Rattler News

Genius Hour

This is our final week of our school wide focus on School Improvement for Genius Hour! They have done an amazing job thinking of ways to make our school better. We are excited to hear their presentations.

Next semester our students are going to be taking the lead on their very own passion projects during Genius Hour! This means many of the students will be working on very different projects. We would love your help with this! We know our community has a ton of people with amazing skill sets and experiences.

For example: We may have a student, or group of students, interested in environmental issues. Maybe they decide to explore the science of climate change and renewable energy, specifically focusing on how individuals and communities can reduce their carbon footprint using sustainable energy solutions. Maybe you have experience with different types of renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydroelectric, etc.). We would connect you with that group so that you can help the group make their project dynamic and extremely meaningful. Or maybe some of our students are doing a project on a particular animal and you are a veterinarian! You would be a great partner with these students to really boost their learning!

If you are interested in volunteering during some of our Genius Hours please complete the survey below. We are so excited for the possibilities of this experience for our students! You could make this so special for them!

If you have any questions about what Genius Hour is we encourage you to watch the previous videos, look through our old Newsletters that offer info as to what Genius Hour is and how it benefits our students, or just email Sally.sosa@leanderisd.org.

https://www.signupgenius.com/index.cfm?go=s.signup&urlid=30E0844ADAD29A3FD0-53583889-river&useFullSite=true#/

Come grab a tag for our 2024 giving tree! All donations are due back Dec 13, wrapped/in bag ready to be donated!

Please upload using this link: https://photos.jostens.com/LTERLQ

Hello Parents!

We have now begun the plastic bag passion project at River Ridge.

This project will take place through May of 2025. The characters pictured are Betsy the Bee and Lucinda the Lightbulb. During a recent morning announcement, Betsy the Bee delivered a message that stated the earth needs help and Lucinda the Lightbulb came up with an idea for a solution. Now will you take a step to help too? Here are further details on how the project started...

On 11/20/2024 the plastic bag passion project was explained during the morning announcements to all the Rattlers who were present that day. They were informed on how to collect plastic bags, when to start, and where to turn them in, and then where they will all go eventually to the Recycle Reuse Drop-off Center. The following is the schedule for collection by grade level for the remaining time of this school year...

3rd Grade Starting: 12/2/2024 and Finishing: 01/13/2025

2nd Grade Starting: 1/17/2025 and Finishing: 2/14/2025

4th Grade Starting: 2/18/2025 and Finishing: 3/25/2025

5th Grade Starting: 3/31/2025 and Finishing: 4/23/2025

K & 1st Grade Starting: 4/24/2025 and Finishing: 5/21/2025

Each grade level will collect empty, clean, and dry plastic bags to turn in at any time during the 4 week time period scheduled above. There is a large, blue tutu trash can on wheels by the 3rd grade neighborhood and will move to each grade level after each time period ends. Great news...On Monday, 12/9/24 these plastic bags were turned in!! Yay!! Thank you

Keep them coming!

Parents you are welcome to help your students collect plastic bags and encourage them to bring them in during their grade level time period to only deposit empty, clean, and dry plastic bags, and not any other items that need to be discarded separately.

The Art Room is in desperate need of Clorox Wipes and paper towels.

If you would like to donate it would be greatly appreciated!

THANK YOU!

Don’t miss all the exciting updates and opportunities unfolding at our school! 🎉🐍

• PTA NEWSLETTER

• Click here PTA Memberships to join our school’s PTA! Your membership goes toward the events, classrooms enhancements, clubs, and more. By joining, you will receive the PTA newsletter, be able to attend meetings, share ideas, and help your child's school in so many ways. You do not have to volunteer in order to be a member- BUT we will always take a volunteer!
  

• PTA Website
• PTA Store

Get your amazing spirit gear at https://1stplace.sale/94803.

Referrals for the QUEST program 2025-2026 school year will be open through March 1, 2025. Leander’s tests students for GT/QUEST once a year in the spring.

Does your child possess some of these Common Characteristics of Gifted Children? (source: What is Giftedness?):

• Comprehends material above their age peers

• Surprising emotional depth and sensitivity

• Strong curiosity and unique interests

• Quirky sense of humor

• Creative problem solving and imagination

• Quick learning with minimal repetition

• Self-aware, socially aware, and globally aware

These MAY be indicators that the GT/QUEST program could be beneficial to your child.

Screening for the GT/QUEST program is based on referral by any adult that knows the student. If you feel your child may have an educational need for gifted services, please complete the River Ridge QUEST Referral Forms in order for them to be screened for next year’s GT/QUEST program. Parents will be notified by April 1, 2025 if their child moves to testing. Testing results will be sent home before the last day of school.

Hi Everyone!

I am excited to share that our campus will be participating in the Waves of Reading program. Here is a digital copy of the program details. Hard copies were already given to your student(s).

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to have them reach out to me. Marissa.Casal@leanderisd.org

Thanks, everyone!

https://sites.google.com/leanderisd.org/katiehaedgescurriculumcorner

Use this link to register: https://sites.google.com/leanderisd.org/leander-isd/home

Dec. 19th

Schedule:

• 8-9 Kinder and 1st

• 9:15-10:15 2nd

• 10:20-11:20 4th

• 11:40- 12:40 5th

• 1:00-2:00 3rd

Dec. 18th

Dec. 18th

Dec. 20th

7:40AM

11:30AM

Special Schedule

A MASSIVE THANK YOU to these two wonderful humans who show up for us and our students with love, support, and understanding!!!