Falcon Flyer
March 27, 2020 - SPECIAL EDITION
Riverview Elementary
Website: http://re.usd232.org/pages/re
Location: 21550 West 47th Street, Shawnee, KS, United States
Phone: 913-441-0808
Twitter: @riverviewfalcon
Principal's Message
Dear Falcon Families, ...(or should I say, "Dear Co-Teachers," :-)
Good afternoon…first and foremost, we miss YOU! Students and Parents! Our tight-knit Riverview family was devastated by the news last week when it was ordered for all K-12 public schools to be closed for regular operations through the end of the year. As you know, this was an extraordinary action taken to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus in our state and community. I personally have been grieving the loss of fourth quarter at RE, knowing that many of my daily joys will have to be replaced somehow -- checking in with students, visiting the lunchroom, seeing new student artwork go up in hallways, attending music performances, greeting families at Arrival, and the seeing the daily smiles in the classroom watching students have those "ah-ha" moments of learning.
I am trying hard to channel those 7 Habits of Leadership, reminding myself to Think Win-Win with my children, and Synergizing with our community to create the best possible outcomes, which includes staying connected to one another. Students have been taught to "Carry Your Own Weather," which is all about focusing on your own responses, rather than allowing the others' (emotional) weather to negatively impact your choices or your attitude (weather). For an amazing video that explains this concept, please click HERE -- it's great for students and parents!
As a parent, I am also riding on this COVID-19 roller coaster alongside each of you. I took this whole 'parent-as-teacher-while-working-from-home' experiment for a trial run in our home, and trust me when I say the struggle is real! As sad as I am about the school doors closing and social distancing, my own young children are also dealing with their own sense of loss from being out of their routine and out of contact with friends and neighbors. Please know that WE GET IT!! It is our great pleasure, as teacher-leaders, to have the opportunity to guide and support some element of continuous learning for our Falcons. It is also our desire to help protect against elevated expectations of you, from being so demanding that it becomes impossible to function in the rest of your roles as your child's provider.
While our school buildings may be closed, please know that the school year is not over, and our entire staff wants learning to continue for students in a reasonable manner. Rather than send an even lengthier communication explaining what all of this means now, and moving forward, I have compiled a presentation with this information:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AphXU5GgFKQ&t=12s
Thank you for taking the time to either view the linked video presentation, or for the text-only version, you may simply read the same presentation slides found HERE.
Students should expect to begin learning activities on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. You should have received emails from teachers getting you and your students set up for this new learning environment. We are going to try to do Spirit Days each Monday, and one of April 1 to mark the start of the learning week -- April 1 Spirit Day: Falcons are in it to wi it - have students wear their Riverview spirit wear! I wish you all the best as we embark on this learning journey together, more connected than ever before.
I will continue to send weekly Friday "On Deck" emails with any needed updates that are important to share with families. We realize you may have more questions for which we do not yet have answers. Information will be shared with you as decisions are made moving forward.
Again, thank you for your patience and grace.
Sincerely,
Beth Mildren
Principal
CONTACT US!
•Email is the preferred method of communication, either with your child’s teacher, or Principal Mildren at Bmildren@usd232.org
Other important contacts:
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST: Megan Turpin MTurpin@usd232.org
NURSE: Ms. Fischer jfischer@usd232.org
We have two fantastic nurses who job-share. Please contact Mrs. Fischer for all medically-related questions or concerns, and she or Nurse Emilie Rigolizzo will help you.
BUILDING SECRETARY: Debbie Graham DGraham@usd232.org
Please contact Mrs. Graham for all Skyward-related questions or concerns.
COUNSELOR: Ms. Thurman-Munsey TThurmanmunsey@usd232.org
Please contact Mrs. Munsey for all social-emotional, behavioral, or family-related questions or concerns, including a need for family financial assistance during this time, or a change in family dynamics.
You can also call the school 913-441-0808 any time and leave a voicemail. Voicemail will be checked DAILY and forwarded on to the intended staff.
- Please say your name, your child’s name, phone number you can be reached at, and who the message is for. (For example: “This is Beth Mildren, my son is Will Mildren, and this message is for [Teacher Name]. We can be reached at [phone number]."
- We will then direct the voicemail to the intended staff member, and someone will get back to you in one business day.
3RD QUARTER GRADE CARDS HAVE BEEN POSTED VIA SKYWARD!
Parents can find them by clicking on "Documents" in Family Access.
If you can't find the report card in Family Access, you are probably looking under Grade Book, but instead you have to look under DOCUMENTS.
I know it sounds strange to look under DOCUMENTS when there is a Grade Book tab but that's just how it's set up.
Free Student Meals
The district is providing FREE meals to students to be picked up from your car at specific locations on Mondays and Wednesdays until the end of the regularly scheduled school year. Please do not get out of your vehicle. At this time, children must be present in order for meals to be provided. Adult meals will not be available for purchase.This service began Wednesday, March 25, and will continue on Monday, March 30th. More information can be found on the district website.
- Gracepoint Church, Shawnee (parking lot) - 12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
5425 Martindale Rd. - just east of Woodland Dr., at corner of Johnson & Martindale
- Clearview City, De Soto - 10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
- Prospector's Point, De Soto - 11:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
- De Soto High School - 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
The meals will be available for free to anyone 1 to 18 regardless of what school they attend. No paperwork is required.
ON DECK:
Coming Up for our RE Learning Community:
April 1 Continuous Learning Plan Lessons Begin--SPIRIT DAY -- Falcons are in it to win it -- Wear Riverview spirit wear!!!
- “Live” Optional Class Zoom Meetings will be held the first day of the learning week. They will be held April 1 next week; typically Mondays; attendance will not be taken.
- Class Meeting Times will be staggered due to different family technology situations, Essentials included either with classrooms or separate zoom meetings.
- K: 9 am
- 1: 10 am
- 2: 11 am
- 3: 12 pm
- 4: 1 pm
- 5: 2 pm
April 10 Previously Scheduled Non-School Day, Teachers not on duty
April 13 Previously Scheduled Non-School Day, but teachers will be on duty so lessons will arrive as they usually do in our new learning environment.
Kindergarten Roundup - Available April 3
Kindergarten Round-Up is going to be Online!
Going to Kindergarten in the fall?
- By Kansas statute, children must be the age of 5 on or before August 31 to be eligible for Kindergarten enrollment.
- In the future, parents will also learn about Before/After School Care offered through a partnership with Johnson County Parks and Recreation Department.
Parents should plan on gathering these required 3 documents to be presented at a later date:
1. Certified copy of child's birth certificate (required by Kansas Statue)
2. Copy of immunization records (from Pediatrician)
3. Proof of residency (copy of current utility bill, real-estate contract, etc.)
Preparing your child for Kindergarten - Resources for Parents
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