Riverwalk Roar

Happy Sunday, Pride,

I hope each of you had a wonderful weekend. It was nice to have a few days to spend with my family. Last night we were watching a movie (or a tv show) and they mentioned the quote from Maya Angelou. The quote was, "“No matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.”

I wish I could remember what movie (or tv show) I was watching because this quote really spoke to me. It reminded me that we do have a lot to be grateful for.

Even in the middle of a pandemic and the furthest thing from a "typical" school year, we still can be grateful. Grateful for what?" I understand completely...and our children do, too. We've noticed lots of anxiety in our children at school and we know that they model what they see us do. When circumstances are difficult and challenging, it is so hard to genuinely express appreciation. Ironically, it is during these times when it is the very best choice we can make to lower the stress for big and little people.

Here's why.

1. Gratitude changes others. At any given moment, for any number of legitimate reasons, we can have a bad day. When others point out the good that I'm doing, I realize that maybe, just maybe, it is not so bad after all. You see something good that I've done or you see something good in me. When you highlight that for me, I gain perspective, clarity, and a little more perseverance to try again. Appreciating others shakes them up and changes a mindset. It encourages them to do a u-turn on the road of desperation or it encourages them to continue staying on track. Either of those options are good. It tells the "other" that he or she is important, significant and valuable at a time when it is so easy to doubt that. A gift of gratitude can change the whole trajectory for someone else. It makes a difference in them.
2. Gratitude changes me. When I take the time to say "thank you" or highlight the effort of others, it reminds me that life is not about me. I remember that I got here not on my own effort but because of what so many others did with and for me. I stop looking for what is wrong and look for what is right. My mindset changes from being a taker to a giver only to realize that I'm the one who received the blessing the most. My heart switches from being heavy and burdened to being light and lifted. Giving thanks ignites the fire of hope instead of putting it out. I see the world in full color and not just in boring grays. Gratitude not only changes others, it changes me.

Can we be grateful during difficult times? The answer is not only "yes," but it is probably one of our best weapons right now. I wonder what our children see in the big people in their lives right now. Hopefully, we can model for them (and maybe they are already showing us) how we can "make it" through this time by expressing appreciation and valuing others. It truly makes a difference when we do that together.

So no matter what today brings, with a positive outlook and a little gratitude, tomorrow will be better.

In Strength and Blessings,

~Dr. Compton

This week's photo is from Friday, when our juniors and seniors participated in National College Application Day, where representatives from several colleges and universities met with our seniors about the college application process. On that day, our staff wore their college shirts to help inspire all of our students to understand that they could be college bound too.

We're asking that our families assist us in managing everyone's status by using this form when your child shows symptoms, tests positive, is a close contact, or is a household close contact. The data shared with us is kept confidential. After completing this form, you'll receive an email or phone call from Nurse Donna to discuss your child's specific isolation/quarantining plan.

Linked here is Riverwalk Academy's COVID Dashboard. This COVID dashboard is updated by 3:00 pm each school day. This dashboard can also be found on our website.

We've received a few questions about our dashboard, so I wanted to provide an explanation for everyone. Click here for an explanation of our COVID data.

Riverwalk Academy is a "bring your own lunch" school where students are encouraged to bring their own lunches. We do offer a fee-based lunch program that is not income-contingent. Our fee-based lunch program is provided by Golden Corral. For more information about this option, please click here.

Hopefully by now, you've had a chance to check out our new website. If you haven't noticed already, there's the main page, but there's also a dedicated page to our elementary school, middle school, and high school. While each page looks similar, each page's content is different and tailored to the different audiences.

Our new app has now released on the App Store and soon to release on Google Play. Once downloaded, there are two thing's you'll want to do:

1. enable notifications
2. subscribe to your school (school wide, and elementary or middle or high school)

Below is a short video that demonstrates how to do this.

I hope everyone has had a wonderful week and has been able to get out and enjoy this beautiful weather. I had several friends go to different activities showing their support of the many heroes who lost their lives 20 years ago yesterday. All the memories of this day are different for each person I have ever talked to about that day. Where they were, who they were with, their ages, who they worried about - all different. It made me think about how our students are going to reflect on the current Pandemic in 2o years. I have mentioned to my family many times how concerned I am with how this Pandemic is affecting our children psychologically. The social, emotional and mental health of our students is my job, but it also falls on parents, grandparents, close friends, teachers, nurses, doctors and administrators. Remember I am here for you all as well as the students.

If you need anything to help with your own mental health, your students or a friend or family member, please reach out and I can send you resources.

Our students are our future and we want them to have the strongest mindset they can as they strive to be their best selves. This is one of the many reasons I asked for Riverwalk to become a certified Energy Bus school. In the coming weeks, I will be sharing the first part of the Energy Bus for Kids with the students. We will work on the first rule - Create a Positive Vision - the kids and I will talk about goals for home and goals for school. We will decorate buses with those goals - finding out how to reach those goals, who can help us, whether we need technical training, college or an apprenticeship. A positive vision of these goals, short and long term is the most important message we can send to our students. As they grow at Riverwalk, we will continue to support and help all our students dream, create and grow their personal visions.

Have a wonderful week - Hugs!

Mrs. Kathryn Carr

kcarr@riverwalkacademy.com

Mr. Loyst will be hosting an interest meeting for Riverwalk Academy's Esports team Tuesday (9/14) at 5:00pm. The team plans to compete at the high school level in Valorant (open to alternates) and Call of Duty: Cold War (still recruiting). If interested, feel free to drop in for the interest meeting and Q&A (held virtually) by using this link: https://meet.google.com/zgh-rmjf-gjm. The team is open to students 13+.

Is your student enrolled for the Dublin, London, and Paris trip this coming April? Many questions have come up in the past few weeks concerning COVID-19 and international travel. At the present time, the trip is still scheduled, as planned; however, if you have any questions you feel you need answered, please email rloyst@riverwalkacademy.com. He's working with EFTours to address any concerns you may have on an individual basis.

Still interested in traveling with the school this Spring Break? There's still time to enroll! Email rloyst@riverwalkacademy.com for more info.

• Monday, October 4, 12:45 pm at YTC: Senior Meeting (ordering caps, gowns, etc.) Parents do not need to attend.

• Friday, October 8th, 6:00 pm at RWA: Junior Class Ring Ceremony

• Wednesday, October 20th, 12:45 pm at YTC: Senior Orders
  

Swimming:

• 9/14/21 vs South Pointe High School, Nations Ford High School, Indian Land High School at RH Aquatics Center
• 9/16/21 vs South Pointe High School, Catawba Ridge High School, Indian Land High School, Lancaster High School at RH Aquatics Center

Cross Country

• 9/16/21 at Lancaster High School 5:00 pm

Volleyball

• 9/14/21 at Great Falls High School at 4:00 pm
• 9/16/21 at McBee at 6:00 pm

Monday: 9/13

• Band 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Johnston)
• Swim Practice 3:15 pm - 4:15 pm
• Cross Country Practice 3:15 pm - 4:30 pm
• Cheerleading Practice 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
• Volleyball Practice 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Tuesday:9/14

• Band 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Johnston)
• Cross Country Practice 3:15 pm - 4:30 pm
• Cheerleading Practice 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
• Volleyball Meet @ Great Falls 4:00 pm
• Swim Meet @ Rock Hill Aquatics Center
• Esports Interest Meeting 5:00 pm (Loyst)

Wednesday: 9/15

• Band 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Johnston)
• Swim Practice 3:15 pm - 4:15 pm
• Cross Country Practice 3:15 pm - 4:30 pm
• Cheerleading Practice 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
• Volleyball Practice 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Thursday: 9/16

• Band 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Johnston)
• Cheer Practice 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
• Swim Meet @ Rock Hill Aquatics Center
• Cross Country Meet @ Lancaster High School 5:00 pm
• Volleyball Meet @ McBee 6:00 pm

Friday: 9/17

• No Events Scheduled

Saturday: 9/18

• Cheer Practice 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

The Mission of Riverwalk Academy is to lead students to achieve through authentic project-based learning experiences with the knowledge and inquiry skills they need to succeed in life, college, and their future careers.

Email: info@riverwalkacademu.com
Website: https://www.riverwalkacademy.com/
Location: 5750 Mount Gallant Road, Rock Hill, SC, USA
Phone: (803) -327-8400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riverwalkacademy
Twitter: @riverwalklions