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I would like to warmly and excitedly welcome all of our students and families to West Riverside Elementary School for the 2025-2026 school year! Our school theme for the school year is:

"Winning the Game of Learning"

This theme was chosen by our faculty and staff because we want to ensure all students at West Riverside Elementary learn in an inquiry based, student-centered, engaging environment focused on building and exceeding foundational academic skills in reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies. We have a sincere desire to provide students with a strong community balanced with nurturing, guidance, creativity, and challenge to foster growth in our students academically and socially.

I will provide families with newsletters including important information and school updates throughout the school year. I encourage you to use our newsletters to stay engaged in the school environment. When our students see their parents involved in the school, they are motivated and accomplish amazing things!

In this newsletter, you will find information regarding:

• Fall Extended Day Registration
• Back to School Orientation
• 2025-2026 School Supply Lists
• Volunteer Screening Information

Please reach out to me or our school office if you have any questions throughout the summer. I look forward to meeting you all soon!

Have a restful, refreshing, and peaceful summer!

Dr. Talya M. Taylor

Principal

West Riverside Elementary School

I’m happy to share that the Extended Day online application and registration is now open.

Extended Day services are offered to families during the following times:

7:00-8:00 AM ($90 Monthly)

3:00-6:00 PM ($160 Monthly)

*Prices are subject to change.

I encourage families to register for Extended Day as soon as possible once the registration opens as we often have waitlists for the program.

Registration link: Extended Day Registration Page: Home - Duval County Public Schools

West Riverside Back to School Orientation is:

Thursday, August 7, 2025

• VPK-Kindergarten 9:30-10:30
• 1st Grade-2nd Grade 11:00-12:00
• 3rd Grade-5th Grade 1:00-2:00

Volunteers are a vital part of student success at West Riverside Elementary.

We’re grateful for the many volunteers who support our schools each year. If you plan to volunteer during the upcoming school year, please be aware that Duval County Public Schools has updated its volunteer background screening policy in our effort to strengthen student safety as be in alignment with state law. The biggest change is that some volunteer roles now require a Level II background screening which includes a fee. This applies especially to volunteers who serve as chaperones for field trips and may not be in direct view of district employees. Both current and new volunteers will be impacted. Please read more about the volunteer background screening policy on our website.

• Level I Volunteers. These volunteers will always be in the direct view of district employees and are never alone with students. Level I volunteers undergo our standard Level I screening procedures, which includes being checked against the Dru Sjodin National Sexual Offender Public Website.

• Level II Volunteers. This group of volunteers most commonly includes chaperones for field trips and events or may not be in direct view of district employees. By requiring these volunteers to undergo a Level II background check, they’ll be screened for felonies and criminal violations, in addition to being checked against the Dru Sjodin National Sexual Offender Public Website.

We ask that parents take the time out this summer to complete the DCPS volunteer screening if you plan to attend any field trips with your students or volunteer at our school. Anyone, including parents, who will visit the campus more than once to help must complete the process.

Link to complete Volunteer Application:

Volunteer Registration

August 2025

August 7-Back to School Orientation

August 11-1st Day of School

August 13-Independence Day

August 21-SAC/Title I Annual Meeting @ 5:00 pm

August 21-PTA Meeting @ 5:30 pm

August 21-Open House @ 6:00 pm

FortifyFL is a suspicious activity reporting tool that allows you to instantly relay information to appropriate law enforcement agencies and school officials. Please click the link below if you would like to report any type of emergency situations.

https://getfortifyfl.com/