Weekly News & Updates

I hope each of you had a wonderful and relaxing weekend. My family and I had a wonderful weekend and it started first thing Saturday morning when my family and I came to Riverwalk for our St. Patrick's Day Fun Run and 5K. It was great seeing so many staff, students and family who came out to support our school, and their own healthy lifestyles.

I also wanted to take a moment to give a shout out to our Business Professionals of America (BPA) team: Efua Adabo, Peyton Bowers, Ethan DeMarche, Gavin Lewis, Heidi Kipper, Jake Matthews, Alondra Ramirez, Emely Reyes, Jaxon Scarbrough, Jazmine Sepulveda, and Levi Staton. Each of these outstanding students competed in the State competition last week, and by coming in either 1st, 2nd, or 3rd at the State competition, they have qualified for the National Competition. They'll head to Anaheim, CA in late April. I'm so excited for them and wish them the best of luck!

I'd also like to give a shout out to our coaches, athletes, and parents for the way they carry the banner for Riverwalk Academy. Because of each of these groups of people, Riverwalk Academy was only one of two schools in SC to receive the Sportsmanship Banner from the SC High School League. You can read more about this award by clicking here.

I also want to let each of you know that coming home this week with your child is a letter from the SC Department of Education asking for your participation in a survey. The letter contains a link and a QR code for taking the survey. Please help us reach our participation goal that has been set by the State, which is 80%. If you have any issues accessing this survey, or if you do not receive a copy by Wednesday, please reach out to Ms. Robinson.

Finally, I wanted to take a moment to recognize som outstanding teachers. The following teachers were nominated by their colleagues for being considered one of our teachers of the year: Ms. Bowman (1st Grade), Ms. Bowman (2nd Grade), Ms. Carney (3rd Grade), Ms. Oates (middle school special education), Ms. Snipes (6th Grade ELA), Mr. Young (7th Grade Math), Ms. Johnston (High School Math), and Ms. Slifer (High School Special Education). This week, 3 of these teachers (one elementary, one middle school, and one high school) will be named as our 2023 teachers of the year. I'd like to thank Ms. Long and Ms. Lahr for serving as our 2022 Teachers of the Year.

Looking ahead, we have 10 more school days before spring break, so let's make each day count.

In Strength and Blessings,

~Dr. Compton

Photo of the Week

Our Business Professionals of America (BPA) Team headed to State on March 16th for their annual convention and competition. They finished in first place in twelve different competitions this week. In addition several finished in second and third place.

Senior Spotlight

A Note from Ms. Mabey

Each year, the South Carolina Department of Education gathers parent and student feedback in order to ensure families have a voice in their children’s education and to comply with accountability mandates. Parent Climate Survey results inform decision making at the school, district, and state level and are included in the school’s annual report card.

The Parent and Student Climate Survey is for students in grade 3-12 and is anonymous and confidential and will take about 10-15 minutes to complete. It can be found in the Parent Portal under the Forms tab on the left hand side. If you do not have a Parent Portal account, please email Mrs. Mabey at smabey@riverwalkacademy.com.

Your time and effort in completing this survey is greatly appreciated and will help Riverwalk Academy continuously improve your and your child’s experience in our district.

Instructions for Families

Instructions for Students

Do you have a sweet tooth?

Do you need some chocolate to fill that sweet tooth? Riverwalk BPA is selling the Worlds Finest Chocolate for $1. You can purchase a chocolate bar from a BPA member or at the front desk of the Riverwalk Campus.

Ages 13 and Up!

Rad Lab is SCBio's free mobile and Chromebook-based game that connects students to life sciences careers and pathways in South Carolina. This 'Who Wants To Be a Skillionaire Contest' is awarding students across the state over $2,500 in gift cards, with additional opportunities for juniors and seniors to be entered to win one of several $1,000 scholarships upon earning the Life Science Skillionaire Badge.

This short video show's what's inside the game, from 100+ life science and STEM terms, jobs, salaries, post-secondary programs, and even DEI-supported avatars. Download the game today and start earning some $$$!!! Students can win prizes and scholarships through May 1, 2023!

School Lunches (K - 9th Grade)

Please remember if you are ordering your child’s lunch all orders need to be in by 10:00 pm the night before ( for instance if you want your child to have lunch on Tuesday you will need to order Monday by 10:00 pm.)

No orders will be counted for the same day.

This is to make sure our caterer is getting the correct count.

Thank you for your assistance,

Kelly Burns

Foodservice Coordinator

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 & Ms. Teague

Greetings,

Please congratulate again our Random Acts of Kindness winners, pictured above. Harley Hartman, Irene Soto and Atlee Dellinger received their certificates and Amazon gift cards this week. They are posed with our world map that displays various acts of kindness demonstrated by our students. Thank you for being so kind to our fellow Lions.

Our students are learning a lot about celebrating one another's' differences and unique qualities. If your child had guidance this past week, ask them what diversity means to them. Depending on your child’s grade level, they may describe a book cover that they colored or a rainbow and picture that shows their personal uniqueness or they may share about their “star” characteristic. Look for pictures of student creations in next week’s newsletter!

A few books your family might enjoy reading together:

It’s Okay to be Different (diversity)

The Skin You Live In (acceptance)

Same, Same But Different (culture and geography)

Stellar’s Stellar Hair (differences)

Whoever You Are(diversity)

Over the Moon (adoption)

Don’t Call Me Special (disabilities)

My Brother Sammy(autism)

The Family Book (different family configurations) and

Love Makes a Family (different families)

By helping your child understand and respect similarities and differences, you will help them realize that they are a wonderfully unique person among many other wonderfully unique people on this earth.

(((HUGS))),

Mrs. Carr and Ms. Teague

We need VOLUNTEERS!

Field Day will be May 4, 2023! Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. You will need to complete a background check to be able to volunteer:

https://securevolunteer.com/riverwalk-academy/home

Calling All Boys 3rd - 5th Grade

Let Me Run is a nonprofit wellness program that inspires boys to be themselves, be active, and belong. With a comprehensive curriculum that applies the power of running, the program encourages boys to develop their psychological, emotional and social health, in addition to their physical health. Twice a week for seven weeks, two trained volunteer coaches lead an elementary or middle school team through practice. Designed to amplify confidence, self-expression, and respect for others, each practice includes a lesson from the Let Me Run curriculum that incorporates running, games and activities. Each fall and spring season culminates in a 5k race festival that celebrates the boys’ personal growth.

Registration at Riverwalk Academy is now open for grades 3 - 5! Spring season starts on March 28th, meets Tuesdays and Thursdays for an hour and fifteen minutes, and ends with a 5k race on May 20th. Visit LetMeRun.org to learn more and register. Space is limited. Questions? Email: mchannell@riverwalkacademy.com

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!!

Thank you for another amazing week. Our students’ behavior has been great and students have closed out the third nine weeks! It is so hard to believe that we are in the final quarter of this school year. It has been such a blessing and a privilege to watch our students grow this year!!

March is Middle Level Education Month. As part of this month, I asked students to share what they loved the most about middle school and I was absolutely thrilled with the responses. Most of the responses were related to having time for lunch with their friends, the different opportunities and sports options available to them and how much they loved their teachers. Ashlyn Winker sent in this response: “That something new happens everyday. And I think that the teachers bring out the best in the students”. I love that our students recognize how much their teachers love them and want them to always be their personal best. I am so proud of our PRIDE!!!!

Beta Club will meet on March 20, 2023 at 3:15 in Mr. Huggins room. If your student is a member, please make sure they attend.

As always, please reach out with any questions or concerns.

Warmly,

Dr. Christy Dempsey

A Note from Ms. Menges

Happy Sunday!

I am excited to share that last week, as Mrs. Born and I have started celebrating motivation month, we have had many student responses to share what motivates them in several aspects of life. We have talked about this as a school staff many times, but it is important to encourage our students in this as well. "Why" you want to have good grades. "Why" you want to go to the gym. "Why" you keep moving forward each day. Each of these "why" questions can have different answers for different people. Think about what your "why" is for all that you do. It allows us to give effort in each aspect of life and keep going. You all are one of my "why's" and I am so grateful!

Quote of the Week:

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”

-Arthur Ashe

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 you are having a great weekend. Our students continue to work hard in the classroom. We hope you are seeing that work have a positive impact on their academic performance.

We encourage you to continue to support your children and to provide them with the tools and resources they need to be successful. Remember we are here to provide any assistance or guidance needed.

I would like to congratulate the members of our BPA chapter. They finished in first place in twelve different competitions this week. In addition we had several second and third place finishes as well. These students have worked hard and are looking forward to the national convention. I would also like to thank Mr. Cooper and Dr. Saladin for their work with BPA.

Congratulations also goes out to our student athletes, coaches and parents. Because of your work this year, Riverwalk was one of two schools in the state recognized with the SCHSL Sportsmanship Banner.

As always, thank you for your continued support.

Richard

803-981-7061

11th Grade Students: Save the Date

11th graders, SAVE THE DATE. Wednesday, March 29th for the South Carolina Career Ready Test which all 11th graders MUST take. This will take place at 8:30 on York Tech's campus. Those taking dual enrollment courses will need to prepare to make arrangements with their professors for this test. Reach out if you have any questions.

Senior Announcements

Seniors! It's getting close to time to celebrate all your hard work. The state of South Carolina wants to celebrate with you. Check out this flyer for more information about the SC College & Career Decision Day celebration on May 2, 2023. Reach out to Mrs. Born if you're planning to attend!

Seniors! Don't forget to complete your Graduation Exit Forms and return them to either Mrs. Mabey on main campus, or office D19 at York Tech. Forms must be returned NO LATER than March 20, 2023!

Exit Form

Sophomore and Junior Announcement

Sophomores and Juniors who are interested in taking dual enrollment classes next year will receive an email from me toward the end of March regarding a meeting to choose classes.

Dual Enrollment Students

It was so nice chatting with each of you last week and hearing how classes started this term. To our Juniors, don't forget that these classes will have the final effect on your Junior year GPA, which is the one you will be putting on college applications in the fall of your Senior year. Take care of your GPA and do well in your classes! To our Seniors, this is it!!!! You've made it to your final high school classes. Take a deep breath and push yourself- the end is in sight.

All 10th and 11th grade students who expressed interest in dual enrollment classes for the Fall 2023 term should have received an email from Mrs. Born last week regarding signing up for classes. York Tech has released class schedules for the Fall term, so we will meet to choose classes this week. Enrollment begins on March 27th, so we would like to have classes finalized before then so we can do our best to ensure enrollment. If you didn't receive an email from Mrs. Born about classes, please reach out ASAP!

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