Riverside School PTA Newsletter |
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RIVERSIDE SUMMER READ BOOKS ON SALE NOW!
We are excited to announce Riverside’s Annual Summer Book Read with a theme of “Adventures in Engineering”. We are offering five books to choose from. Read one or read them all! Summer Read books can be purchased online now. Click here to order. Books will be available to pick up outside school Wednesday, June 9 between 9-9:45am and 2:15-3pm.
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SPRING APPAREL SALE THURSDAY 5/20 FROM 1-3PM
Please join us outside Riverside School for an outdoor apparel sale on Thursday, May 20 from 1-3pm. In addition to all your favorite Red Hawk items – sweatshirts, masks, shorts and more – we will also be featuring some brand-new merchandise that's perfect for the spring and summer, including Red Hawk tee-shirts, water bottles and more. Be sure to stop by and grab some gear before the year winds down!
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SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION FOR GPS ADMINISTRATION!
Greenwich Public Schools administration found a way to get its students safely through the 2020-2021 school year. Whether you started remote or in person, stayed or switched, you had the option to choose what was best for your child and your family.
Say THANK YOU to Dr. Jones and her team for making this possible with handmade cards from your children. Please drop your children’s cards and drawings in the designated bin outside the school next week (May 17-21). Let’s remind Dr. Jones and her team how much Riverside School appreciates their leadership! Questions? Contact Elisabeth at emiranowski@gmail.com.
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ORDER FIELD DAY SHIRTS BY SUNDAY AT 3PM
Field Day 2021 will be a school-wide, student-only event at Riverside School on Friday, June 4 (rain date: June 11). You should have received an email with your child’s assigned color (RED or NAVY). Your child should wear a shirt in that color on June 4.
Field Day shirts are available for purchase ($8.50 each) by going to My Page on rivpta.org. If you’d like to purchase a Field Day shirt for your child, you must submit your order by Sunday, May 16 at 3pm. One order form per child. Shirts will be distributed prior to Field Day. Please note that purchasing T-shirts is completely optional.
On June 4, students should bring a lunch from home or can pre-order from the limited lunch menu. Water will be available during the day, but students should be encouraged to bring in a reusable water bottle labeled with their name on it. Any questions please contact Bill Bogardus or Jay D'Andrea.
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VOLUNTEER FOR THE RIVERSIDE PTA NEXT YEAR!
Opportunities big and small need to be filled for the 2021-2022 school year. Whether you have little time or a lot, consider investing time to benefit your child’s elementary school and our community—we need you! Here are a few of the high-priority roles we need filled:
- Assistant Treasurer (no finance background necessary!)
- Pizza Bingo Co-Chair
- Riverside Run Co-Chair
- Various roles on our Communications Team (no web or coding experience necessary!)
There are so many more roles open to suit your time availability and interests. Please review our openings and complete an interest form to express interest in one or many of our volunteer opportunities! Questions? Email Heeyoon Slater.
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GET FIT FOR FARE – MAY 24-28
The PTA Community Service Committee will be hosting a Riverside School “Fit for Life” fundraiser to benefit FARE – Food Allergy Research and Education – from Monday, May 24 to Friday, May 28. All grades will be participating in fun fitness stations during PE classes throughout the week of May 24 and learning facts about allergies.
The money raised by this event will go towards improving the quality of life, and the health of individuals with food allergies, and providing them hope through the promise of new treatments. Food allergies affect many Riverside School students and other kids across the Greenwich Public Schools.
Please look out for more information in the coming weeks regarding how to donate, a video to share with your student and more on FARE. If you have any questions, please contact the Community Service team at RivPTACS@gmail.com.
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR: PTA GENERAL MEETING MAY 25
Please join us on Tuesday, May 25 from 9:30-10:30AM for a cooking demonstration and conversation with food blogger, author, mother of four elementary school-aged children, and “the woman behind the internet’s favorite bread recipe”, Alexandra Stafford of Alexandra’s Kitchen. Zoom details to follow.
At this meeting we will quickly run through PTA business items (20 mins), and then we will be joined by Ali, who will walk us through a cooking demonstration. This is an interactive meeting, so please send questions in advance or post them in the chat during the presentation.
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SPRING FUNDRAISING DRIVE THANK YOU
Thank you for making our first ever Spring Fundraising Drive a HUGE SUCCESS! Our Riverside community showed incredible generosity last week, and we are beyond grateful to everyone who contributed and helped us meet our fundraising goal! Thank you so much for your incredible support of our PTA in their efforts to enrich every child's experience at Riverside School!
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ORDER YOUR SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR 2021-22
The PTA is once again sponsoring a school supply fundraiser for the upcoming school year. Order now and your child's box of supplies will be delivered directly to the classroom by the first day of school.
Starting May 1, please go to www.shopttkits.com and enter account number 83285. The site will close on May 31. Once again, earbuds and headphones, as well as PPE kits, will be available to purchase separately if new ones are required. Please note that it is strongly advised that Kindergarteners have headphones rather than earbuds. Please email Virginia Lockhart with any questions.
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COME SEE THE RIVERSIDE VEGETABLE GARDEN
Come on over to see the gorgeous new vegetable garden at Riverside! Generously funded by the PTA and built by Jim Charling (grandfather of 2nd grader Eric Charling), with assistance from Aaron Charling (Eric’s dad), the new garden is ready to grow! Stay tuned for planting plans, but in the meantime, drop by to admire our new space.
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GPS WANTS YOUR FEEDBACK ON PPT MEETINGS
GPS has initiated a new internal feedback process (that is separate from the review being conducted by PCG) to improve their PPT meeting process. To that end, please make sure to fill out the new special education survey AFTER your Annual PPT Meeting. The survey link is in blue and can be found on the PPT Summary Page. The PPT Summary is delivered virtually, five school days after your annual PPT. It is included with your finalized IEP.
This survey is in response to the many inconsistencies that Key2Ed found regarding how PPTs are run throughout the district. These surveys are anonymous and cannot be traced back to families. If you do not receive a survey link please reach out to the PTAC Special Education Support Committee at ses@greenwichptac.org.
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CALLING ALL SES FAMILIES
Calling all families of students with IEPs and 504 plans. Please sign up for the SES Message Board to stay informed and up to date on district meetings and special events that impact special education and related services. We look forward to connecting and collaborating.
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AN AFTERNOON OF ART & MORE FOR GRADE 5
Arts Field Day was held on Tuesday, May 11 from 12:45-2:45 entirely outside this year for the 5th graders. Arts Field Day is a one day afternoon event where students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of art workshops including Improv Comedy, Acrylic Paint Pouring, Tai Chi, Yoga, Chinese Brush Painting and more! Check out photos from the event on the Riverside Reel.
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3RD GRADE JOURNEYS INTO AMERICAN INDIAN TERRITORY'S EASTERN WOODLANDS PROGRAM
This Thursday and Friday, Riverside third graders participated in a 2-day interactive program on the Native Peoples of the Eastern Woodlands with Journeys Into American Indian Territory. On the first day of the program, students explored how Native Americans of our region met their three basic needs of food, clothing and shelter by using natural resources. They also focused on traditional government including how laws were passed and how leaders were selected. On the second day of the program, students experienced hands-on activities during live virtual sessions on traditional games and stories as well as the use of symbols in communication.
2ND GRADE LEARNED ABOUT REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS
Animal Embassy presented to Grade 2 about reptiles and amphibians. Many reptiles and amphibians are in danger, with a large number of species already extinct. Habitat loss and degradation, pollution, climate change, introduced invasive species and over-collection by humans are all threats causing a decline in these populations. Chris Evers and his Animal Ambassadors helped the students appreciate these challenges and the importance of respecting and protecting wildlife.
KINDERGARTENERS' VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP
Kindergarteners took a virtual field trip to Stepping Stones this week for an interactive presentation on Super Skyscrapers. The students designed and built their own skyscrapers, learning about the design cycle and gaining awareness of challenges engineers face when designing and constructing these goliath buildings. From an idea in their head to their first blueprints, students were offered a true STEM challenge!
These programs were organized by the Arts & Science Enrichment Committees and made possible by your generous donations to the Riverside School PTA.
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UPCOMING ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS
May 17-20: Poetry week workshops with Ted Scheu (Grades K-4)
May 21: Dragoons (Grade 5)
May 28: Smarty Plants (Grade 1)
June 1: Eli Whitney Museum's bird beak variations program (Grade 3)
June 15: Mariachi band (Grade 2 fiesta)
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2ND, 3RD & 4TH GRADE HEALTH ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS
As per the Connecticut Department of Health, all current 3rd graders need to submit a CT State Health Assessment form for the 2020-2021 school year. These assessments should be based on health exams performed during the 2020 through 2021 calendar years.
Parents of current 4th graders who were notified of needing to submit the 3rd/4th grade Health Assessments must submit their form by today (April 23, 2021). These assessments should be based on health exams performed during the 2020 through 2021 calendar years.
Current 2nd graders will also need to submit a Heath Assessment based on a health exam performed during the 2021 through 2022 calendar years for 3rd grade "entry". These forms can be submitted during the 3rd grade year (2021-22 school year).
In addition, the School will need Dental Forms to be fully completed by either your Pediatrician or Dentist, as per CT Department of Health requirements.
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FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE COVID TESTING
As a reminder, GPS is asking that students stay home if a member of their immediate family is being tested due to exposure or symptoms. It will limit teachers and students from possible exposures, causing individuals to be quarantined. Quarantining is a great safety measure, but it can be disruptive for staff and families. We understand we have many families who regularly test as a proactive measure; staying home while awaiting results of proactive, regular testing is not necessary.
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ORDERING LUNCH (IN-PERSON STUDENTS)
PLEASE NOTE: All orders MUST be submitted prior to the date ordering for (and up to five days in advance). Orders entered for same day lunch may not be seen, and cafeteria staff don't want students missing out. Please visit the Lunch Page on rivpta.org for information on submitting lunch orders and a link to the school's order form.
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SUPPORT GPS MIDDLE SCHOOLS AT COBBER NORTH ON FRIDAY 5/21
Dine at Cobber North at the Griff golf course in Greenwich on Friday, May 21. A percentage of their sales that day will be donated to all three GPS middle schools. Stop by for breakfast, lunch or dinner and join them for a fun night of music that at 7pm evening! Please note that attendees are allowed to bring their lawn chairs and sit on the grass (there are also some picnic tables and adirondack chairs). No outside food/drink allowed on Cobber North grounds, as it is a restaurant. See flyer for more information.
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REPLAY OF READY FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL WORKSHOP NOW AVAILABLE
The replay of the PTA Council Academic Excellence Committee’s May 11 “Ready for Middle School” workshop for parents is now available. The workshop explored the skills taught in elementary and middle school to help students transition. Speakers include a 5th grade teacher from North Mianus School, WMS Principal Gordon Beinstein and CMS Principal Tom Healy. This Workshop is especially relevant for parents of current 4th and 5th graders.
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BOE MEETINGS NOW VIRTUAL
Board of Education meetings are easier to attend now that they take place over Zoom--stay informed! Here is a list of 2020-2021 academic year Greenwich Board of Education meetings. Information on how to access the meetings can be found on the GPS Accessing Virtual BOE Meetings page. All meetings start at 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
- Thursday, May 20, 2021
- Thursday, June 3, 2021
- Thursday, June 17, 2021
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GPS WEEKLY DISTRICT DIGEST
Subscribe to receive the Greenwich Public Schools weekly "District Digest" e-newsletter directly to your email inbox.
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Greenwich Youth Cheerleading - Join the Fun!
Do you have a rising 3rd through 8th grader interested in cheerleading for this fall? Have them join Greenwich Youth Cheerleading! Registration information can be found here.
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Family Science Activity to Benefit a Former Riverside Student Battling Cancer
The registration deadline for the live virtual event benefitting Julian McRandal (a second grader at Glenville School, and former Riverside School student, who is battling an aggressive brain tumor) has passed. But families can still purchase the accompanying kit by May 17 to work on the experiment independently with the help of a pre-recorded instructional video. You can also donate a kit to a child in need. For additional information, visit www.scienceexplorers.com/julian-strong.
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COVID Resources from the School |
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IN-SCHOOL COVID-19 SYMPTOM PROTOCOL
The Nurse’s Office has received many questions about how the school is making decisions about when the school is sending students home. Extra precautions are being taken in order to do our best to keep students in school. Unfortunately, there will be many students sent home this year even though they may have normally been allowed to stay in school and we hope all families will be understanding.
Greenwich Public Schools COVID Symptom Protocol:
- If a student exhibits 1 low risk symptom (fever of 100.4 or greater, congestion/runny nose, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, sore throat, headache, muscle aches) and has had no exposure to a COVID-19 positive person, the student may return to school 24 hours after symptom resolution (without medication for fevers)
- If a student exhibits 2 or more low risk symptoms (see above) or has 1 high-risk symptom (new cough, difficulty breathing, loss of taste/smell) AND has had no exposure to a COVID-19 positive person, the student must be seen by a healthcare provider.
- If the student has a negative PCR swab test for COVID, the student may return to school 24 hours after symptom resolution (without medication for fevers).
- If the student has lab testing and evaluation, or an alternative diagnosis, the student may return to school 24 hours after symptom resolution (without medication for fevers).
- If a student has a positive PCR swab test for COVID, the student may return to school after 24 hours without fever (without medication) AND symptoms improving AND approval of local health department (10-14 days); AND release by the primary care provider will be required
- If a student is exposed to a COVID positive person, the student may return to school 14 days after last contact unless symptoms develop. If symptoms develop, the student must obtain a swab.
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SUBMISSIONS
Have something to add? Email us at: peekweekriv@gmail.com Deadline for submissions is 3pm on Wednesday of the school week
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