Oak Leaf News

We are so excited to welcome our families next week! Whether your child is new to school or returning after Distance Learning, starting school is a big change in your child and family's lives. The first few weeks can be stressful and emotional. We are preparing and thrilled to welcome your child and make this transition as easy as possible. School days require early wake up times and set meal times, so establishing a consistent routine early is important.

For Kindergarten families, finding the best morning schedule for your family and setting routines that are similar to a school day can take some experimentation, but will give your child a strong foundation and the confidence they need for a successful transition ahead. Please view your Kindergarten handbook to review our weekly rhythm and important school information.

For Grade 1-8 families, we recognize that during the Stay at Home order many children were not interacting with others physically and that children were likely not in a school or childcare environment for many months. As we draw closer to the start of a new school year, the social and emotional wellbeing of students continues to be our top priority. We recognize the heavy impact the recent events have had on our students, collectively as group cohorts, and individually as students who are developing into young adults. Please continue to communicate with your child's teacher and share any relevant development in your child's physical and mental health.

I want to acknowledge our wonderful staff and teachers who have spent each and everyday adapting a Waldorf curriculum to an online platform. The teachers at River Oak Charter School love their students and they are so ready to welcome them into the classrooms.

Included in this newsletter is important information regarding parking, Acorn Hut, and more. Please review the information and consider taking a survey at the bottom if you have something to share before school begins. Thank you.

This Thursday, August 12th is the day to support your child's classroom! Any amount you donate to your child's class will be matched and River Oak teachers need your support. Please consider making a donation and supporting your child's education.

Every family at River Oak is asked to make a suggested $100 donation towards your child's classroom. If you would like to have specialty classes continue at your child's school, these donations really make a difference to your child's education. You can donate by check, cash, or Venmo @RiverOak-CharterSchool. Please note which class you are donating to.

Handwork for Grades 3-5

Quilling for Grades 3-5

Japanese Style Bookmaking for Grades 6-8

Resupply Classroom Materials for Grades 6-8

Rebuild Classroom Library for Grade 2

Incorporate More Games into Grade 3

Renaissance Art for Grade 7

Starting Restorative Justice Program at ROCS

Build a Cooking Class for Grade 1

Parking-

River Oak families may park on the street or in the front two rows of the parking lot. The back portion of the parking lot is reserved for staff only. Families are welcome to stay in their vehicles and wait for clearance from a staff member to have your child exit the vehicle and walk in the crosswalk located in the school parking lot. There is no staff available to assist your child crossing in the crosswalk located on Leslie Street. River Oak families are not permitted to park in the Senior Center parking lot.

Arrival/Dismissal Procedures-

For Kindergarten families, please park your vehicle and walk your child to the garden playground if you arrive between 7:50am and 8:20am. Any parent/guardian entering the school campus must wear a mask. When school concludes, arrive anytime between 12:50pm-1:05pm to pick up your child unless you have a prior arrangement for your child to attend Acorn Hut. Golden Sun families must wait outside and wait for the teacher to open the door. Mrs. Meeker will send your child to you. Crimson Clover families, enter the main wooden gate and enter to small commons. Mrs. Rachelle Coleman will send your child to you.

For Grades 1-8, our school allows drop off as early as 7:50am. If your child arrives after 8:20am they must check in at the front office. If you arrive before 7:50am, we will not have staff available to supervise your child so please wait in the vehicle. No child can be left unattended without supervision of staff or parent/guardian. When school concludes, similar to previous years parents/guardians may park their vehicle and pick up their child in front of the school. Additionally, you may stay in your car and pick up your child when you are in front of the line. A sign with your child's name in the front window is very helpful for staff.

We are trying to limit the amount of people walking in and out of the school. Please give your child a big hug outside and send them into the school building. Staff will be helping all students get to their class safely. If you need to speak with a staff member, check in at the front office.

For Kindergarten Students:

Early drop-off time: 7:50am (garden playground)

Class start time: 8:20am

Dismissal time: 1:00pm

For 1st-3rd Grade Students:

Early drop-off time: 7:50am

Class start time: 8:20am

Dismissal time: 2:55pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday

Dismissal time: 1:05pm on Wednesday

For 4th-8th Grade Students:

Early drop-off time: 7:50am

Class start time: 8:20am

Dismissal time: 3:05pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday

Dismissal time: 1:05pm on Wednesday

Registration for Acorn Hut is now available on our website: https://www.riveroakcharterschool.org/parents/acorn-hut/

Acorn Hut begins on the first day of school, August 18th. When your child starts their first day of Acorn Hut you must sign your contract in your child's file folder. Parent/Guardians will receive invoices on the 30th of each month. Payment is due at the end of the first week of each month unless an arrangement is made with the coordinator in advance.

We will be following the CDC and CDPH guidelines requiring masks inside at River Oak. It is important for families to understand that this is not a local decision, and that all students will be required to comply. Read the guidelines here. Only students wearing masks will be allowed to enter the gates. Thank you for your part in keeping school open and all students and staff healthy.

• All students will be required to wear a mask indoor
• Masks outdoors will be optional
• Masks may be removed during meal times
• Students who participate in sports must wear a mask regardless of setting
• All parent/guardians entering campus must wear a mask

For new and returning families who may not be familiar with our Dress Code, please review the PDF below. The main points:

• No media characters (tv shows, movies, and more)
• No open toe shoes (keeps feet protected and safe for play!)
• No hair coloring K-6th grade.

Questions? (707) 467-1855 x.101

For new and returning students, please review our Student Behavior Policy.

As a reminder, River Oak is a cellphone free campus. Please be mindful of having your phone out while waiting to pick up your child from school. Additionally, please refrain from taking phone calls in the school building. We appreciate your cooperation.

We are asking River Oak families to share their thoughts, concerns, or questions about returning to in-person learning. We will do our best to email responses back quickly!

If we have a question that is frequently asked we will address this question on Friday, August 13th at 5:30pm on Zoom. Meet with Principal, Emily Selim. Link here:

https://zoom.us/j/98311977282?pwd=VmhOUHJoZHNESFRBZVp5elk1MWxsZz09

Meeting ID: 983 1197 7282
Passcode: ROCS

Survey: https://forms.gle/U5BtNaSdYoszD9836

Email: eselim@riveroakcharterschool.org
Website: www.riveroakcharterschool.org
Location: 555 Leslie Street, Ukiah, CA, USA
Phone: 7074671855
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riveroakcharter