Rio Rockers, Yellfire and The Exceeders!

Rio del Mar is fortunate to have three rock bands this year! The Rio Rockers will continue to add to their musical repertoire this year with four great songs by U2, The Cars, Led Zeppelin and Green Day. They will be performing in the community in the coming months ahead at Aptos High for a "Generations' Performance to benefit our high school's performing arts program on Saturday, October 24th. They will also join the Wild Rovers on Friday, December 18th for a big show at Don Quixote's in Felton.

A new band was recently formed with students ranging from 3rd through 6th grade. I was proud of all the students who tried out this year for the band. It takes a LOT of courage to stand up in front of everybody and give it your best. I was especially proud of three students in the new band who tried out last year, but didn't make it. They set a great example for the rest of the school to practice, practice and never give up! This new band is going to choose their name this Friday. They will be performing at a school assembly in December along with a couple of performances in the community.

Finally, I am happy to announce that I have added a new music teacher, Matthew Pinck, who has a variety of experience in Santa Cruz teaching instruments and leading youth rock bands. He will be taking over the helm of the Yellfire Band with all its members returning. These rock stars will also be performing in a winter school assembly and in the community in coming months.

Keep your eyes out and ears open for some amazing youth talent in music this coming year!

Martin Sweet
Music Coordinator/Teacher

"Where kind hearts and open minds rule."

New Ceramics Class Starting Thursday, September 10th

Class Enrollment ($=Paid)
1.Maggie C.$
2.Athena M.
3.Logan F.$
4.Maya B.
5.Anon W.$
6.Bella V.$
7.Eli V.$
8.Milo R. $
9.Coral M.$
10.Ryan B.$
11.Charlotte R.$
12.Ryan A.$
13.Jaden L.$
14.Tess O.$
15.Anon
16.Katelyn F.$
17.Indy B.$
18.Marco S.-$
19.Mariah S.-$
20.Aerin H.-$
21. Zoe B.
ALTERNATES-Next Class starts in December
Maya Y.
Trevor C.$
Tucker P.$
McKenna P.$
Ryan B.$
Aaron B.$
Cole R.$
Jeremy P.
Natalie S.
Jake L.
Jacob N.
Annika N.

Reading Specialist

Dear Parents,
As the After School Coordinator, I have hired two Reading Specialists for the After School Program. On Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m. Lea Robinson will be working with five 2nd grade students who are working below grade level in reading. On Thursdays at 2:30 p.m. Alyssa Street will be assisting five 3rd and 4th grade students. Please contact me a.s.a.p. if you would like your child to enroll in this effective reading intervention.

Martin Sweet
4th/5th Grade Teacher
After School Coordinator
E-mail: martin_sweet@pvusd.net

Guitar Enrichment

New Guitar Class Starting: Wednesday, September 9th at 2:35pm in Room 12
1. Quinn M.$
2. Mikaela B.$
3. Ava A.$
4. Maggie M.$
5. Indy B.$
6. Lauren J.$
7. Jack H.$
8. Morgaine W.$
9. Jake L.$
10. Ian S.
11. Josh S.
12. Ella H. $
13. Kira$
14. Evan W.$
15. William M.
Next Class:
Sasha T.
Curtis M.
Kylie H.
Jordan B.
Cole D.
Brandon P.

Busing Change

Dear Parents,
Because of budget cuts we will no longer have the bus at the after school program on Restructured Tuesdays. In addition, the first week of after school the buses will not be available, but the following week they should be up and running.

After School Resumes Monday, August 17th

Dear Parents,
Rio del Mar Elementary School's After School Program will begin on Monday, August 17th. Our program will run from 2:05 – 4:25 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. On Restructured-Day Tuesdays 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. There will be no Watsonville stops this year and the last stop will be in La Selva. 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

The Rio Rockers-Live at Don Quixote's