Riverside School PTA Newsletter |
Friday, November 13th, 2020 |
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HOLIDAYS FOR HAITI: REGISTRATION ENDS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16 |
Please join us for our 3rd annual "Holidays for Haiti" community service event to bring holiday cheer to Danita's Children orphanage in the impoverished country of Haiti. Visit the Holidays for Haiti page on RIVPTA.org to register to sponsor students ($20 each) at Danita's orphanage. Create personalized cards at home and drop them at Riverside school to be sent.
Bins will be located in front of Riverside School to collect cards until Wednesday, November 18, and we will also have some cards available if you need.
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BOOK FAIR BEGINS ON MONDAY AT 9AM! |
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OUTDOOR APPAREL SALE ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19! |
Stop by 41 Owenoke Way from 9am-12pm and kick-start your holiday shopping! Our entire collection of Red Hawk gear will be on display outside – fuzzy pants, flannel PJs, wooly hats, mugs and more!
PLUS: Buy more…save more!!! Get 10% off one item, 15% off two items and 20% (discount not valid online). Masks and social distancing required. Cash or Venmo/Zelle are preferred.
Can’t make it to the sale? Shop our collection of Red Hawk apparel and accessories at rivpta.org.
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This month, the Wellness Wednesday message highlights World Kindness Day, November 13 (today!). You may have seen reminders to #BeKind written in chalk on your way to school. The chalk messages were a cooperative effort between the Health & Wellness team and students as a way to be mindful of how we treat others and to offer each other encouragement.
A simple gesture (paying a compliment; smiling at someone; holding a door open; including everyone in your conversation) can make such a positive impact on someone’s day. Together, we can make kindness the norm.
For more ideas, check out these videos inviting you to help kindness become the norm in your home, school or workplace.
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AMERICA RECYCLES DAY (ARD) |
Sunday, November 15 is America Recycles Day. Students are encouraged to wear blue on Monday, November 16 to show their commitment to recycling. Keep the conversation going by discussing ways to recycle at home via the complete updated List of Recyclables for the Town of Greenwich.
In conjunction with America Recycles Day, a collection bin for old/used batteries will be outside the school next week from November 16-20.
-The Green Committee
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MIKE'S ORGANIC THANKSGIVING FUNDRAISER |
Mike's Organic, the Fairfield County grocery delivery service and Stamford market, is offering Thanksgiving turkeys and side dishes to Riverside and will donate 10% of all proceeds back as a fundraiser. Please see flyer for details.
Mike's Organics sources from small, local farms and features pastured turkeys (turkeys raised on pasture as nature intended), organic sides and pies along with complete Thanksgiving dinners - all made by Mike's team, and delivered to your door the week of the holiday.
To Order:
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Visit mikesorganicdelivery.com and use code RIV when you place your order. Mike's will donate 10% of the proceeds back to Riverside!
- All orders must be placed by Friday, November 20 for delivery the week of the holiday.
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Read more about Mike in the NY Times or on Martha Stewart.
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Thank you to all those who stopped by to claim items from the lost and found display last week. We still had a good number of items remaining which have now all been donated. Please remember to label all your children’s belongings (including hats, gloves, etc.) so we can ensure they all make their way back home when misplaced. Thank you!
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DAFFODIL PLANTING WITH THE GARDEN COMMITTEE |
Thursday, November 5 was a glorious day for planting daffodils! Twenty one classes signed up throughout the day and with the help of the town we planted over 500 bulbs along the field and around the rain garden. Please check out the photos of the day on The Riverside Reel. Access to the site is by invitation only for registered users on rivpta.org. If you haven't received your invitation, please check your spam folder or email riversidereel@gmail.com.
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UPCOMING ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS |
November 20: Dan Gutman - author visit (grades 2-5)
These programs are sponsored by the Arts Enrichment Committee of the PTA and were paid for by your generous donations. Thank you!
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Please go to RIVPTA.ORG and follow the steps provided to update your information, including your children's new teacher, for the Online Family Directory. Once your info is up-to-date, be sure to join the PTA to gain unlimited access to the directory. The PTA relies on the generosity of our families via our annual Membership Drive. Funds raised go towards student enrichment programs, classroom and building needs, as well as teacher support. If you have moved or have new phone or email information, please let the school office know as well!
Please note that Class Parents will be using contact information provided on the rivpta.org login to communicate to parents this year. And thank you to everyone who has contributed a donation to join the PTA so far - this is an important fundraiser to help us get up and running for the year.
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IN-SCHOOL COVID-19 SYMPTOM PROTOCOL |
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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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ORDERING LUNCH (IN-PERSON STUDENTS) |
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PLEASE NOTE: All orders MUST be submitted prior to the date ordering for (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.
CAFE MENU UPDATES:
Please note that next week's menu options will have Bologna on Tuesday and Chicken on Friday.
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Only eligible bus students are allowed to ride the bus in the afternoon. Non-eligible students are not allowed to ride the afternoon bus due to the Covid restrictions, even for playdates. Other arrangements will have to be made.
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School lunch is FREE for ALL students until December 31
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When dropping off anything in the bin outside please LABEL everything with your child's name and teacher.
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Parents must use School Dismissal Manager when their child will be absent or late for any reason and also if their child will be leaving early. Since parents are not allowed in the building at this time, entering an early dismissal in SDM will take the place of signing them out.
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When you arrive to pick your child up early, please let the office know you're outside waiting. We will not call a student out of class or send them outside until we know the parent is here.
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So far this year, we have had a number of students come into school with braces/casts and assistive devices. Our District Policy requires all students who need assistive devices, having surgeries, stitches or any injuries, to have a note from their doctor stating cause of injury, date seen, date of removal for PE/Recess. Students will also need another doctor's note to return to all activities.
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ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE COMMITTE NOVEMBER WORKSHOP |
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The Academic Excellence Committee of PTA Council invites all parents to attend its November Workshop:
The LinkIt Assessment: Trends and Applications
Presented by GPS Principals & Administrators
Tuesday, November 17th at 10:30am
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GPS PARENT CHATS: NOVEMBER SESSIONS |
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During these challenging times, we encourage you to join a virtual “Parent Video Chat” facilitated by one of the district psychologists. Learn effective strategies to manage personal stress and discuss relevant topics. You can join at any point during a session and stay for as long as you can. The facilitator will be available to answer questions and provide support. For more information, please view the event flyer or visit the district website.
Elementary School Parents: Monday, November 16th at 7pm
Elementary & Secondary Remote School Parents: Monday, November 23rd at 7pm
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Board of Education meetings are easier to attend now that they take place over Zoom--stay informed! Here is a list of 2020-2021 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 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
- Wednesday, November 18, 2020
- Thursday, December 3, 2020 (Budget)
- Thursday, December 17, 2020
- Thursday, January 21, 2021
- Thursday, February 18, 2021
- Thursday, March 25, 2021
- Thursday, April 8, 2021 (Retreat, no public comment)
- Thursday, April, 22, 2021
- Thursday, May 13, 2021(Retreat, no public comment)
- Thursday, May 20, 2021
- Thursday, June 3, 2021
- Thursday, June 17, 2021
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GPS WEEKLY DISTRICT DIGEST |
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Subscribe to receive the Greenwich Public Schools weekly "District Digest" e-newsletter directly to your email inbox.
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"Just Eat It" Screening & Panel Discussion
Join Waste Free Greenwich for a screening of the documentary “Just Eat It” to kick off the
Save the Food Challenge. The film will be available for at-home viewing to registered participants on November 18 & 19. A panel discussion moderated by Ali Ghiorse will follow on Thursday, November 19 from 7-8pm with Love Your Food NY’s Elizabeth Radow, Chef Raquel Rivera of A Pinch of Salt and Waste Free Greenwich founder Julie DesChamps. Click here to register for the screening and panel by November 17. Click here to view the trailer.
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Neighbor to Neighbor Food Donation Drive
Every Thursday at St. Paul's Riverside from 10-11:30am. The need right now is particularly high. Items of greatest need are proteins such as beans, peanut butter and canned tuna, but all non-perishables are gladly accepted and appreciated. Just drive up, pop open your trunk and St. Paul's will get your donations to N2N.
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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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