Falcon Flyer

December

December 2- Buddy Classroom Activities (wear tie dye shirts)

December 2- Choir Concert 6:30 pm

December 4 - Spelling Bee Competition 9:30 am

December 6 - Choir sings at the KC Zoo’s Glow Wild Celebration at 7:00 pm

December 11- 2nd Grade Music Program 6:30 pm

December 19 - Holiday Sing-a-long Assembly

December 19 – ½ Day of School for Grades K-12

December 19 - End of 2nd Quarter

December 22-January 5 – No School Winter Break

Hello Riverview Families,

I hope you all have had a wonderful week and are ready to join us back next week as we welcome December, I can’t believe how quickly this school year is flying by!

As we close out November, I want to take a moment to reflect on all we’ve accomplished together so far this year. I am grateful for our amazing students, dedicated staff, and supportive families who make Riverview such a special place to learn and grow.

December is always full of excitement, learning, and community celebrations. I look forward to sharing this joyful season with all of you and continuing to support our students in reaching their goals. Wishing everyone a restful weekend and a smooth start to the month ahead.

Dr. Urban
Riverview Principal

We know that recent challenges, including food insecurities and job furloughs, have created stress for many families in our community. Please know that Riverview is here to support you. If your family needs resources or assistance, our school counselor, Toni Munsey, is available to help.

We care deeply about our families and want to ensure everyone has the support they need during this time. You are not alone and we are here for you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out:

Phone:913-441-0808 | ext. 2823

Email:tthurmanmunsey@usd232.org

Celebrating Our Amazing Intervention Team!

This week, we are celebrating Mrs. Chaponniere and Ms. Mayfield, our incredible reading and math intervention teachers! They are dedicated experts in data-driven instruction who work tirelessly to give our students the extra support they need to succeed.

Whether it’s daily check-ins, small group instruction, pushing into classrooms, or supporting teachers in reading and math, they always go above and beyond. Their strong relationships with students, thoughtful planning, and commitment to helping every child reach their full potential make a lasting impact on our school community.

We are so grateful for their hard work, kindness, and unwavering dedication. Riverview is lucky to have them!

Mrs. Chaponniere and Ms. Mayfield

Parent Tip of the Week: CONNECT – Learning to Work Together

At Riverview, we know that learning to work together is an important part of growing as a student. Collaboration helps children build communication skills, problem-solving strategies, and empathy—but working with others isn’t always easy! Families can support this skill at home by encouraging students to work respectfully, listen carefully, and share ideas with others.

How Families Can Help This Week:

• Model teamwork: Work together on a small household project and talk about roles and responsibilities.

• Encourage sharing and listening: Ask your child how they solved a problem with a friend or sibling, and what they learned from each other.

• Celebrate collaborative effort: Praise attempts to work together, even if the outcome wasn’t perfect.

By connecting with your child about how they work with others, reinforcing collaboration at home, and celebrating their efforts, we help students grow into confident learners who know how to connect, communicate, and cooperate.

Last week, we explored what empathy is and how it helps us understand and connect with others’ feelings. This week, we encourage families to continue practicing empathy in everyday moments at home.

Tips for Practicing Empathy at Home:

1. Notice feelings: Take a moment to observe how your child, partner, or sibling might be feeling.

2. Name it: Use words like, “I can see that you’re feeling frustrated,” or “It seems like that made you happy.”

3. Imagine & respond: Ask, “How would you feel if that happened to you?” and brainstorm ways to respond kindly.

4. Model empathy: Share a time you felt a strong emotion and how someone showing understanding helped you.

Even small moments, listening carefully, acknowledging emotions, or offering support, help children and adults strengthen their emotional intelligence. Try picking one “empathy moment” each day this week to practice together as a family. Over time, these moments create a home where everyone feels seen, heard, and cared for.

Quote to Reflect On:

USD 232 has been an important and strong participant in the Kansas Teacher of the Year Program for many years. De Soto has had fifteen state finalists and thirteen semi-finalists represented in the program since 2000.

We would like to invite you to nominate any teacher whom you consider to be an outstanding and effective educator. This person must have completed 5 years of teaching with at least 2 of them having been in USD 232. If there is a USD 232 educator whom you believe to be outstanding and deserving of special recognition, please use the link below to fill out the nomination form.

https://usd232org.finalsite.com/departments/kansas-teacher-of-the-year

Nomination deadline is noon on Friday, December 12th, 2025 at noon.

Our Lost and Found is growing! As the weather changes and students shed or add layers throughout the day, we want to make sure no one is left without something they need. If your student is missing a sweatshirt, jacket, water bottle, or any other item, please encourage them to check the Lost and Found located in the lunchroom. A quick stop could help reunite them with their belongings!

Join us on Sunday, December 7 from 1:30 to 3:30 pm at Mill Valley High School for a fun holiday event for kids Pre-K through 5th grade. There will be crafts, games, snacks, hot cocoa, photo opportunities, face painting, dancing, and more.

This is a Parent’s Day Out event, so families can drop off their participants after registration.

Pricing:

$25 for one participant

$45 for two siblings

$60 for three siblings

Here is the signup with a description of the event:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSes39of2I6lz914DGK6y6tQx-2WHNud6x4GRkyYH1qSV7RZag/viewform

Dear Families,

As we see an increase in illnesses, including GI issues, here are some important reminders to help keep our students healthy:

Wash Hands Often

• Frequent handwashing is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of germs.

Keep Your Child Home If:

• They have a fever of 100.0°F or higher

• They are experiencing vomiting or diarrhea

• They have not been symptom-free for a full 24 hours without the aid of fever-reducing medication

Stay Home Until:

Your child has been symptom-free for at least 24 hours. This helps protect their classmates and school staff from illness.

Questions? Contact Our Wonderful Nurses:

• Jill Freisberg – jfreisberg@usd232.org

• Nancy Tausz – ntausz@usd232.org

Thank you for helping us keep our school community healthy!

Cooler weather is finally here and as we all know, it can be a bit unpredictable! Please make sure your student is dressed appropriately and prepared for arrival, dismissal, and outdoor recess. As temperatures drop, they may want to keep a sweatshirt at school in case their classroom feels chilly.

It’s also a great time to label coats, hats, and gloves, and remind students to check the Lost & Found if anything has gone missing. Staying prepared helps everyone stay comfortable and ready to enjoy the day!

• Our doors open for students at 8:30 AM, and classroom instruction begins promptly at 8:45 AM.
• Please help remind your child to be in their seat and ready to learn by 8:45—every minute counts, and there is so much exciting learning to be done each day!
• If your child will be absent, please notify both the office and their classroom teacher. Consistent attendance and on-time arrivals help set students up for success.

At Riverview, our Connect, Align, and Grow goals aren’t just for school, they thrive when our whole community is part of the journey.

• Connect: Building strong, trusting relationships between students, staff, and families helps every child feel safe, valued, and ready to learn.

• Align: Working together—home, school, and community, means students hear consistent messages and expectations wherever they go.

• Grow: When we nurture curiosity, resilience, and responsibility, students become confident learners and caring citizens who make a difference in our community.

Student and staff safety is always our top priority. Riverview will continue using the Centegix Visitor Management System this year, following district safety guidelines. All visitors must check in through the office with a valid photo ID. The ID will be scanned into the system and a visitor sticker with your photo will be printed. This sticker must be worn and visible at all times while in the building.

For the safety of everyone, no visitor will be allowed in the building without a valid ID. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work together to maintain a secure learning environment for our Falcons.

Please remember to have your student’s name clearly displayed during car loop pick-up. Since staff members rotate and substitutes occasionally cover, having names visible before you pull up to the cones helps us quickly identify students and ensure they are ready when you arrive. This small step keeps the process running smoothly and efficiently for everyone. Thank you for helping us keep the process safe, smooth, and speedy for everyone!

For your convenience, we have a Drop-Off Table located just inside the front doors. If your student forgot something, like their lunch, instrument, glasses, or any other classroom item, you can simply buzz in, drop it off, and be on your way. No need to sign in or go through the visitor management system. Just remember to write your student’s name on the sticky notes provided so we can make sure it gets to them quickly.

Thank you for helping keep our drop-offs smooth and efficient!

At Riverview we are very safety conscious. Please see the map below for specific arrival/dismissal details.

At USD 232, our staff go above and beyond every day to support students, families, and each other. While we celebrate our monthly “Making a Difference” award winners, there are countless others making a positive impact in our schools.

Do you know a teacher, staff member, or administrator who has gone the extra mile? We want to hear about it! Nominations are open year-round, and it’s a wonderful way to say “thank you” and recognize those who make our schools great.

Submit your nomination here: https://www.usd232ef.org/making-a-difference

Let’s celebrate the difference-makers in our community!

Below are some important links for the year!

Sign up for Text Alerts

Receive emergency information, school closings, early dismissals and administrative reminders on your mobile device. This text and email service is free, but check with your mobile provider as text messaging and data rates may apply.

Community partner Country Club Bank is providing support to ensure this service is available in USD 232.