Riverstone International School Newsletter
August 22, 2013
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 Hi All, We have been busy this week at Riverstone! Grade 2 teacher, Pete Burton, re-certified our staff in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation on Tuesday and Wednesday. Thank you Pete! Today, we had a wonderful in-service led by Lynn Erickson, a curriculum-development expert, who led our teachers through a full day of professional development on inquiry-based learning and conceptual thinking across the curriculum. (Lynn is pictured at right with Bob.) Tomorrow, inter-departmental groups will be rotating through two modules of training. The first module will address differentiation in the classroom and will be led by Evelyn Johnson, EdD, and Executive Director of the Lee Pesky Learning Center. The second will be a session entitled "Creating Positive Classroom Environments" in which Shirley O'Neil, MEd will share important information about creating successful classroom and learning environments. Shirley is our School Counselor who wrote last week's newsletter introduction about transitioning to a new school year. Unfortunately, we had arranged for a session on mindfulness in schools with the Flourish Foundation, but they had to reschedule due to the fires in Ketchum. We hope to have them lead a session during our October in-services. There is a lot of noise around here as well! We have installed our new lock-down warning system, which we are now testing; we are also working with the School Resource Officer at East Jr. High to ensure that we utilize our new system in the most effective way. And...the trees are coming! Lisa Armstrong, our Elementary School Administrative Assistant, has been working with a local nursery to bring shade to our campus. The trees have been selected and, on the advice of the arborist at the nursery, we will wait until the heat breaks in mid-September to have them delivered and planted. You can expect a complete listing of the Auction's Fund-A Need purchases in the coming weeks. Once again, your amazing generosity continues to ensure that each year is better than the last and that every student has a great experience at Riverstone. Thanks to everyone who attended the Meet the Teachers open houses here at school yesterday. Also many thanks to Mike and Mary Jane Murphy who hosted a wonderful pool party for our new families and mentor families; their generosity and thoughtfulness will ensure that everyone feels welcome. We also held a gathering for our host families to share advice about hosting our international students who have begun arriving in Boise from around the world. Thank you to everyone who has extended a warm welcome to our new students, families and teachers. I shine with pride thinking about the wonderful community that my family is a part of. So... we can't wait to see you and your children; let's get started!! 
Bob Carignan Head of School bcarignan@riverstoneschool.org |
 The first day of school has more cars traveling through the parking lots than any other day during the school year. To ensure everyone's safety, please read the information below:
1) Elementary School families should park in front of the Elementary School building. If this area fills up, please return to Warm Springs Avenue and proceed to the Kennedy Gymnasium lot off of Lysted Road.
2) Middle School and High School students may be dropped off to the right side after you enter the parking lot from Warm Springs Avenue. Look for the cones to circle around. Please be patient and safely drop off your child.
3) High School students should park in the High School parking lot that is accessed from Lysted Road.
4) The Kennedy Gymnasium parking lot is usually a great option to avoid the congestion in front of the Elementary and Middle Schools. We encourage parents who are staying for the convocation to park there.
5) Please drive carefully and slowly, watch for children in (and out) of crosswalks, and do not use your cell phone while driving!
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CONVOCATION ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
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 Parents are encouraged to join us for our All-School Convocation on the first day of school. Let's kick off the school year in style!
Riverstone International School Convocation
Monday, August 26
9:00 - 9:30 AM
Kennedy Gymnasium
**All welcome** |
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BOO-HOO YAHOO FOLLOWING CONVOCATION
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 Sad to see your little ones head to class for the first time OR are you ready to shout "Yahoo" towards the sky? No matter your preference -- we will have the tissues and high-fives ready!
Plan to take a few moments immediately following the Convocation to stop by the Parents' Association table in the Gym Foyer. This year's chairpersons for the various PA activities will be available to talk with you about what PA programs are taking place this year and how your skill set will be most helpful! Being involved is good for you, your child, and the school. We're looking forward to meeting you! Contact Michelle Nenov, PA President, with questions. |
 Ben Brock is available to answer any of your questions about our upcoming Outdoor Trips, such as rafting Idaho rivers, backpacking the Sawtooth and White Cloud mountains, and exploring Yellowstone!
Please feel free to email Ben and/or download our information letters, permission forms, and equipment lists from our website under the About tab.
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 This year, our lunch program is being provided by Create Common Good (CCG). Their lunches provide a healthy, delicious option for our students.
The first day of CCG lunches will be Tuesday, September 3.
**Orders are due on Monday, August 26 at 3:30 PM. **
We are placing orders just for the month of September so your child can try the new healthy lunches without a long commitment.
If you have questions, please contact Kevin Richmond.
Create Common Good is a local non-profit organization, that provides training and employment to refugees and others in need. They also provide fresh, conveniently prepared, local food products.
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BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
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 We are offering a new activities and some past favorites for students in preschool through high school. Activities take place both before and after school.
New this year:
- Any Elementary School student who participates in an after school activity is welcome to attend after school care for free until 5:30PM on the day of the activity they are participating in.
- With exception of soccer, all Middle and High School activities and clubs are being offered at no cost.
Elementary Activities registration is due on Friday, September 6 and activities start on Monday, September 9.
Middle and High School students will learn more about individual clubs and activities at the start of the school year. Registration is not necessary at this time. If you have questions, please contact Tarrah Elam.
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James Hamilton and Alex Ide, our Elementary and Secondary School Directors, are hosting informational coffees for parents to learn more about the school year, the curriculum, and helpful tips for navigating all the opportunities at Riverstone.
Please plan to join them on the appropriate day for your child's class!
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SCHOOL RESOURCES AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
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 There are many resources on the website under the About: Forms and Supplies tab to help you and your child organize yourselves for the new school year.
- Before- and after-care is available for families. Before-school care is 7:30 - 8:15 AM for a fee of $3. After-school care is available from 3:30 - 5:30 PM for a fee of $6. A signed release form is required before students may attend. Download Before- and After-Care information.
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It was great to see so many families at Meet the Teachers on Wednesday! Lots of smiles all around! Check the school facebook page for more photos.
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 Ready for an evening of fun for the whole family? The Fall Carnival will be held Friday, September 20. Plan to join us!
The Parents' Association Carnival Committee creates an evening of fun, games, treats, and socializing. Whether your kid's favorite is the cake walk or the dunk tank, everyone has a good time. Parents included!
Remember, Riverstone's Carnival is a community event so invite your friends outside of the school as well!
Planning is getting started and we would love your help and ideas. Please contact Julie Worthington at 208-353-9851 or wvsurf@outlook.com if you'd like to volunteer.
Riverstone Fall Carnival
Friday, September 20
5:00 - 8:30 PM
Kennedy Gymnasium area |
Check out the school blog for more photos of our staff training sessions!
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Have you started making links for our 2nd Annual Riverstone Summer Reading Challenge, "Links to Adventure?" We hope to surround the library with links showing how many books our students, staff, and parents have read this summer!
Please contact Librarian Susan Tabb with any questions. |
The school day is as follows:
Elementary School (Preschool - Grade 5)
| 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
| Middle School (Grades 6 - 9)
| 8:20 AM - 3:20 PM
| High School (Grades 10 - 12)
| 8:20 AM - 3:05 PM
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On the first day of school, Elementary students should go directly to their classrooms.
Middle and High School students will report to their homerooms. An email will be sent closer to the start of school with homeroom assignments. |
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JOIN RIVERSTONE'S FitOne TEAM
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 Join the Riverstone International School team and register for FitOne, formerly the Women's Fitness Celebration, that will be held on Saturday, September 21.
Sign up for whatever wave suits you (walking, running, strolling). You'll save money by joining our team! Look for "Riverstone International School" under the team names when you register.
Register early to save money!
Contact Riverstone parent and team captain, Lisa Hecht, if you have questions.
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FACEBOOK PHOTO OF THE WEEK
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 Facebook photo of the week is below and includes Ryan and Paul S (Gr 6) who have been helping Librarian Susan Tabb re-paint the United States map on the playground. Thank you!!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Riverstone-International-School/585822794765761?ref=hl
Follow the great things happening (or about to happen) at Riverstone!
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