July 30, 2023
Our theme this year is “Believe in the Power of Yet”. Although we don’t have our new arrival/dismissal routines perfect YET, we are seeing improvements every day! Thank you so much for your help. Everyone’s positive attitudes and patience with our new arrival/dismissal system is really helping!
The new procedures have proven to keep traffic flow more efficient on Laurel Drive. For efficiency and safety, we will be using the following procedures and restrictions during arrival and dismissal:
Arrival Our doors open at 8:40. The car rider line will dismiss to the drop off area along the sidewalk at 8:38. Please make sure you pull all the way down past the car rider slots to load. Once staff is on duty, turning left into the car rider lot, or out of the car rider lot will be restricted. This is necessary because our walking students arrive at various times and need assistance crossing from several directions. To keep traffic flow moving, as well as allow our staff to keep those students safe, we do need drivers to adhere to that restriction.
Dismissal Once our walking students begin being dismissed and the car rider line operation begins, the staff member on duty will restrict turning left into the lot when the car line has extended out onto Laurel Drive and/or when a row of cars are being released out of the car rider lot. Please follow the direction of the traffic guard on duty. Turning left out of the car rider lot will be restricted until the traffic guard on duty determines it is safe to return to normal traffic procedures.
We understand that from your perspective in your own car, it may seem inconvenient to follow the traffic restrictions; however, our traffic guards are trained to make restrictions that allow the safety of all vehicles and walking students a priority.
Please share this information with caregivers that may be picking up or dropping off your student.
Our staff is trying their very best to keep safety and efficiency at the forefront but it takes ALL of us working together!
Walkers
In the morning, walkers should not arrive until 8:40. Our crossing guard is at the crosswalk beginning at 8:30. Bike riders have been asked to walk their bikes once on the property. In the afternoon, walkers will be walked to the edge of the school property (the end of the fence) by school staff. If you will be meeting your child as a walker, please wait at the end of the fence. Walkers are only allowed where there are sidewalks, which is basically towards the Riverside subdivision.
Transportation Changes ALL transportation changes must be communicated through the office. Please do not send via dojo. The office will communicate changes to the teachers. We appreciate when appointments are made outside the school day, however, on the occasion that is not possible and you must pick up your child early for an appointment, please be sure to pick them up prior to 3PM. No student will be dismissed from the office after 3PM. This is a change from the information written in our student handbook.
Color Theme Days
Each year we work together as a school community to help our Kindergarteners learn their colors with color theme days. Here is the color theme day schedule for this year:
July 31-Aug 4: M- Red, T- Blue, W- Green, R- Yellow, F- Orange
August 7-11: M-White, T- Brown, W- Purple, R- Black, F- Pink
Attendance
It is super important to establish good attendance habits right from the beginning. Students should attend every day and on time. However, if your child is ill and has to miss school you will need to call the school by 9:30 in the morning. A robo call will go out to all students’ families marked absent if we have not heard from you by 9:30. If your child has a Dr. appointment, please schedule these outside the school day if at all possible or send in a Dr. note. If you have questions over attendance, please contact our Principal Intern Mrs. Terri Stone.
Meals at School:
Breakfast:
Paid $1.75
Reduced $.30
Lunch:
Paid $3.00
Reduced $.40
Please fill out an online Free/Reduced meal application: https://www.nlappscloud.com/
Cross Country
Cross Country is open to any student in grades 3-5 interested in running. The team will be coached by Mrs. Wallace again this year. Practices start Monday for 3rd graders interested. All athletes must have a permission slip completed and final forms completed online. Here are the links for your convenience. These were sent home last week. PRACTICE ENDS AT 4:30!
Chromebook Care
All students are issued a chromebook. K-2 chromebooks stay at school for the most part. Students in grades 3-5 are issued a chromebook that is often carried back and forth to school. Please review with your child the responsibility of taking care of their chromebook. Everything that is typed on their chromebook is their responsibility. Keeping the chromebook in good condition is also the responsibility of the student.
Powerschool
Powerschool access letters have either been sent home or will be soon. Please be sure you have set up a Powerschool account so that you can access your child’s grades on a regular basis. If you need assistance, please call the school office at 812-288-4868.
PTO News: Thank you to our PTO for funding new mural in the gym and the signs out front welcoming students for the first few days of school! We appreciate all you do to make Riverside a GREAT school!
Student Handbook
Please review the student handbook with your child.
Student Rights and Responsibilities 2023-2024.pdf
Upcoming Events:
7/31- 3rd grade CC til 4:45
8/2- 4th grade CC til 4:45
8/4- 5th grade CC til 4:45