SPRING AFTERS REGISTRATION OPENS WEDNESDAY
REGISTRATION: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 7:00AM - MONDAY, MARCH 16, 11:59PM
Spring Afters registration opens Wednesday, March 11 at 7:00am and closes Monday, March 16 at 11:59pm.
- WHAT: Spring Afters Registration. See the Riverside School PTA Afters Page for details.
- WHEN: Registration runs March 11 at 7:00am through March 16 at 11:59pm. Classes will run the week of April 13 through June 12.
- WHERE: Register on My Page on RIVPTA.org. Refer to the registration guide for instructions.
- CONTACT: Please contact the Afters team: Liz Shaw, Suzy Roth or Jaclyn Glazer, with any questions.
Before registration, please be sure to complete the Afters Pre-Enrollment Form for each child you plan to register, even if you filled it out last session. This form can be found on My Page as well.
PIZZA BINGO: GRAB YOUR TICKETS
EVENT: MARCH 20

We hope that you will join us for an exciting evening filled with Bingo, Raffle Prizes, Pizza, and
fun for the whole family. Pizza Bingo is one of Riverside School PTA’s most important fundraisers of the year. Take a chance at winning one of our amazing baskets, ice cream/treat gift cards and many
more prizes.
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Doors Open: 6:30pm
Bingo: 7:00-8:00pm
Greenwich High School Student Center | 10 Hillside Road
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Pizza Bingo needs YOU to make it happen. Please sign up for a volunteer shift HERE.
Your class parents will reach out (if they haven't already) about basket donations to make this FUNdraiser a success.
Stay Cheesy!
If you have any questions, please contact Kim Halperin or Abby Finkel
STEM FAIR: REGISTRATION IS OPEN
EVENT: MARCH 31 - APRIL 1

STEM Fair Registration is Open!
Riverside School’s annual STEM Fair gives students a chance to explore questions and solve problems using Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, then present their projects and conclusions to others.
For the first time this year, the STEM Fair will have a theme, The Scientific Method. A scientific method project is an experiment where you ask a question, test it using evidence, and draw a conclusion based on your results. This theme is intended to make the STEM Fair more straightforward, academically-focused, and family-friendly, while still celebrating curiosity.
Please refer to the STEM Fair Handbook for further details.
Registration:
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There is a fee of $10 per student.
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Go to My Page to register - please register each child as an individual, even if they are working with friends or siblings.
General Guidelines:
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All students from Grades K-5 are encouraged to participate.
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Students can work individually or with friends (or siblings).
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Please note there is a limit of 4 students per group.
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The STEM Fair is not competitive and is not required. As in prior years, every student will receive a STEM-themed prize or medal.
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Special recognition will be provided to Green Projects and Engineering & Design Projects.
KEY DATES:
- Monday, 3/2 - Wednesday, 3/18: STEM Fair Registration Open on MyPage
- Tuesday, 3/10 & Wednesday, 3/18: Project boards available for pickup after school
- Tuesday, 3/31: STEM Fair Open House for families
- Grades K-2: 6:00-6:45pm
- Grades 3-5: 6:45-7:30pm
- Wednesday, 4/1: Students visit the STEM Fair during the day with their classes
For more details, please visit the STEM Fair Homepage.
And if you'd like to volunteer to help out with the STEM Fair, please sign up here.
Please email any questions to Maxine Yang, Kimberly McConnell or Marianna Palocci.
MATH MARATHON
EVENT: MARCH 9 - 15

The PTA is excited for Riverside School’s 2026 Math Marathon! It is a week-long event where we celebrate the study of math in our school community. This year’s Math Marathon will run from Monday, March 9 through Sunday, March 15 and will include:
- At-home Math Marathon Game Board Challenge with pencil and paper game boards are available for download from the Math Marathon website; each completed math activity earns students a chance to win fun prizes!
- Math Games with the Riverside Math Team - Monday through Friday at 8:30am! Each day, we will host 3 separate tables - for K - 1, Grades 2 - 3 and Grades 4 - 5. Students at each table will answer math questions and have the chance to win a different prize each day!
Last year we had over 200 game board submissions – we hope you will join us for Math Marathon 2026! All students, K-5, are encouraged to participate.
For any questions, please look for updates and announcements on the Math Marathon website or email our Math Marathon PTA volunteers at riversideschooleducation@gmail.com.
COMMUNITY SERVICE CLUB MEETING
EVENT: MARCH 11

This month, the Community Service Club will be learning about Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) — a rare genetic skin condition that causes extremely fragile skin. We’ll be talking about bravery, kindness, and how small acts of support can make a big impact. Our very own third grader, Elodie Kubik, lives with a severe form of EB, and we’ll learn about the annual Plunge for Elodie and explore ways we can show up for Elodie and the greater rare disease community.
- WHAT: Community Service Club meeting (Grades K-3) - EB Edition
- WHEN: Wednesday, March 11 from 1:15-2:00pm (Early Release day)
- WHERE: Cafeteria (Dismissal will be from the black top outside the cafeteria doors)
If your child would like to attend, please complete the sign up form online. Sign up is required and space is limited.
Please contact Kim Halperin and Holly Harlow with any questions.
SAVE THE DATE: PLUNGE FOR ELODIE
EVENT: MARCH 28
The Riverside community will once again be plunging to find a cure for third grader, Elodie Kubik, who suffers from a rare disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa ("EB"). Children who suffer from EB are often called butterfly children because their skin is as fragile as butterfly wings. There are limited treatment options for this disease, and EB patients currently have a life expectancy of 30.
- WHAT: Plunge for Elodie
- WHEN: Saturday, March 28, 9am
- WHERE: Rye Playland
- OTHER PLUNGE EVENTS: March 11 - Community Service Club (see details above), March 25, Dry Plunge Arty Party
Please join Elodie's friends and family to fund important research, change the treatment paradigm for this disease and save lives. Click here to learn more about the event and donate. And please save March 25 for the Dry Plunge Arty Party.
TICKETS NOW ONSALE FOR THE FAMILY OUTING
EVENT: MARCH 28

Calling all Riverside families and staff to come together to cheer on the Westchester Knicks! In prior years, Riverside students have enjoyed an annual family outing to see a local team play - including a Bridgeport Islanders hockey game and a NY Mets baseball game. This year we have scored an opportunity to see the Westchester Knicks (the NY Knicks' G League team) for some great basketball in a fun local arena. Tickets will go on sale next Wednesday, February 4, 2026.
- WHAT: Westchester Knicks Game, this year's Riverside Family Outing
- WHEN: Saturday, March 28, 3:00pm (Doors open at 2:00pm)
- WHERE: Westchester County Center, White Plains
Please reach out to Katie Rollins or Kristiana Wilson with any questions.
RIVERSIDE MATH TEAM:
THE NOETIC CONTEST ON APRIL 14

Spring Contest: Register by Friday, March 6
- Contest Date: Tuesday, April 14 at 7:30am (Note this is FREE for all students thanks to your generous support of the Riverside PTA)
Morning Noetic Prep Sessions: Register today on myPage! (See page for dates and details - please look carefully at the dates if your 4th/5th grader is also participating in before-school WordMasters with Mrs. Ciafone)
- Mondays 7:45am for 4th and 5th graders
- Tuesdays 7:45am for 2nd and 3rd graders
Questions? Email Math Team Co-Chairs Betsy McIntyre and Sandy Yong at riversideschoolpta@gmail.com.
WORDMASTERS SPRING SESSION:
SPRING SESSION: MARCH 2 - APRIL 13

ALP ELA Teacher Mrs. Ciafone is leading an early-morning WordMasters Spring session for 4th and 5th graders.
- WHAT: WordMasters Spring Session for Grades 4-5
- WHEN: The Spring session will take place on Monday mornings: March 2, 16, 23, and 30, April 13 and 20 (challenge test day).
- COST: $175 for the session
Reach out to Jimena Castro with any questions. Stay tuned for further information on registration!
RIVERSIDE SCHOOL SPELLING BEE
EVENT: APRIL 17
This year, Riverside will join several other GPS elementary schools in hosting its very own Scripps Spelling Bee.
- WHAT: Spelling Bee for Grades 3-5. Winners and their homerooms will receive prizes!
- WHEN: Grade-level word lists are available here: 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade. (NOTE: you must be logged into your RIVPTA.org account to view them.) Written spelling tests will be administered in homerooms to participating students. Top scorers from each homeroom will compete in the Spelling Bee on Friday, April 17.
- WHERE: Riverside School
- CONTACT: Reach out to Ariel Ramchandani or the Riverside School PTA with any questions or ideas.
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: Website Manager – Maintain and update content on RIVPTA.org.
- Communications Team: MTK & Technology Lead – Primary point of contact for parent technology related queries to Membership Toolkit (MTK).
- 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
VOLUNTEER TO BE A FOOD RESCUE DRIVER

Join the Riverside Green Committee in reducing food waste and supporting our neighbors in need.
- WHAT: Collect surplus food from the cafeteria fridge, deliver it to local partners, and log the donation in the Food Rescue US app
- WHERE: Deliveries go to Kids in Crisis in Cos Cob
- WHEN: Fridays from 1:50pm to 2:15pm. Sign up for one slot or many!
Make an Impact in Under an Hour. Your help ensures surplus food reaches families, not the landfill. Every delivery counts! Sign up here.
Please contact Silvia Romano or Emily Gildersleeve for any further info.
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:
- Zoom Recording of the session
- Dr. Bogart's presentation
- Book he mentioned regarding the Space program: Breaking Free of Child Anxiety & OCD
- The Sasco River Center in Darien has lots of other great resources!
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
- Tuesday, March 10
- Wednesday, March 11
- Thursday, March 12
- Friday, March 13
- Saturday, March 14
View Full Calendar
2025-2026 District Calendar
Quick Links
My Page: Parent Dashboard
Create or update your login today and access My Page, your personal dashboard to buy tickets, volunteer and much more!
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!





