Greetings!
The focus throughout the community in these days before the Fall Field Trip are on setting up strong routines, expectations, and plans for the year ahead. Please join us in that effort by keeping up with the announcements in the Monday Memo, and reaching out if you have questions.
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 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 first day of the school week.
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. You may find the message in your promotions/spam folder, and need to cue your email software that it's an important message that you want in your primary inbox.
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LABEL EVERYTHING REQUEST & FUNDRAISER |
We (and most other youth programs) ask that sweatshirts, water bottles, backpacks, raincoats, mittens, etc. all be labeled with your child's/family's name. Right now you can shop for and order tags, labels, and other individualized items with Mabel's Labels, and 20% of all sales will come back to support Riverside and its mission. Simply follow this link and type "The Riverside School" in the central search bar that comes up. Our fundraiser will run until mid October, so plan your purchases and share this link with friends and family now!
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PICK UP & DROP OFF REMINDERS |
When dropping off your child(ren) between 7:45-8:00 am, please pull as far forward as possible, noticing the sign in front of the solarium room windows. Please unload students from the right side of the car, close to the cubby room porch, not in front of the barn.
When picking up K-5th students between 3:00-3:15 or 6-8th students between 3:30-3:45, please also pull up as far as possible toward the sign in front of the solarium windows, and do not expect students to get into your car unless you're one of the first three cars in line, near the cubby room porch. Loading (and un-loading) in front of the barn creates a gap that slows down the process.
If you are dropping off after 8:00 am or picking up before dismissal times (3:00/3:30), please come in to Krystal's office to sign your child(ren) in or out on a red clipboard on Krystal's desk. Older, responsible students can also sign themselves in/out.
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COMMUNICATING WITH SCHOOL & STAFF |
During the school day, the best way to communicate with us is to call the landline phone: 802-626-8552. While staff can be absent from school or trying to focus on their students and not their personal phones, we always make sure the landline phone is covered with someone who can answer or redirect questions for that given day and time.
To communicate an absence, please either call the landline, or email both Krystal and the classroom teacher/advisor: firstname.lastname@theriversideschool.org.
Many of our staff enjoy friendly relationships with Riverside parents, which include having each other's personal cell phone numbers. We ask that parents please be conscientious and intentional about how you use staff's personal numbers, with particular attention to the type of message (questions, concerns, and schedule updates are better via email or landline phone), and the time of day (during school hours they may enjoy sending you a picture or update, evenings and weekends they are attending to their own personal lives). When in doubt, please ask the teacher about their preferences, if they haven't already shared them.
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Most families received their 2023-2024 Riverside Family Handbooks at the Back to School Orientation, others will receive them today in boomerang folders or backpacks. Please be sure to review the booklet with your child as is appropriate to his/her age (a 7-8th grader might read it entirely, a 4-5th grader might read sections you recommend, you might talk with your 1-2nd grader about items you feel are important) and sign and return the acknowledgment form in the front pocket 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 Roy that highlights updates to this year's handbook, the form to confirm that you've read/reviewed the handbook, and various other items.
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Our 2nd biggest parent-led annual fundraiser is already upon us! Riverside's Annual Yard Sale will be on Saturday, October 7. This is a well-known event in the broader community, organized by Riverside parents, that raises needed funds for our programs here at school.
Donations: We hope you are cleaning out your attics, basements, cupboards, and closets to donate items. Here is some guidance for donations:
- We CAN take: linens, books, toys, sports gear, shoes, bags, yard stuff, artwork, office, housewares, antiques, jewelry, functioning tools, pet supplies, holiday decor & crafts, and clothing. Clothing should be washed, wearable, and pre-sorted by size and youth vs mens vs womens; please no tears/rips/stains/broken zippers. We ask that each family limit their daily-wear clothing donations to 2 kitchen-sized trash bags (roughly 13 gal size).
- We CANNOT take: electronics (TVs, VCRs, etc.), particle board furniture, magazines, video or audio cassettes, encyclopedias, car seats
- First drop off date for donations is Sunday, Oct. 1 from 11am - 2pm, where volunteers will be on campus to help you sort your donations.
Volunteers: We need you to volunteer! Our goal is that most parents will volunteer to work a shift or two for the event. You can sign up to volunteer here. If you can lend a hand in advance of the event, we are looking for people to post fliers about the sale in your communities of Lyndonville, Burke, Newark, East Haven, St. Johnsbury, Barnet, Peacham, Westmore, Kirby, and Guildhall. Email Carrie Stahler (6th grader Victor, alum Moxie) if you'd like her to send some fliers home with your child this week!
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How will you contribute to our supportive community this year? We are so proud of the nearly 100% participation rate of our parents as volunteers, let's keep the culture of support strong! If you signed up on paper at the Back to School Orientation, you do not need to sign up again, a parent volunteer will transfer those names for us, some of that work has already begun.
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6-8th GRADE INSTRUMENT LESSONS & BAND |
In an effort to expand our music program, middle schoolers will be required this year to take either band or chorus (or both!) as one of their electives.
As part of the commitment to band, students will be encouraged to take lessons during the school day with Marie, at no cost to families. Marie will work with teachers to determine the classes that might be missed for lesson time according to individual student needs and the greater lesson schedule, which sometimes involves groups of students. Please talk with your child about the active learning skills that will be involved in missing class time, what you feel would be better/worse classes to miss, and encourage your child to communicate that with their advisor as well.
Ellis Music has great options for renting instruments and makes weekly stops at Riverside for drop-offs/repairs/supplies. Here is the link to their rental information. If rental costs are prohibitive for your family, please talk to Marie; we have some school-owned instruments that are available.
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MUMS and BULBS FUNDRAISER |
Today is the last day to order mum plants, which (contrary to what the order site says) will be available for pick up at school on Friday, September 15 thanks to parent volunteers. Bulbs can be ordered until September 27, and will be shipped directly to your home.
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Confirmed! We will take our 3-5th graders to the pool at VTSU-Lyndon on Fridays in the fall for swim lessons with Renee, Sean, and Nelia. Students will ride a bus to the college in the afternoon, and we ask that parents pick up outside the pool at 3:15 on the following dates: Fridays, September 8, 29, October 13, 20, and 27. Fridays that are skipped will be regular school days at Riverside.
There is no Extended Day Program available for students dismissed off campus. Any parents who would like to help teach swimming lesson, join/supervise free swim time, or help keep kids moving through changing areas, please email Nelia.
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K-8th GRADE FALL FIELD TRIP |
4-8th graders will be spending September 13-15 at Siskin Coutts Camp in Derby, VT, and K-3rd graders will join us there on Thursday, September 14 thanks to parent chaperones and carpool drivers.
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Parents: You and siblings are strongly encouraged to join us, as your schedule allows. You might spend one or both nights, or maybe just join us for an afternoon activity, a dinner, or an evening campfire. We've got a great crew of parents already who plan to spend some nights and help care for students, we thank you!
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Schedule: Our plans are still evolving, but roughly: Wednesday will be low and high ropes course experiences, waterfront, and a workshop about our mission. Thursday will be focused on welcoming and building relationships with younger students through a variety of thoroughly mixed-age activities, with waterfront time and an evening campfire after younger students go home. Friday we will focus on packing up, reflecting on our time together, and doing service work for Siskin Coutts.
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Stuff to Bring: A full packing list will be in next week's memo. Besides clothing and toiletries, students will need sleeping bag/bedding and a pillow, swimsuit and towel, flashlight, rain gear, and a lunch on Wednesday.
K-3rd graders will join us on the Fall Field Trip at Siskin Coutts just for the day, on Thursday, September 14. They will depart from and return to Riverside, traveling in carpools of parent chaperones. If you'd like to join us for that day, driving your own child and 1-2 others, and supervising small groups of younger students, please email Team Leader Emily Spring to coordinate.
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We hope to have both 5-6th and 7-8th grade soccer teams this year, but are still seeking help with leading the 5-6th grade team. Please reach out to Sean if you are interested in helping out. The primary focus of soccer at Riverside is to have fun and bolster school spirit.
Now that we have the game schedule nearly finalized, we have updated the Soccer Support volunteer sign up sheet with specific dates that we need referees and snacks, please lend a hand if you can!
5-6th Proposed Schedule:
- Mon., 9/11 vs KESD location TBD, 4:30
- Fri., 9/29 @ KESD South, 4:00
- Sat., 9/30 Monroe Tournament, all day
- Mon., 10/2 vs KESD location TBD, 4:30
- Tues, 10/10 with 7-8th team vs Monroe, 5:00
- Mon., 10/16 with 7-8th team vs Good Shepherd, 4:30
- Wed., 10/18 vs Barnet, 4:00
- Fri., 10/20 with 7-8th team @ Monroe, 5:00
7-8th Game Schedule:
- Tues., 9/19 vs Good Shepherd, 4:30
- Fri., 9/22 vs KESD North, 4:30
- Wed., 9/27 @ Barnet, 4:30
- Fri., 9/29 @ KESD South, 5:00
- Sat., 9/30 Monroe Tournament, all day
- Thur., 10/5 @ KESD North, 4:30
- Fri, 10/6 vs KESD South, 4:30
- Tues, 10/10 with 5-6th team vs Monroe, 5:00
- Mon., 10/16 with 7-8th team vs Good Shepherd, 4:30
- Wed., 10/18 vs Barnet, 5:00
- Fri., 10/20 with 5-6th team @ Monroe, 5:00
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Sean Fortier will be organizing clubs for the year ahead. If you have an idea of an activity you'd like to lead with Riverside students after school, please share with him the following information:
- activity description
- preferred age group and maximum number of participants
- preferred season and schedule (ie, Wednesdays until 5:00 in the winter, or Tuesdays 3:45-4:30 until October 24)
- any needed materials or cost
- suggestions for space (kitchen because big tables and sink, pavilion, classroom, etc)
Some clubs led by volunteers in the past have included drama, chess, coding, hiking, and more. Stay tuned for announcements here about club opportunities and how to sign up. These clubs are separate from the regular Extended Day Program and often happen free of charge.
For now, we have one club ready to launch!
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3-5th Grade Crazy 8's Math Club is beginning on September 25th. This club meets in the barn on Mondays from 3:30-4:30. Space and materials are limited to 14 members, so please don't hesitate to sign your child up with Caroline. On those days, Crazy 8's members go to the Extended Day Program with Sean at no charge, from the time they are dismissed until Caroline checks them into Crazy 8's at 3:30. Pick up is at 4:30 in front of the barn. We strongly prefer that these students do not return to the EDP at 4:30, as that can create confusion with supervising other students.
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Our PAG, who support communications, mentorship, and participation at Riverside, are gearing up for the year just like the staff are. Chairpersons Kim Adams (7th grader Cora and 8th grader Gabe) and Molly Moghari (3rd grader Bryn, 5th grader Emmett, 8th grader Kellan) have been meeting with Roy and Nelia to set goals for the year and help coordinate some of the fall community events. Other PAG members have been reaching out to new families in their classes to welcome them. We are so grateful for this team supporting our school. The first PAG meeting (to which all parents are welcome) will be Wednesday, September 20 at 5:00 pm. Remember that the parents listed here are prepared to support other parents.
- PK: Katie Baker
- K: Claudia Lechuga
- 1: Amanda Anderson, Alex & Tonia Brown
- 2: Ben Reed, Kate Renner
- 3: Dee Royer, Stephanie Smith
- 4: Linnzi Furman, Shawntel Sechrist
- 5: Molly Moghari
- 6: Courtney Daffinrud, Arcelie Newell
- 7: Katie DesJardins
- 8: Kim Adams
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BURKE FALL FEST AND PARADE |
We traditionally show off our school pride at the East Burke Fall Festival and Parade. Mark your calendars for September 30, when we will meet at 9:00 am to ride/walk in the parade. We would appreciate a couple of parents volunteering to organize our truck/float, decoration theme, and candy for tossing, please let Nelia know if you can help coordinate.
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Mark your calendars for Thursday, September 21, from 3:00-7:00 pm (we won't schedule soccer games for that day). We hope students, teachers, and parents alike will register to participate solo, or as a team. The money raised by your pledges will go directly to Riverside's scholarship program. You'll keep track of points earned by completing laps and fun stations, on foot or on wheels! Stay tuned for links to register and print a pledge form. Start talking to your friends, neighbors, and extended family about why you think more students should be able to attend Riverside and why they should pledge money toward your success in the race.
If you plan to participate, we'd love to know that by having you also sign up here, that way we can keep track of how much more encouraging we need to do for participation within the Riverside community.
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The Riverside Against Cancer event that we've held at Riverside for the last two springs is linked to the Relay for Life of Caledonia County, this year held on September 9th at The Wildflower on Darling Hill in Lyndonville. The Riverside School is a team at this event and has already raised $6,571 this year and over $13,000 in the last 2 years for The American Cancer Society.
It's important to know where the money is being used that's raised in Vermont. The Hope Lodge in Burlington Burlington Hope Lodge is a place for families to stay at NO COST when a loved one is in treatment. There are volunteers who cover transportation from the lodge to treatments or outings around town, there are bakers who keep treats on the table, and the fridge and pantry are always stocked with fresh food. Volunteers come in and cook meals and clean for families so all they have to think about is supporting each other and healing. Local sports teams like the Vermont Lake Monsters baseball team donate game tickets to guests in hopes of giving them a fun outing to do as a family and a mental break from their treatment plan. They stay with families in similar situations so support groups form authentically for patients, survivors and caregivers as they share their stories with each other. There are 30 Hope Lodges across the country and I think we're lucky to have one in Burlington and to be able to help support their mission.
Please consider this as an invitation to come to the Relay for Life on September 9th and walk/ bike with us. We will be there from 12 noon until 10 pm with a luminary ceremony starting at 9:00 pm. You are already registered as a team from The Riverside School, so there's no need to sign up or register as individuals. Bring your family. There are lawn games, food options and a DJ playing music. For those of you who know the Wildflower property, the Relay will be held in the big field with the gazebo below the Hub.
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30 Lily Pond Road, Lyndonville, VT 05851
phone: 802.626.8552
fax: 802.626.4156
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