Oak Leaf Weekly Update

As we enter into the winter season, I wanted to share the mission, vision and goals of River Oak, as these words were inspired by dedicated individuals that started the charter over 20 years ago! Many of our staff that started the school are still here, developing River Oak, and believing in our school!

River Oak Charter School strives as a dynamic community of teachers, parents, and students, to inspire in the child a love of life, and learning, beginning with one’s own heart, head, and hands, working towards making a contribution to the community.

Vision: River Oak Charter School is a Steiner-methods public school with a consistent philosophy, curriculum, and teaching method that embraces the developmental model of the growing child and awakens each child’s full and unique potential. Steiner-methods education nurtures a sense of wonder, and delight, and fosters the reverence for nature, and humanity inherent in the young child. Steiner-methods curriculum develops the child’s active will, creative imagination, and clear, independent thinking. Children emerge as young adults with the self-confidence to impart direction, and purpose to their lives, and leadership to their community.

Goals: River Oak Charter School respects, and appreciates all children for their unique ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and affords the opportunity to develop an understanding of all of the traditions, and cultures represented in the student population. Children emerge with academic excellence, a commitment to the enhancement of their community, and the ability to succeed today, and tomorrow.

Our team is so grateful for our school's strong foundation, and thanks to all past and present communities, River Oak is one of the best choices in Ukiah for elementary school. As we reflect this season, please consider how fortunate we are to be a part of River Oak's history and growth!

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Parent Teacher Conferences 11/15-11/19 Students are dismissed by 1:05pm each day

Thanksgiving Week 11/22-11/26 No School

Winter Break 12/20-12/31

Lost and Found- Many students leave their water bottles, jackets, sweatshirts and other clothing items on the playground. Please check the lost and found clothing rack in the hallway near the small commons for your child's belongings, thank you!

Local Children's Author, Natasha Yim is visiting River Oak students next Friday, November 19th. Students in Crimson Clover Kindergarten and 1-3 grades will hear the story Goldy Luck in the Three Pandas which is a multi-cultural twist on a classic children's story.

If your child's class is participating in this event and you would like to purchase a signed copy please view the file below. We are excited to welcome Ms. Yim and we know our students will enjoy this experience!

Students who are enrolled in the current Caring Crafts Elective have decided to complete unfinished Waldorf dolls. These mementos are a sweet example of the gift of preserving childhood, which is a value in Waldorf education. Our students did an amazing job!

Kindergarteners made homemade lanterns in class this week!

If you wish to organize your own Lantern Walk with your family follow this simple craft instruction to make a lantern out of a balloon:

Materials: Balloon, string, tissue paper, paint brush, pressed leaves or flowers, hole punch

Directions:

1. Blow up balloon and set in a bowl to keep it steady.

2. Use a paintbrush to paint mixture of half white glue, half water on the balloon

3. Once the balloon is covered with the mixture, stick on many layers of colorful tissue paper. (you can cut it in shapes, or tear it) Take your time and add lots of layers, being careful not to leave any thin spots. Also, you can keep adding mixture to be sure it is all sticking on the balloon

4. Or- add pressed leaves or flowers- this shows through well with white tissue paper

5. Hang your balloon in a dry spot by the string and let it dry overnight. Add newspaper on the ground where it hangs as the glue could drip down.

6. Once it is dry, pop the balloons and slowly pull them out

3. Use a hole punch to make two holes and fashion a handle from string or pipe cleaners

Class One walked to the Grace Hudson Museum and deepened their learning of the Pomo Indian Peoples. Pomoans were once members of over 70 different communities located along the creeks, valleys and shores of today's Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake Counties. Grace Hudson is an engaging museum for children, and we are honored to have the opportunity and resource for learning so accessible.
Our students learned about the importance of acorns as a major food source and made acorn mush, as well as how to identify edible plants and how to use traditional Pomo tools. Included in the trip was a tour of the art museum that currently houses three local artists.

Check out more information about the museum here: https://www.gracehudsonmuseum.org/

ROCS Basketball is starting soon, and the Team Shop is Now Open!

The basketball team shop has a number of items that parents, faculty, and staff can purchase to show River Oak Firebirds basketball team spirit.

The team shop is open until November 15th ONLY!

Here is the link to access it:

https://www.bsnteamsports.com/shop/ROCSBB1

Please note: Items have a estimated 6 week shipping time.

Game Schedule below

Tradition continues with the eighth-grade pizza fundraiser!

Starting November 10th, a slice of Slam Dunk pepperoni or cheese pizza will be available on Fridays, with a side of fruit or veggies.

Pizza is $5.00 a slice and can be paid for by cash or check to River Oak Charter School.

Class Two is selling personalized keychains as a fundraiser!

• Orders will be accepted through Friday, November 19th.
• Keychains will be delivered by December 17th.
• Keychains are $10 each
  
• Order form is below or located in the front office
  
• Payment by cash or check to River Oak Charter School.
  

For more information please reach out to the class parent, Anita: anitajx4@gmail.com.

We would like to remind families to make sure no fees are taken out of your Venmo payment towards the school. It seems as though some option takes a 1.3 percent fee. If you are paying for Acorn Hut, class donations, or more please make sure to double check before you hit 'send'

Thank you!

Dear ROCS community,

In an attempt to keep our children and staff safe, we will be testing all staff and students for COVID-19 following Thanksgiving and Winter break. Also, as a friendly reminder, if your child is experiencing any COVID-related symptoms (fever/chills, cough, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle/body aches, headache, new loss of taste/smell, sore throat, congestion/runny nose, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea) please keep them home, have them tested at a PCR testing site and wait for the negative test result before returning to school.

Should you have any questions, I am available Tuesday-Thursday from 8:30 to 1pm.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our school community (and beyond) safe!

—Jessica Beckstrom

jbeckstrom@riveroakcharterschool.org

COVID Vaccine Clinics for children ages 5-11 only are open and available to all River Oak students!

Here is a local resource for families!

Triple P Mendocino is a program of FIRST 5 Mendocino that focuses on supporting families of young children struggling with child behavior and/or mental health issues

• Triple P Mendocino partners take Medi-Cal and other forms of insurance.
• They offer options for families who are un- or under-insured.
• También, se habla español.

For more information visit: http://www.mendochildren.org/family-support/triple-p-mendocino/

Email: kmccullough@riveroakcharterschool.org
Website: www.riveroakcharterschool.org
Location: 555 Leslie Street, Ukiah, CA, USA
Phone: 7074671855
Facebook: www.facebook.com/riveroakcharter