Roadrunner News
Riverside Elementary School

December 2025 Newsletter
Principal Note
I hope you are able to take time for your families and friends over the wonderful holiday season! We are gearing up at Riverside for some exciting December events! Some are planned and some are surprises:)
With the fun activities, the students still work on academics to push growth. Students are gearing up for their winter diagnostics that are quickly approaching after Christmas. Lots of learning and achievement is happening already this year!
With this exciting time of year, please ensure that your children get proper sleep and take care of themselves! With all the fun events this time of year brings, students do get run down. The weather is changing as well! We've had some illnesses coming and going and strive to keep students healthy at Riverside. Please make sure your child wears their coats, hats, mittens, etc. to keep warm. We do go outdoors for recess for temperatures above 15 degress and no precipitation.
Student of the Month-November
Pictures will be coming, stay tuned! There are awesome behaviors happening at Riverside!
Cold Weather
We are finally feeling some colder temperatures this week! We want students to stay healthy and WARM when they go out to recess. Students do go outside to UNLESS the temperatures are below 15 degrees or there is precipation. Please ensure that your child is bringing their coats, hats, mittens and accessories to stay warm. We do have some extra coats available if your child needs one. Please contact the office or your teacher if your child is in need. (only one coat though so we can help multiple students). Ready or not, winter is NEAR!
Attendance MATTERS!
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.
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!
Student Absent
Just a reminder that when your child is absent, please call the office each day. If you had a planned absence, then share the dates with the office so they won't need to call. This helps us ensure our student safety! Thanks for your help!
Riverside Dance Team Debuts in Holiday Parade
Kindness Club Made "Kind Art" for Student's Lockers
Our Family Title 1 Event was a Success!
Snack Cart
Students will have the opportunity to purchase snacks from our Riverside SNACK Cart daily at dismissal time in the office. Items include takis, trail mix, chips, ring/push pops, and various candies. All items are $1 or $2. We encourage correct change if possible and no bills above $10. All proceeds will go to our student activities!
Get Your Roadrunner Gear!
Our new and revised apparel store is up and running! Sales will come and go so keep watching throughout the year! Shipping is directly to your house.
https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/iowa/siouxcity/riverside-elementary-school
Calendar Reminders
Winter break is quickly approaching! School will have a normal two hour dismissal on Friday, December 19. School will not be in session from Monday, December 22 through Friday, January 2, resuming on Monday, January 5.
There will also be no school on Friday, January 16 for a teacher workday.
Winter Weather Decisions!
As a parent or guardian, you have the right to decide to keep your child home on any day you feel it is unsafe for your student to be in school because of weather conditions. If you believe the weather provides a sincere reason why you may have to keep your student at home or take your student home when classes are scheduled to continue, you, as a parent or guardian, will simply need to contact our school office to let us know.
Is Your Contact Information Up To Date?
The District sends out important information regarding school closings and cancellations and other updates to our families via phone, email, and text. Additionally, our school will contact you in case of an emergency or student health concern. Make sure your contact information is updated in our system and that your phone accepts the school’s phone calls. Doing this will ensure you receive school communication promptly and we can reach you in case of an emergency. To make updates to your contact information, please contact our office.
Dressing for Cooler Weather
With the cooler temperatures upon us, please ensure your child is dressed appropriately for the colder winter. Even during the winter season, the District allows recess and outdoor activities to continue as usual, so it is important that students have the right winter weather clothing. When the temperature feels like 15 degrees or lower, students are kept inside for recess and activities. Students should be prepared for the cooler weather with a warm coat, hat, scarf, and gloves. If your student does not have access to cold-weather apparel, please contact our school office.
Inclement Weather
The weather in Iowa can be unpredictable. If the weather requires us to delay the start of our school day, cancel school for the day, or dismiss school early, information will be sent to families through email, text, and voicemail. In addition, this information is posted to our social media sites and the District website.
Please remember that parents and guardians have the right to make the decision to keep their child home on any day they feel it is unsafe for their student to be in school because of weather conditions. If you believe the weather provides a sincere reason why you may have to keep your student at home, or take your student home when classes are scheduled to continue, you as a parent or guardian will simply need to contact our school office to let us know.
What's Happening in Siouxland
Stay connected with family-friendly activities, programs, and clubs in the community through Virtual Backpack. The e-newsletter, which includes information from various Siouxland organizations, is sent out monthly to all district families. Or, view the most up-to-date lists of events and activities on the Virtual Backpack website.
Upcoming Dates
December 9th : Winter Concert (K-2 start at 6:00pm and 3-5 start at 7:15pm)
December 22-Jan. 2nd: No School for winter break
January 15th: End of 2nd quarter
January 16th: NO School (Teacher workday)
January 22nd Report Cards Sent Home