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RIVERMONT COLLEGIATE
Where there are no spectators, only participants!

October 14, 2011

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Parent-Teacher Conferences

Mission Statement

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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,

In Rivermont's mission we strive to "maximize each student's potential." As our students progress through the grades we see those opportunities where they shine, those moments when the light goes on, the eyes twinkle and you know without any doubt that the student is engaged. Teachers watch with anticipation for the signs of a student finding his or her passion. As they move into Upper School, our students find their legs. They balance their time to excel in all areas of school and academic life, yet each finds that special something that brings them joy. For some it is dance, others painting, writing, or performance. Research excites some while service ignites the next.

Eighth grader Hannah Hansen shares her thoughts on a recent activity where the passion of one senior and the enthusiasm of others brought an important message home.

Did you know that about 80% of people all over the world live on less than ten dollars a day? This fact became more than a number to me when I attended the Rivermont Hunger Banquet on Wednesday, October 5, 2011. This experience showed me how privileged I am compared to millions of other people around the world.

I drew a ticket that placed me in the low-income section. My ticket explained that I lived off the coast of Bangladesh where many floods and cyclones occurred. Apparently, many of my friends and family died because of a tidal wave. Luckily, an organization gave money to build a safety shelter so that my friends and I could be safe when the next tragedy happens. I thought about how sad that would be if something like that actually happened to me.

Since I was in the low-income group, I had to sit on the floor. I discovered that I was going to get rice to eat and "dirty" water (water that had black food coloring) to drink, even though the upper-class group got desserts and flavored water. However, Pavane asked for six students in the low-income group to stand up. I volunteered, figuring that the only bad thing that could happen would be losing my food. Pavane explained that the six people who stood up received some money for their farm that allowed them to move up to middle-class. Yet, eight individuals who were middle-class had to stand up and move to lower-class because their crops all died from a drought.

I never realized how many people were in poverty. I also never realized how one thing, such as a drought, could put someone into poverty very quickly. One small thing, such as donating, conserving food, or just being more aware of how privileged many of us are, can help people in need. The Hunger Banquet helped spread this sad truth to our school, and if we can make more and more people become aware, there might be more hope for the future.

It was a powerful day for everyone. Hannah learned some difficult truths about food distribution. Meghana learned that her enthusiasm could inspire others, and Pavane shared her passion with all of us. Students and faculty alike saw and felt the unfairness and injustice.

Rivermont students are not sitting back idly letting life happen to them. Rivermont students are making life happen and influencing their friends and teachers in the process.

Best wishes,

Rick St. Laurent

Headmaster

Rivermont students perform and observe at the 2011 Student Hunger Drive Kick-Off! A variety of events are being held to increase awareness about hunger and raise food and money for the drive, including the hunger banquet and pancake breakfast. Also coming up are a dodgeball tournament, volleyball tournament, and OctoberFest event!

KUDOS!

Rivermont 7th grade student Savanna Douglas has been selected for the Youth String Ensemble with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra! The Youth String Ensemble rehearses 1 night per week October through February and presents one concert in the spring, as well as a community concert. The Youth String Ensemble is a great stepping stone on the path to performing with the Quad City Youth Symphony Orchestra!

QC Symphony Orchestra Logo

In addition, Savanna has been selected as a People to People Student Ambassador. Savanna will be representing her school, community, state, and country while traveling abroad for 3 weeks to Italy, Sicily, and Greece this summer! Student Ambassadors visit schools, experience homestays, meet with government experts, and enjoy unique insider access to significant people and places!

More Info: www.peopletopeople.com

People to People Logo

Congratulations to Rivermont senior Pavane Gorrepati, who has been named a Commended Student in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program! Commended Students place among the top five percent of the more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2012 competition by taking the 2010 PSAT/NMSQT. In addition, Pavane will be traveling to Des Moines this weekend to present at the Global Youth Institute International Symposium and Laureate Ceremony. Pavane will be giving a presentation on her summer work and cultural experiences during her 2-month World Food Prize Borlaug-Ruan Internship in China. Pavane's audience this weekend will include the 2011 World Food Prize Laureate H.E. John Kufuor, the former President of Ghana, as well as Sir Gordon Conway of the UK Department for International Development and director generals of major agricultural research centers worldwide.

National Merit Scholarship Logo

What's All the BUZZ About?

A chat with Rivermont student author & illustrator!

What is a bee garden? How do I make one? Why would I want to make one? Rivermont seniors Pavane Gorrepati and Ramya Prabhu would like to answer those questions for you - and they'd like to do it with a loveable bee named Buzzie!

Pavane and Ramya are the author and illustrator of A Buzzie Bee Tale, a children's book about Buzzie Bee, his friend Lily Lilliput, and their efforts to help Buzzie Bee's friends and family, whose environment has been affected by climate change. Pavane and Ramya will be presenters at the 2011 David R. Collins Children's Literature Festival, to be held October 25th at the River Center in Davenport. The festival will also feature Newbery Award winning author Clare Vanderpool! All Rivermont students in grades 3-5 will be attending the festival.

Given the variety of other pursuits you both have, what inspired you to add another project to your plate with A Buzzie Bee Tale? Pavane, an avid proponent for the environment, feels that education is one of the most important aspects of environmental conservation, particularly at a young age. Her goal was to start with educating children in her own community and grow from there. Inspiration for character and setting illustrations came to life for Ramya as she read Pavane's story.

What are some favorite reactions to the book? Pavane knew she had made a wise choice working with Ramya as her illustrator when one child decided they wanted Buzzie Bee as their friend! Another favorite reaction, of course, is when children decide they want to build their own bee garden after reading the story.

What advice do you have for other students interested in writing and illustrating? Pavane recommends young writers pick their passion, because it will truly shine through in their pages. Ramya urges illustrators to try out different styles and move beyond their comfort zone - not always stick with what they've done before - she herself is now doing just that!

What will you be doing at the festival? Pavane and Ramya will be explaining to students their writing, illustrating, and publishing process for A Buzzie Bee Tale, as well as reading parts of the book aloud.

Where can A Buzzie Bee Tale be purchased? The book is available for sale on www.lulu.com and copies will be available for sale at the festival. In addition, Pavane and Ramya are in the process of getting the book for sale on Amazon.com.

Student Hunger Drive News

Students at Rivermont raised about 1,000 pounds of food in the first week of the Student Hunger Drive! Kudos to senior Pavane Gorrepati from Upper School, Megan Lindle from Middle School, and the 1st Grade for bringing in the most cans the first week. Thank you for your support!

Upcoming Events:

Tuesday, 10/18 - Dodgeball Tournament - 1:00-1:50 p.m.

Students in grades 6-12 are invited! Cost to participate is $10 or 10 cans of food per team (teams of 5). Cost to observe is $1 or 1 can of food per student. Please see Ms. Dao to sign your team up!

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Friday, 10/21 - OctoberFest - 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Students in all grades are invited to join in the fun! OctoberFest will take place outside in the front circle and soccer field area and feature a variety of activities, including "bouncy jousting." Admission is $15 and includes pizza, snacks, and beverages. Proceeds will benefit the senior class and the Student Hunger Drive.

Friday, 10/21 - Halloween/Fall Party - 5:30-10:00 p.m.

All students in grades 8-12 are invited to attend! Admission is $10 or 10 cans of food per student. Activities will be taking place in the Mansion and the gym.

Happy Halloween Image