KUDOS!

 Congratulations to the following band students who have been selected for the St. Ambrose Junior High Honor Band!

Emilia Porubcin

Taylor Mannhardt

Bailey Mangan

Hannah Hansen

Conor Cleaveland

Amazing Things Happening At Rivermont...

Juniors to Attend College Essay & Application Workshop

On Saturday, October 8, Rivermont will again pay the class fees for all Juniors to take part in the College Essay & Application Workshop offered by Kent Barnds, Augustana College Dean of Admissions and Vice President of the Rivermont Board of Trustees.  This workshop is an excellent opportunity to receive guidance and tips directly from a sitting dean of admissions!  The workshop is part of the Pen-In-Hand Mini Writers' Conference offered at the Midwest Writing Center in Davenport.  The workshop meets from 1:15-3:00 p.m. on the third floor of the Midwest Writing Center (located at 225 E. 2nd St. - Davenport).  All Juniors are required to attend and Bonnie Campbell, College Counselor, will meet students there!  Questions?  Contact Ms. Campbell at (563) 359-1366 ext. 304 or campbell@rvmt.org.

3rd-5th Grades to Meet Newberry Award Winning Author

The 2011 David R. Collins Children's Literature Festival will feature Newberry Award winning author Clare Vanderpool, author of Moon Over Manifest.  This novel, Vanderpool's first, is set in the fictional small town of Manifest, Kansas and features a main character discovering a myriad of secrets while struggling to remain close to her father.  The remarkable story intertwines history with self-discovery and is a winner of the 2011 Newberry Award.  Because the opportunity to meet this author is not to be missed, all Rivermont students in grades 3-5 will be attending the festival, to be held Tuesday, October 25 at the River Center in Davenport.  Students will also participate in sessions led by Ryan Collins, author of Complicated Weather.  Ann Hailey, author of the Fishscale Girl series, and several other authors will round out the festival.  

In addition, Rivermont Seniors Pavane Gorrepati and Ramya Prabhu will be the youngest presenters at the festival, with their book A Buzzy Bee Tale, a picture book about a bee and his efforts to help his family and friends whose environment has been affected by global climate change.  Stay tuned for an exclusive interview with Pavane and Ramya in next week's edition of HEADlines!

5th Grade Chosen for NAIS 20/20 Challenge

For the fifth year in a row, the Rivermont 5th Grade has been chosen to participate in the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) 20/20 Challenge!  The Challenge brings together schools in the United States (public and private, elementary and secondary) with schools in other countries to identify local solutions to a global problem.  The Internet-based education program partners schools to work together on one of 20 problems described by J.F. Rischard in his book, High Noon: 20 Global Problems, 20 Years to Solve Them.  Together, students identify solutions that can be implemented in their own schools and communities.  Due to their past success with the program, the Rivermont 5th Grade has been chosen as their team leader and will be working with schools in California and New Zealand.  In the past, the class has worked with schools in Guatemala, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, and Africa on topics such as biodiversity and global warming.  This year's problem is peacekeeping, conflict prevention, and combating terrorism.  The 20/20 Challenge will begin in January and we eagerly anticipate the 5th Grade's innovative solutions to be put to use right here at Rivermont and in the Quad City community!

Meteorology with James Zahara

On Wednesday, September 28, grades 3-5 talked meteorology with Storm Team 8 Chief Meteorologist James Zahara!  James is the father of Rivermont sixth grader Aviana Zahara.  Activities included trying to make lightning!

2nd Grade Explores Lock and Dam 15

On Monday, September 26, the Rivermont 2nd Grade traveled to the Mississippi River Visitor Center located on the Rock Island Arsenal at Lock and Dam 15.  Students observed the locking through process and enjoyed the aquarium with native river fish!

Student Hunger Drive News

Last Monday, October 3, the 2011 Student Hunger Drive kicked off at the River Bend Foodbank, with 19 schools performing skits and songs.  About 30 Rivermont students attended and our group performed the Pokemon Theme Song and had ALOT of fun!  In case you missed it, be sure and check out Rivermont's skit on YouTube:

YouTube Video of Rivermont Hunger Drive Skit

At the school level, Rivermont had an all-school assembly on Monday to kick off the Student Hunger Drive.  Now the competition to raise the pounds begins!  This year's goal is 15,000 pounds!  

The Student Hunger Drive Committee is planning several events including a Halloween Contest, Pumpkin Carving Contest, Lock-In, Can Sculptures, Variety Show, and Dodgeball Tournament to raise food and money for the drive.  To bring even more enthusiasm to the drive, teachers in Middle & Upper School have graciously volunteered to give extra credit to 1 student from MS and 1 student from US who bring in the most pounds per week!  In Lower School, the class that brings in the most cans will win a pizza and ice cream party!

The Student Hunger Drive is collecting a variety of canned food including vegetables, fruits, juice, tuna, beans, and canned meats.  Please no perishable items, pet food, bulk items, or soda.  Thank you for helping Rivermont achieve our goal and fight hunger!

Questions?  Contact Madame Dao at dao@rvmt.org