2026-2027 Parent-Student Handbook

Vision:

Riverside Elementary School builds confident and compassionate leaders who are equipped with the knowledge, values, and abilities to make positive, meaningful contributions to our world.

Mission:

We, the faculty, staff, and community of Riverside Elementary School work together to continuously improve student achievement while nurturing the personal gifts and talents of each child and developing their independence as individual citizens.

Riverside Pledge:

RES is the BEST!

We are students unlike the rest!

We are respectful; we are safe.

These are things we appreciate!

We are responsible, most of all.

We help others when they fall.

My heart is big and full of pride.

I love being at Riverside!

GO DUCKS!

Goal 1: Increase Grade 3 ELA Proficiency

We want out third-grade students to become confident, successful readers and writers by strengthening their skills in reading, understanding, discussing, and responding to grade-level texts. Our goal is for more students to reach grade-level proficiency in English Language Arts by the end of the school year.

Goal 2: Attendance, Safe & Healthy Students

We want all students to feel safe and cared for every day at school. This means keeping the building secure, encouraging kindness and respect, helping students make healthy choices, and providing support for both their physical and emotional well-being.

Goal 3: Increase ELA proficiency

Reading is a superpower, and we want every student to become a strong reader! We focus on helping students understand what they read, build their vocabulary, and enjoy books, while also giving extra support to those who need it.

Goal 4: Increase Math proficiency

We’re working to help all students improve their math skills! This includes ensuring they understand important math skills for their grade level, using fun and effective learning methods, and giving extra help when needed so every child can succeed.

Goal 5: College and Career Readiness

Even at the elementary level, we start planting the seeds for future success! We help students build skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and curiosity. They also learn about different jobs and how school helps prepare them for whatever dreams they want to chase later in life.

Official School Day Hours:

8:15am-3:15pm

Students may be dropped off as early as 7:30am. School starts promptly at 8:15am and dismissal begins promptly at 3:15pm.

Transportation Changes:

Please submit all transportation changes to the front office no later than NOON daily. This is to help keep every student safe and ensure that all staff involved with dismissal have enough time to make changes for your child. You can send changes to Melissa Stanley through ParentSquare, email her at mstanley@mauryk12.org, or call the front office at 931-840-4422 x 6861. You can send a note in your child's folder, as well. Please do not contact your child's teacher with a phone call or email during the school day for transportation changes, as they may not receive the message in time for dismissal.

To ensure students know how to navigate the building and reach safety, we regularly practice fire, tornado, and lockdown drills. These drills are conducted frequently so that students are well-prepared and confident in responding effectively in any emergency situation.

Attendance (whole day or part of the day) is a key factor in student achievement, and therefore, students are expected to be present each day school is in session.

Absences and tardies shall be classified as either excused or unexcused as determined by the principal/designee. Excused absences with proper documentation shall include:

1. Personal illness/injury;

2. Illness of immediate family member;

3. Death in the family;

4. Religious observances;

All attendance notes must be turned in within 5 days upon a student’s return to school. Only 5 parent notes are allowed each semester.

A student who is absent five (5) days without adequate excuse shall be reported and then provide written notice to the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the student's absence. If a parent does not provide documentation within adequate time excusing those absences, or request an attendance hearing, then the progressive truancy plan will be implemented.

Tardies

A student will be marked tardy if they are not in class and seated ready to learn prior to the school bell. Early dismissal will also be classified as tardy. Tardies will require the same documentation as absences to be excused. Four (4) unexcused tardies will be equivalent to one daily UNEXCUSED absence and will be applied accordingly under the Progressive Truancy Plan.

Please contact Melissa Stanley, our attendance clerk, at mstanley@mauryk12.org with any additional questions.

To help keep everyone healthy, please keep your child home if they have a fever (100.4°F or higher), vomiting, and diarrhea. Children should be fever-free (without medicine) for at least 24 hours before returning to school.

Mild symptoms like a runny nose, occasional cough, or slight fatigue without fever or other major symptoms are usually okay. Our school nurse is available all day to help keep our children safe and healthy. If your child gets sick where they are unable to participate in class, she will reach out to you. Let’s work together to keep our school community safe and strong!

At Riverside, we use state and district selected curriculum. Below you will find a brief overview of each subject. In weekly newsletters, specific skills and standards will be highlighted.

Reading

Wonders: Allows students to expand their world through literacy. Literacy is the key to understanding -- across time, borders, and cultures-- and will help students recognize and embrace the role they play in the world they are creating. During this time, Social Studies and Science will be integrated through their reading. It empowers students to take an active role in learning and exploration.

95% Foundational Skills: This is a structured literacy solution that supports meaningful and effective literacy progress linked across grades, grounded in the science of reading, and supporting the critical K-5 years.

iReady Reading: This is a computer program that tracks students growth and has students work on an individualized lesson plan that fits their needs based on their progress in the lessons. Students will utilize this program for 15 minutes per day.

Math

Ready Math: Through teacher-led instruction, students develop mathematical reasoning, engage in discourse, and build strong mathematical habits. It builds on students' prior knowledge with lessons that make connections within and across grade levels and directly addresses the major focus of the grade.

iReady Math: This is a computer program that tracks students growth and has students work on an individualized lesson plan that fits their needs based on their progress in the lessons. Students will utilize this program for 15 minutes per day.

Science

SAAVAS: A compelling high-quality content curriculum that uses a three-dimensional learning approach centered on real-world phenomena, hands-on inquiry, and STEM integration via print and digital tools on the SAVVAS platform.

Social Studies

Studies Weekly for Grades K-2: An interactive program that uses consumable, periodical-style weekly print units and an online learning platform. It aligns state-specific academic standards with short nonfiction articles, primary sources, puzzles, and assessments

Gallopade for Grades 3-4: A comprehensive and flexible program designed to engage students in a robust and interactive learning experience that is aligned to the Tennessee State Standards.

Riverside is a restorative practices environment, which means we strive to understand the root of a student’s behavior and remediate it at all costs with patience, application, and steadfast, trusting relationships. It is the expectation that teachers will follow-through with the school wide RTIAB plan with fidelity, while consistently applying the positive reinforcements, appropriate redirection and counsel strategies for students, parent communications, and referrals, as needed.

What Is Bullying?

Bullying is repeated, unwanted aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. It can be physical, verbal, social, or even online. Bullying hurts others on purpose and can make someone feel scared, embarrassed, or left out. At our school, we take bullying seriously and are committed to creating a safe, respectful environment for everyone. If you ever have concerns, we encourage you to reach out to a staff member or administrator—we're here to listen and support you.

All students participated in anti-bullying lessons at the beginning of the year to help them understand what bullying is, and how to help someone who is being bullied.

Our school uses ParentSquare as our main communication tool to keep families informed and engaged. With ParentSquare, you’ll receive important updates, school announcements, classroom news, event reminders, and direct messages from teachers and staff—all in one place!

How to Get Started:

1. Download the App: Search “ParentSquare” in the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android).

2. Sign Up: Use the email or phone number you provided to the school when enrolling your child.

3. Set Your Preferences: Once logged in, you can choose how and when you receive messages—via app, text, or email.

ParentSquare helps make sure no one misses a message. Stay in the loop and stay involved—download it today!

Riverside Elementary is proud to be a Title I school, a designation under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Title I funding helps support our efforts to improve teaching and learning for all students, providing additional resources that strengthen both academics and family partnerships.

At Riverside, we believe that strong connections between school and home are key to student success. That’s why we work closely with families to meet the needs of our students and our community.

Each month, we’ll share The River Cascade—our Monthly Title I Newsletter—which includes:

• Highlights from school events

• Tips for supporting learning at home

• Upcoming activities and opportunities

We’re excited to work with you throughout the year—because when families and schools team up, students shine!

Riverside Elementary

Website: https://www.mauryk12.org/res

Location: Riverside Elementary School, Carter Street, Columbia, TN, USA
Phone: 931-840-4422
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/columbiariverside