Titan Times: Week 28
The River Place Elementary (RPE) Campus Newsletter
Message from Principal Sharp
Titan Families,
I hope our newsletter finds you doing well and thriving in our community! As many of you know, our campus is a voting location, and I wanted to take the opportunity to share that the Leander ISD community embraces a culture of voting.
On Oct. 5, 2023, the LISD Board passed a resolution supporting and promoting a culture of voting. One of our 10 Ethical Principles is “Civic Duty” because we are dedicated to making the world a better place. So whether you’re a staff or community member, let’s make our community stronger one voter at a time.
Last week launched the start of early voting in the Republican and Democratic primary elections. This is the time to embrace and model for our kids the power of our voices and the importance of democracy.
Please know that-
- Your vote matters.
- Your voice deserves to be heard.
- We hope that this spring you choose to become a voter in this election and every election after this one if you aren't already.
Other Things to Know-
- Early Voting ends Friday, March 1, and hours and locations vary in our community.
- Election Day is Tuesday, March 5, 7 a.m.–7 p.m. and River Place ES is a polling location.
- Election Websites: Visit the county website for more information on polling locations, voting hours throughout the early voting period, and sample ballots for each party in each county.
Travis County | Williamson County - Learn more here via our district website.
- Your vote can make a difference.
A common question I receive is "Why is our campus a polling location?"
The Texas Election Code (Sec. 43.031) specifies that an entity that owns or controls a public building shall make the building available for use as a polling place in any election that covers territory in which the building is located. Please be aware that Travis County has requested River Place Elementary be used as a polling place on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. The polling place will be located in our Multi-Purpose Room (MPR) or gym. To ensure the safety of our students and staff and minimize disruption to campus operations, we have made every effort to select an area that limits election workers and voter access to the campus. Additionally, staff will be monitoring the polling location area.
The instructional day will not be interrupted and neither will the flow of the traffic pattern at arrival and dismissal. There will be reminders of our polling location and hours as the time nears via the Remind application. As always, should you have celebrations or concerns, please reach out. Otherwise, let's make it a great week of building and showing PRIDE in all we do!
Take care and lead well,
Dr. Amy Sharp
Proud RPE Principal
Mark Your Calendars
March: Women's History Month and Texas History Month
- 5th: River Place is Polling Location from 7 AM- 7 PM
- 7th: Spring individual and class pictures- more information coming soon (NEW DATE)
- 11th-15th Spring Break- no school for students and staff/ building is closed to the public
- 18th: Staff Development Day- no school for students/ building is open to the public
- 20th: STEAM Night- See Info Below!
- 26th: Kindergarten "Graduation" Pictures- more information coming soon
- 27th: Career Day- See Info Below and Volunteer!
#RPEtitan Community News
EF Tours Opportunity is Back This Year
Big news, River Place Elementary School families! Your child can travel to Costa Rica in the Summer 2025! Students will gain new perspectives, develop a sense of independence, and build skills for the future through this experience.
Don’t forget to register here: Meeting Link for more details about this Summer 2025 trip.
Counselor Corner
#1LISD Community News
New Title for DEI Offices in LISD: The Office of Educational Access (OEA)
The Office of Educational Access
February 16, 2024 Historical Overview In 2021, the Leander ISD Board of Trustees approved the establishment of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). In January of 2022, LISD hired the first Chief of DEI to lead the Office. During its first year in operation, the Office of DEI spent a great deal of time engaging both internal and external stakeholders regarding the role and function of the office. The Chief of DEI met with LISD staff, parents and community members to ensure alignment of the Office with ALL stakeholders. Moving Forward After several lengthy discussions it was decided that to better reflect the mission and actual work of the Office, its name should be changed. The name change will communicate to all stakeholders that we are relaunching the Office, based on operational needs and to better align with the LISD Strategic Plan, goal #4 – Equitable Access. The new name that we have chosen is – The Office of Educational Access (OEA). This name ensures that we are focused on the needs of each and every one of our 42,000 students and their families who are central to the practice of the Office. The Mission The LISD Office of Educational Access (OEA) will have four major areas of focus. Ensuring that each and every student has equitable access in academics, extracurricular and cocurricular activities by identifying and removing any barriers, both structural and perceptual to their engagement. Ongoing data collection and cultural competency education will be foundational components of this area. Reducing academic gaps between student groups as measured by the LISD equity access data. This data will be reviewed by each feeder pattern during the school year and mitigation plans will be devised as warranted. Ongoing professional development for staff to enhance organizational cultural competency and inclusive leadership. This will include workshops, article reflections, action learning tabletop scenarios, and a staff survey administered in the fall and spring. Continuing to serve as an internal consultant for LISD campus and District leadership. The Road Ahead The Office of Educational Access will continue the work of increasing equitable access for each and every student as a permanent part of the LISD community. This work will bring value and intentionality to our focus on enhancing student outcomes for every demographic group. We want to thank the Board of Trustees and Superintendent Bruce Gearing, Ed.D., for their vision and leadership over the past two years. Over the coming days, we will be updating all internal and external links along with the existing web page to reflect the new name. We are excited and look forward to continuing this important and impactful work. DeWayne Street Chief of OEA
LEEF Opportunity!
No better time to enjoy your favorite local basketball team AND giveback to LEEF! The Leander Educational Excellence Foundation is partnering with the Austin Spurs on March 24th for a giveback event! $5 from each ticket purchased with LEEF's link goes back to the Leander ISD classrooms! Get your tickets online today: https://fevo-enterprise.com/Leef
Shine Some Light On Our Staff
Many families take time out of their day to let our office and administration team know how much they value our Titan Staff. We share with our staff in our staff newsletter and at staff meetings moments of "shine" from you, and we encourage you to consider filling out this form whenever you believe our district should celebrate a staff member publicly, too. If you have any questions, please let Dr. Sharp know.
PTA Announcements
Many Thanks to Optometrist and Signature Eye Care!
For our April 8th Eclipse viewing, Dr. Oliver Lou, Optometrist and Signature Eye Care are sponsoring PTA's goal for every student to have a pair of eclipse glasses for the Total Eclipse on April 8th! We are so thankful for this sponsorship and Dr.Lou working with our RPE community to make sure the kids can have fun and be safe that day.
Watch D.O.G.S. Sign- Up Today!
WATCH D.O.G.S. is a national program focusing on the prevention of violence in our children’s schools by using the positive influence of fathers and father-figures to be a positive role model for all students. The change this year is that you don't need to volunteer for an entire day; we will have hourly opportunities available should you prefer that. Anything to keep your involvement on campus!
While on campus, WATCH D.O.G.S may-
work in small groups with kids,
support staff out at recess,
support lunch room clean up and etiquette eat lunch,
monitor the school entrances and hallways,
assist with arrival and dismissal,
mentor students, and much more!
How to get Involved-
Read through the expectations and sample schedule
Register as a Leander ISD Volunteer
Fill out the RPE Watch Dogs Registration Form
After confirming volunteer status, our assistant principal, Lacy Olmstead, will reach out with more information and schedule.
Information Quick Links
River Place Elementary Titan Community
Here are our Titan Community Communication Tools-
- River Place Elementary School Website
- Twitter Account
- PTA Facebook Page
- Remind App for River Place Insiders
Email: ContactTeacher@leanderisd.org
Website: https://riverplace.leanderisd.org/
Location: 6500 Sitio Del Rio Blvd, Austin, TX 78730, USA
Phone: 512-570-6900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RiverPlaceElementaryPTA/
Twitter: @RiverPlaceTitan