This page will provide you with a description of all the events and activities that make our school so special and unique.
Accelerated
Reader - This reading
incentive program allows students to read great books, take
comprehensive tests on the computer, and earn AR points. Competition is
kept to a minimum while emphasizing a student’s best and school wide
enrichment.
Annual
School-Wide Themes -
Each year a school wide theme is chosen to help motivate and
unite students and staff, “Learning Opens Doors to a World of
Possibilities!”.
Artist-in-Residence
– Each year enrichment
opportunities are offered to students through drama, art, dance, or music.
Assembly
Programs – The
entire student body comes together for assembly programs that have
included visiting authors and illustrators, classroom productions, and
visiting theatre production companies.
Author
and Illustrator Visits –
Each year a visiting author
and/or illustrator speaks to our students and parents about the writing
process.
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Bobcat
H.E.R.O.s – Buena Vista Bobcats are respectful,
responsible, and ready to learn. Students who repeatedly exemplify the
character traits of the month and the value words of the week are named
H.E.R.O.s : Helping Encourage Responsibility, Respect, and Readiness
Ourselves.
Book
Buddies – Students in the upper grades pair up
with students in the lower grades to form a yearlong reading
partnership.
Buena
Vista Ambassadors – This group of selected
students represent the student body as greeters to special guests and as
school tour guides. They are selected through an intensive application
process including a quiz over school facts and teacher recommendation.
BVTV
News – This school morning news program is
written, produced, and anchored by the fifth grade Journalism club. The
news is presented each morning at 8:05. Students recite the Pledge to
the Flag of the United Stated, participate in a moment of silence,
recite the school mission statement, report on sports, weather, current
events, the Bobcat Value Word of the Week , lunch menu, announcements,
and host special guests.
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Carnival
– The annual carnival brings parents, students, and the
community together for an afternoon and evening of fun. Games,
entertainment, a silent auction, and prizes await everyone.
Character
Education – Students participate in guidance
lessons from our guidance counselor that focus on the district values of
honor, integrity, selfless service, courage, responsibility, and duty.
Wise Wanda makes weekly appearances to share stories and encourage good
character.
Chorus
– Fourth and fifth grade students participate in chorus.
The chorus presents a Holiday Concert and Spring Concert as well as
participating in community events.
Computer
Lab – We are fortunate to have a thirty station
computer lab and four rolling laptop carts. All students go to the
Computer Lab at least once a week. Students are involved in word
processing, research using the Internet, practicing math skills with
Larson’s Mathematics, Powerpoint, and Compass Odyssey.
Cultural
Awareness Month – In February, our school takes a
look at the many varied cultures represented in the student body. During
this month-long emphasis students learn about different cultures and how
to value the differences of others.
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Early
Risers’ Club – Students who arrive on the
early bus and selected other students work on Math and Language skills
from 7:30-8:00 each morning in the computer lab.
Early
Morning Library – Students who arrive early may go
to the library to check out books, work on special projects, take
Accelerated Reader tests, or to simply read a good book.
Extended
Day Program – Every day, students in grades K-5 are eligible to
attend the extended day program. More than 100 students currently
participate in tutoring, arts and crafts, enrichment classes and
homework.
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Field
Studies – Each grade level participates in field
studies to add a first hand experience to classroom instruction. Such
field studies include trips to the State House, Pumpkin Patch, and Charleston.
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Guidance
Counselor – Our two guidance counselors
provide comprehensive services to students through classroom guidance,
small group counseling, and individual counseling.
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Health
Screening – Our nurse provides comprehensive
vision and hearing screenings for students. She also provides daily
assistance for students who are on medication, require special health
assistance, or just need a band-aid.
Honor
Roll – Students who maintain an A/B grade average
each quarter are named to the A/B Honor Roll.
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Learning
Lab
– A resource teacher is
provided for students with special learning needs. Students go to the
resource teacher during the day for individualized help and instruction.
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Media
Center Services – Our media center coordinates
many special opportunities for students. In addition to regularly
scheduled classes for grades K-5, our media center provides
opportunities for students to check out books before, during, and after
school. Special reading incentive programs are coordinated by the PTA
through the library such as Accelerated Reader and the 15-15-15 program.
Mentor
Program –The guidance counselor coordinates an
extensive mentoring program. Sidekicks, an affiliate program of Big
Brothers, Big Sisters, is coordinated using Riverside High School
Service Learning Students.
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New
Parent Orientation – On the first student
attendance day, new parents are invited to the school to enjoy light
refreshments and to meet staff from all areas of the school. The
guidance counselor and the administrators are introduced. Information
about the school is provided, and parents get the opportunity to meet
other new parents.
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Open
House – The beginning of each school year begins
with Open House. Parents visit classrooms and learn about the curriculum
and class activities for the new year.
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Principal’s
Pride – Each quarter, one student from each
classroom is chosen for Citizenship Award. This student has exemplified
the value words and exhibited good citizenship in the classroom. Each
student’s picture is displayed on the bulletin board in the front lobby.
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Red
Ribbon Week – During the month of October, the PTA
and the staff make an effort to emphasize making good choices and not
using drugs or alcohol. Students are involved in different activities
including collecting soap to “wash out drugs” for the homeless and
pledging to stay drug free.
Reflections
– This PTA sponsored program encourages the integration
of the arts. Students participate in various areas including visual
arts, music, and writing. Recognition at the school, district, and state
levels is offered.
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Safety
Patrol – Selected fifth grade students perform
many valuable safety duties. Students load and unload cars each morning
and take care of flag duties.
School
Improvement Council – Our SIC is made up of
teachers, parents, and administrators who meet monthly to discuss ways
to improve the school.
Skating
Night – Fifth grade students participate in a fun skate
once a month. Families and friends are invited to come out and enjoy a
night of fun and exercise.
Speech
Therapist – A speech therapist is available
to assist students with speech/language issues. Our therapist meets with
students in small groups to provide assistance with articulation and
language development.
Spring
Swap Day – In the spring, students in kindergarten
through fifth grades “swap” classes. This allows students to see “what
to expect next year”.
Student
Council – Our students have a voice in the
decisions of their school through the Student Council. Classrooms elect
a classroom representative as their voice in student government. Student
Council meets once a month.
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