Riverview Elementary Weekly Newsletter

Submitted by angela.killian on

Principal Moment

All teachers have those days when we think the cashier’s position at any store is looking pretty good.  But then just when we’re about to lose our minds, a student does or says something that reminds us of why we went into this profession in the first place.

When a child gives up the money that he has earned all year to a family who lost their home to a fire-we remember.   When a student asks if the stars in the sky are pointy like the ones we draw-we remember.  When we spot a child praying over a dead baby bird by the bike racks-we remember.  When a child scratches an itch and says, “It inches,”-we remember.  When a child thinks an autobiography is a story about cars-we remember.  When a child says, “Mrs. Killian, you could probably teach school.  You seem smart enough.”-we remember. 

How grateful I am that I get to come to school every day with children who help me remember!

Year End Testing

We are in the year end testing window.  Testing can wear teachers and students down. Do what you can to turn off testing anxiety.  

This year the RISE is replacing the SAGE as Utah’s computer adaptive standards assessment for students in grades 3-8. 

There are a few things families can do to prepare for test day at home:

  • Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and eats a healthy breakfast.
  • Make the morning of testing as relaxing as possible by arriving to school on time.
  • Encourage children to focus and pace themselves without rushing. It’s important to take your time, and read each question carefully.
  • Remind children that if the test questions seem hard, that means they’re doing well. Just like the ACT college entrance exam, the RISE test is computer adaptive, which means it adapts to the student’s abilities by giving harder questions when a student gets something correct, and easier questions when the student gives a wrong answer.
  • Don’t give up.
  • Make sure you take time to go outside and play!

2019-2020 Riverview Student Placement Procedures

Classroom placement at Riverview is a process that takes teachers and administration many hours of careful thought and consideration.  We look at gender, learning abilities, peer friendships, combinations (both positive and non-constructive), class size, social and academic strengths and challenges, diversity, as well as leadership and role models to form equitable classroom communities that ensure both social and academic development for all children.

We take our classroom placement decisions very seriously and do our best to create classroom communities that promote growth and development for each student.  Our goal is to create classes that address both the fit between the student and teacher and to create a classroom environment that is conducive to learning for all students. Once the classroom communities have been formed the movement of children from parent requests alters the integrity of the groups and causes a chain reaction within the classroom balance.

We will not be sending a form to accept requests as in previous years.  Last year we had over 600 requests, too many requests to have balanced classrooms.  We respect tremendously that you know your student in ways we could not possibly know them.  We likewise ask that you trust that your child’s teacher has knowledge about your child’s academic, social, emotional, and behavior needs that may vary from what you see in the home setting.  Thank you for your cooperation with this.  

PTA Information...

BOGO Bookfair

It's time for the BUY ONE GET ONE FREE book fair! The fair will be held before school, during lunch, and after school from April 15 to April 19.

PTA Spring Carnival - Monday, May 13th!

Please come and enjoy:

  • Games and Activities from 5:30 to 8PM
  • Silent Auction from 5:30 to 7:45PM
  • Food will be served from 5:30 to 8PM

There will be a silent auction for the awesome themed baskets that have been donated and carefully prepared by each class, as well as other great items. 

Gift Baskets

To raise funds for such activities, the PTA is asking that each child contribute something that goes along with their grade's gift basket theme. 

  • Kindergarten - Pamper.  Donation ideas: Essential oils/diffuser, nails certificate/nail polish, spa treatment/spa items, massage certificate, candles/lotions, licensed maid service, body & hair care, flower bouquet, manicure/pedicure
  • First grade - Arts and Crafts.  Donation ideas: slime materials, scrapbook supplies, yarn/knitting, paint sets, colored pencils, canvases, Joann's gift card, Hobby Lobby gift card, Michael's gift card, other craft supplies
  • Second grade - Kids Activities.  Donation ideas: Board games, card games, tie dye, science kits, toys, books, arts & crafts, water guns/balloons, kites, gift cards
  • Third grade - Summer.  Donation ideas: slip n slide, water balloons, gift certificates, pool passes, swim lesson certificate, swim gear, beach towels/sunglasses, sunscreen/bug spray, squirt gun/water balloons, ice cream sundae items
  • Fourth grade - Family Time.  Donation ideas: movie tickets, card games, board games, yard games, road trip items, gift cards - family activities, family DVD's/Redbox codes, Movie night snacks, photo frames, $5/$10 gift cards
  • Fifth grade - Date Night. Donation ideas: chocolates, at home date kit, restaurant gift cards, couples activities, Redbox certificates, movie card, flowers, bowling certificate, other gift cards
  • Sixth grade - Outdoor & Sports.  Donation ideas: tent/camping equipment, firepit and smore items, cooler, BBQ equipment, gardening items, IFA/Home Depot gift card, sporting equipment, sport store gift cards, college fan memorabilia, picnic

If you would like to donate something not assigned to your child's theme, please do!  If you donate a 2-liter bottle of soda - your child gets one extra ticket.  One ticket per student. 

Health regulations prohibits serving homemade treats.  

All donations need to be turned in by Tuesday, May 7th.  Cash Donations Accepted.  This allows the committee to purchase needed items. 

Online Donations

This year your friends and family from out of town can participate by donating money to our cause online! To donate online simply go to the following link - www.RiverviewRamsPTA.blogspot.com. For every dollar donated online the donor can select a student who will have an extra ticket placed in the bike raffle. So if grandma donates $20, her grandchild has 20 more chances to win the bike!!!

Communication Options

Upcoming Events

  • April 15th– 19th – PTA BOGO Book Fair
  • April 16th – Kindergarten Field Trip
  • April 18th– 4th grade field trip/State Earthquake Drill @ 10:00 a.m
  • April 23rd  – 3rdgrade track and field day @ SFHS
  • April 25th– National Secretary Day
  • April 30th – 4th grade track and field day @ SFHS
  • May 3rd – Last day to check out library books/ Make Your Mark Assembly @ 9:00
  • May 7th – 5th grade Freedom Walk/6th grade track and field day @ SFHS
  • May 8th – 5th grade Hope of America
  • May 10th – All library books due
  • May 13th - PTA School Carnival - 5:30-8:00 PM
  • May 14th – 5th grade track and field day @ SFHS
  • May 17th – Last day of Kindergarten
  • May 20th – 1st & 2nd grade talent show 9:00-10:30 a.m.
  • May 21st – 3rd & 4th grade talent show 9:00-10:30 a.m.
  • May 22nd – 5th & 6th grade talent show 9:00-10:30 a.m.

Mrs. Angie Killian

Principal, Riverview Elementary