The Riebli Record

Dear Families,

We wish you a restful and refreshing spring break beginning tomorrow, March 18!

Despite bad weather and illness, our teachers, families and students have persisted to keep learning and engaged. We appreciate everyone’s hard work and commitment to our school community. Thank you, thank you!

• When school resumes on March 27, we will be jumping into spring activities!
• If your family or your student needs support, please reach out to me for help.

As long as your student is healthy, please encourage showing up to class when school is in session. If you have questions about your student’s health and coming to school, please contact Lisa Greco (lgreco@mwusd.org) or our school nurse, Jen Shubin (jshubin@mwusd.org).

Every day of school is an essential opportunity for students to learn and connect to peers and their teachers.

Until then, have a wonderful spring break.

Thank you,

Emily

Awesome and Exciting Counseling News - Spring 2023

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Educators,

This spring we are in the process of facilitating social-emotional lessons in your child's classroom for 30 minutes a week. Below is a brief outline of the current topics being addressed in your child's classroom. The second Step curriculum is used in each classroom to engage students with understanding how to work through emotions, work through friendship challenges, and develop a better sense of empathy and compassion. SEL portfolios have been created for grades 3 through 6. You can find out more information with the following link from the organization called "Committee for Children" based out of Seattle, Washington: https://www.cfchildren.org

• For Grades K through 5: We finished a unit on helping children manage their emotions. Our current unit focuses on empathy/kindness. As a community, empathy and kindness are key in that it lets others know that they are being heard and seen. From Ms. Brewer's upcoming garden project where we help to improve the school to parents volunteering their time in the classroom to students helping and supporting one another to do their best with mile... this all encompasses empathy and kindness. The lessons being taught focus on how to help each student see what empathy looks like and how they can help their fellow classmates/students/friends.

• 6th Grade: Currently, sixth graders are working on understanding the brain and how to regulate thoughts and emotions. Specifically, we are focusing on how the amygdala (emotion center) of the brain can affect the prefrontal cortex (thinking center). Thus, students are given some tools and strategies on how to work through challenges when they are dealing with academics or social situations.
• During the week of March 13, Suicide Prevention - Signs of Suicide (SOS) is a one-hour presentation for sixth-grade students. The intention is to provide some basics on suicide/self-injury awareness and ways in which students can ask for help if it is needed.
• In the lesson students will look at myths around the topic of suicide along with watching an SOS video clip involving two peers. There is also a brief discussion on the topic of depression and anxiety along with ways in which to help students identify ways to be resilient in school in general. At the end of the presentation, there will be some resources that will be sent home with your child. A confidential questionnaire will be asked of students as to whether they would like to talk to the counselor based on the information presented.
• If you have any further questions about this presentation, please do not hesitate to contact Lionel Cooper at lcooper@mwusd.org

Hello Riebli Families!

We are so excited for The Big Event Back to ’92. We have lots of news. Be sure to take a minute to purchase your VIP tables or tickets before Early Bird Pricing ends. You don’t want to miss our live band this year!

Also, in your child’s Friday folder, there is information about themed grade level auction baskets. Please read all about your theme and let your grade level coordinator know of your ideas or suggestions. Be sure to reach out them with any questions you may have.

Lastly, we are gearing up to have a great Silent Auction but we could really use some help from our Riebli Community. Check out our sign up genius for various auction and raffle items we are looking for.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054DAAA92AA7FC1-bigevent

As always, please reach out to riebli.bigevent@gmail.com with any questions.

Thank you for your support!

The Big Event Committee

If your child is out sick or, if they are sent home sick, we require a negative COVID test before they can return. Results should be sent to the Lisa Greco, lgreco@mwusd.org. If you do not have access to a test, we are more than happy to provide one for the parent to administer, upon request.

Please help students to remember their instruments on their music days and to practice on the days in between! Students are more successful learners when they have their instruments and when they practice regularly. We only have about 4-5 weeks left until our final performances in late April/early May! Details about performances will be sent out in early April.

Don't miss it! The Petaluma group "Play Marimba!" will be performing this Saturday, March 18 from 1:30-2:00 at the Green Music Center as part of their family day celebration. The event is free, but come a little early to get a seat. There will be many festive activities, see the attached flyer for more information.

Dear Parents,

Over the past year or so, we've had several cases of students using communication devices during school hours. They may be used outside school hours. Cell phones and smart watches are allowed at school, but may not be used to contact others, including parents. It is possible that you, or your child was unaware of this policy. If your child needs to contact you, they can come to the office, if you need to get a message to them, please call or email the office. I'm attaching the Mark West School District policy on personal devices for your reference. If you have any questions, please contact me.

"Students may bring personal technology, including computers, smart phones, network access devices, or other electronic signaling devices to school provided that such technology is used for instructional purposes. Students shall abide by the instructions provided by teachers and other school staff in the use of such personal technologies. Access to the Internet or other District communication systems from personal technology is limited to wireless access points on the school campuses or other access devices away from school. Access to the Internet or other District communication systems from personal technology is not available via hardwire connections."

Click here for the board policy about technology for more information.

Email: etodd@mwusd.org
Website: http://www.mwusd.org/District/Department/3-John-B-Riebli-Elementary
Location: 315 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa, CA, USA
Phone: 7075242980
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jbriebli/