Remembering 9-11:

Class of 2009 Hands on America Flag Project

During the 2002-03 school year, Tracy Paxton's sixth grade class crafted a 86 x 76 inch flag, which was mailed to former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and forwarded on to New York Fire Department Engine Co. 55, one of the first fire stations to respond to the twin towers terrorist attack.  Firefighters proudly displayed the flag on the first anniversary of September 11th.  From there, the flag traveled all over the United States, flying in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Kansas, California, and Texas.  

After a year of traveling in the United States, students decided it was time to show their hand-crafted emblem of endurance to Iraq.

The mother of Staff Sgt. C.D. Schmied, the flight engineer of a KC-10 Extender, heard on television that Rivermont students were seeking suggestions for the flag's next destination.  The KC-10 Extender crew flew the flag over Iraq from their boom window!  "At least 30 emails came in with suggestions," Tracy Paxton wrote to Sgt. Schmied and his crew, "but your mother's idea stood out.  We want you to know how honored we are that you are helping us spread our message of hope and peace." 

Made up of dozens of red handprints, the stripes on the flag represented the involvement of every Rivermont student, from preschool through the senior class.  The stars bore symbols of hope, peace, and love in 10 different languages.

At the 2009 Commencement exercises, Rivermont graduates reflected on their sixth grade project.  "It's kind of a funny thing to think how long ago it was.  I remember drawing the red cross - a symbol of hope and the altruism in the world at that time," reflected Nick Petre.  Sending out the flag again "would have a different meaning now," Shravan Chintalapani said.  "When we sent it out, it was America stay strong.  Now would be more continuing support."

  The sixth grade class and Mrs. Paxton pose with their flag.  Pictured members of the Rivermont Collegiate Class of 2009 include Manisha Kumar, Shravan Chintalapani, Anup Parikh, Nick Petre, Brad Green, Katherine Beydler, Natalie Smith, and Joey VanDuyne.

Tracy Paxton relocated to Rancho Cucamonga, CA last spring with her husband and daughter Ellie, a former student at Rivermont.  6th grade trips to Chicago, this 9-11 flag project, and her development, with Leigh Ann Schroeder, of the Rivermont Academic Invitational are a few of the highlights we remember of Mrs. Paxton's work at Rivermont. 

Magazine Drive 

Remember!  All Magazine Drive orders must be turned in by the end of the school day this Tuesday, September 13th.

Rivermont receives 40% profit from this sale!  Renew your magazine subscriptions through the drive and consider giving subscriptions as gifts!

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

Calling All 9th-12th Grade Thespians! 

Upper School Fall Play - The Odd Couple (female version)

Performances November 4th & 5th at 7:00 p.m.

What:    Upper School Fall Play Auditions

When:   Wednesday, September 14th - 3:40 - 4:45 p.m.

Where:  Becherer Hall Auditorium

Roles available for 6 women and 2 men, plus technical/stage crew positions!

Conflicts? See Mrs. Skaggs by noon on Tuesday, September 13th to schedule an alternate audition time.

Note: Students auditioning MUST pick up an audition form by 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 13th, which must be signed by a parent/guardian prior to auditioning.

Audition Poster & Additional Information - Click Here!

Picture Day! 

 LifeTouch will be on campus Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 20th and 21st for school pictures. 

Your student may be bringing home an order form for an All School Group photo, which are 8x10 and feature the entire school, including faculty and staff, on the rear stairs of the Mansion.  All School Group photos may be purchased for $10 each by returning the order form and payment with your student on picture day.  Order forms for the All School Group photo are also available at both front desks on campus.  

Individual student picture packets are included in your Comprehensive Fee - if you desire more pictures, there will be an order form included in your picture packet when pictures are returned.

Schedule

Tues. Sept. 20 - 2-day PS, JK, K, Grades 1 & 2, Grades 9-12, and All School Group photo

Wed. Sept. 21 - 3-day PS, Grades 3-8

Interested in joining Girl Scouts?

2012 is the 100th birthday of Girl Scouting!

Note: Date change for Troop #8428's first meeting of the year!  Meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 22nd at 6:00 p.m. at Riverside United Methodist Church (previously listed as September 15th).  Troop generally meets the 3rd Thursday of each month, but there is a conflict in September.

Troop #8428 will happily welcome new members at the first meeting of the year on September 22nd!  Please show up a bit early 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!

 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

Birdies & Bogeys for Rivermont! 

The Chipping Contest took place this week at Palmer Hills and we are excited to announce that David Cumberbatch (father of Michael Cumberbatch in 3rd and Christopher Cumberbatch in 4th) and Terence Murphy (father of Patrick Reade Murphy in JK and Robert Hayes Murphy in 4th) have qualified for the Putt Off at Rivermont's 2nd Annual Golf Outing on Monday, September 19th!

Will one of these qualifiers be driving home in a vintage car from Veit's Vettes?  We'll find out on September 19th!  Stay tuned for additional opportunities to qualify for the Putt Off!

Not a golfer?  You are encouraged to join us for the After Party & Awards Ceremony, to be held at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, September 19th at Crow Valley Golf Club.  Don't miss the opportunity to be entered into the raffle - great prizes include a Galena Getaway, a Gene Brack Original, and 2 Silver American Eagle collector coins!

Raffle Items Include:

It's not too late!  Register to golf or to join us at the After Party today!

Golf Outing Information & Registration - Click Here!