Changes at Riverside and Beyond
James Sutton, Ed.D.
There are changes brewing at both the local and state-wide levels. Boards of Education across the state of Iowa saw changes in membership, the state assessment process is set to change in the near future, and of course, Riverside’s new building continues to progress.
Riverside Board Member Changes.
Riverside Board of Education had its regular meeting last night, but it was a special meeting in a number of ways. It is the first meeting that follows the board member elections that happen in every odd numbered year. Two board members decided to run for another term and were elected for another four years --- Jeff
Buckingham and Matt Bowen. Two board members chose to not run for another term, Greg Hansen and Dan Ives, and their elected replacements were Rodney
Pendgraft and Todd Pendgraft.
Board members serve an extremely important role in the operation of a district. They often do it without the district’s patrons fully understanding that their unpaid service is pivotal in the ongoing improvement of their district. They review and approve district policies, are the final word in the hiring (and firing) of staff, oversee the financial operations of the district, assist in teacher negotiations, evaluate the superintendent, monitor student improvement, and more. Regarding the new building, our board has spent untold hours working with architects and builders, reviewing change orders and recommendations, and helping to find ways to make this project both quality and within budget. I rarely have a construction meeting that is not attended by at least one board member.
Mr. Hansen and Mr. Ives have provided valuable services to the district and board with their areas of expertise and personal perspectives. The board took a moment to thank both them and the board members that decided to continue their service for all they have done for the betterment of Riverside. As is often the case, words do not seem a sufficient expression of thanks, but they are often the best we have to offer. Take the time to say thanks to these gentlemen if you see them. All of our board members, past and present, deserve our communities’ thanks.
State Assessment Changes.
The state currently determines student proficiency using the Iowa Test of Basic Skills and the Iowa Test of Educational Development (ITBS/ITED). The relevance of these tests have discussed for years in the legislature and in school districts. Last year the legislature heard from a committee that reviewed how well the IT-
BS/ITED aligned with Iowa’s curriculum standards and determined that the test and the standards often did not match. The recommendation of this committee was to cease to measure with the ITBS/ITEDs and switch to a test that aligned better, a test called Smarter Balance.
Smarter Balance is very different from ITBS/ITED. It measures critical thinking, often involves students explaining answers in writing, and includes more complicated, multi-step problems. In many cases it will be a drastic change for our students and for students in school districts across the state. It is going to be imperative for Riverside to give our staff and students the understanding of what these tests look like and how we can best prepare our students to approach them. We also need to educate our communities in what Smarter Balance is all about. In the months to come, we will be working on strategies to get the word out on
Smarter Balance. But be prepared; this is a major change for our students, our staff and our instruction.
New Building Progress.
The new building continues to move forward. The roof is going on the commons area, windows are being installed in the classrooms, walls are starting to be painted in the locker rooms and the asphalt is completed on the track. In the next couple of weeks we should see the concrete poured in the commons area and the auditorium. They should plant the grass on all of the fields, and the retaining walls will be completed. Athletic field lights will be installed this fall, and the football grandstands will be erected in the spring. The date of completion is still April 5 th , but we continue to press for that date to be moved to mid-March. The excitement continues to build, and we will be cutting that ribbon before we know it.
Track asphalt is completed
Windows being installed
First Quarter ends Friday, October 23, 2015
Parent-Teacher Conferences Monday, October 26, 2015 4 to 8 PM School will be dismissed at 2:30 on October 26.
Thursday, October 29, 2015 4 to 8 PM School will be dismissed at 2:30 on October 29
There will be NO SCHOOL on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2015
Picture Retakes are October 20, 2015
Elementary Music Notes
(Mrs. Kramer)
Riverside Elementary music students had a couple friends return this year to help them learn more about music. Freddie the Frog and
Eli the Elephant made an appearance after spending the summer at their home on Treble
Clef Island. Freddie and Eli are characters created by author and music educator Sharon
Burch to help her own students with musical concepts.
Sharon is from southeastern Iowa and attended
Truman State the same years as elementary music instructor Bonnie Kramer. Her first book, Freddie the Frog and the Thump in the
Night, introduces students to notes on the staff with an engaging story. Burch now has 6 books, a children's musical and several other instructional aids based on Freddie and his adventures.
The beginning lessons in Mrs. Kramer's classroom this year have been about keeping the steady beat, rather than note names, but the students have all heard Freddie's first book, because he is such an important part of class.
Each day begins for each class by singing "Hello
Freddie" to the tune of "Are You Sleeping?"
Students have also been involved in a variety of movement activities, learning to keep the beat in many ways. Second and third grade students have also learned a circle dance, and passing games in different meters.
If parents want to see what Freddie is all about, he has his own webpage: www.freddiethefrog.com, where you can find coloring sheets, games, short videos and more information about advocating for music in schools. Also, students will begin working on the winter program the first full week of October. The program will be held December 1 at
7pm, so mark your calendars.
Mrs. Smith's Kindergarten students have been working hard each day to learn the classroom routine.
Students are learning to be responsible and respectful. They have been making new friends and are beginning to work on a variety of academic skills .
(Photo submitted by Mrs. Smith)
Zander Bothwell answers questions on the computer about a book he finished. (Barb Hart)
Students in Mrs. Hart's class listen to their own reading as they use whisper phones. (Barb Hart)
From the Principal’s Cabinet
Lynelle Jeppesen
Box Tops for Education!
Did you know you can make a donation to school just by buying the things you purchase already? Box Tops, Campbell’s Soup Labels, and Our Family (brand sold at Ruback’s,
No Frills, and other stores) all give money back to our school for each label turned in! Please keep an eye out for all of these labels and encourage your friends, family, and neighbors that don’t have school-age children to save theirs. Riverside Elementary Principal’s Cabinet uses these funds for “extras” like field trips, AR store, classroom requests, assemblies, and more. Send your labels and Box
Tops with a student to school and help us take advantage of these great programs!
THANKS
Here are 20 excited to learn students from Mrs. Bertacini's kindergarten class.
We have had a fun first month of school!! (Photo submitted by Mrs. Bertacini)
Below: Second graders are studying about matter. Students in Mrs. Hart's class work in teams to make concept maps. (Photos by Barb Hart)
Students in Mrs. Hart’s Class
First Quarter Ends Friday, October 23, 2015
Parent-Teacher Conferences: Monday, October 26
Thursday, October 29
Conferences are from 4 to 8 PM on the days listed
NO SCHOOL FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2015
STEM in Preschool - Pint Size Science
(Lindsey Henderson)
Mrs. Henderson's preschool class has begun engaging in Science Fridays. These fun, hands-on science activities are being made possible by the Iowa STEM grant. Through legislative appropriation, the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council is able to offer exemplary STEM programs throughout the state. STEM
Scale-Up programs have demonstrated success in increasing student interest and achievement in STEM across all demographics.
What does STEM stand for? S Science T Technology E Engineering M Math. For more information go to www.iowastem.gov
.
Band photos submitted by Mrs. Brandon
Sydney Swope
State Law prohibits students having soda/pop in our lunch rooms. Please help us monitor this.
Picture Retakes will be October 20, 2015
NO SCHOOL FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2015
Each year the football cheerleaders sponsor a cheer camp for elementary students and those students who attend the camp perform as the Puppy Pep Squad during a football game. The pictures below show the students showing off what they learned at camp.
Riverside Cross Country News (Alex Oliver)
The Cross Country teams are off to a very good start to their season. The teams consist of 40 runners from junior high to high school. At recent meets, the
Bulldog runners have placed very well. Their efforts were capped off with a great finish at the AHSTW and SW Valley meet. The Boys placed 1st at Avoca and the girls got 3rd. Tim Brink, Otis Matejka, Alexis Post, Alyssa Brink, Dean Hansen, and Jacey Kallsen have all been individual medalists. The teams are coached by Alex Oliver and Jared Hoffman.
Sammy Wilber
A few members of the boys team Row 1: Ethan Henderson, Tatem Bluml Row 2: Naz Peyter, Dean Hansen, Otis Matejka, Tim
Brink. The boys placed first at the AHSTW Cross Country which was a first for Riverside. Congratulations.
Left: Otis Matejka races to the finish line at the AHSTW meet.
Above: Medalists Alexis Post and Alyssa Brink. (not pictured Jacey Kallsen
)
Audit orium
view fr om the
catwal k
Riverside Football Fans
Above: Will Gress for the tackle during the St. Albert game
Above: Emma Grobe returns the serve