Members of Ignis House (L-R: 5th grader Will, 1st grader Henry, 7th grader Lyric, 6th graders Quinn and Rosa, and kindergartener Arden) worked on a scavenger hunt about Riverside together last Thursday. |
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Greetings!
Here it is, our first Monday and our first 5-day week. Thank you to everyone who is taking symptoms of illness and potential exposure to COVID seriously, and supporting us by staying home. We are pleased to be continuing with our doors open to regular programming here at school.
Happy Monday!
Nelia
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Participants: please collect your pledges and turn them in (along with your pledge sheet) to Nelia by next Monday, September 20. Please also take the time to add mailing addresses for each of your pledge donors, so that we can send them a proper thank you and tax deduction letter.
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Thank you to everyone (teachers, parent substitute teachers, parents, and students) for your flexibility and awesome participation in two days of fun last week. We absolutely met our goals to build new relationships among students and between staff and students, and to begin establishing Riverside culture. Enjoy a few photos from those days in the gallery on our website.
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A MESSAGE FROM ROY ABOUT REMOTE LEARNING |
We have been busily working on plans for when students are staying home as a precautionary measure, and what we’d do if large groups of students have to go remote for any reason.
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.
Elementary students missing only one day should consider that day an excused absence. After one day, teachers will provide materials for students so that they can work from home asynchronously. If the quarantine goes beyond a few days, teachers will reach out to families about a remote, dial-in schedule.
For middle school, if the student is going to miss more than a day they should reach out to teachers about when it’s appropriate to dial in and what other materials might be available online. If a Chromebook is needed, we can provide one, by emailing Nathan. 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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The state of Vermont will be providing weekly COVID testing to any students and staff who would like it. Riverside staff will help with the self-administration of those tests (a shallow nasal swab) to K-8th graders on Tuesday mornings beginning tomorrow.
If you would like your child(ren) to participate in these weekly surveillance tests, please complete the consent form here. (Note that our "district" is "Riverside School The (IND)". Your child(ren) will not be tested unless you complete the form: EITHER hard copy OR online.
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We are, of course, committed to keeping our doors open for in-person instruction. If we do get a COVID case on campus, we will likely have to quarantine a grade-band group (and their siblings) until we get negative test results for everybody. To help us better plan for this, please fill out this survey to let us know what you’d need for your child(ren) to be able to participate in remote learning. If you do not have reliable internet at home and would like to call to tell us what your needs are, we will record that information.
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By now students should have told Sean directly about their intentions to play in Riverside soccer games, which will generally be on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons through October, with optional practices on those afternoons if there's no game scheduled. With options available through KESD/LAYS for more age specific, competitive play, Riverside's program will be focused on inclusion, skill development, and sportsmanship.
Practice this week: Tuesday 3-5th graders will practice from 3:00-4:00pm, and middle school will practice from 3:45-5:00pm. No practice on Thursday because of the 6-8 game, unless a parent can volunteer to lead a scrimmage with them here at school. Please email Sean if you can.
Games this week:
- Thursday, Sept 16: 6-8th @ Concord, 4:30 pm
Directions to this week's game:
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to Concord: take Red Village Road to Severance Hill Road and turn left onto Route 2 east. Travel 3 miles to a right turn onto Shadow Lake Road and then an immediate right onto Cross Road. After .2 miles the field is on your right. It is not exactly at the school.
Remainder of Game schedule:
- Tuesday, Sept 21- vs Good Shepherd @ Home - 6-8th grade at 5:30
- Thursday, Sept 23 - @ Barnet 6-8th grade at 4pm; 3-5th grade at 5pm.
- 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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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 Sept 20 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: Led by two students from NVU. Likely Mondays and/or Fridays. Further details TBD.
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Crazy 8's Math Club: Likely Wednesdays from 3:30-4:30 for grades 3-5. Tentatively starting Sept 28, running for 8 weeks. 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. Also looking for a couple middle school students to help, email Caroline with questions or assistance.
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Math Counts: Thursday for grades 6-8, led by Caroline.
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Chess Club: November-February, all ages, details TBD, led by Nathan.
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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.
If you have a club you would like to lead, please let Sean know! We are always looking for more offerings.
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We are looking for 2-4 middle schoolers to volunteer to watch younger students on campus, during the PAG meeting on Tuesday, Sept 21 from 5:00-7:00 pm. If your child is interested and available, please email Nelia.
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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 21 at 5:00 pm in the barn. An agenda will be shared here prior to the meeting, if there's anything you'd like to discuss, please email PAG Heads Ellen Moore or Kim Adams in advance. If you would like to join this group, please come!
The Leaders for each class are:
PK: Amanda Anderson, Tonia/Alex Brown
K: Kate Renner, Kate/Travis Keller
1: Deandra/Josh Early
2: Heather Linehan
3: Molly Moghari
4: Courtney Daffinrud
5: Katie/Scott Desjardins, Heidi Andrews
6: Kim Adams
7: Arcelie Reyes, Anat/Alex Donn
8: Ellen Moore
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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 on Saturday, October 2. Thank you in advance for any help you can give. You can sign up to volunteer here.
Donations: We hope you are cleaning out your attics, basements, cupboards and closets to donate items. Please pre-sort your donations to save significant time for our volunteers setting up the sale. Here is some guidance for donations:
We CAN take:
- Clothing, linens, books, toys, sports gear, shoes, bags, yard stuff, artwork, office, houseware, antiques, jewelry, tools, pet supplies, holiday decor & crafts.
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Clothing should be washed, wearable, and pre-sorted by size and gender; please no tears/rips/stains/broken zippers. Thank you!
We CANNOT take:
- Electronics
- Particle Board furniture
- Magazines
- video or audio cassettes
- Encyclopedias
- Car Seats
Donations will be accepted the week prior to the sale, please do not drop them off earlier, or they will be in the way of learning and possibly exposed to the elements.
The organizational committee will be meeting this Friday at 3:00 pm in the library. Anyone who's interested in joining, or has other questions about the event, please email Ellen Moore or Arcelie Reyes.
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SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY NIGHT |
On Friday, September 24, from 5:00-7:00 pm, all families are encouraged to attend this informative, community-building evening. We are still sorting out the details, but it will definitely include time in classrooms with teachers sharing specific needs and information, time to socialize specifically with other parents from the same town and/or classroom, and time to share food.
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 by September 20.
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VOLUNTEERING AND PARENT PARTICIPATION |
Choosing to become a Riverside family means making it a priority to take an active role in the life of our school. The success of our mission depends greatly on the commitment of parents to make our program a real part of your family’s time, energy, and resources. Parents participate in a variety of ways, meeting many of our needs.
Below you will find a link to the message we sent out last Tuesday (with apologies for those who had trouble with the links in the Memo on Monday) that explains all of the volunteer opportunities with links to online sign ups for each. Signing the form does not mean you're making a commitment, just that you're willing to be asked when the need arises.
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We are excited to revive this committee, which had begun its work shortly before the school had to close back in March 2020. Our first couple of meetings will focus on defining the scope and goals of the committee. If you are interested in being a part of this work, please email English teacher and 8th grade advisor Peter Sahlin.
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Marie will be working on a bucket-drumming ensemble for band and would appreciate donations of clean 5-gallon buckets for that project. Please leave them on the porch/ramp of the yurt. |
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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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The following are a few easy ways to help support Riverside throughout the year.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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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30 Lily Pond Road, Lyndonville, VT 05851
phone: 802.626.8552
fax: 802.626.4156
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