
OWL NEWS

VOLUME 1 - WELCOME BACK, OWLS!
As we look to the 2024-2025 school year, we cannot help but feel a profound sense of excitement and anticipation for what lies ahead.
At Riverside, our commitment extends beyond academic achievement. We believe in nurturing the whole child, ensuring that every scholar's emotional, social, and physical well-being is equally valued. Our team is passionate about creating a supportive and inclusive environment where every scholar can thrive and reach their full potential. We invite you to join us in embracing the opportunities and challenges of the new school year. Together, we will build on our strong foundation, celebrate our achievements, and work towards new goals.
Thank you for being a part of the Riverside School family. Here’s to a remarkable year ahead! #OwlStrong
Warm regards,
Heather Kama-Starr + Kyle Cohen
MEET THE TEACHER NIGHT - UPDATED TIME!
We look forward to welcoming all Riverside scholars and families to the building on Thursday, August 15th from 4:05 - 6:05PM. This is a great opportunity to bring your school supplies, meet your teacher, pick up your carpool cards, and get excited for the year ahead!
FIRST DAY
- We cannot wait to start our school year with our 1-8th grade scholars on August 19th (our pre-K and K educators will be reaching out to families with more details on the start of the school year).
- Building opens each day at 9:15AM for breakfast.
- Breakfast is served from 9:15 - 9:35AM in the cafeteria.
- Breakfast and lunch are free for all scholars.
- If your child will not be eating breakfast and does not ride the bus, we ask that you drop them off at 9:30AM.
- All scholars will go through security daily which includes searching all bags and walking through a metal detector.
- Families are asked to not enter the building with their child (staff will be both outside and inside to assist scholars).
- All scholars who bring a phone to school will have to turn them in beginning on the first day. Our phone policy can be found below.
ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL
DROP OFF
- Drop off begins at 9:15AM.
- Drop off is a rolling line: pull up, scholars jump out, and families pull off.
PICK UP
- Dismissal begins at 3:55PM.
- Pick up is a rolling line: pull up, place your carpool card on your dashboard, and wait for your child.
- Carpool cards will be distributed at Meet the Teacher night on 8/15. If you cannot attend Meet the Teacher night, feel free to drop by the school on Friday 8/16 to pick up your cards. All families will be provided with (2) cards -- let us know if you need any extras. Anyone picking up a scholar must have a carpool card. If you do not have your carpool card you will be asked to show your ID.
- If your child is carpooling with another Riverside family, please ensure they have a carpool card for every child they are taking home.
NOTES
- Please make sure to follow the map below.
- Families must enter the car line from the corner of Warren Road and Montrose Avenue.
- Cars will not be permitted to enter the car line from the stop sign on Glencliffe Road (please refer to the X's on the map).
- Only bus riders will enter the building on the Glencliffe side. Please make sure your child stays in your car until they are instructed to get out when you pull up to the main entrance of the building on Montrose.
- All scholars ONLY enter and exit vehicles on the curb side.
- Do not block, park, or pull into any of the neighbors' driveways.
- Do not block the crosswalks.
- Families are not allowed to enter the parking lot during arrival and dismissal.
- Patience is the name of the game the first few weeks of school! Please leave plenty of time to account for this transition.
- Pre-K specific information regarding arrival and dismissal will be communicated directly to our Pre-K families.
ATTENDANCE
- Please call the office (216-838-6700) if your child will not be at school.
- Scholars are tardy after 9:35AM.
- Scholars will not be released early from school without the office receiving communication and consent from a family member in advance. We also ask that scholars are not picked up between 3:00PM - 4:05PM. This is to support our preparations for dismissal.
DRESS
Riverside School does not require uniforms. The CMSD appropriate dress and appearance expectations can be found on Page 6 and Page 7 of the Code of Conduct (linked here).
AM/PM CARE UPDATES
The on-site PM program with Cleveland Playhouse (OST) has been cancelled for the 2024-2025 school year. With that being said, we are thrilled to be partnering with the YMCA to provide off-site AM + PM options for families.
Call 216-263-6860 for more information!
CONTACT INFORMATION
Principal: Heather Kama-Starr
- Phone: 216-562-8082
- Email: heather.kama-starr@clevelandmetroschools.org
Assistant Principal: Kyle Cohen
- Phone: 216-327-8262
- Email: kyle.cohen@clevelandmetroschools.org
School Secretary: Katie Davis
- Phone: 216-838-6700
- Email: katie.davis@clevelandmetroschools.org
Family Support Specialist: India Moore
- Phone: 216-645-7309
- Email: imoore@sayyescleveland.org
School Nurse: Therese Upperman
- Phone: 216-838-6714
- Email: therese.upperman@clevelandmetroschools.org
SCHOOL MISSION
In partnership with our families and communities, Riverside will develop responsible scholars, who think critically and creatively while becoming lifelong learners who make positive contributions to our diverse society. Riverside is committed to providing student-centered, inclusion-based educational practices that seamlessly incorporate technology, the arts, health, and fitness.
Principal: Heather Kama-Starr
Assistant Principal: Kyle Cohen