Rattler News

We hope you had a wonderful winter break, filled with special moments and cherished time with family and friends. As we begin this new semester, we are thrilled to have our students back on campus, ready to continue their learning journey. There's a lot to look forward to this semester, and we are excited to see all the growth, creativity, and enthusiasm our Rattlers bring.

Thank you for your continued support. Here's to another great chapter in the school year!

With Love,

Sally Sosa

We are aware that Thursday has the potential to be a delayed start or possibly even closed for the day. We waiting on guidance from our district about this, but want to have a plan just in case.

Here is the schedule we will use should there be a delayed start:

Genius Hour will begin Feb. 7th

THANK YOU to the 6 parents who have already signed up to be a volunteer during Genius Hour!! I will send out a schedule soon that will allow for the selection of which Friday you would like to volunteer.

This semester our students are going to be taking the lead on their very own passion projects during Genius Hour! This means many of the students will be working on very different projects. We would love your help with this! We know our community has a ton of people with amazing skill sets and experiences.

For example: We may have a student, or group of students, interested in environmental issues. Maybe they decide to explore the science of climate change and renewable energy, specifically focusing on how individuals and communities can reduce their carbon footprint using sustainable energy solutions. Maybe you have experience with different types of renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydroelectric, etc.). We would connect you with that group so that you can help the group make their project dynamic and extremely meaningful. Or maybe some of our students are doing a project on a particular animal and you are a veterinarian! You would be a great partner with these students to really boost their learning!

If you are interested in volunteering during some, or all, of our Genius Hours please complete the survey below. We are so excited for the possibilities of this experience for our students! You could make this so special for them!

If you have any questions about what Genius Hour is we encourage you to watch the previous videos, look through our old Newsletters that offer info as to what Genius Hour is and how it benefits our students, or just email Sally.sosa@leanderisd.org.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to Michelle Baker or Sally Sosa!

Remind your children that if it is raining or wildly cold to not report to their duty.

Calling 5th Grade Parents! Please save the date for graduation on Friday, May 23rd at 8AM. The ceremony will take place in the Multi-Purpose Room at River Ridge. Light refreshments will be served. Please contact Christine Hammond at christineshammond@gmail.com if you have any questions.

For information about the program, please contact:

Maria Hoffman

Spanish Volunteer Program Specialist

maria.hoffman@leanderisd.org

Phone: (512) 570-0213

Please upload using this link: https://photos.jostens.com/LTERLQ

Hello Parents!

We have now begun the plastic bag passion project at River Ridge.

This project will take place through May of 2025. The characters pictured are Betsy the Bee and Lucinda the Lightbulb. During a recent morning announcement, Betsy the Bee delivered a message that stated the earth needs help and Lucinda the Lightbulb came up with an idea for a solution. Now will you take a step to help too? Here are further details on how the project started...

On 11/20/2024 the plastic bag passion project was explained during the morning announcements to all the Rattlers who were present that day. They were informed on how to collect plastic bags, when to start, and where to turn them in, and then where they will all go eventually to the Recycle Reuse Drop-off Center. The following is the schedule for collection by grade level for the remaining time of this school year...

3rd Grade Starting: 12/2/2024 and Finishing: 01/13/2025

2nd Grade Starting: 1/17/2025 and Finishing: 2/14/2025

4th Grade Starting: 2/18/2025 and Finishing: 3/25/2025

5th Grade Starting: 3/31/2025 and Finishing: 4/23/2025

K & 1st Grade Starting: 4/24/2025 and Finishing: 5/21/2025

Each grade level will collect empty, clean, and dry plastic bags to turn in at any time during the 4 week time period scheduled above. There is a large, blue tutu trash can on wheels by the 3rd grade neighborhood and will move to each grade level after each time period ends. Great news...On Monday, 12/9/24 these plastic bags were turned in!! Yay!! Thank you

Keep them coming!

Parents you are welcome to help your students collect plastic bags and encourage them to bring them in during their grade level time period to only deposit empty, clean, and dry plastic bags, and not any other items that need to be discarded separately.

The Art Room is in desperate need of Clorox Wipes and paper towels.

If you would like to donate it would be greatly appreciated!

THANK YOU!

Don’t miss all the exciting updates and opportunities unfolding at our school! 🎉🐍

• PTA NEWSLETTER

• Click here PTA Memberships to join our school’s PTA! Your membership goes toward the events, classrooms enhancements, clubs, and more. By joining, you will receive the PTA newsletter, be able to attend meetings, share ideas, and help your child's school in so many ways. You do not have to volunteer in order to be a member- BUT we will always take a volunteer!
  

• PTA Website
• PTA Store

Get your amazing spirit gear at https://1stplace.sale/94803.

Hi Everyone!

I am excited to share that our campus will be participating in the Waves of Reading program. Here is a digital copy of the program details. Hard copies were already given to your student(s).

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to have them reach out to me. Marissa.Casal@leanderisd.org

Thanks, everyone!

https://sites.google.com/leanderisd.org/katiehaedgescurriculumcorner

Use this link to register: https://sites.google.com/leanderisd.org/leander-isd/home

Jan 16th

7:30 AM

in the MPR

Parents are welcome to join us if your child is participating in the Spelling Bee.

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, there will be no school on Jan. 20th . This is a time to reflect on Dr. King’s legacy of equality, justice, and service to others. We hope our students take a moment to learn about his contributions and the importance of kindness and community. Enjoy the day off, and we look forward to seeing everyone back in class!

Jan 31st

7:40AM

It is with mixed emotions that we say goodbye to our incredible registrar, Lani Teasley, as she embarks on a new chapter in her career as an admin assistant at a high school within our district. Lani has truly been an invaluable member of the River Ridge team. From managing enrollment and transfers to keeping track of attendance and grading, she has consistently gone above and beyond to ensure everything runs smoothly. Her positive energy, dedication, and willingness to jump in and help wherever needed have made a lasting impact on our school community. Whether it's tackling the daily tasks or lending a hand with school events, Lani has always been the go-to person with a smile on her face and a can-do attitude. We are so grateful for all of her hard work and the joy she brought to our school. River Ridge won't be the same without her, but we know she'll continue to shine wherever she goes. We wish her all the best in her new role and will miss her dearly!

Thank you, Lani , for everything—you will always be a part of the River Ridge family!