Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! We are excited to partner with families as we begin a new year, and encourage parents/guardians to sign up for Preschool - 3rd Grade Early Entrance Conferences with their teachers. Please help us welcome the following staff who will be joining our Riverside family: Katie Robilliard, Special Education Teacher; Kathryn Hein, Kindergarten Teacher; Leah Meyer, Preschool Teacher; Natalie Schlager, Preschool Teacher; Darci Thurmer, School Nurse; Susan Kirk, Paraprofessional; Kristi Ledin, Paraprofessional; Michelle Wargula, Paraprofessional.
PK-3rd Grade Early Entrance Conferences will be held in person on Tuesday, September 5 and Wednesday, September 6. Our first day of school will begin on Thursday, September 7. Conference scheduling will begin Monday, August 14. Please call Sue Schulz in the Riverside Elementary Office at 507) 847-5963 to schedule a conference with your child’s teacher. If you or your family members have been ill, or you are unable to attend, we ask that you contact your classroom teacher to receive information via phone, Google Meet or Zoom during a scheduled time slot.
School supplies can be dropped off during your scheduled conference time. Please refer to the grade-specific school supplies flier that is included in your packet. Thank you to “Supplies for Kids” for your generous donation of the many school supplies for our students!
Lifetouch School Pictures will be taken during our Early Entrance conferences this year, so please plan to stop in the small gym to get your student’s picture taken. Lifetouch Picture information will also be available on our Riverside webpage as well as our Riverside Digital Newsletter.
Technology platforms for PK-3rd grade students will be Seesaw and students will receive a school-issued iPad to use in the classroom. Your classroom teacher will have information about setting up your Seesaw account as needed.
The Student Handbook and PBIS Handbook are available on our school website. Everyone is encouraged to review the handbook before school begins.
New School Hours: Our school day begins at 8:20 a.m. and ends at 3:10 p.m. On Wednesdays, there will be a 2:00 p.m. early dismissal. Breakfast will be served from 7:40-8:15 a.m. Please do not bring your child to school before 7:40 a.m. We want to ensure they are safely supervised when arriving at school each day.
Bus Riders: Parents of bus riders will be contacted by Palmer Bus Company regarding bus routes and times. Space in front of the Riverside building is reserved for school vehicles between 7:45-8:10 a.m. and 2:45-3:30 p.m. On Wednesdays, space will be reserved for school vehicles from 7:45-8:10 a.m. and 1:45-2:20 due to the 2:00 p.m. early dismissal time.
All morning bus riders will be picked up/dropped off on the school playground blacktop. The afternoon Jackson-Lakefield transfer buses will pick up students in front of Riverside. All afternoon route buses will pick up students on the school playground blacktop. For questions regarding busing, please contact John Thoreson, at Palmer Bus Company, jthoreson@palmerbusservice.com.
Dropping Off Students: It is not necessary to bring students before 8:00 a.m. unless they are riding a transfer bus to Lakefield or eating breakfast between 7:40-8:15 a.m. To avoid any accidents, we ask that parents/guardians walk their students to and from their vehicles when crossing the street or parking lots.
Preschool/Kindergarten: We understand that Preschool and Kindergarten can be a big adjustment for students and sometimes parents. After the first day of school, to help students become more independent, we ask that parents give hugs and reassure them as they drop students off at the school entrance doors (Door 2 main office/Door 3 lower parking lot/or Discovery Place for preschoolers). Our Riverside staff will be waiting as students enter the building to welcome and guide students to their designated areas. To help us maintain a safe learning environment, all parents, volunteers, or visitors must sign in at the office.
Afternoon Pick Up: Preschool will be dismissed from the Discovery Place Door. Kindergarten students can be picked up by Door 2 Main office. First through third grade students can be picked up outside Door 3 by the lower parking lot. Older siblings will be dismissed to pick up their younger siblings in their classrooms, and take them to designated areas. To avoid traffic congestion, there is available parking at Salem Lutheran Church parking lot, on Park street, or the upper or lower parking lots. There is no parking or driving cars on the playground. There is no parking in bus zones.
*If you are picking up or dropping off your child during school hours, you will need to sign them out in the main office (door 2). Students will not be allowed to leave the building until a parent/guardian signs them out.
Attendance is essential to the success of each learner. Please review the Riverside attendance policy found in the student handbook and encourage your children to attend and be engaged in school everyday. If you need to report your child as absent or tardy, you may call the elementary office and leave a message or talk to someone directly. If we do not hear from the parent/guardian and their child is absent, you will receive a phone call.
Volunteers: We are looking for volunteers who would be willing to help in the lunchroom. Times range from 10:45 a.m. - 12:35 p.m. All volunteers are required to complete a background check. Please contact the school office if you are interested in volunteering or would like more information.
We are committed to the safety and well-being of all JCC staff and students, and appreciate your support and flexibility throughout this upcoming school year. As always, please contact me if you have any questions at kim.meyer@jccschools.net or 507-847-6649. We look forward to partnering with you in your student’s educational journey!
GO HUSKIES!
Dr. Kimberly Meyer
JCC Riverside Elementary Principal/Title I Director
Riverside Elementary News
