MONDAY MEMO
Retired middle school teacher and Kirby neighbor from Mud Hollow Road, Kerry Gibbons, and her certified therapy dog Holmes visited us in assembly last week to talk about her volunteer work. Spencer, Azro, Jacob, Ben, Alice, and Emmett were thrilled to have front-row seats and got some extra attention from Holmes.
Greetings!

Here is this week's Memo. We're looking forward to continued Halloween fun this week, particularly with Mexican Día de los Muertos celebrations, read more about that below.

Happy Monday,
Nelia
NOTES
PARENT-TEACHER-STUDENT CONFERENCES
On Wednesday, November 7 PreK-8th grade students will be dismissed at 12:30. The After School Program will begin at that time. K-8th grade parents and students are encouraged to attend conferences with teachers together. Preschool will hold it's conferences later in the year.

Please call Krystal to schedule your 20-minute appointment. All 6-8th grade appointment slots have been filled; middle school teachers have made themselves available on Thursday afternoon , November 8, if you would still like to make an appointment.
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS CELEBRATIONS
In Mexican culture, the end of October is a time to celebrate ancestors, loved ones who have passed on and whose memories we strive to keep alive. The team of Riverside Spanish teachers will try to incorporate that tradition into K-8th grade Spanish classes over coming weeks. October 30-November 1 we will create and dispaly an "ofrenda" (offering) in the Solarium. We ask that all students bring in a hard copy of a photo of a family member who has passed. Ideally this would be someone who the student remembers, but if not, parents could share memories of an older ancestor with your children; the essence of this tradition is being sure our ancestors are remembered and their stories are passed on.
HALLOWEEN FESTIVITIES
All PreK-8th graders are encouraged to wear costumes to school on October 31, especially during assembly when we will show them off and then go in search of the great jack-o-lantern, a Riverside tradition.
SOCCER
This week's schedule:
  • Tuesday, 6-8th grade at home vs. Good Shepherd, 4:15 pm.

Thank you so much to all of our volunteer coaches, referees, and snack makers for your efforts this season! We really appreciate you supporting the teams in this way. If you get a chance, please do thank Alan Giese, Mike Moore, Charley Hunt, and Jamie Yerkes in person for the time and expertise they shared with our players.
BIOGRAPHY FAIR
K-8th grade students are all learning about Biographies and taking on research about admirable people at different learning levels. This Friday, November 2 we invite friends and families to be an audience in celebration of all this learning!

 9:00 - 4 th grade presents Vermonters in their Classroom
          5 th grade presents Scientists in the Kitchen
           6 th grade presents Ancient Figures in the Assembly Hall
10:00 - Open Visiting Time
10:30 - 7 th grade presents Americans in the Assembly Hall
           8 th grade presents Modern Reformers in the Yurt
11:30 - Open Visiting Time
12:15 - BYO Lunch and Celebration

Also on Display for all Visitors:
  • Kindergarten Study of Dr. Seuss in the Microwave Room
  • 1st Grade Posters in the Barn Hallway
  • 2nd Grade Posters about Authors in the Barn Hallway
  • 3rd Grade Autobiographies in the Barn Hallway
SWIMMING
4-6th graders will be swimming for the last time this week, please remember to pick them up at the NVU (LSC) pool at 3:15.
HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSES
We recommend that 8th grade families embrace the unique opportunity they have to consider high school choices as a real learning opportunity for students. Analyzing differences with specific priorities, interests, and needs in mind is a life skill. Multiple presentations by admissions teams from area high school are happening in 8th grade advisory sessions on Monday Mornings. Also -
  • St. Johnsbury Academy is holding an Open House this Thursday, November 1, registration at 5:45 (or in advance at this link) and program at 6:30. There will be time to meet with guidance counselors, learn about academics, talk to coaches and club advisors, and enjoy refreshments prepared by culinary students. Call 751-2130 for more information.
  • Lyndon Institute will host their Open House on Wednesday, November 7, with registration beginning at 5:30 (or in advance using this link) and opening remarks at 6:00 pm. Families will learn more about academic and technical education; meet teachers, staff, coaches, and fellow students; experience the fine and performing arts, discover January Term, and learn about some of our newest programs like Project Bike Tech and the Viking Cadets. Call 535-3700 for more information.
CHESS CLUB
Contrary to the calendar last week, there will be no Chess Club until December 4. Election Day, Faculty Meetings, and Community Service Day have taken up the Tuesday afternoons until then. Sorry for the confusion!
ICE SKATING
K-8th grade students will go ice skating on Friday November 9, 16, 30, December 7, 14, 21*. We will depart by bus at 1:30 and students should be picked up at the Fenton Chester Arena in Lyndon Center at 3:15 (*pick up at 1:30 on December 21).

Equipment: Skates can be rented each week at the arena, and the $3 fee charged to your school store bill. There will also be a bin on the porch for skate-trading, please drop off any your family has outgrown and browse for what you need. If you want your child to wear a helmet, you will need to provide one, they are not available for rent.

Release forms need to be returned as soon as possible, extra copies available here .

There is no After School Program for K-8th graders on skating days.
PAG MEETING UPDATES
Our Parent Advisory Group will meet three more times this year, and all of those dates have been updated due to calendar conflicts with the original plans. Meeting dates are now: November 29, February 7, and May 23. Childcare and dinner will be provided for all. All parents are invited to attend these meetings, where we discuss upcoming events, needs for and questions about Riverside programs and administration, and enjoy building community with each other.
COFFEE HOUSE DISCUSSION ABOUT TEACHING KINDNESS
We will host our first Coffee House discussion for Riverside parents on Thursday, November 15th from 5:30 - 7:00 in The Barn. The topic is "Teaching Kindness." This will be about the program at Riverside led by Michelle and Ellen Moore, and will include a discussion about bullying.
CALEDONIA HOCKEY CLUB
CHC provides opportunities for girls ages 2-20 to learn and practice ice hockey. They have ice time on Sundays from 5:30-6:30, beginning October 28. Dartmouth women's team will lead a skills clinic on Sunday, November 18. Participation is by donation. For more information contact Ken Burchesky at 802-626-3235.
CALENDAR
LESSON PLANS
30 Lily Pond Road, Lyndonville, VT 05851
phone: 802.626.8552
fax: 802.626.4156
Stay Connected