Dear Rivermont Community,

The CHANGEMAKERS

They are everywhere:  young people who refuse the narrow label of "student."  Of course, they take care of schoolwork, but they also look outside of themselves and see a world full of need - and they want to help.  (Independent School, Spring 2012)

Twelve independent school students were selected to represent the thousands of "changemakers" in our schools.  With representatives from schools such as Catlin Gabel in Oregon, Marlborough and Menlo in California, Albuquerque Academy in New Mexico, Punahou in Hawai'i, and Phillips Andover in Massachusetts, Rivermont Collegiate is excited to be represented by senior Pavane Gorrepati.  We are proud that a student from Rivermont is recognized in such an elite group and, of course, most definitely proud of Pavane's accomplishments.

It is important to remember that this is a "representative" group.  Though these students have done exceptional, dare I say Extraordinary! things, they are not the exceptions but the norm.  We expect extraordinary things from our students and they consistently deliver.  Indeed, we could have featured many of our students as "changemakers" - selecting from the writers, illustrators, scientists, philanthropists, entrepreneurs, actors, athletes, musicians, and all around caring people who make up our freshman, sophomore, junior and senior classes.

The Rivermont Experience is about academics for sure, but that is only the beginning.  Our mission challenges us to develop not only our students' intellect, but their character and creativity.  It reminds us that these achievements are not only for ourselves, but to be shared with the community - local, state, national, and global.  And, it doesn't stop at graduation - it is a life-long commitment. 

Early in the year, I shared a list of "demonstrators of learning" as defined by The New Vision Collaborative, enumerating what students need to know and be able to do in the 21st century.  Tony Wagner from the Graduate School of Education developed Seven Survival Skills after interviewing over 600 CEOs about qualities essential for success in the 21st century.  Recently, the MIT Sloan Management Review featured an article by Leslie Brokaw entitled, "Skills That Will Remain in Demand in a Computer-Rich World" which heavily referenced Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee's article in the Winter 2012 issue of the Review listing skills that have a future:

            - applied math and statistics

            - negotiation and group dynamics

            - good writing

            - framing problems and solving open-ended problems

            - persuasion

            - human interaction and nurturing

Because Rivermont's mission does not focus on rigorously developing intellect alone, there is significant congruence between the Rivermont Experience and items on the above-mentioned lists.  Rivermont students consistently demonstrate knowledge and skills vital to success in the 21st century.  Rivermont, as a member of the National Association of Independent Schools, receives research and guidance from the NAIS Committee on Schools of the Future to help align curriculum and programs with knowledge and skills students need to be leaders in business, professional life, and civic responsibility.  Our network of independent schools, along with the research and guidance of academia, business, and futurists, provides a rich testing ground for ideas and collaboration.  One such example is the Rivermont Fifth Grade's participation in the NAIS 20/20 Challenge with other schools in the United States and across the globe.

Harvard's Dean of Admissions, William Fitzsimmons, has been quoted, "It would be much better for the country to have students focusing on high school courses that, based on evidence, will prepare them well for college and also prepare them well for the real world beyond college instead of spending enormous amounts of time trying to game the SAT."

Where there are no spectators and only participants,

Where excellence has many faces,

And with the expertise of a caring and knowledgeable faculty and staff,

Rivermont is Extraordinary!  Rivermont is Collegiate!  Rivermont has the Future in sight!

Rick St. Laurent

Headmaster

Please remember that we are hosting a special parent workshop with Jim Bisenius, Bully-Proofing Youth, on Monday, March 5 at 6:00 PM.  A light supper will be served from 5:15-5:55 PM.  Although this is an adult evening, you are welcome to invite friends, neighbors, and colleagues.  It is important for at least one parent from each family to attend.