10.9.20

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We look forward to welcoming the students who chose to return face to face for Phase 5 next Wednesday, October 14 (those students who elected URL will continue to log into TEAMS each day). As a reminder, the school will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, October 12 and 13 for Columbus Day weekend and a teacher workday. All information for Phase 5 regarding School Safety Procedures, Bus Information, Bell Schedule, and the A/B Calendar is posted on the Riverwood homepage.

Today Fulton County Schools emailed all families a detailed explanation of how to report a suspected case of COVID-19 through a new FCS parent reporting portal. Please read this email carefully - it is attached below. The new reporting portal opens on October 12 and can be found here: https://fultonschools.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6hWlX46FNk8p

Beginning next week, the process for parents reporting a suspected Riverwood COVID exposure or case is:

1) Enter all relevant information immediately in the new FCS parent reporting portal link shared here:
https://fultonschools.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6hWlX46FNk8p

2) Email Principal Smith immediately notifying her of the report at SmithKL@fultonschools.org and,

3) Call the school to report your child's absence so they can be switched to URL (if they are currently F2F). Riverwood phone: (470) 254-1980

FCS shared this specific information on the new FCS parent reporting portal:
Working in collaboration with FCBOH officials, this secure system allows parents/guardians to notify the district and FCBOH of a COVID-19 risk involving their student(s). The system takes the reporting parent/guardian through a series of questions that they must answer, and that information submits directly to Fulton County Board of Health (FCBOH) personnel who will initiate the COVID-19 case investigation. 

Once received, the FCBOH public health team will:
•    Contact, case investigate, and follow-up directly with parents and students

•    Work in collaboration with Fulton County Schools’ Health Services team and share essential information so the district can take the appropriate action to respond and contain any COVID-19 risks to the school staff and other students

•    Provide the parent/guardian (student) direction regarding testing, self-isolation, quarantine, or the need for additional medical care

Continued safety measures will be in place at Riverwood next week including mandated masks for all faculty, staff, and students; social distancing at all times when possible; daily self-temperature taking at home by all students before school, random temperature checks throughout the day, and disinfecting of desks/high touch areas between each class period during the day and during the evening hours.

As a reminder, FCS COVID case reporting by each school can be found here:  https://www.fultonschools.org/Page/20960.  The Closing Matrix for Fulton County Schools can be found here: https://www.fultonschools.org/Page/21453.  Only FCS, in conjunction with the Fulton County Department of Public Health, will determine when a school will close due to the number of COVID cases in each school.

Thanks, and I hope you have a relaxing weekend,

Kindra Smith
Principal
Riverwood International
Charter School

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I hope you enjoyed the Parent Information Nights last week where I spoke of Phase 4 and 5 and the next steps. The recording for the first night, September 29, and the presentations for both evenings can be found on the website.

Phase 4
As you know, Phase 4 begins on Monday, October 5. The bell and lunch schedules remain the same as does the A/B schedule. The list of days to attend by student last name is attached.
Please remember that all bus information, carpool traffic flow, safety protocols, and Phase 4 information with a Q&A from Fulton County Schools can all be found on the Riverwood website at https://www.fultonschools.org/riverwoodhs

As a reminder, mask-wearing is a requirement for all employees, students, and visitors. As per guidance from the Superintendent and FCS, while in the building, gaiters and face shields are not to be used in lieu of the masks recommended by the CDC. Masks are required by students during face-to-face instruction and while on the school bus. An employee/student may wear a face shield in conjunction with a mask, but not instead of wearing a mask. Those refusing to wear a mask will not be allowed to enter the building or interact with others.

Six Week Grade Reports:

Six Week Progress reports have been released. They are available online through Infinite Campus in the student and parent portal.

The progress report can be accessed by logging into the student and parent portal. Then clicking on reports. The grade report will be available in the Grades section.

Please be aware that the grades on the progress report do not reflect the totality of the student’s grades. The averages listed in the gradebook are a reflection of completed assignments only, and “I” grades are not averaged in the 6 week average. Therefore, the grades that the student has may not be an accurate reflection of the student’s progress.

We encourage you to check your student’s grades frequently and to ensure that you are aware of any incomplete assignments that must be made up. We encourage you to reach out to teachers with any questions or concerns regarding progress.

Regards,

Kindra Smith

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are well into Phase 3 of our return to face-to-face instruction and have enjoyed seeing students back in the building, along with those who decided to remain online. Thank you for helping us make this a smooth transition.

As we get closer to the start of Phase 4 on October 5th, and Phase 5 on October 14th, we need all families to fill out the survey to elect URL or Face-to-Face learning. If you have not already done so, or you would like to change your selection, we need you to please fill out the survey here: https://fultonschools.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9tN1i9yUujA57rn


This selection can be changed until October 14th by filling out the survey again. I know that this decision is important, so we are asking parents and students to make a final decision as soon as possible.

Phase 4 Information

We anticipate transitioning to Phase 4 of the return to school matrix on Monday, October 5th. During this phase, students can attend school twice a week. Students will attend on the same day that they attended in Phase 3 and will add an additional day to their face-to-face learning. The following groups and days are:

GROUP LAST NAME RANGE
1 - A through E
2 - F through K
3 -L through P
4 -Q through Z


Group 1 and 3 will attend synchronously (in-person) on Mondays and Thursdays

Group 2 and 4 will attend synchronously (in-person) on Tuesdays and Fridays

Wednesdays will remain 100% URL where students will work asynchronously (online) through their Teams to complete their assigned work.

Students who elect to remain in URL will continue to log into their classes through Teams throughout Phase 4, or if they choose URL for the remainder of the semester.

Remember, mask-wearing is a requirement for all employees, students, and visitors. As per guidance from the Superintendent today, while in the building, gaiters and face shields are not to be used in lieu of the masks recommended by the CDC. Masks are required by students during face-to-face instruction and while on the school bus. An employee/student may wear a face shield in conjunction with a mask, but not instead of wearing a mask. Those refusing to wear a mask will not be allowed to enter the building or interact with others.

Phase 5 Information

According to the FCS reopening Matrix, Phase 5 will begin on Wednesday, October 14th. This phase will include all students attending school five days per week. The school and bell schedule will remain the same as during Phases 3 and 4. Students and parents can also elect to remain in URL status through the end of the semester.

Parent Information Nights: September 29th and 30th

Principal Smith and her team will again host Parent Information Nights next week to discuss the Phase-In process for Riverwood, present additional school information, and allow for Q&A. Please plan to spend an hour with us on a Microsoft TEAMS call.

9th & 10th Grade Parent Meeting- Tuesday, September 29th, 6-7 PM

Link for Tuesday meeting:
https://tinyurl.com/9-10thGradeParentNight

11th & 12th Grade Parent Meeting- Wednesday, September 30th, 6-7 PM

Link for Wednesday meeting:
https://tinyurl.com/11-12thGradeParentNight


Student Medication at Riverwood

If your student takes medication (either prescription or non-prescription), please be sure to fill out the "Authorization to Carry Medication" and "Authorization to Administer Medication" forms as soon as possible found on the RICS website here: https://www.fultonschools.org/Page/13088

Please include these forms with your student's medication in the original packaging in a baggie. When they enter Riverwood, each student must present their prescription medication to the Clinic for the clinic aide to administer during the school day. Please contact Ms. Shalanda Gardner with any questions at GardnerS3@fultonschools.org

Regards,

Kindra Smith
Principal
Riverwood International
Charter School

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Phase 3 reopening is going very well with students successfully navigating the hallways and settling into their classrooms. Students still working through URL are adapting to the changes online; I could not be more pleased given the circumstances.  Please visit the FCS website to find answers to many questions regarding Phase 3: https://www.fultonschools.org/F2FElection

There are several essential items for today:

URL ASYNCHRONOUS DAY
Tomorrow, Wednesday, September 23, will be a URL asynchronous day. It is an A day. Teachers will be posting the assignment or activity on the class’ TEAMS page. Students should check their TEAMS throughout the day to stay on top of their assignments. Attendance will reflect the URL attendance model, so students should log on and complete their teachers’ assignments.

This instructional format allows for professional learning and teacher planning under our new instructional framework and deep cleaning of Riverwood. If your child has any issues with the lesson, please have them contact their teacher.

RECOVERY/RETAKES DURING PHASE 3 AND UNTIL THE END OF THE SEMESTER
Please see the FCS Recovery Policy for Phase 3 and until the end of the semester. (See attached) Please review with your student and contact your teacher with any questions.

BUS ROUTES AND STOPS
Bus riders, please be at your bus stop 10 minutes prior to your bus arrival time.  Since buses are running with a limited number of students and traffic is light, the buses are coming earlier than expected.

RIVERWOOD WEBSITE
We are getting an inordinate number of phone calls to the office with questions about information that is already available on the website. PLEASE review the website to find the answer to your questions before calling the school. Riverwood has a beautiful new website; please take the time to familiarize yourself with it today. Here is a video to help you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nijW2B4pzxA&feature=youtu.be Also, on the website you will find my Phase 3 Welcome Back video for all students and families. Check it out!

FOOD DISTRIBUTION
Fulton County will continue to provide free meals to all children 18 & under, or under the age of 21 for youth with special needs. All children, regardless of school enrollment or meal eligibility status, can receive free meals. Children do not have to be present to receive a meal kit. A student’s ID number is not needed.

Students attending school face-to-face will receive FREE meals during their school’s scheduled mealtimes.

Curbside Meal Kit Pick-Up available at Riverwood on Wednesdays from 11:00-1:00. Meal kits are FREE. Bus Stop Meal Kit Pick-Up available at designated locations on Wednesdays from 10:45-12:00. Meal kits are FREE. For a full listing of Curbside Pick-Up locations & designated Bus Stop locations, please visit www.fcsnutrition.com

NEW! Families need to pre-order grab & go meal kits each week. Grab & go meal kits need to be pre-ordered online by Tuesday at 11:59 p.m. Families will provide the number of requested grab & go meal kits and choose a pick-up location. To pre-order online visit: https://nutrition.fultonschools.org/PreOrder

Free or Reduced Meals
If you have not already completed an application for the school year, had a change in income, or an increase in household size, please take this opportunity to complete an online application. Only one application is needed per household. A new application must be filled out every year. Apply online at www.fulton.schoollunchapp.com.

COVID REPORTING GUIDELINES
If your child tests positive for COVID-19, he or she should not report to the building or any FCS facility but should immediately call the school’s front desk to report the positive status or email the Principal at smithkl@fultonschools.org.

The front office team member will alert the clinic aide (Ms. Shalanda Gardner), and she will call to discuss details and next steps. Once a positive case has been identified, the school will notify the entire staff and parent community by email.

The school will work closely with the district and the Department of Public Health to determine which students or staff need to be quarantined, if any. If that is the case, another email will be sent to those families and staff members, alerting them of that guidance. Students that are quarantined at home but can still complete work should continue to attend classes remotely. If a student is unable to participate in class, the parent should notify the teachers so they can mark the attendance accordingly.

Thank you and have a great week,


Kindra Smith
Principal
Riverwood International
Charter School