Greetings!
Today begins the 3rd trimester of the school year. Teachers are hard at work on reports about student growth over the winter, look for those to come home next week and review them together.
Happy Monday,
Nelia
8th graders Esme (as Zazu) and Moxie (as Rafiki), 7th grader Ignacio (as older Simba), and 8th grader Brooklynn (as older Nala) played their parts on and around pride rock in The Lion King this weekend.
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When you need to communicate a short-notice update about your child's schedule or needs for the same day (like taking a medication, going to EDP, leaving for an appointment, or going home with a friend), please do so by calling the Riverside's landline (802-626-8552). Teachers try to not be distracted by their personal phones during the day, and parents aren't often aware that certain staff are home sick or working off campus, and individual text/email messages aren't always easily relayed. But we always try our best to answer the phone!
Regarding absence for the day, you can call, or email both Krystal and the teacher/advisor.
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Thank you so much for supporting the Riverside School through the High Mowing Seed fundraiser! While the totals are still being finalized for the class prizes, we profited just shy of $1600! All the money goes toward bridging the gap between tuition and expenses, for which we ask the parents to fundraise through events and sales. Read about our next big fundraiser below, the Super Raffle!
We should be able to get the seeds out to you by April 1. Look for updates here in the Monday Memo and get your potting mix warmed up! If you have any questions or still owe money, please bring it in to school ASAP, or contact Cornelia.
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Wow! We are so proud of the middle school students and their patience, engagement, support, with the project and with each other. The performances were truly a celebration of that effort for so many to see! Enjoy an album of photos from the dress rehearsal and performances here. Photo credits to Nelia Rath, Mel Finn, and Dave Kennedy, we thank you!
We are extremely grateful for the parents who helped them to prepare, and to those who helped with loading and trucking materials to LI and back, executing a crazy and fun pancake breakfast, preparing things for and hosting the bake sale, fixing hair and applying make-up, and much more. In particular, 3 must be recognized: Katie DesJardins, Julie Roos, and Elaine Tousimis spent every day last week upstairs in the Latin room behind sewing machines, taking direction from 8th grade Lead Costumer Jay Spence, and teachers Caroline and Elly; we are so thankful for the time and skill they put in to making the show look so good!
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Our first candidate for the middle school English and American history position will be on campus this Wednesday, March 22. Landon Crawford will be meeting with students and faculty, teaching lessons to 6th and 7th grades, and visiting other classrooms to get to know Riverside. There will be time for parents to meet Landon if you'd like, in the dining room (intervention space behind Krystal's office) from 2:15-3:00.
We intend to schedule this time for other candidates and parents as well on their visiting days:
- Thursday, March 30th: Paul Choquette
- Monday, April 3rd: Will Albritton
The hiring committee for the 2nd grade position is completing interviews this week and will schedule visits for finalists next week.
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SCHOOL CHOICE LEGISLATION UPDATE |
The bills we were fighting hard against (S.66 and H.258) seem to have “died in committee,” as they say. Instead, the House Committee on Education has drafted its own bill, focused on accountability for independent schools that receive public funds, and now sent that bill to floor for debate and vote. We anticipate it will pass there, and then cross over to the Senate later this spring..
This draft bill is still of some concern to us, as it requires open, first-come-first-serve enrollment and is unclear about how we can maintain our independence as a non-profit organization with budget responsibility and a unique mission.
We are currently strategizing how best to make those points to legislators, and will share suggestions for letter writing soon.
If you would like to join a committee focused on identifying the ways we can explain, maintain, and utilize our independence, please email Roy.
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Our youngest students will begin their weekly swim program this Thursday, March 23 at St. Johnsbury Academy. Those students will be getting lessons from a combination of Riverside and St. Johnsbury Academy staff as well as free time to explore the shallow water. Pick up for those students will be at the back door of the SJA pool at 3:30 on March 23, 30, April 6, 13, 20, May 4, and 11.
If you have to pick up a middle school student at Riverside as well, siblings can stay in the EDP at no charge until 3:45.
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Planning is underway for our biggest parent-led fundraiser of the year. The super-raffle is fun and lucrative, and will take place on Saturday, May 13. Two things to know now:
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We ask each family to sell three $50 tickets, with specific assigned numbers on them. They are going home with students today according to a master list of families and ticket numbers. Elementary parents will find them in boomerang folders, middle school parents will have to ask their child for them, please be sure they're not left/lost in cubbies! If you can't sell them, it's essential that you return them!
- Parents who have talents, business, or connections, please consider donating an item or service as a raffle prize.
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The middle school Spring Field Trip (May 17-19) will be to Boston this year. (We had hoped to cross the northern border, but our usual accommodations there were already booked by December, fingers crossed for 2024!) We will depart in carpools from school at 8:00 am that Wednesday and return by 4:00 pm that Friday. We will be staying at a hotel in Lexington and going into the city on the Metro.
Parent Chaperones: thank you to those who signed up in the fall, you should have received in email today to confirm your availability. We may need a few more parents to help out, if you'd like to join the trip please email Nelia. Beware also that we may get more interest than we can afford, and won't necessarily be able to use all volunteers. Thank you for your willingness!
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2nd ANNUAL RIVERSIDE AGAINST CANCER RECESS RELAY |
Save the date of Friday, May 26th for the Riverside Against Cancer Recess Relay. All friends of Riverside could plan to be at school for this event, with your walking shoes on, when we come together as a supportive community in the fight against cancer. The event will be from 12 noon to 2:30. Keep a close eye on your Monday Memos for more information as we get closer to this important event. Email Caroline with any questions or if you want to be a volunteer at this year's event.
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CLUBS THIS WEEK AND NEXT: |
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6-8 Mathcounts Club will not meet this week or next week, our final meeting will be on April 3, and we will have a watch party of the video challenge.
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6-8 Hip Hop Club will meet this Tuesday from 3:45-4:30. Next week, March 28, will be our last meeting.
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3-5 Coding Club will meet Wednesday from 3:00-4:00.
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6-8 STEM Club will meet this Wednesday from 3:30-4:30. We are in final preparations for the conference on April 6th. E-mail Caroline with any questions.
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6-8 Latin Club will meet this Thursday from 3:45-4:30.
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3-8 Chess Club will meet this Thursday from 3:30-5:00.
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6-8 Indoor Soccer Club will meet this Thursday from 3:30-5:00 and continue until warmer weather outdoors.
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Uphill Club will meet this Friday at MidBurke Lodge at 3:45 and plan to take advantage of the longer daylight and return by 6:00.
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BURKLYN ARTS LOGO CONTEST |
Burklyn Arts is a local non-profit organization that supports arts education in our schools and in the community, including art projects, music & art supplies, visiting artists, community events and more. They fund these projects largely through revenue from two major annual craft fairs. Their funding has supported numerous elements of Riverside's program, including seeing professional performances, hosting guest artists in our classes, and supporting our play productions. Burklyn is asking for submissions for a new logo design! Submissions are due by March 31. For more information about how to enter, read here.
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1st ANNUAL YOUTH CHESS DAY |
On April 1, from 11:00am-4:00pm in Randolph Center, VT, Sen. Bernie Sanders invites all Vermont students to learn how to play chess and compete in a recreational tournament. The “Learn-To-Play” session is for students who are new to chess, while the tournament is for experienced players. Lunch is free for all participants. Students with all levels of experience are welcome and highly encouraged to attend. More information and registration is here.
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PARENTS SEX ED NIGHT by PLANNED PARENTHOOD |
Planned Parenthood invites all parents to join a virtual/Zoom "Parents Sex Ed Night" on April 4, from 6:00-8:00 pm. The meeting will help inform and support you in talking to your children about topics of sexuality. Space is limited, please register here.
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30 Lily Pond Road, Lyndonville, VT 05851
phone: 802.626.8552
fax: 802.626.4156
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