Welcome to Riverside Elementary

Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year! We are excited to partner with families as we begin a new year, and encourage parents/guardians to sign up for Preschool - 3rd Grade Early Entrance Conferences with their teachers. Please help us welcome Mackenzie Ward who is joining our Riverside Family as the PK-5th grade Art teacher.

PK-3rd Grade Early Entrance Conferences will be held in person on Tuesday, September 6 and Wednesday, September 7. Our first day of school will begin on Thursday, September 8.  Conference scheduling will begin Monday, August 15.  Please call Sue Schulz in the Riverside Elementary Office (507) 847-5963 to schedule a conference with your child’s teacher.   You may bring your child’s school supplies including a clear or semi-clear plastic water bottle to the conferences.  If you or your family members have been ill, or you are unable to attend, we ask that you contact your classroom teacher to receive information via phone, Google Meet or Zoom during a scheduled time slot. 

Technology platforms for PK-3rd grade students will be Seesaw and Google Meet/Zoom and students will receive a school-issued iPad to use in the classroom.

The Scholastic Book Fair will be held in the Riverside Elementary Media Center from September 6 through September 9. 

The Student Handbook and School Supply List are available on our school website. Everyone is encouraged to review the handbook before school begins.  

New School Hours: Our school day begins at 8:15 a.m. and ends at 3:05 p.m. On Wednesdays, there is a 1:30 p.m. early dismissal. Breakfast is served from 7:40-8:10 a.m. Please do not bring your child to school before 7:40 a.m. We want to ensure they are safely supervised when arriving to school each day.

Transportation:  

Bus Riders: Parents of bus riders will be contacted by Palmer Bus Company. Space in front of the Riverside building is reserved for buses between 7:30-8:10 a.m. and 2:45-3:35 p.m. On Wednesdays, space will be reserved for buses from 7:30-8:10 a.m. and 1:15-2:05 due to the 1:30 p.m. early dismissal time. If you have any questions about busing, please contact John Thoreson, at Palmer Bus Company, jthoreson@palmerbusservice.com.

Dropping Off Students: Our school day begins at 8:15 a.m. and ends at 3:05 p.m. On Wednesdays, there is a 1:30 p.m. early dismissal. Breakfast is served from 7:40-8:10 a.m., and the doors will be open at 7:40 a.m. It is not necessary to bring students before 8:00 a.m. unless they are riding a transfer bus to Lakefield or eating breakfast.

To avoid any accidents, we ask that parents/guardians walk their students to and from their vehicles when crossing the street or parking lots.

We understand that Kindergarten can be a big adjustment for students and sometimes parents. To help students become more independent, we ask that parents give hugs and reassure them as they drop students off at either Door 2 by the main office (upper parking lot), or Door 3 (lower parking lot by the cafeteria) in the morning when arriving to school. Our Riverside staff will be waiting as students enter the building to welcome and guide students to their classrooms. To help us maintain a safe learning environment, all parents, volunteers, or visitors must sign in at the office.

Afternoon Pick Up: Preschool will be dismissed at the Discovery Place Door. Kindergarten through third grade students can be picked up outside Door 3 by the lower parking lot. Older siblings will be dismissed to pick up their younger siblings in their classrooms, and take them to designated area.

To avoid traffic congestion, there is available parking at Salem Lutheran Church parking lot, on Park street, or the upper or lower parking lots. There will be new parking spaces in the lower lot, however space is limited. There is no parking or driving on the playground.

*If you are picking up or dropping off your child during school hours, you will need to sign them out in the main office (door 2) Students are not allowed to leave the building until a parent/guardian signs them out.

Attendance is essential to the success of each learner.  Please review the Riverside attendance policy found in the student handbook and encourage your children to attend and be engaged in school everyday. If you need to report your child as absent or tardy, you may call the elementary office and leave a message or talk to someone directly. If we do not hear from the parent/guardian and their child is absent, you will receive a phone call. 

We are committed to the safety and well-being of all JCC staff and students, and appreciate your support and flexibility throughout this upcoming school year.  As always, please contact me if you have any questions at kim.meyer@jccschools.net or 507-847-6649. We look forward to partnering with you in your student’s educational journey!

GO HUSKIES!

Dr. Kimberly Meyer

JCC Riverside Elementary Principal/Title I Director