Weekly News & Updates

October 16, 2022

Administration


Dr. Robert Compton

Head of School


Ms. Erica McCray

Elementary Principal


Dr. Christina Dempsey

Secondary Principal

6 - 9


Mr. Richard Ball

Secondary Principal

10 - 12


Ms. Dwana Tillman

Assistant Principal

K - 9


Other Contacts


Ms. Kathryn Carr

School Counselor

K - 6


Ms. Caroline Menges

School Counselor

7 - 12


Ms. Christine Born

Program Coordinator/ College & Career Counselor

10 - 12


Mr. Chris Carroll

Dean of Students


Ms. Shenelle Mabey

Student Information


Ms. Katie Robinson

Front Office


Nurse Donna

School Nurse


Ms. Kelly Burns

Food Services

K - 9

Riverwalk Academy App



Download our Riverwalk Academy app to see updates, announcements, and other resource:



Happy Sunday, Pride!


I hope each of you had a great weekend and that you found some time to relax, rest, and rejuvenate for the upcoming week. For our K - 9 students, I hope you've enjoyed the extended weekend.


As most of you can imagine, last week was an emotional week for our Pride. With the sadness of last week, there were recurring themes that kept emerging. One of those themes was that our Pride is Powerful. Our Pride rallied around to support each other through the tough times.


On Thursday, many staff and students attended the memorial service for Gavin Doehling and we walked away with the message that it's okay to ring the bell


Like the days of long ago, towns were built with bells installed in the middle of the town. When there was a situation, like a fire, or someone needing medical assistance, or even a missing child, a town member would ring the bell and the townspeople would come running to lend their support. 


Even though there are no bells located in the middle of our towns anymore, the same process still exists.  Ring the bell when you need assistance and the support will come.  We saw how this process played out last week with how everyone rallied around our school community.  


But the thought of ringing the bell extends further than “our Pride.”  This message extends down to our individual students.  Students, please ring the bell.  Please ring the bell when you’re sad or when you feel down.  Please ring the bell when you feel like you’re out of options or you feel like no one hears you.  Please, ring the bell.


How do our students ring the bell for help?  They can reach out to our counselors, Ms. Carr (K - 6), Ms. Menges (7 - 12), Ms. Teague (K - 9, or Ms. Born (10 -12).  They can reach out to their teachers, or to their administrator (Ms. McCray, Dr. Dempsey, Ms. Tillman, Mr. Ball, or myself) or to our Dean of Students, Mr. Carroll.  What if they want to reach out to someone outside of school, then who do they turn to?  Just like you call 911 for medical emergencies, students should call 988.  988 is a nationwide service for those who are having suicidal thoughts or those who are in crisis.


Pride, please ring the bell, and we’ll be there.


In Strength and Blessings, 


~Dr. Compton


Photo of the Week


Thank you to the PAWS Together Therapy Dogs (Alliance of Therapy Dogs) for being on our campus this week. 

Attention Parents: Important Attendance Info


Parents: please be reminded that our school day starts at 8am. Any student arriving at school after 8am must have an adult sign them in tardy at the kiosk in the front office. There may be some occasions where you may see faculty still linger around outside or even walk in with your student, however your student must be signed in to be counted present for the school day.


This also applies if you are returning a student back to school after an appointment. It is imperative that we have accurate attendance throughout the day, every day.


If you have any questions regarding attendance and or tardies, please contact Ms. Robinson.


Two Weeks Away!

Sign Up to Help

Book Fair 


It’s almost time for our first Book Fair since Covid!! We are so excited; but, we can’t pull it off without parent volunteers!! Please follow the link below to sign up for a time slot!

Friday Oct 28th will be set up

Monday Nov 1st the students will preview the Book fair and make their wishlists

Tuesday Nov 2-Thursday Nov 3 the students can make purchases

Friday November 4- we will be packing up the Book Fair.

Thank you for helping make the Book Fair a success!!


Text Link

School Lunches (K - 9th Grade)


The new menu for October has been uploaded to our website.  

Lunch Menu
ImageForNews_721710_16599712842538987 image

COVID

Pride, we adjusted our COVID-related protocols to be more inline with the latest DHEC recommendations (which were updated on 8/15/22).  The latest DHEC guidance can be found here. 


If your child tests positive for COVID, please use this form to communicate this to Nurse Donna. If you have any COVDI-related questions, please contact Nurse Donna

A Note from Ms. Carr

Greetings,


We are so proud of all our students who have come together to support each other throughout the past week. Our second and fourth grade classes made beautiful cards for their classmates and family.


Please continue to encourage your child(ren) to talk with someone if they need to; if they hear something, say something. We are always here to listen and support. 


Thank you for your continued thoughts and we look forward to seeing you on Tuesday.


Enjoy your Monday!


Hugs,

Ms.. Carr and Ms. Teague


Save the Date

Elementary Yearbooks


Just wanted you to know that you can go ahead and purchase the yearbook for this school year if you want to get a head start.




Order Now

A Note from Dr. Dempsey

Hello PRIDE!!


I would like to thank you all for your support and love this week. I am so very proud and humbled at the way our students came together to honor and remember Gavin. He will be deeply missed by his classmates and teachers, we are in the process of discussing ways to have a permanent memorial in his memory.


Christy Dempsey

A Note from Ms. Menges

Happy Sunday Everyone!


This week was different than any week I'm sure most of us have experienced before. I am so incredibly proud of our staff, students, families, and community for coming together and supporting one another during this challenging time. As time goes on, it may feel like it isn't getting easier, but I know we are becoming stronger day by day. Please reach out to Me, Ms. Carr, or Ms. Teague if your student could use support in coping during this time. Love you all lion family.


Things to note:

-8th, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders, great job SAT and PSAT testing last week. The day was long, and the circumstances of this week were difficult, but I know you gave it your best!


-11th and 12th graders, please be on the lookout for our new newsletter called "The Upperclassmen Tribune." This will give you great resources regarding college, scholarships, and careers. This will be sent out biweekly. 


-Everyone, don't forget that make up picture day is Friday, October 21st!


-9th graders, please click here to learn more about attendance recovery for this semester. If your student has more than 5 unexcused absences, they will need to make up the time after school in order to get credit for their class. If your student is in need of making up class time, you will receive an email from Ms. Menges letting you know how many days you need to recover. 


-8th graders, we will discuss attendance recovery closer to Christmas as your high school credit courses are yearlong instead of semester long.


Quote of the Week:

"May there be comfort in knowing that someone so special will never be forgotten."

-Julie Hebert


Sincerely,

Ms. Menges


Middle/High Yearbook


Just wanted you to know that you can go ahead and purchase the yearbook for this school year if you want to get a head start.

Order Now

RiverTech Students

(a catchy-name for our 10th-12th grade students)

A Note from Mr. Ball

Hello PRIDE,


I hope everyone had an enjoyable weekend. I wanted to let you know York Technical College is having an open house next Thursday, October 20 from 5:00 - 7:00. They will have food trucks, fire trucks, 18 wheelers, university transfer information, no cost college information, etc. You can register for the event at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/427888123897.


As we enter the second grading period students should make any needed adjustments to ensure their success in their classes. We are here to help our students be successful and will help in whatever way we can.


Please continue to encourage your students to take advantage of opportunities that are being made available to them on campus. In addition to our newsletter you can see what is being offered on the Padlet.


Thank you for your continued support,

Richard


Dual Enrollment Students

I hope you all enjoyed your first week of classes for these 8-weeks. The deadline to drop a course has now passed. If you are already feeling like you're struggling in a class, please don't forget the supports you have in place:

  1. Reach out to your professor!!
  2. If deadlines are your struggle, don't forget to use the Calendar feature in D2L for your classes.
  3. Tutoring and Academic Counseling are available to you at all times through York Tech. Please let me know if you need help accessing these supports.
  4. I and all of the Riverwalk staff on campus are here for you. Whether it's academic, stress, or organizational, we are all here to help.

I hope you all have a great second week!

College Visit Survey: 11th and 12th grade students, if you are interested in attending college visits with Riverwalk this year, please take this survey to indicate the schools you would like to visit!

Military Interest Survey

This survey is for Riverwalk Juniors and Seniors who are interested in possibly pursuing a career in the military. Once we have a count of students who are interested, we would love to have recruiters visit campus!

Survey

Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics 

We are excited to share that the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics will be visiting us at York Tech on Friday, October 14th at 12:30 PM in the D Building. 10th to 12th-grade students who are interested in Aviation Technology as a future career are encouraged to attend the meeting! Take a look at the attached handout to learn more about careers in Aviation Technology.

View Handout

Senior Announcements

Seniors:

Senior families who are interested in purchasing a Senior Ad: please visit the Jostens Website HERE to begin your creation!Seniors!


The deadline to order your cap and gown for graduation is PAST DUE! If you have not completed your order, please reach out to Mrs. Born ASAP.

Junior Announcements

Junior IGP Meetings


Junior IGPs will run through the end of October. Meetings will be virtual through Google Meets. Mrs. Born will send you a Google Meets calendar invitation when you sign up. Students will also receive an invitation so they may attend if their session is during the school day. If you would prefer an in-person session, or if none of the listed times work for you, please reach out to Mrs. Born! Sign up for your IGP session HERE!

Make-Up School Information

(Grades 10-12)

  • There is a charge of $20 per session payable in advance at the Riverwalk Academy Store..
  • This must be paid in advance.
  • Students must be on time.
  • Students will not be admitted to make up school sessions late.
  • Make up school is held in room D-20.
  • Students must bring lunch with them when they enter the D-20 classroom. No deliveries will be allowed by family, friends, etc - NO EXCEPTIONS.
  • Students must be working on assignments or reading while in the make-up session. Students that are being disruptive, not on task, or not following directions will be asked to leave. They will not receive a refund nor credit for any missed time.

Summer Opportunities for High School Students


High school students! I know summer break seems far away, but it’s never too early to start thinking about your future. Click on the links below to learn about some fun summer opportunities through LeHigh University and the University of Pittsburgh. I encourage you to attend the interest sessions if you're curious to learn more. 



Iacocca Global Entrepreneurship Intensive


University of Pittsburgh Health Career Scholars Academy

Interest Session

PadLet 

Don't forget to check the Riverwalk Academy Padlet daily for updates on scholarships. Opportunities are uploaded frequently, so don't miss your chance to earn some cash for college!

Padlet

Middle/ High Yearbook


Just wanted you to know that you can go ahead and purchase the yearbook for this school year if you want to get a head start.




Order Now

Fall Sports for all 7th - 12th Grade Students


If you have any questions about playing sports for Riverwalk, please contact the coach or contact our Athletic Director, Coach Ball.


The athletes and coaches would love to see you at their athletic competitions. Please check your calendar and try to make it out to their events.


This weeks schedule:

  • October 18: Cheer at Gilbert High School - 6:00
  • October 18: Cross Country at Lancaster High - 5:30
  • October 19: Cheer at River Bluff High School - 7:00
  • October 22: Cheer at Dorman High School - TBA

 

Congratulations to Wyatt Krashner. He represented Riverwalk Academy at the SCHSL AAA State Championships last week. He took 20 seconds off his time in the 500 Freestyle.


Congratulations to our girls volleyball team. They finished their season this past week with three consecutive wins. Way to go Lions!


Winter sports are right around the corner. If you are interested in playing sports in the winter or spring you need to make sure you get an athletic physical and upload information into PlanetHs before competing. If you have any questions please contact Mr. Ball at rball@riverwalkacademy.com or 803-981-7061.


Follow us on:

Facebook - Riverwalk Academy Athletics

Instagram - riverwalk_athletics

Twitter - @riverwalklions1


Monday: 10/17/22

  • No School (K - 9th Grade)


Tuesday: 10/18/22

  • Cross Country Meet @ Lancaster - 5:00 pm
  • Cheer at Gilbert High School - 6:00
  • Board Meeting 6:30 pm


Wednesday: 10/19/22

  • Cheer Competition at River Bluff High School 


Thursday: 10/20/22

  • York Technical College Open House 5:00-7:00 pm


Friday: 10/21/22

  • Make Up Picture Day
  • Volleyball End of Year Banquet 


Saturday: 10/22/22

  • Cheer Competition at Dorman High School
Is this newsletter helpful for you?
Yes
No

Pride Believe. Pride Achieve. 

Facebook  Twitter  Instagram