Riverside School PTA Newsletter | Friday, January 21st, 2022 | |
PTA Highlights
Dear Riverside Families,
We’re thinking of a number. It’s the only prime number that’s one less than a square number. It’s a Fibonacci number and a triangular number, too. And it’s the number of “snow days” we’ve now had this school year.
If you guessed 3, congrats! In just 3 days, Math Marathon kicks off. Make sure your children have their pencils sharpened and thinking caps handy as they work through the 26.2 miles, ahem, six days of activities. Don’t forget to RSVP for Monday’s Family Math Night with Greg Tang!
As the Riverside School cookbook starts to come together, we are seeking food-themed artwork from Riverside students. Read below for more information. P.S. The recipe submission deadline has been extended to January 31, so it’s not too late to share your family’s favorite recipe.
Your calendar reminders for the rest of the month:
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January 24 – Winter Afters begin
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January 24 – Virtual Family Math Night with Greg Tang
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January 24-30 – Math Marathon
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January 25 – SIP & Panorama Survey results presentation with Mr. Weiss & Ms. Key
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January 30 – Math Marathon Game Boards due
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January 31 – Deadline to submit recipes & student drawings for cookbook
Have a wonderful weekend.
Carey Bisbee & Allison Maus
PTA Co-Presidents
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MATH MARATHON STARTS MONDAY, JANUARY 24!
Visit our Math Marathon website to download a game board and look out for the Riverside School stickers in Friday Folders today.
Don’t forget to register for the virtual Family Math Night on Monday January 24 at 6pm. Only registered families will receive the Zoom link and Bingo Board.
Further details on Math Marathon, including the raffle prize and chance to win an extra recess, can be found on the Math Marathon page on RIVPTA.ORG. All students K-5 are encouraged to participate.
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ART CONTEST FOR THE RIVERSIDE SCHOOL COOKBOOK
Do you have an aspiring artist at home? Encourage your child to enter the cookbook art contest! We will be looking for pieces for each of the cookbook categories (Breakfast, Main Course, Dessert, etc.). Print these instructions and ask your child to sketch an original food-related drawing. Add their name, grade, class and food category.
Ms. Roth has kindly offered to help us with the judging, so submissions can either be handed directly to her or emailed to rivcookbook@gmail.com. Please submit drawings by Monday, January 31.
PLUS: It's not too late to submit your favorite family recipe for the Riverside School Cookbook! We are extending the deadline to January 31. Please visit the Health & Wellness page to find a link to the recipe template, categories and more. Please email recipe submissions to the cookbook committee at rivcookbook@gmail.com.
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WINTER AFTERS START MONDAY
We are excited to have Winter Afters starting on Monday! Classes will run from January 24 to March 14, and further details are posted on the Riverside PTA Afters page. If your child is registered for Afters, please update the School Dismissal Manager accordingly (go to Recurring Dismissal Instructions and select AFTERS from the pick list).
There are still a few spots available in some classes, so please reach out to info@flexacademies.com if you would like to enroll your child but missed the registration deadline. For any further questions, please contact Virginia Lockhart and Clare Johnson.
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MRS. BROWNING'S DIGITAL LIFE PRESENTATIONS
Mark your calendar! Mrs. Browning will lead a series of sessions for parents about digital citizenship, research tools, and key apps used in school. Look out for an email next week with more information about this virtual event. Please plan on attending any or all of the virtual sessions which will be held from 9-10am on February 1, March 1, March 29 and May 3.
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WMS AVID PRESENTATION ON JANUARY 27
Current 4th and 5th grade parents are invited to learn more about what makes Western Middle School a unique and viable magnet school option for your child. Save the date for Thursday, January 27 @ 9am or 7pm to learn more about the AVID program alongside families from Riverside’s neighboring schools - OGS, NMS and ISD. Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is a college readiness and executive functioning program designed to help all students achieve their goals and reach their full academic potential. Please see the flyer for more details and the link to join the google meet! #WestSideBestSide
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SHARE YOUR FAVORITE MEAL WITH A FAMILY IN NEED
Looking for a great way to give back this winter? Want to share your family’s favorite meal with those in need? Grab some friends and serve together at Inspirica this winter!
Fully vaccinated individuals (children included) may sign up to provide and serve a meal to feed 15 people at the Inspirica Women’s Emergency Shelter at 8 Woodland Place in Stamford. Sign up by accessing Inspirica's volunteer sign up platform.
If you prefer contactless delivery, Inspirica’s Family Emergency Shelter at 141 Franklin Street in Stamford is also in need of meals. They host around 15 adults and 20 children. Please email sdelago@inspiricact.org to reserve a date.
Thank you in advance for your generosity and kindness!
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ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS
Grades K-5 Virtual Performance "I, Nat Love"
This week, Riverside students in grades K - 5 were treated to a virtual performance by Rochel Coleman of I, Nat Love, the true story of a former slave from Tennessee who, at the end of the Civil War, went west at age 15 and became a cowboy. He was one of the most prominent Black cowboys in the early history of the West. Ask your children what they thought of Nat Love leaving home at such a young age. Bonus points to our older students who can tell you about the Homestead Act.
Upcoming Enrichment Programs
- February 1, 2: Weather Wizards (Grade K)
- February 7, 8: Zoom to the Moon (Grade 1)
- February 9: Bash the Trash's Lost at Sea (Grade 5)
- February 25: Rajani Larocca, author visit (Grades 3-5)
These programs are paid for by your generous donations to the PTA. Thank you!
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VISIT THE ONLINE APPAREL STORE
Whether you're a returning Red Hawk or new to the nest, you can support Riverside School by showing your school spirit! Our online apparel store is open for business and stocked with lots of great items, including tees, shorts, sweatshirts, ROPES shirts, water bottles and more. Go to RIVPTA.ORG to shop now! Orders placed by noon on Thursdays can be picked up between 7am-7pm on Fridays at 41 Owenoke Way.
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SAFETY DUTY: MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN JUST 15 MINUTES!
In addition to making sure everyone is familiar with the drop-off/pick-up “Rules of the Road”, Safety Duty is an important part of keeping our children safe at Riverside School. Volunteers make the morning drop-off process more efficient and secure. Volunteers assist from 8:30-8:45am daily and must wear a mask at all times during a shift. Sign up online. For more info, contact Brielle Goldfaden at brielleg@gmail.com.
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5TH GRADE PARENTS - IT'S YEARBOOK TIME!
It's time to start thinking about the 5th grade yearbook! Our committee needs your help in gathering and submitting pictures from your child's time at Riverside School from Kindergarten to 5th grade (think field trips, concerts, first day of school, etc.). In addition, we ask every family to submit a baby photo of your son or daughter. Full instructions for uploading pictures can be found on the 5th Grade Yearbook page. The deadline for submission is Friday, February 11, 2022. Interested in helping with the yearbook this year? We are looking for a few more volunteers! Please contact Heeyoon Slater or Mercedes Ahumada with questions or to volunteer.
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RIVERSIDE RANGERS IS BACK! FIRST MEETING IS MONDAY, JANUARY 24
The Riverside Rangers will have their first monthly meeting on Monday, January 24 at 8:30am in the cafeteria (the old gym). If you have any questions, please email Alexa Brennan or Jessica Livingston.
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NOTIFYING THE SCHOOL IF YOUR CHILD RECEIVES THE COVID-19 VACCINE
If your child has received either dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, and you choose to share this information with the school, kindly email Nurse Melissa Luiso evidence of your child's vaccination card so that the school's medical records can be updated accordingly. Thank you!
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NOTE FOR PARENTS: ITEM DROP-OFFS
As a reminder to parents, when dropping off items for children, please make sure the item is labeled with the child's name and teacher. Sometimes office personnel cannot immediately obtain items from the bins due to other obligations, and clear labeling will minimize confusion and inefficiency at the time of retrieval.
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ORDERING LUNCH
PLEASE NOTE: School lunches continue to be FREE this school year. All orders MUST be submitted at least TWO full school days in advance (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 SCHOOL RENOVATION PROJECTS – CONTACT THE BET
The 2022-23 GPS budget being presented to the town’s Board of Estimate & Taxation (BET) on January 25 includes a request to fund design work for major renovation projects at both Julian Curtiss School (JC) and Old Greenwich School (OG).
Dr. Jones has issued a 5-year plan (subject to annual BOE approval and BET funding) to update the district’s aging buildings, which includes major renovations at Riverside School. However, work at Riverside likely wouldn’t begin until the JC and OG (and CMS) projects occur. With that in mind, let’s help these two projects advance to their next phase by voicing our support for fully funding the design work at JC and OG.
You can do this by emailing members of the BET and Cc’ing the Board of Education (BOE). The volume of messages like this can play a role in influencing decisions among BET members, and it will only take a minute of your time. Please feel free to download and use this sample email message. Thanks for your support!
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DISTINGUISHED TEACHERS AWARD: NOW OPEN FOR NOMINATIONS!
Do you know a teacher who goes above and beyond in his/her work with students? If so, we encourage you to nominate that teacher for a Distinguished Teachers Award! Visit the GPS Distinguished Teachers Awards website for information on eligibility, nomination procedures and forms, and key dates. Completed nomination forms must be submitted electronically in one email by Friday, March 18 at 5:00pm.
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PTAC GREENWICH PUBLIC PRESENTATION: WELCOMING AFGHANI FAMILIES
Join PTA Council Greenwich on Friday, February 4 at 11am via Zoom as they welcome Rachel Kornfeld, Chief Executive Officer of Jewish Family Services Greenwich, to share more about JFS and Afghan refugee resettlement efforts, and how Greenwich PTAs can help. To learn more, listen to a recent podcast (or video) about the topic featuring Rachel Kornfeld.
Zoom info: https://zoom.us/j/91527467521, Meeting ID: 915 2746 7521, Passcode: ptac
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ADVANCED LEARNING PROGRAM: IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
Placement for Grade 6
January 20: Parent input forms emailed to 5th grade parents - forms due by February 4
January 19 to February 3: Assessment testing for current 5th grade students
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WAYS TO FOSTER INDEPENDENCE & RESPONSIBILITY IN CHILDREN
Join the Student Supports department for an interactive workshop with Drs. Alina and Fabian Boies (GPS Behavioral Support Team) who will demonstrate and help you practice effective strategies you can apply right away at home to foster independence, responsibility and positive behaviors in your children. Space is limited to 15 participants and registration is on a first come, first served basis. Reserve your spot here. See flyer for more details (Spanish version is also available).
Tuesday, January 25 from 11:00am-12:30pm, Town Hall Cone Room (2nd Floor)
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GREENWICH PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS
Board of Education meetings are easier to attend now that they be viewed on Zoom--stay informed! Here is a list of 2021-2022 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 7:00pm unless otherwise noted.
- Thursday, February 3, 2022 (Retreat, no public comment)
- Thursday, February 24, 2022
- Thursday, March 24, 2022
- Thursday, April 28, 2022
- Thursday, May 19, 2022
- Thursday, June 2, 2022 (Retreat, no public comment)
- Thursday, June 16, 2022
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SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE GREENWICH PUBLIC SCHOOLS NEWSLETTERS
Make sure you are receiving GPS e-newsletters directly to your inbox! To subscribe, select the relevant newsletters below and click the orange "Follow" button on the right side of the page.
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Town of Greenwich Christmas Tree Recycling in January
Drop off your Christmas tree from now until January 31 at Byram Park, Bruce Park, Greenwich Point or Holly Hill to be chipped into mulch for town properties. Additional tree recycling details can be found through the Department of Parks and Recreation. Before dropping, be sure to remove lights, stands and decorations! You can also leave them on your property to decompose, providing wildlife habitat and enriching soil.
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COVID Resources from the School | |
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LATEST GUIDANCE ON ISOLATION & QUARANTINES
The CDC and CT DPH now support a five-day isolation after a person tests positive, with a return to school on Day 6. On the advice of its health professionals, GPS has implemented this new five-day rule for students and staff.
For those who test positive for COVID:
- Stay home for five days
- After five days, if you have no symptoms or once you’ve been symptom-free for 24 hours, you can leave your house
- Continue to wear a mask around others for five additional days
- If you have a fever, continue to stay home for 24 hours after your fever resolves
For those with COVID symptoms, regardless of vaccination status:
- Test for COVID, either self-test or at a testing site, and stay home
- If test results are negative, return to activities when fever-free for at least 24 hours and other symptoms are significantly improved
- If test results are positive, isolate for at least five days, return to activities on Day 6 or later when fever-free and symptom-free for at least 24 hours
- Wear a mask at all times when around others for an additional five days when returning to activities
Please remember to complete the COVID-19 Symptom Self Checklist before attending school each day and thank you for following all health and safety protocols in place that help keep us safe.
Students or staff that are symptomatic during the school day will be given a rapid antigen test in the nurse’s office (with parental permission for students). It is recommended that this is to be followed with a PCR test outside of school. The PCR test is the “gold standard” test for diagnosing COVID-19 because it’s the most accurate and reliable test.
Please visit the district’s GPS COVID-19 resource page for more information, and please contact the School Nurse, Melissa Luiso (melissa_luiso@greenwich.k12.ct.us) with any questions.
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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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