The Riverwalk Roar
August 18, 2019
Note from Dr. Compton
Pride,
It's finally here. We survived the summer and the new school year starts on Wednesdsay. We are looking forward to seeing each of you later this week. The staff are pumped and we'll be ready. We've been working hard over these past few weeks preparing to make the 2019 - 2020 school year the best on record.
Here are a few statistics that I'd like to share about the upcoming school year:
- 88% of our students are returning from the previous school year. Of those who have left us, 91% stated that they would recommend Riverwalk Academy to a friend.
- We had 91% of our staff are returning to us from the previous school year.
- We are anticipating gaining 190 new students this year, which puts us at more than 540 students.
Pride, I know these next few days will be filled with mixed-emotions, for both your child and you. I'm sure the same can be said about our staff. However, we'll make it. I promise that we will. This year, our staff motto is "be brave." I've asked our staff to choose courage over comfort. What I'm asking each staff member to "lower their armor" and to create a space in their classroom where the staff and students are free to be brave and to try new things. I want staff to and students to believe in their self-worth and I want them to achieve what they thought was impossible. I want every member of our Pride to feel loved and feel like they belong.
Parents, over these next few days, there are few things you can do to help your child transition back to the routine of school. You can help their mindset by considering the following:
Establish good routines. Systems, habits, and routines can prevent frantic decision making. When we make clear decisions in advance about how we will do things, we keep ourselves from being stressed and frustrated. Do you have an evening routine to get everyone (and yourself) to bed in a timely fashion so you get the sleep you need? Is everyone on the same page about what they do from the time they wake up to the time they get out the door? Make the list and post it so everyone can see the expectations.
Seek to understand before being understood. There may be new ways of doing things with us. You may think, "I never had to do that in a previous school." Most always, there is a reason the procedure or policy is in place. You are always free to ask for our "why." We certainly may have missed something and may need to rethink it. "Help me to understand...." is a great sentence starter. We're here, just ask.
Encourage independence. Wednesday will be the next appropriate developmental step for your child and for you as a parent. I generally find that our kids can do way more (and way better) than what I expect. Know that if they cry when you leave (or when they get out of the car), it usually lasts a minute or two and then they are off to the next adventure. Change always brings growth. We all need encouragement to see the next challenge and then strive to meet it. I'd like to encourage each of you to wait next week before coming-in for lunch. This will give your child some time to learn to get to know each other and the routines.
Ask, "what if every parent/staff member did that?" What if every parent parked in the wrong place? What if every staff member was late? What if every parent sent an email every day? What if every staff member had that particular need? There are times, like emergencies, safety situations, or significant health issues when we need to ask for an exception. We all have been there. We understand. But that should be a rare occurrence. On the other hand, remember that whatever we put in place is for our greater good so that teachers can effectively teach and so that children can effectively learn.
"It" will get better. Know that arrival and dismissal will be a little hectic and crazy on Wednesday. I know it will be better. It will be better on Thursday, and even better on Friday. All of us will be learning how to help each other turn average into good and good into better and better into best. Whatever "it" is, I promise "it" will get better. Let's all be patient with and supportive of each other in this process.
On behalf of the Riverwalk Academy Pride, I would like to thank you ahead of time for all that you have done, are doing, and will do to help Riverwalk Academy have a good start.
School-Wide Information
Thank You Pride
Dismissal Process
Lions, here are a few reminders about afternoon dismissal. We've also included a map that has additional information.
- Please be patient these first few days. Not only do we have new families who are trying to navigate our process, but we have young students who are new to this too.
- If your child is not at the location when you are, please don't panic. We didn't misplace your child and we'll get them out to you ASAP. Sometimes students miss hearing their name/number called over the loudspeaker.
- Please stay in the line/location that you've been placed in. For elementary school families (who do not have siblings), we have a system that moves 12 cars at a time. It was efficient last year, but we run into issues when a car gets out of their assigned lane/spot.
- We have two color tags: blue (elementary students who do not have middle/high school siblings) and Black (middle/high school students). Please know which color you have.
- All students need to load from the passenger side of the car. Students may not go around the front or back to the driver side.
- Remember, any person picking up an elementary school student must have a car tag assigned to that child. Anyone without a car tag will be asked to park and come inside with a drivers license. Even if we "know you," we'll be asking you to park to come inside. This is for the protection of everyone: child, parent, and staff.
- When in doubt, please look to one of us for instructions.
For Elementary Families (who do not have a middle/high school sibling):
- Enter the campus and follow the “Blue Lions."
- Some of you will get a red and green tag on your car - don't worry. That just helps us keep everyone in groups of 12. Red tags will end up being car 1 in the group and green tags mean you're car 7. Again, don't worry about these tags, this is for us.
- After you've loaded, you can move when the car ahead of you moves. Please do not move into the left lane.
- Please be patient with us and each other during these first few days.
For Middle/High Families:
- Please fight the urge to show up before 2:45 pm.
- You'll enter the campus on the left side (following the black lions).
- You'll be held in the "black lane" queue until 3:00 pm. At 3:00 pm, we'll release these cars into the car loop
- Please be patient with us and each other during these first few days.
Car Tag (for parent pick-up)
Car tags were mailed home last week for our elementary school students. We're allowing each family to request one additional car tag, at no cost. However, they have to be requested through our school store. If more than 2 tags are needed for the same family, they can be purchased for $5.00 each, for the same link.
Remember, any person picking up an elementary school student must have a car tag for that child. Anyone without a car tag will be asked to park and come inside with a drivers license. Even if we "know you," we'll be asking you to park to come inside. This is for the protection of everyone: child, parent, and staff.
Spirit Wear
Pride, we have some spirit wear in stock and ready to be delivered. Visit our online school store to place your order. We do have limited sizes on a few of the items. Orders placed by 8 pm tonight will be ready for pick-up on Monday. Orders placed after 8 pm, and items not picked up on Monday will be delivered to the child on Wednesday, for the first day of school.
School Lunch
Lunch orders for next week (21st and 22nd), will need to be made tonight.
For lunches during the week of the 26th, you'll need to place orders by Thursday of the week before. This will be the normal routine moving forward.
Lions' Den: Before and Afterschool Programing
Pride, if you are interested in your child participating in our Lions' Den program, which allows your child to be dropped off between 6:30 am and 7:30 am and allows them to stay until 6:00 pm daily, you'll want to sign-up for Lions' Den. You'll sign-up by visiting this site and if you pay your annual registration fee by Monday, August 19th, you'll save 50% of the annual registration fee. All returning families who wish to re-enroll in Lions’ Den will need to complete a new registration form. For more questions about the Lions' Den, please contact Ms. Rojas.
Elementary School News
Kindergarten's First Day of School
- August 21st (1st day of school)
- August 22nd (no school)
- August 23rd (normal "Friday" school day)
Kindergarten students with last names that begin with N - Z
- August 21st (no school)
- August 22nd (1st Day of School)
- August 23rd (normal "Friday" school day)
1st through 5th Grade
The first day of school is Wednesday, August 21st.
Make sure you take your "my first day of . . ." photo.
Class Rosters and Meet the Teacher
Elementary school "meet the teacher" (K - 5th) will be on Monday, August 19th from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm. Families are encouraged to bring any school supplies with them at this time. This is a drop-in type of event, so please stop by anytime from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
Aloha Sno will be onsite giving away shaved ice to all who attend.
Elementary Summer Reading
Congratulations on making it to summer! We are excited for the 2019-2020 school year! As part of our endeavor to make sure all students are ready for a successful school year, all new and returning students in kindergarten - 5th grade will be encouraged to read over the summer by using a Summer Reading Bingo sheet. As you know, reading during the summer is a great way to increase a student’s love for reading and a great way to support each student as a growing reader. The Summer Reading Bingo sheet will provide students with creative places and different choices for reading during the summer. Students will use the Summer Reading Bingo sheet to track their reading progress during the summer months. For each completed task or activity, students will color or check each box on the Summer Reading Bingo sheet and write the title of the book in the box. All Summer Reading Bingo Sheets will be due the first day of school, August 21st, 2019. All students who complete the Summer Reading Bingo sheet will receive a Scholastic gift certificate. Kindergarten - 2nd Grade BINGO
Middle School News
Class Rosters and Meet the Teacher
Middle school class schedules (6th - 8th) were mailed home on Monday, August 12, 2019. If you have not received your schedule yet, please contact Ms. Mabey.
Aloha Sno will be onsite giving away shaved ice to all who attend.
Rising 7th Graders: Tdap vaccine
We wanted to send out a quick reminder about a South Carolina DHEC required immunization for rising 7th graders. SC Law requires all 7th through 12th-grade students to have a dose of Tdap vaccine. The Tdap vaccine protects students from tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (also known as whooping cough). This vaccine has been required for South Carolina's schools since 2013. This is a State Law and not something that charter schools are exempt from.
If you are a 7th grader and you have not received your schedule, it could be that we do not have a copy of your Tdap vaccine on file.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Nurse Donna, Riverwalk Academy's School Nurse via email (djeffers@riverwalkacademy.com). For more information about immunization requirements, visit SC's DHEC Vaccinations page or call your child’s medical provider. SC DHEC link for immunization requirements:
http://www.scdhec.gov/Health/Vaccinations/VaccinesNeededforSchoolAdmission/.
Middle School Summer Reading
- 6th Grade - Click Here
- 7th Grade English - Click Here
- 8th Grade English - Click Here
- 8th Grade English 1 (for high school credit) - Click Here
High School News
Class Schedules
Class schedules are available for pick up. Parents can also log into the parent portal to view their child's high school schedule.
We'd like to give a shout out to all the parents who made it to our 9th-grade orientation and new to Riverwalk high school event on Friday. It was great seeing so many of you and meeting many of our new students.
If you have any questions, please contact your child's teacher for specific questions, or reach out to Mr. Graham.
School Supplies
Summer Reading
- 9th Grade English 1- click here
- 10th Grade English 2 - click here
- 10th Grade English 3/ENG 101 - click here
Student Drivers
10th grade students may be eligible to drive/park at Riverwalk Academy. Click here to view the student parking requirements. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Graham.
This Week At Riverwalk Academy
- Elementary Meet the Teacher 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
- 6th Grade and New to Middle School Orientation: 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
- Swim Practice
- Cross Country Practice
Tuesday (8/20)
- Swim Practice
- Cross Country Practice
Wednesday (8/21)
- First Day of School for 1st - 10th
- First Dy of School for Kindergarten students with last names A - M
- Dismissal (normal time): 2:35 pm and 3:00 pm
- Swim Practice
- Cross Country Practice
Thursday (8/22)
- First Dy of School for Kindergarten students with last names N - Z
- Cross Country Practice
- Swim Meet @ 5:30 pm at Clover Aquatics Center (vs Clover/Ft. Mill/Northwestern)
Friday (8/23)
- Dismissal (normal Friday time): 12:05 pm and 12:30 pm
About Us
Email: info@riverwalkacademy.com
Website: www.riverwalkacademy.com
Location: 5750 Mt Gallant Rd, Rock Hill, SC, USA
Phone: 8033278400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riverwalkacademy
Twitter: @RiverwalkLions