Friday, March 17 

Riverdale School District News

Superintendent Chris Russo shares more about this year’s PTC Auction Paddle Raise ask. 

From the PTC

PADDLE RAISE

NEW THIS YEAR: Everyone can donate to Paddle Raise right now. If you are attending the event, you can still raise your paddle Saturday night, but if you're not attending, you can donate today. So click here to contribute to this year's District ask towards upgrading campus security at both schools. This year's goal is $65,000 -- we can do this Riverdale! To learn more about the Paddle Raise visit the Auction website. 

Equity & Inclusion Corner 

Holidays and Celebrations

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all who celebrate.

March 20th is the Vernal Equinox, which marks the first day of spring.

Happy Holi to our Hindu community.

March 21st is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Learn more from the United Nations.

Happy Nowrúz to our Bahá’í and Persian community. 

Ramadan is observed this year from March 23rd to April 20th. To our Muslim community, Ramadan Muburak, we hope you find this month of fasting and reflection meaningful and joyful.

We hope our Zoroastrian community has a wonderful Khordad Sal.

We hope our Hindu community has a celebratory Rama Navami.

March 31st is Cesar Chavez Day, which celebrates the Mexican American leader's contributions to labor and civil rights movements. 

March is Women’s History Month

Here are some resources and events where you can learn about and celebrate the contributions of women:

Every Saturday for the month of March from 1-2:30 pm, Lan Su Chinese Garden is hosting I Am She, an event featuring female speakers of Asian descent.

Have 3 minutes? Can you solve this International Women’s Day Riddle?

Attend a live musical event on March 25th, She’s Speaking, featuring local female artists.

Women’s History Month Slideshow 2023 is a resource I developed for teachers and students.  It has been shared in K-8 classrooms at Riverdale Grade School. Here is last year’s slideshow as well: Women’s History Month Slideshow 2022.

Here are some websites recommended by Oregon Department of Education and Portland Community College:

National Women’s History Museum
This site’s cyber museum presents online exhibits about U.S. women’s history including women reform leaders, women who ran for President, Chinese American women, early Jewish American women, and African American women.

Women’s History Month Classroom Resources
From PBS, this site has award-winning films and accompanying curriculum resources about girls and women from around the world.

WomenWatch: The UN Gateway to the Advancement and Empowerment of Women
Information and resources on gender equality and the empowerment of women.

Women Who Shaped America, in Photographs
From ARTstor, this is an extensive photographic archive documenting the experiences of women who have shaped America.

Event with Award-Winning Author Dr. Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai

On Tuesday, we were fortunate to have Dr. Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai join us at the high school to kick off the book tour for her latest novel, Dust Child. Students in grades 7th-12th were in attendance, as well as community members.

Students Kendra M. and Mathilde F. introduced Dr. Nguyễn and spoke about the limited representation of Asian stories and Asian identity in Western media. Dr. Nguyễn shared about her personal story, her writing process, discrimination, and the importance of people telling their own narratives. It was a moving and impactful event. 

- Abby Rotwein (she/her), Director of Equity & Inclusion

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Immunization and Exemption Data

Twice a year, schools must report the immunization and exemption rates for their students. We posted our preliminary rates on our website at the end of September, and have now posted the second round of rates after the Immunization Exclusion Day.

REMINDER

2023-24 School Year Calendar

The board approved the 2023-24 School Year Calendar at the Monday, March 6 Board Meeting. Other important event dates will be added at a later time. View the calendar here. This calendar is also available on our website. 

REMINDER

Seeking Pole Vault Volunteer

The high school track team is looking for someone with pole vaulting expertise that would be able to help out the RHS Track Team a couple times during the season. Please contact Bart Hawkins and Gilian Gandy ASAP if you're interested or know someone. 

School Board Meeting Monday

The Riverdale School Board will hold a School Board Meeting on Monday, March 20 in person in the grade school library. The meeting will also be available virtually via GoToWebinar.  

Public Comment Process

Community members who would like to speak on agenda topics will be given an opportunity to do so after the board discusses that particular topic. There is also an opportunity to speak to non-agenda topics. In either case, community members may use the “raise hand” feature to then be unmuted to speak to the board. 

For members of the public who wish to submit written public comment:

• Submit an email to Chrisie Hessel before 12 p.m. on the day of the meeting.
• IMPORTANT: Please type “Written Public Comment” in the subject line. 
• Include your full name in the body of the email.
• Names of patrons providing input will be read during the meeting and their written public comment will be posted online via the Board agenda.

Important Dates

• Saturday, March 18 - PTC Auction at The Foundry at 6 p.m.
• March 20 - School Board Meeting at 6 p.m. via GTW
• March 27-31 - Spring Break
• Monday, April 3 - School Board Meeting at 6 p.m. via GTW
• Friday, April 14 - Inservice Day (no school)
• April 20-21 - Conferences (no school)

View the 2023-24 School Year Calendar PDF on our website.