step-by-step manner. August Schools is always able to provide support through a chat interface within the portal and the company can also be emailed directly at: support@augustschools.com.
All necessary requirements and physicals need to be completed and uploaded to August Schools by September 1, 2022. Physicals are good for one calendar year and are required to participate in gym, sports, and class trips. You can download the physical forms below that will be required to be filled out by your pediatrician at their annual physical.
I hope you and your family have a safe and healthy summer, and I look forward to seeing you at RCDS!
Anne G. Kerr, RN
School Nurse
Click here to download the Nursery-4th Grade Physical Form.Click here to download the 5th-8th Grade Physical Form.
Bus Forms
All students in Beginners-8th grade for the 2022-2023 school year must submit a B6T form to Alana Kirman in the main office.
You will be notified by your public high school sending district or the county (MOESC) as to your eligibility for bussing or aid in lieu of bussing by mid to late August.
Please note that there are two links to B6T forms below. One is for families living in Rumson or Fair Haven. The other form is for families living in any other town. If you do not want bussing, please place an X in the highlighted notation on the top right corner of the form.
Click here to download the form for Rumson/Fair Haven Families.
Click here to download the form Families in all other towns.
Summer Reading Lists
Lower School (Beginners-4th Grade) 2022 Summer Reading
Summer is the perfect time to pick up a good book and read! To prevent the summer slide or loss of academic achievement experienced during summer months, the RCDS Lower School Staff encourages students to READ READ READ to keep growing as strong and curious readers as well as critical thinkers.
All Lower School students are required to read: The Honest to Goodness Truth by Patricia C. McKissack. In addition, this year we are issuing a Summer Reading Challenge, which requires students to read and enjoy as many books as they can during the months of June, July and August. Students should tally their count on the summer reading log that was distributed at the end of the year (also accessible for download here). Below are lists of additional suggested titles for the Summer Reading Challenge.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Lisa Fallon at lfallon@rcds.org.
Upper School (5th-8th Grade) 2022 Summer Reading
Below are the Upper School Summer Reading Lists by grade level. Please have your children begin their reading the week after July 4 - DO NOT wait until the end of summer. While many families read the required texts later in the summer, this is not always best for every child. Their interests should play some role in the order of the reading.
Tip: It is always a good idea to read one or two of the selections that your children are reading. They are good books and worth reading on their own merits. They may also provide opportunities for conversations.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to Bill Lamb at blamb@rcds.org.
