Riverstone International School Newsletter
October 10, 2013
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Hi All,
It's hard to believe that I am already writing about Parent and Teacher Conferences next week. We view education as a partnership, and our teachers are looking forward to discussing what they are doing in the classroom generally and how your child is doing specifically. We all want the same goal, and that is ensuring that your student is getting the most out of this excellent educational opportunity that they have been given.
We ask that you approach these conferences in the spirit of partnership. By working together, your student will grow into the person that they are meant to be.
The leadership and staff within the Middle and High School continue to identify areas in which we need to improve to better prepare our students for the rigors of the Diploma Programme in Grades 11-12. Before conferences, Andy Johnson, our Dean of Faculty and Curriculum, will be sending more information to parents on this topic. Please ask about these improvements with your teachers.
In the Elementary School, teachers continue to evaluate and strengthen lines of inquiry, and the integration of a more detailed writing process within each unit. Please ask teachers about this integration.
Finally, it is important for parents of seniors to attend these conferences, as seniors are entering into a critical phase of the Diploma Programme. Informed parents are vital to a student's success.
If you haven't done so already, please sign up at the links below.
Link to the Elementary School Conference Sign Up Sheet here.
Link to the Middle and High School Conference Sign Up Sheet here.
One last thing...save the date for our State of the School Address on Tuesday, October 22 at 6:30 PM. The event lasts an hour and we hope as many parents as possible can attend. We are looking into offering childcare -- stay tuned for more details.
Call for anything,
Bob Carignan
Head of School
bcarignan@riverstoneschool.org
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 Just a reminder that the Elementary School front doors will be locked at 4:00 PM daily. If you need to pick up your child after 4:00 PM, please use the Multi-Purpose Room entrance.
Thank you for your cooperation in maintaining our students' safety! |
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BAKE SALE & PUMPKIN PATCH
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 The Big Day has arrived!! Come to school Friday with your wallet and get ready to indulge in some of Riverstone's divine treats prepared for your enjoyment.
It's not too late to drop off your contribution either. Bake up (or pick up) a little something that you can share and drop off at the Elementary School by 3:00 PM Friday.
If you're feeling really brave, grab an apron to help with sales. The more the merrier!! And don't forget to head inside to purchase gorgeous pumpkins and make some guesses to win the jars of sweet treats!!
Thanks to Barbara Henderson for coordinating the Pumpkin Patch sales. Download fun pumpkin facts here and a recipe for Pumpkin Smoothie here.
Thanks to Amy Bava for coordinating the Bake Sale!
Pumpkin Patch & Bake Sale** Friday, October 11
8:00 - 8:45 AM 3:15 - 4:00 PM** Elementary School atrium Our Grade 3 students are being treated to a pizza party on October 3 as a thank you for creating the wonderful posters advertising the Pumpkin Patch and Bake Sale. Fun! |
 Students in Grades 6 - 9 are invited to the HoeDown - ShowDown on Friday, October 11.
Come dressed to compete! First place winners for male and female will each receive an iTunes gift card.
Student Council will be selling tickets in homeroom. Cost is $3 before and $5 at the door!
Middle School Dance HoeDown - ShowDown Friday, October 11 Kennedy Gymnasium 6:00 - 9:00 PM |
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Mark Anderson, our Physics teacher, will be leaving Riverstone in order to return to the technology industry at the end of October. Mark has made many contributions to further our Science program, including his involvement in our Math and Science Initiative, coordination of our Science Bowl teams and creation of other extracurricular offering related to science. We thank Mark and wish him well.
We have already initiated the search process for a Physics teacher and will be looking to make this transition as smooth as possible for our students. We are seeking a dynamic individual with a proven record of teaching Physics who will be willing to embrace all aspects of teaching at Riverstone.
If you know of anyone who may be interested in teaching at Riverstone, please refer them to our employment listing on the school website under the About tab (http://www.riverstoneschool.org/news-events/section-about/employment/). He or she may also contact Andy Johnson, our Dean of Faculty, or Alex Ide, Director of Secondary Education.
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REGISTER NOW FOR AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
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 Sign up now for Session 2 of the Elementary School Activities that begins on Monday, November 4.
Download a listing of all the Elementary School Activities here.
Registration due by Friday, October 25. First come, first serve! Contact Tarrah Elam, Student Life Coordinator, with questions.
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 Join the Auction Committee and bring this year's auction to life! We need your ideas and enthusiasm for our Rock 'n Rollin' Evening! All parents are invited to the first meeting that will held be on Wednesday, October 16 at 8:35 AM. Auction Committee Meeting Wednesday, October 16 8:35 AM Elementary School Atrium |
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GIRLS MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL STARTS OCT 15
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 Middle School Basketball for girls will start next week with practice at 3:30 PM on October 15.
Abby Grafft, Athletic Director, will be coaching with assistance from Karoline W (Gr 12). Contact Abby with questions.
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 Students in Grades 9-11 will be taking the PSATs on Wednesday, October 16. Please be sure that your child is rested and has a healthy breakfast that morning. The tests will be taken all morning.
PSAT for Grades 9-11
Wednesday, October 16
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 Bob Carignan's annual message to the school community, the State of the School Address, will be held on Tuesday, October 22. All parents are encouraged to attend to hear what the goals for the upcoming year are and how we will continue to improve our school.
State of the School Address Tuesday, October 22 6:30 PM Elementary School Atrium |
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SIGN UP FOR PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
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 Sign up for your Parent-Teacher Conference next week!
Link to the Elementary School Conference Sign Up Sheet here.
Link to the Middle & High School Conference Sign Up Sheet here.
We will be offering one complimentary hour of child care during conferences on Thursday and Friday, October 17 & 18; full day childcare will also be available for $30/day per day.
Contact Director of Elementary Education, James Hamilton-Vail, to ensure a spot for your child or if you have questions.
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GR 6-12 SERVICE PROJECTS ON THURSDAY, OCT 17
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 New this year...
Students in Grades 6-12 will participate in Community Service Projects on the morning of Thursday, October 17 during Parent Teacher Conferences. The organizations we will be working with are: - Create Common Good
- Zoo Boise
- Idaho Youth Ranch
- Idaho Shakespeare Festival
- Foothills Learning Center
- Idaho Land Trust
- Boise City
Please plan to have your student at school by 8:20 AM for some hot chocolate before heading out to the organizations or locations that we are helping. We will have them back to school by noon that day.
Riverstone's bus route will run its normal schedule on the morning of the 17th to accommodate students that use the service.
Please contact Tarrah Elam, Student Life Coordinator, if you have any questions or concerns regarding participation for your student. |
 All students in Grades 9-12 are invited to an evening event at Linder Farms. Groups of students will compete to complete the maze together!
When: October 18 from 6PM - 10PM
Where: Meet at Rivestone and we will make our way to Linder Farms in the Riverstone Bus
Cost: $10 entrance fee, additional costs for token activities, and possible snack purchases.
Let's end the quarter right!
Please download the waiver giving permission for your student to participate. Forms also on the Forms and Supplies tab under the About tab on the website. Please return to Tarrah Elam during the week of October 14.
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TAKE YOUR PARENTS TO LUNCH
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 Save the date to have lunch with your child and try our new school menu! Tuesday, November 5!
Parents can order lunch from Create Common Good using our soon-to-be-released lunch order form. We will also be asking for your feedback following the lunch as we look to make the most of our lunch program.
Take Your Parent to Lunch
Riverstone International School
Tuesday, November 5
This event is an example of our Community & Service Pillar.
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RIVERSTONE YOUTUBE CHANNEL
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 We are building a collection of videos on our school youtube channel. Subscribe so you can stay in the loop!
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PLASTIC FREE DAY AT RIVERSTONE
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Plastic Free Day at Riverstone will take place on October 22!
Grade 8 students are challenging the school to go the whole day without using disposable plastics. These include plastic bottles, plastic wrappers, and plastic bags. We hope everyone will participate. According to our Grade 8 students, there are many reasons not to use plastic. Plastic is terrible for the environment because if it gets into water ways where animals think it is food and they consume it. Also plastic is made with petroleum which in a non-renewable fuel.
If you would like to learn more about the Grade 8 service project, ask a Grade 8 student or teacher Eleri Roberts.
Community and Service is one of our Five Pillars.
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TUTORING AVAILABLE AFTER SCHOOL
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As we get closer to the end of our first quarter, we wanted to remind you of various services offered by Riverstone to support your student academically.
After school help for all students Grades 6 - 12 is offered in English and Math two days each week. - English tutoring and extra support is held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:20 to 4:30 PM in the Middle School building with teacher Hayden Jared and High School student volunteers.
- Math tutoring and extra support is on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:05 to 4:30 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the High School building with teacher Alex McKinley and High School student volunteers.
Faculty members are available across all subjects during their specified after school office hours. We are committed to helping your student, so please encourage them to take advantage of the extra one on one time with their teachers and student volunteers.
If you have any questions please contact Tarrah Elam, Student Life Coordinator. |
 The results are in.... Riverstone has been ranked 6th for the District Tournament.
We will be playing on October 15 at 6:30 PM against Idaho City, the 3rd ranked team in the WIC conference. The game is at Columbia High School if you can come out and watch. Our team is very excited with where we have been placed in the tournament.
The girls have been dedicated in practice and are determined to show the rest of the conference what hard work can do.
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The soccer team had a break from games this past weekend, but will take on the Wolves this Saturday at 10:45 AM at Simplot Sports Complex. They have four games left to play this season.
The game schedule is on the school calendar. Come on out!
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 High School Basketball Coaches Ian Rumpp and Eric Chapman will be hosting open gym sessions for Middle & High School athletes to get some extra practice before basketball season starts. NO FEE!
The next two sessions are Saturday, October 12 and October 19.
Girls will play from 10:00-11:30 AM. Boys will play from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM.
Open Gym Sessions for Basketball October 12 through October 19 Every Saturday Kennedy Gymnasium See above times |
 Join Team Riverstone and continue the tradition of helping our community during Rake Up Boise on Saturday, November 26.
More information and sign-ups to come!
For questions, please contact Tarrah Elam, Student Life Coordinator. |
Thanks to Steve Strombeck from SafeHands who has installed germ protectors for the door handles in our Elementary School at no charge. This film-like material will reduce transmissions of germs and hopefully improve our health during the winter months! Take a look next time you are in the Elementary School!
Thank you! |
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FACEBOOK PHOTO OF THE WEEK
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The Facebook photo of the week was taken during Senior Night for High School Volleyball. The Lady Otters took home the win after celebrating our seniors for their many contributions to the team.
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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