Certainly we are all experiencing the stress of illness at school and in our homes. Great numbers of students and staff have been out sick (or caring for sick kids) in recent weeks. We encourage students to stay home and rest when they have obvious symptoms, especially the day after fever of vomiting.

If anyone is available to sub, even for only part of day, or you know of someone who might be a good fit for teaching at Riverside, please email Krystal. When numerous staff are out we may have to alter our schedule with some creative, mixed-age programming.

Please help all students, especially older ones, be sure they have snow pants, hats, mittens/gloves, and neck warmers. We are definitely going to be taking advantage of the wonderful snow for outdoor activities in the weeks ahead. When students don't have gear, they can't engage as well.

• Speech and Debate: On Saturday, the Riverside team went to CVU for the Middle School State Championship. They had a great time! Team of 7th grader Amos Donn & 6th grader Sophia Smith got 2nd in Debate. Sophia also got 2nd place in Original Oratory. 6th grader Eula Lechuga got 1st place in Impromptu Speech. 6th grader Ben Holder got 2nd place in Poetry.
• Vermont Inventors Fair: On Saturday, 5th graders Josiah Galinat, Kai Hartshorn, Cedric Linehan, and Alex Swope, attended a big event at UVM where they showed off their prototypes, and had to pitch their inventions and research to a panel of judges. Kai earned a medal for "Product Innovation" with his "cleat sheet." The inventors appeared on the Channel 3 News!

Due to last Thursday's bad weather, we postponed the PAG meeting to tomorrow, Tuesday, February 11, 5:00 pm. All parents are welcome to attend. Dinner will be provided thanks to to Tonia Brown (preschooler Lydia and 2nd grader Sofia), Dee Royer (preschooler Will and 4th grader Max), and Stephanie Smith (4th grader Addie and 6th grader Sophia). If you have any suggested agenda items, please email them to Kim Adams (8th grader Cora).

• Cookie Grams - In a display of kindness and inspiration, we're organizing Cookie Grams: little notes you can buy with a cookie and have delivered to a certain person on Friday, February 14. Cookie Grams will cost $1 each and are on sale until this Thursday, from Student Council members in Krystal's office. Each cookie gram will include a handwritten message that is sure to bring a smile from both the recipient and for the sender. Proceeds will support flood relief in the Red Village area. *Riverside Bakers volunteers - you should get an email this week from a student council member asking for your help with this project.
• Dance - This Friday, February 14 we will host a dance for middle school from 7:00-9:00 pm. (Student Council members should be there at 6:30 to help set up.) We hope you'll wear red, pink, or white. There will be snacks and drinks, and there is no charge.

We have just two more ski dates: February 14 and March 7. Please remember to pick up at the Dashney Trails at 3:15 and/or the Burke Base Lodge at 3:30 (unless you've given permission for your child to ski unsupervised until the lifts close).

Paper packets and payments for the seed fundraiser are due back to Riverside by Monday, February 17th. We have also created an online version of the order form that you are welcome to email to friends and family! Checks can be made out to The Riverside School Seeds will arrive about two-three weeks after we gather all the forms and payment, in time to start seeds in March. If you have any questions or concerns, please call or email Carrie Stahler (7th grader Victor) 802-229-9226. Thanks for your support! 

High Mowing Seeds is located in Hardwick, Vermont; all the seeds are 100% organic and GMO-free. 50% of sales go to Riverside, so this is a great opportunity for the parents to reach our fundraising goal for the year.

We had a thoughtful and energetic conversation last week, meaningful to both those who'd read the text and those who hadn't. We look forward to meeting again Tuesday, February 18, 5:00 in the barn. We'll be discussing the value and outcomes of a "Play-Based Childhood." Email Ben Reed if you have any questions.

Our 2nd Annual Adult Winter Trivia Night will be March 28 at Hazel's Taproom in East Burke, we hope to see you (and your plethora of trivial factoids) there!

Wednesday, April 2nd is Latin Day at UVM. The whole middle school will be going to this event and participating in a celebration of the Greek and Roman world. We need about seven parent drivers, along with most of the middle school teachers, in order to be able to attend, and it's looking uncertain based on last week's response. Please check your calendars and enter your information here if you can help drive students. More information will be in future Monday Memos.

Eighth grade students are invited to visit us for a morning of informative program overviews and classes on Friday, March 14, 2025. Students will attend required 9th grade classes in group rotations, learn about elective opportunities, meet teachers and current students, and get to know St. Johnsbury Academy. For more information, email Melissa Murphy at SJA.

8:15 am: Students arrive at South Church Hall

8:45 am: Welcome in South Church Hall

9:15 am: Rotations of Academic Classes and Electives

12:20 pm: Lunch in the Dining Hall, Wrap-up from Admissions

1:00 pm: Pick-up from the entrance of the Field House

• 6-8th Speech and Debate Team will meet today, 3:30-4:30. We are prepping for the "state championships" coming up in Hinesburg, VT on February 8th. 
• 4-8 Workout Club will not meet today, because Sean is out.
• 2-6 Snake Club will meet today and next Monday, 3:15-4:15 n the science room, 3:15-4:15.
• 5-8 D&D Club will meet Tuesday, 3:45-5:00 pm in the library and science room. This group will be led by 8th graders Russell and Earnest, each with separate adventures.
• 5-8 Futsal (Indoor Soccer) Club will meet Tuesday, 3:45-5:00.
• 2-8 Sewing Club will meet Wednesday, 3:30-4:30. This is a great opportunity for students to develop their sewing and mending skills together. There will be a maximum of 15 students welcome, please email Kate Murphy if you're interested or have questions.
• 4-8 Robotics Club will meet Wednesday, 3:15-5:00. This is a great time to join, if you're interested, please email Sean.
• 5-8 Uphill Club will meet Wednesday. Sean will email a plan to those he knows are interested. Please email him if you're thinking of joining for the first time.
• 6-8 Latin Club will meet Wednesdays, 3:45-4:30. The current focus of study is the Harvard Certamen, which is on April 5th. Parents of Latin Club members should've received an email from Roy about this trip and the need for chaperone/drivers. Please reply to him if you haven't already.
• K-8 Chess Club will meet Thursday, 3:30-4:30 in the 5th grade classroom. If you can help the club by providing snacks one week, please email Hanna.

• Many summer camps provide experiences richly aligned with Riverside's mission and the strategies Jonathan Haidt suggests in The Anxious Generation for encouraging a "play based childhood" and addressing increased rates of adolescent anxiety and depression. One resource for learning more is the American Camp Association's "Why Summer Camp?" page and their directory of accredited camps.
• The Fairbanks Museum Vacation Camps (February and April) are open for registration and filling quickly. Email Karina Weiss to be on the wait list for camps that are already full.
• Peacham Winter Carnival: February 14 & 15

We gauge our success with annual giving by participation rates, not total amounts. Our goals for this year's giving (as compared to national averages for independent elementary/middle schools):

• Parents: 75% (73%)
• Staff: 100% (91%)
• Trustees: 100% (100%)
• Grandparents: 30% (16%)
• Alumni: 7% (7%)
• Alumni Parents: 15% (12%)