A Message from Principal Peterson
What an incredible week it has been at Riverside!
One of the biggest highlights was welcoming Astronaut George Nield, who spent time inspiring our fourth through sixth graders. His stories about exploration, teamwork, and perseverance lit up the room—and having Superintendent Michelle Reid join us for this visit made the moment even more meaningful for our students and staff. It was a powerful reminder of what curiosity and dedication can lead to.
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We also enjoyed an amazing turnout for our Thanksgiving Luncheon, with over 200 families joining us to share a meal and time together. Thank you for filling our cafeteria with warmth, laughter, and community. Events like this remind us that Riverside is not just a school—it’s a family.
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And in more good news—Riverside is getting new playground equipment! We are thrilled to be updating our play spaces so students can enjoy safer, more engaging, and more inclusive outdoor experiences. Our Rockets will be able to enjoy the new additions once installation is complete in about three weeks.
As we head into the holiday season, I’m grateful for the partnership, spirit, and support that make our school such a special place for students to learn and grow.
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Stay Connected!
ptariversidees@gmail.com
Facebook: RiversideFCPSVA
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Volunteer FCPS Helps Community Members Connect With Schools
The new volunteer management system, Volunteer FCPS, allows individuals to search and register for volunteer opportunities at our school or across the school district.
Volunteer FCPS is how FCPS provides a safe, consistent, and welcoming environment at all of our schools. Anyone interested in volunteering with FCPS must:
- Create a profile in Volunteer FCPS.
- Register for opportunities through Volunteer FCPS.
- Sign in and out of schools using the visitor kiosk on EVERY visit – no exceptions.
Recent Updates to Volunteer Opportunity Levels
Due to the overwhelming response, FCPS is temporarily pausing fingerprint requirements for most Level 3 volunteers. Those who have already been fingerprinted will be processed to be eligible for all Level 3 opportunities.
Field trip chaperone opportunities will now be classified as Level 2 (not requiring a comprehensive background check that includes fingerprinting).
To ensure continuous safety, all new volunteers are required to sign a Volunteer Certification Statement. This statement is a legal confirmation that you have no history of violent felonies, physical or sexual crimes against children, or crimes of moral turpitude (dishonesty, fraud, things that are immoral by society’s standards).
Visit the Volunteer FCPS website to complete a volunteer orientation. View Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about the volunteer levels.
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener Results Now Available
Students in grades 3-12 took the SEL Screener during the month of October, providing information on their SEL skills like achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships, and making responsible decisions. The screener also asks students how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.
Individual student SEL Screener results are now available to families in the Documents section of SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, we will share copies with you directly.
For support in understanding your individual student’s results or for ideas on how to support them at home, please review the Family Guide or reach out to our school staff with any questions.
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Window for Full-Time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15
Parents and guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for full-time Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) services must submit the AAP Full-Time Referral Form to Emma Longo (ejsamels@fcps.edu) no later than December 15, 2025.
Each year, families can submit a referral for full-time AAP services any time from the first day of school through December 15. No late referrals for full-time AAP services will be accepted.
Once a referral is received, our school will compile information related to the student. Then, a committee of six trained professionals from across the county will review materials to determine eligibility for full-time AAP services.
Next Steps for Parents
Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of their child’s materials after February 20, 2026, by emailing Emma Longo ejsamels@fcps.edu.
At the elementary level, referrals for subject-specific and part-time AAP are screened by our school. If you miss the full-time referral deadline, your student can still be screened for subject-specific or part-time AAP services for the remainder of the year.
At the middle school level, honors courses are open to all students.
For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs webpage.
Action Required! Update Your Permission for Google Tools
Google recently made changes to how educational applications are managed and accessed on the Chrome Browser and Chromebooks. Many applications are moving from the Chrome Web Store to the Google Play Store.
To ensure your student(s) can continue accessing all approved instructional tools, FCPS has updated its digital consent platform to include both the Chrome Web Store and the Google Play Store.
Please review and provide your consent for these two new options through our easy-to-use Parent Digital Consent system:
- Additional Google Services – Chrome Web Store
- Additional Google Services – Google Play Store
Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting safe and effective digital learning experiences for all students.
For questions or support, please visit FCPS’ Family Technology Resources page or open a ticket with the Technical Support desk.
Manage Your Child’s Screen Time on FCPS Devices
FCPS offers the Lightspeed Parent Portal to help you manage screen time on your child's FCPS device at home. With a Parent Portal account, you can control your child’s access to YouTube and pause website browsing during after-school hours.Please note that parent controls are active only during after-school hours, defined as Monday through Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. (including student holidays) and all day Saturday and Sunday.
If you haven't signed up for the portal yet, use the link at the bottom of your weekly Lightspeed Online Student Activity Report email. To learn more, please visit the Lightspeed Parent Portal page on the FCPS website.
Monitoring Support for Your Child in ParentVUE
All FCPS schools use an approach called Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to make sure every student gets the help they need to learn.
MTSS helps school teams deliver high-quality instruction for all students and provide extra time, support, and interventions as needed. Families are partners in this process. We will share information about your child’s individual learning, needs, and progress.
You may view your child's intervention plans and progress in SIS ParentVUE. Expect progress to be updated quarterly, with report card due dates
❄️ Prepare for Winter Weather
Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather closing decisions are made at FCPS.
FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible, including email, text, social media, the new FCPS mobile app, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange emergency child care if needed.
⛄ Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities
We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories that may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. View the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.
If you need assistance getting cold-weather clothing for your family, please call Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health.
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- FCPS Budget
- Prepare for Winter Weather
- Community Meal Nights
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
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Upcoming Events
November 26-28, 2025 – Schools and offices will be closed. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving! Classes will resume on Monday, December 1.
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Un mensaje de directora Peterson
¡Qué semana tan increíble hemos vivido en Riverside!
Uno de los momentos más destacados fue la visita del astronauta George Nield, quien dedicó tiempo a inspirar a nuestros alumnos de cuarto a sexto grado. Sus historias sobre exploración, trabajo en equipo y perseverancia llenaron de entusiasmo la sala, y la presencia de la superintendente Michelle Reid hizo que la visita fuera aún más significativa para nuestros estudiantes y personal. Fue un poderoso recordatorio de adónde pueden llevarnos la curiosidad y la dedicación.
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También tuvimos una asistencia increíble a nuestro almuerzo de Acción de Gracias, con más de 200 familias que se unieron a nosotros para compartir una comida y un momento juntos. Gracias por llenar nuestra cafetería de calidez, alegría y espíritu comunitario. Eventos como este nos recuerdan que Riverside no es solo una escuela, es una familia.
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¡Y aún hay más buenas noticias! ¡Riverside tendrá nuevos juegos infantiles! Estamos encantados de renovar nuestras áreas de juego para que los estudiantes disfruten de experiencias al aire libre más seguras, atractivas e inclusivas. Nuestros Rockets podrán disfrutar de las nuevas atracciones una vez que la instalación esté completa, en aproximadamente tres semanas.
Al acercarnos a las fiestas navideñas, agradezco la colaboración, el entusiasmo y el apoyo que hacen de nuestra escuela un lugar tan especial para que los estudiantes aprendan y crezcan.
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¡Únete a la PTA!
¡Mantente conectado!
ptariversidees@gmail.com
Facebook: RiversideFCPSVA
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El Sistema “Volunteer FCPS” Ayuda a que los Miembros de la Comunidad se Conecten con las Escuelas
En FCPS, la seguridad y protección de todos y cada uno de nuestros estudiantes es nuestra mayor prioridad. El nuevo sistema de administración del voluntariado, Volunteer FCPS, les permite a los individuos buscar oportunidades de voluntariado en toda la división escolar, o en su escuela local, y registrarse para participar en ellas.
El sistema “Volunteer FCPS” es la forma en que proveemos un ambiente seguro, consistente y acogedor en todas nuestras escuelas. Toda aquella persona que esté interesada en ser voluntaria para FCPS debe:
- Crear un perfil en “Volunteer FCPS”.
- Registrarse en las oportunidades de voluntariado que encuentre en “Volunteer FCPS”.
- Registrar su entrada y su salida de las escuelas usando el kiosko para visitantes, EN CADA visita, sin excepciones.
Actualizaciones Recientes a los Niveles de las Oportunidades de Voluntariado
Dada la increíble respuesta que hemos recibido de nuestra comunidad, FCPS ha pausado temporalmente la exigencia de la toma de huellas dactilares para la mayoría de los voluntarios del Nivel 3. Aquellas personas cuyas huellas dactilares ya hayan sido tomadas, serán procesadas como elegibles para tomar oportunidades de voluntariado de Nivel 3.
Las oportunidades de participar como chaperones de paseos escolares serán ahora clasificadas como Nivel 2 (Éstas no requieren una revisión detallada de antecedentes que incluya la toma de huellas dactilares).
Para garantizar la continuidad de la seguridad, todos los nuevos voluntarios están obligados a firmar una Declaración Voluntaria de Voluntariado. Esta declaración es una confirmación legal de que usted no tiene un historial de delitos violentos, crímenes físicos o sexuales contra niños, o crímenes contra la moral (como deshonestidad, fraude, actos que sean inmorales en los estándares sociales).
Los individuos pueden completar la orientación del voluntario visitando la página web de “Volunteer FCPS”. Visite la sección de Preguntas Frecuentes de “Volunteer FCPS” para que conozca los niveles de voluntariado y cuál de ellos le conviene más según sus intereses.
Resultados de la Evaluación del Aprendizaje Social y Emocional (SEL) Ya Disponibles
Durante el mes de octubre, los estudiantes de 3ro a 12vo grado realizaron la Evaluación de SEL, la cual proporcionó información sobre sus habilidades socioemocionales, tales como el logro de metas, la comprensión y el manejo de las emociones, el establecimiento y mantenimiento de relaciones y la toma de decisiones responsables. La evaluación también pregunta a los estudiantes qué tan bien se sienten valorados, incluidos y apoyados en su comunidad escolar.
Los resultados individuales de la Evaluación de SEL de cada estudiante ya están disponibles para las familias en la sección Documentos de SIS ParentVUE. Para las familias que no tienen una cuenta activa en ParentVUE, les enviaremos copias directamente.
Para obtener ayuda para comprender los resultados de su hijo/a o ideas sobre cómo apoyarlo/a en casa, consulte la Guía para Familias o comuníquese con el personal de nuestra escuela si tiene alguna pregunta.
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El plazo para solicitar plazas en el Programa Académico Avanzado (AAP) a tiempo completo finaliza el 15 de diciembre
Padres y tutores de estudiantes de 2º a 7º grado que deseen que su hijo/a sea considerado/a para los servicios del Programa Académico Avanzado (AAP) a tiempo completo deben enviar el | 
