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HEADlines
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RIVERMONT COLLEGIATE
Where there are no spectators, only participants!
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September 2, 2011
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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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Dear Rivermont Community,
The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Commission on Accreditation has created a Committee on Schools of the Future. This special Committee has been charged with investigating and attempting to reconcile what the educational research literature suggests concerning the need for change in our schools and what Heads of School say about school success without change. After all, some independent schools have been operating successfully for well over 100 years. Why change what isn't broken? However, there has always been a tension between innovation and tradition and it is in everyone's best interests to examine the research, and adapt in ways that will prepare students for the future while keeping true to the mission of the School. Rivermont strives to maintain what is best of its tradition while expanding and reinterpreting the curriculum to meet the needs of a 21st Century education.
The world has changed, and continues to change. It is sometimes painfully clear that what happens in one corner of the planet sends a ripple effect. We do not only feel the fallout from catastrophic volcanic eruptions and storms but the economic health of other nations and political unrest and upheaval are felt across the globe. And, it is often felt instantaneously. Real time takes on a whole new meaning.
Students have changed. In many ways, the students in our schools are growing up in a different culture - a digital culture. John Palfry and Urs Gassner describe this in exploratory terms in Born Digital: Understanding the First Generation of Digital Natives. Digital immigrants (most of the audience reading this) can either adapt and accept that we do not know this world as well as our children (the Natives) and look to them to learn or we can be inflexible and focus on how good things used to be. There is considerable evidence that today's students learn differently and are motivated differently. Linear and sequential information access is challenged by random, rapid access. Text as the primary vehicle for accessing and sharing knowledge is overwhelmed by visuals, sound and multimedia. As in so many things, it comes to balance. Hard cover books and iPads. Written essays full of carefully chosen words and multimedia presentations that touch all our senses. The elegance and consistency of tradition intermingled with the intensity and immediacy of the NOW.
Rethinking the experience and goals of a Rivermont education keeps us focused on our mission and attuned to the opportunities of college and professional life. Rivermont teachers are focused on the teaching of children and are engaged in curriculum and pedagogy review and development. There is considerable food for thought on the bookshelves, both virtual and real. Harvard's Clay Christensen and Michael Horn leave no stone unturned in Disrupting Class. Daniel Pink challenges notions of motivation and heralds the era of the "right brain" in Driven and A Whole New Mind, while Po Bronson & Ashley Merryman take on modern society's strategies for nurturing children in Nurture Shock. NAIS and ISACS provide valuable resources and opportunities for dialogue to further explore the how and why of what we do in school. Rivermont's commitment to life-long learning is not only directed to our students, our professional staff are learners too. The only thing that is for certain is that we still have much to learn.
Rick St. Laurent
Headmaster
I will be with the Upper School next week at Camp Manito-wish in Boulder Junction, WI. Watch for details of our adventures.
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Character in Action!
At Rivermont, we frequently speak of our 3 pillars of Intellect, Character, and Creativity. But, as any member of the Rivermont Community knows, we do a lot more than talk! We are always proud to report student accomplishments and initiatives that clearly demonstrate our commitment to these pillars.
Rivermont sixth grader Collin Smith is Character in action! Collin was moved to take action upon learning of the opening of an overflow homeless shelter for single mothers and their children, to be located in vacant apartment space in the upstairs of the King's Harvest Ministries site at 824 W. 3rd St. in Davenport. With limited shelter space in the Quad Cities and many of those beds already full, King's Harvest plans to open the space by mid-September to provide a safe shelter, specifically for homeless single mothers and their children.
Unfortunately, King's Harvest doesn't have the funding for a shelter, but is counting on community generosity in monetary and supply donations. Terri Gleize, the director at King's Harvest outreach center, says the need is simply too great to not move forward.
Collin has organized a fundraiser at Rivermont, with a jug located in Becherer Hall for monetary donations. Checks may be made payable to King's Harvest Ministries.
Established in 1996, King's Harvest Ministries covers a broad range of needs to serve the homeless and poor, including food, housing, clothing, assistance with pets, and various other emergency needs. King's Harvest currently serves 3 meals per week, supplies groceries twice a month, and has a clothing giveaway every Saturday.
For more information: King's Harvest Ministries |
Chess Class is Back!
Did you know?
From the streets of Harlem to Venezuela's public schools, chess has been implemented as an effective teaching tool to increase higher order thinking skills and even overcome personal problems. Chess develops the capability to foresee consequences of actions, as well as enhances patience, concentration, and sportsmanship.
Chess classes with Roger Kromphardt are being offered again this year at Rivermont! Students in grades 1-12 with basic knowledge of chess are invited!
Classes will meet on Tuesdays (starting next week!) from 3:40-5:00 p.m. on the Rivermont campus. Cost is $100. Registration forms are available through the link below, as well as at both front desks (Mansion and Becherer Hall) on campus.
Chess Class Information and Registration - Click Here!
Class Dates:
September 6, 13, 20, and 27
October 4, 11, and 18 |
Fall Sports
Middle School Volleyball, Varsity Volleyball, and Middle School / Varsity Cross Country have begun! Practice and game schedules have been posted on the calendar on the Rivermont website (www.rvmt.org). Click below to link directly!
Middle School / Varsity Cross Country Schedule
Middle School Volleyball Schedule
Varsity Volleyball Schedule
Middle School & Varsity Volleyball:
Head Coach - Leigh Ann Schroeder
schroeder@rvmt.org - 359-1366 ext. 343
Assistant Coach - Ryan Pillow
pillow@rvmt.org - 359-1366 ext. 316
Middle School & Varsity Cross Country:
Head Coach - Ed Knupp
knupp@rvmt.org - 359-1366 ext. 404
Go Lions!
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Magazine Drive
In an all-school assembly on Monday, Parents' Council kicked off the 2011 Magazine Drive! Students received magazine drive packets and the prize store was open for the first time on Wednesday!
Remember - Rivermont receives 40% profit from this sale! Renew your magazine subscriptions through the drive and consider giving subscriptions as gifts!
The sale will continue through Tuesday, September 13th. Please turn in all orders by the end of the day on September 13th. Additional order packets are available at the front desk in Becherer Hall. We are strongly encouraging online orders! Simply visit www.qsp.com and place your order online - it's easy!
Rivermont Account Number: 1086684
For ordering instructions and prize store details, click below!
2011 Magazine Drive Information
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Rivermont is a busy place!
How do I stay informed?
The calendar on the school website (www.rvmt.org/calendar) is an incredibly valuable resource for Rivermont parents! The calendar is the go-to place for all the information you need about what's happening at Rivermont, including:
Lunch Menu
Athletic Games, Meets, & Practices
Field Trips
Assemblies
Fundraisers
And MUCH more!
Additionally, the calendar features attachments such as event posters, required forms, and special schedules, as well as contact information for the coaches, faculty, and staff in charge of each event. Even event addresses and driving directions are available!
Rivermont Calendar - Click Here! |
Interested in joining Girl Scouts?
2012 is the 100th birthday of Girl Scouting!
Troop #8428 will happily welcome new members at the first meeting of the year on September 15th at 6:00 p.m. at Riverside United Methodist Church. Please show up a bit early this first night to complete registration forms. Yearly dues are $12. The two dozen girls in our troop are Daisies (K-1st), Brownies (2nd-3rd), and Juniors (4th-5th). We have a very diverse group from all over the QCA!
Meetings are held the 3rd Thursday of each month and an optional monthly fun activity is also planned (last year we went to the corn maze, attended High Tea on the Titanic, painted pottery, did one local and one international service project, and even made our own pizzas at Happy Joe's).
For more information, contact:
Dara Wegman-Geedey
(mother of Aislinn Geedey, 5th grade)
(309) 786-7638
darawegman-geedey@augustana.edu
Riverside United Methodist Church
712 16th St. - Moline, IL
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Know someone who should know Rivermont?
Open Tours start next week, held the first Tuesday of every month from 8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
Open Tours are a casual way for families to drop in and explore our philosophy, programs, and campus.
No appointment necessary!
Tell your friends! Tell your colleagues! Tell your neighbors!
2011 Open Tours - Tuesdays - 8:30-10:00 a.m.
September 6th
October 4th
November 1st
December 6th
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Birdies & Bogeys for Rivermont!
Join us for our 2nd Annual Rivermont Golf Tournament at Crow Valley Golf Club on Monday, September 19th. Registration is open through September 8th!
Don't forget to join us at the Palmer Hills Golf Course driving range to pre-qualify for the putt-off at the tournament - your chance to win a vintage car from Veit's Vettes!
Golf Outing Information and Registration - Click Here! |
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Upcoming Events
September
5 Labor Day - No School
6 Admissions Event: Open Tours, 8:30 - 10:00 AM
Chess Class, 3:40 - 5:00 PM
6-10 Upper School Outdoor Leadership Trip to Wisconsin
8 Lower School Student Council Rep Elections (in classrooms)
9 6th-8th Grades to Fryxell Geology Museum, 9:30 - 11:30 AM
12 All School Morning Meeting - Commemorate 9/11, 8:20 AM
13 Chess Class, 3:40 - 5:00 PM
MS Volleyball vs. Colona (Home)
5th/6th - 4:30 PM 7th/8th - 5:30 PM
Varsity Volleyball vs. QC Christian (Home), 7:30 PM
14 Parents Council Meeting, 8:30 AM (cafeteria)
15 MS Volleyball vs. Jordan (Home), 5th/6th Only, 4:30 PM
Varsity Volleyball vs. Davenport North JV (Away), 6:30 PM
19 Second Annual Rivermont Golf Outing at Crow Valley
20-21 School Pictures - Dress Sharp! - Schedule TBA
20 MS Volleyball vs. Hampton (Away), 5th/6th Only, 4:30 PM
Varsity Volleyball Quad @ Beyond the Baseline (Away), 5:00 PM
22 MS Volleyball vs. Eagle Ridge (Home)
5th/6th - 4:30 PM 7th/8th - 5:30 PM
Varsity Volleyball vs. North Scott 9th (Home), 7:30 PM
23 Fall Mini Imp-Tiger Day, 2:00 - 3:30 PM
Rivermont Calendar |
To submit items for HEADlines:
marietta@rvmt.org |
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