Titan Times: Week 30
The River Place Elementary (RPE) Campus Newsletter
Message from Principal Sharp
Titan Families,
I hope our newsletter finds you doing well and thriving in our community!
Important Announcements:
- Wednesday, March 20th 5:30- 7:30 PM STEAM Night (See Info Below)
- Kinder "Graduation" Pictures and Career Day are next week
- No School March 29th for Staff and Students
- No School April 1st for Students and Kindergarten Registration (Office is Open)
Celebrations from the Week:
- The Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas (DSACT) is happy to announce that Ms. Lauren McDowell, a special education teacher and team leader at River Place ES, is the recipient of the 2024 Lori Tullos Barta Outstanding Educator Award. She was nominated by Ms. Rebecca McCormic for providing superior support and encouragement to our students. She will be recognized on World Down Syndrome Day, which is Thursday, March 21st, during our live morning announcements. Please help me in congratulating her and celebrating her service!
- We were provided ADA officers this morning to support our staff on morning duty during arrival. They helped us with ensuring our handicap spots are used by families with a handicap license or permit. We have worked very hard as a staff on duty to ensure this is in place, and we hope you all can support us with this federally mandated expectation moving forward.
Additional Information:
There is a lot of important information in this newsletter regarding spring events and 2024-2025 school year needed information. Yes, the end of the year and looking to next year is in full swing!
One aspect of looking at next year is getting input from our families to support staffing, class placements, and campus improvement goals. In this newsletter, you will find a Google Form we encourage you to fill out to support staffing and class placements for next year. Also, our district extended the deadline for family input, so if you have not done so already please set aside time to give us input so that we can make informed decisions going into next year with goal setting as a campus.
We also want to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude to all our families for your continued partnership. Your support and involvement contribute significantly to the success of our school community. Thank you for all that you do!
Take care and lead well,
Dr. Amy Sharp
Proud RPE Principal
Mark Your Calendars
April:
1st: No school for students BUT we are open for Kindergarten registration (See Info Below)
2nd: Performance for Ms. Braun's Class from 1:40 pm-2:30 pm
3rd: Performance for Ms. Stigler's Class from 12:50 pm-1:40 pm and Ms. Partridge's Class from 1:40 pm-2:30 pm
4th: Performance for Ms. Jevnikar's Class from 12:50 pm-1:40pm and Ms. Hadley's Class from 1:40 pm-2:30 pm
5th: Performance for Ms. Allen's Class from 12:50 pm-1:40pm and Mr. Avirett's Class from 1:40 pm-2:30pm
6th: PTA Spring Gala- Disco Theme- See Info Below!
8th: Eclipse Viewing- See blurbs below!
- 9th: Performance for Ms. Lopez's Class from 12:50 pm-1:40pm and Ms. Wilson's Class from 1:40 pm-2:30 pm
- 10th: Performance for Ms. Ely's Class from 1:40 pm-2:30 pm
11th: SBDM Meeting (Campus Impact Team) at 3:15 PM
16th: RLA STAAR- STAAR Testing- no visitors on campus
17th: 5th Science STAAR- no visitors on campus
#RPEtitan Community News
A Note From Our Registrar:
Families, please remember to reach out to the school if you have changed or plan on changing your address from the one you registered your student(s) with. It is important that we have the correct address for your student on file for multiple reasons, including safety and transportation. If your living situation has changed and is only temporary; for example if you have moved in with another family, or moved into a hotel please still let us know so we are able to ensure your student has access to the means necessary to get to school. As always, feel free to contact the front office any time with any questions you may have.
2024-2025 Child Enrollment and Class Placement Form Due April 18th
Spring is in the air and so is discussion of registration, staffing, and class placements for the next school year. We hope everyone plans to return in the 24-25 school year, and we look forward to registering new families and students. To support our staff allocations and class placement decisions next year, we ask that each family fill out this form by Tuesday, April 16th for each child in their family. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our front office. Thanks!
Many Thanks to Optometrist and Signature Eye Care!
For our April 8th Eclipse viewing, Dr. Oliver Lou, Optometrist and Signature Eye Care are sponsoring PTA's goal for every student to have a pair of eclipse glasses for the Total Eclipse on April 8th! We are so thankful for this sponsorship and Dr.Lou working with our RPE community to make sure the kids can have fun and be safe that day.
Eclipse Viewing Information for River Place ES
Titan Families,
As of today, we have plans to view the eclipse on campus with our families welcome to visit. If you plan to participate on campus with your Titan(s) you must fill out this RSVP Form.
Please know that if you do come to campus we are asking that you check out your Titans and take them home after the eclipse. To do this, you will check in at the front office, get your visitor's badge, and meet you Titan(s) at their designated zone. Your Titan(s) will be walked outside with their glasses and class. They will have their backpack to leave immediately after the event or sooner if the family wishes to do so. Should you have questions about this process, please feel free to call our front office.
That being said, we realize that over spring break Travis County Judge Andy Brown declared a local state of disaster in anticipation of local needs since we are in the direct path of totality for the eclipse. As of today, Leander ISD does plan to conduct school this day, and the plan described above will take place unless we are told otherwise by district and local officials we need to pivot. As always, if a change is needed, we will communicate it with you. For now, we will proceed with plans. Thank you for your patience as we collaborate with district and local officials.
Want Your Titan(s) to Opt Out of the Eclipse?
On April 8, 2024, from 12:15 pm until 3:00 pm, Leander ISD will be in the path of a total solar eclipse. The event will allow the population of our geographic area to view this truly spectacular event, stand in the moon’s shadow, and observe the sun’s corona. Totality, when it will be darkest as the sun is fully blocked by the moon, will occur from around 1:35 to 1:39 in the Leander/Cedar Park area.
Safety is a high priority for Leander ISD. We will take precautions to make this experience safe and educational. With the support of campus funds, PTAs, and our greater community, Leander ISD has secured safe-viewing glasses for students and staff. Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun during the eclipse. Students will not be permitted to look at the sun without solar viewing glasses or through unfiltered cameras, telescopes, binoculars, or other optical devices. For more information on viewing the eclipse safely to prevent eye damage, please visit the NASA website https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/.
Because of safety concerns, parents may elect not to have their students participate in eclipse viewing. We respect the fact that it is your decision as a parent or guardian to choose for your child to not view the eclipse at school. To opt-out of having your students participate please complete this form.
This is an opt-out form. If you want your students to view the eclipse, no further action is needed.
Students whose parents complete this Google form will not be permitted outdoors during the eclipse except in case of an emergency. Your student’s school will make alternative arrangements for them which may include viewing the eclipse online. Please check with the individual school regarding alternative arrangements.
AGAIN: To grant permission for your child to participate no further action is required.
To notify Leander ISD that you do not grant permission for your child to participate, please complete this form. The form must be completed once per student.
Shine Some Light On Our Staff
Many families take time out of their day to let our office and administration team know how much they value our Titan Staff. We share with our staff in our staff newsletter and at staff meetings moments of "shine" from you, and we encourage you to consider filling out this form whenever you believe our district should celebrate a staff member publicly, too. If you have any questions, please let Dr. Sharp know.
Counselor Corner
PTA Announcements
Spring Disco Fundraiser
Buy a ticket this week for the April 6th, Spring Disco by Friday, March 22 and you'll be entered into a raffle for a one night stay at Austin's Hotel Viata and a $50 Resort Credit!
Tickets must be purchased by this Friday, March 22 to be part of the raffle.
Join us for a very groovy evening, supporting our school. This event is for adults only.
Watch D.O.G.S. Sign- Up Today!
WATCH D.O.G.S. is a national program focusing on the prevention of violence in our children’s schools by using the positive influence of fathers and father-figures to be a positive role model for all students. The change this year is that you don't need to volunteer for an entire day; we will have hourly opportunities available should you prefer that. Anything to keep your involvement on campus!
While on campus, WATCH D.O.G.S may-
work in small groups with kids,
support staff out at recess,
support lunch room clean up and etiquette eat lunch,
monitor the school entrances and hallways,
assist with arrival and dismissal,
mentor students, and much more!
How to get Involved-
Read through the expectations and sample schedule
Register as a Leander ISD Volunteer
Fill out the RPE Watch Dogs Registration Form
After confirming volunteer status, our assistant principal, Lacy Olmstead, will reach out with more information and schedule.
#1LISD Community News
LEEF Opportunity!
No better time to enjoy your favorite local basketball team AND giveback to LEEF! The Leander Educational Excellence Foundation is partnering with the Austin Spurs on March 24th for a giveback event! $5 from each ticket purchased with LEEF's link goes back to the Leander ISD classrooms! Get your tickets online today: https://fevo-enterprise.com/Leef
Golfinity: Debut Long Drive Competition
Join Golfinity for their debut Long Drive Competition with 100% of proceeds benefiting LEEF! The event will showcase youth, women, and senior competitions alongside the best Long Drive players in the world! Whether you're participating or watching, there's something for everyone! Arrive from 12 pm for warm-ups, indulge in food, drinks, and games, with winners announced at 5 pm. Prizes await all division champions.
To join Golfinity's youth, women, or senior division competition, simply make a donation to LEEF through the online registration https://bit.ly/3IywcWS!
Information Quick Links
River Place Elementary Titan Community
Here are our Titan Community Communication Tools-
- River Place Elementary School Website
- Twitter Account
- PTA Facebook Page
- Remind App for River Place Insiders
Email: ContactTeacher@leanderisd.org
Website: https://riverplace.leanderisd.org/
Location: 6500 Sitio Del Rio Blvd, Austin, TX 78730, USA
Phone: 512-570-6900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RiverPlaceElementaryPTA/
Twitter: @RiverPlaceTitan