Teachers and staff are teaming up Nov. 20 to provide a parent night for families of Hispanic students. Because Spanish-speaking families from the area can feel alienated by meetings held in English, the school hopes to provide essential information to the families of the school's 260 Hispanic students.
    A bus will depart Willowdale shopping center at 5:30 to transport any families not coming directly to the school. Dinner for families will begin at the school at 6 p.m., and parents can meet and greet each other beginning at 6:45. A separate meeting for students, along with a youth room with games and activities for kids, will also open at 6:45.
    English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher Paul Keene emphasized that the Parent Night is for all Hispanic students and their families, not just those students enrolled in ESL. "It's more about total information about the school," Keene said. "ESL is a part of that, but we want to make sure parents know about important issues, college opportunities, gang awareness, and how to communicate with the school."

An informational meeting was held for the parents of sophomores and juniors that covered the PSAT's, graduation requirements, and the graduation project on Thurs., Oct 9.
    Guidance counselors Gwen Roulhac, Jewel Jeffreys, Ruth Reid-Coleman, and Bob Everhart lead the meeting.  Jeffreys gave all the parents a copy of a transcript to help parents better navigate the maze of information.
    Everhart talked about the importance of rigorous course selection and extracurricular activities.  “We want our students to be fully challenged but not overwhelmed,” Everhart said.
    With the cafeteria filled with nearly 90 people, the guidance department was very happy with the turnout.  The parents were very engaged and asked lots of questions about the tests. 
    “I think we were successful in telling parents everything they needed to know about the test,” Everhart said. 
    All sophomore and juniors will be participating in the PSAT on Wed., Oct 15.  
By Lillie Hart
 

Parents, teachers, and students all flocked to the Riverside PTSA kick-off meeting to brainstorm ideas for the new school year. The PTSA, an association made to help out the school discussed many issues in the meeting such as fundraisers, contests, and financial topics. 

    Students in grades 9 though 11 will register for next year's classes during a 40-minute homeroom period this Wednesday, March 12. Homeroom teachers will explain the signup process and walk each class through their schedule choices.
    Students will begin by copying their current transcripts and filling out registration cards for the 2008-2009 school year. Each student must choose eight classes with three alternates, which are typically electives according to counselor Tarica May.
    "You'll get all of your English, your math, and your science classes because those you have to have," May said. In the case that electives fill up, May said, students will be given some of their alternate classes.