Riverside School PTA Newsletter |
Friday, November 6th, 2020 |
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BOO BASH CANCELLED TONIGHT! |
**BOO BASH IS CANCELLED TONIGHT** Due to rising Covid-19 cases in our community and state restrictions, the PTA has decided to cancel this event.
We’ll be sending information to ticket holders regarding information on tickets and snack pack pickup today.
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HOLIDAYS FOR HAITI: NOVEMBER 2-16 |
Our third annual Holidays for Haiti community service event is virtual this year. Riverside School has generously supported Danita’s Children orphanage in the impoverished country of Haiti for the past two years and we look forward to continuing the tradition a little differently this year.
Registration opened on Monday, November 2 and closes on Monday, November 16. Students can register to sponsor one (or more) Haitian child(ren) and create personalized holiday cards. Bins for dropping off your students card will be placed in front of school next week. Please visit the Holidays for Haiti page on RIVPTA for a full description, videos and a step-by-step guide to how this virtual event will work.
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SCHOOL PHOTO RETAKES: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9 |
Photo Retake Day will take place outside on Monday, November 9. If your child was absent on school photo day, please plan to send him/her to this retake day. If you are dissatisfied with your child's portrait and would like to try again, send your child to the retake with the entire, undamaged portrait package. No retakes will be given to parents unless, and until, originals have been returned.
Remote families will have the opportunity to get their photos taken at 8:50am on Monday, November 9, whether your child did not attend the original photo day or you were dissatisfied with your child’s portrait. We will send an update with the location of the retakes ahead of time.
If you have any questions or concerns about your order (late, missing, refunds) please contact Customer Service at CoffeePond directly by calling 1-800-632-2323 ext "0" or via email at Lifeguards@coffeepond.com. If you have any other questions, please contact Mary Garth or Maureen Stanley.
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5th grade students will be joining us this year for Riverside’s 16th annual Veterans Day Ceremony. The ceremony will honor all those who served in the armed forces in an outdoor ceremony, adhering to all social distancing rules.
While this year's event is closed to most guests and parents, we will be recording the ceremony which includes local veterans raising the flag, and guest speaker Fred Camillo, who will speak to the 5th graders about Veterans Day. The ceremonial recording will be shown to the rest of the classes on Wednesday, November 11th.
In addition to the ceremony, we will present a scrolling Honor Roll list of grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins who are veterans. As part of the celebration, children are encouraged to wear their Red Shirts on Wednesday, November 11th in honor of Veterans Day.
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DID YOU MISS THE FALL FUNDRAISER? |
Don't worry! We will re-open the online auction for one day only on Wednesday, November 11 if you would like to donate to teacher wish lists. Please don't miss the opportunity to support your classroom heroes and Riverside School. Thank you for your support!
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VIRTUAL BOOK FAIR IS ONLY 10 DAYS AWAY! |
“Fall Into Reading” this month and support your little turkeys’ home library and love of reading, while also supporting your PTA during Riverside’s Virtual Book Fair starting Monday, November 16 and running through Sunday, November 22.
Get a start on your holiday shopping, and don’t forget to share some love to your classroom teachers at checkout.
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MIKE'S ORGANICTHANKSGIVING FUNDRAISER |
Mike's Organic, the Fairfield County grocery delivery service and Stamford market, is offering Thanksgiving turkeys and side dishes to Riverside and will donate 10% of all proceeds back as a fundraiser. Please see flyer for details.
Mike's Organics sources from small, local farms and features pastured turkeys (turkeys raised on pasture as nature intended), organic sides and pies along with complete Thanksgiving dinners - all made by Mike's team, and delivered to your door the week of the holiday.
To Order:
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Visit mikesorganicdelivery.com and use code RIV when you place your order. Mike's Organic will donate 10% of the proceeds back to Riverside!
- All orders must be placed by Friday, November 20th for delivery the week of the holiday.
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Read more about Mike in the NY Times or on Martha Stewart.
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THIS WEEK ON THE RIVERSIDE REEL! |
We are featuring Daffodil Planting Day and Halloween pictures. If you haven't sent yours already, please send it to riversidereel@gmail.com.
If you haven't received your invitation, please check your spam folder or email us.
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THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR DONATIONS |
A sincere thank you for all the donations for this year's Costume, Coat & Boot Drive! Together the Riverside School community gathered 54 costumes, 14 tutus, 48 coats and 37 boots! All costumes and unclaimed coats and boots were donated to the Greenwich Hospital Thrift Shop.
-The Green Committee
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VIRTUAL CANDY GUESSING GAME WINNER |
Drumroll please....the winner of our Halloween Candy Guessing Game with the closest estimation of skittles is...Alex Morin!!!
He estimated 1,370 and the actual amount is 1,728. Congrats to Alex and thank you to all those that participated and put their great math skills to work!
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UPCOMING ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS |
November 20: Dan Gutman - author visit (grades 2-5)
These programs are sponsored by the Arts Enrichment Committee of the PTA and were paid for by your generous donations. Thank you!
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Please go to RIVPTA.ORG and follow the steps provided to update your information, including your child(ren)'s new teacher, for the Online Family Directory. Once your info is up-to-date, be sure to join the PTA to gain unlimited access to the directory. The PTA relies on the generosity of our families via our annual Membership Drive. Funds raised go towards student enrichment programs, classroom and building needs, as well as teacher support. If you have moved or have new phone or email information, please let the school office know as well!
Please note that Class Parents will be using contact information provided on the rivpta.org login to communicate to parents this year. And thank you to everyone who has contributed a donation to join the PTA so far - this is an important fundraiser to help us get up and running for the year.
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IN-SCHOOL COVID-19 SYMPTOM PROTOCOL |
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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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ORDERING LUNCH (IN-PERSON STUDENTS) |
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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.
CAFE MENU UPDATES:
Please note that next week's menu options will have Bolonga on Tuesday and Chicken on Friday.
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Only eligible bus students are allowed to ride the bus in the afternoon. Non-eligible students are not allowed to ride the afternoon bus due to the Covid restrictions, even for playdates. Other arrangements will have to be made.
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School lunch is FREE for ALL students until December 31
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When dropping off anything in the bin outside please LABEL everything with your child's name and teacher.
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Parents must use School Dismissal Manager when their child will be absent or late for any reason and also if their child will be leaving early. Since parents are not allowed in the building at this time, entering an early dismissal in SDM will take the place of signing them out.
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When you arrive to pick your child up early, please let the office know you're outside waiting. We will not call a student out of class or send them outside until we know the parent is here.
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Picture Retake Day will take place on Monday, November 9. If you have any questions, please contact either Mary Garth or Maureen Stanley.
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So far this year, we have had a number of students come into school with braces/casts and assistive devices. Our District Policy requires all students who need assistive devices, having surgeries, stitches or any injuries, to have a note from their doctor stating cause of injury, date seen, date of removal for PE/Recess. Students will also need another doctor's note to return to all activities.
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ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE COMMITTE NOVEMBER WORKSHOP |
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The Academic Excellence Committee of PTA Council invites all parents to attend our November Workshop:
The LinkIt Assessment: Trends and Applications
Presented by GPS Principals & Administrators
Tuesday, November 17th at 10:30am
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GPS PARENT CHATS: NOVEMBER SESSIONS |
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During these challenging times, we encourage you to join a virtual “Parent Video Chat” facilitated by one of the district psychologists. Learn effective strategies to manage personal stress and discuss relevant topics. You can join at any point during a session and stay for as long as you can. The facilitator will be available to answer questions and provide support. For more information, please view the event flyer or visit the district website.
Elementary School Parents
Monday, November 16th at 7pm
Elementary & Secondary Remote School Parents
Monday, November 23rd at 7pm
Elementary & Secondary Parents in Spanish
Wednesday, November 11th at 7:30pm
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PTA COUNCIL HEALTH & WELLNESS PARENT PRESENTATION |
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Stiff neck and shoulders? Back pains? Tight all over? Ask yourself, what’s your posture like when you or your kids are using a digital device? Join PTAC Health and Wellness Committee on Tuesday, November 10 at 8:00 pm for a Parent & Student Presentation: Posture Awareness (No Matter What School & Work Looks Like For You). Dr. Elissa Diamond-Fields will offer practical tips and advice on proper posture when using digital devices. Come and learn about some easy and helpful tips to help you and your family stay healthy while studying and working.
Google Meet:
Topic/Time: PTAC Health & Wellness – Posture Awareness Webinar, 11/10/20 8PM EST
Phone Numbers: (US) +1 617-675-4444
PIN: 184 678 913 5625#
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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.
- Wednesday, November 18, 2020
- Thursday, December 3, 2020 (Budget)
- Thursday, December 17, 2020
- Thursday, January 21, 2021
- Thursday, February 18, 2021
- Thursday, March 25, 2021
- Thursday, April 8, 2021 (Retreat, no public comment)
- Thursday, April, 22, 2021
- Thursday, May 13, 2021(Retreat, no public comment)
- Thursday, May 20, 2021
- Thursday, June 3, 2021
- Thursday, June 17, 2021
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GPS WEEKLY DISTRICT DIGEST |
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Subscribe to receive the Greenwich Public Schools weekly "District Digest" e-newsletter directly to your email inbox.
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Neighbor to Neighbor Food Donation Drive
Every Thursday at St. Paul's Riverside from 10-11:30am. The need right now is particularly high. Items of greatest need are proteins such as beans, peanut butter and canned tuna, but all non-perishables are gladly accepted and appreciated. Just drive up, pop open your trunk and St. Paul's will get your donations to N2N.
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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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