Riverwalk Roar

Pride,

I hope each of you are doing well and staying safe, healthy, and warm. I do have a few things I wanted to share, so I'll try to keep my thoughts organized, which is much easier on your eyes.

COVID - Thank You

Pride, I wanted to say "thank you" for how each of you responded to Thursday's announcement that Friday and Tuesday would be remote learning days. As you might have seen in the letter, COVID was escalating quickly and we wanted to make an attempt at getting ahead of it by taking advantage of the 3-day weekend.

Thursday at 3pm, our data was:

● 29% of the Riverwalk Academy Staff out due to COVID-related reasons (19 staff)

● 22% of our students out for COVID-related reasons (104 in quarantine and 12 in isolation)

● An increase of 35% each day of our COVID-related absences

● Six grade levels with COVID-related absences greater than 25%

● 7 students sent home with fevers greater than 100° (2 of which are now positive for COVID)

There's a group who has been working behind the scenes trying to monitor and keep-up with the influx of COVID-related notifications that have come in from the weekend. Since sending out the announcement on Thursday, we've had an additional 25 COVID Reports submitted. Of the 25 submissions (that include staff and students):

• 10 students tested positive
• 4 staff members tested positive
• 6 students have a positive household family member
• 2 staff members have a positive spouse/child
• 3 students showing symptoms and awaiting results

I'm sharing this with you just to show that we're still far from being in the clear.

I've had a few people reach out and ask about why last year appeared to be "more in control" as compared to this year. I find this to be a great question and I appreciate the inquisitiveness of this question. As a reminder for our returning families (and FYI for our new to Riverwalk families), last year we ran an AM / PM model where we had 50% of our in-person students attending 8:00am - 11:00 am then the other group would attend from 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm. By doing this split model, we were able to, in most cases, keep our students' desks 6' apart from each other. Also, according to the expert data, it appears that this current variant is more easily transmitted than previous variants.

Regardless of the "why," I do know it's here and it has its grip on us. I'm hoping that the data that is coming out of Europe is accurate in which the latest surge has peaked and it's now on a downward trend.

Riverwalk Academy is Most Loved

In 2020, Riverwalk Academy was named the most loved charter school in the area. We'd love to bring the title of "Most Loved" back to Riverwalk Academy. To do this, we need your help. Please use this link to vote and consider sharing that link with others who have an interest in seeing Riverwalk Academy named Most Loved of 2022: https://tinyurl.com/voteRAMostLoved.

In Closing

I often say/use the hashtag #PowerOfOurPride. As I am sitting here working on this letter, and reflecting upon last week, it's evident that Riverwalk Academy is great because of our Pride. Riverwalk Academy is not great because of a singular student, family, teacher, assistant, staff member, or administrator. It's great because of all of us . . . because of our Pride.

I'd like to end with a quote from the beloved Mr. Rogers who said:

We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It's easy to say It's not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem. Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes.

Pride, thank you for your continued support and willingness to make our school community a better place.

I'm glad to be here and humbled that you're here too.

~Dr. Compton

This week's photo is of Landon Person (K) who has a nice reminder for all of us. Yes, Landon, without a doubt, you are a future leader.

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.

If you have any questions about the below, please reach out to Nurse Donna.

Positive test with no symptoms:

Person has tested positive for Covid-19 but does not have symptoms of COVID-19 and is not known to be a close contact to someone diagnosed with COVID-19.

The person can return to school 5 days after the positive test, as long as they do not develop symptoms. A mask must be worn through Day 10.The person is not required to have documentation of a negative test in order to return to school.

Symptoms with no test:

Person has symptoms of COVID-19 but has not been tested for COVID-19 nor has visited a health care provider.Therefore, the person who has symptoms is presumed positive for COVID-19 due to the presence of a clinically compatible illness in the absence of testing. Person can return to school when:

• It has been at least 5 days since the first day of symptoms; AND
• It has been at least 24 hours since the person had a fever (without using fever reducing medicine); AND
• Other symptoms of COVID-19 are significantly improving.
• A mask must be worn through Day 10.

Symptoms with negative test:

If your child is having symptoms of COVID-19 has a negative test or has been see by their docctor and has an alternate diagnosis, they may return to school when symptom free and 24 hours as well as fever free without any fever reducing medications.

Close Contact: Person who is not maximally vaccinated and has been in close contact with someone with COVID-19. Person can return to school after completing 5 days of quarantine. The 5 days of quarantine begin after the last known close contact with the COVID-19 positive individual. A negative antigen or PCR/molecular test taken no earlier than day 4 of quarantine is required and a mask must be worn through Day 10. If maximally vaccinated they do not have to quarantine if showing no symptoms.

If you do not want to have your child tested or wear a mask, you may choose the 10 day quarantine if your child is not presenting symptoms of COVID-19 after daily at-home monitoring.

Household contact:

• If the child or staff member lives in the same household as a known case and cannot completely separate in their own space in the home:
• If they are not maximally vaccinated, their quarantine period begins after the case is released from isolation (at least 5 days after symptom onset or test date if no symptoms).
• For example, if the case is in isolation for Days 1 through 5, the household close contact who is not maximally vaccinated and cannot separate from them must quarantine for Days 6 through 10 then must wear a mask at school for Days 11 through 15.
• If they are maximally vaccinated, they do not have to quarantine but must wear a mask for 10 days after the case is released from isolation.
• They are recommended to be tested 5 days after the initial exposure, and again 5 days after the end of isolation for the person diagnosed with COVID-19.

If your child has tested positive or has been exposed please fill out the COVID-19 form and you will receive a follow up call from Nurse Donna. Please allow up to 24 hours from the time of submission for a response..

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.

Are you looking for you child's jacket (lunch box, book bag, missing glove, hat, or singular shoe)? If so, we know where they are. Items will be donated on Friday.

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).

K - 5 - continues

We will have MAP testing during the weeks of January 10, 2021 - January 21, 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 from Icy/Snowy Chester. I hope everyone is safe and warm and enjoying the beautiful scenery. Hoping all of you have had a successful virtual learning day as well. As much as I enjoy days in my pajamas, I miss seeing everyone in person. Hopefully this is our last big wave and we can all be back at school soon. Please continue to be patient with Dr. Compton, Mrs. McCray, Dr. Dempsey and Mr. Carroll as they make difficult decisions while keeping us safe and healthy. Thank you for your continued support.

This past week was short for me, but I did get to do a few guidance lessons. I felt they were very successful and definitely fun (at least for me). I tend to be positive and decide they were successful and fun for the students as well. Learning how to be a friend, and not be a bully is very important and helps us stay on the Positive Road. The students also enjoyed watching the author of The Energy Bus for Kids, Jon Gordon, read his own book. He makes mistakes and laughs at himself and adds little comments. It is wonderful to watch.

During this current climate, it is more important than ever to find the positive in each and every day, no matter how difficult. Please reach out to me if you need any help. I am here for parents, students and staff.

Hugs,

Mrs. Carr

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).

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

Hello Everyone!

This weekend was so exciting getting to see the snow?...ice?...sleet? Let's just say it was nice to have some sort of winter wonderland outside. My husband and I stayed inside most of the time, but were sure to keep a nice view of the beauty outside. While I'd prefer sunny and 75 at all times of the year, I do love getting to see the town covered in white ice-y mixture. I hope you all had a nice time and enjoyed the weather as well. I look forward to seeing you all again on Wednesday. It has been too long. I can't wait to hear about the winter weather adventures you all had!

Things to know:

• 10th and 11th Grade Students, I am going to work on pulling you guys for IGP meetings in the next couple weeks if you have not signed up for one through the link in the emails I have sent to parents.

• 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 personality test and questions that I emailed out. This is your e-learning credit for Friday.

Stay well and see you soon!

Love,

Mrs. Menges

All Students:

Students, please check your email regarding these next two weeks of virtual instruction.

Monday: 1/17/22

• No School: Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Tuesday: 1/18/22

• Virtual Learning Day / No In-Person Learning
• Board Meeting (postponed until 1/26/22 6:30 pm)

Wednesday: 1/19/22

• Advanced Band, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Johnston)

Thursday: 1/20/22

• Beginning Band, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Johnston)
• Cheer Practice: 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm (Kunde)

Friday: 1/21/22

• 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