Falcon Flyer
February 22, 2016
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 Riverview families,
All teachers at Riverview help students learn and achieve to their full potential in order to prepare them for their future. The Kansas definition of college and career ready advocates for "academic preparation, cognitive preparation, technical and employability skills so that all Kansas students are well rounded and prepared for pathways to postsecondary education or careers." These sets of skills addresses critical thinking through development of decision making skills, thinking creatively about ideas and solutions, and making decisions and using a problem-solving process.
This week marks the beginning of the testing window for students to participate in the Kansas State Assessments. These statewide tests for students in grades 3-5 at Riverview are an academic check-up in English language arts/literacy, mathematics, and science (grade 5). The recently revised testing format better reflects the skills we strive to develop in students which provide better information to help improve teaching practices and target learning.
Some highlights of the new testing format include:
- Technology Enhanced: Some questions are interactive, and a greater variety of technology tools can be provided to eligible students, such as highlighting text, and text-to-speech read-aloud of questions.
- Computer Adaptive: Students receive test questions that help pinpoint what they know and can do at their instructional level of learning. This provides a more precise estimate of student understanding.
- Integrated Context for Tasks: Knowledge is assessed in context of a subject area for science and/or social studies, yet reading, writing, speaking, and listening may also be involved—for example, students are asked to read and analyze informational science texts and then provide open-ended written responses for some questions, rather than selecting from multiple options.
- No Time Limits: Students can take the time they need to do their best.
Please note that the exact testing dates will be shared with you by your classroom teacher if you have a student in grades 3-5. Check in with your child after he or she has completed testing, and ask him or her to share with you some of their experiences with this new assessment approach.
Please visit this link for Testing Tips for optimal performance.
Make it a great week!
Beth Mildren
UPDATE...
Fourth grade is so excited to be raising money for South Sudan. Our bake sale was a huge hit and raised over $700!! We are now close to $1500 total! Our new goal is $6000 to have naming rights on a well. If you haven’t heard about our cause, please check out Salva’s story at waterforsouthsudan.org. We read his story and are so inspired! This week we are planning a coin drive competition. Each grade level will participate. In the office and in each class there will be jars to collect the coins. Students can turn the coins in to their classroom jar or into the office. Coins will add positive points to the total. If you want to add bills, they will subtract from the totals. So you would want to put bills in other grade levels’ jars to reduce their “points.” Fourth graders will be counting the money each day. We’ll update the totals on the announcements daily. The winning grade level will receive a “read-in” during the school day. We will have a primary winner and an intermediate winner. Grades K-2 will get a fourth grade reading buddy to bring them a snack and read with them. Grades 3-5 will get to bring in snacks, pillows, and get to read for 30 minutes. The big winner will be South Sudan. So clean out your sofas and pockets! Let’s help the people of South Sudan get clean water!!
Read Across America Week...
I Love Literacy! Riverview's Literacy Team
Help Wanted...
Looking for a way to earn some extra cash while your students are in school? The Student Nutrition department is looking for people to work in our kitchens under a substitute capacity. Hours would be approximately 10am – 2pm and days are flexible. If you are interested in this opportunity, please apply online at the link below.
Upcoming Dates...
March
- Tuesday, 8th, - 5th Grade Music Program 6:30 PM
- Thursday, 10th, - End of 3rd Quarter
- Friday, 11th, - No School - 1/2 Professional Day, 1/2 Workday
- Monday, 14th - Friday 18th, - No School - Building Closed
- Monday, 21st, - Start of 4th Quarter
- Friday, 22nd, - No School - Professional In-Service Day
EXPLORATORY SCHEDULE
Tuesday, February 23, E Day
Wednesday, February 24 - A Day
Thursday, February 25 - B Day
Friday, February 26 - C Day
Monday, February 29 - D Day
Electronic Flyers
Don’t forget to check out the USD 232 Electronic Flyers webpage for information on events and programs offered by outside agencies. http://www.usd232.org/pages/DeSotoUSD232/DistrictInfo/forms_documents/Electronic_Flyers
* BINGO NIGHT!!! February 26th 6:30 - 8:00 pm - Riverview's Cafeteria.
Mark your calendars now for this FREE, fun, family event!
Volunteers are needed to help set up, clean up, pass out cards and verify Bingos and oversee the prize table. Cookies are also needed!!
If you can help, contact refalconspta@gmail.com with BINGO in the subject line.
*Movies with Mom at B&B Theaters Sunday, February 28th 1:00 pm
We will have a private showing of "Back to the Future” just for RE Moms (moms, step-moms, aunts, grandmas or other significant ladies) and their boys.
*A big thank you to all the girl scout troops and other moms that provided a wonderful luncheon to the teachers and staff on conference day. They truly enjoyed all the yummy soups and salads and treats.
*Mark your calendars for the 2nd annual Riverview Blood Drive. RE PTA is partnering again with the Community Blood Center to host a Blood Drive on March 2nd from 2:00 - 6:30 in the Riverview Gymnasium. More details to come but if you’d like to go ahead and make an appointment to donate, visit www.savealifenow.org and click on "Schedule an Appointment” and enter sponsor code RIVERVIEWPTA. Walk-ins are always welcome too. Thanks for your support for this life saving effort! If you would like to volunteer or provide snacks for the blood drive, sign up here
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090c4dabac2aab9-blood
*If you have any interest in joining the RE PTA Executive Board for the 2016-2017 school year, please send an email to the PTA at refalconspta@gmail.com or contact a current Board Member. Positions include: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership, Communications and Ways & Means (Fundraising). This is a great way to get involved at Riverview.
Upcoming Events
2/26 Bingo Night
2/28 Movies with Mom
2/29 General PTA Meeting 7:00
3/2 Blood Drive
Riverview Elementary PTA
https://www.facebook.com/Riverview-Elementary-PTA-129793298871/timeline/