Riverside School District Blog

Dear R2 Families,

I would like to extend a warm welcome to our students and families as we enter the 2019 –2020 school year. Behind the scenes, we have been getting ready for your arrival. This summer, we worked hard to prepare for a great school year. The R2 staff is eager to care for, support, and challenge each student to pursue excellence. Our educators are the very best in Arizona. They have been engaged in learning of their own all summer, reviewing student growth and achievement data, and making plans to engage your students like never before in the classroom.

This year will continue to be shaped by our focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEM2). We are fortunate to have developed a partnership with Banner Health and Abrazo Hospitals to provide our students an opportunity to have hands on training at their facilities. This includes students participating in surgical procedures and interning at these hospitals. It is our hope that we will create a career path for our students into the medical field.

R2 takes great pride in creating an educational atmosphere where students can learn in a caring and creative environment. Together our staff encourages students to engage in a lifelong love of learning. As we focus on student achievement, we will provide a variety of academic and educational experiences that promote student growth and learning throughout the year. As part of our District Areas of Focus, teachers will regularly collaborate, analyze data, plan instruction, and develop common assessments to ensure student achievement throughout each grade level. During the upcoming school year, I encourage you to take an active role in your child's learning.

It is our expectation that every parent sign up for and stay connected with ParentVUE and sign-in to monitor a minimum of twice per week to check grades and the attendance status of their child(ren); attend parent teacher conferences; attend a minimum of two student showcases/competitions (i.e. awards ceremony, arts or athletics competitions, etc., and take the time to speak to their child's teacher(s) a minimum of two times per semester outside of the usual parent teacher conference meetings. This will be a great start for those who are trying to find the time to get involved to ensure increased student achievement and preparation for college success. We are encouraging every parent to increase study time at home. Every student should read one grade-level appropriate book per week at home, in addition to his or her regular homework assignments. We want the very best for our students. Parent participation is vital to reaching our goal of making sure every student is proficient and performing at or above grade level.

Parent involvement plays a critical role in our school's success. Ways to support and increase your child's academic success include:

• Making attendance a priority including limiting tardiness and absences,
• Checking ParentVUE regularly to stay informed of student progress,
• Communicating often with your child's homeroom teacher,
• Reading with your child at least 20 minutes a day,
• Limiting television and social media, encouraging outside play,
• Reviewing the school day with your child.

It is an exciting time to be in R2, and it is my great honor to serve as your superintendent. R2 is family; there is no better place in which to learn and work. Thank you for your continued support as we strive to do our very best for our community's children. They deserve it, and we simply cannot do this important work without you. We look forward to seeing you and your children very soon.

Best wishes for an outstanding school year,

Dr. Jaime A. Rivera
Superintendent of Schools/CEO
Riverside Elementary School District No. 2