Riverwood's Top 5

1. Start the day with a calm morning. Create predictable morning routines with enough time for breakfast, getting ready, a few minutes to connect with a hug or a fun story.

At Riverwood, we use Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) to promote safety, responsibility, and respect. Students earn Rocky Cash for making positive choices and can spend it at our Rocky Store on Fridays.

You can support PBIS at home by talking with your child about how they show safety, responsibility, and respect each day. Ask about the Rocky Cash they’ve earned and celebrate their positive choices.

We’d love for parents to join in! Please use this link: Sign-up Genius if you’d like to volunteer at the Rocky Store. If you'd like to donate to our Rocky Store please use this link: Rocky Store Wishlist.

This month’s SEL theme is Friendship and Community—and we’re thankful for our amazing Riverwood community of parents and families! If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Mrs. Sterbenz-Lucas at ksterbenz@d15.org.

Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC) follow BPAC on Facebook.

As the temperatures change, please help your child come prepared for outdoor recess and arrival/dismissal by dressing in layers and wearing jackets, hats, or gloves as needed.

Mark Personal Items: Please write your child’s name on coats, hats, water bottles, and lunchboxes. This makes it much easier to return lost items.

Check Out Our Lost & Found: We already have quite a collection of items! Our first official donation will be in November after Parent Teacher Conferences around 2:00 PM.

Thank you for helping us keep students warm, safe, and reunited with their belongings!

Please check out all of the community happenings in and around McHenry.

Hi Riverwood families! My name is Jacqueline Dildine, and I am so excited to join the Riverwood community as the School Social Worker for grades 3–5. I truly believe in pouring into the mental health and well-being of students, staff, and families alike. Building strong relationships and helping children feel safe, supported, valued, and confident is at the heart of what I do. As both a school social worker and a mom, I know how important it is for families to feel that their child has people at school who genuinely care about them. I’m grateful to be part of the Riverwood family and look forward to getting to know our students and families throughout the year!

Hello! My name is Cynthia Ortiz, and I am excited to be joining the Riverwood School family as a second-grade Dual Language teacher. I have a passion for teaching and love creating a classroom where students feel supported, valued, and excited to learn. I especially enjoy helping students grow in both English and Spanish while celebrating their unique backgrounds and strengths. I am looking forward to getting to know my students and families and making this a wonderful school year together!

Dear Families,

My name is Michelle Turek, and I am thrilled to join the school community as the new art teacher. This is my 20th year teaching art! I am very passionate about hands-on creativity and my goal is to foster an inclusive, expressive environment where every student feels confident exploring their imagination. I look forward to sharing your children's creative journeys this year.

Have a good day!

Michelle

Hello Riverwood families! My name is Alyssa LaRose, and I am so excited to be joining the 3rd-grade team this year. As a former Riverwood student, coming back to teach here in my second year as an educator is truly a full circle moment for me. When I’m not teaching, you can find me reading, walking my dog, or spending time with family and friends. I look forward to a wonderful school year ahead!

Hello, I’m Michelle Randall and I am one of the new third grade teachers at Riverwood! I’ve been teaching for about 10 years and can’t imagine myself doing anything else! I live in McHenry with my two kids and husband. Thank you for all the warm welcomes and can’t wait to be a part of this amazing community!

My name is Elise Doctor, and I teach 3rd grade at Riverwood! I have taught 2nd grade for the past 3 years, and this is my fourth year of teaching. Outside of teaching, I love reading, playing pickleball, and running. I am very excited to be part of the Riverwood community, and look forward to supporting your child's growth this year!

• Walkers/Car Riders: Student drop off is no earlier than 8:50 am. After 8:50, students will play on the playground before school or eat breakfast in the cafeteria.

• If you are running late, we have a new sign in process. To keep our school secure, we ask that you sign your child in using the Chromebook in the foyer.
• After signing in, students will buzz into the main office to receive their pass and head straight to their classroom.

• To ensure every child gets home safely, please share any transportation changes with the office by 2:00 PM. This gives our team plenty of time to coordinate and keep everyone informed.

OCTOBER

Fri, Oct 9th: NO SCHOOL - Teacher Institute Day

Mon, Oct 12th: NO SCHOOL - Non-Attendance Day

Thu, Oct 15th: Riverwood Trunk or Treat (5:30-7:00 PM) Outside

Mon, Oct 26th-Fri, Oct 30th: Red Ribbon Week

As we recognize that not all children are comfortable celebrating Halloween, costumes are completely optional. Your child can wear pj’s if they’d like or their Riverwood spirit wear! However, if your child would like to wear a costume, we do have rules that must be followed. If you have any questions, please reach out to the classroom teacher.

• Costumes must be worn over clothes. We will not be permitting students to change in or out of costumes at school. They are welcome to come to school in costume but they must be able to practically participate in all school-day activities including P.E.

• Costumes may not be demeaning to any ethnic group, race, religion, nationality, disabilities, gender (boys as girls and vice versa), or individual (staff or student) at the school.

• Costumes may not cause a disruption or distraction to the school program

• No weapons, toy weapons, or props replicating weapons ( light sabers, ray guns, squirt guns) are to be brought to school.

• No costumes that completely hide the identity of the student, i.e. Hazmat suit, gorilla suit, “Scream” character.

• Costumes may not be scary. We are a K-5 building and want to be sure all students feel safe.

We are looking forward to having a day of fun!

Please refer to the District 15 Parent/Student Handbook to find many answers to questions you may have that pertain to all D15 schools linked below in English and Spanish.

Website: https://www.d15.org/Domain/14
Location: 300 South Driftwood Trail, McHenry, IL, USA
Phone: 779-244-1400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057063505521

Twitter: @RW_Rascals