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February 2024 Whims | 1st Edition

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A Look Inside This Week's Whims

February 2024, 1st Edition


Happy February, folks!


Hope you all had a beautiful weekend and are feeling ready for the week ahead. We have a field trip for the Upper Schoolers, a Global Day of Play & Founders Day Celebration, the Friday Ski Program, and the Valentine's Dance on the books so get good rest and take great care of yourselves so we can see your children's shingin faces at all these wonderful events.


Please remember to send your children with masks and look over the current mask requirements listed in the newsletter below. We've also included some great local resources for immune support below as well.


As always - please let Becky or the office know of any illness in your home. We are all in this cold and flu season together!

Order Your *FREE* Covid Tests Today!

Join us this Friday in the theater for a Valentine's Dance! Wear something lovely, and bring a snack and drinks to share. See you there!

Business After Hours:

Volunteers Needed!

February 21st


Business After Hours is a local networking event organized by the Penobscot Bay Chamber of Commerce which gives local businesses the opportunity to discuss and share ideas while also learning about other local businesses and non-profits in a relaxed social setting.


This event is an important opportunity for Riley to no longer be a "best kept secret". These Chamber events are attended by 60-100 business community and Chamber members- many of whom have never been to our campus. It is an opportunity to spread the word and enhance both our applicant pool and our fundraising initiatives. In addition we are using it as an opportunity to promote the rental of the theater. 


Help Riley host this incredible event while also adding to your family's volunteer hours! Sign up to provide food and beverage below.  Any volunteers helping to set up, provide finger food, serve, clean up and mingle will be offered bonus hours in light of it being during vacation week. 

Parent Volunteer Sign Up

Help Support a Great Day at School with Appropriate Gear & Nourishing Food!


Please ensure that your children have: 


  • masks
  • water bottles
  • simple nourishing sugar free foods food choices
  • appropriate winter layers of LABELED clothing
  •  extra dry socks and a second pair of footwear

 

We are requiring masks if

  • any symptoms 
  • for 5 days after any illness
  • AND if a member of the household is sick (with anything!!) 


We are trying to do our part to keep everyone in school, including increased surface cleaning, reminders to wash hands, to drink water, and to keep fresh air circulating.


We need parents support to build the children's immune systems with healthy food ( for example: reduced sugar!- immunity is 70 % in your gut!). PLEASE do not send candy and sweets with lunch.

Immune System Support

from Our Community

Elderberry Syrup


$25 for an 8 ounce bottle, made in small batches.. take daily to boost immunity and lessen symptoms when sick. Made with organic elderberries and raw unfiltered honey. Safe for the kiddos and tasty!


Reach out to Hattie to get a bottle today!

Immune Support from

Bee Wild Farmacy


Immunitea is $10/bag or 2/$18. Eldertoddy comes in several sizes from $5-25. There are other options - tinctures and teas for illness, cough, etc etc. Check out items and descriptions at www.BeeWild.ME. Mary ships, delivers, offers pick ups, or can bring to Riley.

Riley Skiing & Snowboarding Program 2024: Every Friday!


Important Need to Knows:

  •  You must sign up and pay by Wednesday at 3:30 to receive the discounted group rate on Friday.
  • Children are dismissed from the care of Riley at 12 PM on Fridays; Riley is not responsible for children at the mountain.
  • Please be aware of your child's level of independence. Children who are unable to get into their gear or ride the chair lift independently must have a plan of support set up by their guardian to assist in their success. I will be available as a point person on the mountain and am happy to help in unexpected situations, but being present and proactive for children who need extra support is essential for the success of this program
  • Parents are responsible for coordinating transportation to the mountain. Carpooling is encouraged! If you wish for your child to be brought back to Riley for a 3:30 pm pickup it is your responsibility to coordinate their return. 
  • I will be in the lodge handing out lift tickets around 12:30. Your rentals will be ready for you inside the rental office with the renter's name/Riley School written on tape on your equipment.


Questions?

Contact Craig!


craig.letowski@rileyschool.org

207-790-1218

Skiing & Snowboarding Forms 2024

Winter Weather Protocols

Delays, cancellations, & general policies


We use RSU 13 for GUIDANCE on delays and weather cancellations. We will always follow a delay but unless you hear directly from us we will not necessarily have a cancellation alongside RSU 13. Not only do we not have busses to worry about, RSU 13 may also have reasons for cancellations that do not affect us. We're so lucky at Riley to be more nimble and flexible in our decision making!


If you have not heard further from us by 7 am, assume the last communication from Riley is what stands. And as always, do what you need to do to keep your family safe.


When possible info will be posted on FB and on WGME13 and WCSHStorm Center 6. Sign up for automatic text messages from the WCSH6 Storm Center website. We also send a text or email when possible.


In case of a power outage cancellation, call the school. If the answering machine picks up we do have power and thus school. 


We do not usually do early dismissal as a storm begins, but we encourage families to make their own decisions re safety and to pick up at any time during the day.


As always, use your own discretion regarding road conditions in your area and choose safety over attendance. Please call in as early as possible if you choose not to bring your child in on inclement weather days so we do not worry about you. 

This is YOUR Whims!

Do you have anything to post? To sell? News or an event to share? 

Contact Julie Letowski, our editor:

whims@rileyschool.org


Weekly submission deadline:

Fridays 12 pm

no exceptions

February

at a Glance

February 6th

Upper School

to Strand

Live from the MET

Carmen

1-5 pm


February 7th

Global Play Day and Founders Day Celebration


February 9th

Riley Skiing & Snowboarding Program - Sign up by

Wednesday at 3:30!


February 9th

Valentine's Day Dance

6 - 8 PM


February 16th

Riley Skiing & Snowboarding Program - Sign up by

Wednesday at 3:30!


February 19th-23rd

Winter Vacation

NO SCHOOL


February 21st

Business After Hours at Riley

5-7 pm


February 26th

Financial Aid Applications Available


**Special calendar note: May 15th's scheduled faculty workshop has been cancelled and school will be in session. Thank you!**

View Our Updated School Calendar

A thank you to Zack Winklehoffer and to Bill Anderson who have been flexible and welcome subs during these past few weeks.


Thank you

to our

Parent Volunteers!

Parent Volunteer Sign Up

Keep eye out for Community Skills survey and new Volunteer sign ups format!

Arrival

& Dismissal


Please be sure to share this information with any other family or designated drivers of your children


Morning drop off is between 8:30-8:40; Afternoon pick up is between 3:30-3:40.


Parking in front of Wade Acres during these times is exclusively reserved for Wade Acres families and families with children in car seats.


Once the line begins moving you may NOT bypass it nor go counterclockwise to reach the front.

Make new friends, and keep in touch with the old!


Find all the contact information you need for your fellow Riley families in the updated directory linked below.

Riley Family Directory

The Riley School's Family Corner


Have you explored the Riley Family Corner on school's website? Full of reading suggestions, archived Whims and Riley Notes, and useful links to things like the school directory and calendar, it's got all the info Riley families need!


Password:

Family2324

Explore the Riley Family Corner Today!

HOW TO 

REACH US


Office

596-6405


Admin cell

691-4005


info@rileyschool.org

director@rileyschool.org


PO Box 159

Rockport ME 04856

Riley Summer Camp 2024

Tuesday-Thursday, July 9th - August 1st


If you are interested in this year's Summer Camp, please let Tammy know ASAP. Summer camp registration will be opening it up to people who have reached out since last year as well as the public early next week.


Thank you all and we look forward to seeing you all this summer!

Thank you to all who joined us at Camden Winterfest to carve a beautiful Riley ice sculpture!

Share your Riley love with t-shirts,

sweatshirts, mugs, and more!

Grab your gear HERE.

Follow Riley On Facebook
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Missed a recent Whims? Catch up below!


December 2023 Whims // 1st Edition

November 2023 Whims // 4th Edition

November 2023 Whims // 3rd Edition

November 2023 Whims // 2nd Edition

November 2023 Whims // 1st Edition

October 2023 Whims // 5th Edition

October 2023 Whims // 4th Edition

October 2023 Whims // 3rd Edition

October 2023 Whims // 2nd Edition

October 2023 Whims // 1st Edition

September 2023 Whims // 4th Edition

September 2023 Whims // 3rd Edition

September 2023 Whims // 2nd Edition

September 2023 Whims // 1st Edition

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The Riley School

www.rileyschool.org

207-596-6405

RILEY MISSION STATEMENT

The Riley School guides children to become independent, lifelong learners and innovative thinkers.


Founded as an intentionally small, progressive, ungraded elementary school in 1972, Riley recognizes each child’s unique learning style. The innovative and personalized curriculum challenges children to express themselves and develop their own intellectual and creative capabilities through discovery, questioning and active engagement. 


 We foster a sense of responsibility towards our natural world, our community, and each other. We value cooperation and collaboration, while balancing the individual's social, emotional and physical development with academic and intellectual growth.


At Riley we trust in children as learners. We honor and respect the uniqueness of the individual. We cherish and protect childhood.