Friday, Jan. 20 

Riverdale School District News

New Website

We'd like to share the exciting news that the district will have a new website on Wednesday, January 25 (if all goes as planned). Our current site is run through Blackboard, which was bought by Finalsite this year. We decided to make the shift to a website that was much more appealing to prospective families as well as improve its utility and modernize for our current community. 

Exciting New Features

• Video capability on all sites
• Language translation (Top 5 most used languages in RSD pulled from student database system)
• Athletics website is now internal (much more updates are in the works)
• More flexibility in design and layout of pages

The goal is to have this transition be as smooth as possible. Should you have any issues, please contact communications@riverdale.k12.or.us.

RHS Highlights

Robotics Update

Team 2915 Pandamonium has been working hard building the chassis for the robot and will start building the arm of the robot soon. The team is incredibly large this year, and everyone is finding their place, starting to settle down into groups. The marketing group is designing new graphics for the team 2915 Pandamonium banner and pins. Upcoming schedule: Finish the chassis and driving system, then start work on the arm and grabber. They will also finalize the flag design for team 2915 Pandamonium as well as the pin design.

Student Spotlight

Junior Ruby H. was featured in a recent FOX 12 High School Spotlight with the Rosebuds All-Stars who are the reigning national champions. You can watch the video by clicking on the picture. 

Equity & Inclusion Corner 

Holidays and Celebrations

Happy Lunar New Year to all who celebrate. Read below for information about events happening this weekend in the Portland Metro area. 

January 27 is Holocaust Memorial Day, which commemorates the day that the Auschwitz death camp was liberated in 1945.

February is Black History Month. Our February 3rd Newsletter will share information about the holiday and local events.

February 1st is National Freedom Day, which celebrates the abolishment of slavery in 1865 with the passage of the 13th Amendment. 

Lunar New Year

The Lunar New Year celebrates the first day of the Chinese lunisolar calendar. The Lunar New Year is a public holiday in China, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, North Korea, Singapore, South Korea, and Vietnam. It is celebrated in many other Asian countries and around the world. A big thank you to the Riverdale Grade School PTC who are hosting a celebration at the school on Monday!

Travel Portland has a list of events happening this weekend in our area. Check out a few of them below:

Chinese New Year

Lan Su Chinese Garden | $15 – $45 | Jan. 21–Feb. 5, 2023

Visit Lan Su to experience the most colorful and joyous Chinese festival during the garden’s 16-day Lunar New Year celebration. By the Lunar Calendar, the Lunar New Year celebration of the Year of the Rabbit begins on Jan. 21, 2023, and ends on Feb. 5, 2023. The festival features cultural performances, festival decorations, craft activities, audio tours, Year of the Rabbit Scavenger Hunts and much more.

Chinese New Year Cultural Fair

Oregon Convention Center | Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023

This year’s fair will showcase both traditional and contemporary Chinese cultural activities, including a Lion Dance and other Chinese folk dances, Chinese instrumental music, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese martial arts demonstrations, children’s games and more.

Chinese New Year Lion Dance

Lan Su Chinese Garden | Free | Jan. 21–Feb. 5, 2023

Lion Dancing began in China over 2,000 years ago. The imagery and symbolism of the Lion was introduced from India through the influence of Buddhism. The Lion Dance is performed to ward off evil and bring good fortune. A drum, a gong, and cymbals accompany the Dancing Lion.Lion Dances are performed during the Chinese New Year, at grand openings of new businesses, and at weddings and birthday celebrations.  

Lunar New Year Party

The Sports Bra | Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023

Join the Sports Bra for a memorable evening of celebration, food & drink specials and an incredible magical performance by @whitelotusliondance. Bring your lucky money as they raise funds for the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon and for tipping the performers.

Chinese New Year Lantern Viewing

Lan Su Chinese Garden | Jan. 26–Feb. 3, 2023 | $15 – $45

Lan Su welcomes the Year of the Rabbit with several evenings of traditional lantern viewing when the garden glows with hanging red lanterns illuminating sweeping roof lines, and the Lake Zither reflects the lights of large-scale floating lantern sculptures. The lantern viewing evenings at Lan Su were inspired by the Lantern Festival, or Yuan Xian, as part of Chinese New Year traditions. 

Lunar New Year Celebration

Washington Square Mall | Free | Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023

Washington Square wishes you and your family good fortune and happiness during the Year of the Rabbit. In celebration of the Lunar New Year, shoppers are invited to visit the Summit Court to snap a selfie, make a wish on a red ribbon, and honor the Wishing Tree tradition. Enjoy traditional crafts, stories, dances, and more for the whole family, and celebrate the Lunar New Year.

Lunar New Year Dragon Dance Parade and Celebration

Portland Chinatown Museum | Free | Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023

Join the Portland Chinatown Museum for the 7th Annual Lunar New Year Dragon Dance Parade and Celebration. Presented in partnership with the Oregon Historical Society, the 150-foot dragon will be celebrating the holiday with lion dancers, performers, and a lively community parade through Old Town, Downtown, and up to the Oregon Historical Society Park Plaza.

Lunar New Year

Keller Auditorium | $25 – $115 | Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023

Oregon 2023 Lunar New Year Celebration Visual Art Exhibit, Craft Workshop and Performances Chinese Friendship Association of Portland (CFAP) is a non-profit organization serving the local community. CFAP organizes multiple education and culture focused events all year long, with their most popular event being the annual Lunar New Year (LNY) Celebration Gala.

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

Board Subcommittee Meeting Wednesday

The Riverdale School District will hold our last virtual Board Subcommittee Meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 25 from 6-8 p.m. via GoToWebinar. This subcommittee will review revenue-generating and cost-saving measures and make a prioritized recommendation to the board at the February 6, 2023 board meeting.

Public Comment Process

Community members who would like to speak on agenda topics will be given an opportunity to do so at the end of the meeting. Community members may use the “raise hand” feature to then be unmuted to speak.

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

• Submit an email to Chrisie Patrick 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 online agenda.

Sports Scores

Monday 1/16

HS Basketball vs. OES

JV Girls (L 20-35)

HS Basketball vs. Corbett

JV Boys (L 46-53)

Varsity Boys (W 73-28)

Varsity Girls (L 36-54)

Wednesday 1/18

HS Basketball vs. Rainier

JV Boys (W 53-28)

JV Girls (W 26-20)

Varsity Boys (W 71-25)

Varsity Girls (W 48-31)

Thursday 1/19

GS Basketball vs. Horizon Christian

Girls B Team (W 50-26)

Girls A Team (W 49-4)

Boys B Team (W 39-29)

Boys A Team (L 63-45)

REMINDER

Calling all Prospective Kinders for Next School Year

For Residents

Do you or someone you know have a rising kindergartener beginning this upcoming school year (2023-24)? If so, have you completed the New Resident Introduction Form on our website? In order to plan for next year we ask that all residents with rising kinders fill out this form ASAP. 

For Non-Residents

If you live out of district and are interested in enrolling your rising kindergartener, please submit a Non-Resident Enrollment Form.

Please contact Enrollment Coordinator Hilary Chandler at 503-262-4847 if you have any questions.

REMINDER

Applications Due Feb. 24

Non-resident high school students who live outside our district and are seeking the sought-after Riverdale education can take part in our annual enrollment lottery. If you earn a spot, you'll have two options for attendance: seek out an inter-district transfer from your home district or pay tuition. Applications are due by Friday, Feb. 24. 

Reminder

All current RGS 8th graders and resident students do not need to apply for the Riverdale Enrollment Lottery.

Important Dates

• Wednesday, Jan. 25 - Budget Subcommittee from 6-8 p.m. via GTW
• Tuesday, January 24 - RHS Blood Drive from 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Sign up here. 
• Jan. 26 & 27 - RHS Conferences & RGS Inservice Days (no school)
• Monday, Feb. 6 - Board Meeting at 6 p.m. via GTW