After School Program Resumes

Dear Parents,
Rio del Mar Elementary School's After School Program will begin on Monday, August 30th. Our program will run from 2:10 – 4:25 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Restructured-Day Wednesdays the program will run until 2:05 p.m. The primary purpose of this program is to help students with homework and provide academic support and interventions for students that are falling behind grade level standards.

The program will continue to consist of an hour of tutorial/homework support for students who are in 2nd - 6th grades. If your child completes all of their homework they will participate in an hour of enrichment activities to support student learning. Students are to be honest regarding finishing their homework. If they are not, they will lose fun enrichment class opportunities for two weeks. Enrichment activities will consist of: Sports Leagues, Rock Bands, Guitar, Computers, Piano, Chess, Ceramics, Arts and Crafts, Actor's Theater, African Drumming, Games and more! Rio’s After School is an open enrollment program and this means that your child may come any day we are in session.

*For those students who take the bus: there will be a free after school bus that will pick up the students at 4:25 p.m.on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. There will be no bus provided on our Restructured Wednesdays (short days). As a result, students will need to be picked up on Wednesdays. If you have a transportation problem/concern please call: 728-6324.

**Please remember to pick up your child promptly each day at 4:25 p.m. After three warnings for getting picked up late, your child will be required to take the free after school bus home.

*There will be no after school program on Fridays or during Parent/Teacher Conferences in October. Snacks and drinks will be provided each day. Keep an eye out for e-mails during holiday weeks because there will be days that we will not be in session.

*When school begins, please send a check for $220 for each child to attend Rio’s After School Program. This fee helps pay for a Reading Specialist, Math Specialist, staff, supplies, curriculum, books, equipment, prizes and much more. Scholarships are available for students in need. This one time fee is a small sum compared to the hundreds of dollars you would pay at other programs each month. Checks are preferred and they should be made out to the RDM Parent Alliance.

Cordially,
J Martin Sweet
5th Grade Teacher/After School Coordinator – Questions? E-mail: martin_sweet@pvusd.net
Check the after school blog frequently at: http://riodelmarafterschool.blogspot.com
















RIO ROCK BAND AUDITIONS

Dear Parents,
After the huge success of the Rio Rockers, Yellfire and The Exceeders, Rio del Mar will be hosting auditions for a new group of rockers. The goal of this Rock Band is to give students a shot at being in a band and to experience the thrill of performing REAL songs in front of an audience. In fact, we will have an assembly at school and at least one performance out in the community. If your child auditions and makes the band, there will be a $100 fee to be in the band for the 10-week program. If your child enjoys the experience and wishes to continue, the band may continue through the school year for two more sessions. There are scholarships available for those in need.

Our auditions for 2nd-6th Graders will take place Wednesday, September 1st in the Multi- Purpose Room starting at 2:30 p.m. Each child will need to come with some song, or part of a song that they will be sharing. I will also ask simple questions about their understanding of basic music theory, depending on their instrument. There will be a male and a female vocalist, bass, lead guitar, rhythm guitar, drums and keyboards in this new band. All students who are interested are encouraged to come, even if they have never even played before. Parents, of course, are invited to come and watch. Make sure that they bring their instrument tuned and ready to go. Drums, a keyboard and a sound system will be provided. The main things we will be looking for is rhythm, basic skills and students who are willing to practice, practice and then practice some more.

Please specify below which instrument(s) your child wishes to audition for. Choose wisely parents.... You just might have a band in your garage in a couple months! Please sign and return this form to the office by Tuesday, August 31st.

J Martin Sweet
Rio Del Mar After School Coordinator
5th Grade Teacher
Rocker

"Music cleanses the understanding; inspires it, and lifts it into a realm which
it would not reach if it were left to itself. " ~Henry Ward Beecher

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I give permission for my child to participate in the Rio Rock Band Auditions

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(Signature) (Child’s Name)

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Instrument(s)