Riverside School PTA Newsletter |
Friday, October 8th, 2021 |
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BOO BASH TICKETS GO ON SALE MONDAY AT 10AM
Boo Bash will be all the talk! Run, don't walk! We are the Red Hawks! Join the PTA for Riverside's annual Halloween celebration as we watch Zombies and Zombies 2 (TV-G) outdoors on the big screen at the Hyatt Regency in Old Greenwich. Boo Bash 2021 will have two showings on Friday, October 29th: 6:00pm and 8:15pm. Tickets go on sale Monday, October 11th at 10am on RIVPTA.ORG. Volunteers are needed this year more than ever, so come cheer with us! Stay tuned for a volunteer sign-up and ticket purchase link.
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HURRICANE IDA FOOD & NECESSITIES DRIVE: OCT 13-15
The Community Service Committee is partnering with the Carver Center in Port Chester, NY in providing food and necessities for their hard hit community. Requested items: Unopened, unexpired and non-perishable canned and boxed foods, baby food and formula, diapers, wipes, personal hygiene products and full-sized toiletries.
Donations can be made throughout the day in bins on a table in front of the school. PTA volunteers will be there to assist with unloading items from your vehicle between 8:30-8:45am and 2:45-3:00pm each day. Thank you in advance for supporting disadvantaged families who have been impacted by Hurricane Ida flooding.
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LET'S GO GREEN FOR HALLOWEEN
Thank you for your generous donations for this year's Halloween, Boot & Coat Drive! Collected items will be on display and available for ALL families and staff FOR FREE on Thursday October 14 from 8:30-9:00am and 2:30-3:00pm by the front doors (rain date: October 15). If you still have items you would like to donate, feel free to drop them at 32 Hendrie Avenue or bring them to the swap on the 14th! Unclaimed costumes, boots and coats will be donated.
REDUCE, REUSE & RECYCLE!
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RIVERSIDE REEL: THE PTA'S PHOTO SHARING SITE
The Riverside Reel is our secure member-only media website with photos & videos of PTA events and programs. Invitations will be sent out shortly for the 2021-22 school year. Please contact riversidereel@gmail.com for any questions or to share photos of your students. Make sure you aren't left out by logging into RIVPTA.org and updating your family profile info!
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COME CHECK OUT OUR GARDEN!
As the days grow shorter and the temperatures start to drop, we can grow late fall and winter crops, and keep right on growing. We added cold temperature tolerant cabbage, carrots, lettuce, red beet, and broccoli to our school garden. While we still harvest eggplants, green beans, basil, parsley, Swiss chard, pumpkins, and fire beans. Come check out all the beautiful plants and flowers still thriving, many of which the second graders planted last spring. Our yearly tradition will round up the garden year, when our children are planting daffodils in November.
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BUY YOUR FALL FUNDRAISER TICKETS TODAY!
To protect the health and safety of our village, we ask that all attendees be fully vaccinated, or obtain a negative result from a PCR test administered within 72 hours of the event. Vaccination cards can be submitted now via our event-specific CrowdPass link. Please note: If you upload a vaccine card now, you will be asked a series of screening questions. Although they won’t seem entirely relevant at the moment, kindly answer them to complete your submission.
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ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS
This week's Science Enrichment:
On Tuesday, the Kindergarteners got to see the softer side of nature with Animal Embassy's Amazing Mammals program. Program director, Chris Evers, has been coming to Riverside School for 15 years and did an incredible job kicking off our in-person, outdoor science enrichment programming. The students learned about adaptations and camouflage and how body coverings can help animals survive in their habitat - whether it's fur, fins or scales. They also learned that, like us, our furry friends take care of their offspring to teach them all of the things they need to know to succeed in life. The Kindergartners met a variety of Animal Ambassadors including a chinchilla, geckos, parrots, turtles, and Choncho, an African bullfrog who can sleep for up to 2 years!
Upcoming Enrichment Programs:
October 15: Jerry Craft, children's book author and illustrator (grades 3-5)
October 19: Bash the Trash presents Latin American Journeys (grades K-5)
October 26: Carol Glynn government assembly (grade 3)
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ALP UPDATE AT OCTOBER BOE MEETING
The GPS Advanced Learning Program (ALP) team will be presenting an update on the program at the next Board of Education meeting on October 21. We encourage our parents to listen in. In addition, we are compiling a list of parents’ questions, concerns and misconceptions about ALP that the PTAC ALP committee will share with the district's ALP coordinators in advance of the presentation. Please submit any questions that you would like to see addressed by emailing riversideschooleducation@gmail.com by October 12.
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ONLINE APPAREL STORE IS NOW OPEN
Whether you're a returning Red Hawk or new to the nest, you can support Riverside School by showing your school spirit! Our online apparel store is open for business and stocked with lots of great new items, including tees, shorts, sweatshirts, ROPES shirts, water bottles and more. Go to RIVPTA.ORG to shop spirit wear now! Orders placed by noon on Thursdays can be picked up between 7am-7pm on Fridays at 41 Owenoke Way.
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HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR SAFETY DUTY YET?
In addition to making sure everyone is familiar with the drop-off/pick-up “Rules of the Road”, Safety Duty is an important part of keeping our children safe at Riverside School. Volunteers make the morning drop-off process more efficient and secure. Volunteers assist from 8:30-8:45am daily and must wear a mask at all times during a shift. Sign up online. For more info, contact Brielle Goldfaden at brielleg@gmail.com.
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DON'T FORGET ABOUT OUR EARLY MORNING PROGRAM
The Early Morning Program provides a fun, familiar place for students to go before school starts from 7:15-8:30am. You may enroll your child for a semester or pay by the day on an as-needed basis. Please visit the Early Morning Program page for more information and to register your child.
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SNACK PACK FUNDRAISER: DONATIONS NEEDED FROM 5th GRADE FAMILIES!
The 5th Grade is raising money for the class gift and special initiatives by selling snack packs at the Boo Bash Drive-up Movie. To make it easy for you, we have an online store where 5th grade parents can donate items to fill the Boo Bash Snack Packs. No need to make a trip to the store, just donate the amount of your choosing and we will take care of buying everything! We are also looking for 5th grade parents to help distribute the snack packs at the Boo Bash Drive-In Movie. Please sign-up to distribute snack packs the night of the event.
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NOTE FOR PARENTS: ITEM DROP-OFFS
As a reminder to parents, when dropping off items for children, please make sure the item is labeled with the child's name and teacher. Sometimes office personnel cannot immediately obtain items from the bins due to other obligations, and clear labeling will minimize confusion and inefficiency at the time of retrieval.
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS: PARENT ZOOMS WITH MR. WEISS AND MS. KEY
You can enjoy this year’s parent coffees from the comfort of your own home, via Zoom! Mr. Weiss and Ms. Key will share information about Riverside School and will leave time to answer questions from parents. You will receive your grade-specific Zoom link from your class parents soon.
Grades K-2: Wednesday, October 13 at 9am
Grades 3-5: Wednesday, October 20 at 9am
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ORDERING LUNCH
PLEASE NOTE: School lunches continue to be FREE this school year. All orders MUST be submitted at least TWO full school days in advance (and up to five days in advance). Orders entered for same day lunch may not be seen, and cafeteria staff don't want students missing out. Please visit the Lunch Page on rivpta.org for information on submitting lunch orders and a link to the school's order form.
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FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE COVID TESTING
As a reminder, GPS is asking that students stay home if a member of their immediate family is being tested due to exposure or symptoms. It will limit teachers and students from possible exposures, causing individuals to be quarantined. Quarantining is a great safety measure, but it can be disruptive for staff and families. We understand we have many families who regularly test as a proactive measure; staying home while awaiting results of proactive, regular testing is not necessary.
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2021 BOARD OF EDUCATION CANDIDATE DEBATE ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19
This year is a municipal election year in Greenwich! This year’s race includes five candidates running to fill four (two Democrat + two Republican) open Board of Education seats. See the candidates as they debate critical issues on Tuesday, October 19 from 7-8:30pm via Zoom. Register for free. For additional information on the candidates, please see LWV's Greenwich 2021 Voters Guide (BOE candidate info begins on page 22).
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GREENWICH PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS
Board of Education meetings are easier to attend now that they be viewed on Zoom--stay informed! Here is a list of 2021-2022 academic year Greenwich Board of Education meetings. Information on how to access the meetings can be found on the GPS Accessing Virtual BOE Meetings page. All meetings start at 7:00pm unless otherwise noted.
- Thursday, October 21, 2021
- Thursday, November 4, 2021 (Budget)
- Thursday, November 17, 2021
- Thursday, December 2, 2021 (Budget)
- Thursday, December 16, 2021
- Thursday, January 20, 2022
- Thursday, February 3, 2022 (Retreat, no public comment)
- Thursday, February 24, 2022
- Thursday, March 24, 2022
- Thursday, April 28, 2022
- Thursday, May 19, 2022
- Thursday, June 2, 2022 (Retreat, no public comment)
- Thursday, June 16, 2022
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GPS WEEKLY DISTRICT DIGEST
Subscribe to receive the Greenwich Public Schools weekly "District Digest" e-newsletter directly to your email inbox.
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Jackson's SOCKTOBER Sock Drive
Three years ago, 11-year-old Riverside Alumnus, Jackson Bogardus, was inspired by the local charity, The Undies Project (a charity that provides underwear to our low-income neighbors) and decided to start a local sock drive, “SOCKTOBER”, for the month of October. Jackson feels this is especially important as we approach the colder months. He also learned that socks are one of the items most needed in homeless shelters so he is collecting new socks for both adults and children and donating them to local shelters. 94 million people in the United States live in or near poverty. That's almost 1 out of every 3.
Jackson's SOCKTOBER donation bins can be found throughout Greenwich, including Riverside School, and at his house. Please help Jackson reach his goal of collecting 2000 pairs of socks to help those in need this winter and spread the word about SOCKTOBER. Please call (203) 273-0511 if you have any questions or would like to learn more about Jackson's SOCKTOBER Sock Drive.
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Celebrate the Fall at Old Greenwich School's Pumpkin Patch on October 16
It's that time of year again! Pumpkin Patch is OGS's annual fall celebration and community event. There will be games for all ages, a hay-bale maze, food and, of course, lots of pumpkins. To learn more about the event click here. Masks will be required.
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It’s Election Season! Resources from Greenwich League of Women Voters
Greenwich League of Women Voters provides the Greenwich community with essential information on the who, how and where to vote on Tuesday, November 2. Learn about registering to vote in Greenwich and view LWV’s 2021 Greenwich Voters Guide which includes candidate information.
In addition to the Board of Education Candidate Debate mentioned in District News, you can also view the First Selectman & Selectman Debate on Tuesday, October 12 at 7pm (register here) and the Board of Estimate & Taxation Debate on Wednesday, October 27 at 7pm (register here).
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COVID Resources from the School |
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IN-SCHOOL COVID-19 SYMPTOM PROTOCOL
The Nurse’s Office has received many questions about how the school is making decisions about when the school is sending students home. Extra precautions are being taken in order to do our best to keep students in school. Unfortunately, there will be many students sent home this year even though they may have normally been allowed to stay in school and we hope all families will be understanding.
Greenwich Public Schools COVID Symptom Protocol:
- If a student exhibits 1 low risk symptom (fever of 100.4 or greater, congestion/runny nose, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, sore throat, headache, muscle aches) and has had no exposure to a COVID-19 positive person, the student may return to school 24 hours after symptom resolution (without medication for fevers)
- If a student exhibits 2 or more low risk symptoms (see above) or has 1 high-risk symptom (new cough, difficulty breathing, loss of taste/smell) AND has had no exposure to a COVID-19 positive person, the student must be seen by a healthcare provider.
- If the student has a negative PCR swab test for COVID, the student may return to school 24 hours after symptom resolution (without medication for fevers).
- If the student has lab testing and evaluation, or an alternative diagnosis, the student may return to school 24 hours after symptom resolution (without medication for fevers).
- If a student has a positive PCR swab test for COVID, the student may return to school after 24 hours without fever (without medication) AND symptoms improving AND approval of local health department (10-14 days); AND release by the primary care provider will be required
- If a student is exposed to a COVID positive person, the student may return to school 14 days after last contact unless symptoms develop. If symptoms develop, the student must obtain a swab.
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SUBMISSIONS
Have something to add? Email us at: peekweekriv@gmail.com Deadline for submissions is 3pm on Wednesday of the school week
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