OWL NEWS
Welcome to a brand-new school year! Whether you are a returning member of our Riverside community or joining us for the first time, we are so excited to partner with you for an incredible year ahead. We hope you had a restful and joyful summer.
Our team has been hard at work preparing for a school year filled with meaningful learning, growth, and connection. This year, we are proud to launch "The Riverside Way"—a guiding slogan rooted in our three core expectations: Be Safe, Be Responsible, and Be Respectful. These values will shape the culture of our school and the daily experiences of all scholars, educators, and families.
To stay informed throughout the year, be sure to read this Owl News Newsletter, which is sent out on the 15th and 30th of every month. Each edition includes important updates, key dates, and highlights from around the building. Make sure to also follow us on Instagram @riverside_cmsd.
Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter in full. Inside, you’ll find important information to help you and your child start the year strong. We are deeply grateful for your continued partnership—because when we work together, the sky is truly the limit.
Here’s to a fantastic year of living and learning The Riverside Way!
With much appreciation,
Ms. Heather Kama-Starr and Mr. Kyle Cohen
P.S. - BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Avery Romans for winning the Meet & Greet scavenger hunt and Treshawn Johnson for winning the "You've made it this far" in the newsletter contest. Please stop by the office to pick up your prizes.
8/18 - First day for Grades 1st through 8th
8/18-8/21 - Kindergarten Phase in
8/22 - First day for Kindergarten
8/26 - Phase in for Pre-K begins
9/1 - No School [Labor Day]
9/11 - Early Release and Open House
- We cannot wait to start our school year with our 1-8th grade scholars on August 18th (our pre-K and K educators will be reaching out to families with more details on the start of the school year).
- Building opens each day at 9:15AM for breakfast.
- Breakfast is served from 9:15 - 9:35AM in the cafeteria.
- Breakfast and lunch are free for all scholars.
- If your child will not be eating breakfast and does not ride the bus, we ask that you drop them off at 9:30AM.
- All scholars will go through security daily which includes searching all bags and walking through a metal detector.
- Families are asked to not enter the building with their child (staff will be both outside and inside to assist scholars).
- All scholars who bring a phone to school will have to turn them in beginning on the first day. Our phone policy can be found below.
Riverside is a 1-on-1 school. That means that each scholar gets a device assigned to them. In PreK through 5th grade, devices stay at school where the scholars use them throughout the day. In our Middle School grades, scholars can bring their devices to and from school each day.
Every Riverside scholar needs to have a CMSD Technology Agreement on file. We have attached a copy and during the first week of school hard copies will be sent home with each scholar. Please be sure to fill your child(ren)'s out and return them as soon as possible. Thank you!
- Please call the office (216-838-6700) if your child will not be at school.
- Scholars are tardy after 9:35AM.
- Scholars will not be released early from school without the office receiving communication and consent from a family member in advance. We also ask that scholars are not picked up between 3:00PM - 4:05PM. This is to support our preparations for dismissal.
Welcome back, Riverside families! As we gear up for a great year, please remember:
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If your child needs to take medication at school, a new medication order is required every school year—no exceptions.
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Please make sure your child’s immunizations are up to date. I will be reviewing immunization records before and at the beginning of the school year.
Thank you for helping us keep our students healthy and safe!
Welcome back Riverside families!
My name is India Moore (Mrs. India) and I am the Say Yes Family Support Specialist! This is my 5th school year here at Riverside!
I provide information and linkage to resources both inside and outside of the school. Resources I can provide, but are not limited to, include assistance with enrolling for benefits, clothing, food, medical, dental or mental health services, legal services etc.
Every month, I provide resources via the “Resource Round-Up” which will be linked right here in the monthly school newsletter.
What’s Inside Resource Round-Up this Month:
Say Yes Family Surveys
- Back to School Giveaway and Fair
- Community Block Party
ACCESS THE RESOURCE ROUND-UP HERE: https://bit.ly/45st4be
If you have any questions or needs, I can be reached via dojo or cell at 216-645-7309
VOLLEYBALL
We’re excited to gear up for another great season of Riverside Volleyball! We will be hosting Open Gym Tryouts from August 25–28 to give interested scholars a chance to show their skills and get a feel for the team. Final rosters will be shared by Thursday, August 29, and we plan to begin regular practices Monday–Thursday until games begin.
SOCCER
Soccer details will be announced soon. If your child is interested in soccer, please be proactive and make sure they have a current physical.
IMPORTANT FOR ALL RIVERSIDE TEAM SPORTS
All scholars interested in participating in sports this year must have a current physical on file before they begin official practices. Open Gym is a chance to participate while waiting on physicals, but they must be completed as soon as possible, ideally before the start of September.
Please don’t assume physicals are being offered at school this year—schedule your child’s appointment now to avoid any delays.
We can’t wait to get the season started—Go Owls!
Hello, Riverside! The PTC is excited to welcome our returning and our newest Owls to the Riverside community! We have been hard at work over the summer planning a fun year that will include many of your favorite events like our Family First nights, a Back to School Night, The Snowy Owl Holiday Shop, Grateful For Our Gals event and so much more! We're starting off with a School Supply pick up on Monday 8/11. We look forward to continuing to build a strong community together and are committed to helping be the bridge between the school and families. Our meetings are open to anyone who wants to attend. Feel free to swing by our table at the Meet the Teachers Night on 8/14 for more information.
We are reachable on Class DoJo by messaging Ms. Jenni Davis or by emailing: ptc.riversideowls@gmail.com
See you soon, Riverside!
In partnership with our families and communities, Riverside will develop responsible scholars, who think critically and creatively while becoming lifelong learners who make positive contributions to our diverse society. Riverside is committed to providing student-centered, inclusion-based educational practices that seamlessly incorporate technology, the arts, health, and fitness.
Riverside, we overcome, we evolve, we grow - today, tomorrow, and always!