Falcon Flyer
December 1, 2016
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 Riverview Families,
It's hard to believe that we are quickly nearing the end of the first semester and that December is already here! The time is just flying by. We are so glad to be in this partnership with you and look forward to a very successful second semester. Over the last several months, your children have been actively engaged in their learning. There are many exciting things happening each day in our classrooms. Classroom research and writing projects have demonstrated students’ passion for a variety of topics. On behalf of all Riverview staff, we continue to be proud of students' accomplishments and their determination to strive towards excellence.
This year, students are partnering with the PTA Caring and Sharing committee to help lead the service/donation drives, and they have truly enjoyed being a part of giving back to the community. This semester, fifth graders helped promote Red Ribbon Week, second graders led the food and supply drive for the De Soto Food Pantry, and be on the lookout for information from first graders on next week's drive to collect hats, mittens, gloves and scarves from December 5-9 for distribution to children in need in Wyandotte and Johnson counties. These opportunities for civic engagement can help students understand that they have the ability to make a difference in others' lives. Thank you for all of your contributions in making these community service projects so successful.
On behalf of the entire staff, we wish you a healthy and peaceful holiday season. It's a joy-filled time of year to celebrate with friends and family. Thank you for all of your support, and enjoy your family time over winter break!
Go boldly and brightly,
Beth Mildren
Holiday Spirit Days Coming Soon! Dec. 12 - 15
Monday, December 12 - Wear red and green, and holiday socks
Tuesday, December 13 - Wear your favorite holiday sweater and shirt
Wednesday, December 14 - Wear all of your holiday accessories (hats, jewelry, etc.)
Thursday, December 15 - Wear warm PJs, especially if they are holiday-themed!
Staff Spotlight...Mindy Scott
Hi, my name is Mindy Scott. I have two kids, one in 5th and one in 3rd who attend Riverview. For the past 9 years, I have been a stay-at-home mom. I worked as a daycare provider over the years and enjoyed being home with my kids. I started my new journey as a substitute para last year working at Horizon Elementary. I was very excited when this full time position opened up at Riverview because I am now able to be at the school my kids attend!! I am on the PTA Board, I coach/have coached a lot of Riverview kids over the years in softball, volleyball and Girls on the Run and have done a ton of volunteering here at Riverview. In my spare time I love to play indoor and sand volleyball, run half marathons and watch Hallmark Channel. I love working with kids and I am very excited to be here working with such a great staff!!
Staff Spotlight...Alyssa Soba
My name is Alyssa Sobba and I am so delighted to be a part of the Falcon community! This year I am a para in the Discovery Room. I am a 2013 graduate of Kansas State University where I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Science. I have also received my certification for Middle School Science. From 2013-2015 I taught Math, Science, and Social Studies for 5th grade in Garden City, KS. I am originally from Garnett, so moving back to the eastern part of the state last summer allowed me to spend more time with my family and friends. I was a substitute teacher last year in the DeSoto and Olathe school districts where I gained a lot of knowledge about different grade levels. In my spare time, I like to catch up on my Netflix shows, cook and bake, and create cute crafts. I cannot wait to see what this school year has in store!
Staff Spotlight...Megan Ussery
SCHEDULES & Upcoming Dates
Riverview's A-E Day Schedule can be found on our website HERE.
Thursday, Dec.1 - 6:30 pm Choir Concert in cafeteria
Friday, Dec. 2 - Student Reading Minutes due for PTA Reading Rewards
Tuesday, Dec 6 - 6:30 pm- Choir Concert at Union Station
Thursday, Dec. 8 - Reading Day
Monday, Dec. 12 - 6:30 pm PTA Board Meeting
Wednesday, Dec. 14 - Winter Classroom Parties 3 pm
Thursday, Dec. 15 - NO SCHOOL for Kindergarten only. 1/2 Day of School Grades 1-5; 12:05 pm dismissal
Friday, Dec. 15 - Jan. 3 - NO SCHOOL - Enjoy Winter Break!
Wednesday, Jan. 4- School Resumes K - 5. Start of Third Quarter
Looking Ahead:
Jan. 9 - School Spelling Bee at 9:15 am
Jan. 11 - Band Concert 7 pm
Jan. 12 - Yearbook Club Photo and Candid Shots
Jan. 13 - PTA-sponsored Daddy/Daughter Dance
Electronic Flyers
Don’t forget to check out the USD 232 Electronic Flyers webpage for information on events and programs offered by outside agencies.
Board of Education: Goals Adopted
This fall, the Board of Education has adopted goals for the school district for the 2016-17 school year.
“One of the most important things about leading a school district is knowing where you want to go,” said Frank Harwood, Superintendent of Schools. “During this school year, we will engage the USD 232 community in a process to set a vision for the future. The big question we have to answer is what we want our district to be for our students.”
The goals fall under three primary categories:
Achievement
Improve student achievement for all students while reducing the achievement disparities of various disaggregated groups.
Buildings & Budgets
Maximize district resources and provide high quality facilities to enhance educational programs.
Community Engagement
Work proactively with the community to improve educational programs.
Riverview Elementary PTA
https://www.facebook.com/Riverview-Elementary-PTA-129793298871/timeline/
Semester Happenings
*Staff Favorites & Wish Lists
Looking for a special something for that RE Staff member? Well, look no further. The PTA has Staff Favorites and Wish Lists available!
Staff Favorites
Staff favorites can be found at https://sites.google.com/site/refalconspta/Staff-Favorites
Classroom Wish Lists
The Wish Lists can be found at https://sites.google.com/site/refalconspta/wishlist
*Pies for Staff
Thank you to everyone who donated pies and/or money to purchase pies for RE Staff. We were able to give ALL staff members a pie to take home and share with their family! This is one of the staff’s favorites and it was great to provide them with something to share with their family. So, thanks for helping us thank the RE Staff!!
*Food & Supply Drive
Thanks so much to our Riverview students and family for food and supplies donations to stock the shelves of the DeSoto Food Pantry! Your generosity helps so many in our community!
*Skating Night
Riverview had a great turnout at Skate City and we were able to earn $324 from this event. Thanks to all who attended!
*Box Tops
Great job On collecting box tops, Riverview!!!! A $695.00 check is on its way to the PTA just from box tops tops collected this school year. Keep up the good work!
Upcoming PTA-Sponsored Events & Dates
12/2/16 – November Reading Minutes Due
November reading awards will be announced on December 8th. Please enter your student’s minutes by tomorrow, December 2nd. Enter your student’s November reading minutes by following this link. https://sites.google.com/site/refalconspta/reading-program-1/2016-2017-reading-program
12/6/16 – Chipotle Night
Take a night off from cooking and support RE PTA!! Order lunch and/or dinner because our fundraiser goes from 11:00am – 9:00pm. To ensure we receive credit for your purchase, be sure to show the cashier your flyer or just tell them that you are supporting the Riverview fundraiser when paying at checkout.
1/13/17 – Daddy/Daughter Dance
Girls of Riverview! Get signed up for the 2nd annual Daddy/Daughter Dance by January 6th. The dance is January 13th, 6:30-8:00pm in the cafeteria. $10/couple; $5 for each additional child. Make checks payable to Riverview PTA. Music, photos dessert bar and refreshments included. Flyers will be sent home Monday, December 5th. For more information or to help plan this year’s event, please contact RE PTA at refalconspta@gmail.com.
Riverview Spirit Wear For Sale!
Need a holiday gift for your Riverview student?
Listed below is Spirit Wear available for purchase. Contact RE PTA at refalconspta@gmail.com if you are interested in purchasing. Items will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. Please make checks out to RE PTA.
3 RE Circle Design
Baseball Jersey $20
1 Youth Medium (Red/White Combo) design printed in black
Canvas Tee $14
1 Youth Large (Blue)
Gildan Tee $10
1 Youth Large (Slate Blue)
Wicking Tee $13
1 Youth Small (Red)
1 Youth Large (Red)
Riverview Falcon Design
Baseball Jersey $20
2 Youth Small (Blue/White Combo)
1 Adult Large (Blue/White Combo)
1 Adult Small (Red/White Combo)
1 Adult Medium (Red/White Combo)
Wicking Tee $13
1 Adult Extra Large (Blue)
Gildan Tee $10
1 Youth Small (Red)
1 Youth Extra Large (Charcoal)
1 Adult Large (Red)
Gildan Hooded Sweatshirt $20
1 Youth Large (Charcoal)
1 Adult Small (Charcoal)
1 Adult Medium (Charcoal)
PTA Membership Drive Results
The Membership Drive held in early November resulted in 20 additional members to RE PTA!! Thank you for joining the PTA and supporting Riverview! The classes with the highest membership percentages in each grade earned a popcorn party! The winners were:
Kindergarten: Mrs. Grauer
1st Grade: Mrs. Arbaugh
2nd Grade: Mrs. Broxterman
3rd Grade: Mrs. Moore
4th Grade: Mrs. Broxterman & Miss Skillman
5th Grade: Mrs. Gleason
If you still have an interest in joining RE PTA, membership is open all year! Just send in your membership form (link can be found below) and $10. We’d love to have you be a part of our school’s PTA!
Watch D.O.G.S.
WHO LET THE D.O.G.S OUT!?!
Dads, enjoy a day or part of a day away from work at Riverview as a Watch D.O.G.! Sign up online to get involved!
What are Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students)?
Watch DOGS are fathers, grandfathers or uncles who volunteer for at least one day each year at an official Watch D.O.G.S. school.
What to Watch D.O.G.S. do (while they are at school)?
During the day, Watch D.O.G.S. may read and work on flash cards with students play at recess, each lunch with students, patrol the school entrances and hallways, assist with traffic flow and any other assigned activities where they actively engage with not only their own students, but other students as well. Many school principals have reported that the mere presence of a Watch D.O.G. dad dramatically reduces reports of bullying. On the day of their participation, Watch D.O.G. dads are given a brief review of their involvement and they wear an official Watch D.O.G.S. t-shirt and/or disposable “Dog Tag” identifying them as a Watch D.O.G.
Staff Appreciation
Help us spread some holiday cheer to our teachers, staff, bus drivers and crossing guard! Please donate a $5-$10 gift card to anyplace you would like (QT, Casey's, Chipotle, McDonald's, Starbucks, Walmart, Target, Subway, Goodcents, Pizza Shoppe, Pizza West, Panera, Amazon, etc!)
Please send the gift cards into the office addressed to Staff Appreciation. We will have drawings based on trivia questions for the staff the weeks of Dec. 5 and Dec. 12 so send them in anytime. We would like to make sure that each staff member receives a little something from their RE family!