Friday, February 9, 2018

February News

February News
Dear Parents and Guardians,
The school year is flying by! It is hard to believe that Monday, February 12 will be the 100th day of school! In fact, it’s just about time to start enrolling your Kindergarten and/or Pre-K student for the 2018-2019 school year.  The Kindergarten registration period is from February 26-March 9, 2018 and for the first time parents can complete registration forms online.  Children must be five years of age on or before October 15, 2018 in order to attend Kindergarten. To enroll your child online, login to the PPS website at www.portlandschools.org, click on families and then “School Enrollment.”  This will give you the link to the online enrollment portal. You may also come in to Riverton and use our online registration kiosk. Please call the school at 874-8210 for an appointment if you plan to come in to enroll. For families who need assistance completing the application in English, please call the Multilingual & Multicultural Center at 874-8135 for translation/interpretation services.

Once your online registration is complete, you will need to come into Riverton’s main office to show an original proof of birth (will be reviewed, not kept), the child’s immunization record, and proof of residency in the city of Portland (electricity, cable, internet bill or lease agreement).
Kindergarten Information Night will take place at Riverton on May 31. This event will give incoming kindergarteners and their parents the chance to tour the school, visit classrooms, meet the kindergarten teachers and other staff members, attend a brief information session and ask any questions you may have.

Portland Public School’s Pre-Kindergarten registration period is also from February 26-March 9. Children must be 4 years old by October 15, 2018 to be eligible for Portland’s Pre-K program. Registration for Portland’s Pre-K program is a four-step process. To begin the registration for Pre-K you must first fill out a Pre-Registration application which is available from our office, Central Office, Multilingual Center, or online at www.portlandschools.org.  Return completed Pre-registration forms to Riverton by March 9th.  Riverton’s two Pre-Ks can have up to 16 students each. If more than 32 students register, a lottery will be held. Students who receive a slot will be notified by mail after the lottery the week of March 12, 2018.  Transportation is not provided for the Pre-K program. Parents must provide transportation to and from school.


Classroom Updates
In our current Pre-K classrooms, students have started their fourth unit this year, called The World of Color.  Some of the concepts they explore in this unit are:

  • ·      Color is an identifying feature of many natural plants, animals, fruits, flowers and vegetables. Color names are also an integral part of the names of many animals and plants.

  • ·      Color can help many animals survive by blending into their environment as well as through camouflage.  This is a very exciting concept for the children!

  • ·      Color is one thing that makes our world beautiful, both in nature and through art. Different colors and designs appeal to different people.

One recurring theme of this unit is that fruits are used to color and flavor foods. The students will use strawberries and blueberries to make our own ice cream and we culminate the unit with an ice cream party.  Our party will be February 15, 2018, 5:30-6:30 with Christine and Jen!

In Kindergarten news, Mrs. Kalloch’s class is doing a Heart Exchange with 52 other schools across the USA and Canada. The students are so excited about this geography project and have learned many facts about the different states and what their schools are like. For instance, kindergarteners now know that the state mammal of Kansas is the Bison, Kraft Macaroni & Cheese is made in Illinois and the state insect of Texas is the Monarch Butterfly. The students can't wait to see what else they will learn from our Heart Exchange.


In Second Grade, students have been participating in weekly cooking classes with Cultivating Community.  Ms. Southard’s class has been learning about where our food comes from, vitamins and minerals and how they keep us healthy, and how to prepare tasty meals!  We have made a variety of healthy recipes, from kale salad to blueberry smoothies, and tabouli.  These lessons add onto what we learned in our fall gardening classes and will set the foundation for what we will learn about the Riverton community garden in the spring.  What a wonderful addition Cultivating Community has been to our science curriculum!

Students in grade 4 began working with Gretchen Berg this week as part of our collaboration with Side x Side.  The students will use physical theater to explain the Civil Rights Movement.  Please attend the 4th grade performance on Friday, February 16, at 1:30, in the cafeteria.  

Read Across America Day
Riverton will celebrate Read Across America Day on Friday, March 2nd. The theme for this national event is “Celebrating a Nation of Diverse Readers.” At Riverton, we will celebrate our own richly diverse reading community through multilingual read-alouds and book discussions of stories that promote multiculturalism, tolerance and peace. Please stay tuned for more information about this special event. 

Mid-Year Attendance Reminders
Good attendance is the first step in helping children become college and job ready.  It begins in preschool and elementary school and continues through high school. Building a habit of good attendance is your child’s ticket to success in school and eventually on the job. Some absences are unavoidable. We understand that children will get sick and need to stay home occasionally. The important thing is to get your children to school as often as possible, on time and to communicate with the school when your child will be absent.

As we prepare to take a short break from school over February vacation, we want to express our gratitude for everyone who makes it possible for our students to come to school every day, on time, and ready to learn. We thank:
  • ·      Our students and families for making daily attendance a priority. They know the habit of attendance will help them do well in the classroom and eventually in a job.
  • ·      Our wonderful teachers who make each classroom an exciting place for exploration and knowledge for children.
  • ·      Our support staff and community volunteers who provide the extra hands and attention our children need.


Attendance matters and every day counts!

Morning Drop Off Reminder
We want to remind parents and guardians that morning drop off should not occur earlier than 8:05 am. There is no supervision before this time.  Students must not be dropped off at school in the morning before 8:05am, unless they are attending the Morning Rec Program. If you need before school care for your child please call 874-8455. Also, please remember that our drop off and pick up spot is the area near the community entrance of the building.  The front half circle is intended as a parking area for visitors coming in to volunteer or attend a meeting.  Only busses are permitted in the bus loop. Mr. Turner and I offer a sincere thank you for working with us at morning drop off and dismissal by following the posted signage, keeping traffic flowing smoothly, and, most of all, creating safer conditions for our students. Your patience and efforts are deeply appreciated!

Walking School Bus
The Walking School Bus needs your help! We are looking for volunteers to walk with our students to school on the Forest Avenue route on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Volunteers meet at Riverton at 7:15. For more information please email call 874-8210.

Upcoming Events
February 8, Family Dance, 6:00
February 12, PTO Meeting, 5:30, Media Center
February 13, Meet the Principal Night, 5:30, Media Center
February 14, SPIRIT DAY! Show your love for Riverton!
February 14, Early Release, 1:50
February 19-February 23- NO SCHOOL, February Vacation
March 2, READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY

Cordially,
 Ann Hanna

Principal


April Newsletter

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