RIVERSIDE REVIEW
12.20.2019
Counseling Office-quarterly newsletter
Report Cards
Quarter 2 report cards will be posted on Tuesday, January 14th.
Your child’s PE class will be participating in the Creating Positive Relationships curriculum during January and February rotations. Please review the curricula summary provided below. (Parents have the option to opt-out at any time during the school year, before lessons are taught.)
6th grade curriculum-Building Healthy Futures
Students are taught what to expect as they progress through puberty: physical, emotional, social and mental changes. They learn about the reproductive system anatomy, the steps of physical affection, delaying gratification, and the importance of choosing friends that encourage good decision making. Students also learn how STIs are spread and any myths they may believe are dispelled. Students are shown how HIV effects the immune system. Porn is defined, and it is explained how it provides no health benefit. Students receive a booklet for note taking and they are encouraged to share each day’s lesson with their parent/guardians.
Parents have the right to review the material before lessons are taught at school.
More detailed information is available in a Parent Webinar at:
cpr4teens.org/parents/webinar-info/
If you do not wish your child to participate in these lessons, please speak with the teacher before you exclude your child. These lessons provide great discussion starters for the parent/guardian and child about relationships.
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Back by popular demand, the 3rd Annual Launch(ed) Women in Technology will be offered twice – Feb. 24 and Feb. 25, 2020 and will be held at Launch Fishers. See attached for the Save the Date. For updates on the program, follow us on Twitter @Launched_WiT and check back on the website for more information: go.iu.edu/launchedwit
The Launch(ed) Women in Technology conference aims to inspire girls in middle school (6th, 7th and 8th grade) to purse their interest in science, technology, engineering and math. It offers a chance for young women to interact with tech products and connect with professionals to introduce opportunities in STEM.
During the event, the students learn how robots are built, experience a virtual reality flight simulator, see innovative products such as a 3D printer in action and meet professionals from a variety of career paths including art, medical, engineering and more.
Who is YMI?
Local non-profit, YMI - Youth Mentoring Initiative, has been serving the Fishers community, in partnership with Hamilton Southeastern Schools, since 2008. YMI partners with our schools to come alongside counselors, teachers, and parents by providing another caring adult to support and encourage the success of each student. YMI Mentors are adult volunteers that mentor once a week, for one hour, during the school day. Mentors meet one-on-one with students to provide them with a caring and consistent presence in their lives; become a reliable friend; a role model; and simply someone they can count on. Founded on the knowledge that kids need 4-6 non-parental adults supporting them through their developmental years, mentoring can have a profound impact on a child’s life!
YMI mentors are a vital resource not only to HSE Schools initiatives to further the social and emotional well-being of their students but also to parents looking for additional support. Every week, approximately 300 mentors visit students in Fishers schools, offering encouragement and being an example of why Fishers continues to excel in the quest for a vibrant community!
YMI mentoring is currently offered in the following nine schools: Fall Creek Intermediate, Fall Creek Junior High, Fishers Junior High, Fishers High School, Hamilton Southeastern Intermediate Junior High, Hamilton Southeastern High School, Riverside Intermediate, Riverside Junior High, Sand Creek Intermediate. Mentoring times vary according to the students schedule and can be accommodating to the mentor’s work schedule! If you have an hour a week to spend with a student, we’d love for you to consider joining us! Students can be recommended by counselors, teachers and parents by completing a recommendation form on the YMI website. Learn more about becoming a mentor or financially supporting our work by visiting us online at www.ymionline.org.
YMI is changing the world, one student at a time.
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Does your student need a tutor?
- Ms. Samantha James -5th/6th - Math - starting Winter-before school - $30/hr sjames@hse.k12.in.us
- Mrs. Heather Morrison - 5th/6th - Lang. Arts/Study Skills - before school 6:50-7:25a - $35/ hour hmorrison@hse.k12.in.us
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AskRose
PTO News
PTO Meeting Dates
December 4
February 5
March 4
April 1
*All meetings will begin at 6:30 pm
2019-20 PTO Officers
Vice President - Sarah Reed
Treasurer - Teresa Jones
Secretary - Stephanie Koski
Members at Large -
Joscelyn Moore
Janet Pritchett
Stacey Schwarz
Amy Wineinger
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We are starting to plan for the RSI Carnival!
If you or someone you know owns a business or can donate an item(s), gift certificates or services, please reach out to our carnival committee or PTO. Thank you for your kindness and any donations!
Donations may be sent to:
Melissa (Mel) Gray
13208 Nottingham Rd.
Fishers, IN 46038
OR contact:
Susie Strange
317.502.5227
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New Box Top Information
AMERICA'S SCHOOLS LOVE BOX TOPS!
For over 20 years, Box Tops for Education has given families an easy way to earn cash for their school, with products they already buy.
Now you can simply scan your store receipt with the Box Tops mobile app to identify participating products and instantly add cash to your school's earnings online.
Please use this link to learn more!
https://www.boxtops4education.com/
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What to do if you suspect a disability/Child Find:
If your child is age 2 ½ through 21, attends any school within the Hamilton Southeastern Schools boundaries or you live in our community, and you suspect your child may have a disability, you should contact us for more information.
· For children at least two and a half years of age, but not yet age-eligible for kindergarten, you should contact the Early Childhood Assessment Team at Brooks School Elementary School, 915-4250.
· For students who are eligible for kindergarten through age 21, you should contact your child’s teacher, school counselor or building administrator to discuss your concerns and explore the steps to be taken. If your child is not enrolled in public school, you should contact the counselor or building administrator in the building your child would attend if enrolled.
What to do if you suspect a disability/Child find
Response-to-Instruction (RtI)
RtI is a general education initiative designed to provide high quality instruction and interventions matched to student needs, and using learning rate over time and level of performance to make important educational decisions. The RtI model is based on a three-tiered model of service delivery with a focus on early intervention and prevention of academic and behavioral concerns. Data collected during this process provides valuable information regarding students’ educational progress and response to interventions. Students who do not demonstrate a response to well-implemented, scientifically-based interventions at the Tier 3 level would be referred for an educational evaluation to determine eligibility for special education. RtI is a component of HSE’s Child Find Process.
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Student Handbook
All HSE Schools student handbooks (K-12) are now online for easier access. The handbook for Riverside Intermediate School can be found at this link: https://rsi.hseschools.org/MediaLibraries/RSI/RSI-Documents/Student-Handbook-19-20.pdf.pdf
We encourage you to review it at your earliest convenience. Should you have any questions, please contact the RSI main office at 317-594-4320. Our staff is available to assist you. Have a great school year!
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NWEA Testing
Hamilton Southeastern Schools will no longer be administering NWEA in the spring. Our students in grades 3-8 now participate in ILEARN testing in the spring. Your child will continue to participate in NWEA testing in fall and winter. Winter NWEA testing will run from January 21, 2020 – February 7, 2020. Teachers use this information to help plan for students’ instructional needs. This testing will also be used in part to identify students in need of high ability services. More information about identification for high ability services can be found at https://www.hseschools.org/academics/intervention-acceleration/high-ability Your child’s teacher will be happy to answer any questions you may have about NWEA testing.
HSE Report it!
As you know, Hamilton Southeastern Schools has benefitted over the years from a “Text-a-Tip” service to provide anonymous information to the district. We wanted to let you know that we have launched “HSE Report It!”, a new school safety mobile reporting app that allows students, staff and community members to provide anonymous information about concerns for their own safety or the safety of others. HSE Report It! replaces Text-A-Tip product, which is going out of service.
We believe that HSE Report it!, which can be downloaded via Google Play or the Apple App Store, provides enhanced reporting capabilities. It’s anonymous and reports are made exclusively through the mobile app. Plus, unlike SMS text reports, HSE Report it! will have no length limitations or the need to remember a short code. Reporters can attach photos, screenshots, videos, documents and/or audio recordings to their concerns and they can engage in a two-way dialogue with a real person.
Reports are monitored by HSE building and district administration and the school resource officers (SROs).
The new HSE Report It! app will be an important resource for our community to submit anonymous tips when they wish to report concerns for their safety and the safety of others. Please encourage your family to download the app and be aware that this resource is now available to use when needed.
Updating Skylert
Riverside Info You Should Know …..
Our goal is to keep our parents/guardians informed of the events and policies at RSI. Please read the information below and call the school office with any questions. Thanks for being such a vital part of making Riverside Intermediate a special school.
Ø Skyward allows parents to access students’ grades from teachers’ electronic grade books. https://sis.hse.k12.in.us/scripts/wsisa.dll/WService=wsEAplus/seplog01.w
Ø Skylert will be used as the primary communication tool between the HSE school district and students, parents and staff for emergency situations (for example: school delays or closings). It will also be used for attendance and general information as well throughout the year to notify parents about important information, upcoming events, or milestones. Skylert is a tab in your current Family Access view. From there, you will be able to view your information and add any additional contact information for emergency messages.
Ø iPads are required for all students in the 5th and 6th grade to expand our HSE21 curriculum. Families have the choice of purchasing an iPad on their own or they may choose to rent the iPad through the school. Please visit our HSE21 website at https://www.hseschools.org/academics/technology-classroom for more information.
Ø The Riverside Review is our weekly newsletter that is sent out via Skylert. It is also posted on our website at https://rsi.hseschools.org/happenings/newsletters. It is full of important information and scheduled activities.
Ø Our Calendar is on our website with the most up to date information. https://www.hsecalendars.org/public/genie/752/school/13/
Ø School Attendance is extremely important. The school attendance line is 317-594-4328. Parents are requested to notify the school by telephone by 9:00 am on the day of the absence. Not until the 2nd day of absence may the parent request to pick up homework. Homework will not be gathered for one day absences. See the student handbook for the detailed attendance policy. Assignments are also posted on Canvas.
Ø The Tardy Bell rings at 7:35 am. A parent must sign in the student when they arrive after the 7:35 am tardy bell in the main office. If your student is going to be late to school or absent from school, please call our attendance line at 317-594-4328.
Ø Change of Transportation/ Early Dismissal requires a note sent to school with your student. Be sure to include your student’s full name. Your student should give the note to their homeroom teacher first thing in the morning. This will advise the office of a change. The dismissal bell rings at 2:45pm Tuesday through Friday. Monday dismissal is at 2:25pm.
Ø All Cell Phones are to be off and secured in student lockers during the school day. Their use during the school day is forbidden. Cell phones will be confiscated if visible during the school day. All confiscated cell phones must be picked up by a parent.
Ø To be Excused from Participation in PE, students MUST have a doctor’s note stating why he/she cannot participate and for how long the student should be excused. A parental note may be used for one day only.
Ø Safe Visitor Background Checks MUST be on file with the school before a parent is allowed to volunteer in the classroom, have lunch with a student, or go on a field trip. Background checks are valid for 3 years.
Ø Address Changes must be reported to the main office and require proof of residency. Refer to the HSE website for acceptable documents. https://www.hseschools.org/HSE/media/HSE-District-Documents/enrollment/proof_of_residency_1.pdf
Ø Golden Hawk of the Month is the character education program at RSI. Students will be recognized for displaying any of HSE’s nine positive character traits throughout the year by earning a poster and a prize!
Ø The Counselors at RSI loop with the students. Therefore, your student will have the same counselor for 5th and 6th grade. Individual counseling, group counseling, classroom guidance, and character education are all services provided by the counselors at RSI.
Ø Lunch is $2.70. Breakfast is $1.25. Checks may be made payable to RSI. Please include student ID number on the check. You may also use your debit or credit card to pay for lunch online through eFunds.
Ø Canvas is a tool teachers use to distribute important information, submit assignments, and more. Students use the same credentials for Canvas as they use to log into the computers at school.
Ø RSI Positive Behavior Program is our school-wide student discipline plan that supports the Riverside Way ~ Responsibility, Service, and Integrity. Each student will receive their own RSI Card to be housed in their assignment notebook. The card will be utilized as a behavior data tracking device, as well as a school to home communication piece. Student Scholarship and Citizenship will be the focus of our plan, and will be outlined on the RSI Card. Students will be rewarded for excellence in these areas on a consistent basis throughout the school year. Consequences will be assigned to students who earn multiple infractions in Scholarship or Citizenship, as outlined in the RSI Positive Behavior Plan.
Ø Students Fees will be assessed one-time per school year. The fees will cover the cost of textbook rental, consumable and material fees. The fee is based on a student’s schedule/courses taken. Fees are assigned in the fall near the end of August with payment due in October. These fees are in addition to the rental fee for an iPad.
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Contact information:
RIVERSIDE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL
11014 Eller Road ♦ Fishers, IN ♦ 46038
317.594.4320 (phone) 317.594.4328 (attendance) 317.594.4329 (fax)