As we near February, mother nature has sure thrown some cold and snow our way! Currently, our students are finishing up their winter NWEA testing. This is our second of three testing windows for NWEA. Your child's teacher will be providing you with NWEA scores on or before February 13th conferences.

During the winter, I know that the weather may cause you to be running late. We often have a large line coming into the parking lot to drop off in the morning. Please pull up all the way PAST the front office to the stop sign to drop off. Do NOT drop off at the first sidewalk or before it. Also, you must use the crosswalk to cross from the parking lot. The crosswalk is located directly in front of the office. The entrance to the parking lot sidewalk is NOT a crosswalk! Lately, we have needed to stop traffic for those crossing in between cars. This is not safe and holds up traffic during an already busy time.

Just a reminder, your child will be going out for recess as long as it feels like 20 degrees or higher. So, please send warm winter clothing and articles for going outside daily. Snowpants and snowboots must be brought to school and worn in order to play in the snow. Also, make sure that your child has gloves and hat or earmuffs. If they own a second pair of gloves, it may be helpful to keep these in their backpack, as their first pair may get wet while at first recess.

Please remember to send in a note from the dentist, Doctor, therapist, etc. when your child is absent. This will enable the office to count this as a documented absence. If your child is home sick, please call the attendance line before 9 AM so that we can count this as a called in absence. Parents that fail to call will receive a robo call and email alerting them of their child's absence. Called in absences are NOT excused. Only documented absences (note from Doctor, dentist, therapist, etc.) are excused. If your child is absent 10% or more of their school year, this negatively affects their learning. Also, this may constitute a truancy infraction. You would receive 2 letters from our office before the last step of issuing a ticket is taken. Also, scheduling a meeting is helpful, so that we can work together to assist your child in being at school. The research is clear that when a student is absent 10% or more of their time in school, this greatly affects their learning. See the following article for more information: https://tinyurl.com/55fcarjt

Don't forget to scan the QR code located to the left of the buzzer when your student arrives late to school or leaves early. Only people listed in Power School or on your child's emergency card may pick up your student from school. You have the ability to update contacts through Power School.

If you have any questions or concerns, call the office at (734) 479-2550. You can also email myself (gmeli@riverviewschools.com) or Ms. Annie (aprusakiewicz@riverviewschools.com).

Go Pirates!

Gianina Meli

FEBRUARY:

2/7 - Mentoring 1 PM

2/11 - FPC // Rev'd Up Fun Night

2/12 - 100th day of School celebration

2/12 - Parent Club Meeting @ 6:00 PM

2/13 - Early Release (12:40 AM Dismissal)

2/13 - Parent/Teacher Conferences

2/17 - President's Day // No School for Students & Staff

2/21 - Jump Rope for Heart Kickoff Assembly

MARCH:

3/3-3/7 - Jump Rope for Heart // Online donations are appreciated

3/7 - Early Release (12:40 AM Dismissal)

3/11 - Spring Pictures

3/12 - Parent Club Meeting @ 6:00 PM

3/20 - Mentoring 10 AM

3/24-3/28 Spring Break

3/31 - Classes Resume

Mark your calendars and help spread the word. We cannot wait to meet all our future Pirates. More information to follow.

• Classroom teacher-classroom concerns, peer-to-peer or friendship concerns, classroom behavior concerns, playground or hallway concerns, and grading concerns

• Office Staff-attendance (absences, early releases), health needs (medications, illnesses), school events, volunteers and Watch DOGS, general school questions: Annie Prusakiewicz (734) 479-2550, aprusakiewicz@riverviewschools.com
• Transportation Department-Bussing and transportation concerns: Wendy Martin (734) 285-3900, Option #1; wmartin@riverviewschools.com
  

• Grounds/Maintenance -Building/facility concerns, cleanliness, grounds concerns: Sharon Mathews- (734)285-3900, ext. 2 (secretary to Gary Kennedy) or gkennedy@riverviewschools.com
• Student Services-enrollment questions, please contact Julie Karl at Central Office jkarl@riverviewschools.com or 734-285-9660, option 9

• Principal- major safety concerns; policy concerns; request for 504 services; concerns already addressed by the teacher, yet still not resolved. gmeli@riverviewschools.com
• School Social Worker- Social/emotional support and concerns. Stacey Woggon, SSW SWoggon@riverviewschools.com or call the office to be connected.

Mrs. Peterson - Tristan S.

Ms. Schock - Camila A.

Mrs. Coleman - Lucas U.

Mrs. Uhse - Ella G.

Ms. DeRosia - Zion E.

Mrs. Masters - Jasire H.

Mrs. Taft - Charlene C.

Mrs. Avery - Emma N.

Mrs. Kissel - Sumaya K.

Mrs. LaFehr - Ethan A.

Mrs. Curry - Charlie S.

Mrs. Grunwald - Mason C.

Mr. Snyder - Harper B.

Mr. Newland - Shiloh C.

Ms. Rosecrans - Martin C.

Mrs. Gajewski - Antonio J.

Mrs. LaFehr has worked in Riverview community schools for 24 years, all of which have been in the third grade classroom at Forest elementary. She has been married to her husband Ken for 20 years. Mrs. LaFehr has two children, her daughter Dayna is a Riverview alumni and is now a sophomore attending Eastern Michigan University for elementary education, and her daughter Kylie, is in 11th grade at Riverview Community high school.

Mrs. LaFehr values time with her family, whether it is catching up on how all of Dayna‘s classes are going, watching Kylie play travel softball, or traveling to their cabin up north in Oscoda, Michigan. She looks forward to their trips to the cabin, where they play a lot of board games, euchre, kayaking, cooking and campfires.

Mrs. LaFehr states that she has never imagined doing anything other than teaching. She had many wonderful teachers along her educational journey that inspired her. She simply loves her classroom, her school family, the students, and the community. She especially loves the rewarding endeavor of teaching science and social studies to third graders. These subjects offer opportunities to spark curiosity, foster critical thinking, and help children make sense of the world around them. The creativity involved often shows how kids think outside the box, often surprising her with unique ideas and perspectives. The imaginations turn lessons into adventures, making every day dynamic and different.

Mrs. LaFehr is truly appreciative of a strong support system at Forest and throughout the district. Her favorite saying is "It takes a village to raise a child" and believes that the"village" plays a vital role in shaping a child’s journey.

What is something that you really enjoy about working in schools and/or with young people?

One of the most rewarding things about working in schools with children is making connections with the students and seeing their growth throughout the year academically, socially, and emotionally. The relationships that are formed with them are deeply fulfilling. Young children are honest, affectionate, and often unintentionally hilarious. Those special "aha" moments I witness, laughs we share, and the lasting memories created will always remind me why I chose this path.

Congratulations, Mrs. LaFehr. Forest students are so lucky to have you for their teacher.

Mrs Ortega is a proud mom of three, Mia, Julian and Christian. She has been married to Josh for 11 years. In her free time she coaches cheerleading for the RJFA Pirates and teaches recreational dance. More than anything, she enjoys being at home with her family and their two goofy dogs.

Ms. Nikki is a dedicated special needs paraprofessional at Forest Elementary, where she's had the privilege of working for the past two years. She works one-on-one with a student, providing personalized support to help them navigate their challenges and achieve success. While her primary focus is on that student, she's been fortunate to make connections with many other students along the way. These connections are truly a gift to and they deepen her passion for her role every day.

What she loves most about her job is the opportunity to help students facing unique challenges reach their full potential. She believes that every student can succeed with the right support, and she strives to be a safe, nurturing, and encouraging person for each one. The incredible team at Forest Elementary works together to ensure our students thrive, and Mrs. Ortega is so grateful to be a part of such a supportive and collaborative community. Through her work, she's learned patience, empathy, and understanding—lessons that have made her not only a better paraprofessional but also a more patient and compassionate person and parent.

Working at Forest Elementary has deepened her passion and commitment to helping others. Every day is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference, and she's thankful for the chance to contribute to the growth and development of these amazing students. Ms. Nikki looks forward to continuing to support them and building even more rewarding connections in the years to come.

Congratulations, Mrs. Nikki. Forest is so fortunate to have you on our team.

Under the instruction of Ms. Kruger, the second-grade classes of Miss DeRosia, Mrs. Masters and Mrs. Taft performed a series of Martin Luther King Jr.-inspired songs in front of friends and families in mid-January. With selections like Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round by The Freedom Singers, the students rang in the new year with voices of compassion and peace in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Including a special percussion performance by student Ben Gosselin.

Our district leaders have updated our Strategic Plan for the next 5 years - this plan will be the focal point and road map for all decision making that will be made for instruction, building improvements, staffing, and curriculum changes. After reading, I welcome all input from you on this plan. Strategic Plan Click Here

Our Lost and Found rack is always overflowing with found items. If you feel your child has lost any items, please feel free to check out the items located in the vestibule at the main entrance before or after school.

https://shop.dadsofgreatstudents.com/apparel/