Riverwalk Roar

Pride,

I hope each of you had a wonderful "extended" weekend with your family. My family and I enjoyed the extra day together.

It's usually Sunday around 3pm that I figure out what I want to share in my Sunday newsletter. However, I've been thinking about this topic for a few weeks. A few weeks ago, Ms. Petty shared this graphic with me. It's a quote by Todd Whitaker, an educational leader who focuses on leadership and school culture.

You never want to get on a plane where the pilot learned to fly from worksheets.

Don't get me wrong, there is a time and a place for worksheets. However, PBL and worksheets are not two words that have ever been used in the same sentence.

As I was scrolling through some photos today to pick the "photo of the week" it was great to see so many photos of students (ranging from K to 12th grade ) doing hands-on activities.

I'll also add that this is true, too, for teaching soft skills. Check out the Profile of the SC Graduate, and you'll find three "headings" of skills:

• World Class Knowlege
• World Class Skills
• Life and Career Characteristics

Two of the three "headings" of the Profile of the SC Graduate involve soft skills like creativity, collaboration, communication, and self-direction (these are just a few examples). These too should not be taught from worksheets.

I believe that Riverwalk's PBL approach helps prepare our students for life beyond high school. Our students learn by doing. They learn when they get things right, and even more importantly, they learn when they get things wrong.

I hope each of you have a wonderful week of doing and learning.

In Strength and Blessings,

~Dr. Compton

This week’s photo is of Savannah Perez (7th) enjoying learning about atoms and molecules in Ms. Manigault's science class.

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.

Pride, if you haven't done so, please take a moment to check out our new and improved website. From the main page, you have immediate access to the latest news, and up to date calendar.

If you would like to purchase a yearbook for 2021-22 for your student(s) - please follow this link: http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A02183267

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Dwana Tillman (dtillman@riverwalkacademy.com) or Mrs. Kathryn Carr (kcarr@riverwalkacademy.com).

Greetings,

As always, I hope all of you have had a wonderful week. Not much to report or say this week. Continuing to catch up classes I didn’t see last month with Rule 3 and Rule 4 and proceeding with Rule 4 for those I did see. Rule 3 is No Bullies Allowed and Rule 4 is Love your Passengers, so it has worked out when I have to do both at the same time. In order to love your passengers on the bus, you can’t be a bully. I continue to work on more displays of the students’ work on the walls of the school. It brings so much to the environment to have colors and student work hanging up. It is fun to see the creativity and talent of our teachers as well - we are having a door decorating contest soon and some have already begun work on their doors. Hopefully you guys will get to see some of this work on our social media.

Have a week full of positivity and love. Let me know if you need anything from the guidance department.

Hugs,

Mrs. Carr

Happy President's Day weekend!! We all hope you will find some time to relax and enjoy the long weekend!!

Each month I will be sending out a news article or research article for parents to stay up to date on current topics in education. This month the focus is on social media. As partners in education for your students, it helps us tremendously if you would monitor your student's social media presence. So many of the issues we deal with related to bullying and other discipline concerns are tied back to social media use. Please take the time to review the linked article and discuss this with your child. As always, please feel free to reach out for any concerns you may have and thank you for all you do to support us!!

If you would like to purchase a yearbook for 2021-22 for your student(s) - please follow this link: http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A02183960

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Caroline Menges (cmenges@riverwalkacademy.com) or Mrs. Alyssa Snipes (asnipes@riverwalkacademy.com).

10th Graders, please get your ring orders in soon so they'll arrive in time for Ring Ceremony. Visit jostens.com for more information. Questions should be directed to Ms. Born.

Monday: 2/21/22

• No School - President's Day

Tuesday: 2/22/22

• Spirit Day: TWOsday - Twin with a friend, wear a bow tie, or tutu
• Beginning Band, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Johnston)
• Track Practice: 3:15 - 4:45 pm (Coach Arizmendi)

Wednesday: 2/23/22

• Spirit Day: College Day - Wear your favorite team hat, shirt, and/or jersey
• Advanced Band, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Johnston)
• Track Practice: 3:15 - 4:45 pm (Coach Arizmendi)

Thursday: 2/24/22

• Spirit Day: Throwback Thursday - Wear clothes from any decade
• Beginning Band, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Johnston)
• Student Council Meeting: 3:15 pm - 4:00 pm

Friday: 2/25/22

• Spirit Day: Roar with Pride - Wear your Riverwalk Spirit Gear
• BPA Meeting: 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm (Girard)
• Blue and Black Ball (high school) 7:00 pm - 9:00 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