RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY NEWSLETTER
DECEMBER 2024
✨ Holiday Greetings!
Dear Riverside Families,
Happy December! As we embrace the holiday season, we’re filled with excitement and gratitude for all the learning, growth, and joy your children bring to our school community. This month, we’ll be celebrating with special activities, winter-themed lessons, and opportunities to give back to others. Please check your calendars for upcoming events, including our third grade holiday program and classroom celebrations. Let’s continue working together to make this season bright and meaningful for everyone. Wishing you a joyful month filled with warmth, laughter, and cherished memories!
Warm regards,
Kim Meyer, Riverside Principal
LUNCH WITH STUDENTS
We encourage and welcome you to join your student for lunch throughout the school year. This is a great opportunity to spend time together and see a part of your student’s school day. It is helpful to contact your classroom teacher ahead of time if you plan to eat with your student, so food service can plan for extra meals. Please plan on paying for your meal with cash or check when you arrive at the office to check in. Unfortunately, we cannot make change. We look forward to seeing you!
TRANSPORTATION
Just a friendly reminder to please call the office to request a bus pass for your student if he or she needs to ride a different bus in the afternoon. The bus drivers will need a bus pass in order for students to switch buses.
HUSKY PRIZE ROOM
If you have any "like new" stuffed animals or small toys that you would like to donate for our Husky Prize Room, they would be greatly appreciated!
ONE SCHOOL, ONE BOOK SIMPLY SWEET CHEESECAKE FUNDRAISER
This is a friendly reminder regarding our Simply Sweet Cheesecake Fundraiser for the One School, One Book program.
Fundraiser Deadline: Monday, December 2nd
Pick-Up Information: Friday, December 13th at Simply Sweet Cheesecake 206 S Hwy 86 Lakefield, MN, 12 - 6pm
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher or Nicole Kapplinger, Riverside Librarian, at Nicole.Kapplinger@jccschools.net.
DECEMBER HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS
WINTER SOLSTICE
Winter Solstice on December 21, 2024 marks the year's shortest day and the start of longer days to come.
CHRISTMAS
Christmas is a Christian holiday celebrated on December 25.
HANAKKUH
Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish "Festival of Lights" is December 25, 2024 through January 2, 2025
KWANZAA
Kwanzaa is an annual celebration is an African American culture, honoring family, community, and heritage is December 26 through January 1.
DECEMBER CALENDAR
December 2
- Last Day for OSOB Fundraiser
December 4
- Early 2:00 p.m. Wednesday Dismissal
December 11
- Early 2:00 p.m. Wednesday Dismissal
- Third Grade Music Program, "The Greatest Snowman"
- 9:30 Dress Rehearsal for Riverside Students in the HS Auditorium
- 1:00 p.m. Parent Program in the HS Auditorium
December 13
- One School, One Book Pick Up Day
December 16
- P.E. - Swimming at HS
- Third grade Reed and Gumto Classes: 9:40-10:40 a.m.
- Second grade Garry and Mitchell Classes: 10:45-11:45 a.m.
- School Board Meeting 5:30 p.m.
December 17
- P.E. - Swimming at HS
- Third grade Miller and Orpen Classes: 9:40-10:40 a.m.
- Second grade DiBrito Classe: 10:45-11:45 a.m.
December 18
- Early 2:00 p.m. Wednesday Dismissal
December 19
- One School, One Book Fundraiser Reward Day at Movie Theater
- PK-K Morning
- 1-3 Afternoon
- PTO Meeting 3:15 p.m. in the Music Room
December 20
- Terrific Kids Program 2:20-2:50 p.m.in the Main Gym
- Last day before Winter Break
December 21-January 1
- Winter Break
NOVEMBER TERRIFIC KIDS
Congratulations to our November Terrific Kids for showing their B.A.R.K. traits throughout the month! Way to go Huskies!
REMEMBER SAFETY
Annabelle Olson
Kindergarten
Itai Sierra
Kindergarten
Jayla Hummel
First Grade
Jayla Ireland
First Grade
Natalie Rodriguez
Second Grade
Maxwell Runck
Second Grade
WAY TO GO HUSKIES!
Dear Parents/Guardians,
We know how important regular school attendance is for your child’s learning and growth. Being in school every day helps them stay on track with their lessons, build skills, and connect with friends and teachers. We also understand that things come up, and we really appreciate everything you do to make sure your child is here and ready to learn.
Thank you for your support—it makes a big difference!
So far this year we have had 🤩 98% Average Daily Attendance at Riverside.
PERFECT ATTENDANCE
Congratulations to our K-3 students who have had perfect attendance throughout the first quarter of the school year!
Kindergarten:
Malakai Ayers
Katelyn Dean
Everett Dixon
Scarlett Kazemba
Emma Knips
Timothy Larsen
Owen Oeltjenbruns
Adelyn Rasmussen
Whitney Schreiber
First Grade:
Kobie Hansen
Ellie Honnette
Noah Johnson
Jackson Lucht
Owen Mitchell
Laylah Pyan
Hunter Pell
Nyla Pigman
Harvey Pohlman
Adelind Swanson
William Woizeschke
Second Grade:
Oliver Chonko
Landrey Hansen
Reese Hummel
Douglas Iverson
Nora Knips
Ryker Olson
Xavier Rehnelt
Julie Vongsavanh
Archer Welp
Third Grade:
James Beranek
Mason Clark
Cooper Hanson
Joan Munoz Mazariegos
Lillie Pohlman
Braylon Polz
Selene Ramos
Brinley Schultz
Sophia Thoreson
Brysen Urqula
Ethan Withers
November Staff All-Stars
Every week a staff member is chosen as a Riverside All-Star for various ways they promote our Positive Purpose at Riverside!
Katelyn Schrader
Office Administrative Assistant
Shelly DiBrito
Speech Language Pathologist
Shelly Condon
First Grade Teacher
November Staff Shout-Outs
Each month staff are nominated for a Shout-Out Award by going above and beyond each day as they teach and model our B.A.R.K. traits!
Tala Wilhelms
Paraprofessional
Andrea Bohl
Paraprofessional
Crystal Rossow
Paraprofessional
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
KIKORI SEL
During our morning meeting time everyday we welcome students with various activities, sharing time and greetings to build a sense of community in the classroom and school.
December SEL Calendar focuses on Celebrations, Traditions, and Togetherness, with engaging activities designed to:
Foster social awareness and empathy through storytelling and cultural exploration.
Encourage creativity with holiday crafts and classroom celebrations.
Inspire responsibility by motivating students to make a positive impact on their communities and the planet.
COLD WEATHER GUIDELINES
Winter weather has definitely arrived! Please see the cold weather guidelines below. Students will need their winter gear at school every day.
Last, But Not Least...!
Thank You, Families! 🙏
Take a final moment to thank families for their many contributions, including making sure their children arrive at school on time & ready to learn.
And don't forget the Christmas cookies!! 🎄