Ramily Matters

On this week's Ramily Matters Podcast, we are joined by Mellve Shahid, George Craft and Isiah McHellen of The Empowerment Network. The guests share their personal stories about being prostate cancer survivors and the importance of regular PSA screenings and medical checkups. 

The Empowerment Network is partnering with Riverview Gardens School District, Affinia Healthcare, the City of Moline Acres and other community partners for the "Give Me 10" First Responders Health Fair and Prostate Screening Event. 

This event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 19 at Central Middle School (9800 Patricia Barkalow) from 10 am - 2 pm. The event will feature FREE health care screenings for the entire community. 

First responders are encouraged to come out for FREE PSA testing (a simple blood test). Additional health screenings are available for the community. 

To learn more about the Give Me 10 event, visit https://aptg.co/_Kzk_h. Use the QR code to register in advance!

The Riverview Gardens School District Board of Education is committed to maintaining a workplace and educational environment that is free from illegal discrimination, harassment and retaliation in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs, services, activities and facilities. In accordance with law, the district strictly prohibits discrimination and harassment against employees, students or others on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law. The Riverview Gardens School District is an equal opportunity employer.

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Ramily Matters Podcast sits down this week with Demetra King, coordinator to the superintendent. King graduated from Riverview Gardens School District in 1984, met her husband within its walls and has dedicated her career to the students and families who call it home.

In this episode, King discusses a day in the life of working in the superintendent's office, why she loves Riverview Gardens, the importance of attendance and accreditation and why parents should get involved in their students' education.

The Riverview Gardens School District Board of Education is committed to maintaining a workplace and educational environment that is free from illegal discrimination, harassment and retaliation in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs, services, activities and facilities. In accordance with law, the district strictly prohibits discrimination and harassment against employees, students or others on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law. The Riverview Gardens School District is an equal opportunity employer.

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Demingo Loggins, Jamal Thompson and DeAndre Campbell join the Ramily Matters Podcast to share their strategies and insight into restorative practices in schools and why they are important in building relationships. The three men serve as restorative educators in the Riverview Gardens School District and share a passion for helping others through challenging situations.

The Riverview Gardens School District Board of Education is committed to maintaining a workplace and educational environment that is free from illegal discrimination, harassment and retaliation in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs, services, activities and facilities. In accordance with law, the district strictly prohibits discrimination and harassment against employees, students or others on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law. The Riverview Gardens School District is an equal opportunity employer.

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Hylle Shepard, Moline Elementary School's Secretary 3, joins the Ramily Matters Podcast. Ms. Shepard shares the secret to always keeping a smile on her face and how she helps staff and students to have a better day. Shepard also talks about how her career journey came full circle to education. 

Happy Administrative Professionals Day/Week to all of RGSD's administrative staff!

The Riverview Gardens School District Board of Education is committed to maintaining a workplace and educational environment that is free from illegal discrimination, harassment and retaliation in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs, services, activities and facilities. In accordance with law, the district strictly prohibits discrimination and harassment against employees, students or others on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law. The Riverview Gardens School District is an equal opportunity employer.

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The teachers and staff at Moline Elementary School are on a mission, and they want you to know about it. In this episode, the team discusses why reading is so important, what brings them joy in the classroom and what it means to be part of the Emerson Early Literacy Challenge. Press play to hear directly from the educators who are shaping your child's future.

The Riverview Gardens School District Board of Education is committed to maintaining a workplace and educational environment that is free from illegal discrimination, harassment and retaliation in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs, services, activities and facilities. In accordance with law, the district strictly prohibits discrimination and harassment against employees, students or others on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law. The Riverview Gardens School District is an equal opportunity employer.

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RGHS' Journalism Club, along with Elizabeth Holzer, RGHS teacher, English chair and adviser for The Rambler and PanoRAMa, joined the Ramily Matters podcast this week. In the episode, guests explore the evolving landscape of modern journalism and strategies for staying safe in an increasingly digital world. They also share how Holzer inspires and challenges them, their go-to comfort stories, a behind-the-scenes look at the fast-paced day-to-day life of student journalists and the creative process they use to uncover meaningful stories that resonate with their peers. Listen and download now!

The Riverview Gardens School District Board of Education is committed to maintaining a workplace and educational environment that is free from illegal discrimination, harassment and retaliation in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs, services, activities and facilities. In accordance with law, the district strictly prohibits discrimination and harassment against employees, students or others on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law. The Riverview Gardens School District is an equal opportunity employer.

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The Ramily Matters Podcast is joined by Jason Little, Riverview Gardens High School's theatre teacher, and Maurine Burns, a Special School District English teacher at RGHS. The two discuss their acting careers, sharing their passion for acting with their students and the upcoming production of In the Blood. 

The RGHS production of "In the Blood" runs from Thursday, March 25 at 3:30 pm, Friday, March 26 at 3:30 pm and Saturday, March 27 at 4:30 pm. 

The Riverview Gardens School District Board of Education is committed to maintaining a workplace and educational environment that is free from illegal discrimination, harassment and retaliation in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs, services, activities and facilities. In accordance with law, the district strictly prohibits discrimination and harassment against employees, students or others on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law. The Riverview Gardens School District is an equal opportunity employer.

Follow RGSD on social media @RGSDSchools on:
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James W. Thomas, Sr., Mayor of Bellefontaine Neighbors, joins the Ramily Matters Podcast this week. Thomas shares his story of working with neighboring cities, his time as a former RGSD employee, raising kids in RGSD and working to make the community stronger. 

The Riverview Gardens School District Board of Education is committed to maintaining a workplace and educational environment that is free from illegal discrimination, harassment and retaliation in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs, services, activities and facilities. In accordance with law, the district strictly prohibits discrimination and harassment against employees, students or others on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law. The Riverview Gardens School District is an equal opportunity employer.

Follow RGSD on social media @RGSDSchools on:
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In this episode, we sat down with the RGHS student council members to hear directly from the scholars shaping the school community. They open up about the real vibe of high school life, their roles on the student council and why it matters so much to them that teachers bring passion and hands-on energy to the classroom. Our student leaders also share their vision for what they want to see in their community and why consistency—from both teachers and peers—makes all the difference. It's an honest conversation that reminds us why listening to student voices is so important.

The Riverview Gardens School District Board of Education is committed to maintaining a workplace and educational environment that is free from illegal discrimination, harassment and retaliation in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs, services, activities and facilities. In accordance with law, the district strictly prohibits discrimination and harassment against employees, students or others on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law. The Riverview Gardens School District is an equal opportunity employer.

Follow RGSD on social media @RGSDSchools on:
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Stephanie Terry, RGSD's chief financial officer, and Ishmael Sistrunk, the district's executive director of Communications, join the Ramily Matters Podcast to share information about Proposition N, a no-tax-rate-increase debt levy transfer initiative on the April 7, 2026 ballot.

The two members of RGSD's District Leadership Team answer questions about Prop N, how it will support the district's finances (if passed) and how it will impact taxpayers.

To learn more about Prop N, visit rsgdmo.org/propn

This is an informative podcast and is not an endorsement for or against Prop N. The Ramily Matters Podcast is paid for by Riverview Gardens School District.

The Riverview Gardens School District Board of Education is committed to maintaining a workplace and educational environment that is free from illegal discrimination, harassment and retaliation in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs, services, activities and facilities. In accordance with law, the district strictly prohibits discrimination and harassment against employees, students or others on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law. The Riverview Gardens School District is an equal opportunity employer.

Follow RGSD on social media @RGSDSchools on:
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Facebook
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