Riverside Report

Monday December 23, 2024- Wednesday January 1, 2025 NO SCHOOL- WINTER BREAK

Thursday January 2, 2025 First Day Back to School

Friday January 3, 2025 Reading Cafe Club 3:00-3:30

Wednesday January 8, 2025 Fun With Beads Club 2:00-2:30

Chess Club 3:00-3:30

Team Blue Jay Club 3:40-4:45

Thursday January 9, 2025 Fun With Beads Club 2:00-2:30

Friday January 10, 2025 Reading Cafe Club 3:00-3:30

Monday January 13, 2025 Winter Concert Practice at the Middle School for grades 1, 3, and 4

Be Amazing Club 3:45-4:45

PTO Meeting 6:00-7:00 in the Riverside Conference Room or via Webex

Tuesday January 14, 2025 Winter Concerts at the Middle School

1st Grade 5:00-5:45

3rd Grade 6:00-6:45

4th Grade 7:00-7:45

Wednesday January 15, 2025 Winter Concert Practice at the Middle School for grades K, 2, and 5

Fun With Beads Club 2:00-2:30

Chess Club 3:00-3:30

Thursday January 16, 2025 Fun With Beads Club 2:00-2:30

Winter Concerts at the Middle School

Kindergarten 5:00-5:45

2nd Grade 6:00-6:45

5th Grade 7:00-7:45

Friday January 17, 2025 Reading Cafe Club 3:00-3:30

Monday January 20, 2025 NO SCHOOL

Tuesday January 21, 2025 Craft Club 3:45-4:45

Wednesday January 22, 2025 Chess Club 3:00-3:30

Team Blue Jay Club 3:40-4:45

Thursday January 23, 2025 Fun With Beads Club 2:00-2:30

PTO Event-Sylvan Hill Sledding from 6:00-9:00 p.m.

Friday January 24, 2025 Fun With Beads Club 2:00-2:30

Reading Cafe Club 3:00-3:30

Monday January 27, 2025 Be Amazing Club 3:45-4:45

Advanced Learner Parent Meeting 5:30-6:30 in the library

Tuesday January 28, 2025 Craft Club 3:45-4:45

Friday January 31, 2025 Reading Cafe Club 3:00-3:30

Monday February 3, 2025 Blue Jay Unified Club 3:00-3:30

Tuesday February 4, 2025 Craft Club 3:45-4:45

Wednesday February 5, 2025 Team Blue Jay 3:40-4:45

Thursday February 6, 2025 Board Game Club 3:45-4:40

Friday February 7, 2025 Reading Cafe Club 3:00-3:30

Monday February 10-Wednesday February 12, 2025 Mr. Aleckson's Class to Twin Oaks

Monday February 10, 2025 PTO Meeting 6:00-7:00 in the Riverside Conference Room or via Webex

Tuesday February 11, 2025 Craft Club 3:45-4:45

Wednesday February 12-Friday February 14, 2025 Mrs. Berry's Class to Twin Oaks

Friday February 14, 2025 Reading Cafe Club 3:00-3:30

Monday February 17, 2025 Blue Jay Unified 12:20-12:35

Tuesday February 18, 2025 Craft Club 3:45-4:45

Wednesday February 19, 2025 You Matter Day Activities

Thursday February 20, 2025 NO SCHOOL for students

Parent Teacher Conferences 11:30-7:30

Friday February 21, 2025 NO SCHOOL

Tuesday February 25, 2025 Parent Teacher Conferences 4:30-7:30

Wednesday February 26- Friday February 28, 2025 Mr. Hughes Class to Twin Oaks

Wednesday February 26, 2025 Team Blue Jay Club 3:40-4:45

Thursday February 27, 2025 Board Game Club 3:45-4:40

Friday February 28, 2025 Reading Cafe Club 3:00-3:30

Students will be practicing for their winter concerts Tuesday January 7-Friday January 10th here at Riverside. Please make sure that your child has their tennis shoes at school during this time, as snow boots are unsafe on the risers. This year, they will also have a Winter Concert Practice is on Monday January 13th, 2025 for 1st, 3rd, and 4th grades, and on Wednesday January 15, 2025 for Kindergarten, 2nd, and 5th grades at the middle school.

This year, all concerts will be held at the Middle School in the Auditorium. Doors will open at 4:30 for families to start arriving. Winter concerts will be 30- 40 minutes in length. Please plan on arriving about 15 minutes before your child's concert starts. Please bring your child down to the choir room to get ready for their concert, and parents will be able to take a seat in the auditorium. To get to the choir room: When entering through the main doors of the school, turn left at the clock tower and head towards the auditorium. There is a hallway on the RIGHT side of the auditorium and it leads directly to the choir room at the end of the hall, D124. It is the last classroom on the right. We will be dismissing students directly to their parents in the commons area following the concert. Since students will not be returning to the choir room, they will be asked to leave their jackets with parents upon arrival.

Winter Concerts are at the following dates and times at the Middle School:

Tuesday January 14, 2025

5:00 First Grade

6:00 Third Grade

7:00 Fourth Grade

Thursday January 16, 2025

5:00 Kindergarten

6:00 Second Grade

7:00 Fifth Grade

The Literacy Committee will also be having Reading Bingo for the month of January. Fill out a row on the bingo board to be entered into a weekly prize drawing. Then try to fill in all the rows to be entered into a game or book prize drawing.

A new year is here, and it's the perfect time to set fresh reading goals! Encourage your child to explore new genres, discover inspiring characters, and learn about the world around them. January is a great month for setting reading resolutions, like choosing a book from a favorite series or trying a nonfiction book on an exciting topic. As we jump into the new year, let’s remember that every page turned brings new adventures and ideas. Let’s make 2025 the year of reading! Happy New Year and happy reading! 🎉📖

Sylvan Hill Sledding will be on Sunday January 23, 2025 from 6:00-9:00 pm.

(1329 Sylvan Street, Wausau)

Pre-sale tickets will be available, and you will be able to purchase tickets the night of the event as well. Please watch for more information closer to the event. This event will be held unless the Marathon County Parks Department closes Sylvan Hill due to cold temperatures.

Ticket Prices:

Children Under 13- $5.00

Children Over 13/Adults- $8.00

*****All Tubers must be 42 inches or taller.

Hot dogs, snacks, water and baked goods will be available for purchase. Hot chocolate will be free.

We hope to see you there!

If you are interested in nominating your student (grades 1-4), please ask your child's teacher or the front office for a nomination form, or you can find the nomination forms here- Advanced Learner Nomination Packet

Parents who would like to know more about the challenge program are encouraged to join the Webex Parent Information Meeting using the information below.

Challenge Program Parent Information Meeting

Monday, January 27, 2025 at 5:30 pm in the Riverside IMC or join us via Webex using this link.

Join by meeting number

Meeting number (access code): 2499 905 3698

Meeting password: TusBiFpF453

After break we have several clubs that are starting. Sign-Up forms are going home with students who indicate that they have an interest in joining the clubs. Some of these clubs have a limited number of seats and are usually on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Clubs starting in January:

Fun With Beads Club, is for 2nd graders, they will meet on day 2 and 3 during 2:00-2:30 recess.

Craft Club, is for 1st & 2nd graders, they will meet in the art room from 3:45-4:45

Attention 4th and 5th graders… are you looking for a quiet time in your week to just relax and dive into a good book? The Reading Café in Mrs. Wendorf’s room will be open! So bring your own book to Mrs. Wendorf’s room on Fridays during your last recess from 3:00-3:30 and enjoy some quiet time to read. You are also welcome to bring your own snack if you’d like. The Reading Café will be open every Friday during the last recess from now until Spring Break.

See you there!

Conferences will be held Thursday February 20th, 2025 from 11:30-7:30 & Tuesday February 25, 2025 from 4:30-7:30, so that teachers and parents can discuss a student's progress in school. An e-mail containing a personalized link for your child(ren) will be sent out to parents to select a 15-minute conference time that works best for your family. You are also able schedule 15-minute conferences with encore (art, music, PE, library, & guidance), and special education teachers if needed, using the same link. Since it is important for teacher and parents to communicate with one another, the school annually sets a goal of 100% parent participation at conferences.

There is No School for students on Thursday February 20, 2025, to allow for in-person conferences. There is also No School on Friday February 21, 2025, as it is a teacher PD day.

We are pleased to announce the 2025 Riverside “Giants in Science” Science Fair. The date for this exciting event is on Thursday March 13, 2025 and will be held in our Multipurpose Room from 9:00-10:30.

All students in grades K-5 are invited to register. Students can complete a project individually or in a group up to three total students. Science fair display boards in various colors are available in the office for $7.00. Registration forms and display board order forms are being sent home with all students. Check out the “Science Fair” link on Riverside’s website for more information. An additional informational packet will be provided to students who are participating, when they turn in their registration form.

Can you become the next “Giant in Science?” Register now and give it your best shot! See you at the fair!

Love and Logic will help build positive relationships with your children, teach them to be responsible and help them be prepared to learn in the classroom. You can register online using the QR code or by sending the form back to school. Love and Logic Registration Form

Every Day Matters!

DID YOU KNOW?

• Regular attendance is crucial for students to gain academic and social skills they need to succeed- Like listening, paying attention, problem solving and self-regulation.
• Elementary learning is sequential, building on the skills learned from previous days.
• Kindergartners who miss more than 5 days a year struggle with learning to read.
• Missing more than 5 days per year lowers student test scores.
• Research shows students who miss more than 10% of a school year (2 days/month) are less likely to read proficiently by third grade.

Ways to minimize students time away from school:

• Arrive on time and avoid leaving early.
• Plan vacations during school breaks.
• Schedule appointments before/after school when possible.
• Partner with other parents/guardians as needed for transportation.

Application period for the 2025-2026 school year is February 3 – April 30, 2025. Wisconsin's inter-district public school open enrollment program allows parents to apply for their children to attend a school district other than the one in which they live. The DPI web site to complete an on-line application is https://dpi.wi.gov/open-enrollment. This web site will open on February 3, 2025 and close on April 30, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.

Parents must complete an online application no earlier than February 3, 2025, and no later than April 30, 2025 by 4:00 p.m. Late applications will not be accepted for any reason.

At this time, once a student is accepted to attend D.C. Everest under open enrollment, and they maintain regular attendance, the student may continue to attend the district without having to reapply every year.
For more information contact Rachel Rentmeester at 715-359-4221, extension 1230.

Children 4 years of age on or before September 1, 2025 are eligible for the DC Everest 4K program. If you will be transporting your child, you may register at the 4K site of your preference, however, this preference is not a guarantee. If you require busing, you must register at your neighborhood 4K site. If you are unsure of the 4K site in your area, please refer to the 4K site map on the DC Everest website. Please bring your child’s original birth certificate or other appropriate documentary evidence and immunization record when registering.

There will be a 4K Information meeting Monday, January 6, 2025 from 6:00-7:00 at Weston Elementary School.

All children who will be five years of age on or before September 1, 2025, are eligible for next year’s kindergarten class. Parents of students new to the District are asked to register their child for the 2025-26 school year. Registration forms and more information can be obtained from the D.C. Everest website or from the Riverside office.

Kindergarten enrollment is held during the first full week in February. You will need your child’s birth certificate or other appropriate documentary evidence and their immunization record, to upload as part of the online registration. If you know of a neighbor or friend that may not receive this information, please have them call Riverside School at 715-359-2417.

Students currently enrolled in a D.C. Everest 4K program do not need to register. Parents will be receiving an email to confirm kindergarten enrollment.

Join us at our next PTO meeting, Monday January 13, 2025. We will meet at Riverside in the conference room at 6:00 p.m. or you can join us via Webex.

The Sylvan Hill Sledding Event will be discussed, as well as conference nights, upcoming field trips, clubs, and preparing for activities such as the Ice Cream Social. We'll see you there!

statro@dce.k12.wi.us

Ext 5326

Happy Holidays Riverside Families! During Guidance with me in the month of December, through the 7 Mindsets Curriculum, your child(ren) practiced focusing on his/her strengths, interests, and passions as well as taking a stand on what is important to us and our core values. These are both part of the “Passion First” mindset.

The Passion First Mindset teaches us that we are all unique expressions of human existence. It’s vital to find out what our individual strengths and talents are so that we might connect them with our goals and visions for the future. In this mindset, we work with students to understand their unique gifts, their skills and strengths, and how to share them with the world to the maximum extent possible. Not only will they explore their interests, they will begin to identify their core values and what they stand for. The next step is helping them learn how to make their dreams into reality, tapping into both the courage and perseverance needed to overcome any challenges they encounter in pursuit of the lives they desire.

• Focus on Strengths – We all have things that we do well. When we do what we’re good at, we perform better and get better results, which benefits both us and those around us. It is critical to play to our strengths and spend our time doing what we’re best at in order to create the most value. It is also important to know that our strengths are much more than what we do well, as they also include the situations in which we thrive and the people with whom we’re at our best. Understanding all of these strengths will multiply our successes.

  Take a Stand – It is very important to play to our strengths and interests whenever possible. It is equally important that what we choose to do is important to us. It must matter deeply, because there will inevitably be challenges, and this will allow us to persevere. We all have to do things we aren’t necessarily good at or enjoy, which is why we must understand our core values. We will always be strongest when we act from our values; this is when we wield our greatest power to overcome obstacles and challenges.

  For more Do’s and Don’ts at home, critical components and activities to do with your child(ren), check out the Passion First Parent Newsletter.

  In January, students will be learning about the importance of relationships through the “We Are Connected” mindset. More on this mindset will come in February’s newsletter.

  
  

  To learn more about the 7 Mindsets, visit their website at www.7Mindsets.com.

Helping Kids Sleep When Stress is the Culprit

Many children struggle with sleep when they’re feeling stressed, whether it’s due to school pressures, social challenges, or changes at home. As parents and caregivers, understanding the link between stress and sleep can help you support your child in managing both. Here are some practical tips to ease the bedtime struggles:

1. Create a Calm Bedtime Routine
   A consistent, relaxing routine before bed can signal to your child that it’s time to wind down. Activities like reading a book, taking a warm bath, or practicing gentle breathing exercises help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.

2. Encourage Physical Activity During the Day
   Physical activity can help relieve stress and promote better sleep. Encourage your child to get outside and play or engage in sports. But avoid high-energy activities too close to bedtime, as they may have the opposite effect.

3. Limit Screen Time Before Bed
   The blue light emitted from screens can interfere with sleep by disrupting the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep. Set limits on screen time at least an hour before bedtime to help your child’s brain relax.

4. Talk About Their Day
   Sometimes, children need a space to express what’s on their minds. Talking about the things that are stressing them out—whether it’s a tough test or a fight with a friend—can help them feel heard and ease their worries. Be patient and listen without judgment.

5. Practice Relaxation Techniques
   Teach your child simple relaxation strategies like deep breathing or visualizing a peaceful place. These tools can help calm a racing mind and prepare for restful sleep.

6. Create a Sleep-Friendly Environment
   A dark, quiet, and cool room can make a big difference in how easily your child falls asleep. Consider using soft lighting, a white noise machine, or blackout curtains if necessary.

7. Watch for Signs of Anxiety
   If stress-related sleep issues persist, it may be a sign that your child is dealing with anxiety. In this case, it’s important to consult a pediatrician or counselor who can provide additional support.

By helping your child manage stress and creating a peaceful nighttime routine, you can improve their sleep quality and emotional well-being. Sweet dreams!

Healthy Coping Strategies That Move You Toward Your Better Future

Life can get really tough. One of the best gifts we can give to children is to help them learn and practice helpful coping skills that can support us to get through stress and the hard stuff of living. It’s challenging enough as an adult to relate to stress, anger, discouragement or other uncomfortable feelings in healthy ways, right? Even when we know that having a big cry, going on a walk, or doing some living room yoga would be more helpful than eating that bag of chips or scrolling on social media, we often choose to do the latter. No matter your age, dealing with tough things is inevitable.

For some young people, the coping strategies that have been modeled for them, have not always been positive (like eating a full bag of chips or scrolling on social media). The more we can introduce children to new ideas and alternative healthy coping strategies, the more productive and compassionate their actions and thoughts will become. Better communication, increased social awareness, empathetic behavior, and overall happiness are all benefits to utilizing healthy coping strategies. Here are some healthy coping strategies you and your child can use that move you toward a resilient future:

• Ask for help

• Talk to a close family member or caring adult and ask them to listen

• Exercise, workout, play sports

• Focus on the end goal, which is success

• Create a timeline to get work done

• Get outside for fresh air and spend time in nature

• Rest. Go to bed early and get a good night’s sleep

• Write down your issues and potential solutions

• Get creative! Draw or paint, play an instrument, sing, dance, write a song/poem/letter, write in a journal

• Breathe! Take some deep, relaxing breaths

• Eat healthy and take care of your body

• Build something, take on a project or hobby

• Connect with healthy friends & laugh with them

• Tidy up your room and space at home

• Listen to positive music that strengthens you

• Focus on positive thinking – focus on the solutions

Wishing you and your family a safe, happy, and healthy new year. If I can be of any support to your child throughout the school day, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Email: jkrautkramer@dce.k12.wi.us
Website: https://www.dce.k12.wi.us/riversideelementary
Location: 166543 River Rd, Ringle, WI, USA
Phone: 715-359-2417
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DC-Everest-Riverside-Elementary-781561655213872/