Dear Bear Families,

Welcome to another great year at Riverdahl Elementary School As your Parent Liaison,
my job is to help build a strong home to school connection and assist you in obtaining
the resources necessary to ensure your student’s academic and social success. I am
happy to help you get involved and navigate your path through the Rockford Public
School system. All of our conversations are strictly confidential so do not hesitate to
contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.
We want all of our parents to feel at home at Riverdahl Elementary School and
encourage you to be active in our school community. There are opportunities for
everyone, no matter your schedule. Consider:
Volunteer opportunities in your child’s classroom – many teachers even have projects
that can be done from home;
Getting involved with the PTO; assist with or attend an event with your child;
Becoming a Watch Dog Dad - spend a day behind the scenes at Riverdahl Elementary
School and/or assist with special projects around school;
Having lunch with your child and put faces to those names you hear so much about.
Most of all, stay informed! Check your child’s backpack regularly for important
information. The school website is updated regularly with information on events and
activities around school. You can contact the main office if you need assistance with
your login information.

From time to time, families find themselves in need of resources at school and
beyond. It is my goal to assist our families in meeting these needs while maintaining
complete confidentiality. If you are a family who anticipates needing assistance of any
kind this year, please complete the attached form and return to school in a sealed
envelope to the attention of Melvin James, Parent Liaison. You may contact me any
time during the school year as needs arise. We ask that families complete a new form
each school year as situations can change. Please understand that it is not a guarantee
that we can meet every need, but we will do our very best!
Riverdahl Elementary School Family Assistance Information 2019-2020
Please provide information for all children in the household (including children not yet in
school or those attending other schools) to help us better assist your family

Parent
Name(s) ______________________________________________________________
Child’s
Name(s)_________________________________Grade/School __________________
________________________________________Grade/School__________________
-
________________________________________Grade/School __________________
________________________________________Grade/School __________________

Preferred method of communication:

Phone____________________________ Email ___________________________

Do you require an interpreter? _____NO _____YES Preferred

language: ________________

Please read the following information about our Family Assistance Program and
complete the other side:
This list gives examples of various forms of assistance available.
Please contact us for any needs not listed.
Our goal is to help families meet their needs by referring them to existing resources. We
maintain an extensive list of these resources.
Select what you anticipate needing and we will inform you as we learn of availability.
Remember this is for a need, not convenience.
Please understand that this is not a guarantee that services can be provided.
During the year, please let us know if your circumstances change and you no longer
need our assistance.
All information is strictly confidential
I understand the above guidelines.

Signed _____________________________________________ Date ______________

Please check any services for which you would like assistance this school year. All
information is confidential.

Food
___Free and Reduced Breakfast and Lunch Program (Apply at Rps205.com)
Do you need a paper copy of the application? Yes/No (circle one)
Are you interested in information on additional benefits of the Free and Reduced
Breakfast and Lunch program? Yes/No (circle one)
___Weekends (Backpack Buddies)
___Thanksgiving
___Winter and Spring Breaks
___Summer (Nearest Title 1 School with free & reduced lunch)

Clothing
___ Gently worn or New
___ Winter Coats
___ Diapers

Medical
___Medical care for adults
___Medical care for children
___Vision and glasses for children
___Dental for adults
___Dental for children
School
___School Supplies
___School Fees (e.g., field trips)
___Children’s Books
___Picture Voucher
___School Yearbook (5thgrade only)

Holiday Gifts

Other needs. Please indicate your

need. ________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
resources for these and other needs. Please talk to us.
Upon receipt of your completed form I will contact you to obtain any additional
information needed to fulfill your requests.
Translation available through the Riverdahl Elementary School website or by Request
Family Assistance Survey 2019-2020