May 2015 - Riverside Community School District

Oakland, IA 51560
Postal Patron
PO Box 428
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.
May, 2015
Volume 21, Issue 10
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
School/Community
Administrators’ Reports
Movies
Prom Information
* Dr. James Sutton, Superintendent
712-484-2212 Central Office
*Mr. Jamie Meek, Pre-K-6 Principal
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
Riverside website is
www.riversideschools.org
May 1, 2015 Intermediate School May Day Baskets and Clean up Day in Carson.
Baccalaureate is Sunday, May 3 @ 7:30 PM @ Sharon Presbyterian Church on Highway 59
Senior Class Night, Wednesday, May 13 @ 7PM Auditorium Jr.-Sr. High School
We Have Been Busy
Graduation is Sunday, May 17 @ 2 PM, John Reed Field In Case of Rain, Jr. Sr. High School Gymnasium
PreSchool Graduation, May 20 @ 6:30 PM
Last Day of School is Thursday, May 21 Dismissal @ 10:30 AM
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.
Let’s Go To The Movies
Dreamland Theater Carson, Iowa
May 1, 2, 3
The Longest Ride
PG13
2 hrs. 8 mins.
May 8, 9, 10
Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2
PG
1 hr. 34 mins.
May 15, 16, 17
Woman in Gold
PG13
1 hr. 50 mins.
May 22, 13, 24
Avengers: Age of Ultron
PG13
2 hrs. 20 mins.
May 29, 30, 31
Hot Pursuit
PG13
1 hr. 39 mins.
Page 2
3rd Quarter Honor Roll**
Gold Honor Roll
7th Grade
Silver Honor Roll
Joseph Agosto
Ashlynn Amdor
Robert Blakely
Marcos Antunez
Joel Henningsen
Skye Bentley
Courtney Hering
Maggie Boruff
Dennis Pilling
Jacob Erickson
8th Grade
Jolie Fajen
Cole Henderson
Bailey Faxon
Micaela Herrera
Michael Galbraith
Hunter Hodges
Caiden Goodman
Kyrstyn Walston
Kristian Martens
Honor Roll
Dylan McDonald
7th Grade
Isabella Minatra
Mason Bivens
Delaney Murphy
Mackenzie Britain
Paige Osweiler
Hailey Lorenzen
Abigale Petersen
Nayely Martinez
Meghan Reed
Sabrina Nolan
Mason Wichman
Amanda Prokupek
Bailey Wiese
Lance Skank
Taten Williams
Laila Stark
8th Grade
Jillian Blakely
On Wednesday, April 15th, a group of students volunteered at the
museum to make centerpieces for the Nursing home. Gayle Strickland ordered the supplies and students put together wonderful decorations. Thanks to all students who volunteered!
7th Grade
Jadyn Achenbach
Volunteers at the Oakland Museum (Mandie Reynolds)
Haylee Vlcek
8th Grade
Haley Faga
Valentin Andrusyshyn
Bailey Holub
Faith Appley
Alexis Post
Adrian Dillon
Riley Raney
Hailey Moore
Andrew Rolley
Elijah Petersen
Rhyan Sanny
Seth Tomford
Gabriel Smith
Andrew Weide
Grant Sparr
Lydia Wede
Olivia Weis
**We are reprinting this honor roll due to a problem which omitted several students
from the honor roll printed in the April issue. We apologize for any inconvenience.
2014/2015 ACT Test Dates
Test Date
Registration Date
(Late Fee Required)
June 13, 2015
May 8, 2015
May 9-22, 2015
Above: Riverside Senior Taylor Frain will be attending
Buena Vista College next fall and has indicated that she will
play softball for the BV. Taylor (right) is pictured with her
mother Mrs. Annette Frain.
Congrats, Taylor!
Page 3
Backpack Program
Students Visit Cadaver Lab (Sydney Raney)
On Tuesday, April 21, 2015, Mr. Casey Conover's Anatomy & Physiology and Advanced Biology classes went to the cadaver lab at University of South Dakota. This lab
has approximately 20 tables for students to use. The students from Riverside were
able to look at some organs and joints from the body. We were also able to see the
central nervous system in the body and how it works. Some kids even got the opportunity to hold a brain! Overall, the experience was very educational and we really enjoyed it!
Intro. to Education Class Takes a Field Trip (Lisa Putnam)
The Intro. to Education class recently took a field trip to Children’s Square and Omaha South High School. Before they went, they sponsored a hat day and raised money
to buy toys for the kids at Children’s Square. The Intro. to Education students enjoyed touring the campus and learning about the history of Children’s Square and the
important services they provide to kids in southwest Iowa. Pictured below are (left to
right) Sara Kemp, Bailey Deshong, Hannah Boruff, Braeton Moore, Dalton Bailey,
Dylan McClain, Kyra Martens)
In the afternoon the Riverside students went to Omaha South High School where they
toured the building and tried to stay out of the way of the 2,500 students who attend
Omaha South. Riverside students also met with South’s Intro. to Education class and
gave them a video tour of Riverside High School. The students then had time to ask
each other questions and find out more about each other’s schools.
Jana Hensley
The Backpack Program is available
to all Riverside students. Food Bank
for the Heartland supplies packs filled
with nutritious food for children to
take home on Friday afternoons.
Each pack provides two breakfast
meals and two lunch or dinner meals.
If you are interested in having your
child participate in this free program,
please contact Jana Hensley at 4842291. Thank you again to Riverside
Links for bringing this wonderful
program into the Riverside School
District!
April Top Dawgs (Holly Hinkhouse)
Jon Gehrmann, Brooke Alff, and Taten Williams were named the April
Top Dawgs at Riverside Jr.-Sr. High School. Each month, the faculty
votes on students based on their positive contributions to the school.
Brooke is described as an extremely dedicated and mature young lady
who always gives a 100% in everything she does. She is also very conscientious. Jon is known for being friendly to his peers and respectful to
his teachers. Jon also is known for being a hard-worker. Junior High
student Taten Williams gives his100% to his work at school and is also
known for his respectfulness.
Each student receives preferred parking, first place in lunch line for the
month, 10 extra credit points for one test per class, and a $1 a la a carte
ticket.
This field trip has become a tradition for the Intro. to Education class. It is a great
way to see and learn about diversity at a bigger school and also see first-hand how
Right: Jordan Hayes sails over the hurdles during the Griswold meet.
Service Fair (Kristina Sturm) (Photos by Kristina Sturm and Sydney Raney)
The week of April 13 was National Volunteer Week. Riverside’s Semester of
Service class hosted a volunteer service week, which culminated in a Volunteer
Service Fair. During the week students presented assemblies focusing on Homelessness, Food Insecurity, Humane Societies and Disaster Relief. The student
body also spent this week raising money; they raised $40 for Children’s Square,
$60 for Open Door Mission, $20 for Red Cross and $30 for Midlands Humane
Society. On Friday, students in grades 7-12 rotated through the Service Fair.
This service fair was set up with a career fair feel to it; 13 volunteer organizations
came out to talk about what they do, and offer ways to volunteer. Some of students’ favorite booths included the Henry Doorly Zoo, Americorps FEMA Corps,
and Riverside Links! It was a great opportunity for kids to see just a small idea of the ways they can make a difference in our town, community and county!
A Big Thanks to All Those Organizations Who
Came to Our Service Fair. Thanks to Students and
Faculty for All Your Support as well. Last, But Not
Least . . .Thanks to Miss Sturm and Her Semester
of Service Class for Hosting This Opportunity for
the Junior High and High School
May 1, 2015 Intermediate School May Day Baskets and Clean up Day in Carson.
Baccalaureate is Sunday, May 3 @ 7:30 PM @ Sharon Presbyterian Church on Highway 59
Senior Class Night, Wednesday, May 13 @ 7PM Auditorium Jr.-Sr. High School
Graduation is Sunday, May 17 @ 2 PM, John Reed Field In Case of Rain, Jr. Sr. High School Gymnasium
PreSchool Graduation, May 20 @ 6:30 PM
Last Day of School is May 21 @ 10:30 AM
Second Graders Learn About Earth Day ( Barb Hart)
Second grade students learned about Earth Day and how we can take care of our planet. Activities were sponsored by the East Pott. Soil and Water Conservation
District and East Pott. County 4-H. They had three different stations and were able to decorate a paper grocery bag with earth-friendly messages, learn about
vermicomposting using red worms, and create wild flower bon bons with recycled newspaper. The grocery bags will be on display in the community and students
will be scattering wild flower seeds from their bon bons.
Above: Markely Yanes shows the worm
that she explored while learning about
vermicomposting.
Above: Zoey Winters and Julieanna Thomas color grocery bags for Earth
day. Right: Kerri Wede with Carson Hill demonstrates some steps of using
recycled newspaper to make small rolled balls of seeds that can be tossed
outside to spread wildflower seeds.
Kindergarten Round Up (Rachel Pickle)
Riverside's future kindergartners were able to attend Kindergarten Round-Up Friday, April 24. Parents were invited to an introduction to meet the kindergarten teachers along with other elementary personnel. Students were able to enjoy highlights of kindergarten by going out to recess, reading a story, going to
centers, and eating milk and cookies. (Photos submitted by Rachel Pickle)
We want to take this opportunity to thank all those community members that have helped Riverside Schools during the past school year.
You help makes It possible for all of us to help our students to become better students and better citizens of our Riverside communities.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
REMINDER: Elementary Field Day is Monday, May 11, 2015
PreSchool Graduation is Wednesday, May 20 @ 6:30 PM at High School
Last Day of School is Thursday, May 21, 2015 with a 10:30 AM dismissal
Elementary News (Jamie Meek)
The end of the school year is only weeks away! I cannot believe that the
school year is already at a close and we are looking at the summer and even
to next school year. We have had a lot of great things happen this year and
looking back we had a lot of fun. The students and teachers have learned a lot
together. We have had our ups and downs, but overall it has been a very
successful year all around.
The Elementary School
As we close out the school year, each grade level does some sort of fun activity or field trip to help wind up the school year. Please pay attention to the
notes that come home with your child so you can keep up with everything as
the school year comes to an end.
This summer we will be offering summer school for struggling readers. This
will be something relatively new and we have been diligently planning, looking at data, and talking with teachers about students that could benefit from
more reading skills and standards. Our summer school will be Monday, June
8 - Friday, June 26. More details will be coming soon. If you have questions
about it now in its early infancy, please feel free to email or call me.
May 4-8 is teacher appreciation week and the Principal’s Cabinet will be doing little things to show our staff just how important they are to our community. If you would like to help them with their plans for the week, please contact them via their Facebook Page, Riverside ES/IS Parent-Teacher Organization (Principal's Cabinet). You can do the same with a thank-you note to
your child’s teacher telling them how much you appreciate what they do
every day for your child. Don’t forget all the special teachers like Art, Music,
Walk to Read, Computer, TAG, SPED, or PE who may not see your child on
a daily basis but make a difference in your child’s educational progress.
Thank YOU, Thank YOU, Thank YOU!!!
Thank you to the Carson United Methodist Church Volunteers
for donating each of us a book. It was so much fun looking
through the Scholastic catalog and choosing our own
books. We are so thankful and cannot wait to read them.
We really appreciate all of the volunteers that have listened to
us read throughout the year. Thanks Again!!!!
Riverside Third Graders
Students in Mrs. Hart's Second Grade class show off their new class shirts. Each
student in second grade drew his/her portrait, and then, each class had a shirt
made with these. The students will wear these on field trips and have a nice
memento from the year. The students pictured include Moises Lozano, Wyatt
Schmit, Carter Escritt, Samara Meza, Julieanna Thomas, and Zoey Winters. (See
photo below)
Almost every newsletter article I end with a paragraph about staying in communication with your child’s teacher. Working together is the best way for a
child to grow academically, socially, and emotionally. I end this year with this
request, talk to your child’s teacher and ask them what are some things that
you can work on with your child this summer to help them be the best prepared for the 2015-2016 school year. With your help and a little bit of direction, they will be ready for next year.
Have a great summer!
View (via drone) from the north
Progress on the new school from a drone’s view
View from the south of the new school building site (via drone)
Read about our summer food service program on page 19
Free Breakfast and Lunch*******Details on Page 19
Last Day of School is May 21, 2015 Dismissal is 10:30 AM
Community Service Day (Holly Hinkhouse)
The Annual Riverside Jr/Sr High School Community Service Day took place on Wednesday, April 22. After lunch, all students in grades 7-12 traveled to nearly
40 different locations in our communities to pick up trash, perform yard work, volunteer with local groups, and beautify our parks. The service activities are
planned as collaboration between Riverside Schools and Riverside Links. Students and staff members were proud of the work they accomplished and enjoyed
giving back to their communities on a lovely sunny day! We have shared pictures from Carson, Macedonia, and Oakland. Thanks to Karla Keener and Leslie
Pilling for pictures.
Top Two Photos: Students at work in Carson
Middle Two Photos: Students at job sites in Macedonia
Lower Two Photos: Students working in Oakland
Pottawattamie Promise Program (James Sutton)
Riverside has worked with the Iowa West Foundation, Iowa Western
Community College and Council Bluffs Community Schools for more
than a year to make the beginning of the Pottawattamie Promise a
reality. The initial question was, why do so many of our students in
high schools, rural and urban, graduate with the intention to get a
college degree and not see that intention realized? Our central question continues to be, what are the barriers that keep students from
finishing their college goals in a timely manner? College is too costly
to make it a search for a career or to make it a place where one goes
to find out what one would like to do in life.
In this first year, the program will provide five Riverside students with
a full two-year scholarship to Iowa Western Community College. The
Pottawattamie Promise will not only provide assistance for some of
our students, but it will help high schools understand how to better
prepare all of their students for success after graduation. Urban and
rural districts have far more similarities and common problems than
they have differences. This project has only made that reality more
apparent. Our problems and the solutions to those problems can be
discovered together.
Geographically, Pottawattamie County
is primarily rural. It has rural districts
and rural students that live and work
and contribute to this county in countless ways. That level of contribution is
often tied to their confidence, versatility and skill sets. If our communities are
going to grow as much as some predictions say that it will in the next 50
years, we need people who can problem solve, be trained and retrained for
changing times and opportunities. We
want our students to be the capable
workforce that will be waiting to fill
those jobs and solve those problems.
In the coming years, the Pottawattamie Promise Program will increase the number of scholarships
offered to Riverside Schools and to other rural school districts in Pottawattamie County. We excited about the opportunities and everyone that has helped to make it happen.
Right: Ms.
Hinkhouse
works with
Brooke Alff,
Sara Conway,
Hadley Caniglia
and Rosie
Brown at Oakland Methodist
Church garden.
Below: Aubry
Rose plays a
game with a
resident at
Oakland Manor.
Riverside Pottawattamie Promise Scholarship Winners
Left to Right: Jordyn Winget, Michael Pracht, Madison Martinez, Chris Conover, Sara
Kemp, Liz Reynolds, Pete Tulipana, President/CEO of Iowa West
On Thursday, April 23, 2015, Iowa West in conjunction with Iowa Western Community
College, the Peter Kiewit Foundation, and the Aksarben Foundation announced a new
opportunity for 45 students in the Riverside and Council Bluffs School districts. A press
conference held at the Council Bluffs Public Library was the site of this announcement.
Those attending, including the scholarship winners, heard Pete Tulipana, CEO of Iowa
West, announce the creation of a 3-year pilot program that is available to those students
in the Riverside and Council Bluffs school districts that meet the requirements for this
scholarship which provides a 2-year full scholarship as well as wraparound support services to Iowa Western Community College. Riverside has 5 recipients while Council
Bluffs School District has 40 recipients.
A rural and urban school were intentionally chosen in order to be able to evaluate them
accordingly at the completion of the pilot program so that Iowa West and its partners
can successfully scale the Pottawattamie Promise program county-wide to 400 students
by 2020. “Students from rural communities are vital to this community’s (Council Bluffs)
future workforce and ongoing regional growth.” (Pete Tulipana, CEO Iowa West)
One student was chosen from each school to express how
this opportunity will make all the difference in his/her ability
to enter a post-secondary education program.
Madison Martinez (left) represented Riverside. “This scholarship opened the door for me. I plan to take full advantage
of this opportunity to achieve great things.
The selection process for this year’s recipients included
identifying if a student was Pell grant eligible, filling out an
application for the scholarship, and the formal interview
process in which a local committee selected the 5 individuals for this first year.
The process for identification of potential candidates for the remaining the years of the
pilot program will include family consultation of potential Pottawattamie Promise candidates, the formal application process, student commitment to the new college prep high
school courses which must include stats, college comp., financial literacy, and college
study skills
In addition, community mentors will be assigned to those high school students who are
selected as Pottawattamie Promise Scholars.
If you think your student might be interested in this program, you can check your Pell
grant eligibility by going to www. Fafsa4caster.ed. gov. If you or your student would like
more information, please feel free to contact the counseling office at Riverside HS.
Prom: Around the World in 180 Minutes (Kristina Sturm)
On April 25, 2015 over 100 Riverside High School were able to be whisked around the world to a wonderful evening at Jr.-Sr. Prom. “Plane tickets” were distributed to each couple after grand march; these tickets correlated with a table and a travel location at the Carson Community Center. Students were able to dine in
Morocco, Budapest, New York, Rio de Janeiro, Asia, Egypt, Moscow, Australia, Greece, Italy and more! After this exotic dining experience students danced away
the night away before wrapping up and cashing their last ticket to “Hawaii” for their post prom! It was a memorable night and a great time! Prom court this
year included Sheyenne Smith, Kyra Martens, Jordyn Winget, Sydney Raney, Dylan Charlet, Dylan McClain, Bobby Reynolds, and Adam Hartman. The 2015 Riverside Prom King and Queen are Bobby Reynolds and Jordyn Winget.
Prom sponsors this year were Miss Kristina Sturm and Miss Kelsey Burns.
2015 Prom Court (left to right) Dylan Charlet, Adam Hartman, Dylan McClain, Jordyn
Winget, Bobby Reynolds, Sheyenne Smith, Kyra Martens, Sydney Raney
Prom Queen Jordyn Winget and Prom King Bobby Reynolds
2015 Prom Servers (left to right) Mick Clevenger, Naz Peyter, Sara Conway, Alyssa
Brink, Elayna Eggers, Collin Price, and Sydney Swope