We’re growing, expanding and using new methods! Find out more about what is coming for the 2022-23 school year.
Virtual Independent Study Program
Find out more about the District’s Virtual Independent Study Program.
Facilities
Find relevant information related to all our school campuses and District buildings and grounds.
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Students
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Faculty & Staff
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Indoor Teaching Spaces
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Acres of Outdoor Spaces
S.T.E.A.M. Learning
S.T.E.A.M. learning focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics. The Rio School District has been engaged in S.T.E.A.M. learning for the last 10 years, including building a new school specifically focused on STEAM learning models and implementation.
Science learning in the past has often been de-contextualized and relegated to text book work. We think Science learning needs to include doing science, learning the history of science, developing an Inquiry Lens for life, and learning to use scientific perspectives for life-long problem solving.
Technology attracts and engages learners. It can provide rich and speedy feedback. It too needs to be contextualized and “historicalized.” It needs to be put into the service of problem solving at local and global levels. It needs to break down institutional barriers to learning. It needs to empower learners. It needs to take into consideration the story of the Luddites.
Engineering is a great and under-exposed field for young learners. It helps solve problems. It’s all about design, form, and function. Its about the applied use of math/science, design, and technology which addresses the relevance of learning.
Arts are about being human. We need to allow and teach learners to create art. Art leads to other things. Art separates man from beast. Art is often under-taught and usually includes the misconception that to be good at the arts it is all about what talent you are born with rather than what you learn and how hard you work. The same is true for mathematics.
Mathematics is rarely taught in context. Learners need to see math in action, to see the beauty and creativity in math work and to develop the right balance of procedural and conceptual understanding. STEAM learning engages the math learner in their development as speakers of the universal language of math which is perhaps, the universal language of the universe or at least, the human mind.
Superintendent Message
Greetings Rio Families and Community Members,
Rio’s 2022 summer programs are coming to an end and the 2022/23 school year is approaching. The first day of school for students is Tuesday – August 23, 2022. Thanks and appreciation go out to all the teachers and support staff who worked this summer to support literacy development and enrichment learning for more than a thousand students.
The coming 2022/23 school year will once again focus on how Rio students are learning and what learning outcomes they achieve. In these covid times, many aspects of student life have been challenged and barriered. First and foremost, we want to assure every child and parent that students are learning well and experiencing excellent learning environments and learning processes so they can achieve the literacy levels state schools demand as well as building interest and responsibility for their own learning. This is a triangular equation for children that connects three points – the child – the family – and the school. When we work together well, students will progress in their learning and ultimately achieve the literacy levels of demand required by California schools in order to pass classes, graduate high school, and qualify for college entrance.
In the coming 2022/23 school year we will continue to focus on creating learning environments that allow children, staff, and families to feel safe and to know the District is concerned and working on holistic well-being as we focus on student learning. Among the elements of a student’s socio-emotional well being is their confidence and status as a learner at school. When children know they can learn, want to learn and are aware of what they learn and achieve at school, this builds confidence and wellbeing in terms of seeing themselves and building their identity as students and people.
Student safety and covid19 prevention and carefulness will continue to be part of the school’s planning and day to day work.
This year we look to find more and innovative ways for parents to engage with schools and the school District. Parents are a key part of the previously mentioned triangle. We look forward to connecting with parents live, online, and in other ways such that we can grow our connections stronger and more positively focused on student well being and learning. We look forward to the school year ahead and to reconnecting with all our Rio families.
John Puglisi, Ph.D.
Superintendent – Rio School District
“Learning Excellence for All”
Parent Resources
ParentSquare App
The ParentSquare app and website offers a streamlined way for you to; get alerts, contact teachers and principals,sign up for opportunities, complete forms, RSVP for events, make payments, and more.
Parent Connection
ParentConnect is the district’s web-based access to our student information system. With this web-based portal, parents can check their students’ attendance, health and discipline records, standardized testing results, classroom assignments, cafeteria information, and more.
Special Projects & Events
Rio School District provides several special projects and events that help mold the young minds. These projects cover a variety of subjects and usually include hands-on real life learning opportunities.
Stakeholder Engagement
Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP)
Each district’s LCAP must be built around eight priority areas identified by the California Department of Education:
• Access to core services
• Implementation of Common Core State Standards
• Access to a broad course of study
• Student achievement
• Other student outcomes
• Student engagement
• Parent involvement
• School climate
Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO)
Expanded Learning Opportunities allow for the primary acquisition of knowledge and skills through instruction or study outside of the traditional classroom including, but not limited to: Independent study, Private instruction, Performing groups, Internships, Community service, Apprenticeships, and Online courses.
ELOs are an integral part of young people’s education, engaging them in year-round learning opportunities that prepare them for college, career, and life.
English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC)
The ELAC is responsible for the following tasks:
• Advising the principal and staff in the development of a site plan for English learners and assisting in the development of the school-wide needs assessment.
• Each ELAC shall have the opportunity to elect at least one member to the District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC).
• The parents or guardians of English learners elect the parent members of ELAC and receive the opportunity to vote in the election.
Creative Arts
This section of the webpages connect viewers with District arts programs and opportunities.
Robotics
This section of the District web pages connects viewers to information related to 21st century learning technologies used by learners, staff, and community. Rio Robotics is a course in Robotics, which utilizes Lego Mindstorms EV3 kits.
Engaged Learning
This section of the District webpages connects viewers to examples of “active” learning. The Rio School District emphasizes hands-on and minds-on inquiry based learning that connects, engages, and develops literacies for every learner.
