WORDMASTERS WINTER SESSION STARTS DECEMBER 8

Register Now!

ALP ELA teacher Ms. Ciafone is once again leading a dynamic before-school enrichment class for 4th and 5th graders this Winter, designed to prepare students for the 2nd WordMasters Challenge on February 2.

Classes meet Monday mornings at 8:00am on the following dates:
The dates are 12/8, 12/22, 1/5, 1/12, 1/26, and 2/2 (the Challenge date)
💲 Cost: $150 for all 6 sessions

Give your child a head start in vocabulary mastery and flexible thinking!

As a reminder, the WordMasters Challenge is a prestigious vocabulary competition where students across the country tackle advanced word lists and solve analogy puzzles that stretch their critical thinking and verbal reasoning skills. There are three national Challenges each year—in November, February, and April.

Questions? Please reach out to Jocelyn Michels or Virginia Lockhart. 

DONATE TO THE STUDENT COUNCIL TOY DRIVE

Monday, December 8 - Friday, December 19

 

  • WHAT:  4th Grade Student Council will be collecting new, unwrapped toys for their Toy Drive. Toys will be donated to Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital and Toys for Tots (underprivileged families). 
  • WHERE: Collection bins are located inside the school by the front office
  • WHEN:  Monday, Dec 8 - Friday, Dec 19 

SPIRIT WEAR HOLIDAY POP-UP SHOP

Wednesday, December 10 

This holiday season, we’re unwrapping a fresh collection of tees and sweatshirts, including our limited-edition flying red hawk apparel and much more!

 When: Wednesday, December 10, 3:00-4:15pm

Where: Outside the school’s main entrance 

ENTER THE 4TH & 5TH GRADE FIRE PREVENTION POSTER CONTEST

 Due: Friday December 12

  • WHAT:  Create a poster with original artwork to represent Fire Safety & Prevention and convey a simple, effective and important message. Poster must include the wording:  "Fire Prevention - Everyone/ Everyday." (Paper size 12" x 18", heavyweight/ cardstock preferred.)

  • WHERE: Hand in your poster to your teacher or principal so they can submit it to our local fire marshal

  • WHEN:  Due Friday, December 12

Two years ago, a Riverside 5th grader won the contest for the entire state!

Please contact Dannielle DiAngelo with any questions.

OH WHAT FUN! THE HOLIDAY SING IS NEAR!

Friday, December 19

Let's Jingle the Bells and Deck the Halls at the front of the school immediately after dismissal on Friday,December 19!  Holiday Sing is a time for Riverside School families to gather outdoors and sing festive songs to ring in the holiday season, led by our music teacher, Ms. Punchatz!

Students are encouraged to show their holiday spirit by wearing their favorite holiday colors to school on Friday, December 19th. 

HELP US FILL OPEN PTA ROLES!

The Riverside School PTA is looking for volunteers for this year!  Volunteering is a great way to engage with the school and community. If any of these roles sound interesting, please email riversideschoolpta@gmail.com to learn more!

  • Arts Field Day Co-Chair – Coordinate an afternoon "Arts Field Day" to be held on May 20, 2026 offering hands-on workshops in crafts, drama, dance, visual arts, writing and music to students in Grades 3-5.
  • Communications Team – Maintain and update content on RIVPTA.org.
  • Publicity Chair – Coordinate with local press around PTA events. 
  • Safety Duty - Assist children as they exit their vehicles in the front driveway during morning drop-off (8.30am - 8.45am daily) Sign-up Here

 

 SUPPORT THE RIVERSIDE PTA BY JOINING TODAY!

Our school community counts on the PTA to deliver an array of events, programs and initiatives that enrich classroom curriculum, support teachers and staff, enhance the school campus, and strengthen the community.

To do this, we rely on the generosity of Riverside School families via our annual Membership Drive, one of the PTA’s most important fundraisers. While your participation is voluntary, we do aim for 100% participation in our Membership Drive.  The PTA does a lot – and we couldn’t do it without your support!

Join the PTA

 INTERESTED IN THE EARLY MORNING PROGRAM?

Sign-up Now!

The Early Morning Program (EMP) at Riverside School is a before school enrichment program that provides a fun, familiar place for Riverside students before the start of the school day and is staffed by a Riverside teacher.

The program runs every Monday through Friday from 7:15-8:30am, and students could be dropped off at any point during that timeframe. Visit the Early Morning Program page for more details.

PARENTING WORKSHOP WITH DR. BOGART

Follow-up Resources from October 8, 2025

At our Fall PTA General Meeting, Dr. Chris Bogart from the Sasco River Center spoke to us about "Raising Confident and Resilient Kids." He reminded us that stress is inevitable, normal, and even important for development; the hard part for parents is how to model healthy management of stress and struggle.  

Please refer to the following resources from the session:

If you have ideas for speakers or topics for future PTA parent enrichment sessions, please email us at riversideschoolpta@gmail.com.

THE NEW GPS REPORT CARD

Follow-up Note (session held on October 21, 2025)

On Tuesday, October 21, 2025, Principal Martín and Assistant Principal Collette provided parents with an overview of the new GPS Elementary School Report Cards. You can find the explanation for making the changes in this GPS District Video.

Although details are still being finalized, rather than assessing students' skills on a scale of 1-5, teachers will now assess students' skills as either ES (Emerging Skill), DS (Developing Skill) or SS (Secure Skill). 

The skills being assessed remain the same as in prior years for the applicable grade level, as they are tied to the CT Common Core standards. 

Please note that the first marking period will end at the end of November.

Upcoming Dates


    View Full Calendar    
    2025-2026 District Calendar

My Page: Parent Dashboard

Create or update your login today and access My Page, your personal dashboard to buy tickets, volunteer and much more!

Feedback & Comments!

 

 A suggestion or comment! 

Have you signed up for Safety Duty?

Help keep morning drop-off safe & efficient by helping children exit their vehicles in the front driveway from 8:30-8:45am daily.
Sign up for a shift today!