Roadrunner News

The time just keeps going and going and here we are finished with the 1st quarter of school! We've been blessed with nicer weather this fall to allow students to be outside, but also had some tougher days with the rain. Either way, we're going to get these cooler temperatures to stick around sometime! Fall is in the air and the beautiful colors of leaves make this time of year special!

Our staff and students have put in lots of hard work this quarter to plant the seeds for the year and get busy on growing! Our schoolwide I-ready scores for the Fall diagnostic were positive. As a building, we had 75% of our students proficient in literacy and 80% of students proficient in math. This is higher than the district average of 61% for both literacy and math. That says a LOT about the effort and hard work at Riverside. Each teacher and student are dedicated to growth and the assistance of paras and the support team working together is beneficial. Keep up the good work! Students will take this I-ready diagnostic again in the Winter (end of January).

As we navigate into this time of year, I want to share how thankful I am to be the principal at Riverside and part of a wonderful family. Together, we can grow to achieve BIG goals! I hope you all get time during this holiday season to spend with family and friends!

After each diagnostics, teachers look through data and utilize to make their small groups. They adjust instruction to meet students needs and to support growth. Students work on weekly I-ready lessons that is a requirement to pass. These lessons prepare them on their academic path until the next diagnostic in the winter.

Overall, we are pleased with the scores to start the year! Literacy was down 1% from where we started last year at this point and math was up by 2%. The district average for all elementary schools was 61% proficiency in literacy and math. Riverside is proud to share that we are above the district average. Shout out to students and staff for their dedication and hard work!

At Riverside, we believe that positive behavior is a shared responsibility between school and home. Research from the CDC shows that students whose parents are actively involved in their education are more likely to demonstrate better behavior, stronger social skills, and greater academic success.

When behavior concerns arise at school, parent follow-through at home is essential. We ask families to discuss concerns with their children, reinforce school expectations, and provide consistent, appropriate accountability. A conversation at home, clear expectations, and practicing better choices can make a lasting difference.

Schools can teach expectations, but lasting behavior change takes teamwork. Thank you for helping us hold students accountable and reinforcing that respect, responsibility, and kindness matter everywhere!

The CDC identifies a strong association between family engagement and improved student behavior, academic achievement, and social skills. https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-youth-parent-resources/parent-engagement/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

A HUGE thank you to ALL families who supported our fundraiser this fall! We appreciate all the support to help purchase resources and incentives for the students and staff. Thanks for making Riverside a wonderful place! Items are scheduled to be delivered on November 12th. Items are delivered frozen and can be left out or put back into the freezer. Pickup time at school will be from 2pm-4pm.

Thank you for all your support and showing up to conferences! Collaborating with families is our goal to support students and work as a team. We appreciate your efforts to help your child grow academically and socially!

PreK drop off begins at 8:30am in front of building. (Parents/Guardians must bring child to front door)

Students eating breakfast will enter through the gates at 8:00am and stay in cafeteria until 8:20am.

Walk-and-Talk begins at 8:20am for students not eating breakfast (if the weather does not permit then students will walk to their lockers to sit, chat, read).

Students line up on their grade level lines on the playground at 8:30am bell (or by locker for indoor).

Any student who enters after 8:30am will ring the bell and come through the front door.

We all know Iowa weather can be tricky! In the event of a late start, a message will be released from the district, along with a phone call. We will also post on social media and KTIV sites.

Reminder to send your child with appropriate dress as the temperatures cool down! In the event of snow, we will go outside! Students will need boots along with regular shoes to go out in the snow. We will not allow students to be in the snow and wear the boots inside the school as well. Continue to bring a coat, hats, and mittens. If you are in need of a coat, please contact your child's teacher or the office.

Reminder to parents, to use the pickup lane for students to enter into the vehicle. We do NOT want students walking out in the street or crossing traffic. You may have to use the parking lot if the parking lane is full. We appreciate your support to keeping students safe!

Just a reminder that any parents/guardians have to enter through the OFFICE when entering the building. Please refrain from entering the side door while students go to breakfast. It is essential for safety purposes. Kindly ring the bell at the front door to check in. ALL visitors must receive a visitor pass prior to entering the building.

The students are in the swing of routines, so we ask parents to drop off at the gate and let the students individually participate in walk-n-talk. Thank you for your help!

If you would like to eat lunch/breakfast with your student, please call the school to give Kim, a heads up in advance. 712-279-6811. Check in with the office when you arrive and get a visitor badge!

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.

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. This information is also 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.

The District is committed to providing all students with a safe learning environment in which everyone is treated with dignity and respect. The District’s Anti-Bullying, Harassment, and Hazing policy defines bullying and harassment as well as the procedures for reporting and investigating bullying or harassment complaints.

If your student feels they are being bullied or harassed, encourage your student to visit with the student involved and tell them to stop. They should also tell a teacher, principal, or trusted adult at their school. An online discrimination, bullying, harassment, and hazing complaint form is also available on the District’s website and may be completed by the student, parent, or school employee.

There will be no school on Tuesday, November 3 for staff professional development.

School will be dismissed two hours early on Wednesday, November 25 for Thanksgiving break. There will be no school on Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27. School will resume on Monday, November 30.

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.

(Each Friday, early dismissal at 1:30pm)

November 3rd: No School (Teacher Professional Development Day)

November 5th: Movie Max Upcoming TK/Kindergarten Experience 5pm

November 12th: Fundraiser Delivery/Pick Up Day (Time TBD)

November 25th: Early Out for holiday

November 26/27th: No School for Thanksgiving holiday

December 22nd: Early Out 2-hr. for winter break

December 22-Jan. 3rd: Winter Break