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January 2023 Whims | 4th Edition

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A Look Inside This Week's Whims

January 2023, 4th Edition


Good evening, all! First order of business this evening is a reminder that tomorrow is a faculty day and there will be no school. Faculty will be gathering to dive into the important role of play in education before Wednesday's Founder's Day and National Day of Play!



A Note on Winter Health..


Many pesky little bugs are making their rounds in our community. Please keep an eye on your family's health and pack a handful of masks in your child's bag. If your child is symptomatic, we will ask them to wear a mask at school and we ask that you prepare them for this possibility. Children MUST be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school. Thank you for working with us to keep the Riley community in strong health!



In the main column of this week's Whims you'll find:


Camden Winter Fest pictures..


A request for planning committee volunteers..


Ski program details and sign up sheet..


Founder's Day & Global School Play Day..


Spring Equinox Dance..


An updated winter weather policy..


In the side column of this week's Whims you'll find:


A February calendar..


Skating pond season is here..


Last chance to shop with the Amazon Smile program..


Pottery Aftercare with Leith..


Links to the school calendar and the Riley Family Corner..


A Riley wishlist..


Don't forget to scroll to the bottom of the email to enjoy recent

pictures from around campus and links to previous Whims!

Here's to a wonderful winter!

Camden Winterfest Ice Carving


We had so much fun at the Camden Winterfest. Thank you to all the Riley families who helped- and who welcomed so many new children to help smooth and shape that ice.


Wonderful to have former Riley family stop by: Tessa, and Audrey and David and Kerry and Amy and Rachel!


It was dazzling as the afternoon sun hit it…. And we were the last team still working and creating a truly artful and collaborative piece - Thank You Anna and Kyle for making it happen. Thanks to Ken Gross and the Camden Library for hosting!

Have time or skills to offer?

WE NEED YOU!


Riley is looking for community members willing to volunteer any skills or time they might have to give to planning committees to support our vibrant campus life!


Spring will be busy with 50th anniversary activities, Maine Maple Sunday, and more, and to ensure these wonderful events run smoothly we need your help!


Ready to lend a hand? Reach out to Becky or Lindsay!


Also- families will be receiving calls from reflection group leaders to discuss ways the children can get involved with the 50th anniversary celebration in May!

Weekly Sign Up for

Skiing & Snowboarding

Sign up & pay by Wednesday 3:30 pm

for Friday February 3rd!


It's time for the weekly sign up for Riley's Friday activity Ski Program. If you missed the initial information email, click the button below to catch up on all the important information regarding this program.

Riley Ski Program Email

For questions, email or call Craig Letowski

craigletowski@gmail.com, 207-790-1218

Ski Program Info Sheet
Ski Program Sign Up Sheet

Sign up weekly!

Equipment Rental Form

Fill out once and it's good

for the entire season!

Wednesday is not only Founder's Day, it's Global School Play Day! We'll be joining many schools and children across many nations in a day of play, recognizing that play is an incredible opportunity for social-emotional learning and an essential facet of the Riley way of life!


All are invited to join us on Wednesday for Founder's Day & Global School Play Day!

Learn More About Global School Play Day!

TEDx Talk by Peter Gray:

The Decline of Play

Spring Equinox Dance

Friday March 24th


Mark your calendars for a

spring fling of a thing!


While winter's grip will remain on the midcoast for a bit longer, new light has begun to pour in on either end of our days. In no time fall's bulbs will be poking their little spring fingers through patchy snow and there will be much to celebrate! Join us Friday, March 24th to welcome spring in all its blooming wonder. More details to come!

Winter Weather Policy

with cancellation clarification


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 effect 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 do early dismissal but encourage families to make their own decisions re safety and to pick up at any time during the day. There will be NO AFTERCARE on a day when RSU13 has an early dismissal. 


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 our editor:

julieletowski@gmail.com

January

at a Glance

January 30th

Faculty Workshop

NO SCHOOL


February 1st

Founder's Day Campus Celebration & Global Play Day


February 3rd

Weekly Riley Ski Program

Don't forget to sign up!


February 12th

Riley Nights Talent Share, 3 p.m

All are welcome!

Spread the word!


February 16th

Parent Coffee


February 20th - 24th

Winter Vacation


February 27th

Discovery Weeks Begin


March 24th

Spring Equinox Dance

more details to come!

View Our Updated School Calendar

Keep Riley Healthy


Please monitor your children for sickness, pack a mask or two in their bags, and keep children home for 24 hours after a fever!

WELCOME to Alicia who will be supporting Michelle in the library and thus we are able to provide additional individualized and small group support for our new Wednesday amd Thursday schedule groups!

Skating Season at Riley


The ice is calling so pack your skates and helmets! Weather willing, we are all looking forward to a wonderful winter enjoying Riley's skating pond.


Helmets are required - no exceptions.

Aftercare Pottery with Leith


Pottery with Leith is a great opportunity to get focused studio time and to dive deeper into more complex projects, and it's not just for kids in Aftercare!


We have room available in our winter session so contact Leith for more information or Tam to register. 


Apologies but this is not available to Wade Acres children.

AMAZON SMILE

is ending - last chance to support Riley!


This next month is our last chance to support the school via Amazon Smile as the program is ending February 2oth.


Visit Amazon Smile, search "RileySchool" (one word!), and then select us as your charity! After that enjoy a percentage of all your eligible purchases being donated to our wonderful school!

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:

Riley2223


Please keep the password to just Riley families!

Explore the Riley Family Corner Today!

UPDATED Riley School Wishlist


Gently used is also FINE. 


SHOVELS


SLEDS


50th

CELEBRATION

PLANNERS

HOW TO 

REACH US


Office

596-6405


Admin cell

691-4005


info@rileyschool.org

director@rileyschool.org


PO Box 159

Rockport ME 04856

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Grab your gear HERE.

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Missed a recent Whim? Catch up below!


January 2023 Whims // 2nd Edition

January 2023 Whims // 1st Edition

December 2022 Whims // 1st Edition

November 2022 Whims // 4th Edition

November 2022 Whims // 3rd Edition

November 2022 Whims // 2nd Edition

November 2022 Whims // 1st Edition

October 2022 Whims // 4th Edition

October 2022 Whims // 3rd Edition

October 2022 Whims // 2nd Edition

October 2022 Whims // 1st Edition

September 2022 Whims // 4th Edition

September 2022 Whims // 3rd Edition

September 2022 Whims // 2nd Edition

September 2022 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.