PSESD Sets New Hearing Date for Boundary Petition
After nearly two months of uncertainty, the regional hearing addressing the boundary adjustment petition between Riverview School District and Lake Washington School District has been officially rescheduled. The Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD) announced the new hearing date for April 29, 2025, at 6 p.m. The hearing will take place at the PSESD offices in Renton, with a continuation date set for May 6, 2025, at 6 p.m., if necessary. Originally scheduled for March 6, the hearing was postponed due to staffing changes within the regional oversight committee, notably following the resignation of the committee's chair, who accepted a leadership position in another school district. The departure resulted in three critical vacancies, raising concerns from Riverview School District about the potential impact on the integrity and fairness of the decision-making process. Justin Lanting, Director of School Finance with PSESD, addressed the delay, emphasizing the importance of a fully staffed committee to ensure an impartial and thorough evaluation of the boundary petition. “We appreciate the community’s patience as we worked diligently to recruit and appoint new committee members,” Lanting said. "Ensuring that the committee is fully staffed was essential to uphold transparency and effectiveness in this important decision-making process." PSESD also confirmed that community members who previously registered to provide oral comments do not need to re-register. Those individuals will receive confirmation emails verifying their place on the speakers' list for the newly scheduled hearing. Additionally, a link to sign up for public comment has been updated on the agenda to accommodate any further interest from the community. In preparation for the hearing, PSESD will distribute electronic copies of informational binders to committee members, who will also receive physical copies by mail ahead of the scheduled hearing date. Riverview School District officials continue to encourage active community engagement and advise residents to visit the district’s boundary issue webpage for the most current updates and comprehensive background information on this critical community issue. For the latest updates and information, please visit Riverview's Boundary Petition website.
Filing Deadline for School Board Elections Fast Approaches
As the Riverview School District continues long-term planning and setting it's course toward the future, the upcoming school board elections offer community members an exceptional opportunity to actively influence that journey. The district is inviting local residents to consider serving on its Board of Directors, emphasizing the critical importance board members hold in shaping educational policy, vision, and academic excellence at Riverview.
As a Board member you will play a critical role in setting the district’s direction, amplifying community voices and advancing Riverview toward becoming one of Washington state’s top school districts. Composed of five elected positions, the board is responsible for decisions that directly shape district policies, guide academic priorities and oversee strategic initiatives to achieve district goals. Board members also manage fiscal accountability, allocate district resources, and select and evaluate the superintendent, ensuring every student receives high-quality educational experiences aligned with community values.
Why be a Board Member?
Influence Educational Policy: Board members set the vision, mission, and strategic goals for the district, directly affecting student learning outcomes.
Represent Community Interests: As elected officials, board members serve as liaisons between the school district and the community, ensuring that diverse perspectives are considered in decision-making processes.
Oversee Fiscal Responsibility: Board members adopt and oversee the district's budget, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to meet educational objectives.
Term Lengths and Duties
In Washington State, school board members typically serve four-year terms. Their primary responsibilities include:
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Hiring and Evaluating the Superintendent: The board selects and assesses the superintendent, who manages daily district operations.
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Policy Development: Board members review, revise, and adopt policies that govern the district's operations.
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Budget Approval: They establish and oversee the district's budget to ensure financial stability and alignment with educational goals.
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Community Engagement: Board members act as representatives of the community, facilitating communication between the district and its stakeholders.
Prospective candidates should be aware of the following steps and deadlines:
Eligibility: Candidates must be registered voters residing within the Riverview School District boundaries.
Filing for Candidacy: The filing period typically occurs in May, two weeks before Memorial Day. For the 2025 election cycle, this period is expected to be from May 12 to May 16. Candidates must submit a Declaration of Candidacy to the King County Elections Office during this window.
Primary Election: If more than two candidates file for a position, a primary election will be held on August 5, 2025, to narrow the field to two candidates.
General Election: The general election is scheduled for November 4, 2025. Elected board members will assume office at the first board meeting following the certification of election results.
Financial Disclosure: Candidates are required to file financial disclosure statements and report all campaign finances to the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission.
Time Commitment and Meetings:
Board members are expected to attend regular meetings, typically held twice a month, along with special sessions as needed. Additionally, members should allocate time for reviewing meeting materials, participating in school visits, and engaging in community events.
Resources for Prospective Candidates
The Washington State School Directors' Association (WSSDA) offers resources and workshops for individuals considering board service. These sessions provide insights into the roles and responsibilities of school directors and offer guidance on effective governance.
Serving on the Riverview School District Board of Directors is a significant commitment that plays a crucial role in shaping the educational experiences of local students. Community members with a passion for education and civic engagement are encouraged to explore this rewarding opportunity.
For more information, visit the Riverview School District's official website or contact the King County Elections Office. For information on being a school board member, please visit the Washington State School Directors Association website.
Riverview Set to Launch New and Secure Photo Sharing Platform
Riverview School District’s IT department is making significant strides in enhancing student privacy and community engagement with the integration of Vidigami, a photo management system tailored for schools. The initiative aims to provide a secure platform for sharing and celebrating school memories. Vidigami is set to become a central part of the Riverview community’s digital experience, with final adjustments currently being made by the district’s IT team and invites for families to the platform being delivered in the upcoming days. The app is designed specifically with privacy at the forefront, ensuring that all content is safely managed and accessible only to authorized members of the school community. “The introduction of Vidigami is a game-changer in how we handle photos and videos within our schools,” said Riverview's IT Director, Chris Collins. “It allows us to keep these memories within a secure environment while engaging our students and their families in a meaningful way.” Vidigami is unique because it becomes more effective as more people participate. It relies on the contributions of students, teachers, and parents to populate its galleries, making it a rich repository of the school’s vibrant life. The system tags and organizes images, making them easy to find and share within the approved community, all while strictly adhering to student privacy guidelines. The school district will soon be sending out links to students, parents, and staff so they can start using Vidigami. “This isn’t just about storing photos; it’s about building a community archive that grows and evolves with our students,” added Collins. “Vidigami provides a platform where school events, daily activities, and special milestones are preserved safely and securely.” Families are encouraged to look out for the vidigami link in their email inboxes so you can get started contributing!
First-Graders Transform Schoolyard into Outdoor Science Lab
First-grade students at Cherry Valley Elementary have transformed their schoolyard into a living science lab as part of their "Plants and Insects" Life Science curriculum, highlighting the growing emphasis on outdoor education in the Riverview School District. Collaborating with the Pacific Education Institute, teachers developed engaging FieldSTEM activities designed to enrich the students' understanding of plants and insects through hands-on observations and interactions within their natural environment. FieldSTEM integrates science, technology, engineering, and mathematics with outdoor education, giving students real-world scientific experiences. Guided by their teachers, the budding young scientists have been exploring plant growth both inside their classrooms and in the schoolyard. The student scientists observed seeds, sketched plants and documented their findings around flowerbeds and playground areas. These outdoor expeditions have enabled students to connect directly with local resources, including nearby farms and nurseries, further enhancing their community ties and understanding of regional ecosystems. Beyond the academic enrichment, the outdoor lessons provide additional benefits, including increased physical activity, enhanced observational skills, and a deeper appreciation for the environment. As Cherry Valley first-graders continue to explore and document their findings, the schoolyard habitat remains a vibrant classroom, nurturing not just plants and insects, but the next generation of local scientists and environmental stewards.
Cherry Valley Celebrates Super Readers!
Excitement filled the air this week at Cherry Valley Elementary School. Students, staff, and administrators lined the hallways to celebrate a festive parade honoring the school's newest class of Kindergarten Super Readers. This special event, a vibrant showcase of early literacy achievements, marked an important milestone for the young students at the heart of the celebration. The Super Reader parade not only celebrates the achievements of its students but also reinforces Riverview's commitment to academic excellence and community spirit.
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Riverview Receives New Guidance on Conjunctivitis Management
Riverview School District recently received new state guidance on managing conjunctivitis, or pinkeye, a common eye infection among children that causes inflammation of the thin, clear lining inside the eyelid and on the white area of the eye. With this new guidance, the district is taking steps to educate parents and staff on effective prevention and management strategies. Understanding Conjunctivitis Conjunctivitis can be triggered by bacteria, viruses, allergens like pet dander and dust mites, or chemical irritants. Bacterial conjunctivitis is notably more prevalent from December through April and tends to affect older infants and children more frequently than its viral counterpart. Symptoms vary: bacterial infections often result in red or pink, itchy, and painful eyes with green or yellow discharge, whereas viral infections may cause pink, swollen, watery eyes and light sensitivity, often accompanied by cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, and earache. Transmission and Diagnosis The infection spreads through direct contact with contaminated hands or objects, or through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing. Personal items like towels, makeup, and glasses that come into close contact with the eyes can also harbor the pathogens. Diagnosis is typically confirmed by a healthcare provider through a visual examination of the affected eyes. Preventative Measures To curb the spread of conjunctivitis within schools, the district recommends stringent hygiene practices. These include frequent hand washing for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when soap and water are unavailable. Additional recommendations involve covering the mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, avoiding touching the face, and thoroughly cleaning frequently touched surfaces. The district also advises against the sharing of personal items that come in close contact with the eyes. Does my child need to stay home from school if they have conjunctivitis? No. Children who have been exposed to, or have been diagnosed with, conjunctivitis can continue to attend school unless: They have a fever (temperature of 100.4⁰F [38ºC] or higher) along with other viral conjunctivitis symptoms (runny nose, sore throat, earache). They do not feel well enough to participate in normal school activities The child cannot avoid close contact with others The local health jurisdiction or child’s health care provider recommends exclusion.
PTSA Council, Summer Resource Fair Continues to be a Community Hit
The excitement of summer arrived early at the Riverview School District's annual Summer Program Fair, as hundreds of community members turned out Saturday at the RSD Education Resource Center, filling the halls with fun, laughter, and an energized community spirit. Organized by the Riverview PTSA Council, the fair once again proved to be a major draw, attracting families eager to discover the wide array of summer activities available locally. From interactive booths showcasing arts and crafts and engaging science camps to dynamic sports clinics, there was truly something for every young learner and their families. Guests were treated to numerous free activities throughout the day, including friendship bracelet making, coloring stations, and popular temporary tattoos. The festive atmosphere was complemented by the tempting aroma of hot dog lunches and the sweet offerings from Sugar+Spoon’s edible cookie dough stand, keeping smiles on faces of all ages. One of the highlights of the event was the much One of the highlights of the event was the muchanticipated door prize drawing. Prizes, generously provided by local organizations, featured exciting items such as complimentary camp sessions, discounted camp rates, toys, gift certificates gift certificates, and tickets to Mariners baseball games. Adding an especially unique twist to the event, one lucky child won the honorable prize of becoming "Mayor of Carnation for a Day." Additionally, the fair marked the kickoff of the Riverview PTSA Council’s "A Day at the Ballpark" Mariners ticket presale, providing baseball enthusiasts with an early opportunity to secure tickets for the upcoming season. As the fair concluded, organizers and participants alike expressed gratitude for the community’s overwhelming support, noting the event's success in showcasing local opportunities and fostering connections that will carry on throughout the summer months. Summer might still be a few months away, but the Riverview School District community is clearly ready and excited, thanks to this fantastic kickoff event.
Riverview School District Pilots New Reading and ELA Materials
Riverview School District has embarked on an exciting initiative this spring, piloting new reading and English Language Arts (ELA) materials for students in grades 3 through 5. The materials, developed by Benchmark Advance, are currently undergoing a field test that began in early March and will extend through late April.
Riverview Launches Major Network Overhaul to Educational Technology
Riverview School District is forging ahead with a comprehensive network redesign project, an ambitious upgrade aimed at enhancing the educational technology framework across all its campuses. This major initiative is made possible through a blend of Federal E-Rate funding and the district's own Technology Levy funds.
Riverview Students Invited to Microsoft HQ for AI Deep Dive
As part of a growing collaboration between Microsoft and the Riverview School District, members of the district's Artificial Intelligence (AI) Student Advisory Committee were invited to Microsoft's global headquarters in Redmond, Washington, this week. The visit provided an invaluable opportunity for these students to engage directly with some of the world's leading AI and technology experts, as they delved into AI's complexities and vast potential.
Riverview Set to Launch New and Secure Photo Sharing Platform
Riverview School District’s IT department is making significant strides in enhancing student privacy and community engagement with the integration of Vidigami, a photo management system tailored for schools. The initiative aims to provide a secure platform for sharing and celebrating school memories.
