Riverwalk Roar
Your Source All-Things Riverwalk Academy
9/19/201
Happy Sunday, Lions!
I hope each of you had a wonderful weekend. I know my family and I did.
Like many of you, Sundays are my "planning" day for the upcoming week. I use this day to reflect on the previous week and to plan out the work week. I think about who I need to follow-up with and what needs to be accomplished for the upcoming week. Sundays can become stressful and overwhelming.
But then I think about Laykin (the girl featured in this week's photo). Like Laykin, I, too, choose happy. Yes, I have a choice, just like the each of you have.
Mondays are great because I get to interact with an amazing and talented staff of 70+ and a student body of 600+ energetic, enthusiastic, and incredibly gifted students.
Notice that I said "I get to". I don't have to, but I'm lucky that I get to.
Mondays are a great day to focus on what we GET TO do instead of what we HAVE TO do. Life is a gift, not an obligation.
Pride, as you think about this week, what gifts await you this week?
In strength and blessings,
~Dr. Compton
Photo of the Week
This week's photo of Laykin Dawkins who reminds us that each day we have a choice about our attitude. We should choose happy.
COVID-Related
We're asking that our families assist us in managing everyone's status by using this form when your child shows symptoms, tests positive, is a close contact, or is a household close contact. The data shared with us is kept confidential. After completing this form, you'll receive an email or phone call from Nurse Donna to discuss your child's specific isolation/quarantining plan.
Linked here is Riverwalk Academy's COVID Dashboard. This COVID dashboard is updated by 3:00 pm each school day. This dashboard can also be found on our website.
We've received a few questions about our dashboard, so I wanted to provide an explanation for everyone. Click here for an explanation of our COVID data.
School Lunches
Riverwalk Academy is a "bring your own lunch" school where students are encouraged to bring their own lunches. We do offer a fee-based lunch program that is not income-contingent. Our fee-based lunch program is provided by Golden Corral. For more information about this option, please click here.
The Riverwalk Academy Mobile App
Hopefully by now, you've had a chance to check out our new website. If you haven't noticed already, there's the main page, but there's also a dedicated page to our elementary school, middle school, and high school. While each page looks similar, each page's content is different and tailored to the different audiences.
Our new app has now released on the App Store and soon to release on Google Play. Once downloaded, there are two thing's you'll want to do:
- enable notifications
- subscribe to your school (school wide, and elementary or middle or high school)
Below is a short video that demonstrates how to do this.
Attractions Fundraiser
DEAR RIVERWALK FAMILIES,
Our Attractions Fundraiser will be wrapping up next week. Thursday, September 23rd is our last collection day, so please be sure that you get your orders in. REMEMBER that we are doing EZPay (preferred method of payment) or checks (NO CASH).
How can I let people know that we are selling these great money saving books?
REGISTER your personal Attractions Fundraiser Seller Page! Easily share your fundraiser through your page. Click on this link - http://www.attractionsbook.com/seller/invite/Riverwalk enter your Full Name (Seller Name) and email address. Add a photo to really personalize it! Information about the Seller Page is below.
These are additional links and information you can share with all of your family and friends.
Riverwalk Academy Online Order Page: https://www.attractionsbook.com/ezpay/code/Riverwalk
EZPay QR Code: Save this QR Code on your phone or attach it to an email or on your social media page to help your customers order easily! All they have to do is use their camera to scan it, and they will be sent directly to your Order Page where they can pay by credit card!
Attractions is not just for dining! We have savings for Hardware, Home Improvement, Sporting Goods, National Retailers, Crafts, Activities, and much more!
Mobile Deals! Each book order also comes with 25 FREE additional coupons you can show right from your phone! Merchants participating with mobile coupons will have a phone icon on their printed book coupon. You will be able to redeem the same number of mobile coupons they have. For example, if they have one coupon in the book, you can redeem that coupon one more time from your phone.
Yearbook Pictures Are Ready
Everyone should have received the below in an email last week:
YOUR PHOTOS ARE READY!
Good news! JostensPIX was recently at Riverwalk to photograph picture day, and your student's photos are now available for viewing and ordering!
Click on the button below to get started.
VIEW AND ORDER PHOTOS HERE https://shop.jostenspix.com
FIND YOUR STUDENT USING EVENT CODE: FE127421
DID YOU KNOW?
You can personalize your photos with a variety of backgrounds and
textPhotos are shipped directly to your home
High-res digital downloads are available
If you have more than one child, you can order together and pay
once
If your student was absent or you would like retakes - mark the date -
OCTOBER 20, 2021. This will be the final day for students to be included in the yearbook!!
Contact Mrs. Carr with any questions - kcarr@riverwalkacademy.com
Elementary Guidance with Mrs. Carr
This week was so much fun and I can’t wait to do more guidance lessons of the same this coming week!!! The Kindergarten-1st grade classes and I are reading The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper to talk about how we reach our goals and that sometimes there will be obstacles. It is so much fun to hear what these little students want to be when they grow up. From working at McDonalds to being a pet groomer to being a mechanic - they are all so excited to share.
In 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade classes, we are reading I Can Be Anything! Don’t Tell Me I Can’t by Diane Dillon. This is a wonderful story with a little girl who imagines herself doing all sorts of things. She has a little voice that keeps telling her she can’t or why she isn’t able to do the things and she keeps telling it to be quiet and leave her alone - because she can do anything!
In these classes, and 5th grade, I shared with the students that I didn’t always want to be a guidance counselor. I originally wanted to be a forensic crime scene investigator. Then I was put in Chemistry in High School and realized I may not have the scientific ability to do this. I explored other ways I could work for the justice system, so I worked as a legal secretary for 10 years. After that, I went back to school and here I am, being a school counselor and loving it! I shared that they can always change their minds, they can always keep learning, as long as they keep a positive vision. We started The Energy Bus for Kids and they met George and his new bus driver Joy. We talked about the first rule, CREATING A POSITIVE VISION, and that when they are riding into school, they need to picture themselves having a great day and when they are riding home they need to picture themselves having a great night. This will start and end their day on a positive note.
I don’t know about your mornings, but mine are sometimes rough - getting myself and two kids ready (used to be five kids) but if we try to refocus - we can get through it. We use the drive to reset. Sometimes it is as simple as playing music as loud as we can, sometimes it is venting and getting out the negatives so we can switch to positives. Sometimes it is just riding in silence. By the time we get to school/work, we are ready.
Just remember that how you start your day is how your little ones will start theirs - we are their barometers - we set the tone. And as hard as it is to keep a smile on your face, it makes a difference in your student’s day. Have a wonderful week!! Hugs!
Expectations and Rules
We'd like to remind our middle and high school students, and their families of a few rules that need to be revisited.
Headphones/Earbuds
Students are not to use headphones or earbuds throughout the day. This includes before school, during transitions, and during lunch. The only exception is when the classroom teacher allows for it (as part of instruction). One reason for this is that it's a safety issue. While using them, students are not able to hear instructions by staff, which is especially important during an emergency.
Cell Phones
- Middle school students may have a cell phone but they should not be visible until 3:00 pm. That means it should be on silent and kept in their bookbags.
- High school students (9th - 10th) may have a cell phone and they may be visible. They may not be used to play music. They may only be used in the classroom when their teacher gives permission for cell phones to be out.
Dress Code
We're still noticing the following dress code issues:
- Jeans with holes: They are allowed, however, holes should not be in the thigh area. Essentially, the holes cannot be in the area that would have been covered if the student was wearing a pair of shorts.
- Thin Straps: Shirts (tops and dresses) should not have a thin or spaghetti strap.
Yearbook Photos Are Ready
Everyone should have received the folowing email last week:
YOUR PHOTOS ARE READY!
Good news! JostensPIX was recently at Riverwalk to photograph picture day, and your student's photos are now available for viewing and ordering!
Click on the button below to get started.
VIEW AND ORDER PHOTOS HERE https://shop.jostenspix.com
FIND YOUR STUDENT USING EVENT CODE: FE127521
DID YOU KNOW?
You can personalize your photos with a variety of backgrounds and
text
Photos are shipped directly to your home
High-res digital downloads are available
If you have more than one child, you can order together and pay
once
If your student was absent or you would like retakes - mark the date - OCTOBER 20, 2021. This will be the final day for students to be included in the yearbook!!
Contact Mrs. Carr with any questions - kcarr@riverwalkacademy.com
RWA Esports Interest Meeting
Mr. Loyst will be held an interest meeting for Riverwalk Academy's Esports team on Tuesday (9/14). The team plans to compete at the high school level in Valorant (open to alternates) and Call of Duty: Cold War (still recruiting). If interested, feel free contact Mr. Loyst.
Dublin, London, and Paris Travel Questions
Is your student enrolled for the Dublin, London, and Paris trip this coming April? Many questions have come up in the past few weeks concerning COVID-19 and international travel. At the present time, the trip is still scheduled, as planned; however, if you have any questions you feel you need answered, please email rloyst@riverwalkacademy.com. He's working with EFTours to address any concerns you may have on an individual basis.
Still interested in traveling with the school this Spring Break? There's still time to enroll! Email rloyst@riverwalkacademy.com for more info.
Save the Dates
- Monday, October 4, 12:45 pm at YTC: Senior Meeting (ordering caps, gowns, etc.) Parents do not need to attend.
- Friday, October 8th, 6:00 pm at RWA: Junior Class Ring Ceremony
- Wednesday, October 20th, 12:45 pm at YTC: Senior Orders
Athletic Events of the Week
Cheer
- 9/25/21 Competitive Cheer Competition at @ South Pointe High School
Cross Country
- 9/23/21at York Comprehensive High School at 5:00 pm
Volleyball
- 9/20/21 at Lake Pointe Academy at 4:30 pm
- 9/21/21 at Academy Christian at 5:30 pm
- Band 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Johnston)
- Swim Practice 3:15 pm - 4:15 pm
- Cross Country Practice 3:15 pm - 4:30 pm
- Cheerleading Practice 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
- Volleyball Meet @ Lake Point Academy at 4:30 pm
Tuesday:9/21
- Band 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Johnston)
- Swim Practice 3:15 pm - 4:15 pm
- Cross Country Practice 3:15 pm - 4:30 pm
- Cheerleading Practice 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
- Volleyball Meet @ Academy Christian at 5:30 pm
- Board Meeting 6:30 pm
Wednesday: 9/22
- Band 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Johnston)
- Swim Practice 3:15 pm - 4:15 pm
- Cross Country Practice 3:15 pm - 4:30 pm
- Cheerleading Practice 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
- Volleyball Practice 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Thursday: 9/23
- Band 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Johnston)
- Swim Practice 3:15 pm - 4:15 pm
- Cheerleading Practice 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
- Volleyball Practice 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
- Cross Country Meet at York Comprehensive High School at 5:00 pm
Friday: 9/24
- No Events Scheduled
Saturday: 9/25
- Cheer Competition at South Pointe High School
Connect with Us
The Mission of Riverwalk Academy is to lead students to achieve through authentic project-based learning experiences with the knowledge and inquiry skills they need to succeed in life, college, and their future careers.
Email: info@riverwalkacademu.com
Website: https://www.riverwalkacademy.com/
Location: 5750 Mount Gallant Road, Rock Hill, SC, USA
Phone: (803) -327-8400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riverwalkacademy
Twitter: @riverwalklions