Riverstone International School Newsletter
August 29, 2013
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Hi All,
It is great to have you all back on campus this week; the positive energy is welcome after a quiet summer. And there are so many new faces! Please take a minute to stop by my office and say hello; we really mean it when we say we have an open door policy.
You've no doubt noticed some changes to our campus and programs since this spring and will continue to see more in the coming months. I would like to take the opportunity to update you on one of them, in particular: our new academic tracking system called "Managebac." First, some background. We originally created the Holt several years ago, our online student tracking system, because we were unable to find anything that was capable of working with the IB continuum. I know that, for many of you, this has always been a source of frustration. We recognize how important communication is and have finally found a system that will help us to better serve all of our constituencies to provide a more comprehensive overview of each student's achievement.
"Managebac" is the only integrated system for the IB; in fact, IB Diploma students whose school faced the same problem as ours invented it to help their school better streamline their curriculum tracking. Because Managebac is specifically designed for IB schools, it will allow us to manage our academic program interface much better than we have in previous year.
Last spring and during the summer, teachers and staff worked hard to migrate their unit planners and class curricula to this system. Managebac will be rolled out to parents later in the fall after we complete our transition phase. Please feel free to take a look at the product at http://managebac.com/.
Finally, I'd like to draw your attention to the policies and procedures outlined below that are critical to our success as a school community. If you would please take a minute to (re)familiarize yourself with each one of them - I would appreciate it.
I look forward to seeing you tomorrow, beginning at 3:15PM in front of the Elementary School building, at our first ever Ice Cream Social. Many thanks to our Parent Association for organizing this fun celebration of a great first week back to school!
Call for anything,
Bob Carignan
Head of School
bcarignan@riverstoneschool.org
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Fall backpacking trips for Grades 8-12 departed Wednesday morning. The trips include the traditional backpacking trips, as well as themed-trips for mountain biking, fly fishing, yoga, "the long walk," and a summit group.
The anticipated return time for all trips is 3:15 PM on Friday. In the event groups are delayed, parents will be notified via text with an anticipated time of arrival.
Allow a few extra minutes after arrival for borrowed gear and group gear to be returned.
All borrowed gear checked out by the school must be returned to the school on Friday, immediately following return to the school.
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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"I Scream You Scream We All Scream For Ice Cream!"
Join us this Friday, August 30 for Riverstone's Ice Cream Social to celebrate the first Friday of the new school year!
This PA sponsored event is for all grades, faculty, staff and parents!
Serving begins at 3:15 PM in front of the Elementary School and continues until the ice cream is gone! *A non-dairy alternative will be available for those with dairy/lactose intolerance.*
Contact Michelle Nenov, PA President, with questions or to help serve ice cream!
Ice Cream Social for Students, Staff and Parents
Friday, August 30
3:15 PM
Outside of Elementary School
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Riverstone will be closed on Monday, September 2 in honor of Labor Day.
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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENT PICKUP
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Parents:
Please talk with your child's teacher to let them know who is authorized to pick up your child after school. We want to make sure that all kids are going home as you intended!
Thank you for your cooperation! |
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KEEPING EVERYONE AS HEALTHY AS POSSIBLE
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It can be difficult to know whether to keep your child home from school when they don't feel well. To help you, the following is Riverstone's Illness and Medication policy.
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For the protection of your child's classmates and staff, if any of the following signs or symptoms is present, keep your child at home for at least 24 hours after the last sign of symptom.
- Elevated temperature (100.0° or higher) Nausea/vomiting
- Diarrhea Unexplained rash
- Persistent headache Wheezing
- Inflamed/sore throat Earache
You may want to contact your healthcare provider if these symptoms persist. A student who shows signs of an infectious cold or who is unusually lethargic should be kept at home as a precaution.
When a student has a communicable disease, it must be reported to the school at once. Communicable diseases include: Chicken Pox, Head Lice, Impetigo, Pink Eye/Conjunctivitis, Ringworm, Scabies, Scarlet Fever, Strep Throat or Fifth Disease.
When the school becomes aware of students having been exposed to a communicable disease, the school will make every effort to contact families of the exposed students. While the goal is to keep students in school as much as possible, if a student is not feeling well, it is difficult to benefit from classroom instruction.
Upon returning to school, the student must bring a doctor's note verifying that the student has fully recovered and is no longer contagious. Without this note, the student cannot return to class.
Sometimes a child is fit to return to school, but still requires medication. On these occasions the medicine should be taken to the Division Director for safekeeping. The Division Director will administer medicines from the original medicine container with notification from a parent.
Children with asthma may need to have access to their inhaler at all times. If so, please let your child's teacher know so that an arrangement can be made.
Please contact your Division Director if you have questions.
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INFORM US IF YOUR CHILD IS NOT COMING TO SCHOOL
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Regular, punctual attendance is important to ensure that children make the best progress in school. Students should be committed and participatory members of the school community to derive the most positive benefits.
Attendance is critical to student success; therefore, students are expected to be in school the entire day, attending all classes and programs. Please try to make dentist and medical appointments outside of school hours.
If your child is ill or not attending school for any reason, please let us know at (208) 424-5000.
- Call Lisa Armstrong in the Elementary School.
- Call Robyn Olnes in the Middle & High School.
This will alleviate worries on our part and a call later in the day from the office. Thank you for your cooperation!
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WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CHILD IS LATE OR NEEDS TO LEAVE EARLY
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If your child is arriving at school late, or you need them to leave school during the day, your child must be signed in (or out) at the front office of the Elementary School or Middle School, depending on their division. If your child is returning during the day, please sign them back in.
Please look for the clipboards hanging by the doors to James Hamilton's office in the Elementary School and Alex Ide in the Middle and High School for the Sign In/Sign Out sheets.
By doing so, you help ensure your child's safety. We use this information during our emergency responses as well.
Thank you for your cooperation!
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VOLUNTEERING OR VISITING THE SCHOOL
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Parents or other guests of the school who are visiting for more than the few minutes it takes to drop off or pick up their children need to sign in at the front desk of the Elementary or Middle School.
All visitors will be given a visitor's badge to wear.
This is to ensure that we know who is in our building with our students; also helps us ensure our visitor's safety in case of emergencies. Thank you for cooperating! |
 James Hamilton and Alex Ide, our Elementary and Secondary School Directors, are (and have been) 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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Friday, Aug 30
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Grade 3
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ES Multi-Purpose Room
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Tuesday, Sept 3
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Grade 4
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ES Multi-Purpose Room
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Wednesday, Sept 4
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Grade 5
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ES Multi-Purpose Room
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**Sign up to volunteer at the Fall Carnival too while at the coffees! |
Back to School Nights are the best way to get a feel for your child's daily experience at Riverstone and what you both can expect for the upcoming school year. Please plan to attend!
Middle & High School Back to School Night Thursday, September 5 6:30 PM start Meet in the Middle School Library Parents will meet for an initial overview and then follow their child's schedule of classes in 10 minute blocks of time
Elementary School Back to School Night Wednesday, September 11 6:30 - 8:00 PM Meet in the ES Atrium **Child care will be available beginning at 6:15 until 8:00 PM in the Multi-Purpose Room** |
The first Middle School Girls Volleyball game is Tuesday, September 3 at 4:00 PM at Riverstone. Come cheer on the team!
The High School Girls Volleyball team will be playing at a tournament at Liberty Charter School in Nampa this weekend. Pool play starts at 9:00 AM. The tournament should last until 3:00 PM. Come support your Lady Otters!!
Contact PE teacher and Coach, Demi Dlouhy, for more information about volleyball. |
 We had great turnout for our first player meeting for High School soccer.
First practice is next Tuesday, September 3 at 5:15 PM.
Parents need to register their players at Idaho Rush in the Select Division. Without proof of date of birth, Idaho Rush will not distribute player cards that are needed to play in the games. Please register now!
Contact Athletic Director, Abby Grafft, for more information. |
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GET INVOLVED IN FALL CARNIVAL PLANNING
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 Ready for an evening of fun for the whole family? The Fall Carnival will be held Friday, September 20!
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!
To volunteer to be part of the fun, contact our Carnival Co-Chairs:
Riverstone Fall Carnival
Friday, September 20
5:00 - 8:30 PM
Kennedy Gymnasium area
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 The Library is seeking volunteers to help with cataloguing, shelving, processing new books, coordinating used book sales, and serving as a Library VIP (Very Important Parent/GrandParent) Story Time Reader.
Also...don't forget to turn in your Summer Reading Challenge Links! The links are 1 3/4" x 11" strips of paper, colored or white, with the Book Title, Author and Reader's name written on them for every book you read or had read to you (students, parents, teachers). Our Chain Worm is currently 9 feet long and we only have one student's links!
Please contact Librarian Susan Tabb with any questions. |
 This year, our lunch program is being provided by Create Common Good (CCG). Their lunches provide a healthy, delicious option for our students.
Lunch orders may still be placed. If you return your form by Friday, August 30, the first day of lunch for your child will be Monday, September 9.
Create Common Good will be attending an Elementary School Assembly on Wednesday, September 4 at 2:45 PM to talk about the important work they do in our community and Riverstone's new lunch program.
If you have questions about the lunch program, please contact Kevin Richmond.
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BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
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 Elementary Activities registration is due on Friday, September 6 and activities start on Monday, September 9.
Tennis is already filled!
New this year to After School Activities participants:
- 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.
Middle and High School students will learn about activities the week of September 3 and will be asked to register following those meetings. Registration is not necessary at this time. If you have questions, please contact Tarrah Elam.
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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS
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Do you know someone who would be a great substitute teacher for Riverstone's Elementary School (Preschool - Grade 5)? We are seeking qualified substitutes will who have:
- Experience as a classroom teacher
- A college degree/teaching certificate
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Excellent references
More information and specifics on how to apply, please visit the Employment page of our website: http://www.riverstoneschool.org/news-events/section-about/employment/ |
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CONVOCATION ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
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What happened at our First Day of School Convocation?
- Bob Carignan announced that we had set a new enrollment record for Riverstone,
- Gr 4 students, Selma S and Darcy D, sang a wonderful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner,
- Senior Kristin C gave an inspiring speech, sharing the lessons she's learned at Riverstone,
- The Riverstone mascot made a surprise appearance, and
- Gr 7 students, Audrey H, Maryana T, and Maggie L, taught everyone "How to Otter."
More photos on the school facebook page.
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 To ensure everyone's safety, please read the information below:
1) Elementary School families should park in front of the Elementary School building.
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. 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.
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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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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