6th graders Savannah and Sitota reviewed factors and multiples in math class last week. Ignacio was working independently, while Cece and Quinn consulted with Caroline at the standing desk. |
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Greetings!
It feels like we are now really in the rhythm of the year, with students gaining comfort and engaging more thoroughly in our lessons and activities. Thank you parents for taking the time to read the Memo, so that you can support us first by knowing all that's going on at Riverside.
Happy Monday!
Nelia
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We will not have school on Monday, October 11 in observance of Indigenous Peoples Day.
Our Oktoberfest event (formerly October 8) has been postponed.
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Riverside is beginning a two-year process of reflection and self study, during which we will articulate our strengths, weaknesses, and goals as a school, in the areas listed below. We want parent voices to be a part of the conversation and we need people to join our committees. This process will culminate in a written report and a 3-day visit from other educators in April 2023, and we hope, then being re-accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
- Enrollment
- Governance
- Resources
- Qualified Adult Community
- Health & Safety
- Mission Informed Decisions
- Inspiration & Support for Students
- Commitment to Excellence
- Commitment to Professional Development
- Greater Community Engagement
- Long Term Viability
A decade ago we found this process to be extensive, authentic, and productive work done by our community in order to help us improve as a school, and we believe we are well positioned for that same experience again. People from all over the Riverside community are invited to join in the process, while all faculty and trustees will be taking on this volunteer effort. Please use this survey to let us know if and how you might like to participate. Email Nelia, who is coordinating the self study process, if you have any questions.
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If your child is absent, please be sure to call or email Krystal ASAP in the morning to let us know. Older students should reach out to their teacher(s) if they're well enough to find out what they missed and how to best catch up. Parents of younger students can email teachers.
If they're absent because of our strict COVID guidelines around staying home while awaiting test results, then we will be prepared to send materials home and/or invite remote participation through Google Meet on the second day of absence.
If we have to have a pod (plus siblings) or the whole school go remote, we will use the first day for materials pick-up and will communicate the remote learning schedule to the whole community. Individual teachers will also reach out to their students and families about specifics for their classes.
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From Roy: I’m very proud to say that Riverside is well ahead of the curve among Vermont schools both in implementation and participation rate for the weekly surveillance. That is a sign of our community’s commitment to remaining safely open for in-person instruction, and I’m deeply grateful for that.
Emails from Binx: Parents who have enrolled, please feel free to ignore emails from Binx Health, related to setting up or activating accounts. You are welcome to if you'd like, but we assure you that we'll track the results and let you know if your child tests positive ASAP.
Consent: For the surveillance testing to be most effective, we’ll need as many students as possible to take part. While we are already well ahead of the regional average for the percentage of participants, our goal is to get as close to 100% as possible. Please consider signing the consent form to allow your child to be tested.
In case of a positive result: We have access to all the test results usually by Wednesday evening or early on a Thursday morning. Should we get a positive result, we would immediately initiate a robocall to all parents (using the same system we use for snow days) informing you that there was a positive case on campus. This phone call will also instruct parents to check their emails for specifics and further instructions, depending on whether your child(ren) was potentially exposed. Roy would make himself available for questions via Riverside's office phone ASAP.
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Help Needed: we need two referees for tomorrow's home game at 5:30. Please email Sean if you can help.
Practice this week: None.
Games this week:
- Tuesday, Sept 21- vs Good Shepherd @ Home - 6-8th grade at 5:30
(Students who are staying at school until the game begins should check in with Sean, and will have space to both do homework and warm up for the game.)
- Thursday, Sept 23 - @ Barnet 6-8th grade at 4pm; 3-5th grade at 5pm.
Directions to this week's game:
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to Barnet: take I-91 South to exit 18, go right off the ramp on to West Barnet Road and then turn right on to Kid Row, which ends at the school.
Remainder of Game schedule:
- Tuesday, Sept 28 - vs Barnet @ Home - 6-8th grade at 4 pm; 3-5th grade at 5pm
- Thursday, Sept 30 - vs Concord @ Home - 6-8th grade at 4:30pm
- Tuesday, Oct 5- @ Good Shepherd (United Baptist Church) - 6-8th grade at 5:30
Equipment: All students must have cleats and shin guards for games. Mouth guards are optional. If anyone needs soccer cleats, you are welcome to shop from the bin of donations we have on the front porch outside Krystal's office.
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The Parent Advisory Group will be meeting this Tuesday, September 21 at 5:00 pm. Come to the kitchen first to make a plate of dinner (Thank you Kim, Ellen, and Nelia); we will then proceed to meet under the mural tent. Agenda topics include:
- review of goals
- committee leadership
- calendar review
- supportive community night
- yard sale
- book club idea
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SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY NIGHT |
This Friday, September 24, from 5:00-7:00 pm, all families are encouraged to attend this informative, community-building evening. We are planning for the event to be almost entirely outdoors, if the weather looks bad, we will switch to an online Google Meet, and will notify you of that change by Wednesday evening.
The scheduled plan is as follows:
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5:10: Whole Community Meeting and Welcome from Head of School Roy Starling, Board President Eric Daffinrud, and Parent Advisory Group Leaders Kim Adams and Ellen Moore
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5:30: 3-5th grade families meet with teachers in classroom tents, while others mingle and eat
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5:55: K-2nd and 6-8th grade families meet with teachers/advisors in classroom tents, while others mingle and eat
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6:20: 6-8th grade whole group meeting in cedars tent while others mingle and eat
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6:40: more mingling and helping to clean up
(Preschool families, we hope you'll join us for the community meeting, meal, and mingling, but we do not have a classroom meeting planned just for you.)
Potluck: Please bring a main dish or salad to share, we appreciate it if you can label the dish and utensil with your name, and bring a note about ingredients to accompany the dish.
If your child is not usually a part of the EDP, and you will want them to stay at school that afternoon until the event begins, please email Sean today.
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Water bottles are essential at Riverside, as we have few water fountains, mostly sinks, and we keep the students very active during the day. Please ensure that students pack them daily, and that they have their names on them.
If your child is missing their water bottle, please have them check lost and found, where we have many un-named, un-claimed ones.
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DRESS FOR THE WEATHER, EVEN INDOORS |
Please remember that in addition to the enhanced air handling and filtration, we are leaving windows open to the greatest extent possible. We are also trying to create as much unmasked outdoor time as possible for the students. As the weather starts to turn, it’s helpful for students to wear or pack warmer clothing to be comfortable learning in all conditions. |
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School picture day will be Friday, October 8. Order forms are going home with students today and must be returned in advance of picture day. Even if you don't want to order any prints, we ask that you return the envelope with a note on it. |
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We are still in the process of finalizing dates/times for many of the clubs, but here is a list of what we know will be offered this year, and any additional info we have about them so far. There are generally no fees associated with club participation - thank you to the volunteers who are leading them! If your child(ren) is typically in the Extended Day Program and will be doing a club instead, please let the EDP staff know.
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Mountain Bike Club: Wednesdays, this week-end of October (weather permitting). As this is a currently running club, there is more in its own section below. Open to all ages.
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Book Club: Every other Monday beginning soon for 6-8th graders. Led by 8th grader Maceo Kramar. If you plan to join, please let Maceo know directly.
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Adventure Club: Mondays (beginning Monday, Sept 27) from 3:45-5:00 for grades 4-8. Led at Riverside by two students from NVU who will bring participants out into the natural environment to explore and develop adventure skills. Week 1 will be in the river, so students should be prepared to get wet. Space is limited, email Sean to sign up.
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Nature Club: Wednesdays (beginning Sept 29) from 3:30-4:30 for grades K-8. We will explore the bountiful nature on our school grounds. When the weather's good we'll be outside creating habitat for birds and insects, making species lists, exploring and learning. On inclement days, we'll be inside learning about feathers (and so much else), writing about nature and watching nature films. Special guests will join us! Led by parent Mel Finn (7th graders Molly and Pearl).
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Crazy 8's Math Club: Wednesdays (Sept 29-Dec 1, excluding Oct 6 and Nov 24) from 3:30-4:30, for grades 3-5*. Students will build, run and jump, make music, make messes and make memories with friends. It's a totally fun kind of math club! Some of the activities include Glow-in-the-Dark Geometry, Bouncy Dice Explosion, and Pirate Treasure Hunt. It's full of hands-on games that get kids fired up about math. Led by Caroline; we are excited to have 8th graders Lydia and Camryn Reimert as junior coaches!
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Math Counts: Thursdays after the soccer season, for grades 6-8 from 3:45-4:30, led by Caroline and parent Kim Adams (5th grader Cora and 6th grader Gabe).
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Chess Club: November-February, all ages, details TBD, led by Mr. G.
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Latin Club: grades 6-8, details TBD, led by Nathan and/or Roy
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Scholars Bowl: grades 6-8 details TBD, led by Roy.
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Riverside's Annual Yard Sale will be returning to its traditional fall date: October 2. This is a well known event in the broader community, organized by Riverside parents, that raises needed funds for our programs here at school.
Volunteers: We need you! In anticipation of a successful Yard Sale, our goal is that most parents will volunteer to work a shift for the event: setting up on Friday, October 1, or managing the sale or cleaning up on Saturday, October 2. Thank you in advance for any help you can give. You can sign up to volunteer here.
Donations: Volunteers will be here this Sunday, September 26 from 10:00- am - 2:00 pm to help you unload, and each afternoon next week (27th-1st) from 2:45-4:00. We cannot accept donations after Friday, Oct 1 at 9:00 am.
Please organize, pre-sort, and pack your donations according to this list of categories. Your effort on this will save our volunteers lots of time and energy next week.
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Clothing (sub sorted as: Men's by size, Women's by size, infant-18m, 2T-6, 6-8, 10-16, outerwear, winter accessories, costume/dress up
- linens,
- books,
- toys,
- sports equipment,
- shoes,
- bags,
- yard and garden
- artwork
- office
- housewares
- jewelry
- tools
- pet supplies
- holiday decor
- crafts
We CANNOT take:
- Clothing that is torn, stained, or has broken zippers
- Electronics
- Particle Board furniture
- Magazines
- video or audio cassettes
- Encyclopedias
- Car Seats
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- 5 gallon buckets - for a bucket-drumming ensemble for band. Please leave them on the porch/ramp of the yurt.
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Straw or sawdust or hay for our compost piles - email Hanna or deliver to garden area
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This Wednesday the beginner/intermediate group (shorter, easier ride) will meet at East Burke sports at 3:30 and be led by Sean. The Advanced group (longer, more difficult ride) will meet at Village Sports Shop Trailside, on Darling Hill at 3:45 and be led by Marie. Please write to the respective leader if you have any questions or need for transportation. Kids must have their own bike, helmet, and KT pass.
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30 Lily Pond Road, Lyndonville, VT 05851
phone: 802.626.8552
fax: 802.626.4156
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