Friday, April 22, 2011

Dear Families,

It is a sunny day and the students’ energy is positive and enthusiastic.  They remind us constantly of the wonders of learning and youth, making us smile and happy to be here.  On behalf of the staff, thank you for providing us such wonderful young people to serve.

I am writing to acknowledge this is an anxious time for the Riverdale community.  There are unknowns; at this point I do not have the answers you would like me to provide regarding budget, staffing, schedule, and program.  I can tell you that all staff are engaging in creative conversations about how we will provide our exceptional program, adjust the things that can be adjusted, determine what values we hold fast to and determine how to build our schedule. 

I am extremely impressed with the positive outlook and problem solving that is occurring.  I plan to have forums that include you when we have hard facts.  Our Superintendent is working to develop a plan with the least impact to the children, and I am supportive of her efforts, helping in any way that I am able.  In the meantime, please attend the community meeting with the Superintendent at the grade School April 27th for more information.

Superintendent's Community Briefing, GS Library

Wednesday, April 27^th at 7:00 - 8:00 pm

Riverdale High School is what it is because of the people.  It is the students, the parents and the staff that make the community.  

With Kind Regard,

Paula

Scratch it for Schools

We won the lottery!  In October I entered Riverdale High in the lottery to hopefully be selected to participate in “Scratch it for Schools” and we won by being selected.  Christy Drogosch (for her agility and stamina) and Mark Wechter (for his strength and stamina) were selected to scratch as many lottery tickets they could in five minutes.  They describe it as “a very long five minutes”.  The outcome was spectacular; the earnings are $624.00 for the High School in five minutes!  Thank you Christy and Mark.

Parking task force

Two students, one staff and one parent have agreed to serve on the Parking Task Force.  This group will meet three or four times to analyze the situation, collect input and design a plan.  Please let Sue Teeter or I know of your interest in contributing to the solution through your participation.

We have had another student “give up” their parking space for an out of district driver in order to eliminate two legs of their daily journey.  Additionally, the students have organized a walk, bike or carpool day which is occurring today - several have participated, thank you.

High School Parent Teacher Conferences - Thursday, April 28th & Friday, April 29th 
If you have not already signed up for your teacher/parent conference, please contact Sam Ziff at 503-892-0722.

Model UN delegates will once again be selling coffee/tea/hot chocolate throughout Conferences April 28 and 29.  Please support our activity by purchasing a beverage @ $1. cup and/or three tiny cookies for $.50 or one large cookies for $1.00.  We would also be happy to talk to parents about the great opportunity that MUN provides students to learn more about international relations.

Host Family Opportunity

Xinfei Jin, also known as Fenny, has been accepted to Riverdale High School for the 2011 - 2012 school year.  Fenny is a 16 yr. old girl from Shanghai China.  She lives there with her mother and her father who both work full time.  Fenny has been attending Aloha High School for her junior year and living with a host family there.  Her favorite subjects are History & Biology.  She enjoys playing sports, and joined both the swim team as well as the tennis team this year. 

To learn more about Fenny, her host family, and her International Agency, CIEE click here.  Her current host family is happy to talk to any potential host families about the experience.  You will need to fill out a host family application, which you can find on the CIEE website.

Important Dates:

  2ND ANNUAL RIVERDALE COMMUNITY BIKE DRIVE

SATURDAY, APRIL 23RD

FROM 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

AT RIVERDALE GRADE SCHOOL

 

RIVERDALE DISTRICT ARTS SHOW

TUESDAY, APRIL 26TH

FROM 6-8 PM

AT RIVERDALE HIGH SCHOOL