Collaborative Success!

Principal’s Message

(November & December 2024 Article)

First and foremost, we thank our parents and community members for their continued support. Thanks to your support, our students have continued to demonstrate academic gains. That stated, we are looking forward to our students’ results on the upcoming i-Ready Diagnostic Progress Monitoring 2 and Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) Progress Monitoring 2, scheduled to be administered to all Kindergarten through fifth-grade students on December 10^th and December 11^th, and December 17^th and December 18^th, respectively. Please note that students will be assessed in reading and math using computer platforms. The results will be analyzed to individualize instruction for students.
On a different note, we are extremely fortunate to enjoy a culture that embraces the team approach to better serve our students and community. In particular, we have to recognize two very special individuals who epitomize teamwork and are highly regarded and respected by our colleagues and students. As such, Riverland Elementary School proudly recognizes and congratulates:

                                          Ms. Tiqua Carty – Teacher of the Year

                                          Mrs. Utokia Terry – School-Related Employee of the Year

We are very fortunate to have Ms. Carty, Fifth-Grade Teacher, and Mrs. Terry, Classroom Assistant, with us. Collectively, they have served Broward County Public Schools for more than 25 years. Their commitment and service to our students is exemplary and inspirational, as they both also serve our students and community after-school hours via the YMCA After School Care Program. Consequently, they will be formally recognized during the Caliber Awards Ceremony on Friday, February 7, 2025.

As always, we strongly encourage you to remain active in your child’s education and schedule a minimum of two parent-teacher conferences this school year. Please note that parent-teacher conferences are by appointment and may be scheduled by contacting Mrs. Ramirez at (754) 323-7200. All parent-teacher conferences are held on Wednesdays and Fridays from 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM. 

As a reminder, our school days start promptly at 8:00 AM and conclude at 2:00 PM. All instructional days begin with 10 minutes of mindfulness. As such, we respectfully request that you plan to have your children at school between 7:30 and 7:40 AM. Doing so will allow your children to transition into the learning mindset and provide them with the option to enjoy a free and nutritious breakfast in our school’s cafeteria.

Additionally, we want to remind everyone that safety and security continue to be our top priority. As such, we will continue to utilize our single point of entry, through our front office, and keep classroom doors locked at all times. As an added layer of precaution, all staff members and students will wear school identification badges at all times.

Likewise, we will continue to provide a safe and welcoming environment by closely monitoring access onto our school campus. Accordingly, please make certain that you bring a form of photo identification when visiting our campus, as all visitors will be asked to present photo identification to access our campus. Please note that children will only be dismissed to those individuals identified on the Student Emergency Contact Card.

Moreover, we will continue to practice our emergency drills, including fire and tornado drills. We will also practice lockdown drills and the safety practices outlined in our school’s safety plan. However, please note that we will advise you via ParentLink when these drills take place so that you are informed and not alarmed. Lastly, please note that in accordance with Florida Statute 1012.34, parents have the right to provide input into the performance evaluations of instructional and/or administrative employees. Parents interested in providing input into the performance evaluations of Riverland Elementary School’s instructional and/or administrative employee evaluations may contact our office at (754) 323-7200 by April 4, 2025. 

In closing, as we enter the season of reflection and giving thanks, we wish you a joyous holiday season and a Happy New Year, filled with an abundance of good health, love, and prosperity.

Respectfully,

Oslay Gil,

Principal