Rattler News

Dust off your ruby slippers and get ready to defy gravity — because Teacher Appreciation Week is flying in from May 5th–9th.

Each day brings a new way to show our Oz-some teacher just how much your teacher means to us — and we’d love your help in bringing the magic to life:

Monday – “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”

“You color our world with knowledge!”

What to Bring: A single flower that when combined, will make a colorful bouquet.

Tuesday – “Yellow Brick Road of Kindness”

"Your words cast the most powerful spells.”

What to Bring: A kind note for your teacher written on a yellow "brick" (we’ll send one home!), building a “Yellow Brick Road” of kindness.

Wednesday – “Wickedly Wonderful”

“A little thank you for a whole lot of wonderful!”

What to Bring: A small gift card to show your teacher how wonderful they are.

Thursday – “Elixirs & Enchantments”

“Fuel for those who work their magic daily.”

What to Bring: A favorite drink or treat to keep the magic alive all day long.

Friday – "Defy Gravity"

“You’ve lifted us higher all year long — now it’s our turn!”
What to Bring: A small gift to lift your teacher’s spirits - think cozy, joyful, or delightfully wicked (in a good way!).

Let’s make sure your teacher feels seen, celebrated, and unlimited — teachers truly are the brains, heart, and courage behind everything we do. Thank you for helping us make this week unforgettable — because if teaching isn’t a superpower, we don’t know what is.

A new afterschool program is coming to 5th grade girls at River Ridge Elementary school in the fall of 2025. Our goal is to plant seeds of character and grow a community where every girl belongs and is treated with integrity.

KARDIVAS will meet on campus Thursdays after school from 2:45-3:45pm October - April.

Registration will open in the fall. Please see attached for more information about this opportunity.

It’s hard to believe it’s already time to start planning for the 2025–26 school year! Below, you’ll find links where you can provide input to help guide the placement process for your child.

Please know that we take this process very seriously. Countless hours go into thoughtfully considering each child’s individual needs, personality, and learning style. Our ultimate goal is always to support student growth and ensure every child is set up for success in the classroom.

This survey offers you the opportunity to share insights about your child’s learning preferences, strengths, and personality. While we do not accept specific teacher requests, we do make every effort to place students with at least one familiar peer to help foster a sense of comfort and connection.

Class placements are carefully considered by our experienced staff, who work collaboratively to create balanced, dynamic learning environments. We are proud of the exceptional team of educators we have at every grade level and are confident in their ability to meet the diverse needs of our students.

Projected Staffing for 2025–26 (subject to change)

• Kindergarten – 2 Teachers

• 1st Grade – 2 Teachers

• 2nd Grade – 3 Teachers

• 3rd Grade – 3 Teachers

• 4th Grade – 4 Teachers

• 5th Grade – 5 Teachers (Trio and Duo Model)

There will be some minor shifts with teacher placement. We will share this placement when decisions are finalized.

Please note: Incoming Kindergarteners and outgoing 5th graders do not have a survey link, as placement decisions for these students will be based on the information gathered at the time of registration.

We still have many wonderful moments ahead this school year, and we look forward to enjoying every one of them with your child. Thank you, as always, for your continued support and partnership!

Warmly,

Dr. Sosa

Dear Parents/Guardians,

This is a friendly reminder to pick up your student’s medications from the clinic by May 22nd. Medications can be picked up between 7:10 AM and 3:00 PM.

The final opportunity for medication pick-up will be on May 23rd by 11:00 AM. After this time, any remaining medications will be disposed of in accordance with district policy. Please note that medications will not be stored over the summer.

Additionally, please be aware that a line is likely on the last day of school, so plan accordingly if you plan to pick up your student’s medication that day.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

A heartfelt thank you to all the parents who took the time to complete our recent survey! Your insights are incredibly valuable and help guide our continued focus on student growth, engagement, and well-being.Special shoutout to our 4th grade families for having the highest participation—way to go!

We’re thrilled to share that our campus showed growth in every measured dimension:

• Empowered Student Learning – Up 9%

• Meaningful Learning – Up 10%

• Student Experience – Up 5%

• Acceptance and Belonging – Up 7%

Here are some highlights from your feedback that we’re especially proud of:

• “My child has the opportunity to set goals to track their progress.” – Up 10%

• “My child is motivated and encouraged to do their best at school.” – Up 10%

• “My child sees how what they are learning in school relates to the outside world.” – Up 19%

• “My child’s teachers encourage them to take charge of their education.” – Up 15%

• “My child receives support when they are struggling to learn in class.” – Up 16%

• “Classroom activities keep my child actively engaged in their learning.” – Up 8%

• “Classroom activities keep my child challenged in their learning.” – Up 11%

We are so proud of this growth—it reflects the dedication of our staff, the enthusiasm of our students, and the partnership we share with families like yours. These results are not only a direct reflection of this partnership with families but also the passion, commitment, and relentless hard work of our incredible teachers. Day in and day out, they go above and beyond to create meaningful learning experiences, support every student’s unique journey, and foster a classroom culture of curiosity, challenge, and care. Their dedication to continuous growth—both for their students and themselves—is truly inspiring.

Looking Ahead
As we celebrate these achievements, we remain committed to continuous improvement and building a school environment where every student feels inspired, supported, and connected. Thank you for being an essential part of our school community. We look forward to finishing the year strong and carrying this momentum into the future!

Sign up for Parent Volunteers

Thank you for considering supporting our students during Genius Hour.

During this time you will be helping students as they work on their research and product. You will help them get organized and offer great suggestions to move their project along.

We really just need more helping hands and kids are going to be active in their learning :).

The deadline to refer your child to QUEST this year was March 1st.

A BIG change in process:

Starting next year we are only testing for QUEST placement once a year, in the spring. This March we will look (screen) at all the grades AND any QUEST referrals that we have received. Parents will be notified by April 1st if their child has passed the screening and will be tested for QUEST. Testing will occur in April and May and notices of the results will go out in late May, as soon as we are done.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0844ADAD29A3FD0-54336828-5thgrade?useFullSite=true#/

Hi! We are looking for six 4th grade parents to serve refreshments and help clean up at this year's 5th grade graduation on May 23 at 9 am. Every year the 4th grade parents assist with this so that the 5th grade parents can enjoy graduation. Please sign up for a shift below.

If you have questions, please contact Jen Vieiro at 737-274-9004

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0844ADAD29A3FD0-56085649-river?useFullSite=true

Calling 5th Grade Parents! Please save the date for graduation on Friday, May 23rd at 8AM. The ceremony will take place in the Multi-Purpose Room at River Ridge. Light refreshments will be served. Please contact Christine Hammond at christineshammond@gmail.com if you have any questions.

5th Grade Starting: 3/31/2025 and Finishing: 4/23/2025

K & 1st Grade Starting: 4/24/2025 and Finishing: 5/21/2025

Update!!🚨

USED Household batteries (AAA, AA, coin cell, button batteries) are also recycled at the Recycling Reuse Drop Off Center. In addition to the plastic bags, you will now find a battery collection box that students can place them in that is inside a red container that all sits on top of a red seated stool. Please see the picture below. Thank you for converging with us on this environmental mission

If you are interested in volunteering at any time during this project, or any projects related to recycling or reusing materials, please contact me at: Tiffany.Horton2@leanderisd.org. Thank you!!

Don’t miss all the exciting updates and opportunities unfolding at our school! 🎉🐍

• PTA NEWSLETTER

• Click here PTA Memberships to join our school’s PTA! Your membership goes toward the events, classrooms enhancements, clubs, and more. By joining, you will receive the PTA newsletter, be able to attend meetings, share ideas, and help your child's school in so many ways. You do not have to volunteer in order to be a member- BUT we will always take a volunteer!
  

• PTA Website
• PTA Store

Get your amazing spirit gear at https://1stplace.sale/94803.

Leander ISD Transportation Registration will open on April 1st. Every year, all eligible riders (general and special education) who will use transportation are required to register to ride.

Please be aware of the following deadlines:

• Registrations received by May 31, 2025, guarantee transportation on the first day of school

• Registrations received after May 31, 2025, do NOT guarantee transportation on the first day of school. These will be processed as quickly as possible on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Student Transportation Registration form is linked here. For more information, please visit the Transportation: Bus Registration page on the district’s website.

Dear Families,

Thank you for your continued support and engagement in your child's education. I wanted to inform you that we will no longer be accepting book drop-offs at the front office. That system has become more of a hindrance than a benefit for our school library operations. Instead, students will need to bring their books back and forth to school to help foster responsibility among them.

Each grade level has a rolling crate that goes back and forth every day. Students will drop off books in the morning to ensure that other students can check out previously checked-out books throughout the day. If your child forgot their book the previous day, have them drop it off in the grade level crate to ensure it's returned.

With our schedule, students come at the same time and day each week, making this process more streamlined. If you haven't already signed up for reminders, please text the following message to 81010 to join our reminders:

Tuesday Library- @rrdglibtu

Wednesday Library- @rrdglibwed

Thursday Library- @rrdglibth

Friday Library- @rrdglibfri

Thank you!

https://sites.google.com/leanderisd.org/katiehaedgescurriculumcorner

May 9th

The week of May 12th

Sign Up to Volunteer!

May 15th

During your child's lunch

Outdoor/Picnic Style - Bring some chairs or a blanket :)

A heartfelt thank you to these incredible women in instructional and behavioral support. They show unwavering love and patience, always there for our students when it's needed most. With consistency and genuine care, they make a profound impact every day. Their passion for their roles shines through because they know just how crucial their work is in shaping the growth of our students. We are truly grateful for everything they do – we couldn’t do it without them!

I know she has an amazing team behind her (shoutout to Dorothy & Sylvia), but this incredible lady truly excels at keeping our school safe and running smoothly. From checking in students and families to guiding kiddos to the right club, to managing every transportation change—she does it all with ease! Even when she gets the occasional eye roll, she stands firm in enforcing district policies (yes, even scanning IDs when she knows you personally!). That’s no small feat, and she does it with grace. We are so lucky to have her on our team, as she genuinely cares for our Rattlers. Thank you, Baker, for everything you do—you are truly appreciated!

A special shoutout to this BIG THINKER! She constantly challenges her students to think outside the box, embrace creativity, and tackle tough challenges. Not only does she hold her students to high standards, but she also leads by example, spearheading amazing initiatives like Genius Hour, which has thrived in her classroom and is now making a campus-wide impact. Her passion for helping students unlock potential they didn’t know they had is truly inspiring—and she does it in the most fun and exciting ways! Thank you, Ms. Arnold, for inspiring our Rattlers to think big, dream big, and achieve big! Your impact is immeasurable!

We invite your child (K-6th grade) to join us for our 3rd Annual Viper Friday Night Lights event.

Learn from the State Champion Vipers under the lights at Monroe Stadium on May 2nd. Viper football players and coaches will guide your child in the Vandegrift way. Athletes will be able to learn every position and discover what it means to become a Viper.

Date: Friday, May 2nd Time: 6-8 pm (Check-in begins at 5:30 pm)
Location: Monroe Stadium at Vandegrift High School. Please wear athletic clothes and football or soccer cleats, and bring a water bottle.

Link to register: LINK TO REGISTER

This is a non-contact camp. All funds raised go toward the Viper Football Booster Club, including a percentage of proceeds from Kona Ice (which will be available for purchase after the camp).

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out:
Kristina (hospitality@viperfootballbooster.org)

Registration begins on April 1st.

The Vandegrift Legacies will be performing their 2025 show called Dreamscape on April 24th, 25th and 26th at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are open to the public on April 8th. Please visit http://www.vhslegacies.org to get your tickets.