Originally delivered on 11/8/2026 10:01 am

SUBJECT: Parent Update: Week of 11/9/26

Principal's Corner

Greetings, Riverside Families,

I hope this message finds you all doing well. Thank you to everyone who joined us for Family Night on Thursday. It was great to see students so excited about math and engaged in the activities. I'd like to extend a huge thank you to Ms. Nevills, Mrs. Brunell, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Bohorquez, and Mr. Stephens, and our amazing parent volunteers for putting on a fun night for us all.

I would also like to share my appreciation for our PTA and all of the parents who provided the awesome prizes for Raise Craze. Bubble parties, dance parties, pizza parties, and garden parties brought a lot of extra joy to our school days!

Please read below for information about the week ahead.

 

Warm regards,

Ms. Richardson

Parent Conference Week

This week we have parent-teacher conferences with special schedules:

Monday, November 9 - Dismissal at 12:49pm

Tuesday, November 10- Regular day with dismissal at 1:29pm

Wednesday, November 11- No School for Veteran's Day

Thursday, November 12- Dismissal at 12:49pm

Friday, November 13- Dismissal at 12:49pm

NO HD Afterschool Tutoring This Week

School Closed ~ November 11th

Riverside Drive will be closed on Wednesday, November 11th, in observance of Veterans Day. We look forward to welcoming students and staff back to campus on Thursday, November 12th.

No Tardy November

This month we will be focusing on arriving AND getting to class on time.  Please remember that although the gates are open until 8:01, students are expected to be in class at 8:01 and ready for instruction.  

After School Clubs

No choir this week due to conferences. Violin and Percussion will proceed as usual.

Wednesday- 2:45-3:45pm Glee Choir in room 22 - no choir this week

Thursday- 2:45-3:45pm Glee Choir in room 22

Thursday- 2:45-3:30pm - Violin (Kinder-2nd grades) in room 6

Thursday- 3:45-4:30pm- Percussion (3rd-5th grades) in room 6

All students will need to check into Team Prime Time, get a supper if they want, BEFORE class. When class is over students will be dismissed back to TPT.  You can pick up your child from the Huston Gate after class.

Families of students in the Violin and Percussion club should have received a class dojo invite in which updates will be communicated.

Gobble, Gobble Glam

Tuesday, November 17

Come dressed to school is your best "Gobble, Gobble, Glam" for our Student Council sponsored spirit day- anything Thanksgiving themed or fall colors. Be a turkey and come to celebrate!

New STAR NOVA Enrichment classes

November 2 - January 29

Please see the flyer for the new STAR NOVA Enrichment classes.  

Safety First at Drop Off and Pick Up!

Distracted driving, double parking, and U-turns during drop-off and pick-up are safety concerns for us all. 

Parents, please cross with your students at the crosswalk and model looking both ways to ensure safety when walking. 

If dropping off from your car, please pull over and park at the curb rather than having students cross in the street. 

As always, be a good neighbor and refrain from blocking the driveways of our neighbors. 

I thank you in advance for your partnership and cooperation.

Step Up Tutoring

Does your student need extra support?

They may qualify for free online on-on-one tutoring

See the flyer above or click here

High Dose Tutoring Continues This Week

After School Tutoring will be on 

Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

  Please refer to the letter sent home about time and location.

Please note, there will be no tutoring the week of Nov 9-12

Students will check into Prime Time and get a supper (if they wish) before tutoring and then return to Prime Time when tutoring finishes.  Students will need to be signed out and picked up from Prime Time.

Volunteer Orientation and Training

All volunteers must complete the LAUSD Mandatory Volunteer Training BEFORE they will be issued a badge.   

Our next training is November 19, 2026 at 8:30am on Zoom

Dr. Rocky's Health Corner

7 Questions Parents Should Ask During Parent Conferences

You only have 15-20 minutes at the parent-teacher conference.  The grades are already on the report card.  Your child's teacher has been with them for 6 hours a day since August and knows things that aren't written on the report card.  

Here's what to ask:

1. Who does my child play or sit with at lunch and recess?

This tell you more about your child's year than any grade will.

2.  What does my child do when the work is too hard?

Do they ask for help? Do they go quiet? Do they start messing around so no one notices they are stuck?  Their strategy for being stuck is the single most useful thing you can learn in this meeting, because that is the same strategy they will carry with them as they get older.

3.  Who does my child go to when they are upset?

A teacher, a trusted adult, or a particular friend? Knowing this information now is important, rather than later.

4. When in the day is my child most settled?

Some children settle to learn right away, some after recess, and some even later in the day.  Knowing the shape your child is in across the day tells you when to schedule homework, a conversation, activities, and most importantly, when not to schedule.

5. What does my child do when they get something wrong?

Does my child shrug it off, do they spiral, argue, hide their work? Your child's relationship with their own mistakes is being built right now, in the classroom, and the teacher sees it multiple times throughout the day. Helping children accept challenges and accept that they will make mistakes is extremely valuable for emotional growth. 

6.  Have you seen my child help anyone?

Teachers aren't usually asked this question and will love to share a story about your child.  This helps you see how they are when you're not in the room with them.

7.  What would you like me to do at home with my student?

Ask this last, and mean it.  Teachers spend the whole time giving information and almost never get asked what they actually need.  You will get a straight, specific answer that helps build the teacher-parent relationship vital to your child's success.


Prior Dr. Rocky Topics (click on title)

How to Help Kids Talk About Learning Differences

Setting Boundaries at Home and Preventing Anxiety (not an endorsement or a recommendation to purchase the book)

12 Everyday Habits to Raise a Child Who Respects a "No"

Jackets, Sweaters, Water Bottles, and Lunch Boxes...Oh, My!

Our lost and found is already overflowing! 

Please write your child's name on their jackets, sweatshirts, lunch boxes, and water bottles. This will allow us to help them find their belongings. 

Please encourage your child to keep track of his or her belongings. Items not claimed by the end of the month will be donated. I thank you in advance for your partnership.

Team Prime Time Update (After School Program)

I am happy to share that the new TPT Director will be Coach Jackie.  She has been at Riverside as a coach and will be returning to Riverside Drive as the Site Director for Team Prime Time. Coach Carolina will continue to support our students as the Assistant Site Director.

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. You can find the forms here.

LAUSD and Riverside Drive Cellular Telephone Policy

REMINDER

 LAUSD and Riverside Drive have a

NO Cellphone and Smart Watch Policy 

and

New Water Bottle Safety Policy

Mobile Devices- including smart watches

Phones and smartwatches MUST be turned off and stored in backpacks. Our Governance approved policy is as follows:

1st Offense - Student is directed to put the device away

2nd Offense - The staff member will confiscate the device. It will be returned at the end of the day. Notice sent home.

3rd Offense - The staff member will confiscate the device and send it to the Main Office. A parent/guardian will need to pick up the device from the office and sign the policy notice. 


New Water Bottle Safety Policy

All water bottles must be stored in the student's backpack.

Students are highly encouraged to bring soft and plastic water bottles to school

Students may not use a water bottle to harm another person or property

Students who violate this policy may not be allowed to bring a water bottle to school

** Further violation of the District Policy will require a conference with the Principal. **


I thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Classroom Birthday Celebrations

I want to remind our school community about our Governance Council's approved birthday celebration policy.

** Parents must receive prior approval from the classroom teacher for all celebrations. **

- Parents must make arrangements with the classroom teacher at least 48 hours in advance.

- Treats, if allowed by the teacher,  must be store-bought AND must meet the dietary restrictions of ALL students in the class. 

- If treats are sent without teacher approval, they will stay in office and can be picked up before the end of the day

- No goodie bags, toys, or balloons.

- Celebrations are limited to the last 10 minutes of the school day.

- In lieu of a treat, families can donate a book or other prearranged item to the class.

- Families may not use volunteer badges to attend a birthday celebration

Please note that all classrooms make a student feel special on their birthday regardless of whether treats are allowed or sent

Please sign up in the Parent Portal!

Volunteer Applications are now open for the 

2026-27 School Year

Parents, are you signed up in the Parent Portal? The LAUSD Parent Portal is where you can update emergency contact information, submit absence notes, and how you access the E-Choices platform to apply for magnet programs.

Parents will need their student's ID number and your Parent PIN. You can contact the main office for this information.

You can access the Parent Portal here.

A Few Things to Remember...

Social Media ~

We encourage our school community to follow the District's message: if you see something, say something. Please encourage your children to report any concerns to an adult on campus. Your partnership is much appreciated. It is strongly encouraged that you monitor your child's online activity and any social media accounts.


Parent Volunteers ~

A few reminders when volunteering on campus... Please maintain confidentiality and refrain from sharing personal academic and behavioral information about other people's children. If you have questions or concerns, please speak to the teacher. We appreciate your support in maintaining a safe and respectful classroom environment.


Student Injuries ~

Students with injuries that require crutches, splints, slings, or other equipment MUST return to school with a doctor's note. District policy requires the note to indicate the student is cleared to return to campus and any restrictions. The nurse will contact you to pick up your child if they do not return with the appropriate documentation. Please call the office with any questions in order to avoid confusion.


Covid/Communicable Disease ~

Please notify the main office if your child tests positive for Covid or another contagious disease, such as lice or hand-foot-and-mouth disease. We are responsible for notifying any close contacts so that they know to look out for symptoms. You informing the office is a way to help ensure that everyone can make decisions to keep themselves and others healthy.



Arrival and Dismissal Gate Information

Students may enter any school gate for arrival and dismissal.

Arrival: Gates open at 7:30 am and are closed promptly at 8:01 am. 

New this year- Students arriving to school after 8:01am MUST be escorted and signed into office. 

Dismissal: Gates open at 2:29 pm (M, W, Th, F) and 1:29 pm on Tuesday. Gates are locked at 2:45 pm (1:45 on Tuesdays). UTK- 5th grade students not picked up on time will be taken to the after-school program (TPT) to wait for pickup. 

TK,  Kindergarten, and 1st grade parents, please pick up your students at their classroom.


Safety First During Drop Off and Pick Up!

Please model safe behavior when dropping off and picking up students. Be respectful of our surrounding community and follow traffic laws.  Do not park in crosswalks, make illegal U-turns, block the driveways of our neighbors, or allow students to cross in the middle of the street. School police will be making patrols, and drivers may be ticketed. Thank you for your partnership and cooperation in advance.


Just A Reminder!

Wednesday, November 18 - SSC/Governance Meeting on zoom (3:00pm)

Thursday, November 19- 5th Grade Drive-In Movie (during school)

Friday, November 20- Pep Rally 8:01am on Main Yard

November 23-27- No School/Fall Break



Upcoming Events
No upcoming events.
Facebook
Instagram
Youtube
RDCS PTA Website
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -