April 2024 Whims | 2nd Edition | |
|
A Look Inside This Week's Whims
April 2024, 2nd Edition
Welcome back, Riley families!
Hope you all had a wonderful April Break and were able to spend some time out in that glorious sunshine. Spring is really making her way to the midcoast. Flowers are emerging, birds are migrating, the goats are nearing their due dates, and Riley's annual Kite Week officially kicks off tomorrow on Earth Day! It can't be denied that we are lucky beyond measure in the midst of these early spring days.
Tomorrow we will eagerly welcome your incredible children back to campus and fully immerse ourselves in all the season ahead has to offer. Spring is unpredictable - thawing us out one moment, and cone chillingly damp the next. Backup clothes and ample layers have such a huge impact on the children's ability to fully enjoy and embrace their ample time outside. Thank you for helping us keep spirits high and bodies comfortable!
There is a LOT of timely information below.. please take the time to read it.
..and make your Riley Children's Fund gift to be matched TODAY ( last day)
Happy Earth Day! Happy KITE WEEK
| |
|
EARTH DAY
Monday April 22
There are a myriad of ways to walk more gently on the earth, heal the wounds of pollution, and be part of the solutions. Here are just a few ideas:
• Remember to pick up after your pooch, and carry it out too.
• Green your ride by biking, walking, or carpooling.
• Stop using pesticides and fertilizers on your lawn.
• Get an energy audit on your home.
• Compost or use a service like Garbage to Garden.
• Eat local.
• Use less plastic.
And remember: “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” – James Baldwin
| |
New Kids on Campus!
We are thrilled to announce that Kid Watch 2024 has arrived on the Riley campus resulting in a predicted forecast of heavy snuggling with high likelihood of experiential learning. We are anticipating that our community may have an opportunity to witness a birth or two. How exciting! If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Craig Letowski, Riley's Farm and Garden teacher.
More information coming soon for an on campus Kid Hugging opportunity for Riley families!
craig.letowski@rileyschool.org
|  | |
Childhood 2.0
at the Rockland Strand
Sunday, April 28th, 3 pm
Childhood 2.0 is required viewing for anyone who wants to better understand the world their children are navigating as they grow up in the digital age. Featuring actual parents and kids as well as industry-leading experts in child safety and development, this documentary dives into the real-life issues facing kids today — including cyberbullying, online predators, suicidal ideation, and more.
PIZZA PROVIDED, at 3:00pm, before the screening begins at 3:15pm.
CHILD CARE will be provided (if needed) so that parents and families can view the film. Please be sure to register if you would like childcare.
There will be an additional screening at Oceanside Middle School on Wednesday May 8th at 6 PM.
| |
Make sure to stop by Rock City Coffee to see the installation by Riley Graduate David Navarro!
David, through his ELO program, partnered with Mia Bogyo at Center for Maine Contemporary Art . David is also a member of Mr Cowan's Capstone Art program and worked with him to mat and frame these pieces.
ELOs are Extended Learning Opportunities that focus on a student centered approach. Working with partners in the community builds a students' sense of belonging and helps them visualize a path beyond graduation.
| |
Farewell to Watershed
Friday May 3rd, 5-7 PM
The beloved Watershed School will be closing this year.
In celebration of the life of the Watershed school, Riley alumna , Autumn Hill, invites you to an evening of art at the Steel House gallery in Rockland. We hope to see you there!
| |
Five Towns Little League: Register for Tee Ball Now!
Deadline May 1st
Is your 5–7 year old interested in baseball or softball? Sign them up for Tee Ball today!
The Tee Ball division is an instructional league for 5-7 year olds where everyone will have equal playing time. Scores and outs are not tracked. Emphasis is on game basics, encouragement of positive self-esteem, good sportsmanship, and fun.
REGISTER FOR THE 2024 SEASON TODAY AT:
www.fivetownlittleleague.org
mainefivetownlittleleague@gmail.com with any questions. You can also follow on Facebook at Five Town Little League. Let’s play ball!
|  |
MATCHING GRANT OPPORTUNITY
Support the Riley Children's Fund Today!
TODAY IS FINAL MATCH OPPORTUNITY
Calling all advocates of joyful, meaningful education!
Riley School’s buckets are overflowing… but our coffers are low!
Intentionally small, our impact is far-reaching..and we must reach out well beyond our community to keep this growing campus thriving.
We are thrilled to announce a fantastic opportunity to amplify our impact. With $30k already raised towards our $70k target, a donor has pledged to match donations up to $50k total received by April 21.
THAT'S TODAY!
CLICK BELOW
Your support will not only help us reach our goal but also contribute to fostering joyful learning environments, supporting families, and empowering our dedicated faculty.
Let's come together and make a lasting difference in the lives of our school community. Join us in keeping everything flowing! Click below to make your donation
| |  |
|
This is YOUR Whims!
Do you have anything to post? To sell? News or an event to share?
Contact Julie Letowski, our editor:
whims@rileyschool.org
Weekly submission deadline:
Fridays 12 pm
no exceptions
| |
April 22nd
School resumes with
Kite Week & Earth Day!
April 23/25th
IOWA testing
April 25th
Upper School
Field Trip to Palaver String
cancelled.
MUSIC WITH JOAN!
April 26
KITE DAY
Families welcome to come early and stay late. Join us with a kite and be prepared to run, to untangle, to laugh, to summon the wind.
April 30th
Women's Art Night
May 3rd
NO SCHOOL
for WADE ACRES
Facilitators at Conference
May 16th
DIVE IN! An Undersea Adventure Field Trip -
The Strand, Junipers
& Lower School
11am
WE NEED DRIVERS
May 27th
NO SCHOOL
Memorial Day
May 31st
Spring Production
| |
Riley Summer Camp 2024
Tuesday-Thursday,
July 9th - August 1st
If you are interested in this year's Summer Camp, please let Tammy know ASAP. Summer camp registration will be opening it up to people who have reached out since last year as well as the public early next week.
Thank you all and we look forward to seeing you all this summer!
| |
Thank you
to our
Parent Volunteers!
| |
Arrival
& Dismissal
Please be sure to share this information with any other family or designated drivers of your children.
Morning drop off is between 8:30-8:40; Afternoon pick up is between 3:30-3:40.
Parking in front of Wade Acres during these times is exclusively reserved for Wade Acres families and families with children in car seats.
Once the line begins moving you may NOT bypass it nor go counterclockwise to reach the front.
| |
Make new friends, and keep in touch with the old!
Find all the contact information you need for your fellow Riley families in the updated directory linked below.
| |
The Riley School's Family Corner
Have you explored the Riley Family Corner on school's website? Full of reading suggestions, archived Whims and Riley Notes, and useful links to things like the school directory and calendar, it's got all the info Riley families need!
Password:
Family2324
| |
HOW TO
REACH US
Office
596-6405
Admin cell
691-4005
info@rileyschool.org
director@rileyschool.org
PO Box 159
Rockport ME 04856
| | |
|
Share your Riley love with t-shirts,
sweatshirts, mugs, and more!
Grab your gear HERE.
| |
|
RILEY MISSION STATEMENT
The Riley School guides children to become independent, lifelong learners and innovative thinkers.
Founded as an intentionally small, progressive, ungraded elementary school in 1972, Riley recognizes each child’s unique learning style. The innovative and personalized curriculum challenges children to express themselves and develop their own intellectual and creative capabilities through discovery, questioning and active engagement.
We foster a sense of responsibility towards our natural world, our community, and each other. We value cooperation and collaboration, while balancing the individual's social, emotional and physical development with academic and intellectual growth.
At Riley we trust in children as learners. We honor and respect the uniqueness of the individual. We cherish and protect childhood.
| | | | |
