As Superintendent, I am incredibly proud to share some of the many great things happening across our schools—L.I.E. Elementary, Riverside Middle School, and Riverside High School. When I get a chance to visit the schools and classrooms, I see a lot of great things going on. It is obvious that we have a staff that truly cares about students, their safety, their learning and their individual growth. It is equally as obvious that we have great students who are curious, respectful, responsible and cooperative.
At L.I.E. Elementary, our youngest learners are thriving. Classrooms are filled with curiosity, hands-on learning, and a sense of wonder. I have seen some “Rock Star” lessons. I even put on an eye patch myself and pretended to be a pirate in one of our youngest classes. Students are excited about what they're learning, and it shows in their eagerness to participate and explore new ideas. They are having fun exploring new concepts and working together collaboratively. Learning is much more than test scores and state accountability measures and you can see the depth of that understanding at L.I.E.
At Riverside Middle and High Schools, that same passion continues to grow. Our students are not only excelling academically, but they’re also deeply involved in activities that stretch beyond the classroom—clubs, sports, music, leadership & service programs, and more. These opportunities help build confidence, initiative, and a sense of belonging, and we are proud to offer such a wide range of ways for students to engage. The academic rigor is absolutely present in lessons but equally important is the relationship piece. Our professional staff offer so much support and encouragement for students to achieve at a level that even they, sometimes don’t believe is achievable. The bottom line is that it is obvious to even the casual observer that our staff really care!
This past week, we celebrated Homecoming—a time-honored tradition that brought our entire district and community together. From hall decorating and float building to spirit days and the Homecoming parade, school spirit was on full display. My favorite spirit day was probably “Throwback Thursday”, although I did kind of lean more toward one particular decade. We did rock some pretty awesome bell- bottom pants & Converse All-Stars back then.
Highlights included the “Burning of the R”, the Homecoming dance, some truly competitive sporting events including a great football game on Friday night, and fundraising efforts such as volleyball’s “Pack the Place in Pink Night” to raise awareness for breast cancer, and our “change jar” collection that went to a local cancer patient. These events not only brought fun and excitement but also reflected our shared values of compassion, teamwork, and giving back.
A special thank you goes out to our custodial & maintenance staff at both L.I.E. and Riverside. Their patience with students, flexibility during busy event weeks, and their continued commitment to keeping our buildings clean, safe, and welcoming do not go unnoticed. Their behind-the-scenes work is vital to everything we do, and we are grateful for all they contribute each and every day.
Looking ahead, we are excited to invite everyone to a very special event on October 17th at 11:30 a.m., when we will officially dedicate our new football and track facility in honor of long-time, Hall of Fame coach and beloved teacher Jim Gibbs. Coach Gibbs had a lasting impact on generations of students both on and off the field, and it is an honor to name this facility after such an outstanding educator, mentor, and leader.
To our families and community members: thank you. Your presence, participation, and support make all the difference. When schools and communities work together, great things happen—and this past week was a powerful reminder of just that.
Together, we are building not only strong students, but a stronger, more connected school community.