5th grader Molly and kindergartener Alex tried out some musical instruments with Lydia during the Back to School Open House last Thursday evening.
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Greetings!
What a happy first day of school we have enjoyed! Thank you to the Board of Trustees for formally welcoming us this morning, and to the many parents who stayed to join us for our first morning assembly. This is how we establish a supportive community.
If you saw a preview of this Memo last week at the Open House, note that many errors have been corrected!
Happy Wednesday!
Nelia
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The Monday Memo is an essential tool for building and maintaining our supportive community at Riverside. Please make it a part of your family's routine to read and make sense of it at the beginning of each week.
On the annual pink Biography form there is a place to let us know if you prefer a hard copy, and to share grandparent email addresses with us if they'd like to receive it also. The Memo is also posted on our website by the end of the day on Mondays (or the first day of the school week, as in today).
The Constant Contact platform for email uses a software system that formats the Monday Memo for
your
email address. If you wish to forward the email, please scroll to the bottom and follow the directions to forward. Please let us know if you are experiencing any technical issues with Constant Contact so that we can try to resolve them together.
As we await everyone's annual forms (see below) in order to finalize our email lists, all families will receive a hard copy of the Monday Memo on the first day of school.
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We hope that Riverside parents will find meaningful ways to contribute to our school community. That effort helps us to create the supportive community that we value, and models for students the part that Riverside plays in the lives of your whole family.
We have volunteer sign-up sheets that demonstrate the huge variety of ways parents can contribute. When you place your name on one, you are not necessarily making a commitment, but when that particular need arises, we will reach out to you to ask, instead of asking the whole parent community.
If you haven't seen them yet, please stop in to Krystal's office to look through the purple folder on her desk of Volunteer Sign Up Sheets.
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Most new families received their 2019-2020 Riverside Family Handbooks last week at the Back to School Open House; if not they were given to students to take home today. Please be sure to review the booklet with your child as is appropriate to his/her age (a 7-8
th
grader might read it entirely, a 4-5
th
grader might read sections you recommend, you might talk with your 1-2
nd
grader about items you feel are important) and sign and return the form inside so that we know that students are familiar with the information.
Don’t miss additional information and forms in the front pocket, including
a cover letter from Michelle, the form to confirm that you've read/reviewed the handbook, an explanation of Parent involvement, and a permission form for ice skating later this winter.
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The Extended Day Program, directed by Sean Fortier, includes our Afterschool Program, our numerous clubs (which will be described in future Memos), and our 5-8th grade soccer team (see below).
The Afterschool Program will begin running on the first day of school. If you plan for your child to attend on any kind of regular schedule, please complete the
Afterschool Program Registration Form
so that we can plan accordingly. If you have an irregular need for your child to be cared for after dismissal, just call us as soon as possible. Students in the preschool program must sign up weekly with PreK teacher Sarah for a 3:45 or 4:15 pick-up so that staff can be sure their ratios are met. K-8
th
grade students can be picked up by 4:15 ($5) or by 5:00 ($10) in the kitchen. More details about the program are in the Family Handbook.
Please help us by communicating as clearly and as much in advance as you can about your plans for using the Afterschool Program. It's especially helpful if you remind your student(s) in the morning about their plans at the end of the day.
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We are welcoming younger students to our soccer program this year!
A 3-5
th
grade soccer team will be coached by Jamie Yerkes (3rd grader Lila and 8th grader Gus) and the 6-8
th
grade team by our PE teacher Sean Fortier. We encourage all 3-8
th
graders to choose to participate in the games and enjoy the team atmosphere of competition.
- Practices will take place during PE classes during the school day, and so are required for all students. There will also be optional after school practices on any Tuesdays and Thursdays that don't have scheduled games for 3-5th graders from 3:00-4:00, and for 6-8th graders from 3:45-5:00. We would appreciate some extra adults to help supervise students during these practices (no experience with soccer necessary), so if you can volunteer, please let one of the coaches know.
- Games will begin after the Fall Field Trip and will be scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday afternoons for both teams. The schedule is still evolving, and will be very specific to each game for which grade levels will play. Some games are in the calendar below and we hope to have a complete schedule listed here next week.
- Equipment required for games includes cleats, shin guards, and mouth guards. Before you go shopping, plan to check out the huge supply we've got for the taking, and if you have gear that no longer fits, consider sharing it with another family. The supplies will be on the back/cubby room porch of school for anyone to look through.
- Volunteer Help: We appreciate parents who donate their time to help supervise practices, ref our home games, and to provide snacks for the team at half-time during all games. Sign up sheets for these three requests were out at the Open House and can be found in the purple folder on Krystal's desk.
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We love to show off our school spirit and engage as citizens in the events of our broader community, so please consider joining us in one of these parades this fall. PAG Leader Ellen Moore (6th grader Macey) will organize us with a simple hay wagon to ride on, our giant Helios the Heron mascot puppet to "fly," and candy to toss (please bring bags to share if you wish). We also welcome walkers and bikers behind the float. Everyone should wear blue and green, our school colors. We hope to see you there!
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BACK TO SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE
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Thank you to all those who attended our Open House event last Thursday! We appreciate your help with the various chores we accomplished, and hope that you enjoyed meeting teachers and seeing classrooms. Please don't hesitate to ask questions or offer feedback whenever you wish.
We look forward to officially kicking off the year with Supportive Community Night on Friday, September 20, from 5:00-7:00 pm. This event will include more formal presentations from teachers, a chance to get to know other parents, a welcome from Head of School Michelle Ralston and Board President Rebecca Hill-Larsen, and a potluck dinner.
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This year’s Fall Field Trip will be to Hulbert Outdoor Center in Fairlee, VT, see specific dates below depending on grade level.
Directions to
Hulbert Outdoor Center 2899 Lake Morey Rd, Fairlee, VT 05045
(note: these directions are via a simple short cut from the Bradford exit)
: Travel south on I-91 to exit 16 for VT Route 25. Turn left off of the ramp and then right onto Route 5 South. Go just .3 miles to a right turn, under an overpass, onto Lake Morey Road. Travel about 3.3 miles to the T-intersection with Lake More Road, and turn right. The Outdoor Center is immediately on both sides of the road, with the main offices on the right, and the field where we will wait for pick-up on the left.
FOR 4-8TH GRADE FAMILIES
We expect all 4
th
-8
th
grade students to be in attendance Monday, September 9 – Wednesday, September 11.
We have contracted a bus to take the students from Riverside to Hulbert on Monday morning (new this year!)
, but ask that parents
pick up students there at 1:30 pm on Wednesday.
We will be staying in cabins with beds and mattresses, and there are bathrooms nearby.
Parents/Chaperones:
We encourage, welcome, and value the attendance of parents for any portion of the trip
(you could come for part of one day, or just for a meal, or spend the whole trip with us)
. You will really enjoy this time to get to know other students and their families, and can probably lend a hand with something as well.
Please let Nelia know if you plan to spend a night with us so that we can make sure there's a bed in a proper place for you.
Afterschool Program that Wednesday:
The AP will run for PreK-3 students as usual,
but not for 4-8th graders as is our policy when students are dismissed from off-campus
.
Packing List:
(in addition to what will be worn Monday) Remember, it will very likely rain during our Field Trip, and we will continue to learn, play, and bond in the outdoors. Raincoats are non-negotiable, spare socks and shoes are encouraged!
- 2-3 pairs underwear
- 3-4 pairs socks
- 2 short sleeve tshirts
- towel
- 1 long sleeve shirt
- sleeping bag/bedding and pillow
- warm hat for sleeping
- 1 fleece or hoodie
- 1 pair of shorts flashlight
- 1 pair of long pants
- toiletries (including sunscreen)
- warm pajamas
- water bottle
- bathing suit
- shoes for a short hike
- shoes for getting wet
- backpack for day hike
- raincoat
- book, camera, deck of cards (optional)
- Wednesday lunch
- ** please do not bring a cell phone, personal MP3 or video player, video games, or other personal electronic devices. The purpose of this trip is to have positive and high quality personal interactions with each other.
FOR K-3RD GRADE FAMILIES
These students will join us on Tuesday, September 10 via organized carpools from Riverside with their teachers, and volunteer drivers (please let teachers know directly if you'd like to join us and can help drive.) They will depart soon after 8:00 am and return to Riverside before usual pick up at 3:00 pm.
Chaperones
: Please let an elementary teacher know if you plan to attend with younger students during the school day on Tuesday.
Packing List
: sturdy shoes, water bottle, sweatshirt, raincoat,
snack
.
Afterschool Program that Wednesday:
The AP will run for PreK-3 students as usual,
but not for 4-8th graders as is our policy when students are dismissed from off-campus
.
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4
th
-6
th
grade students will begin swimming on Friday afternoons at the NVU pool, beginning on September 13. Nelia, Sean, and Laryssa will be dividing the students in to ability groups and help them improve stroke skills and endurance, as well as practice water safety skills.
We will transport students there on a bus at 1:30, and
pick up for those students will happen at the NVU pool at 3:15
(allowing you to pick up others at Riverside before at 3:00 or after at 3:30 as needed) that Friday and on all other swim dates:
September 27, October 4, 18, and November 1.
Reminder: there is no Afterschool Program for students who are dismissed from off-campus programs.
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Our Parent Advisory Group continues this year with its goals of communication, facilitation, mentoring, and fundraising. This group consists of at least one family from each grade level, and welcomes any other families who want to join in its efforts.
The group will be meeting for the first time on Tuesday, September 17 at 5:00 pm in the library to talk through logistics and goals in greater detail. There will be dinner and childcare provided. If you would like to join this group, please come!
The Leaders for each class are:
PreK: Kate Renner
K: Lucas+Karina Weiss
1: Molly Moghari
2: Courtney Daffinrud
3: Alison Kennedy, Angela Norton
4: Kim Adams
5: Arcelie Newell
6: Jen Croft, Ellen Moore
7: Sara Lussier
8: Renee Piernot
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The 2nd annual event was a huge success, thanks to the effort and creativity of many parent volunteers, led by Mel Finn (5th graders Molly and Pearl). We had more than 87 racers representing Riverside and Burke Town Schools. We look forward to having participation from more schools next year, as this event is designed to support any school you wish. We are so grateful to Kingdom Trails for their collaboration
,
and to Cafe Lotti (coffee), Parkway Realty (funds for music), Inn at Mountain View Farm (space), Herb Swanson (photography), Kingdom Experiences (multiple fun stations), and all of the landowners who support KTA's trails.
Participants, please turn in your pledge forms and donations to Nelia as soon as possible.
We look forward to announcing a total of funds raised for Riverside later this month.
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GIRL SCOUTS OF THE GREEN AND WHITE MOUNTAINS
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We do from time to time post information here about events and opportunities that support youth and our mission.
Friends Today. Change-Makers Tomorrow. Become a Girl Scout Today!
When you unleash your inner G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-Taker, Leader)
TM
you can accomplish anything! Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains
serves more than 10,000 girls throughout Vermont and New Hampshire with the guidance of more than 3,500 volunteers. Through hundreds of programs offered each year, girls develop their leadership potential in activities that enable them to discover their values, skills and the world. A year with Girl Scouts is a year full of inspiration, confidence, and new experiences! Together, let’s make sure she SHINES. To learn more and to join, visit
girlscoutsgwm.org
or call 888-474-9686.
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The following are a few easy ways to help support Riverside throughout the year.
- Price Chopper Tools for Schools: This simple fund-raiser benefits the school each time you shop all year long. If you shop at Price Chopper, sign up to support Riverside on the sheet in the front pocket of your Family Handbook. In the past our Price Chopper rewards have earned us much needed sports equipment, a digital projector, and a wireless microphone set.
- Box Tops: Many food products in cardboard boxes have a small logo on the top that says “Box Tops for Education.” These can earn us rewards and supplies. Please collect and bring these to school. Your efforts greatly help!
- Good Search and Good Shop: When you use www.goodsearch.com as your search engine and select The Riverside School (in Lyndonville, VT) as your charity, we get one cent for each search conducted. Set your browsers now! From that site you can link to goodshop.com, which then links to all your favorite on line shopping sites (Amazon, Borders, Staples, Marriott), United Airlines, QVC, eBay). Following that link to complete your shopping, and having the Riverside School (in Lyndonville, VT) set as your charity, will result in a portion of the sale being donated to our school.
- Amazon Smile: Start at smile.amazon.com and select "Riverside School Inc" in Lyndonville, VT. Once you choose us the first time, all you have to do is start your shopping at that url in the future, and .05% of the price of eligible purchases will be donated to us!
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In the regular, digital version of the Memo, which you'll receive directly by email once we have all forms in and lists compiled, you can click on the links below to read about what's happening in each classroom during the week ahead.
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30 Lily Pond Road, Lyndonville, VT 05851
phone: 802.626.8552
fax: 802.626.4156
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