Originally delivered on 11/11/2022 2:15 pm

SUBJECT: Riverside School Peek at the Week 11/11/22

Riverside School PTA Newsletter
PTA Logo
Friday, November 11, 2022
PTA Highlights

Dear Riverside Parents,

Our annual Veterans Day Ceremony is one of our favorite events of the year, and this morning's ceremony was truly heartwarming.  How wonderful to see so many Riverside students, teachers, families, Veterans, and special guests together in front of our beautiful school.  We enjoyed hearing from James Harper and Steve Kilcullen, two Veterans who are also Riverside parents, First Selectman Fred Camillo, and Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones.  We were treated to spectacular music all around - Douglas Chew played Taps, the Riverside School student chorus and staff chorus each performed, and Riverside parent Vicky Dussich sang the Star Spangled Banner.  We honored the Veterans in attendance during the ceremony, and we hope that you will view our Honor Roll video which recognizes Riverside family members who are Veterans.  Many thanks to our Veterans Day Committee for planning this important event. 

Today also marks the kick off of the virtual component of this year's Holidays for Haiti community service event.  Families can participate online over the next week, and we'll be holding a special in-person event after school in the gym on Friday, November 18th.

Next week, we are hosting our Fall PTA Meeting via Zoom on Thursday, November 17th at 9:30am. We hope you will join us!

Please note the following date reminders:

  • November 11-18 – Holidays for Haiti Virtual Event
  • November 14-18 –  Battery Drive
  • November 15 – America Recycles Day
  • November 17 – Fall PTA General Meeting
  • November 18 – Spirit Day and Holidays for Haiti In-Person Event
  • November 18 – Last Day of Fall Afters
  • November 23  –  Early Release, Thanksgiving Recess
  • November 24-25 – Schools Closed, Thanksgiving Recess

Have a great weekend!

Allison Maus & Clare Johnson
PTA Co-Presidents

PTA News
HOLIDAYS FOR HAITI REGISTRATION BEGINS TODAY!

Registration for Holidays for Haiti opens today and closes on Friday, November 18. You may register to participate virtually any time from November 11-18, or you may pre-register for our in-person event on November 18 at 3:15pm in the school gym. Please visit the Holidays for Haiti page on the Riverside PTA website for more information on how the event will run. We look forward to continuing the tradition of generosity and spreading holiday cheer to children who otherwise would not have much to celebrate. Thank you!

Penguin with book
FALL PTA MEETING IS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17

Please join us on Thursday, November 17 from 9:30-10:30am via Zoom for the Fall PTA General Meeting. The first 10-15 minutes will include PTA business items, followed by a presentation from Patti Jomo on tips for a positive and productive Parent-Teacher Conference.  More information and Zoom details to come.   

Patti Jomo is a Family Engagement Specialist with Willow Road Consulting. She works with schools, districts, businesses, and nonprofit organizations to help them understand what REAL family engagement is and to allow their work to support greater student growth and achievement. She began work with GPS four years ago to build and deliver the "Families As Partners in Learning" first as a field test, and now to roll it out as a program that builds and strengthens family engagement.

AMERICA RECYCLES DAY & BATTERY DRIVE

Tuesday, November 15 is America Recycles Day, also known as National Recycling Day! Students are encouraged to wear green to celebrate!

Collection bins will be outside the front doors November 14-18 for a week-long Battery Drive. Batteries will be weighed before being deposited at The Holly Hill Resource Recovery Facility. Let's see what we can keep from entering the landfill! Thank you for your support and commitment to recycling at Riverside! 

Penguin with book
RIVERSIDE SCHOOL BOOK FAIR IS BACK!

Save the date for this year's IN-PERSON Riverside Book Fair, where you will find us "Chillin' with Books" on November 30th and December 1st. We are looking for volunteers to help run Book Fair! Please visit the volunteer sign up page.

Please also join us for a Hot Chocolate Social on November 30th, from 5:30-7:00pm, which will include a fun raffle for each grade starting at 6:30pm!

For any questions, please contact Kim Treibick or Julie Ahn.

ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS

Bash the Trash: Sustainable Sounds

This week, 2nd graders participated in "Sustainable Sounds" from Bash the Trash, a two-part science enrichment program that combines a performance with hands-on instrument building. Wednesday's full-grade assembly was a fast and funny show that introduced students to the concepts of science, sound and sustainability. In Thursday's follow-up classroom workshops, the students made hands-on experiential connections from the science they have learned to the behavior of their newly-built musical instruments. Forging STEM to STEAM connections, students used engineering skills and scientific methodology to create, explore and categorize their musical inventions, culminating in a musical exercise.  

Upcoming Enrichment Programming

  • November 16: High Touch High Tech’s Newton’s Day at the Park (Grade 4)
  • November 17: High Touch High Tech’s Vibes (Grade 5)
  • December 2: High Touch High Tech’s What's the Matter (Grade 3)
  • December 15: Dinosaurs Rock (Grade 2)
  • December 19: Riverside Rhythms featuring violinist Renee Oliver (All Grades)
  • December 21: Author Visit with Jerry Pallotta (Grade 1)

    These programs are paid for by your generous donations to the PTA. Thank you!
Penguin with book
WHAT'S THE PTAC ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE COMMITTEE?

Are you familiar with the PTAC Academic Excellence (“AE”) Committee? The AE Committee stays apprised of the development and review of GPS curriculum and instruction and serves as parent advisors on these topics. 

Jess Fenton is Riverside School's AE Rep. Jess partners closely with the Riverside PTA and the broader AE Committee and would love to hear what’s on your mind related to academics. Please reach out to Jess with your feedback so that she can share with committee members from the other schools in our district. 

The AE Committee hosts public workshops throughout the year relating to various aspects of the GPS curriculum. The first workshop, "A New Path to your Best Parent-Teacher Conference" with Patti Jomo, will be held during the Fall PTA Meeting on Thursday, November 17 from 9:30-10:30am. Please be on the lookout for other workshops throughout the year. 

DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE RIVERSIDE REEL!

The Riverside Reel is the PTA’s secure, members-only media share site featuring photos & videos from PTA events and programs. Invitations to join the site for the 2022-2023 school year were sent last week to families who have up-to-date profiles on rivpta.org. Anyone who wishes to access the site going forward must click the link in the invitation.

Do you have photos from Boo Bash or this morning’s Veterans Day ceremony that you’d like to share? Send them, and photos from any other PTA programs and events, to riversidereel@gmail.com.

SAFETY DUTY: MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN JUST 15 MINUTES!

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.

5th Grade News
THANK YOU FOR MAKING BIKE RODEO POSSIBLE!

On Monday, the 5th graders had a fantastic time learning about bike safety and testing their skills in fun obstacle courses. A huge thank you to Bob DeAngelo of Pedal Greenwich and all of our parent volunteers for helping make this happen! Stay tuned for more biking opportunities with Bob and his team.  

District News
Greenwich Public Schools Board of Education Meetings

You can attend this year’s Board of Education meetings in person or on Zoom – which makes it easier to stay informed! Here is a list of 2022-2023 academic year Greenwich Board of Education meetings. Information on how to access the meetings virtually can be found on the GPS Accessing Virtual BOE Meetings page. All meetings start at 7:00pm unless otherwise noted.

  • Wednesday, November 16, 2022
  • Thursday, December 1, 2022 (Budget)
  • Thursday, December 15, 2022
  • Thursday, January 19, 2023
  • Thursday, February 2, 2023 (Retreat, no public comment)
  • Thursday, February 23, 2023
  • Thursday, March 16, 2023
  • Thursday, April 20, 2023
  • Thursday, May 18, 2023
  • Thursday, June 1, 2023 (Retreat, no public comment)
  • Thursday, June 15, 2023
ALP Program Update and Grade 2 Placement

Important dates for Grade 2 Enrichment Placement for the 2022-2023 School Year are as follows: 

  • November 15: Grade 2 ALP Enrichment Q&A for Parents
  • November 7-18: Grade 2 ALP Enrichment Parent Referral Window
  • December 9: Grade 2 ALP Enrichment Deadline for Parent Input for Building Advisory Committee 
  • January 3: Grade 2 ALP Enrichment Placement Recommendation Notifications 
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Community News
Greenwich Conservation Commission: The Great Pumpkin Rescue

The Greenwich Conservation Commission and Waste Free Greenwich invite you to The Great Pumpkin Rescue Saturday, November 12from 1-4pm at the Cos Cob Train Station Parking Lot! Bring your leftover and/or unwanted jack-o-lanterns, pumpkins and gourds to be composted and stay for the fun (no paint, glitter, googly eyes or candles)! This family-friendly, free event will feature a pumpkin smash and lawn games, including pumpkin bowling, spooky ring toss, pumpkin bean bag toss and gourd tic tac toe. Earn raffle tickets for chances to win prizes that will help your family cut household waste. To participate in the pumpkin smash, residents must bring their own bat or mallet and protective eyewear. Our team will also conduct demonstrations to share tips about backyard composting. If you can't join The Great Pumpkin Rescue, bring your pumpkins and gourds for composting to the designated drop area near the yard waste section at the Holly Hill Resource Recovery Facility or compost them in your own yard!

Native American Heritage Month is Here!

On August 3, 1990, President George H. W. Bush declared the month of November National American Indian Heritage Month to honor our many Native American communities. Today, November is more commonly referred to as Native American Heritage Month. Visit the Greenwich Culture Collective website to learn more!

Transgender Awareness Week: November 13-19 and Transgender Day of Remembrance: November 20

The Day of Remembrance honors the memory of transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence over the past year.  Sadly, 2021 marked the deadliest year on record for transgender people, with the Black and Latinx community overrepresented among those who lost their lives.  

Visit the Greenwich Culture Collective website for events and resources related to Transgender Awareness Week.

Greenwich Library and PTAC: AuthorsLive: Behind Their Screens with Emily Weinstein

On Sunday, November 20th at 3:00pm, Harvard researcher Emily Weinstein will discuss her co-authored book Behind their Screens: What Teens are Facing (and Adults are Missing) with moderator Kathy Steiner of Greenwich High School at the Berkley Theater, Greenwich Library. Register for free here.

Contrary to many assumptions, teens are not simply “addicted” to their screens. They are instead trying to navigate a networked world. Drawing on a survey of more than 3,500 teens, authors Emily Weinstein and Carrie James explain that young people need empathy, not exasperated eye-rolling, from adults who should try and understand the complicated nature of teens' online life rather than issue commands.

Greenwich Alliance for Education: Annual Turkey Trot

Support the Greenwich Alliance and our public schools by registering here for the annual Turkey Trot, a 5K & 1 Mile fun run/walk on Saturday, November 26 at 9:30am. When you register, don’t forget to participate in the Run for Your School Competition. The Greenwich school with the greatest participation wins a $500 gift card for PE equipment!

Registration Fees: 

  • Adults: $35, $40 (race day)
  • Children: $15 (13 and under)
Kids in Crisis: Holiday Central

Kids in Crisis will be holding its annual "Holiday Central" at the North Greenwich Congregational Church, located at 606 Riversville Rd., Greenwich CT 06831. There are several opportunities to help between now and Monday, December 5:

  • Sponsor a Child’s Holiday Wish: A typical list includes a winter coat, sneakers, pajamas, underwear and something fun. They'll send you the list!
  • Shop the Online Registry: Kids in Crisis has set up a Amazon registry for online shopping.
  • Giving Tree: Just let Kids in Crisis know how many wishes you need to create your giving tree and they will send the list!
  • Holiday Food or Gift Drive: Please contact jfebles@kidsincrisis.org for a list of what’s needed most this year.
  • Donate Gift Cards: Consider donating gift cards in any amount that can be used to purchase last-minute items from supermarkets, Target, Walmart, Old Navy, Visa/Amex, etc.
  • Sponsor a Holiday Dinner: The dinner benefits those kids staying at Kids In Crisis’ SafeHaven shelter this holiday season. 

For more information or to schedule a drop-off, please contact jfebles@kidsincrisis.org

Perrot Memorial Library: Author Visit with Gordon Korman

Gordon Korman will be visiting the Perrot Memorial Library on Thursday, December 4th at 4pm. Additional details can be found here. Please call the Library at (203) 637-8802 in advance to sign up!

Greenwich Department of Human Services Fund: 2022 Holiday Aid Program

The Greenwich Department of Human Services Fund is running their "2022 Holiday Aid Program" to provide financially eligible Greenwich residents with food, clothing, toys, and gift cards at Thanksgiving and for the Winter Holidays. The program is made possible by generous donations from community organizations, church groups, corporations, and private individuals. 

Because the need is greater than ever this year, the Fund is looking for additional support for the “Holiday Wishes” portion of the Holiday Aid program. The Fund is seeking monetary donations or $25 gift cards to Walmart or Target. Gift cards will be distributed to Greenwich families, so that they can purchase clothing and/or toys for their children. The deadline for gift card donations is Friday, December 9.

Daughters of the American Revolution "American History Essay Contest" for Grades 5-8

The DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) is running an "American History Essay Contest" for children in grades 5-8.

QUICK LINKS
PEEK AT THE WEEK

Access the Peek Archive for past issues. If you are not receiving an issue every Friday please email riversideschoolpta@gmail.com.

SUBMISSIONS

Have something to add? Email us at: peekweekriv@gmail.com/ Deadline for submissions is 3pm on Wednesday of the school week

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