December 18, 2017
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Every December, we are reminded of the reality of
living in Maine in the winter. The cold weather has arrived and we know there
will be many frosty days ahead. We urge you to do your best to send your children
appropriately dressed for school during the winter months. Students need
jackets, hats, snow pants, boots and gloves/mittens in order to be safely
protected from the cold when they are outside at recess. We have recess outside
every day, unless the temperature is below 13 degrees wind chill. If you need
help getting these items for your child please contact the office at 874-8210. We are also continuing to accept donations of
new or slightly used winter clothing for our students in need. Thank you for your
generous support.
Community
Meetings
Every other month Riverton School gathers in the
cafeteria for a School Wide Community Meeting. At the Community Meeting, we
share news and announcements, talk about our PBIS expectations and watch skits based
on our Second Step curriculum to help us learn more about what it means to be safe,
respectful, responsible and cooperative at Riverton School. Parents are welcome
to join us this Tuesday, December 19 at 8:45 in the cafeteria.
Growth
Mindset -
What is it?
We
used to think that our intelligence was fixed – meaning we were either smart or
not. Now we know, through science, that this isn’t true. Our brain continues to
change and grow each and every day the more we use it and challenge it.
When
you have a fixed mindset you give up easily and avoid challenges.
When you have a growth mindset you don’t give up, you learn from
feedback and go for the challenge. It’s not just about working hard and giving
your best effort. It’s about believing that your brain and intelligence changes
the harder you work.
At
Riverton we are all about having a growth mindset. We are learning about how
our brains work and how making mistakes makes the brain grow and become
smarter. We praise students’ effort, persistence and creativity. In every subject
we talk about how, through hard work and not giving up, we not only become
better students, but become better learners in all parts of our lives.
At home, remind your child that their brain is growing
each and every time they try something and not to give up when it’s difficult.
Each time he/she learns something new, his/her brain is making new connections.
Instead of saying how smart they are, praise their effort and encourage your
child to make mistakes. Mistakes grow the brain! If they say it’s too hard,
say, “You can’t do it yet, but keep trying!"
Morning
Drop Off
Keeping our students safe is our number one
priority, especially during morning drop off and afternoon pickup. Our
drop-off/pick-up is in the LOWER parking area, which is the large lot at the
back of the school at the Community Center/Pool entrance. Students should not be dropped off in the morning before 8:05, and
must be picked up by 2:50, unless attending Rec or Learning Works programs.
Dropping off your children in the morning should be
a quick, kiss-and-go. Please do not park
along the drop off area. If parents need to come into the building, please
pull into a parking space to allow for safety and a smoother traffic pattern
for others. Also, please DO NOT drop off students in the bus loop or the smaller
parking area near the bus loop. The bus loop is only for
busses and the smaller parking lot is for visitors. Finally, be sure to obey
all the speed limits on and surrounding the school grounds. This will help
avoid a $300+ ticket!
The Portland Police have notified us that they will be
monitoring our drop off and pick up times in order to help ensure safety. Thank you for your help in keeping all students safe at Riverton
School!
Lost and
Found
Are you looking for your child’s favorite jacket,
sweatshirt or hat? The lost and found is located in the hallway at the far end
of the lobby. Please take a moment to stop by and have a look to find anything
that may belong to your child. The Lost and Found is emptied out three times
per year; over December break, April break, and at the end of the school year,
and the contents are donated to charity. Please be sure to check it now before
December break.
Walking School Bus Update The Walking School bus is up and running and we have a few dedicated volunteers who support students to school safely and on time each day! We have a ton of fun walking together and we need more help! We need LOTS more volunteers. Please contact Mr. Turner in the office at 874-8180 for more information or if you would like to volunteer.
Volunteering at Riverton
Speaking of volunteering, we have plenty of opportunities for parents and guardians to volunteer at Riverton School. Currently, we are looking for help leveling books in our book room. Please contact Ms. Elliott at 874-8210 if you would like to help.
Winter Break
Special
Reminder - December Break is coming. There is no
school from Dec 23 - Jan 1st. Classes resume Tuesday, January 2nd. All the best
over the holidays and Happy New Year! See you in 2018!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Ann
Hanna, Principal
Mr. Turner,
Assistant Principal
All the
staff at Riverton Elementary School
