Pride,
I hope each of you had a wonderful and restful weekend. My family spent the weekend in Charleston cheering on our older daughter, Campbell, who swam in the SC High School League's State Swimming Championships. Even though she, or the high school she swims for, didn't "win," it was a great being with her and her teammates who all have worked so hard to qualify for this meet.
As I was driving, I was thinking a lot about some of the behind-the-scenes work that's been going on at Riverwalk Academy. In addition to some of the larger, more obvious things like the Board's work on strategic facilities planning, we've been working with a professor from Winthrop who is helping us improve our PBL experience. The staff has been working on developing a set of collective commitments for our school. It's important for us that we clearly define what we, the staff at Riverwalk Academy, are going to do help fulfill our mission and vision.
To help us, we'd like to hear from you. We'd like to know why you made the choice to send your child(red) to Riverwalk Academy. Why Riverwalk Academy? Please consider clicking here to answer one question for us.
We look forward to understanding "Your Why" as it relates to Riverwalk Academy.
Have a great week, Lions!
In Strength and Blessings,
~Dr. Compton
A special election is being held to fulfill the seat vacated by Dr. Arter. The elected member will serve for the remainder of her term, which is set to expire on June 30, 2022. Two candidates have submitted their names for this special election. Their candidate profiles can be viewed by clicking here. All staff and parents will receive an email ballot by 9am on Wednesday, October 13th. If you do not receive your ballot, please contact elections@sccharterschools.org.
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.
Attention 2nd Grade Families
This week was wonderful. Full of challenges (personal and professional), but like George learns from Joy, we all face challenges. The students and I read about Rule #2 - Fuel Your Ride with Positive Energy. To help explain Positive Energy further, I read A Little Spot Of Happiness by Diane Alber. This is one of a series of books on Emotions and a new favorite of mine. Like Joy explains to George on the Energy Bus, positive energy are all the positive thoughts and emotions you think and feel and share with others - smiles, laughter, kindness, confidence, gratitude, appreciation, trust, faith and joy - these are all the ways Happiness spots are spread. Happiness talks to the students about how if one person helps one person, then that person wants to help another person and so on. We talked about the phrase “pay it forward” and how we can spread happiness. By spreading happiness, we can spread positive energy. Being thankful and finding at least one positive in each day no matter the challenges we faced that day, helps us be more successful and happy.
In the lower grades, the students are completing a worksheet, their own “Positive Energy Spot Card” where they use either printed pictures to color and paste on the sheet, or draw/write their own pictures or words to say seven things they are thankful for in their lives. At the bottom of the spot card - it reminds them “What helps you grow your happiness spot?” For the upper grades, we complete the next worksheet in the Energy Bus Kids Journal - they have to find at least one highlight and success of the day. This helps them understand that no matter what kind of day you have, you can find a positive, highlight and success within the day. They, like George, need to turn their negatives into positives.
In the months to come I hope to share the other “spots” of peace, confidence, love, and also anxiety, and anger so the students can learn more about their emotions, how they affect themselves and others. If they can process their emotions and understand them better, this builds their confidence and empathy for others. All of this, combined with the rules of the Energy Bus, will create a positive atmosphere where our students and staff can thrive, learn and become the best they can be.
If any of the virtual or in person Pride families would like to do these activities at home, please reach out to me at kcarr@riverwalkacademy.com and I would be happy to send you the worksheets. I also have a copy of the Energy Bus for Kids that you can borrow. All of the books I talk about are also available through any of the bookstores and Amazon. I would be excited to share links and resources with anyone!
Have a wonderful positive week!! Hugs!!
Mrs. Carr
Student Council
Are you interested in serving as your grade level representative (6th - 8, 9th/10th, and 11th/12th) for student council? If so, please reach out to Ms. Manigault about running for one of these positions. We will hold elections in two weeks.
Dublin, London, and Paris Travel Questions
Is your student enrolled for the Dublin, London, and Paris trip this coming April? Many questions have come up in the past few weeks concerning COVID-19 and international travel. At the present time, the trip is still scheduled, as planned; however, if you have any questions you feel you need answered, please email rloyst@riverwalkacademy.com. He's working with EFTours to address any concerns you may have on an individual basis.
Still interested in traveling with the school this Spring Break? There's still time to enroll! Email rloyst@riverwalkacademy.com for more info.
Looking for an 11th/12th Grade Student Representative
11th and 12th Grade students, we're looking for one male and one female to represent you on our student council. If you are interested, please contact Ms. Manigault for information about running for these elected options.
Week Ahead
Monday: 10/11
- Band 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Johnston)
- Volleyball Home Game vs. Chester High School 6:00pm-7:00pm
- Cross Country Practice 3:15 pm - 4:30 pm
- Cheerleading Practice 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Tuesday: 10/12
- Band 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Johnston)
- Cross Country Meet @ Clover 5:00pm-6:30pm
- Cheerleading Practice 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
- Volleyball Game @ Academy Christian 6:00pm-7:00pm
Wednesday: 10/13
- PSAT 9:00 am
- Band 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Johnston)
- Cross Country practice 3:15pm-4:30pm
- Cheer Practice: 3:30pm-5:00pm
Thursday: 10/14
- COGAT (2nd grade)
- Band 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Johnston)
- Cross Country Practice 3:15 pm - 4:30 pm
- Cheerleading Practice 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
- Volleyball Game @Lakepointe Christian Academy 4:30pm-5:30pm
Friday: 10/15
- No School: Teacher Work Day
Saturday: 10/16
- Cheerleading Competition @ Northwestern High School, Rock Hill
Connect with Us
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
