Thank you to SPARK Children's Museum for inviting Riverside over to play! We had a blast!
Riverside 5th Graders learned where maple syrup came from when they tapped maple trees right here in our School Forest. Sara Holger from Project GO demonstrated how she cooks down the maple syrup at home. Students have been monitoring and emptying the buckets of sap. They are in for a treat when she comes back in April!
Riverside is proud of this monthly partnership that gives kids a better understanding and appreciation of the Great Outdoors, right here in our own backyard.
Sofia Padilla, teaching artist from In the Heart of the Beast (puppetry and theatre company) shared her talent and love with our Riverside students last week, encouraging active participation, fostering creativity and imagination, and making learning interactive. The week ended with shadow puppet performances for parents and caregivers.
This project is made possible in part through funding from the Greater Rochester Arts and Cultural Trust. This activity is also made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.
Riverside Central Elementary is a Turnaround Arts School. This means that we participate in the national Turnaround Arts program, which uses the arts to improve school culture and climate. This Community Weaving was started at our recent Family Event and continued last week with small groups from Ms. Norris and Ms. Mickelson's classes.
Minneapolis based organization, In The Heart of The Beast (puppetry and theatre), was at Riverside last week! Artist, Sofia Padilla taught students the art of shadow puppetry and story-telling using paper and sand. She continues her residency this week, finishing with student-created puppet performances. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.
Thank you to Subaru of Rochester and The Landing for coordinating this donation of jackets and shoes for Riverside students. We are so grateful!
Riverside Readers Theatre: Rooster Can't Cock-a-Doodle-Doo
This group of 2nd Graders met for several days with Ms. Leslie and Ms. RJ to reenact this story. Readers Theatre supports reading comprehension and context. The kids had so much fun performing this for the rest of the 2nd Graders.
Riverside Third Grade classes hosted their first Discovery Time session last week! All 3rd grade teachers hosted an activity in their space, and students went to different classrooms to work outside their own class. The goal was to give students a chance to get to know each other with an opportunity to explore something they are interested in. They are looking forward to the next Discovery Time!
Criselda Martinez is one of the 142 teachers to be nominated for 2025 MN Teacher of the Year. She has received word that she is among the 31 semifinalists!
Ms. Martinez teaches 2nd grade Spanish Immersion at Riverside Elementary. We are proud to have this exceptional teacher enriching the lives of our students!
The Riverside Community came together last night to enjoy art, music from Ringen Music Studio, and poster-making all about family. Family photos were taken on site and posters were created to celebrate family customs and traditions. They will be displayed in the hallways at Riverside.
Riverside's Family Night, "Threads of Heritage" included our Artists in Residence, Brooke Burch and Carlota Gay. Families enjoyed seeing the completed artworks and weaving on giant looms.
Brooke Burch, local seamstress and fashion designer, taught Riverside students how to weave during a two week artist residency. Students in 3rd grade learned about textiles and created their own tapestry that will be displayed at the family event tonight. We are grateful for this partnership!
Carlota Gay is a local artist who creates portraits with a signature style. She has worked with Riverside 1st Graders for two weeks, teaching them how to draw the features of the face. The most important part of her lesson is to give students the opportunity to express emotion and make individual style choices. Individuality is at the core of her work and teaching. The work created by 1st graders will be on display at the family event tonight.
