Riverside School PTA Newsletter |
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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 May 24-28. All grades will be participating in fun fitness stations during PE classes throughout that week and learning facts about allergies.
For PE days next week, please make sure your child:
- Wears sneakers
- Brings a reusable water bottle
- Comes ready to get fit, learn and have fun!
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. This two-minute video provides more background information about food allergies (which you can share with your children, if you choose to do so). We hope you will join us in supporting this important cause by donating to FARE!
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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 (including a vote on updates to PTA bylaws, more details below), 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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PTA BYLAWS UPDATE: VOTE BY MEMBERSHIP ON MAY 25
During the Tuesday, May 25 General Membership Meeting of the PTA (9:30am), a vote will be conducted to approve an updated version of the Riverside School PTA bylaws. Please review the proposed bylaws. As a reference point, membership can access the current bylaws, as well.
To summarize, the proposed updates to the bylaws encompass:
- Replacing the use of “Executive Board” with “Board of Directors,” as per PTA Council guidelines
- Updating Nominating Committee composition to one continuing Board member and one outgoing Board member (Article VI, Section 7)
- Updates and clarifications to amendments (Article XV)
- New sections based on CT PTA templates: Conflict of Interest (Article XVI), Whistleblower Policy (Article XVII) and Code of Conduct (Article XVIII)
We look forward to seeing everyone on Zoom for the General Membership Meeting on Tuesday, May 25 at 9:30 a.m. Please see the original PTA General Meeting Email for additional details.
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PRE-ORDER YOUR SUMMER READ BOOKS ONLINE BY 5/28
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 through the PTA until Friday, May 28. 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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LET'S HAVE A BEACH DAY... AT RIVERSIDE SCHOOL
Join us for a Beach themed Riverside Spirit Day on Friday, May 28.
We encourage all Riverside Families to get ready for beach and summer days ahead by wearing their most beach-like outfits. We welcome surf shirts and shorts, any bright and sunny colors, cool shades, fun hats, perhaps some sunscreen and of course, Riverside School gear! Together, we can get ready for the beach and enjoy the anticipation for summer days ahead!
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CLASS COMPOSITES FROM SEPTEMBER’S PHOTO DAY
Many in-person students should have brought home a composite photo of their homeroom class this week. Due to COVID restrictions, a traditional class photo could not be taken during last fall’s School Photo Day, so a complimentary composite was provided instead.
Please note that composites reflect class assignments as of September 21, 2020. With that in mind, Riverside students enrolled in the Remote Learning School as of that date who participated in School Photo Day will receive a composite for Riverside RLS students instead – if those aren’t already in your home mailbox, they will be soon!
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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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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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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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POETRY WEEK WITH TED SCHEU
The Arts in Education committee helped Riverside School students celebrate Poetry Week by hosting perennial favorite Ted Scheu, "The Poetry Guy." Children honed their poetry writing skills during virtual classroom workshops. Ask them about the poems they wrote with Mr. Scheu!
REVOLUTIONARY WAR GROUP VISITS
On Friday, the 5th Grade was treated to a day of learning about the colonial period. Sheldon's Horse, The Second Continental Light Dragoons, a Revolutionary War reenactment group, demonstrated aspects of Colonial military and civilian life. Students learned about colonial daily life including education, medicines, chores, dress and games. Students also participated in a militia marching drill.
These programs were made possible by your generous support of the PTA, thank you.
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UPCOMING ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS
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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PART THREE OF PARENTING WEBINAR SERIES WITH DR. ROSS GREENE
Dr. Ross Greene is continuing his four-part webinar series that expands on the strategies he described in his initial presentation in December 2020. Learn about Dr. Greene’s Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) model, which provides practical, research-based tools for assessment and intervention. Participants in the workshop series will gain a further understanding of the underpinnings of the model, its refinements over the past 8-10 years, and practical assessment and intervention tools that can be brought back to and used in these diverse settings.
Upcoming Webinar Dates:
May 25 from 6-7:30pm (session 3 of 4) – Zoom link
June 8 from 6-7:30pm (session 4 of 4) – Zoom link
Prior Session Recordings:
Session 1 from May 11 (Password: Greenwichno1)
Session 2 from May 18 (Password: Greenwichno2)
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SUPPORT GPS MIDDLE SCHOOLS AT COBBER NORTH TONIGHT (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 starting at 7pm! 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, 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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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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