Dear Families,

I would like to take this opportunity to extend a warm welcome to all the new and returning families at Riverstone. Thank you for helping make the start of this school year so successful.

This is our third year at Riverstone and we are excited for what the school has to offer, not only our children, but our family too. We have enjoyed the Fall Carnival, our first Ice Cream Social, and having coffee together after Convocation. 

The Parents' Association is always looking for fresh ideas to bring our school community together and we are all key in making this happen. Although our availability may be limited, we all have talents, interest, and expertise that can benefit our school and influence the lives around us.  

My personal request to each of you is that you consider offering just a little of your time to help make a difference. I'm not asking that you sign up to coordinate/chair an event (although there are three vacancies in the event section below!) or commit all your free time to volunteerism, but I am asking you to join us for a PA Meeting to share your voice regarding important parent-related school issues.

The Parents' Association is a volunteer group whose general purpose is to:

• Support our faculty, teachers, parents and students
• Promote and support volunteer programs and resources
• Develop a closer connection between school and home by encouraging parent involvement. 

Parents' Association meetings are held in the Multi-Purpose Room in the Elementary School on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. Our meetings start at 8:35 AM and run about an hour in length. Coffee, tea, and breakfast pastries are provided. 

Our next meeting is Tuesday, October 8 at 8:35 AM; check the school calendar for future dates.

If you are looking for alternate ways to offer your time or just want to know more about the PA, I have included a brief description of the various Parents' Association sponsored events that take place throughout the year.  

Additionally, feel free to check out our online Community Opportunities sign up sheet. The link is always located at the bottom of the newsletter in the Important Links section and typically included along with information when we are requesting volunteers for specific events. 

A link to a this year's schedule for Merci lunches for our teachers is also in the Important Links section. 

If you have any questions, suggestions, or just want to learn more, please contact me.  I am thoroughly enjoying my involvement this school year and hope to make the 2013-2014 school year at Riverstone a great one.

Warmly,

Michelle Nenov

Parents' Association President 

2013-2014

Thank you to our 2013-2014 room parents! We appreciate you!

The Parents' Association kindly requests that families contribute to a class/grade fund for each child.

Class funds are used throughout the year for class parties (approx. $25 per party), teacher gifts, Merci lunches, etc.  A single donation for each child helps make life a little easier for all by eliminating the constant request for class funds throughout the year, the need for parents to purchase individual gifts for staff, and helps the parents who are coordinating class parties know what funds they have available to work with from the get go.

The suggested donation per child is $50, however any amount is welcome.

Parents can download a Class Contribution form here.

Please return the form, along with a check made payable to Riverstone PA, to Lisa Armstrong at the Elementary School front desk or Robyn Olnes at the Middle School front desk.

You can also include your child's full name, grade, and teacher in the memo section on your check and submit it without a form. This way we can assure it gets placed with the correct class funds. 

Thank you!

It was great meeting many of our parents following Convocation! Thank you for stopping by and learning more about the PA!

ICE CREAM SOCIAL: Friday, August 30

Wrapping up the first week of school with an ice cream social was great fun! Thanks to our volunteers!

FALL CARNIVAL: Friday, September 20 

Thank you to everyone who volunteered or attended. Special thanks to our Carnival Co-Chairs, Betsy Bader-Hellstrom and Julie Worthington! Pictures are on the school facebook page.

PUMPKIN PATCH & BAKE SALE: Thursday & Friday, October 10 &11

Kids and parents love our annual Pumpkin Patch and Bake Sale!  This year, with the help of our Elementary School Art teacher, Mr. Nelson, both Grade 3 classes have created the posters advertising this fabulous event!

We set up our own "Mini-Patch" in the Elementary School Atrium with plenty of jack-o-lantern pumpkins, heirloom pumpkins and sugar pumpkins to go around. The kids have a blast guessing how many candies are in the jar and guessing the weight of the great pumpkin. On Friday, there is a bake sale to end all bake sales!

Contact Barbara Henderson or Amy Bava if you would to help with the Pumpkin Patch or Bake Sale. You may also sign up on the Community Opportunities sheet to volunteer online.

Barbara Henderson and Amy Bava have volunteered to coordinate this event. Thank you!

VARIETY SHOW AND DINNER: Friday, December 6 

The Variety Show is not your typical talent show! Always a little zany and surprising, but always a great event showcasing the many talents of our community! Singing, dancing, music, drama, jump rump, karate, and more.

Join us before the show for a pizza dinner and "sneak preview" of the Scholastic Book Fair.  A great night for the entire family! We've got an amazingly talented community! 

We are currently looking for someone to coordinate the Pizza Dinner portion of this event. If you are interested, please contact Michelle Nenov.

BOOK FAIR FAMILY READING NIGHT: Wednesday, December 11

Our third annual Reading Night should be a night to remember. Come and enjoy the ever-popular Book Fair in your PJs! Munch on cookies and milk while listening to Riverstone teachers, faculty, students, and parents read aloud their favorite stories.

We are currently looking for someone to coordinate the Family Reading Night. If you are interested, please contact Michelle Nenov. 

Usually it's all about the kids, but occasionally it is fun to have an adult-only evening. The Fabulous Feasts have been a tradition at Riverstone where parents come together and share an evening to promote community building. Past Fabulous Feasts have included an Italian Wine Tasting and a Progressive Dinner. More information on this year's feast will be forthcoming. 

 We are currently looking for someone to coordinate the Fabulous Feast. If you are interested, please contact Michelle Nenov.

MEET THE SENIORS: Tuesday, April 15

Come and meet our impressive Class of 2014. Listen as they share their favorite Riverstone memories and pass along advice to younger students. 

You will be very impressed with this group of kids!

Ceci Bennett has volunteered to coordinate this event. Thank you!