Riverside Miscellaneous

Riverside PTO

It seems as if there is always something special going on at Riverside. We have no more completed one project than it is time to turn around and start preparation for the next. Luckily, we have a strong base of volunteer support not only from our parents but from our neighborhood and community as well.

We are also fortunate to have a very active Parent Teacher Organization. Our PTO is instrumental in not only providing volunteer workers, but also in providing funding for our school. Our PTO fundraising activities are unique in that they usually enhance another activity that is already happening at the school. For instance, the PTO provides concessions at Riverside's t-ball and basketball games; something that provides a service for our families, while at the same, provides funding for the school.

So, where does all this money go? The PTO supports many of the special activities that come up periodically in a curriculum such as the one embraced by Riverside. They have also provided funding for many of the major improvements made to our facility over the last several years. Look below to discover how these funds are being pumped back into the school for the direct benefit of our students.

Upcoming Events

Riverside Cultural Arts and History Magnet School

Pam Stead, Principal

1001 Porter

Wichita,

Kansas 67203

Phone:

316-973-4050

Fax:

316-973-4060

PTO Sponsored Activities

Prime Time Friday Night: One night a year in conjunction with Kansas Read Week, students in the second through fifth grades are invited to stay after school until 7:00 p.m. to participate in fun reading activities. Students bring their sleeping bags, pillows and their favorite books to read. Kids lounge in nearly every corner of the school, reading, either alone or with a friend. Breaks are provided where the children are led in fun games and activities by the teachers. For dinner, the PTO provides pizza catered by a local pizzeria and soda pop. Good behavior tickets are awarded throughout the evening which are entered in the door prize drawing at the end of the evening.

Classroom Furniture and Fixtures: During 1998-2000, the PTO provided funding for refurnishing our classrooms. During the 1996-97 year, the kindergarten and fifth grade classrooms enjoyed new tables, chairs, and cubbies. New kitchen play area equipment was also purchased for the kindergarten classroom to replace that which was there when some of our parents were kindergartners more than thirty years ago. In the 1997-98 year, the first, second, third and fourth graders benefited from new furnishings.

Updating a circa 1910 Building for Technology for the New Milleneum -- During the summer of 1998, the PTO provided funding for the building to be wired for technology as laid out in our technology plan. A new phone system was installed during the school year and the additional wiring for internet and cable T.V. access is currently being installed in each classroom.

Special Activites Related to the Thematic Currriculum: There are special activities related to each yearly theme for which the PTO provides funds. For instance, no matter what the theme, whether it be People of Our Past, People Around the World, or People of Impact, the Thanksgiving holiday seems to be naturally integrated. This gives us the opportunity to provide a special Thanksgiving meal to all the students at a nearby church. Funds for the turkeys and some of the fixings are provided by the PTO. The students provide the rest and help volunteers in the preparation of the meal. Everyone gets to be a part as the spirit of cooperation as felt at the first Thanksgiving is shared by all.

At the end of our Native American studies, which is a part of the "People of the Past" theme, we have a special pow-wow to help demonstrate the culture of our first Americans. The Kindergarten through second grade classes spend a day visiting centers in each teacher's classroom with hands-on learning projects about Indian Folk Tales and customs. The third through fifth grade classes go on an overnight adventure to a campground in the country. There they participate in similiar activities, but in an outdoor setting. The success of this activity depends on PTO Funds.

During the People Around the World theme, the students learn about Christmas time events as celebrated by different cultures around the world through centers set up throughout the building. From Saint Lucia to Kwannza, many of the materials for these projects are provided by the PTO.

These are but a sampling of the special activities made possible by the support of the PTO for our Thematic Curriculum Activities. Without their support it would be difficult, if not impossible, to provide many of the activities that provide hands-on, real life experiences for our students.

PTO Fund Raising Activities

The Auction is the single biggest fundraiser for the PTO. It is held in April at North High School. In addition to items each class contributes, there are items solicited from and donated by merchants near and far. Everything from the quilts made by the kindergarten classes to autographed pictures of movie stars to a night's stay at the Castle Inn at Riverside have been available for purchase. A silent auction runs during dinner, followed by a called auction with the services of a professional auctioneer. There is also The Kids Five and Dime, available for children to buy trinkets outright so no one has to go home empty handed.

The Heritage Dinner Fair is held annually near the beginning of the school year. It is held in the atmosphere of an old time social, giving parents, teachers and students a chance to get aquainted and renew old friendships. The PTO organizes and serves dinner followed by a short program where each grade presents one or two songs.

The PTO is also host of Riverside Fun Night at John Marshall Middle School in late October. This event gives the children the opportunity to see that school (and teachers) do not have to be all tedium and rules. By scheduling this event close to Halloween, it also gives the students (and teachers) an opportunity to wear their Halloween costumes if they wish. Each class hosts a traditional fun night booth, everything from Cookie Decorating and a Book Barn to the less traditional "Potty Toss".

In addition to these major fund raisers, the PTO raises money through sales of school t-shirts, monthly bake sales, skating parties and concession sales at intramural sporting events.

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