Red Pride Weekly - Family Edition

Thanks for your support during American Education Week. Our teachers are grateful for the kind words that were shared in thank you letters and for all the volunteers who showed up to help around the school. What a great celebration of education and our community!

Shout out to our PTA for putting together a FANTASTIC dance party for our top sellers in this fall's fundraiser. We appreciate the volunteers who came out to make the afternoon special, especially our guest DJ.

Important Dates

• Monday, November 25 - 1st Grade Program; 6:00 pm
• November 27 - November 29 - Thanksgiving Break
• Tuesday, December 3 - Bojangles Book Fest for RES
• Wednesday, December 4 - VGA Reading Test - Grades 3-5
• Saturday, December 7 - Breakfast with Santa
• Monday, December 9 - No School for PreK Students
• Tuesday, December 10 - VGA Math Test - Grades 3-5
• Wednesday, December 11 - PTA General Meeting; 5:30 pm, Library
• Monday, December 16 - Kindergarten Program; 6:00 pm, Gym
• Wednesday, December 18 - End of First Semester
• Thursday, December 19 - Friday, January 3 - Winter Break

Happy Thanksgiving!

As we head into Thanksgiving, please know that we are thankful for our school community and are grateful for the trust you place in us each day to care for and educate your children. On behalf of the staff and students of Riverheads Elementary, we hope you have an enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday and are able to reconnect with your family and friends and the many things in life you have to be thankful for.

Our 1st Graders will now be performing, Cookies! The Musical on Monday, November 25 at 6:00 pm.

Meet the cookies: Chocolate Chip, M&M, Peanut Butter, Gingerbread, and of course, the classic Sugar Cookies. They've just learned that they're headed to the cookie exchange — and they’re not thrilled about it. In fact, they're feeling nervous and a bit worried about leaving their cozy batches behind. But after taking some time to think it over, the cookies begin to realize that meeting new friends might not be so bad after all! A group of playful puppies even stops by, drawn in by their love for cookies!

Please join us for this musical celebrating friendship and togetherness - and meet the sweetest cookies in town!

After our second cold snap of the year, we want to make sure our cold weather recess guidelines are available to families. Our goal is to have outdoor recess as often and as safely as possible. This will require your assistance, especially as it relates to reminding your child that students are expected to wear clothing appropriate for the weather. We plan to maintain outdoor recess unless the temperature with wind chill drops below 25° F. A copy of our guidelines will be sent home this week.

Of course this is Virginia, so it might start out below freezing in the morning and end the afternoon close to 50° F. Please reach out to your child's teacher to know what time their class participates in recess. Also, make sure that your child’s name is written in jackets, coats and other outer garments so they do not wind up in our lost and found. If your child is missing an item of clothing that is not in their classroom cubby, be sure to have them check our lost and found.

Thanks for your help as we work to provide healthy, meaningful recess experiences for our Gladiators.

Come join us Tuesday, December 3 at Bojangles for the December Book Fest from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. There will be special guests during the event, including a meet and greet with the Sheriff and a visit from Santa between 6:00 and 7:00 pm. To celebrate Book Fest, 150 free books will be given away, first come - first served while supplies last.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Riverheads and Churchville Elementary Schools.

It is that time of year again... time for Virginia Growth Assessments (VGAs). Students in grades 3-5 are expected to complete VGA tests in Reading and Mathematics.

This winter our school has elected to give our Reading and Math VGAs to students in grades 3-5 on the same day. The Reading VGA will be given in grades 3-5 on Wednesday, December 4 and the Math VGA will be given in grades 3-5 on Tuesday, December 10. Students who miss one of of those dates will make-up the test(s) prior to leaving for winter break on Wednesday, December 18. As a staff, we are excited about testing across two days as it allows fewer interruptions to our instructional time.

In the fall the Superintendent's letter was shared with families explaining Virginia Growth Assessments and procedures for accessing the Virginia Assessment Parent Portal. That letter is attached here, Fall and Winter VGA Testing Letter, for your review.

Parents of students in grades 4 & 5 will receive a Student Assessment Summary (SAS) report on Tuesday, November 26. The SAS report provides a historical summary of your child's performance on SOL tests by percentile.

To support the release of the SAS report, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is providing resources and a parent letter from Dr. Lisa Coons, VA Superintendent of Public Instruction.

VVAAS Letter from Dr. Coons (español)

Understanding the SAS Report (español)

VVAAS Resources for Parents | Virginia Department of Education

At Riverheads Elementary School, we believe in the importance of teaching our children the value of kindness, compassion, and giving back to the community. This holiday season, SCW and Guidance are partnering with Waynesboro Area Refuge Ministry: WARM to support individuals and families in need. One of the most requested yet often overlooked items at the shelter is new underwear in all sizes for children and adults.

Underwear is an essential item that many of us take for granted, but for those in need, it can be difficult—both emotionally and financially—to purchase. Providing something as basic as new, clean underwear can offer dignity and comfort to those who need it most.

We are asking for donations of new, unopened packages of underwear (any size, child through adult). Donations can be dropped off in collection boxes located in the guidance office from November 18th to December 6th.

This is a wonderful opportunity for your family to discuss the importance of helping others and making a difference in the lives of those who may be struggling. Even a small gesture can have a big impact. Thank you for your support in making this drive a success. Together, we can help ensure that every member of our community feels cared for and valued. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Cheyenne Lewis or Mikaela Georgiou at 540-337-2535.

Each morning our Gladiators are asked to live up to our Red Pride Pledge by being safe, respectful, responsible, caring learners. Students who live up to our Riverheads Expectations for Success have a chance to be nominated by their teacher or another staff member for the honor of being a Good News Gladiator. Students who earn this honor are given a shout out over the announcements and are allowed to choose a book from our book vending machine.

Please join me in celebrating these Gladiators for showing their Red Pride!

We have been busy recognizing students all year, so be on the lookout for more Good News Gladiators each week.

Our 3rd Grade Gladiators have been learning about community helpers and volunteers as part of their work in the new Benchmark Advance materials. On Thursday, a firefighter came as the Mystery Reader for this class.

Our Gladiators have been hard at work with Mrs. Coleman in the Art Studio.