Fall Fundraiser tickets are now on sale - buy your tickets today!  Join us to Go Red For Riverside in a private indoor/outdoor event space at The Village in Stamford on Saturday, October 15th from 7-10pm.

All money raised supports our children's educational experience at Riverside, and directly funds arts and science enrichment programs, field trips, teacher classroom needs, community events and wellness initiatives! We would not be able to provide these incredible opportunities to our kids without your support. 

Auction items are largely sourced from within our Riverside community, and they often include vacation homes, tickets to sporting events, wine, gift certificates, cooking classes and so much more! If you have an item or experience to donate to the auction, please contact Megan Sullivan or Jacyln Glazer.

Mark your calendar for Picture Day on Wednesday, September 28! Individual and class photos will be taken outdoors; however, photos may be moved indoors in the event of inclement weather.  

Like last year, families will receive a proof sheet approximately 3 weeks after Picture Day with 3 images to choose from. These proof sheets will be sent home with your child along with online ordering instructions and paper order forms for those who wish to pay by check or money order. We no longer order photos prior to Picture Day.

Play in a Day

This week professional storytellers from the Connecticut Storytelling Center worked with our third graders to craft a play in a single day. The storytellers guided the students through the process of producing a play which includes brainstorming a storyline, developing the script, and arranging movement, music and drama. The production is a valuable exercise in promoting teamwork, friendships and respect for each other - important skills that the students use throughout this school year and beyond. The program also aims to teach skills such as speaking clearly, taking risks and being creative. We hope the parents enjoyed the finished productions as much as the kids enjoyed putting the shows together and performing them. If you were not able to attend Play in a Day, please check out the wonderful photos on our Riverside Reel. If you have trouble accessing the Riverside Reel, please email riversidereel@gmail.com for assistance.

Upcoming Enrichment Programming

• September 29: Author Visit with Victoria Coe (Grades 2-3)
• October 17: Riverside Rhythms - Irish Music Duo (All Grades)

These programs are paid for by your generous donations to the PTA. Thank you!

The brand new Community Service Club will meet after school Friday, September 30 from 3:15pm - 4:15pm. Students will discuss how to assist and engage with the seniors in our community through arts and crafts and other fun activities. If you have a student in 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th grade who is interested in attending, please email Wendy Browning by Tuesday, September 27th. Your child may not attend if you have not emailed Wendy by this date. There are ways your student can participate even if they can't make the first meeting. Email Wendy to find out how! There is no cost or commitment to attend this meeting...just interest, participation and good behavior.

With Fall fast approaching are you thinking about Halloween costumes? Need new boots and coats? Want to pass along old costumes, boots and coats? Riverside's Halloween, Boot and Coat Drive will be October 3-7. Donation bins will be outside the front of the school each day from 8:30-9:00am and 2:30-3:00pm. Please consider donating your clean, gently used items.

Collected items will be on display and available for ALL families and staff FOR FREE on Thursday, October 13 from 8:30-9:00am and 2:30-3:00pm by the front doors (rain date will be October 14). Unclaimed costumes, boots and coats will be donated.

Interested in helping with the costume, boot and coat drive? Be on the lookout for volunteer sign ups via Membership Toolkit and next week’s Peek.

REDUCE, REUSE & RECYCLE!

The Riverside Musical team needs your help!  As part of our set design for Matilda, Jr., we are in need of a lot of boxes, ranging from 5"x5" to 12"x8" (think cereal, cracker, art supply and gift boxes).  We would love a variety of rectangular and square boxes, and will be collecting them in bins outside of school over the next 2 weeks.   Please email Lala Addeo and Jenni Reynolds with any questions. Thank you!

Do you love your child’s new “RIVERSIDE” hoodie? Would you like one for yourself? This is your chance! We are now accepting pre-orders for adult versions of the popular new “RIVERSIDE” hoodies. Show your school pride AND your town pride with your very own spirit item! 

Hoodies will be available in both navy blue and red, in adult sizes: S, M, L and XL (please note: these hoodies tend to run small). The cost for the adult hoodies is $40 and they will only be available via pre-order until this Friday, September 30th.  Pre-order your RIVERSIDE hoodie today!

This year, we hope to spark some conversations amongst parents, with teachers, and most of all with our children about how we use technology as a tool, and how we protect ourselves from the dangers inherent in it. We will also attempt to bring tools and conversation about our mental wellbeing in an effort to reduce stigmas and help each other find ways to reach out and reduce feelings of shame, isolation, and anxiety.

Here you will find some resources to help you get started. Please reach out to Harriet Gilmer or Alessandra Okay with ideas, suggestions and how to get more involved or even just to have a conversation!

Please go to RIVPTA.ORG and follow the steps provided to update/enter your information, including your child(ren)’s new teacher, for the online family directory. If you are not prompted to do this, please click “LOGIN” at the top right of your screen. If you have moved or have new phone or email information, please let the school office know as well.

Once your directory information is up to date, be sure to join the PTA to gain unlimited access to the directory. The PTA relies on the generosity of Riverside School families via our annual Membership Drive. Funds raised go toward student enrichment programs, classroom and building needs, and teacher support. We aim for 100% participation in our Membership Drive.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed a donation to join the PTA so far – this is an important fundraiser to help us get up and running for the year.

Safety Duty is an important part of keeping our children safe at Riverside School. Volunteers make the morning drop-off process more efficient and secure. Volunteers assist children as they exit their vehicles in the front driveway from 8:30am - 8:45am daily and help to enforce the “Rules of the Road.”  Sign up online.

For more information, contact Sean Sullivan.