Parent Information:
***Children must be toilet trained at the time of entry into the program.
Attendance-Your child's progress both academically and socially is influenced to a great extent by daily participation. Students need to be in school as much as possible.
Absences-Princeton Public Schools has a "Student Absence Line" 609-806-4266 (Press 4 for RS) before 8:45am on the day of absence with the following information: your child's first/last name, your child's grade, home address, the date(s) your child will be absent and the reason for your child's absence.
Arrival-Our day begins at 8:30am.
By Bus: Preschoolers arriving by bus will enter the school by the Prospect Avenue entrance and will be walked to the All-Purpose Room until 8:25am.
By Car: If you are driving your child to school please park on Riverside Drive. You will meet a staff member in the All-Purpose Room where you will wait with your child until 8:25am and walk them to their classroom.
Late Arrival and Late Passes: If your child is late (after 8:30am), you must walk with your child to the Main Office to sign him/her in and to get a late pass. The late pass is to be given to the teacher upon your child's arrival in the classroom.
Backpacks-Backpacks help your child carry a folder, notes, projects and books to and from school. Please check and empty your child's backpack everyday so that it does not become too full and heavy to carry. Please label your child's backpack with his/her first and last name.
Back-to-School-Night-Riverside Elementary School will hold their Back-to-School-Night in September (TBD). On this night, we will go over the Pre-K Curriculum, schedule and we will answer questions you may have. This is not the time for discussions about individual students. A conference time for this purpose may be arranged between the teacher and parents.
Birthdays-Are wonderful! A special snack may be sent to school (or brought by you) on your child's special day. Sending a special snack is optional. If your child has a summer birthday, you may choose to celebrate your child's "1/2 birthday". Please speak with the teachers in regards to any allergies present in the classroom.
Breakfast-We encourage all students to begin the day with a nutritious breakfast. Students will have the opportunity to eat breakfast in class with their classmates and get the fuel they need to be ready to learn. The Breakfast Program will be free and available to all of Mrs. De Veaux’s students, every weekday morning. Children wanting to have breakfast will have to arrive at school by 8:30am. Please note that breakfast will not be served after 8:30am.
Celebrations-We may on occasion have special celebrations throughout the year. We will be asking parent volunteers to organize these events. All are welcome to donate, plan and celebrate with us!
Clothing-Things may get a little messy as we explore and learn this year. Clothing should be comfortable for your child and footwear should be shoes that are best for running and climbing on playground equipment, as we do go out for recess everyday weather
permitting.
Communicable Diseases and Conditions-Parents are required to inform our school nurse, Sarah Gooen-Chen 609-806-4263 of any communicable disease or condition. Some of the more common diseases are chicken pox, strep throat, influenza and fifth's disease. Measeles-regular and rubella (German), mumps, and scarlet fever are less common but must be reported.
Dismissal-Our day ends at 3:00pm. Children that will be picked-up will be walked to River Bear located outside of our Main Office. We ask that parents/caregivers meet us there. Children that will ride the bus home will be walked to the bus. No child will be dismissed from the bus pick-up area.
Changes in Dismissal Routine:Teachers should be notified in writing if there will be any changes in a child's regular dismissal routine, such as your child will be picked up by another parent/adult. Children will be released only to those adults identified by the child's parent as provided on the child's emergency card. Identification will be required to be shown to insure your child's safety.
Early Dismissals-Children are dismissed at 1:00pm on those days designated on the school calendar as having early dismissals. Lunch is still served on these days. Children who are being picked up before the end of the school day will be released to the custody of a parent/guardian unless prior arrangements have been made with the classroom teacher. When picking up your child, please report to the Main Office and arrangements will be made for your child to meet you there. No exceptions will be allowed.
Email-Our email addresses are the following [email protected] and [email protected]. The best way to reach us is by sending in a note in your child's folder. However, if you need to get a message to us last minute (preferably by 2:00pm the latest) regarding your child's change of dismissal routine please call the Main Office directly 609-806-4260 and speak to either Renatta Derkacs or Indra Barnwell and that message will be relayed to us.
Field Trips-We will schedule field trips to enhance our curriculum. We will send home field trip permission forms for you to sign whenever a bus trip is planned for outside the district. A blanket permission slip is sent out at the start of the school year to cover all walking and in district field trips. Please let us know if you are interested in being a chaperone on a class trip. Should additional supervision be required, we will contact you.
Folders-Every student is given a folder at the beginning of the school year. The folders are used on a daily basis to take papers, notes and projects home and to be returned to school on the next school day. Please check this folder and empty it every day. If the folder should be lost or damaged we ask that it be replaced.
Independence-Independence is a goal for Pre-K students because it will build their self-esteem and self-confidence. Preschoolers are very capable of doing so many things on their own and we encourage them to do as much as they can for themselves in the classroom (with assistance as needed). We will teach them how to care for their own personal items and we will practice these self-help skills throughout the school year. We ask that you continue to work on buttoning, zipping and tying skills at home. Thank you for supporting us in nurturing your child's growth.
Illnesses-A day at home is advised if your child demonstrates general signs of illness. Headache, nausea, listlessness and earache are such signs. Skin rashes, sores, swollen glands and sore throat may require medical attention. Children with elevated oral temperatures will be sent home according to the following:
Indoor Recess-Recess is held in the classroom when weather is inclement. Children engage in quiet games and activities. Indoor recess will be supervised by the classroom assistants.
Labeling-Please label all personal items that your child brings to school, especially his/her backpack, lunchbox/snackbox and coats/boots.
Medications-The school nurse or a child's parent/guardian are the only individuals authorized to dispense medication in the school and on school trips. Children are not allowed to carry their own medication. Parents are to bring in the medication and give it to the school nurse.
Monthly Calendars-Please watch for a new monthly calendar each month. These calendars will let you know some of our special activities for the month.
Mystery Reader-Please let us know if you would like to come in and be a "SURPRISE" reader for our class.
Parent Helpers-On occasion we may need parent helpers. We will let you know. Please let us know if you would be willing to make play dough for the classroom. That would be great! We will supply the recipe. If you have a "special talent" (cooking, art, storytelling, music, etc...) that you would like to share we welcome your visit.
Parent-Teacher Conferences-Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for November and March. Please look for letters that will be going home regarding conference dates and time.
Playground/Outdoor Recess-Safety and fun go hand-in-hand on the playground. Your children this year will learn the phrase "safety first". They will learn how to use each piece of equipment safely. We ask that your children wear sneakers or rubber-soled shoes toes covered while on the playground. We stress that proper footwear is particularly important when climbing on structures.
Questions-Please contact us at any time with questions or concerns regarding your child's progress or needs. It is important that issues regarding your child be discussed first with the teacher. We are happy to meet with you and will return all phone calls and notes at our earliest convenience. More generalized issues should be referred to the Principal's Office.
Quick Good-Byes...leave dry eyes! Thank you!
Rest Time-We have Rest Time after Recess. Please send in a small towel or blanket and stuffed animal. We will send these items home every Friday to be washed. Please return them on Monday.
Safety-Your child's safety is important to us. We take every precaution when your child is in our care. Please be sure that the office has your updated emergency contact numbers (work, cell, and home) and the updated phone numbers of your emergency contacts in the event you cannot be reached.
School Lunches-Lunch is served in the school cafeteria each day, including half-days. Lunch menus are distributed on a monthly basis in your child's folder to help you decide what your child will be eating for that particular day. Please take the time to review the menu. If we do not receive a note as to a change in what your child will be having for lunch, your child will be served what is on the menu for the day.
Share and Tell-Sharing time will begin in September/October. Your child will have once a week to bring in an item to share with the class. Please help your child find one item to bring in on his/her share day. Your child's day is listed on the class list along with ideas for sharing. The purpose of share and tell is to give your child an opportunity to share with others, to practice speaking in front of a group and to build vocabulary.
Snacks-Students are to bring in a snack from home daily. We have our snack after Rest Time. We ask that all snacks be healthy choices. Examples of healthy snack choices are cheese and crackers, yogurt, dry cereal, fruit/veggies with dip, granola bars, sandwiches and water to drink.
Star of the Week-Your child will be recognized as "STAR OF THE WEEK" one week this school year. You will receive a letter explaining and calendar to let you know your child's week. We will ask parents to help their child create a poster that includes their favorite foods, favorite color, hobbies, photos of family and anything else you can think of that will help us learn about your "STAR" child! Your child will get to present his or her poster and hang it in our classroom for the week.
Tardies-We must have an accurate count of every child in Riverside School starting at 8:30am. Should an emergency set upon us we need to have full knowledge of the whereabouts of our children. Checking in the main office is an important piece of the puzzle we put together every day. Please, if your child is late, you must walk with your child to the office to sign him/her in and to get a late pass. The late pass is to be given to the teacher upon your child's arrival in the classroom.
Toys-We ask that all toys be kept at home. There will be opportunities for your child to bring in their special things to share but we find that toys at times can be a distraction and perhaps even get lost. Here at school we have plenty to keep our little hands and minds busy.
Visitors-All adults entering Riverside Elementary School must immediately stop in the main office to sign the daily visitor ledger. Visitor's must obtain a "Visitor's Pass" from the office staff. This must be placed on the person and be visible to Riverside staff. Upon leaving the building, visitor's must sign out in the main office and return their "Visitor's Pass". Thank you for assisting us in keeping a safe environment for all.
We ask that you please take the time to read Riverside Elementary School's Parent Handbook online. The handbook will help you familiarize yourself with the policies and procedures that help guide us everyday. Thank you again.
Welcome to Riverside Elementary School!
***Children must be toilet trained at the time of entry into the program.
Attendance-Your child's progress both academically and socially is influenced to a great extent by daily participation. Students need to be in school as much as possible.
Absences-Princeton Public Schools has a "Student Absence Line" 609-806-4266 (Press 4 for RS) before 8:45am on the day of absence with the following information: your child's first/last name, your child's grade, home address, the date(s) your child will be absent and the reason for your child's absence.
Arrival-Our day begins at 8:30am.
By Bus: Preschoolers arriving by bus will enter the school by the Prospect Avenue entrance and will be walked to the All-Purpose Room until 8:25am.
By Car: If you are driving your child to school please park on Riverside Drive. You will meet a staff member in the All-Purpose Room where you will wait with your child until 8:25am and walk them to their classroom.
Late Arrival and Late Passes: If your child is late (after 8:30am), you must walk with your child to the Main Office to sign him/her in and to get a late pass. The late pass is to be given to the teacher upon your child's arrival in the classroom.
Backpacks-Backpacks help your child carry a folder, notes, projects and books to and from school. Please check and empty your child's backpack everyday so that it does not become too full and heavy to carry. Please label your child's backpack with his/her first and last name.
Back-to-School-Night-Riverside Elementary School will hold their Back-to-School-Night in September (TBD). On this night, we will go over the Pre-K Curriculum, schedule and we will answer questions you may have. This is not the time for discussions about individual students. A conference time for this purpose may be arranged between the teacher and parents.
Birthdays-Are wonderful! A special snack may be sent to school (or brought by you) on your child's special day. Sending a special snack is optional. If your child has a summer birthday, you may choose to celebrate your child's "1/2 birthday". Please speak with the teachers in regards to any allergies present in the classroom.
Breakfast-We encourage all students to begin the day with a nutritious breakfast. Students will have the opportunity to eat breakfast in class with their classmates and get the fuel they need to be ready to learn. The Breakfast Program will be free and available to all of Mrs. De Veaux’s students, every weekday morning. Children wanting to have breakfast will have to arrive at school by 8:30am. Please note that breakfast will not be served after 8:30am.
Celebrations-We may on occasion have special celebrations throughout the year. We will be asking parent volunteers to organize these events. All are welcome to donate, plan and celebrate with us!
Clothing-Things may get a little messy as we explore and learn this year. Clothing should be comfortable for your child and footwear should be shoes that are best for running and climbing on playground equipment, as we do go out for recess everyday weather
permitting.
Communicable Diseases and Conditions-Parents are required to inform our school nurse, Sarah Gooen-Chen 609-806-4263 of any communicable disease or condition. Some of the more common diseases are chicken pox, strep throat, influenza and fifth's disease. Measeles-regular and rubella (German), mumps, and scarlet fever are less common but must be reported.
Dismissal-Our day ends at 3:00pm. Children that will be picked-up will be walked to River Bear located outside of our Main Office. We ask that parents/caregivers meet us there. Children that will ride the bus home will be walked to the bus. No child will be dismissed from the bus pick-up area.
Changes in Dismissal Routine:Teachers should be notified in writing if there will be any changes in a child's regular dismissal routine, such as your child will be picked up by another parent/adult. Children will be released only to those adults identified by the child's parent as provided on the child's emergency card. Identification will be required to be shown to insure your child's safety.
Early Dismissals-Children are dismissed at 1:00pm on those days designated on the school calendar as having early dismissals. Lunch is still served on these days. Children who are being picked up before the end of the school day will be released to the custody of a parent/guardian unless prior arrangements have been made with the classroom teacher. When picking up your child, please report to the Main Office and arrangements will be made for your child to meet you there. No exceptions will be allowed.
Email-Our email addresses are the following [email protected] and [email protected]. The best way to reach us is by sending in a note in your child's folder. However, if you need to get a message to us last minute (preferably by 2:00pm the latest) regarding your child's change of dismissal routine please call the Main Office directly 609-806-4260 and speak to either Renatta Derkacs or Indra Barnwell and that message will be relayed to us.
Field Trips-We will schedule field trips to enhance our curriculum. We will send home field trip permission forms for you to sign whenever a bus trip is planned for outside the district. A blanket permission slip is sent out at the start of the school year to cover all walking and in district field trips. Please let us know if you are interested in being a chaperone on a class trip. Should additional supervision be required, we will contact you.
Folders-Every student is given a folder at the beginning of the school year. The folders are used on a daily basis to take papers, notes and projects home and to be returned to school on the next school day. Please check this folder and empty it every day. If the folder should be lost or damaged we ask that it be replaced.
Independence-Independence is a goal for Pre-K students because it will build their self-esteem and self-confidence. Preschoolers are very capable of doing so many things on their own and we encourage them to do as much as they can for themselves in the classroom (with assistance as needed). We will teach them how to care for their own personal items and we will practice these self-help skills throughout the school year. We ask that you continue to work on buttoning, zipping and tying skills at home. Thank you for supporting us in nurturing your child's growth.
Illnesses-A day at home is advised if your child demonstrates general signs of illness. Headache, nausea, listlessness and earache are such signs. Skin rashes, sores, swollen glands and sore throat may require medical attention. Children with elevated oral temperatures will be sent home according to the following:
- Oral temperature between 98.6 F and 100 F. The child should be sent home if there are other symptoms reported by the child or observed.
- Oral temperature above 100 F. The child will be sent home even if no other symptoms are reported or apparent.
Indoor Recess-Recess is held in the classroom when weather is inclement. Children engage in quiet games and activities. Indoor recess will be supervised by the classroom assistants.
Labeling-Please label all personal items that your child brings to school, especially his/her backpack, lunchbox/snackbox and coats/boots.
Medications-The school nurse or a child's parent/guardian are the only individuals authorized to dispense medication in the school and on school trips. Children are not allowed to carry their own medication. Parents are to bring in the medication and give it to the school nurse.
Monthly Calendars-Please watch for a new monthly calendar each month. These calendars will let you know some of our special activities for the month.
Mystery Reader-Please let us know if you would like to come in and be a "SURPRISE" reader for our class.
Parent Helpers-On occasion we may need parent helpers. We will let you know. Please let us know if you would be willing to make play dough for the classroom. That would be great! We will supply the recipe. If you have a "special talent" (cooking, art, storytelling, music, etc...) that you would like to share we welcome your visit.
Parent-Teacher Conferences-Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for November and March. Please look for letters that will be going home regarding conference dates and time.
Playground/Outdoor Recess-Safety and fun go hand-in-hand on the playground. Your children this year will learn the phrase "safety first". They will learn how to use each piece of equipment safely. We ask that your children wear sneakers or rubber-soled shoes toes covered while on the playground. We stress that proper footwear is particularly important when climbing on structures.
Questions-Please contact us at any time with questions or concerns regarding your child's progress or needs. It is important that issues regarding your child be discussed first with the teacher. We are happy to meet with you and will return all phone calls and notes at our earliest convenience. More generalized issues should be referred to the Principal's Office.
Quick Good-Byes...leave dry eyes! Thank you!
Rest Time-We have Rest Time after Recess. Please send in a small towel or blanket and stuffed animal. We will send these items home every Friday to be washed. Please return them on Monday.
Safety-Your child's safety is important to us. We take every precaution when your child is in our care. Please be sure that the office has your updated emergency contact numbers (work, cell, and home) and the updated phone numbers of your emergency contacts in the event you cannot be reached.
School Lunches-Lunch is served in the school cafeteria each day, including half-days. Lunch menus are distributed on a monthly basis in your child's folder to help you decide what your child will be eating for that particular day. Please take the time to review the menu. If we do not receive a note as to a change in what your child will be having for lunch, your child will be served what is on the menu for the day.
Share and Tell-Sharing time will begin in September/October. Your child will have once a week to bring in an item to share with the class. Please help your child find one item to bring in on his/her share day. Your child's day is listed on the class list along with ideas for sharing. The purpose of share and tell is to give your child an opportunity to share with others, to practice speaking in front of a group and to build vocabulary.
Snacks-Students are to bring in a snack from home daily. We have our snack after Rest Time. We ask that all snacks be healthy choices. Examples of healthy snack choices are cheese and crackers, yogurt, dry cereal, fruit/veggies with dip, granola bars, sandwiches and water to drink.
Star of the Week-Your child will be recognized as "STAR OF THE WEEK" one week this school year. You will receive a letter explaining and calendar to let you know your child's week. We will ask parents to help their child create a poster that includes their favorite foods, favorite color, hobbies, photos of family and anything else you can think of that will help us learn about your "STAR" child! Your child will get to present his or her poster and hang it in our classroom for the week.
Tardies-We must have an accurate count of every child in Riverside School starting at 8:30am. Should an emergency set upon us we need to have full knowledge of the whereabouts of our children. Checking in the main office is an important piece of the puzzle we put together every day. Please, if your child is late, you must walk with your child to the office to sign him/her in and to get a late pass. The late pass is to be given to the teacher upon your child's arrival in the classroom.
Toys-We ask that all toys be kept at home. There will be opportunities for your child to bring in their special things to share but we find that toys at times can be a distraction and perhaps even get lost. Here at school we have plenty to keep our little hands and minds busy.
Visitors-All adults entering Riverside Elementary School must immediately stop in the main office to sign the daily visitor ledger. Visitor's must obtain a "Visitor's Pass" from the office staff. This must be placed on the person and be visible to Riverside staff. Upon leaving the building, visitor's must sign out in the main office and return their "Visitor's Pass". Thank you for assisting us in keeping a safe environment for all.
We ask that you please take the time to read Riverside Elementary School's Parent Handbook online. The handbook will help you familiarize yourself with the policies and procedures that help guide us everyday. Thank you again.
Welcome to Riverside Elementary School!