Riverview Elementary Weekly Newsletter

Submitted by angela.killian on

Principal Moment

There are some things that happen at school that are guaranteed to bring any lesson to a grinding halt and there is nothing that even the most highly effective teacher can do to refocus students. 

Spiders

When a student screams, “Spider!” Do not try to teach. Go directly to cup.  Watch children jump out of seats and run to spider.  Watch children jump backward when they see spider.  Hear them scream loudly. Turn cup upside down.  Capture spider.  Put spider outside.  Tell children to sit down. Tell children to sit down again.  Then tell children to sit down and stay down.  Listen to spider stories for twenty minutes.

Bees

When a bee flies in through the window, listen to children scream, “Bee!” over and over.  Watch bee fly around room.  Watch children fly around room also.  Watch boy start to swat bee.  Scream, “Stop that!”  Now, watch bee fly around room faster.  Do not get cup.  Bees do not like cups.  Pick up folder.  Try to shoo bee out of window with folder.  Listen to children laugh at you as you try to shoo bee out the window.  When bee is finally outside, listen to bee sting stories for twenty minutes.

Lightning

When you see lightning, children will begin to chatter.  Do not say, “Quiet.”  It does not work.  All children talk when they see lightning.  You will soon hear thunder.  Do not try to squeeze math problems in between lightning and thunder crashes.  It does not work either.

Snow

When the first snow falls, listen to children scream, “Look!  Snow!”  Children will ask to go outside.  Say no.  Children will repeat question.  Repeat answer.  Warning: Do not walk near your coat or door at this time.  If you do, children will think you are going outside and start jumping up and down and wagging their tails.

Halloween

If Halloween falls on a school day, stop teaching immediately.  Find a costume.  Do not come dressed as a teacher.  Children will ask what you are dressed as.  When you say, “A teacher and we are going to learn so many things today!” students will laugh and say, “Good costume!”  Watch children jump out of seats and run and jump and hear them scream loudly and wag their tails.  Do not say, “Quiet.”  It does not work.  All children talk on Halloween.  Do not try to squeeze math problems or reading in on Halloween.  It does not work either.  Happy Halloween!!

On Halloween, we will end our day with a Halloween parade at 2:00 PM.  In the case of inclement weather, the parade will be canceled.

Learner Animal Characters

This month we are focusing on the ‘Self-Aware’ learner power.   Rocky Raven is the animal who helps us learn what being self-aware feels like.  Meet Rocky Raven.  He lives in a large tree in a wooded area.  He likes where he lives.  He eats during the day and roosts in his nest at night.   He looks different from other birds in the woods.  He has a thick neck, shaggy throat feathers, and a curved beak.  Rocky doesn’t let looking different ruffle his feathers.  Rocky Raven isn’t afraid to learn, he isn’t afraid to stretch his brain to figure out problems.  In fact, I would call him Remarkable Rocky Raven. He’s learned to not compare himself to other birds and doesn’t worry what other birds think.  He wants to build his learning capacity so when he feels like things are hard, he decides to be brave and does not give up.  He thinks about the things he knows and uses them to figure out his problem.  Because Rocky is self-aware, he has learned to talk like parrots, and point with his feathers, he is brave and never stops learning.

When you are Self-Aware like Rocky Raven, you...

  • Feel proud of your achievements
  • Feel your neurons connecting
  • Imagine your intelligence growing by the minute!
  • Are creative
  • Let your imagination go
  • Use what you have learned in real life
  • Know that you can do it, if you practice

Restricted Items at School

We ask that students not bring personal property to school.  Toys, stuffed animals, Pokémon cards, etc., often cause distractions or problems within the classroom and on the playground.  Many problems have been encountered because toys are lost or stolen.  The school will not be responsible if toys brought to school are damaged, lost, or stolen.

PTA

There are many positions and committees in the PTA that need to be filled. Many helpers make light work. Plus you can get to know new people and make new friends. See link below to sign up! http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d4fa9a82faafa7-2019

Drug Prevention/Child Safety Week

We will be celebrating Red Ribbon Week October 28th – Nov. 1st.  Red Ribbon Week serves as a vehicle for communities and individuals to take a stand for the hopes and dreams of our children through a commitment to drug prevention and education and a personal commitment to live drug free lives. Listed are some of the activities that we will be involved in.

  • Wednesday, October 30th - ""Sock it to Drugs" and "Watch your step"

*Wear crazy or mismatched socks

*Walk to school day

TIP OF THE DAY: Be safe, be smart, be seen.  Make sure drivers can see you.  Wearing bright colors can help drivers see you when you’re walking or riding your bike to school. You can wear a colorful scarf or tie a bright ribbon on your backpack.

  • Thursday, October 31st “Say BOO! to drugs"

*Dress up in Halloween costume

TIP OF THE DAY:  One way to "rally" against drugs is to be friends with people who make healthy choices and show good character.  Be a friend that makes good choices every day. 

  • Friday, November 1st - “Rally in Red"

*Wear as much RED as possible

Upcoming Events

  • Oct 29th - Make Your Mark Assembly
  • Oct. 28th – Nov. 1st – Drug Prevention/Child Safety Week
  • Oct. 31st – Halloween Parade at 2:00 p.m.
  • Nov. 1st – Popcorn Friday/Spirit Day & Good Citizenship Reward
  • Nov. 12th – 5th Grade Discovery Gateway Event, Veterans Day/Reflections Assembly
  • Nov. 27th – 29th – Thanksgiving Break

Thank you,

Mrs. Angie Killian

Principal, Riverview Elementary