Riley CCSD 18

We are only 4 days away from our Community Playground Build! Larry has been working hard removing the old playground and the new equipment arrived today. If you would like to volunteer to help on September 14th, please email Christina Coffman @ inforiley18@gmail.com. Lunch and beverages will be provided for our volunteers. For safety and supervision purposes, we ask only for adults (18 and over) on Saturday. We will have a ribbon cutting ceremony for the entire school on Monday morning to help celebrate the new playground. We are looking forward to a great day that will provide memories for our students for years to come.

On Friday August 30, show your school spirit by wearing red or any Riley School spirit wear.

Riley School welcomes Debbie Ropinski as our new Social Worker. Here is a note from Debbie. I have worked in the social work field for the past 8 years in different roles advocating for and providing support to children, adolescents and adults. I have a supportive partner, a son who is a sophomore this year at Marengo High School, and an adopted dog named Bruce. I enjoy yard work, listening to bands, going to festivals and most of all relaxing in my swimming pool. I have lived in Marengo for the past 9 years. I am looking forward to working within my community and getting to know the Riley families.

The addition of a kindergarten class means the addition of a kindergarten teacher. Riley School is excited to announce that Rhianna Price will be teaching the second kindergarten class this year. Here is a message from Mrs. Price. I’m Rhianna and am in my fourth year at Riley. I’m very passionate about early childhood development and am so excited to be working with the kindergarteners this year! When I’m not teaching, I am spending time with my family, taking care of our farm animals, and reading.

Through wind, rain, sleet and snow, these amazing women get our little Vikings safely to and from school.

Good Afternoon, We have some exciting news to share with everyone: Riley School is officially getting a NEW playground! The playground equipment has been purchased and shipped. This will be a great addition to the Riley School Community for our students to use and enjoy for many years to come. We are asking for help from our parents with the installation through a "Community Build" option. This is a great cost savings to the district. The playground company will supply all of the tools, as well as a certified professional installer who works with the volunteers to guide and oversee the project. We will supply the manpower, energy, and commitment to create our beautiful new playground. We need at least 20 volunteers (18 years and older) to help complete this project. If you are willing to help, please email the Riley PTA at inforiley18@gmail.com. Date: Saturday, September 14th. Time: 8:00am Location: Riley School Playground Please reach out to me with any questions. Have a great weekend, Jason Grey, Superintendent

It is a great day to teach like a Viking!

This morning Melissa, the youngest student at Riley, assisted by Miss.Hurley and Miss Lowe, raised the flag in what is a long standing Riley tradition to kick off the school year. It was a great day to be a Viking.

Please welcome Kim Ramsby to Riley School as our new Special Education Coordinator. Here is a message from Mrs. Ramsby. I’ve worked in special education in some form for 30 years and still get excited when school supplies come out at target. I have a very supportive husband who also works in education and three adult children , one that also works in education and a very spoiled dog. I like to cook and bake as well as read and work in the yard. I enjoy working out and will run a 5K for a good cause and good swag but love doing mud obstacle races. I have lived in Marengo for over 20 years and am very excited to be working within my community and getting to know the Riley families.

Riley School would like to welcome Eric Rankin who will be serving as our MTSS coordinator. Here is a message from Mr. Rankin. It's hard to believe that thirty six years ago I graduated from college and began an exciting career in education. My journey has included seventeen years in administration and 24 years of coaching girls basketball. During that time, particular areas of the career sparked passion. Obviously I was a very passionate coach, but also working with students who didn't always fit into our model of education and helping them finds ways to succeed. The last few years, I was given the task of developing a MTSS system utilizing multiple data points to assist teachers in finding paths of learning for all students. I love diving into data maintaining thorough records of the students, their needs, and their achievements, while meeting with teachers and helping them plan curriculum. I also do accounting work for a couple of businesses, including acting as CFO for the Nice Shirt. Thanks! Company. My interests outside of school are, personal finance, fitness (completed RAGBRAI 2024), all things Kansas city (Chiefs and Royals) and music. I am married to Beth (33 years), a retired elementary teacher, and we have three grown children: Tommy (fiance Riley), Hayden and Laura.

UPDATE TO SUPPLY DROP OFF: Supply drop-off will be extended until 6:00 p.m. on Friday, 8/16. Any families who are not able to attend to drop off supplies can reach out to the school to possibly make additional arrangements for Monday 8/19 or Tuesday 8/20 or can drop off on the first day of school, Wednesday, August 21. Meet the Teacher will remain from 1:00-3:00 p.m. on Friday, August 16th. Meet your teacher and drop off school supplies on Friday, August 16th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. We encourage all Riley families to take advantage of this time to familiarize themselves with their new classrooms, meet your teachers for the upcoming school year, and preview the new safe and secure main entrance. We look forward to seeing you! (Those who cannot attend, can drop off supplies on Monday, 8/19, or Tuesday 8/20 before the first day of school from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., but may not have the opportunity to meet the teacher.)

Riley School would like to welcome our new third grade teacher, Anna Hurley. Here is a message from Ms. Hurley. “Hi! My name is Anna Hurley and I’m so excited to start in CCSD 18! I graduated from Illinois State in 2023 and I was a substitute teacher for the last school year in D300. In my free time I like to listen to music, play video games, and play with my cats. I am so excited to start my teaching career and build relationships in the community!”

Riley School is excited to welcome our new school nurse, Vanessa Iovinelli! Here's a message from Mrs.Iovinelli. Hi Riley Vikings-my name is Vanessa Iovinelli and I'm so excited to be the school nurse at Riley this year. I've been a nurse for 18yrs and have worked with tiny babies to older adults. I am a mom to 7 awesome kids -5 of which will be attending Riley this school year and 2 who will be at Marengo High School. I love caring for others and look forward to being a part of the Riley community!

Riley School is excited to introduce Emy Klopfenstein as our new Jr. High teacher. Please see the following message from Ms. Klopfenstein. Hello, Riley Vikings! My name is Emy Klopfenstein, but most people know me as Ms. K. I live in Woodstock with my two kids and my dog, and I thoroughly enjoy spending time with my family. I taught at Riley in the elementary level for 15 years before accepting a position in my hometown last year. I cannot say enough that I am thrilled to be back home as a part of the amazing Riley Jr High team! This will be a great year!

Riley School is excited to announce Emma Lowe as our new Jr. High Social Studies teacher. Please see the following message from Ms. Lowe. Hello! My name is Emma Lowe and I will be teaching junior high Social Studies at Riley School this upcoming school year. I grew up in the St. Louis area, but my family is originally from West Chicago. When I’m not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my two cats, playing video games, practicing martial arts, or singing in a choir. I’m so excited to get to know you and your students next month!

Riley School would like to give a huge shout out and thank you to Mrs. Felde for doing some landscaping to help make our campus beautiful.

Riley School is looking for a Jr. High Social Studies teacher. If you or anyone you know is interested in applying please go to the employment tab on our website. www.riley18.org

Parent(s)/Guardian(s), Riley School Online Registration for 24-2025 is Open! All Parent(s)/Guardian(s) are required to log into their teacherease.com account to complete the process. Once you have logged in to your account, you can click the online registration link in the banner at the top of the homepage. If you have further questions, please contact the office at 815-568-8637, M-F 7A-2P. Thank you.

Tonight the School Board recognized the retirement of Mrs. Geri Doane after 4 decades of service as a District 18 school bus driver. Enjoy your retirement, you will be missed!!

2024-2025 Riley School Updates