The Riverwalk Roar

Happy Sunday, Pride!

I hope everyone is doing well and had a wonderful, restful week. Looking ahead, we’ve got five more days until our week-long Thanksgiving Break. I’m hoping that everyone, staff and students alike, can muster up the energy and drive to finish strong. My goal is that every student has five straight days of “10 out of 10” days.

Before diving into the rest of the newsletter, I want to recognize our boys and girls cross country teams for their outstanding performance at the 1A State Championships. Both teams finished second overall. For the girls, Emme Herring placed 2nd, and for the boys, Hunter Willis took 1st place. In total, five athletes earned All-State honors:

Girls: Emme Herring, Evy Carroll, and Kai Fluck
Boys: Hunter Willis and August Farrand

As for what I wanted to share this weekend: kindness.

This past Thursday, Riverwalk Academy participated in World Kindness Day, a day dedicated to promoting goodwill, empathy, and compassion through random acts of kindness. It’s a reminder that kindness is a universal language that binds people together and encourages a meaningful “pay it forward” ripple effect.

Our students and staff truly embraced that spirit. Throughout the day, I saw countless moments that reminded me why Riverwalk Academy is such a special place. Whether it was a student holding a door for a classmate, a teacher leaving an encouraging note on a colleague’s desk, or an entire class cheering on a peer who was having a tough morning, the kindness was real, and it was contagious.

If you haven’t done so already, check it out for yourself by clicking here.

These moments may seem small, but they add up. They shape our culture. They help our students feel safe, valued, and seen. And in a world that doesn’t always feel gentle, these intentional acts of kindness matter more than ever.

As we enter this final stretch before Thanksgiving Break, I encourage all of us, students, staff, and families, to keep that ripple going. Look for opportunities to uplift someone, express gratitude, or simply offer a smile. You never know the impact it might have.

Thank you for being a community that leads with heart. Let’s make this week a great one.

In Pride and Purpose,

~Dr. Compton

This past Thursday some of our HS athletes had the opportunity to read to our elementary classes and also hand out some free books!

Our GT and Student Council clubs will be collecting items in both buildings beginning this week! If you have any questions reach out to Ms. Long (K-5) or Ms. Benderson (6-12th)! Items should be new and unopened, Operation Christmas Child is a project by Samaritan’s Purse that sends gift-filled shoeboxes to children in need around the world. Each box shares joy, hope, and the spirit of Christmas with kids who might not otherwise receive a gift.

Are you interested in leadership, business, technology, or design? Then Business Professionals of America (BPA) is the perfect place for you! BPA gives students the opportunity to develop real-world skills, compete in state and national events, and connect with other future professionals.

Whether you’re passionate about finance, digital design, marketing, or management, BPA has a place for you.

📍 Who can join: High School Students
📅 Meetings: Friday’s after school in Coach Dawson's room
📈 Opportunities: Leadership roles, competitions, community service, and scholarships

Come be part of something that prepares you for success beyond the classroom!

We love celebrating birthdays and special occasions at Riverwalk Academy! If you plan to send in treats for your child’s class, please remember:

All treats must be store-bought (no homemade items). This helps us ensure we can check ingredient labels and keep all our students — especially those with food allergies — safe.

Thank you for helping us create a fun and safe environment for everyone!