March 4,
2019
Dear
Parents and Guardians,
As I sit here
watching the pretty snow fall on this March Snow Day, it is hard to believe that
spring is just around the corner. March is a busy month at school, with lots of
activities planned. One important event that is coming soon is the annual state
assessment. Starting the week of March 18th, all third, fourth and
fifth grade students will be taking the MEAs, which is the state’s required
standardized assessment. These assessments are yardsticks that teachers,
schools, and districts use to measure what and how we teach and how well
students are learning what is taught.
There are a number of ways that you can maximize your child's learning
capabilities throughout the school year, which can lead to confident
test-taking skills. Some of these strategies include:
● Talk to your child
about taking a test. It’s helpful for children to understand why schools give
tests, and how it’s an important way for students to show what they know!
● Encourage your
child and praise her/him for the things that she/he does well at school. If
your children feel good about themselves as learners, they will try their best with
any new challenge, which includes taking a test. Children who are afraid of
failing are more likely to become anxious when taking tests. The more effort
and energy your child puts into learning, the more likely it is that he/she
will try their best on tests.
● Assist your child
with homework and ensure that he/she is completing all homework assignments.
Help your child learn how to read and follow directions carefully. Encourage
them to use complete sentences when answering questions.
● Make sure that
your child is well rested on school days, especially on the day of the test.
Children who are tired are less able to pay attention in class or to handle the
demands of a test.
● Make sure that
your child attends school regularly. Remember, tests reflect children’s overall
knowledge and the more they come to school, the more they will know!
● Encourage your
child to read as much as possible, which
is the best way to increase her/his vocabulary - even reading magazines,
newspapers, and comic books regularly will help improve your child’s reading and
vocabulary skills.
March is also Music
in Our Schools month. To celebrate, Mr. Potvin is inviting parents and
caregivers to come in to school to hear a special performance by each class
during their regular music class this month. Please see the attached schedule of
performances by each class. Performances will be in the Large Learning Center.
Also, this
month is the 5th Grade Raffle fundraiser. Our 5th graders are
going on their annual Boston field trip this spring and they need your help!
They are selling raffle tickets for your chance to win some amazing prizes! $2
for one ticket, $5 for 3 tickets. Want a ticket? You can buy them from a 5th
grader, Ms. Harris, or in the school office.
Do you have extra cans/bottles to donate? The 5th grade is also
participating in the Clynk for Schools Recycling Challenge until 3/22 to raise
money for their Boston trip. How does Clynk work? Get a Clynk bag from a 5th
grader, Ms. Harris, or the school office. Fill it up with cans and bottles.
Bring the bag to a Clynk drop off (there's one at Riverside Hannaford). Scan
the bag and drop the bag in the drop off door.
More Upcoming Dates:
March 5: Portland Laureate Linda Aldrich, LLC, visiting Grade 4
March 6: Early
Release, 1:50 dismissal
March 8: Spirit
Day! Wear Riverton colors and/or gear!
March 8: Movie
Night, Doors open at
5:30pm, movie starts at 5:45 pm. Admission is $5. Children must be accompanied
by an adult. There will be a concession stand with pizza, baked goods, drinks,
and more for purchase! This is a fundraiser to help raise money for the 4th
grade field trip to Augusta. Want to help? Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0548A8AB29AAFC1-movie
March 12: C-Port
Essay Contest Kickoff, grades- 4 and 5
March 13: Early
Release, 1:50 dismissal
March 14: Math
Meet, 9:00
March 14: PreK Ice
Cream Social, 5:30
March 15: Happy
Wheels, 5:15pm-7:15pm.
Admission is $6.50, no charge for roller skate rentals, $2 for roller blade
rentals.
March 18-April 12,
MEAs- grades 3, 4, 5- please see schedule
March 18: Girls on
the Run starts
March 20: Early
Release, 1:50 dismissal
March 21: PTO
meeting, 5:30
March 22: End of
second Trimester
March 27: Early
Release, 1:50 dismissal
Please
feel free to reach out to me, or Assistant Principal David Turner if you ever
have questions about how we can best support your student(s) at Riverton School
(874-8210).