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HEADlines
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RIVERMONT COLLEGIATE
Where there are no spectators, only participants!
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October 29, 2010
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Mission Statement
Rivermont Collegiate is dedicated to academic
excellence and maximizing the potential of each student through a nurturing,
stimulating, and structured environment that advances the individual's
intellect, character and creativity while guiding the student on a path of
life-long learning, prepared to engage fully in his or her local, national, and
global communities.
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VALUE ADDED
Dear Rivermont Community, 
The Project on Student Debt reports that 2009 college grads carried an average of $24,000 in student loan debt, up 6% from the previous year, in the Student Debt and the Class of 2009, released this month. Statewide average debt levels for the Class of 2009 vary widely; Iowa makes the list as the fourth highest, with an average debt of $28,883 (behind the District of Columbia, New Hampshire, and Maine). In addition, 74% of Iowa graduates report having debt, which ranks Iowa second, only behind South Dakota (78% of grads with debt). In the current economic climate, college grads face unique challenges in paying back student loans, and substantial debt can limit career options and make it difficult to save for a home, a family, a retirement, or their own children's educations.
Rivermont Collegiate, the Quad Cities' only private, independent, nonsectarian college-prep school, boasts 100% graduate acceptance to four-year colleges and universities. Furthermore, over 90% of Rivermont grads earn four-year renewable merit scholarships (valued at $1.4 million in 2009). The value of these scholarships is substantial, particularly given rising student debt and its potential consequences. Over 35% of Rivermont students qualify for need-based tuition assistance while at Rivermont, proving that a private PS-12th education can reap future benefits both academically and financially, while still being affordable. In fact, Rivermont works hard at fundraising to keep itself affordable and is committed to a diverse population of students.
Invite your friends and colleagues to explore the Rivermont approach to learning! Join us for Open Tours the first Tuesday of every month. The next Open Tour will be held Tuesday, November 2nd from 8:30-10:00 a.m. No appointment necessary! Drop in to explore our philosophy and curriculum, take a tour of campus, see our teachers in action, and get answers to all your questions about Rivermont. The Admissions Office will also host an evening Open House on Thursday, November 18, 6:00-8:00 PM.
For additional information on The Project on Student Debt, including the full Student Debt and the Class of 2009 report, visit http://projectonstudentdebt.org
Rick St. LaurentHeadmaster Have a safe Halloween! |
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The Weather Has Turned!
The temperatures have dropped and there is a nip in the air. Early School & Lower School students have daily outdoor recess and should come to school with a jacket and possibly a hat.
Thanks for helping our students remember to dress for the weather!
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Great News!
Rivermont has learned that it is the recipient of a $16,200 grant from the Scott County Regional Authority (SCRA) to continue our Promethean Board project. Eventually we hope to have a Promethean interactive board in every classroom.
Thanks to the SCRA for funding this project.
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The Rivermont Experience in Action
It's an unglamorous situation for sure, but it's a pure demonstration of Rivermont's fundamental teachings on character and leadership.
Wednesday morning - a third grade boy was rushing down Central Hall, obviously in distress, trying to make it to the boys bathroom. Despite his best effort he didn't make it in time and proceeded to get sick all over the floor. A senior hurrying on his way to class, stopped and without the slightest hesitation, put his arm around the sick child, and led him to the bathroom. The senior stayed with the boy helping the adult in charge comfort him. Once the worst had passed, before heading to class, the senior offered help cleaning up.
In today's culture of "what's in it for me" the senior's actions were commendable. Why? Because he helped. Because he stayed to make sure the little boy was taken care of. Because he offered to help clean up although he would be late to class. It's Rivermont. EXTRAORDINARY!
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KUDOS
 | | The Lion is proud! |
Kelsey Qu has attained the highest individual honor available to high school musicians by being selected as a member of the 2010 All-State Orchestra!
Auditions for the 198-piece All-State Orchestra were held Saturday, October 23rd in Fairfield. Only about 17% of students who audition are selected for membership in the All-State ensembles!
Participants will rehearse in Ames Friday and Saturday, November 19th and 20th. The Festival Concert will be held Saturday, November 20th at 7:30 p.m. in Hilton Coliseum on the Iowa State University campus. Tickets are $15 each and all seats are reserved. Tickets may be obtained through Ticketmaster (800-745-3000), online at www.ticketmaster.com, or at any Ticketmaster outlet. They may also be purchased by mail through the Iowa State Athletic Ticket Office - order forms will be available at Rivermont.
Iowa Public Television will record the concert for re-broadcast on Thursday, November 25th at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, November 28th at 5:30 p.m. Tune in! |
 2010 Student Hunger Drive
WE NEED CANS! There is only 1 week left to the Student Hunger Drive and we are far from our goal.
Can you help Rivermont collect 6,000 pounds more?
The food collected remains in the Quad Cities to help families in our area.
Thank you for your generosity! |
2010 Student Hunger Drive
DROP OFF YOUR CANS IN BECHERER HALL OR THE MANSION.
Can Sculpture Contest
October 28-November 4 in Central Hall Student vs Faculty Volleyball Game Wednesday, November 3
Watch for other Student Hunger Drive events! We CAN stamp out hunger in the QC!
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That's So Susan!
How would you like it if someone used, "That's so Susan!" to express a negative opinion about something?
On Wednesday, October 27, Riyanka Subrahmanyam and fellow students and staff from St. Ambrose University conducted a workshop for Rivermont students in grades 9-12 on the topic of sexual orientation awareness. Students learned some surprising statistics and developed a new awareness of how words can hurt.
Thank you, St. Ambrose, for providing the very important program for our students.
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 Attention Band Students!
The Quad City Wind Ensemble will be presenting a concert this Sunday, October 31st at 3:00 p.m. in the Galvin Fine Arts Center, located on the St. Ambrose campus. Admission is FREE for band students and extra credit will be awarded to those who attend!
Questions? Contact Mrs. Miller at miller@rvmt.org or (563) 210-3393
"The Quad City Wind Ensemble is the finest adult wind/band ensemble in the entire state of Iowa, and among the best in the nation." - Dr. Myron Welch, Retired Director of Bands, University of Iowa |
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National History Day 
For the past several years, Rivermont has participated in the National History Day competition. Although this competition is open to grades 4-12, Rivermont has only sent high school students to this competition, because it was part of a required course. Last year, this competition became an elective (done outside of school) and not required for a course. Last year, Rivermont had two teams place at the National Competition in Washington D.C. (14th and 15th respectively). The two groups worked with me on this project outside of school and we found time during the school day to discuss and revise.
I would like to offer the opportunity to participate in the National History Day competition to our middle school students as well. The theme for this year is Debate and Consequence. Students do not have to stick to an historical topic either. If your child is interested in Science, Math, Foreign Language, etc, a topic in that field that is related to the theme is perfectly acceptable.
If you would like more information on History Day and the requirements or your child is interested, please drop me a line or stop by my classroom. I have information packets outside my 5th grade classroom. I have the mini-course times on Tuesday and Wednesday open to help with this project.
Leigh Ann Schroeder
National History Day advisor
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WHERE DID THE CLIMBING BARS GO?
You might have noticed something missing from the Lower School playground.
After 2 years our most recent Fund-A-Need project is coming to fruition as we begin to remodel our Lower School playground. As you can see from the rendition below, we are paying homage to Imps and Tigers!
But the fun does not stop there! We expect delivery of the pieces of our new playground the week of November 8. Yes I did say pieces! To complete this project we will need some helping hands to put the pieces t ogether and install it. Fry Inc. will provide us with an expert installation supervisor but the labor will come from us. No special skills are needed, just a willingness to work for the kids!
Projected installation date: November 13 or 20 (TBA)
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Open House & Book Signing
Featuring Paul-Thomas Ferguson
Rivermont is excited to present poet, singer-songwriter, playwright, and novelist Paul-Thomas Ferguson! Dr. Ferguson 's works include A Life in Chiaroscuro (2008) and The Ports and Portals of the Zelaznids (2009), as well as the recently published Dark Highlands Anthology, Volume I. Dr. Ferguson holds a Master's Degree in Medieval History and a Ph.D. in United States, Urban, and Middle Eastern History. He currently teaches at St. Ambrose and resides in Rock Island. Dr. Ferguson attended Rivermont in 1984-85 for his freshman year of high school and cites this year as the most significant of his education!
Dr. Ferguson's books are available for purchase on Amazon.com.
What: Open House & Book Signing
When: Thursday, November 18th - 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Where: Mansion - Rivermont Campus
Please Join Us! |
 The Faces of Aliyah
On Tuesday, October 26th students at Rivermont had the opportunity to learn more about Jewish culture thanks to the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities.
"Faces of Aliyah" provides an opportunity for speakers to talk of their experiences making Aliyah or immigration to Israel.
Katya Minakova was born and raised in Moscow to an unaffiliated family. When she was 13 she had the wonderful opportunity of attending summer camp sponsored by the Jewish Agency, which awakened her interest in her Jewish roots. At 18 she became a summer camp counselor and in 2001 went on a Birthright Israel trip and continued on to be a Birthright Israel counselor. In 2008 she finished her PhD in Psychology and in August 2008 she came on a MASA program with the Israel Government Fellows. Katya decided to make aliyah and has just spent five months living and studying at Ulpan Etzion in Jerusalem. She is currently working at the Institute for Jewish Studies.
Orit Tabay - Her parents made aliyah from Ethiopia through the Sudan desert in 1982. Orit was born a year later in 1983. When her family arrived in Israel, they lived at the Jewish Agency absorption center in Beer Sheva where Orit grew up. Orit is currently working on her Masters degree in Educational consultation at Bar Ilan University. During her studies, she worked as a counselor for immigrants from the Ethiopian community. She currently works as the director of the Jewish Agency-supported "Hineni" young community in Beer Sheva.
As you can see, Katya, Orit and Keren Neigerof the Jewish Federation showed their Rivermont colors after meeting with our students. There are Lions all over the planet.
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 Reminder - No Classes November 5
Please remember that Rivermont faculty and staff will be attending the Annual ISACS Conference in Chicago on Friday, November 5. This will be a unique opportunity for our faculty and staff to meet with colleagues from other independent schools in the midwest. This year's conference theme is LEARNING: WHAT'S NEW AND TRUE.
 | | Independent Schools Association of the Central States |
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School Picture Retakes
Wednesday, November 3 at 1:00 PM in the Alumni Room
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Saturday Morning Sports
Students in Kindergarten through Grade 4 are invited to participate in the following programs.
Basketball with Coach Ryan Pillow
9:00-10:00 AM for K-Grade 2
10:00-11:00 AM for Grades 3-4
November 13, 20; December 4, 11; January 8, 15, 22, & 29
$10 per day or $60 for all dates
Cheerleading with Coach Heather Manuel
2:00-4:00 PM
October 30 - January 8
$10 per day
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 Around the QC
Quad City Wind Ensemble
Sunday, October 31 at 3:00 PM
Galvin Fine Arts Center
St. Ambrose University
$10 for adults, free to all band students
Treasures from Augustana Sherry C. Maurer, Director of the Augustana Art Collection and mother of 9th grader Summer Lawrence, will present "Treasures from the Augustana Art Collection" at 2:00 P.M. on November 11th at the Rock Island Main Library. Sherry's presentation will address the legacy of college art, including the current exhibition: The Olson-Brandelle North American Art Collection. Sherry is also the principle editor for the exhibition catalogue book; take a peek at it in Headmaster Rick St. Laurent's office! |
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Upcoming Events
October
30 Cheer Clinic for Grades K-4, 2:00-4:00 PM
November
1 Fall Sports Awards, 6:30 PM
2 First Tuesday Open Tours, 8:30 - 10:00 AM
4 Student Hunger Drive Loading Day & Finale Rally
5 NO CLASSES - Faculty attending the annual ISACS Conference in Chicago
6 Cheer Clinic for Grades K-4, 2:00-4:00 PM
8-19 ITBS & CogAT Testing
10 Parents' Council Meeting, 8:30 AM
FAFSA Workshop, 7:00 PM
12-22 Sally Foster & Red Wheel fundraiser for Parents' Council
12 Fall Play - The Fearsome Pirate Frank, 7:00 PM
13 SSAT
Basketball Clinic, 9:00-10:00 AM K-2; 10:00-11:00 AM 3-4
Cheer Clinic for Grades K-4, 2:00-4:00 PM
Fall Play - The Fearsome Pirate Frank, 7:00 PM
18 Admission Office Open House, 6:00-8:00 PM - Tell your friends & neighbors!
20 Basketball Clinic, 9:00-10:00 AM K-2; 10:00-11:00 AM 3-4
Cheer Clinic for Grades K-4, 2:00-4:00 PM
22 Rivermont performances at Festival of Trees, 11:00 AM at the RiverCenter
23 Alumni Imp-Tiger Events and Basketball Game, 6:30 PM
24 Grandparents' & Special Friends' Day
Assembly at 10:30 AM
Early Dismissal at 11:30 AM - Thanksgiving Break begins
25 Happy St. Katharine's Day to our St. Kit's Alumnae
25-28 Thanksgiving Break - Office closed
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Do not wait for extraordinary circumstances to do good; try to use ordinary situations.
Jean Paul Richter
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