February 2024 Whims |2nd Edition | |
Don't forget to sign up for the Skiing/Snowboarding Program by 3:30 on Wednesday! | |
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A Look Inside This Week's Whims
February 2024, 2nd Edition
Greetings, Riley community!
Hope you all had a lovely weekend. Thanks to all who joined us at the Valentine's Dance! Love was in the air under the guidance of another killer playlist from our master of ceremonies, Susanna, and a wonderful time was had by all.
Valentine's Day is this week! If your child is in Wade Acres or Lower School and they would like to participate in handing out Valentine's, please make sure to include all of your child's classmates. Families can reference the School Directory to gather your child's full "class" list. Middle and Upper School children will be working on an in-house project (keep an eye on your mailboxes!) so no need to buy cards. Please no candy!
Wishing you all a wonderful week!
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February Vacation: Next Week! | |
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A Must Read Policy Change
Regarding Early Dismissal for Children
We have instituted a new policy regarding early pick up/dismissal. We understand that you may have to schedule appointments during the school day but we need to minimize the increasing number of disruptions. Except in the case of a last minute emergency, children will be dismissed at the end of a class period.
Children are dismissed through the office during the day. Parents must come in person to retrieve them and ensure sure they have everything they need. Let us know at drop off (or before 9 am) of any early dismissal request. Children will be held in the office from the beginning of the period they will be dismissed during. Our classes run on the hour in the am and 1/2 hr in pm, ex: if you need your child at 11:40 they will be waiting in the office for the full period that began at 11 am, OR you can pick them up at 11:55 when their class is dismissed or pick them up at 11 to have a little date. We are hoping this change will limit disruptions in the classroom and also encourage thoughtful scheduling for mid school day appointments. Please reach out to Becky or Tammy with for any questions or clarifications.
Thank you for your attention to this. We will do our best to support your needs and appreciate your awareness of the impact early dismissals have on the classes, children, and faculty.
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Women's Art Night:
Paper Flowers
Tuesday February 27th, 4:30 pm
Join us in the Art Room for some community and paper craft! We'll be making paper flowers to brighten the wintry days ahead.
The Art Room will open at 4:30 but folks are more than welcome to trickle in. No experience needed!
If you plan to attend, send a quick RSVP to julieletowski@gmail.com so that we can ensure there are enough supplies on hand. Thank you! $10 activity fee will cover: crepe paper, stems, flower tape, etc.
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Parent Night
Thursday February 29th, 4-5:30
Join us for an engaging evening with faculty where we explore different aspects of Riley's philosophy, curriculum development, and program. This is a required event for Lower, Middle, and Upper school families; Wade Acres families are warmly invited! Double volunteer credit hours will be logged for attending this event.
Children can be dropped in the theater where childcare will be provided. $5 per child. We look forward to seeing you!
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Fivetown Baseball League
There are a few Riley children who will be returning to the Fivetown league to play baseball/softball this coming year! We are looking forward to seeing more Riley children on the field too! It's been a lot of fun to observe the children play baseball almost every day at recess! Spots fill fast!
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Parent Volunteer Hours Program Update
Hello Parent Community. Please find the new on-going Volunteer Sign-up sheet linked below. This is a great time to see how you can lend a hand in your areas of expertise. If you have a specific skill set, please let us know.
Some of the volunteer opportunities require several people, so grab another parent from Riley and work together. New volunteer opportunities will be added as they arise. We will keep adding to the existing list. If you have suggestions on other ways to volunteer, please send them our way! Please check for updates regularly.
Once you sign up for a volunteer opportunity you will need to email me with your completed volunteer hours so that they can be logged in. It is your responsibility to email me with your hours, and ours to thank you.
Some opportunities will be listed with the credit hours in a separate column. Some will be listed as “Community engagement: no volunteer hours applied”. These are simply your contributions to the school, as being a part of Riley.
Please remember that this is 20 hours per child or a $600 waiver. For part time Magnolias. 3 days -$400 or 13 hours, 4 days $500 or 16 hours.
Our Goal is Participation and Community (as well as cost savings.) Any questions please email me. Thanks!
Tammy
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Business After Hours:
Volunteers Needed!
February 21st
Business After Hours is a local networking event organized by the Penobscot Bay Chamber of Commerce which gives local businesses the opportunity to discuss and share ideas while also learning about other local businesses and non-profits in a relaxed social setting.
This event is an important opportunity for Riley to no longer be a "best kept secret". These Chamber events are attended by 60-100 business community and Chamber members- many of whom have never been to our campus. It is an opportunity to spread the word and enhance both our applicant pool and our fundraising initiatives. In addition we are using it as an opportunity to promote the rental of the theater.
Help Riley host this incredible event while also adding to your family's volunteer hours! Reach out to provide food and beverage. Any volunteers helping to set up, provide finger food, serve, clean up and mingle will be offered bonus hours in light of it being during vacation week.
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Immune System Support
from Our Community
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Elderberry Syrup
$25 for an 8 ounce bottle, made in small batches.. take daily to boost immunity and lessen symptoms when sick. Made with organic elderberries and raw unfiltered honey. Safe for the kiddos and tasty! Reach out to Hattie to get a bottle today!
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Immune Support from
Bee Wild Farmacy
Immunitea is $10/bag or 2/$18. Eldertoddy comes in several sizes from $5-25. There are other options - tinctures and teas for illness, cough, etc etc. Check out items and descriptions at www.BeeWild.ME. Mary ships, delivers, offers pick ups, or can bring to Riley.
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Riley Skiing & Snowboarding Program 2024: Every Friday!
Important Need to Knows:
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You must sign up and pay by Wednesday at 3:30.
- Children are dismissed from the care of Riley at 12 PM on Fridays for the skiing/snowboarding program; Riley is not responsible for children at the mountain.
- Tickets will be handed out in the lodge around 12:30. Rentals will be ready for you inside the rental office with the renter's name/Riley School written on tape on your equipment.
Questions?
Contact Craig!
craig.letowski@rileyschool.org
207-790-1218
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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
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February & March
at a Glance
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February 16th
Riley Skiing & Snowboarding Program Sign up by
Wednesday at 3:30!
February 19th-23rd
NO SCHOOL
Winter Vacation
February 21st
Business After Hours at Riley
5-7 pm
February 26th
Financial Aid Applications Available
February 27th
Women's Art Night: Paper Flowers!
4:30 pm
February 29th
Parent Night
March 1st
Re-enrollment forms & fee due
Charlotte's Web Field Trip to The Strand for Lower, Middle, & Upper School
9:30 am
March 15th
Financial Aid Application Deadline
March 24th
Maine Maple Sunday & Scholastic Book Fair
March 25th
NO SCHOOL
Faculty Workshop & Parent Conferences
**Special calendar note: May 15th's scheduled faculty workshop has been cancelled and school will be in session. Thank you!**
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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!
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Thank you
to our
Parent Volunteers!
| Keep eye out for Community Skills survey and new Volunteer sign ups format! | |
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.
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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.
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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
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HOW TO
REACH US
Office
596-6405
Admin cell
691-4005
info@rileyschool.org
director@rileyschool.org
PO Box 159
Rockport ME 04856
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Winter Weather Protocols
Delays, cancellations, & general policies
We use RSU 13 for GUIDANCE on delays and weather cancellations. We will always follow a delay but unless you hear directly from us we will not necessarily have a cancellation alongside RSU 13. Not only do we not have busses to worry about, RSU 13 may also have reasons for cancellations that do not affect us. We're so lucky at Riley to be more nimble and flexible in our decision making!
If you have not heard further from us by 7 am, assume the last communication from Riley is what stands. And as always, do what you need to do to keep your family safe.
When possible info will be posted on FB and on WGME13 and WCSHStorm Center 6. Sign up for automatic text messages from the WCSH6 Storm Center website. We also send a text or email when possible.
In case of a power outage cancellation, call the school. If the answering machine picks up we do have power and thus school.
We do not usually do early dismissal as a storm begins, but we encourage families to make their own decisions re safety and to pick up at any time during the day.
As always, use your own discretion regarding road conditions in your area and choose safety over attendance. Please call in as early as possible if you choose not to bring your child in on inclement weather days so we do not worry about you.
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Share your Riley love with t-shirts,
sweatshirts, mugs, and more!
Grab your gear HERE.
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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.
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