Riverside Community Connection
Week of December 11th
Power in Partnerships
And while we've been working very hard to quantify and measure our collective efforts in traditional ways, it's nearly impossible to measure the continual commitment of all the people who choose to walk through the doors of Riverside Central Elementary School regularly. From our endlessly committed educators and support staff both inside and outside of our building, to our students and families, our volunteers, cabinet members, school board members, and of course our dedicated community partners.
As the Every Student Succeeds Act State Plan states in big bold letters,
The work reflects a vision of a well-rounded education on system where all children succeed. In order to raise achievement and eliminate predictable disparities between student groups, Minnesota’s system must be equitable, coherent and meaningfully guided by students, families and educators." We are on this important journey together and we need our stakeholders to ask the hard questions, provide input and expertise.
It takes a village. We thank you for being a part of ours.
If you are a parent, community member, staff or community partner and would like to be a part of guiding our community school, consider attending our monthly Family and Community Engagement Team. Please email licasper@rochester.k12.mn.us
Riverside 5th Grade and Heart of Dance
My School Board Presentation
By Hassen Alston
On Tuesday night I got to present to the school board about my experience with Heart of Dance.
I wrote my speech, I practiced it and was excited to share it at the School Board Meeting. After ASA I rushed home. I got dressed in my nice shirt and green bow tie. I got on the computer becuase I had the address in my email. I was kind of nervous and scared because it was lost! But me and my uncle made a plan and we found out the address. My uncle said, "okay, I know where that is." He searched it up on the map and we found it!
I arrived a little late. I was sad at first because I thought I couldn't say anything, and I was really looking forward to it. But luckily Mr. Ruzek asked Mr. Munoz so I got to present after all.
It was a very happy experience because I found out that other people would be happy to hear what I have to say.
Data
Yoga Tribe and Riverside 1st Graders
Yoga Supports Self-Regulation
At Riverside and throughout the district we have been exploring social and emotional learning and the direct connection to school and day-to-day learning readiness. Through our grade level partnerships, and specifically through yoga, we are providing our students with strategies to manage stress so that daily learning can occur.
It's worth noting that none of these efforts would matter if we didn't have a truly committed group teachers, administrators, support staff and a strong collaborative relationship with our community partners. Our collective expertise, connection to content and transfer to home is critical. We are so thankful for ALL the people who help pull this off including those less often recognized like our office and maintenance staff. Huge thanks to all!
"This is why yoga, breathing and meditation are helpful in schools, because they teach a child how to bring their resting heart rate down." - Dr. Mark Sander, Creating Trauma Sensitive Schools, Midwest Trauma-Informed Schools Conference
Social/ Emotional Learning
Unpredictability
Self-Care
Measuring the Impacts of Yoga
PTA, Mathnasium and Riverside STEM Night!
Riverside was delighted to have won the 2017 National PTA STEM + Families Math Grant, sponsored by Mathnasium. The grant was written by the Riverside PTA and was one of only 35 chosen out of over 1,000 entries nationally.
As a result, a few weeks ago, Riverside students, staff, families, volunteers, community members and our strong PTA came together for dinner and a wonderful STEM Game Night.
The Riverside PTA was proud to serve dinner for nearly 400 people and watch as our community enjoyed dozens of thoughtful games.
Thanks as usual to our incredible community for coming together for a great STEM Family Night!
Riverside's School Forest Designation with the DNR!
On Tuesday evening, one of our 4th grade students joined Riverside staff to do just that. Bianca Opdahl shared her experience and hands-on academic connections to outdoor learning with the school board. She talked about rock color and hardness and then passed around the rock she had collected near the Bear Creek with geologist Jeff Green and Naturalist Sara Holger. Of course, Bianca lit up the room.
Now our students get the exciting task of reading and researching native plant species for our outdoor classroom, connecting with science, reading and math standards. They will get to design our outdoor space with the help of a forester, other DNR staff and community partners.
Mark your calendar for May 4, 2018 when we'll hold our second annual Garden Party, this time focusing around the garden AND our school forest! Perhaps you can adopt a tree!
DNR Visit and Winter Safety
We are proud to empower our students with Minnesota relevant life skills, particularly this week as the Post Bulletin reported an ice related death in northern Minnesota.
Students (and adults) learned that ice needs to be at least 4 inches before stepping foot on it. They also learned that black ice is dangerous ice.
Riverside Community School (Riverside Central Elementary)
Check out what's current more about what's current at Riverside CE Community School at #RVgratitude on twitter.
Email: licasper@rochester.k12.mn.us
Location: 506 5th Ave SE, Rochester, MN 55904, United States
Phone: 507-328-3690
Twitter: @lida_casper