April 2014 - Riverside Community School District

Oakland, IA 51560
PO Box 428
Postal Patron
PERMIT #4
US POSTAGE PAID
Striving to Provide the
Highest Quality Education
for the Communities of
Carson, Macedonia, and
Non-Profit
Oakland.
Riverside Community
School Mission
Riverside
Statement
The mission of the Riverside
Community School District is
to prepare students to meet
the challenges of the future as
responsible citizens in a global
society.
April, 2014 Newsletter
Volume 20, Issue 8
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
School/Community
Honor Rolls
Activities Calendar
Movies
* Dr. James Sutton, Superintendent
712-484-2212 Central Office
*Mr. Jamie Meek, Pre-K-6Principal
712-484-2212 Intermediate School
712-482-6296
Elementary School
* Mr. David Gute Jr.-Sr. HS Principal
712-482-6465
Jr.-Sr. High School
* Don Graham
Transportation
712-482-6215
Bus Garage
Sports Schedules
Prom Info
Riverside Jr.-Sr. Prom Saturday, April 26 @ Oakland Community Building
Community Service Day Wednesday April 30 (rain date is Wednesday, May 7)
Baccalaureate Service Sunday, May 11 @ Sharon Presbyterian Church @ 7:30 PM
Senior Class Night Wednesday, May 14 in auditorium @ 7:00 PM
Special board meetings will be
scheduled, usually on the
first Thursday of the month, to
expedite progress on the new
building.
The Riverside Community School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, national origin, sexual
orientation, gender identity, marital status, socioeconomic status, or disability in its educational programs and activities and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, socioeconomic
status or disability in its employment practices, or as otherwise prohibited by statute or regulation. For more information or concerns regarding educational programs or activities, employment practices or information regarding the grievance procedure, contact Dr. James Sutton,
Equity Coordinator, Riverside Community School District, 330 Pleasant Street, PO Box 218, Carson, IA 51525, 712-484-2212.
WE NEED YOUR HELP! WE NEED YOUR HELP! WE NEED YOUR HELP!
ATTENTION: PARENTS AND/OR GUARDIANS OF RIVERSIDE STUDENTS,
If you have changed your home phone number, cell phone number, work phone number, email address or any other
contact information since you registered your child for school in August, WE NEED THE NEW INFORMATION.
Please email or call any school secretary to pass this information along to keep your student's information current.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
The Booster Club would like to thank
EVERYONE who supported or participated
in this fundraiser. The Donkey Basketball
activity was a great success. We raised
almost $1800 that will help us continue to
support our students.
Be sure to check our pictures found in this
newsletter.
THANKS!
Don’t Forget to Join the Booster Club!!!
Single Membership is $10 ( Lanyard & Koozie)
Couple Membership is $15 (Lanyard & 2 Koozies)
Blue Membership is $25 ( Lanyard, Koozie, Seat Cushion)
Gold Membership is $50 (2 Lanyards, 2 Koozies, 2 Seat
T-shirts are available for $10. Forms are in the office at Jr.-Sr. High School
State Individual Speech Results
Chris Wilson, Paige Kallsen, Tom Petersen, and Caitlin Hughes competed at
the State Speech contest held on March
15, 2014 at Glenwood High School.
Chris competed in the Spontaneous
Speaking category and received a II rating.
Paige Kallsen received a I rating with her
Solo Musical Theater entry.
Caitlin Hughes read the poem “The Hollow Men” by T.S. Eliot for her poetry
entry and received a II rating.
Tom Petersen also competed in Spontaneous Speaking and received a II rating.
Congratulations to these students.
The speech coaches are Mrs. Ruth Hardy
and Miss Kristina Sturm.
Left to Right: Chris Wilson, Paige Kallsen, Tom Petersen, Caitlin Hughes
Page 2
Cushions)
Will Your Child Be In 7th Grade In The Fall????
Vicki Palmer RN
th
Parents of 6 grade students please be aware that a new immunization requirement went into place at the start of the 2013-14 school
year. A Tdap immunization (tetanus and pertussis) is now required
BEFORE the first day of a student’s 7th grade school year. The Tdap
immunization must have been after the child’s 7th birthday and before
they start 7th grade. Following is an excerpt from a letter from the
Iowa Department of Public Health:
The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), Bureau of Immunization, has completed
the administrative rules process to require tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine for students enrolling in 7th grade. The administrative rule change is effective January
16, 2013, and will be implemented at the beginning of the upcoming 2013-2014 school
year. The change will require a one-time booster dose of tetanus, diphtheria,
and acellular pertussis-containing vaccine for applicants in grades 7 and above,
if born on or after September 15, 2000; regardless of the interval since the last
tetanus/diphtheria containing vaccine.
EPI Update (Vicki Palmer, RN)
Page 3
The Norovirus still spreading through Iowa. Hand sanitizer does NOT
kill Norovirus, hand washing must be used to stop the spread. Stay
home when you are ill with nausea and vomiting.
National Honor Society Inducts New Members
On Sunday, March 9, 2014, the Riverside chapter of the National Honor Society welcomed
eleven new members into their organization. The ceremony was held in the auditorium.
The guest speaker was Kristina Sturm, chapter sponsor, who talked about service projects
chapter members have completed and those projects the members plan to complete during
the rest of the school year. Current NHS members assisted in the induction ceremonies.
Following the ceremony, refreshments were served in the commons.
Please send documentation of a Tdap immunization to Mrs. Palmer as
soon as possible. If you are unsure if your child has already met this
requirement please contact Mrs. Palmer by phone or email
([email protected]).
High School News (Dave Gute)
On April 30th the Jr.-Sr. high school students and staff will partner with Riverside Links to
do community service in our 3 communities. We worked with them last year with great
success. I appreciate Riverside Links being the organizer behind this effort to provide our
students the value and rewards of community service. The students did a variety of different service projects from yard work, painting or cleaning windows. If you are interested in
helping, receiving help or knowing more about this project please contact
Gayle Strickland at (712) 482- 3436 .
The winter sports season has ended and we have moved on to the spring sports. We have
many different options for the students to participate in with golf, soccer, and track that
are offered to the boys and girls. Last year our boys’ golf and boys’ soccer teams qualified
for the state tournaments. We also had boys and girls represent Riverside at the state
track meet. That is 4 out of the 6 spring sports represented at the state level. These are
accomplishments that will be tough to beat this spring, but our students and coaches have
2014 NHS Inductees Row 1: Maci Pendgraft, Maggie Buckingham, Maddie Buckingham
already been hard at work in for several weeks. Please go out and support all of our stuRow 2: Sara Wede, Carli Fenn, Jonae Polinski, Grace Gleaves, Lindsey White Row 3: Max
Farver, Grant Keast, Jake Novotny
dents in their spring activities.
The Riverside Jr.-Sr. Prom will be held on Saturday, April 26 at the Oakland Community
Building.. I would like to remind students to take extra care during this particular weekend and act responsibly.
Seniors Bailey McCready and Rachel Novotny welcome sophomore Sara Wede to the
Riverside chapter of National Honor Society.
Above: Kelsey Danielson performs during the Jazz Concert held on Thursday, March 6.
Riverside Jr.-Senior High School Third Quarter Honor Roll
Gold Honor Roll
7th Grade
Silver Honor Roll
12th Grade, cont’d
7th Grade
Honor Roll
7th Grade
Honor Roll cont’d
11th Grade, cont’d
Jillian Blakely
Brady Ryun
Gabriel Smith
Valentin Andrusyshyn
Alondra Huerta
Haley Faga
Preston Steinhoff
Kyrstyn Walston
Faith Appley
Sara Kemp
Bailey Holub
Alexa Wilber
8th Grade
Reid Chambers
Kyra Martens
Brooklyn Knoke
Andrew Casson
Cole Henderson
Brianna Sayles
Alexis Post
Elayna Eggers
Hunter Hodges
Sheyenne Smith
Riley Raney
Ethan Henderson
Elijah Petersen
Andrew Rolley
Allison Reicks
Anthony St. Anthony
David Andersen
Rhyan Sanny
Dominic Vance
Andrew Weide
Aspen Blackburn
Grant Sparr
9th Grade
Nathan Wilson
Brennen Carter
Lydia Wede
Hadley Caniglia
Olivia Weis
Andrew Deshong
Michael Clevenger
Hannah Gehrmann
John Baker
Coletin Moore
Sara Conway
Brian Gordon
Gabriel Heitert
Ellen Johnson
Jami Carter
10th Grade
8th Grade
12th Grade
Hunter Dittus
Briteny Gordon
Taylor Applegate
Jaycee Mansfield-Gutheil
Kyle Klindt
Jamie Hackett
Magdalyne Buckingham
Madison Manzer
Dilna Maldonado-Lopez
Jordan Hayes
Brittnee Chase
Nazary Peyter
Brianne Manzer
Jacey Kallsen
Kelsey Danielson
Bailey Rose
Heather McCall
Devyn Moore
Bailey Deshong
Sydney Swope
Maxwell Farver
Anastasiya Andrusyshyn
9th Grade
9th Grade
Grant Keast
Amanda Applegate
Soledad Castaneda
Braeton Moore
Tatem Bluml
Christopher Gaynor
Faith Sauser
Darek Charlet
11th Grade
Brooke Faxon
Asael Mendez-Perez
Michael Antunez
Dean Hansen
RaeAnn Meyer
Carli Fenn
Alex Martinez
Shaelyn Palazzo
Caitlin Hughes
Logan Price
Brent Pendgraft
Jordyn Winget
Tanner Starrow
Austin Hodges
Allisyn Weis
12th Grade
Lucas Wilber
Travis Henningsen
10th Grade
Keyton Wichman
10th Grade
Tayler Mart
Briana Alff
Grace Gleaves
Thomas Peterson
Timothy Brink
Tyler Krueger
Gabrielle Salais
Madalyne Buckingham
Jake Novotny
Baylee White
William Casson
Jonae Polinski
Kelsey Eskins
Sara Wede
William Gress
Lindsey White
Emma Grobe
11th Grade
Taylor Frain
Austin Hayes
11th Grade
Hannah Hummel
Dalton Bailey
Paige Kallsen
Tucker Bluml
Maci Pendgraft
Hannah Boruff
Sydney Raney
Justine Brammer
Dylan Charlet
12th Grade
Alexandra Danker
Sierra Davis
Reagan Gaynor
Samantha Gordon
Bailey McCready
Hannah Henderson
Rachel Novotny
Kylee Hendricks
Kyle Myers
Albert/AJ Seifert
The spring sports season is here. With spring comes unpredictable weather. These sports schedules may change due to weather or events may be added. Be sure to check with your athlete
or the junior-senior high school.
THE COUNSELOR’S OFFICE CONTINUALLY SENDS
OUT NOTIFICATIONS ABOUT SCHOLARSHIPS TO
SENIORS.
CHECK THESE DATES:
Sunday, May 11, 2014 @ 7:30 PM
Baccalaureate Services at Sharon Presbyterian Church
ACT TESTING
Wednesday, May 14, 2014 @ 7:00 PM
DATES
Senior Class Night at Jr.-Sr. High School Auditorium
Sunday, May 18, 2014 @ 2:00 PM
Test Date
Registration Deadline
June 14, 2014
May 9, 2014
(Late Fee Required)
Riverside High School Graduation John Reed Field
May 10–23, 2014
Students Kyra Martens and Justine Brammer make sure that
each student and staff member’s birthdays are remembered.
Everyone receives a birthday poster for his/her locker or door.
Each poster has a birthday wish as well 3 positive comments
about the birthday individual. This has been a welcome addition to the atmosphere at the Riverside Jr.-Sr. High School.
Thanks, girls.
AFTER PROM News:
Riverside After Prom is selling Rally Towels for $10
each! Contact Kristie Tomford, Jill Feigenbutz, or Jennifer Housman to get one & we are trying to be all events
to get these sold for our after prom fundraiser!
WIC (Western Iowa Conference)
ART SHOW
April 24-April 28, 2014
IKM-Manning High School
In Manning
Open to the Public
On April 26 and April 27
Left to right: Taylor Frain, Brent Pendgraft, Andy Casson
March Top Dawgs (Holly Hinkhouse)
Taylor Frain, Brent Pendgraft, and Andy Casson were named Top Dawgs for the month of
March. Students are nominated each month by teachers and then voted on by the staff at the
Jr.-Sr. High School. Top Dawgs receive preferred parking all month, eating first in lunch line for
the month, receiving 10 extra credit points for one test in a class and a $1 a la carte ticket.
This month’s Top Dawgs were described as being good role models and always willing to go the
extra mile in the classroom. Teachers also mentioned that these students are conscientious
and always want to help out other students in the classroom. Congratulations!
Riverside Student To Go Iowa Youth Institute ( Mrs. Bonnie Kramer)
Sipherd Signs With Midland
Riverside senior Brandon Sipherd
signed a letter of intent to run cross
country for Midland University
which is located in Fremont, Nebraska. Brandon is pictured at the
left with his parents, high school
cross country coach and a representative from Midland. Congratulations, Brandon!
Left: David Sipherd, Brandon Sipherd, Barb Sipherd. Looking on
are Coach Alex Oliver and Mark
Kostek, Midland University.
Grant Keast, son of Russ and Diane Keast, will be
representing Riverside at the Iowa Youth Institute for
the World Food Prize. This Institute will be held April
14at Iowa State University, and is the first step in
representing the school at the October World Food
Prize event.
To participate, Grant had to write a research paper
within specified guidelines which included choosing a
country and a key factor relating to that country's food
security. For his paper, Grant chose Japan and demographics. He will be meeting with other students
and food security experts from around the world,
including Jo Luck, 2010 Food Prize Laureate and CEO
of Heifer International. All IYI students will received a
$500 scholarship to The College of Agriculture and
Life Sciences at Iowa State University. They are also eligible to apply for a prestigious Borlaug-Ruan
International Internship or USDA Wallace-Carver
Internship.
Riverside Links Discuss Community Service Day
Monday, March 17, 2014, Riverside Links met at Cool Beans Coffee Shop in Oakland. The main topic of discussion was the upcoming Riverside Community Service Day. School officials have set April 30 with May 7 as the alternate date in case
of rain. This will coincide with community cleanups scheduled soon after.
Students will again do service projects in Macedonia, Carson, and Oakland by
working in small groups. An adult and youth leader will accompany each crew.
Area residents wishing to have student volunteers help with yard work or other
tasks may contact the high school office (482-6465), go to riversidelinks.com and
register online, or pick up forms at one of the three city halls.
The next meeting will be held at the Back Forty in Macedonia at 12:30 on April 14.
We welcome others from the Riverside Community to attend any of our meetings. We seek to find ways to bring this larger community together for the mutual
benefit of all three towns.
7th Graders Jill Blakely, Steven Sutton, Camryn Pierson, and Seth Tomford were among students
who celebrated the birthday of Dr. Seuss by reading to Riverside Elementary students.
Riverside website is www.riversideschools.org
Hat Day at the Elementary
in honor of Dr. Seuss!
Community Service Day is Wednesday, April 30 (rain date is May 7)
Prom is Saturday, April 26, 2014
NO SCHOOL April 17-April 21. Classes resume April 22
Baccalaureate is Sunday, May 11, 2014
Class Night is Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Graduation is Sunday, May 18, 2014
2013-2014 Junior High Track (Coed)
The spring sports season is here. With spring comes unpredictable weather. These sports schedules may change due to weather or events may be added. Be sure to check with your athlete
or the junior-senior high school.
Let’s Go To the Movies
April 4, 5, 6
April, 2014 Dreamland Theater Carson, Iowa
Muppets Most Wanted*
Rated: PG
1 hr. 53 mins.
*Saturday Matinee April 5 @ 1:30 PM Doors open at 1:00 PM
April 11, 12, 13
Divergent
Rated: PG 13
2 hrs. 20 mins.
April 18, 19, 20
Noah
Rated: PG 13
2 hrs.
April 25, 26, 27
Captain America 2D/3D
Rated: PG 13
2 hrs. 20 mins.
Page 8
The spring sports season is here. With spring comes unpredictable weather. These sports schedules may change due to weather or events may be added. Be sure to check with your athlete
or the junior-senior high school.
Kindergarten students in Mrs. Smith's class work on many math,
reading, and writing skills during small group time.
Celebrating Read Across America Week
On Thursday, March 6, Kindergarten and First Grade students were visited by Mrs. Putnam’s
Reading Success classes in honor of Read Across America week. The younger students enjoyed listening to the older students read to them, and even got to enjoy a special Dr. Seuss
cookie!
Kaylie Taylor and
Taven Moore in Ms.
Schutt’s First Grade
enjoy a Dr. Seuss
cookie while being
read to by a student
in Mrs. Putnam’s
Reading Success
class. Val Andrusyshyn is the
reader.
Sadie Luviano and
Holly Hering in Ms.
Schutt’s First Grade
enjoy listening to a
story in honor
of Read Across
America week.
Vince Palazzo is the
reader.
Kyle Shenefield
reads to Carter
Escritt, Carson
Hill, and Wyatt
Ewing as part of
Read Across
America Week.
NO SCHOOL from Thursday, April 17 through Monday, April 21.
Classes resume Tuesday, April 22, 2014.
News From the Elementary School
News From Mr. Meek
Please Note:
Iowa Assessments (Iowa Test of Basic Skills) will be
given the week of March 31 through April 4, 2014.
Iowa Assessments start this week. For those that, don’t know these are our state assessment that all school
take and then the state measures the effectiveness of our instruction at Riverside. For the students it is a
measure to see if they have made a years growth of learning since the last assessment period. In order for the
students to be able to do their best we need your help. Please try your best not change any routines during
the week, go to bed at the same time, wake up at the same time, make sure they get a good breakfast, and
help encourage them to do their best. Each building does their IA Assessments at a little bit different time
based on their schedules so if you want more information about your child’s assessment days, please contact
your child’s teacher.
I have been walking around the school a lot lately and have been amazed at what I see in and out of the classroom. Our hallways, library, and cafeteria are beaming with artwork and short writing samples that will stop
and make you look at how awesome our students are and how creative our teachers can be in finding ways to
have our students produce outstanding work. I marvel at our staff and students everyday. You should take
the time to come and visit our hallways for a few minutes and see what is out for us to see. When I see this
in the hallways combined with what I see in a classroom, I know that our students are getting our staff’s best
everyday. You are always welcome to visit your child’s classroom to see what happens in their classroom, if
you have the time, please come!
Don’t forget that the best way to stay up to date on your child’s grades and progress in school is to talk to
your child’s teacher(s) directly, via email or phone calls. For 4th-6th grade students you can see grades as
they are entered into our system via the JMC Parent Access portal at, https://riversideschools.onlinejmc.com/,
click on the Parent icon, enter your username and password and you can see grades. The more staff and
families that are on the same page, the more successful a student will be.
Mrs. Bertacini’s Kindergarten Class News
(Mrs. Bertacini)
Mr. Jamie Kadel from Wells Fargo has voluntarily brought Reading First
to the Riverside Elementary PreK-2nd students. Mr. Kadel comes
once a week to Mrs. Bertacini’s room to read and discuss a new book
with the students. Best part of all, the book is then donated to the
classrooms!!!! Thanks Mr. Kadel!!!
Above: During Donuts for Dads, students and their dads could have their pictures taken. Teacher Kayla
Vanderhorst is taking the picture. Below: Students with their dads. (photos by Schechinger family)
Above: Hayden and Andy Hensley get their picture taken during Donuts for Dads (Hensley photo)
Riverside Intermediate School Third Quarter Honor Roll
Gold Honor Roll
4th Grade
Blue Honor Roll
4th Grade
6th Grade, cont’d
Kelly Clevenger
Cale Bentley
Dustin Hering
Laura Fairchild
Rhett Bentley
Hailey Lorenzen
Cora Johnson
Reiley Blocker
Scott McGlade
Hannah Lund
Isabelle Bluml
Isabella Minatra
McCartney Sanny
E’Lon Burley
Sabrina Nolan
McKenna Sick
Michael Casson
Dennis Pilling
Clayton Spies
Brok Comstock
Meghan Reed
Allie Witt
Jason Dillon
Lance Skank
Joshua Fajen
Haylee Vlcek
Alexander Baker
5th Grade
Cecelia Gordon
Bailey Wiese
Samantha Beireis
Julian Henderson
Cameron Witt
Kenna Ford
Austin Kremkoski
Caden Manzer
Frannee Maher
Elijah Ryun
Ransom Mascher
Wyatt Sparr
Nolan Moore
Conner Stevens
Makenna Rose
Drake Woods
Devin Scivally
6th Grade
Nathan Seifert
Ashlynn Amdor
Clayt Sternberg
Marcos Antunez
Alexander Weis
Skye Bentley
5th Grade
Gracelyn Bluml
Emily Brown
Maggie Boruff
Kaiden Hendricks
Jacob Erickson
Kathryn Messerschmidt
Jolie Fajen
Chiara Rains
Courtney Hering
Ethan Reicks
Kristian Martens
Edward Vlcek, Jr.
Dylan McDonald
Iliana Yanes
Paige Osweiler
6th Grade
Abigale Petersen
Jadyn Achenbach
Mason Wichman
Joseph Agosto
Taten Williams
Joshua Agosto
Robert Blakely
Mackenzie Britain
Bailey Faxon
Michael Galbraith
Caiden Goodman
Above: Scenes from the Jazz Concert held
at Riverside Jr.-Sr. High School Auditorium
on Thursday, March 6, 2014.
Intermediate School News From Mr. Meek
Iowa Assessments start this week. For those that, don’t know these are our state
assessment that all school take and then the state measures the effectiveness of our
instruction at Riverside. For the students it is a measure to see if they have made a
year’s growth of learning since the last assessment period. In order for the students
to be able to do their best we need your help. Please try your best not change any
routines during the week, go to bed at the same time, wake up at the same time,
make sure they get a good breakfast, and help encourage them to do their best. Each
building does their IA Assessments at a little bit different time based on their schedules so if you want more information about your child’s assessment days, please contact your child’s teacher.
We need to give a big thank you to the Riverside Booster Club for purchasing Polar
Heart Rate Monitors for our district to be used primarily in Physical Education and
the summer weightlifting and conditioning program. These will allow the teaching staff
to monitor a student's heart rate to see if they are pushing themselves to their peak
level and a are exercising hard enough to get more physically fit. By the students
knowing how hard they have to work to get their heart rate up to a place where they
are becoming more physically fit, hopefully as they move through school and graduate,
they will be able to know how hard they need to work without the monitor so they
can continue all the great fitness programs and exercises they have learned from Riverside!
Don’t forget that the best way to stay up to date on your child’s grades and progress
in school is to talk to your child’s teacher(s) directly, via email or phone calls. For 4th
-6th grade students you can see grades as they are entered into our system via the
JMC Parent Access portal at, https://riversideschools.onlinejmc.com/, click on the
Parent icon, enter your username and password and you can see grades. The more
staff and families that are on the same page, the more successful a student will be.
Above and below: Mrs. Plagman’s students work cooperatively on an assignment.
Above: Mr. Meek conducts an assembly about students’ reading scores.
Riverside Quiz Bowl
(Callie Kallsen)
The Riverside Quiz Bowl team went to the WIC Quiz Bowl competition in
Treynor on March 19th, 2014. The team members were: Paige Kallsen, Tom
Petersen, Rachel Novotny, Brad McGinnis, and Russell Kay. The team had a lot
of fun and a successful year.
The Intermediate School is collecting pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House until
April 25th. Each classroom is weighing them to see who can collect the most, so please
help them out and send your pop tabs to the Intermediate School.
The Intermediate School celebrated Dr. Seuss birthday by Reading across America. Each
class had to read 3300 minutes, which equals a mile a minute, from Monday to Friday.
Everyone made it from the west coast to the east coast plus back across the United
States. We had a Green Eggs and Ham day, and Socks on Fox Day. We had some crazy
socks!
Parents/Guardians of Seniors
The yearbook staff wants to thank all those students who have purchased
2014 yearbooks, There are still a few left to be purchased. The cost is $45.
The staff is also working on collecting the rest of the senior pictures as well as
working on the senior video. Seniors have been asked to submit electronically
if possible at least 3-4 pictures including a baby/childhood picture as well as a
senior photo. We can scan any photos and return them to you as soon as possible. Photos may be sent via email to Brady Ryun @
[email protected] or [email protected]. We would like
to have these photos no later than April 15 if at all possible. We thank you.
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day
Mrs. Henderson’s PreSchool class partnered with Mrs. Ravlin’s 2nd
grade class for St. Patrick’s Day projects. See the pictures below.
2013-14 Riverside Dance Team Wraps Up a Fun Season!
(Bonni Hering)
Members of the 2013-14 Riverside Dance Team are Taylor Applegate, Brittnee Chase, Reagan Gaynor (captain), Hannah Henderson, Lindsey White, Tiffany
Wichert (captain) and Jordyn Winget. Taylor, Brittnee, Reagan and Tiffany attended the Just For Kix summer dance camp. Reagan participated in the 2014
ISDTA Solo Dance competition in Newton, IA on November 2nd. The team attended a dance workshop at Lewis Central on November 25th. In addition to performing during halftime at the boys’ and girls’ basketball games, the team competed in the 2014 ISDTA contest in Des Moines on December 5th. The team
earned a Division II rating in Class III Hip Hop. Our season wrapped up with the annual Kid’s Camp and Dance Team Show, “Hip Hop & Doo Wop”, on March
8th. The team improved their flexibility, musicality, and timing this year, and are already planning for next year! Thank you for the fun season!
Above: Reagan Gaynor and Brian Gordon rocked the house
during Guys Routine. Right: Dance Team (left to right): Tiffany Wichert, Taylor Applegate, Reagan Gaynor, Lindsey White,
Jordyn Winget, Brittnee Chase, and Hannah Henderson
Below: Feet up!!
Right: Brittnee and Tiffany dance away the night.
Riverside’s Tax Rate for 2014-15
By James Sutton, Ed.D.
When it comes to the school budget, most people want to know one thing, “Is it going up, and, if so, why?” So I’ll start this with a simple answer. The tax rate for
the district is increasing from $9.26 in 2013-14 to $11.96 in 2014-15. That’s a $2.70 increase, and the increase is a direct result of the passed bond issue. On Thursday, March 27th, Riverside had a hearing on its 2014-15 budget. It’s a long, somewhat complicated process, but the Riverside Board looked at several areas before
the final budget was sent to the newspaper. Those areas included looking at the overall budget needs of the district, looking at several of the balances in some of
the special funds, and looking at how financially stable the district is.
We are fortunate in that one of the most important parts of the budget was in our favor for next year --- the number of students. Riverside had an enrollment
increase of over 30 students this year and as the following year’s budget is created based on how many students a school district has, this put Riverside in a much
better position than schools that had to look at fewer students and fewer dollars. Our district is looking at some of the classes at the elementary being a bit larger. This year’s kindergarten class has had an enrollment in the lower 60s all year. And next year’s kindergarten might be as large or close to it. We’ve put a third
classroom and teacher at kindergarten as well as first grade, second grade and third grade over the past few years. We’ve asked about what kind of support the
middle grades may need as these larger numbers are moving in that direction. As a result of the discussions by staff and the board of education, the board agreed
that we should look at hiring two more elementary teachers in 2014-15 to address grade levels with larger numbers.
The board also looked at the balances of some special funds. We need to continue funding our “PPEL” fund. This is the Physical Plant and Equipment fund which
the district uses to purchase buses and do some small remodeling projects. Other funds in the budget this year look as if they are being completely spent down to
nothing because they are associated with the new building, and we will be spending a lot of the money in 2014-15 building the new school. The board also adjusted a special fund they use to purchase the district’s liability insurance and fund the early retirement program. The board has watched the balance of this fund go
down for several years, and they decided it was time to stop the fund from going down any more, so they supported it with about $190,000.
The district also looked at its financial strength. That is defined by two things: how much money the district is allowed to spend but hasn’t, and how much money
it has in the bank. In both areas, the board has been resolved to keep an additional 15% of the general fund back for stability reasons and have a similar amount in
the bank to back it up. It’s taken multiple years to reach that goal, but the board has done it, and it’s that kind of financial stability that helped them get the lowest interest rates they could on the bonds they sold recently. As a result of that strong financial position, they decided to levy only a small amount, about $20,000,
into their cash reserves.
New Building Update
Bids were opened on Tuesday, March 25th at 2 PM at the Carson Community Building, and the Riverside Board met on Thursday, March 27 th at 7 PM to determine who the general contractor would be and what alternates would be selected. (I’m writing all of this by faith as it is March 21st and my deadline for getting
articles to the newsletter.) At this point five large contractors have taken out bids. They are well staffed contractors with good reputations, so our architects
seem to be very pleased with the interest they’ve received. They did, however, have some concern by enough of the bidders about the timeline that they pushed
the deadline for the completion of the project to December of 2015 instead of August of 2015. This was a big disappointment for this office and the board of education, but it was agreed that we wanted the most competitive bids and the best job for the total project. If that meant postponing our move-in date for four
months, it was something that we felt we had to do. There are also several local subcontractors that are busy giving proposals to general contractors for different
parts of the project, and we are glad to see that the project will potentially generate income in our local communities in a number of ways.
We are finishing up details on the Safe Room Grant and will be submitting that in the very near future. And we have about a half dozen people in the district
working on estimates for the items that are not included in the grant so the board will have as much information as possible on March 27th. It continues to be a
very involved process even before dirt gets moved, but we are hoping that there is visible progress for all to see in April.
Calendars: This Year’s and Next Year’s
I’ve mentioned it before, but it doesn’t hurt to repeat it. Students will be going to school on Friday, May 23 rd to make up the last snow day that was taken, and
they will be dismissed at 10:30 AM. Teachers will make up their days following Memorial Day, May 27, 28 and 29. That means that the Spring Break in the calendar stands as published (assuming winter is truly over), so there will be no school for students on April 17, 18 and 21.
Next year’s school calendar will be the first “hours” calendar for Riverside, and there are a couple of “firsts” for students that will go along with that. For perhaps
the first time, the students will have a full week of Spring Break at the end of March and beginning of April. And for the first time, the students will not have to
make up the first three snow days (if we need to take any snow days). In addition, we will not start the school year for the students until after the Iowa State Fair
(August 19th). And students are getting two weeks for the Winter Break. It sounds so exciting that you almost wish the next school was here already, right? Okay,
not right.
Opening the bids on Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at the Carson Community Building.
Thanks to all who have provided articles/ pictures this month.
Chemistry – A Flower Saving Solution!
Donkey Basketball Comes to Riverside
By: Caitlin Hughes, Justine Brammer, Baylee White, Tucker Bluml, Brad McGinnis, and Russell
Kay
The Riverside Booster Club sponsored an evening of Donkey Basketball as a fundraiser on Friday, March 21. There were four teams of brave souls ready to saddle
up and play some basketball. The finals came down to the Tail Twisters and a
team made up of Riverside students. The Tail Twisters came out victorious and a
good time seemed to have been had by all. Enjoy the photos below.
Spring has sprung! With Spring, of course, comes newborn creatures and
freshly sprouted flowers. Because of the latter, Ms. Hinkhouse’s chemistry students
conducted an experiment to determine which household additives are best to use
when trying to keep cut flowers fresh.
In chemistry class, students have been studying Molarity which is a measure of solution concentration. Students decided to test if the molarities of different
chemical added to the water helped or hurt the life of flowers. Over the course of
about two weeks, students took pictures of white daisies placed in a variety of concentrations of six different chemicals: sugar, ethanol, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), citric
acid, vinegar, and bleach.
Based on the results, the extremely acidic or basic additives were deadly
for flowers! Ascorbic acid, citric acid, vinegar, and bleach all killed the flowers much
faster than plain water. However, at the two week mark, the flowers in both the
sugar and ethanol solutions were still alive and looked slightly better than the flowers placed in plain water. High concentrations of sugar in water did cause mold to
grow so remember to change the flower water every few days to keep the flowers
and water looking fresh.
The chemistry students still have questions about this topic and hope to
gather more data about how to use solutions to save flowers!
The Champs, the Tail Twisters!!
Winter Sports Banquet Honors Riverside Students
Riverside winter sports teams held their awards banquet on Tuesday, March 18 at the Carson Community Center. The Post Prom committee served the meal.
Basketball coaches, wrestling coaches , and cheerleading coaches recognized their teams. Both the basketball teams received scholastic awards for the teams
academic average. We have included some pictures from the banquet.
Far left: Sheyenne Smith accepts award from
Coach Davis. Left: Coach Grobe congratulates
Rachel Novotny. Above: Trae Kelly receives her
letter from Lisa Hummel, cheerleading sponsor for
basketball.
Far left: Sydney Raney, basketball manager, is
named “Most Dedicated” player for the basketball team. Left: Coach Langenhan congratulations the Blakely brothers on their season
achievements.
Above left: Coach Casey Conover speaks to the crowd about Tucker
Bluml’s wrestling season. Above right: Assistant Coach Oliver presents
seniors Payton Housman (left) and Elijah Ives their gift from Coach
Conover.
Left: Wrestling cheerleading coach Tina Carter presents a certificate to
Aspen Blackburn as Madison Martinez looks on.
April/abril Breakfast Menu
Sunday/domingo
Monday/lunes
Tuesday/martes
Choice of cereal
Offered daily
And milk offered
daily
6
7
Egg patty
One slice toast
Sausage patty
Fruit choices
13
14
20
Grilled cheese
Fruit choices
21 NO
SCHOOL
27
28
French toast
With syrup
Fruit choices
1
Long john
Yogurt
Fruit choices
8
French toast w/
syrup
Juice
Fruit choices
15 Cheese omelet
1/2 bagel
Juice
Fruit choices
Wednesday/
miercoles
2
10 Cereal
One slice toast
Fruit choices
16 Breakfast bites
Juice
Fruit choices
17 NO
SCHOOL
Donut
Yogurt
Fruit choices
Cinnamon
tastry
Juice
Yogurt
23 Cereal
One slice toast
Fruit choices
Juice
30
Friday/viernes
3 Grilled cheese
Juice
Fruit choice
9 Sausage and
cheese
Breakfast sandwich
Juice
Fruit choices
22
29
Breakfast bites
Juice
Fruit choices
Thursday/jueves
24 Egg & Cheese
Breakfast sandwich
Juice
Fruit choices
4
Cereal
One slice toast
Juice
Fruit choices
11
25
Cinnamon
twist
Yogurt
Fruit choices
Saturday/sabado
5
12
18 NO
SCHOOL
19
Pancakes with
syrup
Fruit choices
26
Breakfast burrito
Fruit choices
Juice
April/abril Lunch Menu
Sunday/domingo
Monday/lunes
Tuesday/martes
Wednesday/
miercoles
Thursday/jueves
Fruit & vegetable
Bar offered at least
4 times weekly and
milk offered daily
1
Crispito
Refried beans
Romaine salad mix
Corn & fruit
Shred cheese-salsa
2 Hamburger on
WG bun
Broccoli
Romaine salad mix
Fresh veggies& fruit
3 Chicken tetrazzini
Vegetable bar
Green beans
Fruit choice
Fruit crisp
6
7 Tenderloin on WG
bun
Baked beans
Vegetable bar
Fruit choice
8 Soft shelled taco
Shredded cheese
Salsa
Romaine salad mix
Vegetable bar
9 Chicken strips
Corn
Vegetable bar
Bread & Butter
sandwich
10 Turkey gravy
Mashed potatoes
Vegetable bar
Fruit choice
WG dinner roll
13
14
Taco burger on
wg bun
Shredded cheese
Refried beans
Vegetable & fruit
bar
20
27
21 NO
SCHOOL
28
Corn dogs on
stick
Calf. Blend veggies
Fruit choice
Vegetable bar
15 Chicken fried
steak
Mashed potatoes
Vegetable bar
Fruit choice
WG dinner roll
22
Hot dog
Baked beans
Fruit choice
Vegetable bar
29 Chicken & Noodles
Mashed potatoes
Vegetable bar
Fruit choice
WG dinner roll
16
Macho Nachos
Corn —Salsa
Vegetable bar
Fruit choice
Fruit crisp
23 Chicken wrap
Salsa-Shred cheese
Vegetable bar
Peas
Fruit choice
30
Mr. rib on wg
bun
Corn
Fruit choice
Vegetable bar
17
24
NO
SCHOOL
Chicken nuggets
Green beans
Fruit choice
Veggie bar
cookie
Friday/viernes
Saturday/sabado
4
Fish sandwich
French fries
Fruit choice
Vegetable bar
5
11
Popcorn fish
Green beans
Vegetable bar
Fruit choice
cookie
12
18 NO
SCHOOL
19
25 Hamburger on
wg bun
Tator tots
Fruit choice
Vegetable bar
26