River Valley School District
Engaging, Empowering and Elevating the Potential of Our School Community
Back to School Open House
Get Ready for an Exciting 2026-2027 School Year!
The River Valley School District is thrilled to welcome students and families back for another year of learning, growth, and achievement! Join us for our Back to School Open House and start the new school year with excitement, confidence, and Mustang pride.
📅 August 26, 2026
🕟 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM
Our Back to School Open House is the perfect opportunity for students and families to:
• Meet teachers and staff members
• Visit classrooms and school facilities
• MHS students can pick up their class schedules
• Get important information for the upcoming school year
• Ask questions and feel prepared for a successful start
Whether your family is returning to River Valley or joining us for the first time, we are excited to welcome you and help make the transition into the new school year smooth and enjoyable.
Join us as we kick off the 2026-2027 school year and celebrate the beginning of another incredible year of learning, discovery, and success.
Cross country and boys soccer joins the action this week and we have our varsity football home opener @ RV!
Reminder: If you have not yet registered your student for the upcoming school year, please register before Wednesday, August 26.
Register through PowerSchool here:
https://www.rivervalleyschools.org/page/student-registration
Need assistance with registration?
RVE
Terry Bronson
tbronson@rivervalleyschools.org
269-756-7621
RVMHS
Stacey Vetter
svetter@rivervalleyschools.org
269-756-7870
Thank you for taking care of this important step before the start of the school year.
Welcome Back!
We hope you have had a wonderful summer!
As we begin the 2026-2027 school year, we are excited to share the first editions of our school newsletters.
ENGLISH: Middle/High School Mustang Messenger Newsletter
SPANISH: Middle/High School Mustang Messenger Newsletter
ENGLISH: Elementary Hoofbeats Newsletter
SPANISH: Elementary Hoofbeats Newsletter
We are looking forward to an amazing year of learning, growth, and success for all of our students. Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Together, we will make the 2026-2027 school year our best yet!
Welcome back, Mustangs!
KINDNESS WALK FEATURED ON WSJM
Eric Hoppstock, Superintendent of Berrien RESA; Dr. Lisa Carlos, RVE Principal; and student, Abbigail Shaw, were featured on the radio show that BRESA organizes with WSJM. The show was about the Kindness Walk that Dr. Carlos helped to coordinate for our elementary school back in March. Kindness is one of our core values as a district and is a nearly universal value to guide how we treat people as we'd want to be treated. I'd urge you to listen in:Always Learning with Berrien RESA https://omny.fm/shows/news-talk-sports-94-9-wsjm/always-learning-with-berrien-resa-kindness-walk
WELCOMING OUR NEW EDUCATORS
Please join us in welcoming three new teachers and a Success Coach to the River Valley school community. I am very excited about all four of these educators as they all bring a wealth of successful experience and passion to their work of educating children.
Kelly Troy, our new third grade teacher, comes to us from Indiana where she very successfully taught children for about 30 years.
Kathy Rennhack is our new Social Studies teacher who comes to us with excellent teaching and private sector work experience.
Jeff Suttor also comes to us from Indiana where he taught English at New Prairie High School for 30 years.
Erin Porter is our new Success Coach who has been with us as a Building Substitute/Success Coach and will focus her energies mostly on our middle school level students.
Please join us in welcoming three new teachers and a Success Coach to the River Valley school community. I am very excited about all four of these educators as they all bring a wealth of successful experience and passion to their work of educating children.
Kelly Troy, our new third grade teacher, comes to us from Indiana where she very successfully taught children for about 30 years.
Kathy Rennhack is our new Social Studies teacher who comes to us with excellent teaching and private sector work experience.
Jeff Suttor also comes to us from Indiana where he taught English at New Prairie High School for 30 years.
Erin Porter is our new Success Coach who has been with us as a Building Substitute/Success Coach and will focus her energies mostly on our middle school level students.
First Day of School 26/27 School Year
Monday, August 31st
Half Day
Dismissal at 11:35 am
The Summer Meals are back in the Valley!
Thank you to the River Valley community and voters for the support of our Non-Homestead Operating Millage request, which passed by a margin of 938 (68%) Yes votes to 439 (32%) No votes (unofficial results). This is a big deal for our school district as it allows us to continue to collect 18 mills on non-homestead property in our school district even if the Taxable Value continues to rise faster than the rate of inflation, as it has been. Being our primary funding source, this is vital for our financial security as a school district.
Come on down to the Three Oaks Legion this Friday night to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with the River Valley Travel Club! To go options are available for busy families. Hope to see you there!
This is a reminder that Friday, April 24 is an early release day for teacher training. Student dismissal will be at 1:00 PM.
Happy Wednesday Valley Family!
We have a couple menu changes for the Middle/High School coming up!
Here they are:
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Macaroni Cheese Bar
Choice of meat topper
Chef's Choice Vegetable
Fruit of the Day
Milk Choice
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Fiesta Bar
Black Beans
Corn
Fruit of the Day
Milk Choice
Churro
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Pasta Bake with Garlic Bread
Vegetable of the Day
Fruit of the Day
Milk Choice
If you have any questions, please ask Mrs. Jones :)
We have a couple menu changes for the Middle/High School coming up!
Here they are:
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Macaroni Cheese Bar
Choice of meat topper
Chef's Choice Vegetable
Fruit of the Day
Milk Choice
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Fiesta Bar
Black Beans
Corn
Fruit of the Day
Milk Choice
Churro
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Pasta Bake with Garlic Bread
Vegetable of the Day
Fruit of the Day
Milk Choice
If you have any questions, please ask Mrs. Jones :)
Greetings Valley Family!
We have a menu change for Tuesday, April 21 st
River Valley Elementary Lunch Menu as follows
BBQ Pulled Pork & Macaroni Cheese
Zee Zee Beans
Corn
Fruit of the Day
Milk Choice
As always, please ask Mrs. Jones
⚾ SAVE THE DATE! Join Us for a Community Celebration! ⚾
New Buffalo Area Schools is proud to invite the entire Raiders community to celebrate the dedication of our newly updated baseball and softball field!
This special evening will bring together students, families, alumni, and community members to mark an exciting milestone for the Raiders!
📅 March 26
🎉 4–5 PM
Kids games, music, and food from Munchie Man
Prizes and giveaways
✂️ 5:30 PM
Official Field Dedication & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
⚾ 6 PM
Stay and watch a special matchup: Raiders Baseball vs Raiders Softball
This field represents the continued investment in our students, athletics, and community pride. We hope you’ll join us for a fun evening celebrating the Raiders!
📍 New Buffalo Area Schools
☔ Rain Date: TBD
Reminder: Friday, March 20th is a Half Day and the End of the Marking Period. Dismissal is at 11:00 am.
A message from River Valley Food Services:
Menu changes for Wednesday March 18
Green Penne Alfredo
Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrots
Leprechaun Fruits
Milk
Sweet Treat
The rest of the week will remain the same.
As always, if you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Jones at jjones@rivervalleyschools.org
PARENT MEETING RELATED TO CHANGE IN THE SCHOOL SCHEDULE FOR 2026-2027
Our Board of Education heard a presentation last night from teachers about a potential change in bell schedule for students on Wednesdays for next year (dismissing students at 2:30, rather than 3:00). The time is for staff professional development/meetings. We are holding a parent meeting on the proposed changes on Wednesday, March 11 at 5:30 in the MHS Media Center before the PTO meeting, which starts at 6:00. I welcome you to join us to learn all about it from our teachers and administrators. If you are unable to attend, feel free to send me an email or give me a call.
Dave Campbell, Superintendent
dcampbell@rivervalleyschools.org
269-756-9541
Our Preschool and Kindergarten Round Up is almost here, and we cannot wait to welcome our newest Mustangs for Fall 2026.
Join us on Wednesday April 22, 2026, from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm at River Valley Elementary for an exciting evening designed especially for incoming families. This is a wonderful opportunity to tour the building, meet our teachers, and turn in your enrollment packet.
Preschool is open to children who are 4 years old by September 1, 2026, and our Preschool Program is full day.
Kindergarten is open to children who are 5 years old by September 1, 2026.
Enrollment packets will be ready for pick up beginning April 6, 2026, at the school office.
We look forward to meeting the next generation of learners and showing you all the great things happening at River Valley Elementary. Spread the word and help us welcome the Class of 2039 and 2040.
For more information, call 269 -756-9050 or email Mrs. Bronson at tbronson@rivervalleyschools.org
Join us on Wednesday April 22, 2026, from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm at River Valley Elementary for an exciting evening designed especially for incoming families. This is a wonderful opportunity to tour the building, meet our teachers, and turn in your enrollment packet.
Preschool is open to children who are 4 years old by September 1, 2026, and our Preschool Program is full day.
Kindergarten is open to children who are 5 years old by September 1, 2026.
Enrollment packets will be ready for pick up beginning April 6, 2026, at the school office.
We look forward to meeting the next generation of learners and showing you all the great things happening at River Valley Elementary. Spread the word and help us welcome the Class of 2039 and 2040.
For more information, call 269 -756-9050 or email Mrs. Bronson at tbronson@rivervalleyschools.org
Congratulations River Valley Band and Choir!!
