FYI - 5th Grade Trip

I meant to add a note that we are aware that 5th graders are gone this
Friday into the evening hours for their field trip.  We will miss them, but
we've got a ton to do, so we'll carry on with 4th and 6th graders.  5th
graders, have a great trip!!

Ben

RK Update

Sorry I'm late in the week on this note...I was busy chucking snowballs at
my neighbors' kids...they thought they were tough until I taught them about
iceballs...the hard way.  HA!

No meetings Tuesday or Wednesday.  Hope you figured that out by now.

Thursday - there will be a benefit dinner planning session from 3:30 until
midnight (kidding - sort of) in the library conference room.  ALL River Kids
are welcome to attend whether they started on this committee or not...I've
told all the kids, but I keep running into some that still haven't gotten
that message.

I'd also like the singers to show up from 3:30-4:45 if possible.  We are set
to record this weekend and will need to go over a few songs...I'll have CDs
and lyric sheets for practice.  At the very least I'd like kids to swing by
and get the CD and lyrics.

Friday - Large Meeting
   - Mentoring Group will lead River Kids in an activity for all.

Saturday - Recording Session for the singers...we will need both kids that
are well practiced on the verses and kids who know the chorus and want to
sing only a little bit, so please make sure your River Kid is aware of this
opportunity...anyone may show up to be a back up singer on chorus...verses
will be sung by those kids that have shown up for practices.  Here's the
schedule for Saturday:

9:30am - Practice Session
10:30am - Curt and recording crew arrive and set up.  Curt will sit in on
some practice.
11:30 - Lunch - provided by RK
12:00pm - Recording Session Begins in theater -
   - Let the Rivers Run Wild (RK Original)
   - When the Rivers Run Dry (RK Original)
   - Everybody Needs a River (Curt's Song)
   - Roll On River (Betty Elder's song)
   - Medicine Wheel (Curt's Song)
4pm - Wrap-up

Parents are welcome to come watch or drop off and come back for pick up.  Up
to you.  Please pass all of this info along to your RK.  And please drop me
an email to let me know who's going to be there for sure.  I'll need to open
the doors for anyone who's coming, so I'll be watching for those that email
me.  Certainly call my cell if you arrive late - 314-680-9442.

Have a great rest of your week!  Watch out for iceballs.

Ben

RK On the News

Hey everyone!

Our Volkswagen Beetle project caught the eye of a news website!
Click here to view World News's article of the project.

RK Update

Hey All!

I know it's strange, but the first real river cleanups are finally popping
up.  This is the time of year when everyone starts announcing events and I
start inviting families to strap on the boots and head out to the river.

Before I start announcing events, please know that all river cleanups, as
with small group meetings, are indeed optional.  You need to decide what
your family can handle in your schedule.

In order to make it possible for your child to participate without you,
there will be a RK coordinator at announced cleanups (unless otherwise
posted).  As long as you communicate with the coordinator about dropping
your child off and a pick up time, you're set.  Of course, we love to see
whole families out there dragging huge sign posts, mattresses, bikes, and on
and on, out of the river.  We see this stuff as some good ol' fashioned
family fun.  If nothing else, it's fun to see your spouse knee deep in the
muck with mud streaks across the forehead...humbling experiences, these
river cleanups are.  Great photo opps too.

If you've never been to a cleanup, it's very easy to get involved.  Most
equipment, except the boots, is provided.  All you have to do is show up
with some energy.  Gloves, trash bags, water, and sometimes other goodies
are usually provided.  And if you would prefer to stay on the banks, there
are always places filled with trash that are accessible from dry land.  In
addition, honeysuckle removal is often tied into cleanups.

Kids of all ages are welcome to tag along to cleanups...in my experience,
children under 5 don't do so well at cleaning, but I've seen a couple
Kindergartners pull out more than their fair share before.  Just plan to be
close to these kids.

There are some safety issue related to cleaning rivers.  We coach the kids
well before allowing them into the rivers.  We've had wet/muddy kids come
back from a cleanup, but never had anyone hurt in 5 years.  So we (you) must
be doing something right.

Showers/handwashings are a MUST after a cleanup.  That may seem obvious to,
but I thought it worth a mention.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at bgriffiths@newcityschool.org.

We're looking forward to the first cleanup of the year...March 29 in U.
City.  I'll send details in a separate note.

Rock on!

Ben

RK Update

Hey All!

I know it's strange, but the first real river cleanups are finally popping
up.  This is the time of year when everyone starts announcing events and I
start inviting families to strap on the boots and head out to the river.

Before I start announcing events, please know that all river cleanups, as
with small group meetings, are indeed optional.  You need to decide what
your family can handle in your schedule.

In order to make it possible for your child to participate without you,
there will be a RK coordinator at announced cleanups (unless otherwise
posted).  As long as you communicate with the coordinator about dropping
your child off and a pick up time, you're set.  Of course, we love to see
whole families out there dragging huge sign posts, mattresses, bikes, and on
and on, out of the river.  We see this stuff as some good ol' fashioned
family fun.  If nothing else, it's fun to see your spouse knee deep in the
muck with mud streaks across the forehead...humbling experiences, these
river cleanups are.  Great photo opps too.

If you've never been to a cleanup, it's very easy to get involved.  Most
equipment, except the boots, is provided.  All you have to do is show up
with some energy.  Gloves, trash bags, water, and sometimes other goodies
are usually provided.  And if you would prefer to stay on the banks, there
are always places filled with trash that are accessible from dry land.  In
addition, honeysuckle removal is often tied into cleanups.

Kids of all ages are welcome to tag along to cleanups...in my experience,
children under 5 don't do so well at cleaning, but I've seen a couple
Kindergartners pull out more than their fair share before.  Just plan to be
close to these kids.

There are some safety issue related to cleaning rivers.  We coach the kids
well before allowing them into the rivers.  We've had wet/muddy kids come
back from a cleanup, but never had anyone hurt in 5 years.  So we (you) must
be doing something right.

Showers/handwashings are a MUST after a cleanup.  That may seem obvious to,
but I thought it worth a mention.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at bgriffiths@newcityschool.org.

We're looking forward to the first cleanup of the year...March 29 in U.
City.  I'll send details in a separate note.

Rock on!

Ben