Falcon Flyer
December 2018
Riverview Elementary
Website: http://re.usd232.org/pages/re
Location: 21550 West 47th Street, Shawnee, KS, United States
Phone: 913-441-0808
Twitter: @riverviewfalcon
Greetings from the Principal:
Dear Falcon Families,
As you know, our building is in its inaugural year as a Leader In Me school. This is an innovative program that is incredibly valuable to our student population and enriches the entire community! “The Leader In Me” (TLIM) is a program based on the guiding principles of Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. This year staff have begun integrating TLIM concepts into our school day, and students receive leadership and social-emotional learning lessons each week, and during Family Meetings once a month.
As a Leader In Me school this year, we have been provided with professional development, coaching, and classroom resources for our teachers who are passionate about implementing the key paradigms and practices of The Leader in Me. We have greatly appreciated the wide support of this program, thank you to everyone who helped get this off the ground last year! As a parent leader, you have the ability to continue this amazing program here at Riverview with two upcoming opportunities.
End-of-Year Giving 2018
Did you know that nearly 1/3 of all annual giving occurs in the month of December?
In the spirit of collaboration with our community, as parents, you are invited to make a personal end-of-year tax-deductible donation if you so choose! All tax-deductible donations will go toward The Riverview TLIM Fund, which will manage the purchase of an annual The Leader In Me membership. The cost of membership is $37 per year per student. Donations can be made online to the Riverview TLIM Fund with the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation (GKCCF), or with checks payable to “Riverview TLIM.” TLIM Fund link: https://gkccf.kimbia.com/rive06 Though this personal giving option may not be available for everyone, there are many companies and small businesses who have business development, community giving programs, or a goal of “giving back.”
Riverview 2019 "Parents Night Out"
Though it may be cold outside, we are fired up for second semester! Due to the outstanding success of last year's Barn Bash, The Riverview TLIM Committee and the Riverview PTA are teaming up to host the second annual event, "Parents' Night Out" which will have a Mardi Gras theme this year! Funds raised at this event will benefit Riverview and be dispersed evenly between The Leader In Me and the PTA, and will be on Saturday March 2! Tickets will be going on sale early next semester, please save the date and find a sitter! The collaborative student artwork was extremely popular, and will be back this year! Student first names may be included in the artwork. Any parents who wish to have their child opt out of the student artwork need to contact Mrs. Mildren at bmildren@usd232.org by December 19.
If you or your business are interested in donating any goods or services, please email the Riverview TLIM Committee at RiverviewTLIM@gmail.com or reach out on Facebook @Riverview TLIM.
For more information about this event, follow Facebook @Riverview TLIM.
Sincerely,
Beth Mildren
Principal
December 19 Community Service Day
Parents, if you are willing to cut the strips along the fleece fabric edges, please stop by the front office. We have fabric scissors to be used and lots of fleece to cut! We are hoping to have 40 blankets ready in total. Fleece can be taken home if you have your own fabric scissors and would rather do so at home than at school. Thank you in advance for your service!
The second part of the Community Service day will be the gathering, sorting, and donating of nonperishable items to the De Soto Food Pantry. Please join us in collecting non-perishable food and supplies for the De Soto Food Pantry. We have themed days next week but please feel free to send in any donations on any days through December 19!
- Macaroni Monday--pastas, sauce, mac & cheese, SpaghettiOs, canned pasta meals, etc.
- Taco and Tuna Tuesday--boxed dinner meals, canned tuna and chicken, shells, etc.
- Wipe 'em Wednesday--toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies, etc.
- Toiletry Thursday--shampoo, toothpaste, soap, etc.
- Favorite Friday--peanut butter, cereal and cereal bars, snack crackers, etc.
Food Drive to benefit the De Soto Food Pantry
Macaroni Monday--pastas, sauce, mac & cheese, SpaghettiOs, canned pasta meals, etc.
Taco and Tuna Tuesday--boxed dinner meals, canned tuna and chicken, shells, etc.
Wipe 'em Wednesday--toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies, etc.
Toiletry Thursday--shampoo, toothpaste, soap, etc.
Favorite Friday--peanut butter, cereal and cereal bars, snack crackers, etc.
Help Wanted!
MHED Substitute Teacher Staffing Solutions is looking for Substitute Teachers for all schools in the De Soto School District!
If you enjoy working with children, getting paid every week and having the freedom to choose your own schedule, this is a terrific opportunity for you.
Check out the requirements to become a substitute teacher with MHED, or call 866.923.6433 to get more information.
Holiday Assistance
Johnson County Christmas Bureau
(913) 941-4342
http://www.jccb.org/
Requirement: Family income is below 150% of the poverty line and reside in Johnson County, Kansas. Application required.
Holiday shop is Nov. 30- Dec. 8.
North West Multi Service Center of Johnson County
(913) 715-8800
2415 W. 87th St. Parkway, Suite #200, Lenexa, KS 66215
https://www.jocogov.org/dept/human-services/outreach/north-central-multi-service-center
Appointment required to discuss outreach services provided.
*Families may request assistance from one of the above agencies.
De Soto Food Pantry
32905 W. 84th St., De Soto, KS
Hours: Tuesday 10:00am-12:00 pm, Thursday 4:00pm-6:00pm
Saturday 9:00-11:00 am
Bring photo id and/or current public utility bills or school registration document. No income limits or restrictions.
Clients my visit the pantry twice in each calendar month.
On Deck: Upcoming December Events
Monday, December 10-Friday, December 14- Food drive to benefit the De Soto Food Pantry
Friday, December 14- Class Winter parties 3:00
Wednesday, December 19- 1/2 day of school, dismissal at 12:10
NO SCHOOL Dec. 20-January 6.
AWARD WINNERS READING PROGRAM
All students K-5 can participate in the Award Winners Reading Program here at Riverview! Each quarter students who turn in a reading log to Mrs. Hallier with the 10 books they have read will be recognized at our Student Recognition Assemblies. More information can be found on Mrs. Hallier’s website at https://riverviewlibrary.weebly.com/ or on the front side of the Award Winners Reading Log 2018-2019 at https://riverviewlibrary.weebly.com/uploads/1/9/2/8/19287083/reading_log_2018-2019.pdf Happy Reading!
Winter Holidays Around the World
The holiday season is full of lights, decorations, celebrations and a spirit of giving. Beginning in late November and concluding in early January, this time of year offers endless opportunities for feasting, gathering and reflecting on prosperity, gratitude and goodness. Holiday celebrations around world recognize the changing seasons, honor religious miracles, and promote cultural heritage. This joyful season has even been called the most wonderful time of the year.
This month, Riverview’s Diversity Committee invites you to join us as we take a tour of winter holidays, traditions and rituals from around the world. Taking time to learn about just a few of them could be invaluable to gaining a better understanding of the world.
No matter which holidays you celebrate this year, from our families to yours, happy holidays and happy New Year!
Holiday Celebrations Around the World
Christmas: Celebrated all around the world, Christmas falls on December 25th each year and is rooted in Christianity. The word “Christmas” literally means “Christ’s Mass,” and is central to the Christian liturgical year. Furthermore, it is a civil holiday in many of the world’s nations and an integral part of the Christmas and holiday season. Celebratory decorations typically include “decking the halls” with holm, ivy, and other greens, and nativity scenes are popular in several countries. And of course, a Christmas tree decorated with lights and ornaments is usually a staple to the house, particularly in the United States.
Hanukkah: Chanukah, which has many different transliteration spellings (you’ve already seen two), is an eight-day Jewish holiday that celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabean Revolt (2nd century BCE). The holiday is observed for eight nights and days, and because it starts on the 25th day of Kislev on the Hebrew Calendar, it can fall anywhere from late November to late December on the Gregorian calendar.
Hanukkah rituals include the lighting of the Menorah, which consists of 9 candles in a holder. One candle is lit on each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, and the center candle is used for lighting the others. Other Hanukkah family customs include singing Hanukkah songs, reciting Psalms, and, especially in North America and Israel, exchanging presents.
Kwanzaa: This is a week-long holiday celebrated in communities in the United States and Canada, as well as in the Western African Diaspora to honor African heritage in African-American culture. Created by Maulana Karenga in 1966, it is observed from December 26-January 1, and ultimately ends with a feast and the exchange of gifts. There are seven core principles that are celebrated during Kwanzaa, including unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Celebration of Kwanzaa can include colorful household decorations with art and African cloth, readings and reflection of the African Pledge, and a candle-lighting ceremony with a kinara (which holds just two less candles than the Menorah!)
Las Posadas: With its origins in Spain, Las Posadas is a nine-day celebration that is now primarily celebrated in Mexico, Guatemala, and parts of the Southwestern United States. The roots of this holiday are in Catholicism but several different branches of Christian Latinos follow the tradition. During the celebration, a procession moves from house to house with a candle inside a paper lampshade, stopping at each home to sign and pray. Eventually, the procession ends at a home or church, and the celebration continues with caroling, feasting, and pinata breaking!
Eid-al-Adha
Also referred to as the Feast of the Sacrifice, Eid-al-Adha is an important Islamic holiday celebrated to honor a sacrifice made by the prophet Abraham. Last year, the holiday took place in late October, but the date greatly varies depending on the Islamic lunar calendar. To celebrate, families traditionally dress in their finest clothing to perform prayer in a large congregation or mosque and even make their own sacrifices as a symbol of Abraham’s sacrifice. This food is shared with friends, neighbors, and the poor, to ensure that none are without a chance to partake in the holiday feast.
Diwali
This past year, this five-day Hindu festival began on November 13th and is an official holiday in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar, among others. The festival is also referred to as the “festival of lights” and celebrates both the attainment of nirvana by Mahavira (an Indian Sage), as well as a Death Anniversary of Swami Dayanand (Hindu religious leader).
The word “Diwali” is a contraction of a word translating to “row of lamps,” as the holiday involves the lighting of small clay lamps to symbolize the victory of good over evil. Firecrackers are burst and, during the festival, all those celebrating wear new clothes and share sweets with family and friends.
St. Lucia Day
To honor this third-century saint on December 13, many girls in Sweden dress up as "Lucia brides" in long white gowns with red sashes, and a wreath of burning candles on their heads. They wake up their families by singing songs and bringing them coffee and twisted saffron buns called "Lucia cats."
New Year
In Ecuador, families dress a straw man in old clothes on December 31. The straw man represents the old year. The family members make a will for the straw man that lists all of their faults. At midnight, they burn the straw man, in hopes that their faults will disappear with him.
Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year is observed in many countries that follow lunar calendars, including Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore, China, Malaysia, and more. Lunar New Year can be celebrated in January, February, March, April, September, or November, depending on the lunar calendar, but February and April are the most common times. Lunar New Year traditions vary from culture to culture. Some examples include exchanging red envelopes or silk pouches containing money, setting off fireworks, playing games, eating traditional dishes, cleaning the house, and holding parades with colorful costumes.
Sources:
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/holidays-sampler-around-world/
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/holidays-sampler-around-world/
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