Riverside Review

Dear Hawk Families,

We hope all families enjoyed a restful winter break! We’ve had a wonderful first week back, and it was great to see our students back in the building. As we welcome 2026, we’re also celebrating new life at RSI with nine chicks hatching as part of our RSI STEM agriculture project.

As we begin this new semester, we thank Tim Mankin, our former principal, for his dedicated service to RSI as he enters retirement. Stepping into the role of Principal, I'm excited to continue serving our wonderful school community. We are also pleased to welcome Randy McCracken as our Interim Assistant Principal. A seasoned, student-centered leader, Mr. McCracken brings valuable experience to our team.

Again, the semester is off to a strong start with 5th grade study trips to Hub & Spoke, Robotics and Science Bowl clubs underway, and girls basketball tipping off. We’re looking forward to growth in learning and a wonderful semester ahead!

Brent Farrell

Interim Principal

Student Handbook Feedback

Every year, we gather input from various stakeholder groups about possible revisions to our Student Handbook. Please consider reviewing our current Student Handbook https://www.hseschools.org/about/student-handbooks and offering feedback for enhancement; these suggestions could be revisions, removals, or additions. If you have suggestions, please feel free to email XXX at XXX with the page number/section and suggestion. All feedback is due by Friday, January 23. Thank you for your assistance in this important process!

Brent Farrell - Interim Principal - bfarrell@hse.k12.in.us

Randy McCracken - Interim Assistant Principal -

Brenna Anton - 5th grade Counselor - banton@hse.k12.in.us

Sera Satterly - 6th grade Counselor - ssatterly@hse.k12.in.us

Families and community members are invited to Coffee & Conversation with Superintendent Pat Mapes on Tuesday, January 13, from 8–9 a.m. at Schoolhouse 7 Café. Enjoy a cup of coffee, connect in person, and be part of an open conversation about the great work happening at HSE.

School Start: 9:15AM

School End: 4:00PM

When your child is absent from school, we kindly encourage you to submit an absence request through Skyward Family Access. To do so, please follow these steps:

1. Log in to Skyward Family Access
2. Click on the "Attendance" icon
3. Select "Add Absence Request"
4. Enter the date, time, reason, and any relevant comments
5. Click "Save"

Additionally, please ensure that all medical notes are submitted to the attendance office. You may email the attendance secretary at jyancy@hse.k12.in.us or have your child deliver the note directly to the office. Thank you for your attention to this important aspect of school communication.

HSE schools has updated to a new version of Skyward. Here’s what you need to know to start using the new version.

• Your current family access login username and password will still work.
• You can get to the new version of Skyward from hseschools.org or go to skyward.hseschools.org/student
• If you bookmarked the previous version of Skyward you will need to delete the old bookmark and create a new one.
• If you use the Skyward App, you will need to delete the app and reinstall it from the Apple app store or Google Play store (it is the same app, it will just need to be deleted and downloaded fresh in order to erase the old version’s setup).
• Skyward has free video resources available to help you learn the new version. The Skyward Family Toolkit can be found here*
• When you log in - you will see that you can get started completing the annual back-to-school forms.

We appreciate your patience during this transition and are confident the new Skyward will offer a better and more efficient experience.

*HSE may not currently use all the features covered in the family toolkit

Our goal is to keep our parents/guardians informed of the events and policies at RSI. Please read the information below and call the school office with any questions. Thanks for being such a vital part of making Riverside Intermediate a special school.

Skyward allows parents to access students’ grades from teachers’ electronic grade books.

ParentSquare will be used as the primary communication tool between the HSE school district and students, parents, and staff for emergency situations (for example: school delays or closings). It will also be used for attendance and general information as well throughout the year to notify parents about important information, upcoming events, or milestones.

iPads are required for all students in the 5th and 6th grade to expand our HSE21 curriculum. Please visit our website https://rsi.hseschools.org/academics/tech-in-the-classroom

The Riverside Review is our weekly newsletter that is sent out via ParentSquare. It is also posted on our website at https://rsi.hseschools.org/our-school/news-and-announcements

It is full of important information and scheduled activities.

Our Calendar is on our website with the most up to date information. https://www.hsecalendars.org/public/genie/752/school/13/

School Attendance is extremely important. The school attendance line is 317-594-4328. Parents are requested to notify the school as soon as possible. See the student handbook for the detailed attendance policy.

The Tardy Bell rings at 9:15 am. If your student is going to be late to school or absent from school, please call our attendance line at 317-594-4328.

Change of Transportation/ Early Dismissal requires a note sent to school with your student. Be sure to include your student’s full name. Your student should give the note to their homeroom teacher first thing in the morning. This will advise the office of a change. You may also call our office at 317-594-4320. The dismissal bell rings at 4:00 pm.

Arrival/Dismissal Traffic Flow Maps can be found on our website under Daily School Procedures.

All Cell Phones are to be off and secured in student lockers during the school day. Their use during the school day is forbidden. Cell phones will be confiscated if visible during the school day. All confiscated cell phones must be picked up by a parent.

To be Excused from Participation in PE, students MUST have a doctor’s note stating why he/she cannot participate and for how long the student should be excused. A parental note may be used for one day only.

Safe Visitor Background Checks MUST be on file with the school to volunteer or go on a field trip. Background checks are valid for 3 years.

Address Changes must be reported to the main office and require proof of residency. Refer to the HSE website for acceptable documents.

Golden Hawk of the Month is the character education program at RSI. Students will be recognized for displaying any of HSE’s nine positive character traits throughout the year by earning a poster and a prize!

The Counselors at RSI loop with the students. Therefore, your student will have the same counselor for 5th and 6th grade. Individual counseling, group counseling, classroom guidance, and character education are all services provided by the counselors at RSI.

Breakfast and Lunch pricing for this school year: breakfast meal $1.50, student lunch K-6 meal is $2.80. Checks may be made payable to RSI. Please include student ID number on the check. You may also use your debit or credit card to pay for lunch online through eFunds.

Free and Reduced Application is available with a parent Skyward login. For complete instructions, click here.

Canvas is a tool for teachers to use to distribute important information, submit assignments, and more. Students use the same credentials for Canvas as they use to log into the computers at school.

The HSE school handbooks are a valuable resource designed to help families understand important information, guidelines, and expectations for the year. From attendance and academics to communication and student conduct, the handbook provides answers to many common questions and ensures we’re all working together to support student success. We encourage all parents to take a few minutes to review the handbook and familiarize themselves with its contents. We appreciate your partnership. https://www.hseschools.org/about/student-handbooks

President - Teresa Hunckler

Vice President - Marissa Deckert

Treasurer - Jenny Shoemaker

Secretary - Brieann Toste

For any questions regarding PTO events, please email riversideintpto@gmail.com

February 10th

March 10th

April 14th

May 12th

All meetings will begin at 6:30 pm in the Media Center

Teacher Wishlists

🎉 Welcome Back, Hawk Families! 🎉
We hope your holiday season was full of fun and relaxation!

✨ Mark your calendars for our first big event of the year:
🍽 Dine to Donate at SAHMS – January 14th!
Enjoy a delicious meal with family and friends while supporting our amazing school. It’s a win-win!

📅 And don’t forget—our next PTO Meeting is coming up on February 10th at 6:30 PM. We’d love to see you there!

Let’s make 2026 an incredible year together! 💙💛
— Teresa Hunckler, PTO President

Hello families,

Ms. Asher here and I am excited about offering a new club to students. It is called the Golden Hawk Food Nest Club. This all began with a persuasive essay. It has now grown big enough that a club is needed to help take care of all of the jobs. In this club, students will collaborate with other peers and help design posters, write letters to local grocery stores, organize donated items, take inventory, create amazon lists, create videos for morning announcements, and more. If your child has the passion to help others and make a difference in the lives of fellow Golden Hawks, then this club is for them. See the form/permission slip below for additional information.

We would like to invite you to register for an event coming up just around the corner…the 2026 Subaru Loves Event with a coat giveaway this year! The past several years we partnered with Tom Wood Subaru to provide new shoes and socks to our families. After much feedback we changed things up this year and are excited to invite you all to winter coat giveaway! While many of your children started the season with a coat, many could have grown out of one or (probably more common!) left one on the playground to never be found again! We would like to ensure as winter continues on that all of our families remain warm through these next several months!

Event specifics:

• Coats will be handed out at the Fishers Youth Assistance Office (9090 E. 131st Street, Fishers, IN 46038)
• Wednesday, January 14, 2026
• From 6-7pm

To sign up, here's the link to the form "Operation Warm: Subaru Loves Event 2026": https://forms.office.com/g/ELDZcHHjZG

*Quantities are limited in certain sizes so please register early!

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Thank you and a very safe and wonderful 2026 to you and your family!

Trisha Straus

Fishers Youth Assistance Program

Early Intervention Advocate

9090 E. 131st Street

Fishers, IN 46038

317-567-5112 (Office)

317-762-4141 (Mobile)

trisha.straus@hamiltoncounty.in.gov

www.youthassistance.org

“Building a healthy community for tomorrow by investing in the youth of today.”

Dear Riverside families, Fishers Youth Initiative is pleased to announce the return of the Snack Attack program for those students in need. This program, is designed to provide students a little extra nourishment for the weekend until they can receive a hot meal at school on Monday.

Here's how the program works. Your student will receive a small sack of food to be taken home over the weekend. The sack is filled with individually wrapped snacks such as granola bars, fruit cups, pop tarts, peanut butter/crackers, Goldfish crackers, etc. The type of snacks will vary each week. Please let us know if your child has a peanut allergy as he/she will receive a special bag of peanut-free snacks.

There is no cost to you or the school. To be part of this free program, you must sign up your family online

https://forms.office.com/r/kZ9dhGXgin

Does your 6th grader struggle to cope with anxiety or stress? Do they need more tools for dealing with their big emotions? Mrs. Satterly is having a counseling small group this semester covering coping strategies for addressing anxiety and stress. If you would like your student to be considered for an anxiety/stress coping skills group, please complete the following form: Anxiety and Coping Skills Group Interest Form.

Placement is limited and based on several factors, so not all students who express interest may be selected. Mrs. Satterly will do her best to accommodate as many students as possible. The information you provide will help her understand your concerns and your students’ needs in this area. You will be contacted via email with more specific information about the group if your student is selected.

Sera Satterly

Riverside Intermediate School
6th Grade Counselor

​​(317) 594-4320 - Ext. 4535
ssatterly@hse.k12.in.us

On January 21st and February 6th, the Indiana Center for Prevention of Youth Abuse and Suicide will visit RSI to provide Body Safety lessons. If you missed the parent information session about these lessons in August, you can access the recording by going to the HSE Website, and scrolling to For Parents > Parent Information Sessions > Indiana Center for Prevention of Youth Abuse and Suicide > August 2025 Video.

Your child’s class will be participating in the Creating Positive Relationships curriculum. Please review the curricula summary as well as the attached form. Please place a check mark in the box to OPT-IN or OPT-OUT. If the form is not returned, your child will automatically be opted in. (Parents have the option to opt-out at any time during the school year, before lessons are taught.)

6th grade curriculum-Building Healthy Futures

During the month of January, students are taught what to expect as they progress through puberty: physical, emotional, social and mental changes. They learn about the reproductive system anatomy, the steps of physical affection, delaying gratification, and the importance of choosing friends that encourage good decision making. Students also learn how STIs are spread and any myths they may believe are dispelled. Students are shown how HIV effects the immune system. Students receive a booklet for note taking and they are encouraged to share each day’s lesson with their parent/guardians.

Parents have the right to review the material before lessons are taught at school.

More detailed information is available in a Parent Webinar at: cpr4teens.org/parents/webinar-info/

Free Girls Lacrosse TRY-IT Day on January 19th – Open to 1st–8th Ages 6–14
Mudsock Girls Lacrosse/CATS Youth Girls Lacrosse is hosting an open house–style TRY-IT Day at Precision Fieldhouse at Finch Creek on January 19. Stop by anytime between 6–7 p.m. and try out one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S. No pre-registration required and no gear needed. Questions? Email [hsefishersgirlslax@gmail.com]hsefishersgirlslax@gmail.com

Spring Sport Registration is Open

Our spring programs are open to all skill levels – there’s something for everyone! Register for spring baseball, softball, soccer, boys and girls lacrosse, rugby, boys volleyball, pickleball and track & field beginning January 1st at myathletics.com. Explore all our offerings here

Spring Sport Registration Scholarships – Apply January 2026

Families on free or reduced lunch within the school district can apply for one scholarship per season per child and must apply and be accepted during our early bird registration period. For spring sports these dates are January 1st – 31st. Email info@myathletics.com

This newsletter will assist you with all questions regarding Food Service - please click below.

Hamilton Southeastern Schools offer Free and Reduced Lunch Applications in Skyward. Click the tile called “Food Service Applications”. Then, on the next screen, you can click "start new" in the upper right corner. If your student is "direct certified," receiving benefits through SNAP, TANF, or some Medicaid, you will not be able to fill out an application and will receive a notice when filling out. Paper applications are accepted as well and can be found on our website. When filling out the application, please include your income or if you have lost your job, an explanation of how your monthly needs are met. Applications are approved on the date received in our system/office and new categories can’t be applied to prior purchases.

6:30am before school - click button below for enrollment instructions

Semester 1 report cards are now posted in Skyward!

Skyward allows parents to access grades, report cards, bus information, immunization records, lunch account/food service information, student fees, schedules, and the BACK TO SCHOOL FORMS 2025-2026. Reminder - if you use the Skyward app on your phone, please delete and reinstall the new version. All students are required to have an iPad to expand our HSE21 curriculum. Please visit our HSE21 website for more information.

The following instructions are how to create and pair accounts in Canvas. Your HSE students will be using Canvas throughout virtual and in-person instructions. If you have a child or children that are new to the district, please use the following instructions to link your child's Canvas account to your parent account. Please note that if you have already created a Parent Canvas account and linked your child(ren)'s account(s), you will not need to do this.

You will need your child's school email address and ID#. This information can be found in Skyward. Please click here to access Skyward. If the link is not working, you can go to the HSE homepage and click on the Canvas tab located at the top right of the screen.

Once you are logged in, you will select your child's name from the drop down menu under Family Access at the top of the page. Next, you will click on the Student Info tab from the column on the left. Your child's school email can be found next to the word School in the middle of the screen (just to the right of their school picture) and their school ID # is located under their picture (their school ID # is labeled as Other ID).

Steps:

1. Please click here to access Canvas. If the link is not working, you can go to the HSE homepage and click on the Canvas tab located at the top right of the screen. You will click on the Students/Staff Portal rectangle to login with your child's information, using your child's full school email address as the username. Enter "hse" in front of their 6 digit other ID number for the password. You will now be logged in under their name.
2. While on their Canvas page, click on Account and then Settings. Look to the right and click Pair with Observer. You will need to write down the code so you can use it to link your accounts.
3. Click Account and Logout. You are now logged out of your child's account.
4. If you have multiple students in the district, you will need to complete steps 1-3 for each of your children. You will need a pairing code for each student in an HSE school.
5. Once you have a pairing code for each of your children, you will click here to access the home page of Canvas. If the link is not working, you can go to the HSE homepage and click on the Canvas tab located at the top right of the screen. You will click on the Parent Canvas Portal rectangle to create your profile. You will need your name, email, create a password, and one student pairing code. Click on Start Participating.
6. Check your email now to finalize your Canvas sign-up.
7. To add other children, go back to the HSE homepage, click Canvas tab, click Parent Portal, and login. Click on Account, click on Observing, and add your next child's pairing code.

This webpage below is intended to spotlight school and community activities of interest to students, staff, parents and those residing within the boundaries of HSE Schools.

Interested in finding out about things going on throughout our district - take a look at the Community Insider!

HSE Report it!

As you know, Hamilton Southeastern Schools has benefitted over the years from a “Text-a-Tip” service to provide anonymous information to the district. We wanted to let you know that we use “HSE Report It!”, a school safety mobile reporting app that allows students, staff and community members to provide anonymous information about concerns for their own safety or the safety of others. HSE Report It! replaces Text-A-Tip product, which is going out of service.

We believe that HSE Report it!, which can be downloaded via Google Play or the Apple App Store, provides enhanced reporting capabilities. It’s anonymous and reports are made exclusively through the mobile app. Plus, unlike SMS text reports, HSE Report it! will have no length limitations or the need to remember a short code. Reporters can attach photos, screenshots, videos, documents and/or audio recordings to their concerns and they can engage in a two-way dialogue with a real person.

Reports are monitored by HSE building and district administration and the Fishers Police school resource officers (SROs).

The HSE Report It! app will be an important resource for our community to submit anonymous tips when they wish to report concerns for their safety and the safety of others. Please encourage your family to download the app and be aware that this resource is now available to use when needed.

RIVERSIDE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL

11014 Eller Road ♦ Fishers, IN ♦ 46038

317.594.4320 (phone)

317.594.4328 (attendance line)

317.594.4329 (fax)

Follow Us on X: @RSIGoldenHawks