Riverwalk Roar

Pride,

Happy Sunday! I hope each of you had a wonderful weekend and that you and your child are well rested and ready to take on the week.

I wanted to start with a quick "shout out" to all the parents and students who called out our names during Friday's ChristmasVille parade. It was uplifting to hear "It's Riverwalk" or "It's Rivers," while we walked in Friday's parade. We waved and called out to many of the families that we saw along the route. Pride, thank you for showing up on Friday and supporting your school. It meant a lot to me.

Last week, I spent a few minutes recognizing our seniors who are doing some incredible things their senior year and hopefully I was able to convey that our students who are attending either a 2 or 4 year institution after high school are, in fact, college ready. I did receive word this past week that another one of our students was accepted into his first choice for college next year. So far, we're at a 100% acceptance rate of our students' first choices. Up to now, it was early admissions, so we're expecting to announce a few more have received their welcome packets in early 2022.

I spent time talking about "college ready" because of a comment we received a few weeks ago when we were soliciting feedback on the possibility of using two remote learning days as a mental health and wellness day prior to Thanksgiving Break. Another comment that I wanted to address was the comment "This is why China owns us."

I found this comment somewhat ironic (I'll explain in a minute), but not for the reasons one might think. I think I understand what this parent was implying, and they are probably right, I can't imagine a public school in China saying*, "Hey, you all look exhausted and you've been through a lot this year, so we'd like to give you a mental health and wellness break."

*As a disclaimer, I've never visited China, so my thoughts are solely based on second-hand information and some quick internet research although I have visited a few Mandarin language schools here in SC and have had the chance to talk with their teachers.

When I hear the comment, "This is why China owns us", it strikes me as a bit ironic as it's written by a parent who has chosen to exercise their option of school choice to send their child to Riverwalk Academy. I'm grateful and honored that all of our parents have made this choice. Again, I can't speak based on a first hand experience, but I don't think "school choice" in China is the same as school choice in America. In China, from what I've read, school choice comes with a hefty price. It's not like here in SC where anyone who resides in SC can attend Riverwalk Academy. There, students whose families exercise choice do so by either paying choice fees (extra money that allows for a child to enroll into one of their "key" schools) or they enroll via high test scores of the child (admissions criteria).

In China, the push (being controlled by the government) is that everyone attends the school where they reside and these schools are a one-size-fits-all model. Students with disabilities, or struggling students are still often excluded from public schools in China.

In contrast, let's use an elementary student who lives in Rock Hill 3's zone. This family has the option to send their child to their "zoned school" or any one of 12 elementary choice programs. In addition to these 13 options, the parents could enroll their child into one of two elementary charter schools (Riverwalk and YPA), or into any of the private schools in the area.

That's the beauty of school choice here in Rock Hill. We don't operate off of a one-size-fits-all model. There are at least 14 public choice options (12 through Rock Hill and 2 through current charter schools) for the family to find a match for their child.

I say all of this to say that I do not believe that if my family and I uprooted ourselves and moved to China, we would have multiple public school choice options. We'd have the option of the local school and my daughters would have one choice and that choice would be to conform to whatever the educational model is in China and thank goodness neither of my daughters has a disability because if they did, it appears that they could be excluded from attending the local pubic school.

Lions, I hope each of you have a wonderful week and I'm sincerely thankful and honored that you've made the choice to let Riverwalk Academy be your school of choice.

In Strength and Blessings,

~Dr. Compton

This week's photo of the week is of our band and singer that played in the ChristmasVille Parade on Friday. A video of Riverwalk's entry, including our mascot and State 1A JV Champions cheerleaders, can be viewed here.

Parents,

We're collecting $5 gift cards so we can give them to each of the Riverwalk Staff on the 17th. Between now and the 16th, please consider sending in a $5 gift card (or two) to the front office. There will be a collection box on Ms. Robinson's desk for them to be dropped off.

Thank you for helping us, help our outstanding staff.

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.

Kindergarten and 1st grade students will be recording a Winter Celebration of music. Students will be working with Mr. Skip our music teacher, to put on this performance. All students received a permission slip this past Wednesday to participate. If your child returned a signed permission slip and has signed up to participate in the Winter Celebration, they will need a pair of Antlers by Friday, December 10, 2021 for the recording.The recording of the Winter Celebration will be available for viewing on Friday, December 17, 2021.

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Skip at storrence@riverwalkacademy.com.

It has been a fun, great, busy week! The kids did a great job with their Compli-Mittens. I meant to get a picture of our display for this week’s newsletter - I will get one for next Sunday. I love that they want to compliment their peers and thank them for being helpful and friendly. They have grasped the positive energy of our Energy Bus ride this year and I am so thankful! It makes my job so much more rewarding.

I hope all of you are getting to participate in some of the local communities' holiday activities. The Riverwalk Cheer team and a section of the awesome Pride band (which is run by Mr. Monty Johnston, with help from his lovely wife, Jamie and the Matthews family), along with some staff and additional students walked in the Rock Hill Christmas parade Friday evening. I was honored to be included and it was the most fun I have had exhausting myself in a long time. My sore feet and muscles are worth every smile, every memory. I was so thrilled to hear my name, Mrs. Wilson’s, Mrs. Willis’ and some of the students’ names screamed from the sidelines and saw the waving, excited faces of our students (former and current). Knowing I have had a positive impact on the world is the best part of my job and keeps me moving forward. This past year has been an especially difficult one, most of you know why, and the support, positive spirit and love from the Pride - students, parents, caregivers, the board and the staff - make every day easier to keep getting up and sharing my love of counseling with all of you.

This coming week I only have a few lessons - our students in English 2, Algebra 1 and US History are taking their EOCEP (state mandated End of Course Exam). Since I am the state testing coordinator, I am in charge of this testing. It is a tedious process, but allows me to keep seeing and interacting with the older students - so, don’t tell Dr. Compton - but I don’t mind the extra job for that single reason.

I can’t wait to see the older kids do their Merry Messages after seeing the wonderful compliments the younger ones accomplished.

Have a terrific week - enjoy the holidays however you celebrate!

Hugs,

Mrs. Carr

Happy Holiday Season Everyone,

What a busy week last week was! As our break gets closer, I have been trying to wrap up individualized graduation plan meetings for my 10th, 11th, and 12th graders (9th grade yours will be sometime later). It has been so much fun sitting down with some of our high schoolers and their parents to discuss their future together. I love to work with our students in helping them see their strengths and gifts and how those would fit with a future career. Each student has their own unique path and I'm just along for the journey to help in any way that I can. Please let me know if you ever have any questions about your student regarding their future (and of course the present)! It was fun being at the parade on Friday and getting to see some of you on the sidelines with me. Kicking off the Christmas season makes me excited (even if it was warm outside)! Let's see what's coming up this week...

Things to know:

-8th grade families, as stated last week I am in the process of receiving PSAT scores back, and will start sending home Junior Scholar forms in the next few weeks.

-If you are a high schooler taking Virtual SC courses, the final exams will be proctored on Thursday, December 9th. I believe I have talked to all students about scheduling a time, but if you have any questions, reach out!

-10th, 11th, and 12th grade students, I am still in the process of finishing up make up IGP meetings. I’m going to try and get all of these done before Christmas break!

-English 2, US History, and Algebra 1 students, don't forget that your EOC tests are this Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Please be on time to school, and good luck!

Everyone have a jolly week!

Ms. Menges

For more information about the End of Course Exams, please click here.

Monday: 12/6

• 11th/12th Grade Spirit Theme: Character Day
• Advanced Band Practice 3:00pm-4:00pm
• Basketball Game (away) v Richard Winn Academy

Tuesday: 12/7

• 11th/12th Grade Spirit Theme: Ugly Sweater Day
• Beginner Band Practice 3:00pm-4:00pm
• Cheer Practice, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm (Kunde)
• Basketball Practice, 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm (Ogburn)

Wednesday: 12/8

• 11th/12th Grade Spirit Theme: Pajamas Day
• Advanced Band Practice 3:00pm-4:30pm
• Basketball Practice, 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm (Ogburn)

Thursday: 12/9

• Beginner Band Practice 3:00pm-4:00pm
• Cheer Practice, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm (Kunde)
• Basketball Practice, 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm (Ogburn)

Friday: 12/10

• BPA, 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