Riverwalk Roar

Parents,

First, I would like to recognize the hard work and perseverance of our teachers, students and families over the last week. I know that we were all frustrated and disappointed that we had to move to virtual, however, the health and well-being of our students and staff is always paramount and our top priority. We had some phenomenal learning experiences taking place and I’m proud of what our staff was able to arrange and accomplish with such little notice and turn around time.

That said, we are looking forward to a return to normal scheduling on Monday and can’t wait to see our students!! As we move to the coming week, MAPS testing will resume and more information will be available Monday afternoon, we have a fair amount of students who need to either complete testing or make up testing. Also, please have your students have any work for virtual learning turned in by Friday, January 28, 2022 to be marked present for attendance purposes. Should there be any concerns, please reach out to your student’s teachers and they will be happy to assist you.

As your student may have shared, at the middle school (7th and 8th grade) we are trying a new schedule for Fridays. The students have one team of teachers for Project Based Learning where they are focusing on passion projects and projects that the students would like to undertake to improve Riverwalk and the surrounding community. In the second rotation, the students are reading The Energy Bus as a One Book, One School Initiative to help foster positive student/ teacher relationships as well as provide students with positive work and life habits. In addition to these rotations, students are being given time for intervention for areas they may be struggling in or need to complete work. Our hope is that this will provide a chance for students to have PBL opportunities as well as allow for us to examine ways to increase intervention and enrichments offerings for Riverwalk Academy students.

As always, please feel free to reach out if there are any questions or concerns. We are truly honored that you have entrusted us to educate your students!! Pride, let’s make it a great week!!!

~Dr. Dempsey

Middle/High School Principal

Even though we had to celebrate our 100th day of school "from home" this week, our teachers and students still had fun celebrating. Our photo of the week is of Isaiah (2nd) working on making a 100-piece Fruit Loop jewelry.

Intent to Return notification will be going out by email this week. Please keep your eye out for an email from Ms. Mabey. The deadline to complete the Intent to Return form and ensure your child has a spot for the 2022-2023 school year is February 4th.

All returning students must submit proof of residency (POR) for the 2022-2023 school year. Please upload your current POR when completing your Intent to Return From for your student(s).

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.

Each week, we'll showcase one of our seniors from our inaugural graduating class. #Classof2022

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).

UPDATE:

January 28th (Next Friday) — Last chance to purchase a PERSONALIZED (name stamped) yearbook at Jostens.com or get any other options, such as a clear protective cover, autograph section, etc. After that date, only the yearbook is available for purchase online. So next week would be a perfect time to send out a message to families letting them know that if they have not yet ordered a personalized yearbook and want to, to do so by January 28.

K - 5 - continues

We will have MAP testing during the weeks of January 10, 2021 - January 28, 2021. On the day of testing please encourage your child to do their best, it is normal for your child to not know all the answers. Your child can not pass or fail this test and this test will not affect their grade. The results from this test will help the teacher know what your child is ready to learn.

Greetings everyone! Wow! Snow twice in one week. I hope everyone enjoyed it and stayed warm. It was beautiful to see. I love how the snow makes the sunlight sparkle on everything.

I am so happy that we all get to come back in person tomorrow. The building is so quiet without all the students. I get lots of paperwork and organizational things done when it is just the staff, but I miss seeing the little people and hearing my name called out. It is also very cold without all the little bodies warming up the building. That may sound weird or funny, but it seriously makes a difference.

This week I will continue with the lessons I had previously planned and talked about in my update. We will talk about friendships and bullies. We will review the first of the book, The Energy Bus for Kids by watching the author himself (Jon Gordon) read the book. The students will learn Rule #3, “No Bullies Allowed” where Joy teaches George how to deal with bullies. First, tell the bullies to “Stop, leave me alone, stop bullying me”, next, walk away from the bullies, and finally, report it to a trusted adult. We talk about who our trusted adults are and the students do great. They all know at least one person they can talk to. Students also impress me knowing how they should treat their friends. We should all be respectful to each other, kind, helpful and supportive. We are blessed with such smart lions at Riverwalk.

When you received your students’ report card, you also received a half-sheet of paper regarding our new food program, Backpacks by Grace. If you need more information or another form to complete to receive this extra bit of food over the weekends and extended breaks, please email me at kcarr@riverwalkacademy.com. We need all the forms by the end of this week, Friday, January 28, to be included. It is a free program and all kept confidential.

As always, if you need anything else, I am here to help. Have a fabulous week!

Hugs,

Mrs. Carr

10th Grade Class Ring Meeting! On Monday, January 31st at 1:30 PM a representative from Jostens will hold a meeting for all 10th grade students about ordering class rings. During this meeting, students will learn about the ring ordering process- no money will be collected at that time.. All students will bring home information about class ring orders. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Born.

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).

UPDATE

January 28th (Next Friday) — Last chance to purchase a PERSONALIZED (name stamped) yearbook at Jostens.com or get any other options, such as a clear protective cover, autograph section, etc. After that date, only the yearbook is available for purchase online. So next week would be a perfect time to send out a message to families letting them know that if they have not yet ordered a personalized yearbook and want to, to do so by January 28.

MAP testing Make-Ups will be Math on Wednesday and ELA on Thursday.

Happy Sunday!

It was so exciting to get some SNOW this weekend. I hope y’all were able to enjoy it before it melted. I will say that we missed having students fill our halls this past week and can’t wait to see you tomorrow. Keep working hard you guys, I know it can be hard with the crazy weather and covid, but I am here for you all. I am behind you and believe in you! As always, please reach out if I can do anything for you.

Things to know:

• York Tech Students, I’m excited for you guys to be back in person. I will be on campus Tuesday if you need anything!

• 8th and 9th Grade Students, I promise I am going to get to your IGP meetings. It can be a challenge scheduling so many meetings with other things on my plate, but I am going to get to you guys soon!

• 8th graders if you are in my Friday group/class, please be sure to complete the career assessment and questions that I emailed out. This is your e-learning credit for Friday.

• CONGRATS to all our awesome 12th grade students who are making plans for post graduation. We are all so proud of you guys!

Love,

Mrs. Menges

Welcome Back! Juniors and Seniors will be on campus at York Tech starting Monday, January 24th. York Tech students, if your class was originally scheduled to be in-person, those will be in-person. Make sure you check D2L and your York Tech email for information from your professors.

Please remember that we are on York Tech's campus and must follow their COVID guidelines:

• Wear your mask. York Tech requires all on campus, regardless of vaccination or enrollment status, to wear a mask. Per York Tech, masks are required at all times, including when students are seated at their desks. Surgical masks are encouraged and can be found at the entrance of each building.

• Seating will be 6 feet apart. Please be flexible on Monday as we work on new seating arrangements.

• Stay home if you are sick. If you are sick, please stay home and contact your teacher regarding make up assignments or virtual participation.

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow morning at 8:30!

Monday: 1/24/22

• Beginning Band, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Johnston)
• Basketball Game v Great Falls High School @ Rock Hill Events Center 6:00 pm

Tuesday: 1/25/22

• Beginning Band, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Johnston)
• Cheer Practice: 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm (Kunde)
• Basketball @ Lewisville High School, 5:30 pm

Wednesday: 1/26/22

• Advanced Band, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Johnston)
• Board Meeting 6:30 pm

Thursday: 1/27/22

• Beginning Band, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Johnston)
• Student Council Meeting, 3:15 pm - 3:45 pm
• Cheer Practice: 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm (Kunde)
• Spirit Night at HWY 55 (5:00 pm - 9:00pm)
• Basketball v McBee High School @ Northside Recreation Center, 6:30 pm

Friday: 1/28/22

• BPA Meeting: 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm (Girard)

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