TOMAS RIVERA FAMILY NEWSLETTER
OCTOBER WEEK 1
IMPORTANT DATES
10/13 NO SCHOOL
10/14 NO SCHOOL
10/16 STEM NIGHT
10/30 TRUNK-OR-TREAT
CAN’T MISS EVENTS
Join us on October 16th 5:30-7:00 for an Amazing night of fun activities. Join us for activities led by amazing volunteers from: Perot Museum: Super Hero Academy Boys & Girls Club Mobile Program UNT NCTC Mathnasium SWAt Grade level activities
Únase a nosotros el 16 de octubre de 5:30 a 7:00 para una noche increíble de actividades divertidas. Únase a nosotros para actividades dirigidas por increíbles voluntarios de: Museo Perot: Academia de Superhéroes Programa móvil Boys & Girls Club UNT NCTC Mathnasio Aplastar actividades de nivel de grado
🎃 Join us for Rivera Elementary’s first annual Trunk or Treat on Wednesday, October 30 from 5:30–7:00 PM! Bring the family for a safe and fun evening of candy, costumes, and community. We’re excited to partner with the amazing MLK Recreation Center, Patchouli Joe’s, and other wonderful volunteers who are helping make this event possible. We can’t wait to see you there—costumes encouraged! 👻🍬 🎃
🎃 ¡Acompáñanos en el primer Trunk or Treat de la Primaria Rivera el miércoles 30 de octubre de 5:30 a 7:00 PM! Trae a toda la familia para una tarde segura y divertida con dulces, disfraces y comunidad. Estamos muy emocionados de colaborar con el increíble Centro de Recreación MLK, Patchouli Joe’s, y otros maravillosos voluntarios que hacen posible este evento. ¡Te esperamos con tu mejor disfraz! 👻🍬
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATIONS & ACTIVITIES
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH LIVING MUSEUM
Dear Parents,
Our Tomas Rivera students have been learning about the contributions of past and present Hispanic figures through sharing of poems in morning announcements, read-alouds by teachers, performances, as well as other classroom activities. We invite you to help us continue to educate students about Hispanic history and celebrate the culture, contributions, and traditions with them.
October 10th, 2025
Parents are invited to send their children dressed as an influential, famous person of Hispanic origin to represent them at the Living Museum. Students will dress up like them and/or hold a poster with information, tell about him or herself (in first person), recite speeches, provide information to museum attendees about that person, or perform something that person was famous for. All students in grade pre-K-5th are encouraged to participate. Additionally, students in 3rd-5th grade will be conducting research on a specific person. Please have your child dress like the person they researched.
CELEBRATION
MS. BRYAN'TS 4TH GRADE CLASS HAD 100% PARTICIPATION IN THE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH TRIVIA AND EARNED A CLASS REWARD!
INFORMATION FROM THE SCHOOL NURSE
We need your help in keeping our students healthy and ready to learn! Please take a moment to:
Return the Health Screening Permission Slip – Required by Senate Bill 12 for your child to participate in state-mandated screenings (hearing, vision, spinal, and acanthosis nigricans). https://www.dentonisd.org/healthscreenings
Submit Updated Immunization Records – Students must have current records on file to remain compliant with state guidelines.
https://forms.dentonisd.org/Forms/StudentImmunizationUploadPack a Change of Clothes – Even older students may need an extra set in case of spills or potty accidents.
Review When to Stay Home – As we return to school, so do the germs. Please remember to check our guidelines before sending your kid to school sick. https://www.dentonisd.org/Page/1008
Thank you for partnering with us to support the health and well-being of all students!
INFORMATION FROM OUR SCHOOL COUNSELORS
At Rivera Elementary, all students in Pre-K through 5th grade participate in districtwide Essential 8 Skills for Learning lessons as part of the Denton ISD Counseling Program. These lessons are aligned with the Texas Positive Character Traits TEKS and the Texas Model Program Curriculum Scope and Sequence. The skills are taught on a rotating basis, with four skills covered each year. A detailed schedule of guidance lessons will be provided so you can review upcoming topics. If you would like more information, please visit dentonisd.org/domain/3476 or contact us at riveracounseling@dentonisd.org
Bullying Prevention at Rivera Our school is committed to creating a safe and supportive learning environment for all students. We work closely with families to resolve peer conflict and address any allegations of bullying. If you have concerns, please reach out to administration or a school counselor, or use the STOPit reporting system (https://www.dentonisd.org/stopit , Code: TomasRivera). Together, we can ensure every student feels safe and respected.
P.E. STARS
Congratulations to our PE STAR Students for September! These shining stars have demonstrated outstanding qualities in Physical Education- showing respect, great sportsmanship, and always coming prepared and ready to give their best effort.
HOUSES
HOUSE OF AMISTAD
THE HOUSE OF FRIENDSHIP
SYMBOL: THE IMMORTAL PEACOCK
HOUSE OF ISBINDI
THE HOUSE OF COURAGE
SYMBOL: THE LION
HOUSE OF NUKUMORI
THE HOUSE OF KINDNESS
SYMBOL: THE DRAGON
HOUSE OF REVEUR
THE HOUSE OF DREAMERS
SYMBOL: THE WOLF
HOUSE OF SOLLEVARE
THE HOUSE OF UPLIFTING
SYMBOL: THE PHOENIX
HOUSE OF ALTRUISMO
THE HOUSE OF GIVERS
SYMBOL: THE SNAKE
COMMUNITY EVENTS
PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION (PTA)
Help support your child and their school by joining the PTA!
BREAKFAST & LUNCH MENUS
IMPORTANT TIMES
DENTON ISD 25-26 CALENDAR
MEET OUR STAFF
ADMINISTRATORS
RACHEL SULIVAN
PRINCIPAL
NARDA HARBER
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
SANLYN FERGUSON
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL RESIDENT
FRONT OFFICE STAFF
MS. BARRON
SECRETARY
MS. HOYOS
ATTENDANCE
MS. GONZALES
RECEPTIONIST
COUNSELORS & NURSE
MS. CARTER
COUNSELOR
MS. SLAUGHTER-SIMPSON
IMPACT COUNSELOR
NURSE BRITT
TEACHERS
PRE-K TEAM
MS. SALAS & MS. IBARRA
MS. EDDLEMAN & MS. TARVER
MR. RIVERA & MS. URSETI
KINDERGARTEN TEAM
MS. CRUZ, MS. GAY, MS. LECUONA
MS. GRUBBS, MR. SCARBROUGH, MS. ROBERTS
1ST GRADE TEAM
MS. GAY, MS. GUTHRIE, MS. HUERTA
MS. KELLY, MS. TIERRAFRIA, MS. WILKINS
2ND GRADE TEAM
MS. AKINLOTAN, MS. CASE
MS. HENDERSON
MS. MIRANDA, MS VILLARREAL
3RD GRADE TEAM
MS. PARCEL, MS. HORTON, MS. DAVIS
MS. GONZALEZ, MR. RODRIGUEZ
4TH GRADE TEAM
MS. LANE, MS. BRYANT, MS. CHAVEZ
MS. ANGULO, MS. VAN HEUKELOM
MS. TORRALBA
5TH GRADE TEAM
MS. RECORD, MS. PLACKE
MS. DENNIS, MS. MARQUEZ
FLS TEAM
MS. CURRIE
MS. KAWANNA
MS. JACKSON
AFS K-2 TEAM
MS. MILLER
MS. MARTIN
MS. ZAMBRANO
AFS 3-5 TEAM
MS. COMBS
MR. BERGER
MS. RAMIREZ
SPECIALS TEAM
MR. LYMBERRY (ART)
MR. SMITH (MUSIC)
MS. STOUT & MS. STARKS (P.E.)
MS. STARRETT (LIBRARY)
INCLUSION TEAM
MS. GARCIA, MS. CARRELL-MUNYWOKI
MS. PYRON, MS. BROWN
MS. MULLEN, MS. ADAMS
SUPPORT STAFF
Mr. Lawson - Expo
Ms. Starks - Behavior Specialist
Ms. Thomson - Reading Recovery
Ms. Stodola - Bilingual Reading Recovery
Dr. Ramirez-Robertson - Reading Recovery
Ms. Elizalde - Reading Recovery
Ms. Presley - Interventionist
Ms. Ward - Interventionist
Ms. Mendoza Math Interventionist
Ms. Schenk - Campus Technician
Ms. Cervantes - ESL/Bilingual
Ms. Tome - ESL/Bilingual
Ms. Fletcher - Instructional Coach
Ms. Guerra - CIS Day Site Coordinator
Mr. Dowell - CIS After School Site Coordinator
Ms. Smith - Dyslexia Therapist
Ms. Tejo - Dyslexia Therapist
Ms. Trevino - Speech Therapist
Ms. Ramos - Bilingual Speech Therapist
Ms. Goodman - SPED Counselor
Dr. Allen - Licensed Specialist in
School Psychology
Ms. Vargas - Diagnostician
Ms. Elliot - Diagnostician Clerk
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