December 4, 18, January 8 – Upcoming Healthy Hunger fun lunches
December 19 – Last day of classes before Winter Break and Winter Solstice celebrations
December 20 – January 4 – Winter Break – no classes, school closed
January 5, 2026 – Classes resume
Athletics - See updates on our Athletics Page
Thank you to all the families who joined us for student learning conferences last week. Checking in like this is a vital part of supporting Riverside students through their learning journey. These conversations allow us to share information collaboratively, and to discuss student progress. We also appreciate the opportunity to continue strengthening the partnership we have with our community. If you were unable to attend or your time with your child’s teacher was not lengthy enough, I would encourage you to reach out to them via email to arrange another conversation once we’ve returned from Winter Break. '
Pedestrian bridge repair updates
A quick update regarding the closure of the pedestrian bridge over 1st Avenue: I have been advised that this closure will now take place in the week of December 15-19. This is to allow for additional time should the final repairs take longer than anticipated in advance of full reopening. Once these repairs are complete, we will be back to usual operations!
We would appreciate volunteers to support student crossing at 1st Avenue before school, at lunch, and after school for that week. If you are available and willing, please email schoolcouncil.riverside@gmail.com. I will share the specific closure dates as soon as I receive them. Thank you in advance!
Riverside School Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) team updates
As part of our work to support the social and emotional learning of our school community we have developed a vision statement. Students, parents and staff all provided input to create the following vision for Riverside School:
In a community based on Respect, Inclusion, Connection, and Kindness we thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Through reflection, empathy, self-advocacy, and responsible decision-making we learn to understand ourselves, foster healthy relationships, and develop life skills. We strive to create an engaging and nurturing environment where we all feel safe to inquire, take risks, build friendships, find joy, and learn with the world around us.
This is a vision that we can all be grounded in and work towards achieving as a community. Part of achieving this goal, will be guided by the CASEL framework for social and emotional learning. You can learn more about this framework here.
Thanks to everyone who participated in developing this vision and for our school and we look forward to working together towards this vision for our community.
2025-26 Yearbook updates
School yearbooks are now available for advance purchase. They are delivered to students in June, but we need to know how many to print, so we sell them early. This year the K-9 hardcover colour book will be a “Through the Decades” theme! The price for yearbooks is $35. Please order on: https://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A01118549
School Council updates: Silent auction and Fun lunches!
Upcoming Healthy Hunger fun lunch dates are mentioned at the beginning of this update. The cut-off for ordering is always the Saturday immediately before the lunch date, so there will not be a reminder out prior to the January 8 date.
It’s finally here! Our online auction is ready to go and has so many amazing items! Whether you’re buying for someone on your Christmas list or indulging in something for yourself, this has something for everyone. Create an account, bid away, and we will contact you for payment and pickup when the auction closes on December 10th!
You can access the auction via the following link: https://www.32auctions.com/organizations/123947/auctions/192172?r=1&t=all
This year we will be using the funds for so many things including items teachers request, activity day supplies, kid inventor supplies, sports banquets, field trip fees, grocery cards for families needing support, staff appreciation, earth day apples, and so much more. So, help support by bidding or making a donation through this year's online auction and thank you so much for the top tier continued support!
Thank you,
Steve Radder, Principal
Riverside School