Riverside School PTA Newsletter |
Friday, October 30th, 2020 |
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BOO BASH DRIVE-IN MOVIE THIS SUNDAY! |
Tickets have sold out to THE GREATEST SHOWMAN. If anyone wishes to relinquish their ticket, please contact Brielle or Kelly. No refunds can be issued at this time. All ticket holders have been sent an email with event details and rules for the night of the event. To check your ticket go to MyAccount>Previous Orders and for detailed instructions, you can also visit the Boo Bash webpage.
Ticket Holders: Inclement weather may once again be making its way through on Sunday, so please keep your eye out for communications from the Boo Bash team.
We also need volunteers before and at the event! Please sign up if you are able! We are looking forward to a safe and fun Halloween event for the kids!
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VIRTUAL HALLOWEEN CANDY GAME: GUESS HOW MANY?? |
Use the powers of math or deduction, pi or circumference calculations, take into account the 30% air or just simply make a wild guess! The student with the closest guess wins the jar!!
Submissions are due by end of day Friday, October 30 and the winner will be announced on Monday, November 2. Go to RIVPTA.ORG to play!
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The Riverside Green Committee thanks you for your generous contributions to Riverside's Costume, Boot & Coat Drive! While all costumes will be donated, please consider attending the BOOT & COAT SWAP. Collected boots and coats will be available for ALL families and staff FOR FREE on:
- Tuesday, November 3 (Election Day - No School) from 8:30am-1:30pm at 32 Hendrie Avenue
- Wednesday, November 4 in front of Riverside School from 8:30-9am and 2:30-3pm. Unclaimed boots and coats will be donated.
Remember to bring your own bag or feel free to purchase a reusable Riverside School tote for $5.
REDUCE, REUSE & RECYCLE!
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THE RIVERSIDE REEL HAS LAUNCHED! |
Invitations for The Riverside Reel were sent out this week and we are happy to see so many of you signing up and enjoying the photos. New albums are being added regularly. If you haven't received your invitation, please check your spam folder or email [email protected].
Our photographers may not be able to capture all the scary moments this Halloween, so if you would like to share photos of your child in costumes, please send photos to [email protected].
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HOLIDAYS FOR HAITI: NOVEMBER 2-16 |
Our third annual Holidays for Haiti community service event will be virtual this year. Riverside School has generously supported Danita’s Children orphanage in the impoverished country of Haiti for the past two years and we look forward to continuing the tradition a little differently this year.
Registration will open on Monday, November 2 and close on Friday, November 16. Students can register to sponsor one (or more) Haitian child(ren) and create personalized holiday cards. Please visit the Holidays for Haiti page on RIVPTA for a full description, video and a step-by-step guide to how this virtual event will work.
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SCHOOL PHOTO RETAKES: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9 |
Photo Retake Day will take place outside on Monday, November 9. If your child was absent on school photo day, please plan to send him/her to this retake day. If you are dissatisfied with your child's portrait and would like to try again, send your child to the retake with the entire, undamaged portrait package. No retakes will be given to parents unless, and until, originals have been returned.
Remote families will have the opportunity to get their photos taken at 8:50am on Monday, November 9, whether your child did not attend the original photo day or you were dissatisfied with your child’s portrait. We will send an update with the location of the retakes ahead of time.
If you have any questions or concerns about your order (late, missing, refunds) please contact Customer Service at CoffeePond directly by calling 1-800-632-2323 ext "0" or via email at [email protected]. If you have any other questions, please contact either Mary Garth or Maureen Stanley.
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RIVERSIDE SCHOOL VIRTUAL BOOK FAIR IS COMING! |
Children in grades 2-5 will get a special virtual reading from the ever-popular Dan Gutman during school hours on Friday, November 20 to coincide with the fair.
Please consider adding to the home library (and imagination) of your little readers, crossing off your holiday book gift-giving shopping list and contributing to your PTA. This year you even have the option to have your books mailed directly to your home (for a $10 fee) or pick them up in person at the school at no charge - all ways to make things easy, impactful and fun!
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ENRICHMENT: VIRTUAL GOVERNMENT ASSEMBLIES |
This week and next, grades K-2 watched a lively video tailored to their grade level on the "rules" that help us govern our school, communities, state and country, as well as the history of our government and the importance of voting. Our 4th and 5th graders were treated to a fun pre-recorded video and a live class about the history of our government, the election process and the three branches of government, as well as the importance of voting.
The programs were created for Riverside School students by a professional storyteller from the CT Storytelling Center. Ask your students What is the Preamble? or Why do we have three branches of government?
Upcoming PTA enrichment program:
November 20: Dan Gutman - author visit (grades 2-5)
These programs are sponsored by the Arts Enrichment Committee of the PTA and were paid for by your generous donations. Thank you!
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Please go to RIVPTA.ORG and follow the steps provided to update your information, including your child(ren)'s new teacher, for the Online Family Directory. Once your info is up-to-date, be sure to join the PTA to gain unlimited access to the directory. The PTA relies on the generosity of our families via our annual Membership Drive. Funds raised go towards student enrichment programs, classroom and building needs, as well as teacher support. If you have moved or have new phone or email information, please let the school office know as well!
Please note that Class Parents will be using contact information provided on the rivpta.org login to communicate to parents this year. And thank you to everyone who has contributed a donation to join the PTA so far - this is an important fundraiser to help us get up and running for the year.
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IN-SCHOOL COVID-19 SYMPTOM PROTOCOL |
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The Nurse’s Office has received many questions about how the school is making decisions about when the school is sending students home. Extra precautions are being taken in order to do our best to keep students in school. Unfortunately, there will be many students sent home this year even though they may have normally been allowed to stay in school and we hope all families will be understanding.
Greenwich Public Schools COVID Symptom Protocol:
- If a student exhibits 1 low risk symptom (fever of 100.4 or greater, congestion/runny nose, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, sore throat, headache, muscle aches) and has had no exposure to a COVID-19 positive person, the student may return to school 24 hours after symptom resolution (without medication for fevers)
- If a student exhibits 2 or more low risk symptoms (see above) or has 1 high-risk symptom (new cough, difficulty breathing, loss of taste/smell) AND has had no exposure to a COVID-19 positive person, the student must be seen by a healthcare provider.
- If the student has a negative PCR swab test for COVID, the student may return to school 24 hours after symptom resolution (without medication for fevers).
- If the student has lab testing and evaluation, or an alternative diagnosis, the student may return to school 24 hours after symptom resolution (without medication for fevers).
- If a student has a positive PCR swab test for COVID, the student may return to school after 24 hours without fever (without medication) AND symptoms improving AND approval of local health department (10-14 days); AND release by the primary care provider will be required
- If a student is exposed to a COVID positive person, the student may return to school 14 days after last contact unless symptoms develop. If symptoms develop, the student must obtain a swab.
Please contact the School Nurse, Melissa Luiso ([email protected]) with any questions.
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GRADE LEVEL ZOOMS WITH MR. WEISS AND MS. KEY |
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We hope that Grades K-4 parents have enjoyed this year’s virtual parent coffees with Mr. Weiss and Ms. Key. The sessions feature a peek inside the school to give parents a sense for what a day at Riverside currently looks like for in-person students. Grade 5 parents should have received a Zoom link from class parents (or Emily Brown for RLS families) for next week's session.
- Grades K-2 – You should have received a link to the session recording from Mr. Weiss
- Grades 3-4 – Mr. Weiss will be sending a link to the session recording shortly
- Grade 5 – Wednesday, November 4 at 9am
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ADVANCED LEARNING PROGRAM WEBINAR ON ZOOM |
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The PowerPoint and recordings of the webinars will be available on the ALP website at
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ORDERING LUNCH (IN-PERSON STUDENTS) |
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Please visit the Lunch Page on rivpta.org for information on submitting lunch orders and a link to the school's order form. Parents must enter any lunch orders at least one full school day in advance so that the kitchen can make sure what is ordered can be provided to students at the start of their lunch time. You can enter your child/children's lunch orders up to FIVE DAYS IN ADVANCE.
CAFE MENU UPDATES:
Please note that next week's menu options will have Bolonga on Tuesday and Chicken on Friday.
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Only eligible bus students are allowed to ride the bus in the afternoon. Non-eligible students are not allowed to ride the afternoon bus due to the Covid restrictions, even for playdates. Other arrangements will have to be made.
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School lunch is FREE for ALL students until December 31
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When dropping off anything in the bin outside please LABEL everything with your child's name and teacher.
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Parents must use School Dismissal Manager when their child will be absent or late for any reason and also if their child will be leaving early. Since parents are not allowed in the building at this time, entering an early dismissal in SDM will take the place of signing them out.
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When you arrive to pick your child up early, please let the office know you're outside waiting. We will not call a student out of class or send them outside until we know the parent is here.
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Picture Retake Day will take place on Monday, November 9. If you have any questions, please contact either Mary Garth or Maureen Stanley.
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So far this year, we have had a number of students come into school with braces/casts and assistive devices. Our District Policy requires all students who need assistive devices, having surgeries, stitches or any injuries, to have a note from their doctor stating cause of injury, date seen, date of removal for PE/Recess. Students will also need another doctor's note to return to all activities.
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HALLOWEEN GUIDANCE FROM THE CT DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH |
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The CT Department of Health has shared guidance for families to celebrate Halloween this year in a safe and healthy manner. Their document includes Halloween activities that are considered safe, activities and events that should be avoided, and guidance for trick-or-treating.
A few important points about face masks from this state’s document:
- A costume mask (such as for Halloween) is not a substitute for a cloth or surgical mask. A costume mask should not be used unless it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers the mouth and nose and does not leave gaps around the face.
- Do not wear a costume mask over a protective cloth or surgical mask because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask.
- Do not wear a costume rubber mask over another face covering of any kind.
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CHECK OUT YOUR BOO GUIDE ON "NEXT DOOR" |
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PTA COUNCIL HEALTH & WELLNESS PARENT PRESENTATION |
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Stiff neck and shoulders? Back pains? Tight all over? Ask yourself, what’s your posture like when you or your kids are using a digital device? Join PTAC Health and Wellness Committee on Tuesday, November 10th at 8:00 pm for a Parent & Student Presentation: Posture Awareness (No Matter What School & Work Looks Like For You). Dr. Elissa Diamond-Fields will offer practical tips and advice on proper posture when using digital devices. Come and learn about some easy and helpful tips to help you and your family stay healthy while studying and working.
Google Meet:
Topic/Time: PTAC Health & Wellness – Posture Awareness Webinar, 11/10/20 8PM EST
Phone Numbers: (US) +1 617-675-4444
PIN: 184 678 913 5625#
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Board of Education meetings are easier to attend now that they take place over Zoom--stay informed! Here is a list of 2020-2021 academic year Greenwich Board of Education meetings. Information on how to access the meetings can be found on the GPS Accessing Virtual BOE Meetings page. All meetings start at 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
- Thursday, November 5, 2020 (Budget)
- Wednesday, November 18, 2020
- Thursday, December 3, 2020 (Budget)
- Thursday, December 17, 2020
- Thursday, January 21, 2021
- Thursday, February 18, 2021
- Thursday, March 25, 2021
- Thursday, April 8, 2021 (Retreat, no public comment)
- Thursday, April, 22, 2021
- Thursday, May 13, 2021(Retreat, no public comment)
- Thursday, May 20, 2021
- Thursday, June 3, 2021
- Thursday, June 17, 2021
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GPS WEEKLY DISTRICT DIGEST |
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Subscribe to receive the Greenwich Public Schools weekly "District Digest" e-newsletter directly to your email inbox.
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Round Hill Volunteer Fire Company Halloween Event
It's not going to be an ideal Halloween for Greenwich kids this year, so the volunteer firefighters at Round Hill Fire Company decided to try and save the day. The Fire Company will be hosting a "Safe but Spooky Haunted Halloween Trail" on Saturday, October 31st from 3-8 pm at its firehouse, located at 166 Old Mill Road in Greenwich. We have received approval for our plans from both the Town and State Health Departments. This is a free event to the community.
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Jackson's SOCKTOBER Sock Drive
Last year, ten-year-old Jackson Bogardus was inspired by the local charity, The Undies Project (a charity that provides underwear to our low-income neighbors) and decided to start a local sock drive, “SOCKTOBER”, for the month of October. Jackson feels this is especially important as we approach the colder months. He also learned that socks are one of the items most needed in homeless shelters so he is collecting new socks for both adults and children and donating them to Inspirica in Stamford. 94 million people in the United States live in or near poverty. That's almost 1 out of every 3. Inspirica is more than just a homeless shelter. Inspirica seeks to break the cycle of homelessness by providing the programs and services that help their clients achieve - and maintain - permanent housing and stability in their lives.
Jackson's SOCKTOBER donation bins can be found throughout the Greenwich community and at his house. In addition, socks can be purchased and donated at Threads and Treads. Please help Jackson reach his goal of collecting 2000 pairs of socks to help those in need this winter and spread the word about SOCKTOBER.
Please call (203) 273-0511 if you have any questions or would like to learn more about Jackson's SOCKTOBER Sock Drive.
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Neighbor to Neighbor Food Donation Drive
Every Thursday at St. Paul's Riverside from 10-11:30am. The need right now is particularly high. Items of greatest need are proteins such as beans, peanut butter and canned tuna, but all non-perishables are gladly accepted and appreciated. Just drive up, pop open your trunk and St. Paul's will get your donations to N2N.
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SUBMISSIONS
Have something to add? Email us at: [email protected] Deadline for submissions is 3pm on Wednesday of the school week
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