Roadrunner News
Riverside Elementary School
Principal Note
Dear Families,
Happy April! I hope your family had a wonderful and relaxing spring break. As we return to school, we are entering an important and exciting stretch of the school year.
In the coming weeks, students in grades 3–5 will participate in ISASP testing. Our staff has been working hard to prepare students, and we are confident they are ready to do their best. You can support your child by helping them get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive at school on time each day. Encouragement from home goes a long way in helping students feel confident and prepared.
Even with testing, learning continues in all classrooms. We remain focused on strong routines, meaningful instruction, and keeping students engaged as we head into the final months of school. This is a great time for students to stay focused, keep building their skills, and finish the year strong.
April is also a busy month filled with learning activities and events. Please be sure to watch for communication from your child’s teacher and the school for important updates.
As always, thank you for your continued support and partnership. We appreciate all you do to help make our school a great place for students to learn and grow.
Weather
We are approaching that time of year when the weather gets nicer, but temperatures are still chilly in the mornings. Please send coats with your child each day as we are outside in the mornings above 15 degrees. These are temperatures that the sweatshirt does not help students stay warm. It's better to have that extra layer just in case! Bring on spring!
Attendance MATTERS!
With second semester beginning this month, ALL students missed days began at 0. If students are missing lengthy amounts, there are protocols in place.
5 days; (call from principal)
10 days; (meeting with principal)
13 days; (school engagement meeting downtown)
20 days; (student becomes truant and is referred to the county attorney)
Each school day begins at 8:30AM (unless weather permitting) and attendance is taken shortly after. Each TARDY adds up on student attendance. We encourage students to join walk/talk on the playground or come in for breakfast before 8:30am. Being tardy and leaving early add up on attendance.
Thank you to sharing your students with Riverside. If your student is going to be absent, kindly share with your teacher and the office ahead of the school day by email, call, or Talking Points. This way we prevent having to make calls. If students are going to be gone multiple days, you can send one message to cover the time.
Most classrooms begin the day with Character Strong and building relationships through social emotional learning. If your child is late, they miss these opportunities to interact.
Thank you for partnering with us to allow students all the experiences at Riverside!
Kindergarten Registration
Riverside will hold Kindergarten Registration on April 8th. Current kindergarteners will NOT have school that day. If you have a child that turns 5 by beginning of September to register, call the office at 712-279-6811.
ISASP Testing 3rd, 4th, 5th Grades
Below is our ISASP testing schedule. ISASP is a statewide assessment that describes the growth in student academic levels. Please ensure that your child is at school each day during the testing and on-time. When students begin a test, they have to finish that same day. Make sure students are getting appropriate sleep and eating a healthy breakfast each day! Avoid trying to make any appointments on these days if possible.
3rd Quarter Attendance
Students who were at school on April 2nd received a "MOVIE PARTY" as an attendance incentive. It was a surprise for all students at school. Certificates were also sent home with students who missed 3 or less days in 3rd quarter. Attendance matters each day!
FINAL Kindness Club Meeting
Students in 3-5th who are part of the Kindness Club will have their FINAL meeting on Wednesday, April 15th from 3:30pm-4:15pm (note the date change). We are grateful for all their hard work to spread kindness this year!
I-Smile Dental Screening
Students in PreK, 2nd and 3rd grade will have the opportunity to get a FREE dental screening with the I-Smile program. These will take place April 12-17th at school. Parent consent forms will be sent home prior.
It is HEALTHY for children to be BORED!
With electronics, many children have become accustomed to using their devices frequently and for long periods of time. We see the effect in school because students struggle with downtime or quietness. Research describes how children have the need to constantly be doing something which can be a result of overstimulated from devices. It is actually HEALTHY for children to learn to deal with boredom. It allows their brains the opportunity to learn and grow.
Take a look at the article from "HealthLine." https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/is-boredom-good-for-children#challenges
