Rattler News

Tuesday – “Yellow Brick Road of Kindness”

"Your words cast the most powerful spells.”

What to Bring: A kind note for your teacher written on a yellow "brick" (we’ll send one home!), building a “Yellow Brick Road” of kindness.

Wednesday – “Wickedly Wonderful”

“A little thank you for a whole lot of wonderful!”

What to Bring: A small gift card to show your teacher how wonderful they are.

Thursday – “Elixirs & Enchantments”

“Fuel for those who work their magic daily.”

What to Bring: A favorite drink or treat to keep the magic alive all day long.

Let’s make sure your teacher feels seen, celebrated, and unlimited — teachers truly are the brains, heart, and courage behind everything we do. Thank you for helping us make this week unforgettable — because if teaching isn’t a superpower, we don’t know what is.

A new afterschool program is coming to 5th grade girls at River Ridge Elementary school in the fall of 2025. Our goal is to plant seeds of character and grow a community where every girl belongs and is treated with integrity.

KARDIVAS will meet on campus Thursdays after school from 2:45-3:45pm October - April.

Registration will open in the fall. Please see attached for more information about this opportunity.

It’s hard to believe it’s already time to start planning for the 2025–26 school year! Below, you’ll find links where you can provide input to help guide the placement process for your child.

Please know that we take this process very seriously. Countless hours go into thoughtfully considering each child’s individual needs, personality, and learning style. Our ultimate goal is always to support student growth and ensure every child is set up for success in the classroom.

This survey offers you the opportunity to share insights about your child’s learning preferences, strengths, and personality. While we do not accept specific teacher requests, we do make every effort to place students with at least one familiar peer to help foster a sense of comfort and connection.

Class placements are carefully considered by our experienced staff, who work collaboratively to create balanced, dynamic learning environments. We are proud of the exceptional team of educators we have at every grade level and are confident in their ability to meet the diverse needs of our students.

Projected Staffing for 2025–26 (subject to change)

• Kindergarten – 2 Teachers

• 1st Grade – 2 Teachers

• 2nd Grade – 3 Teachers

• 3rd Grade – 3 Teachers

• 4th Grade – 4 Teachers

• 5th Grade – 5 Teachers (Trio and Duo Model)

There will be some minor shifts with teacher placement. We will share this placement when decisions are finalized.

Please note: Incoming Kindergarteners and outgoing 5th graders do not have a survey link, as placement decisions for these students will be based on the information gathered at the time of registration.

We still have many wonderful moments ahead this school year, and we look forward to enjoying every one of them with your child. Thank you, as always, for your continued support and partnership!

Warmly,

Dr. Sosa

Dear Parents/Guardians,

This is a friendly reminder to pick up your student’s medications from the clinic by May 22nd. Medications can be picked up between 7:10 AM and 3:00 PM.

The final opportunity for medication pick-up will be on May 23rd by 11:00 AM. After this time, any remaining medications will be disposed of in accordance with district policy. Please note that medications will not be stored over the summer.

Additionally, please be aware that a line is likely on the last day of school, so plan accordingly if you plan to pick up your student’s medication that day.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

A heartfelt thank you to all the parents who took the time to complete our recent survey! Your insights are incredibly valuable and help guide our continued focus on student growth, engagement, and well-being.Special shoutout to our 4th grade families for having the highest participation—way to go!

We’re thrilled to share that our campus showed growth in every measured dimension:

• Empowered Student Learning – Up 9%

• Meaningful Learning – Up 10%

• Student Experience – Up 5%

• Acceptance and Belonging – Up 7%

Here are some highlights from your feedback that we’re especially proud of:

• “My child has the opportunity to set goals to track their progress.” – Up 10%

• “My child is motivated and encouraged to do their best at school.” – Up 10%

• “My child sees how what they are learning in school relates to the outside world.” – Up 19%

• “My child’s teachers encourage them to take charge of their education.” – Up 15%

• “My child receives support when they are struggling to learn in class.” – Up 16%

• “Classroom activities keep my child actively engaged in their learning.” – Up 8%

• “Classroom activities keep my child challenged in their learning.” – Up 11%

We are so proud of this growth—it reflects the dedication of our staff, the enthusiasm of our students, and the partnership we share with families like yours. These results are not only a direct reflection of this partnership with families but also the passion, commitment, and relentless hard work of our incredible teachers. Day in and day out, they go above and beyond to create meaningful learning experiences, support every student’s unique journey, and foster a classroom culture of curiosity, challenge, and care. Their dedication to continuous growth—both for their students and themselves—is truly inspiring.

Looking Ahead
As we celebrate these achievements, we remain committed to continuous improvement and building a school environment where every student feels inspired, supported, and connected. Thank you for being an essential part of our school community. We look forward to finishing the year strong and carrying this momentum into the future!

Sign up for Parent Volunteers

Thank you for considering supporting our students during Genius Hour.

During this time you will be helping students as they work on their research and product. You will help them get organized and offer great suggestions to move their project along.

We really just need more helping hands and kids are going to be active in their learning :).

Myra Harold is retiring in May of this school year. She has been working for Leander for 19 years, and has spent the last 13 of those years here at River Ridge serving as a dedicated Q.U.E.S.T. teacher! With that said, the S.P.R.O.G. team is hosting a retirement party at the R.R. Library on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. to celebrate along with Myra this milestone in her life. We hope to see you there!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0844ADAD29A3FD0-54336828-5thgrade?useFullSite=true#/

Hi! We are looking for six 4th grade parents to serve refreshments and help clean up at this year's 5th grade graduation on May 23 at 9 am. Every year the 4th grade parents assist with this so that the 5th grade parents can enjoy graduation. Please sign up for a shift below.

If you have questions, please contact Jen Vieiro at 737-274-9004

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0844ADAD29A3FD0-56085649-river?useFullSite=true

Calling 5th Grade Parents! Please save the date for graduation on Friday, May 23rd at 8AM. The ceremony will take place in the Multi-Purpose Room at River Ridge. Light refreshments will be served. Please contact Christine Hammond at christineshammond@gmail.com if you have any questions.

K & 1st Grade Starting: 4/24/2025 and Finishing: 5/21/2025

Update!!🚨

USED Household batteries (AAA, AA, coin cell, button batteries) are also recycled at the Recycling Reuse Drop Off Center. In addition to the plastic bags, you will now find a battery collection box that students can place them in that is inside a red container that all sits on top of a red seated stool. Please see the picture below. Thank you for converging with us on this environmental mission

If you are interested in volunteering at any time during this project, or any projects related to recycling or reusing materials, please contact me at: Tiffany.Horton2@leanderisd.org. Thank you!!

Don’t miss all the exciting updates and opportunities unfolding at our school! 🎉🐍

• PTA NEWSLETTER

• Click here PTA Memberships to join our school’s PTA! Your membership goes toward the events, classrooms enhancements, clubs, and more. By joining, you will receive the PTA newsletter, be able to attend meetings, share ideas, and help your child's school in so many ways. You do not have to volunteer in order to be a member- BUT we will always take a volunteer!
  

• PTA Website
• PTA Store

Get your amazing spirit gear at https://1stplace.sale/94803.

Leander ISD Transportation Registration will open on April 1st. Every year, all eligible riders (general and special education) who will use transportation are required to register to ride.

Please be aware of the following deadlines:

• Registrations received by May 31, 2025, guarantee transportation on the first day of school

• Registrations received after May 31, 2025, do NOT guarantee transportation on the first day of school. These will be processed as quickly as possible on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Student Transportation Registration form is linked here. For more information, please visit the Transportation: Bus Registration page on the district’s website.

Dear Families,

Thank you for your continued support and engagement in your child's education. I wanted to inform you that we will no longer be accepting book drop-offs at the front office. That system has become more of a hindrance than a benefit for our school library operations. Instead, students will need to bring their books back and forth to school to help foster responsibility among them.

Each grade level has a rolling crate that goes back and forth every day. Students will drop off books in the morning to ensure that other students can check out previously checked-out books throughout the day. If your child forgot their book the previous day, have them drop it off in the grade level crate to ensure it's returned.

With our schedule, students come at the same time and day each week, making this process more streamlined. If you haven't already signed up for reminders, please text the following message to 81010 to join our reminders:

Tuesday Library- @rrdglibtu

Wednesday Library- @rrdglibwed

Thursday Library- @rrdglibth

Friday Library- @rrdglibfri

Thank you!

https://sites.google.com/leanderisd.org/katiehaedgescurriculumcorner

May 9th

5:30PM

The week of May 12th

Sign Up to Volunteer!

May 15th

During your child's lunch

Outdoor/Picnic Style - Bring some chairs or a blanket :)

May 16th

7:40

Elementary Blitz- VHS Sports will be with us!

May 21st

8AM

Senior Walk RSVP

May 23rd

7:30AM

Thank you for being the steady, patient, and hilarious force that keeps us going. Your dedication to teachers, your unwavering commitment to our students, and your deep love for this campus shine through in everything you do. You show up every day—ready to help, ready to lead, and always ready to make us laugh (even when we don’t realize how much we need it). Not to mention, I love the way you say words in your Katie way!

Even when the road gets tough, you never give up. You keep pushing for what’s best for our campus, even when it’s hard—especially when it’s hard. And somehow, through all of that, you manage to put up with me on a daily basis (which is truly its own skillset)!

We’re all better because of you. Thank you for being our coach, our cheerleader, and our example of what true commitment looks like.

Registration begins on April 1st.