Reminders for Sharing the Road with a School Bus:
Now that River Ridge is back in school after summer vacation, school buses are back on the road. School buses are the safest vehicle to carry children to and from school according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), even safer than in your car. The most dangerous part of the bus ride for children is getting on and off of the school bus. In fact, the loading and unloading area of a school bus is called the “Danger Zone,” a 10-foot area on any side of the bus where the bus driver may not see a child. More children and pedestrians are injured or killed near or outside of a school bus because a motorist didn’t obey the bus stop-arm warning or follow local traffic laws. It’s Illegal to pass a school bus with its red stop-arm extended while loading or unloading children in Illinois. BUS WARNING When you see flashing yellow lights that means the school bus driver is getting ready to stop to load or unload students, so slow down and be prepared to stop. The bus driver will activate the red flashing lights and extend the stop arm to show the bus has stopped, then students will be getting on or off the bus. LAWS Two-lane roadway: If a school bus traveling on a two-lane roadway stops to drop off children, vehicles in all lanes of traffic must stop at least 20 feet away from the school bus to give students time to safely cross the roadway. One way roadway: All lanes of traffic are required to stop when a school bus stops to load or unload students on a one-way road. This applies regardless of the number of lanes.
Railroad Crossings: School buses are required by state law to stop for all railroad crossings. The driver will activate the hazard warning lights as they determine if it’s safe to cross. You can drive by the bus if you’re approaching it from the front; but if you are behind it, you cannot pass if the bus is within 100 feet of a railroad crossing. You should also leave plenty of room between your vehicle and the bus in case it has to back up or maneuver in case of an emergency. PENALTIES The penalties for illegally passing a school bus are a mandatory minimum fine of $300 and the suspension of your driver’s license for 3 months. A second offense or conviction within five years will get you a mandatory minimum fine of $1,000 and a one-year suspension of your driver’s license. The offense is not criminal, but it can reportedly affect your insurance premiums. RESUMING After stopping, motorists can resume driving once the bus resumes traveling, the flashing lights are turned off and the stop arm is no longer extended, or the bus driver signals the motorist to go ahead. Please keep in mind that children can become easily distracted and may start to cross the street without warning. Many kids are not capable of judging the speed or distance of a vehicle and expect vehicles to stop for them at a bus stop; so be sure to use extra caution when driving
River Ridge HS Volleyball starts the season tonight (8/22) at home vs Milledgeville .
Freshman game starts at 5:00, JV game starts at 6:00 with the varsity to follow.
Football practice update:
Due to the weather forecast this week for extreme heat warnings, we will be adjusting practice this week.
Monday – regular 3:30 practice
Tuesday – 6:00-7:30am
Wednesday – 6:00-7:30 am
Thursday – 6:00-7:30am
We will be in full gear as normal during these times. Be dressed and on the field for the beginning of practice time. I am at school at 5:30 everyday.
If you need a ride reach out to a driving upperclassman.
Its game week!!! Go Cats!
It's been a great first week of school in Elementary! Kindergarten students ate lunch in the cafeteria for the first time this week and they had help from their fifth grade Lunch Buddies. Kindergarten learned about the expectations for the cafeteria and Fifth grade were wonderful role models and helpers as the little ones learned to manage their trays. Great job, students!
RIVER RIDGE FALL SPORTS STORES CLOSING MONDAY! https://riverridgefb23.itemorder.com/
https://riverridgevb23.itemorder.com/ https://riverridgescalesmoundgolf2023.itemorder.com/
There's only 1 more day to get those Wildcat apparel orders in! 🙀 Adult and youth sizes are available. Remember to choose pick-up (not delivery) if you want them sent home with your student. Go Cats Go! 😻
Students from Mr. Dickerson's eighth hour English II class test out the new book vending machine in the commons! From left, Berkeley Mensendike, Ava Ketelsen, Sarah Winter, Kaci Patterson, Sawyer Fry, Gracie Schnitzler, and Elaina Doms.
Attn: MS VB & FB players!
You MUST have a sport physical on file to play. 6th grade school physical counts as sport physical. Get them turned into Nurse Lisa ASAP!!
Greetings from the River Ridge Middle School and High School ELA teachers, Mr. Havens, Mrs. Holcomb, Mr. Dickerson, and Mrs. M! Happy first day, everyone!
Join the band! 5th grade instrument rental night is August 30th at 6 PM! West Music will be here so you can sign up to rent an instrument. If you have any questions please contact Mr. Dickman at 815-858-9005x225 or by email at jdickman@riverridge210.org. If you have an older student that would like to start band please feel free to attend as well!
The River Ridge Middle School Volleyball apparel store is now open!
The online store will be open until 8/24. If you have any questions, please ask Coach Winders or Coach Holcomb.
https://seeitsigns-apparel.myshopify.com/collections/river-ridge-middle-school-volleyball-apparel
Good Morning from the class of 2024!
Congratulation RRSM golf on winning the Eastland/M'ville invitational today!
RIVER RIDGE FALL SPORTS STORES ARE NOW OPEN!!!
https://riverridgefb23.itemorder.com/
https://riverridgevb23.itemorder.com/
https://riverridgescalesmoundgolf2023.itemorder.com/
The middle schoolers had a spectacular time at their back to school pool party! It was great to see all of their smiling faces and awesome diving board skills! 😎
The 2023 River Ridge Apparel Order is OPEN!! The store closes next Friday, August 18. Adult and youth sizes are available. Support your wildcats in style! NOTE: Choose pick-up for delivery to the school to be sent home with your student.
https://tinyurl.com/RR210store2023
Elementary (PreK-5) Meet the Teacher Night is coming up fast! Tuesday, August 15 5:00-7:00 p.m. Come meet the teacher, drop off school supplies and head out to the playground for a hot dog and some Wildcat community! Last minute hair cuts will be available for a limited number of students. If you'd like to reserve one for your child, call the school as soon as possible.
Cross Country Team Store is open:
https://1800tshirts.chipply.com/crosscountry2023/
New Family Registration
Aug 3 and 4 9:00a-2:00p
River Ridge Commons
Current River Ridge families who have not yet registered can also register in person on Aug 3 and Aug 4. This is a great way to get in person assistance if online registration isn't your thing.
Reminder: ALL athletes must have a current sports physical on file at school BEFORE starting practice 8/7/23. Completed physicals can be turned into the office, the coach, or emailed to Nurse Haas at lhaas@riverridge210.org