Riverside Drive will be hosting it's annual Book Fair this week.

Monday, December 15 - Friday, December 19

The book fair will be open for students and families after school for 45 minutes every day (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday until 3:15; Tuesday until 2:15; Friday until 1:35)

Students can also go during their recess or lunch if the library is open. Families can use this link to add money to a digital wallet for their students. The fair will take cash, cards, and Apple/Google Pay.

Our holiday gram sale was so successful. Just a reminder to return any grams on Monday morning to the Huston Gate for delivery.  Student Council will deliver the grams to classrooms on Wednesday.

Please do not opt out of our communications system.  This is an extremely important way for us to communicate with you about emergencies, upcoming events, and information that is important for you to know. 

If you are not signed up for the LAUSD Parent Portal, please do.  Families can access attendance records, Schoology, grades, test scores, and more.  Beginning this year families will need to digitally sign field trip slips and this can only be done on the Parent Portal or LAUSD App.  If you need your child's student ID number and parent pin, please contact the main office at 818-990-4525. We will also be offering a parent workshop for those who might need additional support on Friday, November 7 at 8:30am.  More details will be sent home soon.

If you have opted out of text messages, you can go here.  

Once there, scroll towards the bottom to the blue headings.  Open the one "Opting-In Phone and Email Messages" and then follow the directions for "Opting-In to Text Messages".  

If you have opted out of emails, please email the school so we can forward your information to the correct department.

You can also access a job aide here for written directions.

Yeah... it's Winter Break...but what can I do with my kids?

Winter break begins a season a joy for most children.  They receive a well-deserved time away from school, homework and the chance to spend quality time with friends and family.  During the first few days children may want to catch up on sleep, have free time and play. 

Studies have shown that down time can help children improve their memory, attention spans and keep mentally healthy. It's important that children get this time to decompress.  However after a few days, some children lose their energy, get bored and restless.  

Create a Balance for Children During Winter Break

Every child is different, It's important to find ways to keep the BALANCE of free time and staying busy. Keeping the balance will make the return to school less difficult for children and parents alike. Here are four ways to help your family find balance during winter break:

1. Try to stick to a routine.  Routines help children feel safe and secure in their environment.

2. Practice recommended screen time limits.  This can be hard but studies are showing the amount of screen time in young children leads to some developmental delays, anxiety, aggression and more.

3. Make space for independent down time and time to relax with family and friends.  Both of these are beneficial to children.

4. Engage your child with fun activities that you can do together- bake something, holiday crafts and decorating, family movie night, scavenger hunt, and more.  Click here for 25 fun family activities.

Past Topics from Dr. Rocky

    - Creating a Culture of Kindness here and here

    - Anxiety in Children and Teens here

    - The importance of reading here

    - Setting Screen Time Goals here

    - How much sleep is enough sleep? here

    - Tips for preventing the flu from CHLA here 

    - The No-Panic Guide to Head Lice click here

Regular attendance is essential for your child's success! LAUSD expects all students to maintain a 96% or better attendance rate (missing fewer than 7 days in one school year).

Benefits of regular attendance:

• Higher academic achievement
• Use more academic language
• Develop healthy habits for the future
• Demonstrate reliability and confidence
• Make and keep connections with others

Please plan your vacations during school vacation's winter break, spring break, and summer vacation .If your child is absent for three days without a valid excuse, they are truant, and you will receive a truancy letter from the district.

 
Tardiness
School begins at 8:01 am. If your child is not in class by 8:01 a.m., they will be considered tardy. If your child is tardy for 30 minutes or more for three days without a valid excuse, your child will be considered truant.

Tardy students will need to be brought by parent/guardian to office to sign in.  

Attendance Incentive

Each month students can earn incentives if they:

    Come to school on time!

    Come every day!

    Stay the entire day!

We are excited to announce the 12 Days of Attendance and the return of our game, It's Sweet to Be at School. There will be certificates for free kid's meals and a movie party.  We have been given squishmallows that will be raffled off for students who are present and on time each day.

Please see the flyer for additional information.

Team Prime Time

Site Director: Coach Maka 

Assistant Site Director: Coach Madison 

This year, LAUSD is implementing a One Comprehensive Program model at every school site with a Beyond the Bell program. 

This change means that students who have traditionally participated in the Youth Services (YS) program will now need to be enrolled in our site's grant-funded program —Team Prime Time.

All students must be picked up promptly at dismissal if they are not enrolled in Team Prime Time. If you need afterschool care for your child, please be sure to fill out and submit your Team Prime Time application ASAP. 

STAR Nova Classes

Please see the following flyer about upcoming STAR classes.  You may also reach out to the STAR Director for Riverside Drive, Miss Caroline at carolineh@starinc.org with any questions.