New Information
Cold Weather Reminder ❄️
Please be sure students come to school dressed for chilly temperatures, including long pants, coats, hats and mittens. On especially cold mornings, we will hold before-school inside recess (generally when temperatures are below 14°F and the sun is not out). This will be indicated by the yellow flags – one outside the cafeteria and one along the fencing on Stuart Street. When inside recess is in effect, classrooms will open at 8:15 a.m. Thank you for helping us keep students warm and safe!
News from the PTO
Repeat Information
CMAS Testing
In our spring semester, we will be administering the annual state required assessment - Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) in grades 3-5. Please make note of the dates for the assessment your child will be taking and, wherever possible, please avoid absences during the testing periods. Please note that, on testing days, if students arrive late after testing has begun, they will not be able to join their class until testing has been completed for the day. Having students on time and present on testing days helps us gather valuable data while minimizing interruptions to daily instruction. Please help us meet that goal! 3rd Grade CMAS: April 6th - 8th & April 14th - 16th 4th Grade CMAS: April 6th - 10th & April 13th - 14th 5th Grade CMAS: April 6th - 10th & April 13th - 16th
SRO CORNER - January 2026
Rude vs. Mean vs. Bullying – What’s the Difference? As part of our commitment to creating a safe and respectful learning environment, we want to help families and students understand the difference between being rude, being mean, and bullying. These words are sometimes used interchangeably, but they mean very different things, especially when it comes to how schools address them.
1. Rude Definition: Rude behavior is when someone says or does something hurtful—often without thinking—because they’re being inconsiderate, careless, or self-centered in the moment. It’s usually not meant to hurt deeply or target a specific person repeatedly. Examples: · Interrupting someone while they are speaking. · Making a joke that offends someone without realizing it. · Cutting in line without saying “excuse me.” What helps? Gentle correction, modeling kindness, and practicing empathy usually turn these situations into learning moments. ---
2. Mean Definition: Being mean is when someone says or does something with the intention to hurt another person’s feelings, embarrass them, or put them down. It’s often a reaction to anger, jealousy, or frustration—but still a choice. Examples: · Calling someone an unkind name. · Making fun of someone’s appearance on purpose. · Deliberately excluding a friend from a game. What helps? Mean behavior should be addressed directly. Apologies, repairing relationships, and teaching conflict resolution are key.
3. Bullying Definition: Bullying is repeated, intentional harm—physical, verbal, or social—where there is a power imbalance. It’s not a one-time argument or an occasional unkind comment; it’s a pattern that can make someone feel unsafe at school. Examples: · Repeatedly spreading rumors to damage someone’s reputation. · Consistently pushing, shoving, or intimidating someone. · Targeting a younger or less confident student with ongoing insults. What helps? Bullying requires immediate adult intervention, clear consequences, and ongoing support for both the target and the student engaging in bullying behavior.
Why this matters When students and families understand the difference between these behaviors, we can respond appropriately and teach skills that prevent problems from escalating. One of our goals is to help students grow into respectful, compassionate, and responsible members of our school community. ---
If you or your child witnesses behavior that feels like bullying, please report it right away. Together, we can ensure our school stays a safe place for everyone to learn and thrive. Have the best month! SRO Dave Wilson
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News from the Health Office
Hello Riffenburgh families, As we head into our winter months, when hats and gloves are worn outside, this is the time of year when we often see an increase in head lice due to the sharing of hats and coats. Please send your child with their own coat and hat so we can limit the sharing of outdoor clothing. If you have any questions or would like additional support, please don’t hesitate to contact the school health office. We’re happy to help! Thank you so much, Kelley-School RN
Additional information from the Health Office
As we enter Winter seasons, we often see increased illnesses in our students. Just a friendly reminder, please do not send your child to school if they are feeling ill. Several symptoms such as Diarrhea, Vomiting, Fever of 100.4 or greater, Flu-like symptoms, and Respiratory viruses are reasons for students to stay home, and they may not return to school until 24 hours after their last symptom and without using fever-reducing medications.
Any medications, whether prescription or over the counter, that your student may need at school must have a signed order from your doctor, this includes cough drops, ointments & eye drops. We have been seeing several cough drops at school and medications in backpacks.
Please reach out to the Health Office, 970-488-7941, with any questions.
Thank you for keeping all of our students healthy & safe.
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Volunteering at Riffenburgh
If you plan on Volunteering at Rifenburgh, you must register or check that your status is current with Poudre School District (PSD) thru the following portal (renewals are every 3 years) before you come to school.
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District Menu
Nutrislice is updated by our district nutrition team each day, the links below will be the most reliable source for daily options.