Falcon Flyer
September 2018
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 Falcon Families,
Welcome back from Labor Day weekend! As we sail into September and chart our course for the year, it's important to get our bearings, understand how the 7 Habits work, and see why our staff is so excited to teach and model the habits as a daily part of their classroom culture. For the month of September, staff and students will be diving deep into Covey's Habit #1: Be Proactive. In student language, you might hear you children say "I'm in charge of me." It's all about taking responsibility for your actions and reactions! When you run across a person or situation that frustrates you or causes upset, it's important to step back, take a deep breath, and try to figure out what you can control about the situation -- that's taking responsibility! We will be working with students on developing their Proactive Language (phrases such as 'I choose...') and Growth Mindset. You might hear your child talk about what's inside their Circle of Control, and what's outside of their control. This is a visual way to look at a situation and determine how you can Be Proactive to make a good choice that will stay solution-oriented!
Part of Being Proactive comes from the staff perspective. We try to grow our Circle of Control by setting clear expectations, and then reinforcing those expectations to improve student outcomes. Students and teachers have spent time learning classroom rules and procedures at school. Students were have been introduced to Riverview’s positive behavior intervention system (PBIS) based on these expectations: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be a Leader. Students have been taught the expectations for all common areas around the building, including the cafeteria, playground, and hallways, and they had opportunities to practice as well. Throughout the school year, when Riverview staff notice students demonstrating one of the three expectations, the students can earn Falcon Tickets, which can be redeemed for positive recognition in the classroom and building-wide. We will be focusing on a different Habit each month, so during September, students will earn Falcon Tickets for Habit #1: “Be Proactive.” Classrooms can also earn tickets for practicing the 3 RE’s, which result in classroom and building-wide celebrations!
Finally, September is Preparedness Month. While we often have no control over what causes a crisis (weather, power outages, etc.), September offers the opportunity to consider how to Be Proactive with school and family crisis plans. Riverview held fire and tornado drills last week, and we plan with staff and students how to respond to other building crises, from possible chemical spills to intruder drills. Staff collaborate and follow district guidelines for how to respond to such events, and we talk with and practice with students in a developmentally appropriate and safe manner. The district is also hosting a Suicide Awareness and Prevention meeting next week that is open to all parents.
Talking through possible crisis scenarios is something you may also want to consider doing at home. Around the dinner table, talk about what would you would do if there was a fire, or if you are in public and someone gets separated from the group. Consider putting together a safety kit from your home and/or vehicle in case of a natural disaster. While these are never fun topics to think about, by thinking about them ahead of time, you are being proactive by considering and preparing a response before there is a crisis instead of during a crisis.
Sincerely,
Beth Mildren
Principal
Kansas Teacher of the Year Nominations
SUICIDE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MEETING FOR PARENTS
The school district cares about preventing suicide and is committed to helping our parents and employees increase their awareness of risk factors displayed by students and others. In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Week, USD 232 is hosting an important parent information meeting on Thursday, September 13, at Mill Valley High School. The event begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Theatre.
Members of the district’s mental health team will share with parents the trends occurring within Johnson County, KS, along with some of the training material used annually with school district employees.
The information provided will help parents raise their awareness of risk and protective factors and how to build resiliency in their children.
“Nationally, suicide is the third-leading cause of death for children ages five to 14 and is the second leading cause of death for ages 15 to 24,” said Frank Harwood, Superintendent of Schools. “This is a topic that must be discussed and we hope this program will help our community gain knowledge and confidence to be part of this import conversation.” Parents at the meeting will also learn how to access other resources within the county.
All parents and guardians are encouraged to attend this important meeting.
When: Thursday, September 13, 2018
Time: 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Mill Valley High School, Theatre
5900 Monticello Road, Shawnee
For more information about the meeting, please contact the school district office at 913-667-6200, or email information@usd232.org.
Learn more about the Johnson County School Districts coming together to address suicide among children and teens. > Johnson County Mental Health Convening
Link to Suicide Awareness & Prevention webpage > https://www.usd232.org/Domain/3603
AWARD WINNERS READING PROGRAM
All students K-5 can participate in the Award Winners Reading Program here at Riverview! Each quarter students who turn in a reading log to Mrs. Hallier with the 10 books they have read will be recognized at our Student Recognition Assemblies. More information can be found on Mrs. Hallier’s website at https://riverviewlibrary.weebly.com/ or on the front side of the Award Winners Reading Log 2018-2019 at https://riverviewlibrary.weebly.com/uploads/1/9/2/8/19287083/reading_log_2018-2019.pdf Happy Reading!
School Safety Procedures
School Safety Procedures at Riverview
Student safety is our priority, and we work with diligence and fidelity to improve procedure and hold ourselves to the highest standards. Thank you for your continued support as we work to provide a secure environment for our students.
- Fire drills, Tornado drills, Intruder drills, and other Crisis drills will be held throughout the school year. Teachers talk with students, in an age-appropriate manner, about procedures and purpose at the beginning of the year and prior to the drill.
- We utilize the ALICE system for drills and in the event of an emergency regarding an intruder.
- All visitors to the building must enter through the sign-in and wear an orange, visible ID lanyard or provided VISITOR sticker area between 8:30 - 4:00.
- When a visitor/volunteer signs in, the building secretary checks with the teacher to verify the purpose of the visit. Teachers have been directed to decline unexpected visitors during instructional time.
- Parents may deliver items to the office, the teacher will be notified, and the child or teacher will pick items up at the teacher’s discretion. Parents are not allowed to deliver items to the child in the classroom (coats, homework, lunches, etc.) during the school day.
- Visitors may not walk with children back to the classroom after lunch.
JCPRD
- One door in the cafeteria will be available for drop-off and pick-up, and will be staffed by a JCPRD worker at all times.
- Parents may not leave the cafeteria and move through the building during drop-off or pick-up. Please do not ask JCPRD staff to be let into the building to retrieve lost/forgotten items after school hours.
- JCPRD staff must wear visible ID at all times
Transportation Changes-
- Parents must notify the office by 3:00 pm with any going-home changes for their child. They may not request going-home changes for any other students.
- If a child wants to ride home with a friend on the bus, parents must notify the office at least one day ahead of time.
Illness: USD #232 Written Exclusion Policy
ILLNESS
A. Students should be excluded from school with the following symptoms:
1. Temperature 100° or above (the students should remain home until fever-free for 24 hours).
2. Severe cold, cough, sore throat, sneezing,headache.
3. Severe nosebleed that cannot be stopped with ordinary first aid.
4. Vomiting, upset stomach, diarrhea (students should remain home until they have been free of vomiting/diarrhea for 24 hours).
5. Abnormal menstrual cramps.
6. Overly tired, run down.
7. Suspicion of contagious diseases, especially if child has been exposed.
8. Sudden rash accompanied with fever.
9. Red watery eyes or purulent draining eyes.
10. Infectious appearing skin lesions.
11. Fainting, seizures, if complications are present.
12. Emotional crisis.
B. Dismissal of Ill students
1. Ill students should typically be dismissed by the nurse but in special circumstances may be dismissed by teacher, principal, secretary, or appointed personnel.
2. Students must not be sent home until parents or designated responsible person is contacted.
Attendance & Absences
If your child will be absent from school please call the attendance line at 913-441-0185 by 8:45 am.
You may also email Lisa O’Donnell, Attendance Secretary, at LOdonnell@usd232.org as well.
- Good attendance is essential to success in school. Absences are at times unavoidable due to illness or family concerns.
- Students are expected to attend school and to be present and punctual for all classes each day that school is in session. The only acceptable reasons for absence are: Illness, court appearance, family emergencies (funerals, critical illness), religious holidays, and school-sponsored events.
- Absence for illness will be excused upon receiving verification from the parent no later than the day the student returns to school. Students are expected to make up work missed. Building Principals may request a doctor’s statement if the absence is for more than three days in a row, five days per semester, or seven days in a school year.
- Absence by parent request for family and personal reasons is acceptable provided arrangements are made through the Building Principal in advance of the absence. The number of days allowed for parent request will be limited to five per semester. Make-up work is expected.
- Unexcused absences and repeated, excessive tardies are subject to truancy under Kansas Statutes.
Late Arrival (After 8:45 am)
If a student arrive after 8:45 am and there are NO Honor Patrol students actively opening doors, parents need to park their vehicle and walk their student into the school and sign them in as tardy.
Early Sign-Out (Before 3:50 pm)
Parents need to park their vehicle and come into the school building to request their student for early sign-out. Students will not be called out of class until the parent or person picking them up comes into the office to sign them out. If a parent is sending another adult or older sibling to pick up a student, the parent must notify the office that this person has permission to pick up the student. Please make sure you are allowing yourself enough time to wait for your student to be called out of class. If your child is between classes it might take 5-10 minutes to locate your child. We appreciate your patience in our effort to maximize learning time for students and to keep them safe.
LUNCH
- Parents (or other adults approved by parents) are welcome to eat lunch with their children in our cafeteria.
- You may order a lunch from the cafeteria by calling the school office by 9:30 a.m.- this allows us to be prepared for you. Adult lunches are $3.55 and can be paid from your child's lunch account. They might even think it's cool to buy you lunch!
- If you'd prefer, you are welcome to bring in an outside lunch for your child and yourself only.
- Only students with visitors are allowed to eat in the Family section of the Cafeteria. Please do not plan to bring lunch or share lunch items with children who are not yours.
- Your child is welcome to bring peanut products at lunch only because there is a designated area to keep children with allergies safe and hands are washed after lunch. We really appreciate your help is keeping your child's snacks healthy and peanut free!
2018-2019 Lunch Schedule
Kindergarten - 11:45 - 12:12
1st Grade - 11:00-11:27
2nd Grade - 11:16-11:43
3rd Grade - 12:15-12:42
4th Grade - 12:45-1:12
5th Grade - 1:00-1:27
The August lunch calendar can be found on our district website HERE.
On Deck: Upcoming September Events
On Deck: Upcoming September Events
· Monday, September 3 – No School. Offices closed.
· Friday, September 7 – All school tie-dye day!
· Wednesday, September 19 -All Pro Dads Breakfast 7:30-8:30 am.
· Wednesday, September 26 - Conferences 4:15-8:15.
· Thursday, September 27 - No School, Conferences 10:00 am -8:15 pm,
- Friday, September 28 – No School, Offices closed.
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