Riverside Christian School Handbook
I. Introductory Information
Principals' Message
Welcome to Riverside Christian School. It is our desire to serve you as a partner in educating your children.
We are committed to a worldview based on the principles of the only written inspired Word of God, the Holy Bible. We are also committed to providing a Christ-centered, excellent, academic program dealing with the whole person -- physical, mental, and spiritual. The central focus of all that occurs here is God's Word. Its moral and spiritual values are interwoven throughout the academic program. The board, faculty and staff serve as Christian role models and are known for their personal care for the individual student.
This handbook has been provided for your information and convenience. Its purpose is to help you understand the policies and procedures by which we function. Please take time to read and understand the contents. Referring to this handbook when you have a question will often provide you with the answer. However, if you need clarification or further help, please contact the school office.
If we can serve you in any way, please do not hesitate to let us know.
Mr. Randy Reynolds, Elementary Principal
Mr. Rick Van Beek, Secondary Principal/Administrator
Statement of Core Values
We believe the following objectives and expectations can provide the best educational experience as well as an ideal environment for personal growth and maturity for all students here at Riverside Christian School:- Understanding life’s purposes.
- Setting personally held beliefs and standards based on God's Word.
- Transforming biblically based convictions into everyday reality
- Knowledge and training in Christ-like attitudes, values, principles, and conduct.
- A nurturing Christian community wherein student’s growth will thrive.
- An atmosphere conducive to learning.
- A faculty committed to help each individual student reach full potential.
- Activities that enrich and develop Christian character within the student body.
Mission Statement
- God has given parents the ultimate responsibility for the training and education of their children (Deut. 6).
- They are joined and assisted by school personnel and local church workers.
- Parents are held accountable for whom they place in this surrogate role and for what their children are taught (II Corinthians 2:14; Luke 6:40).
- RCS is committed to providing quality education with Jesus Christ at its center.
We believe that Riverside Christian School's responsibility must begin with a concern for a student's personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is our desire to lead students to both knowledge and the experience of rich plateaus in their Christian faith…
- by guiding them to explore and understand life's purpose.
- by challenging them to set personally held beliefs and standards based on God's Word.
- by transforming their biblically based convictions into everyday reality.
- by providing knowledge and training in Christ-like attitudes, values and principles which can be applied to any situation or circumstance.
RCS is grounded in two basic educational goals stemming from Christ's mandate to:
first, "…love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul,
with all your mind, and with all your strength," and
second, to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:30, 31).
High academic standards in an environment conducive to learning, coupled with a faculty committed to helping each student reach full potential, characterize the RCS classroom.
Riverside Christian School, in its spiritual objectives, seeks to develop in students:- a Christ-like character and attitude toward God, and
- a Christ-like response to others.
The RCS program is committed to encouraging Christian community, according to biblical guidelines, through instruction, personal counseling and Christ-honoring lifestyles.
The ultimate goal is the development of students prepared, both academically and spiritually, to serve the world through their character and leadership.
History
Riverside Christian School was begun in 1973 as a ministry of West Side Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Hal Campbell. Its original name was West Side Christian School. The school enrolled 35 students in its first year and has since grown to an enrollment of approximately 500. Because of the broad base of interest and projected future expansion, RCS has become an independent corporation, true to its heritage and committed to serving the whole Christian community. In the spring of 2007, RCS became fully accredited with the Association of Christian Schools International. While much has changed since those humble beginnings, the overall mission of the school has remained the same – to assist parents in the education and training of their children, emphasizing spiritual growth and academic excellence.
Traditions
Over the years, God has been especially gracious in establishing and maintaining an atmosphere in our school that some have compared to a large, caring family. Students, faculty and staff that truly love one another create an educational environment that provides encouragement and requires accountability. It is our desire to practice the admonition to "Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2 NKJV)
There are annual traditions that help make Riverside Christian Elementary School unique. Most grade levels enjoy one major field trip or activity each year that is unique to that grade. Each grade is involved in a variety of other field trips throughout the year, as well. Each of these trips is generally an extension of the regular curriculum.
Other traditions at Riverside Christian School include community service projects at each grade level, all-school Praise Chapel at Thanksgiving, two major musical-drama productions each year, an all-day Creative Writing Day and open house, weekly chapels, swimming or skating parties to celebrate the end of each semester, junior high and senior high retreats, 8th grade East Coast colonial tour, "tolo", homecoming and senior trip.
Meet Our Faculty
Elementary
| Elementary Principal | Mr. Randy Reynolds B.A.—Central Washington University |
| Vice Principal Curriculum & Staff Development |
Mrs. Wendy Schmidt B.A.—Washington State University M.Ed.—Heritage University |
| Preschool & Pre-kindergarten | Tori Cunnington B.A.— Central Washington University |
| Kindergarten | Mrs. Tammie Lenz B.A.— Central Washington University |
| First Grade | Miss Andrea Barthol B.A.— Prairie Bible College M.I.T.— Heritage University |
| First Grade | Mrs. Betsy Guernsey B.A.—Central Washington University |
| Second Grade | Mrs. Beth Cooper B.S.—Ouachita Baptist University |
| Second Grade | Mrs. Jill Scarlett B.A.— Eastern Washington University |
| Third Grade | Mrs. Judy Charlet B.A.—Central Washington University |
| Third Grade | Mrs. Dawn Riel B.A.— Central Washington University |
| Fourth Grade | Mrs. Amy Bradford B.A.—Central Washington University M.Ed.—Central Washington University |
| Fourth Grade | Mr. Ken Yager B.A.—Central Washington University |
| Fifth Grade | Miss Ginger McIlvanie B.A.—Whitworth College M.Ed.—Whitworth College |
| Fifth Grade | Mr. Gary Steingas B.A. University of Washington M.Ed.—Western Washington University |
| Sixth Grade | Mr. Michael Waldburger B.A.— Central Washington University |
| Sixth Grade | Mrs. Lolly Van Beek B.A.— Westmont College |
| Computer Science | Mrs. Kristin Westbay |
| Band | Miss Carol Mourey B.A.— Central Washington University |
| Music | Mr. Rod Eells B.A.— Simpson College El Instituto de Lengua Espanola, San Jose |
| Physical Education | Mr. Mike Emmans B.S.—Whitworth College |
| Art | Mrs. Karen Tranch B.A.— Northwest Nazarene College M.S.— University of Oregon |
Junior High
| Social Studies, Math, Drama Christian Service |
Mrs. Sara Bos B.S.—Whitworth College M.Ed.—Central Washington University |
| Mathematics Computer Science |
Mr. Dwight Brown B.A.— University of San Francisco Th.M.— Dallas Theological Seminary |
| Bible | Mr. Paul Coffman B.S.— Eastern Illinois University |
| Mathematics | Mr. Don Guintoli B.A.—Central Washington University M.A.—Heritage College |
| Bible | Mr. Tracy Golladay B.A.—Azusa Pacific University |
| Bible, English, Chapel, Home Economics |
Mrs. Laurie Horsley B.A.—Central Washington University M.A.—Central Washington University |
| Science | Mrs. Elizabeth Lawrence B.S.—Centenary College |
| Physical Education | Mr. Phil Pettit B.S.—Eastern Washington University B.A.—Central Washington University M.Ed.—Heritage College |
| English | Mrs. Kathy Walker B.S.—West Texas State University |
High School
| Principal | Mr. Rick Van Beek B.A.—Letourneau University M.A.—University of San Francisco |
| Vice-Principal, Athletic Director | Mr. Scott Wells B.A.—University of Washington M.A.—Heritage College |
| Mathematics | Mr. Irv Benson B.A.—Central Washington University M.A.—Central Washington University |
| Mathematics Computer Science |
Mr. Dwight Brown B.A.— University of San Francisco Th.M.— Dallas Theological Seminary |
| History Bible |
Mr. Paul Coffman B.S.— Eastern Illinois University |
| Spanish | Mrs. Jan Eells B.A.—Northwest College El Instituto de Lengua Espanola, San Jose |
| History | Mrs. Susan Emmans B.A.—Willamette University M.S.—Western Oregon University |
| Bible | Tracy Golladay B.A.— Azusa Pacific University |
| Mathematics Physical Education |
Mr. Don Giuntoli B.A.— Central Washington University M.A.– Heritage College |
| English | Miss Alex Fitterer B.A.—Gonzaga University |
| Bible, Spiritual Life, Christian Service |
Mr. Jim Herring B.A.— University of Northern Colorado M.A.— CA Graduate School of Theology |
| Science | Mrs. Julie Lambertson B.S.— Seattle Pacific University M.A.T.— University of Chicago |
| Science | Mrs. Elizabeth Lawrence B.S.— Centenary College |
| Physical Education | Mr. Phil Pettit B.S.—Eastern Washington University B.A.—Central Washington University M.Ed.—Heritage College |
| Art Christian Service |
Mrs. Karen Tranch B.A.—Northwest Nazarene College M.S.—University of Oregon |
| English Drama |
Mrs. Kathy Walker B.S.— West Texas State University |