Riverstone International School Newsletter
November 7, 2013
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 Hi All,
In May 2012, Riverstone was selected by the Malone Family Foundation to fund scholarships for students entering Grades 7-12 who show enthusiasm and motivation for academic excellence and whose family demonstrates financial need. The Foundation selected 49 schools across the country to award this prestigious grant. Being recognized as the only Malone School in Idaho is a great honor.
In August 2012, we welcomed our first four Malone Scholars. Now, I am pleased to introduce you to our 2013 Malone Scholars, Delaney C (Gr 8) and Vimean R (Gr 7). Please welcome them to the Riverstone community!
We were impressed with the outstanding quality of the Malone Scholar applicants last spring. In fact, although we were only able to award two Malone Scholarships, we were able to accept and matriculate most of the candidates. What is truly exciting is that parents referred several of these great young men and women to us.
Once again, we are asking for your help. As we start our open houses next week, we would appreciate your help in identifying great students who would thrive in a community like ours.
We encourage interested families to apply by mid-February for the upcoming school year but recommend applicants start learning about Riverstone as soon as possible. Visit our website for more information about general admissions as well as the qualifications and application process for Malone Scholarships. There is no better gauge of a student's success at Riverstone than a ringing endorsement by our parents, staff, and students.
Please stop by if you would like to learn more about Malone Scholarships or traditional financial aid options for families. Of course, we are happy to hear of any referrals as well.
Thank you for your continued support.
Bob Carignan
Head of School
bcarignan@riverstoneschool.org
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 Current and prospective parents and students are invited to our daytime open houses that showcase our students and teachers in action.
If you would like to learn more about the next division for your child, please attend. Also please pass along the invitation if you have a friend who would like to learn more about Riverstone.
Elementary School Open House (Preschool - Grade 5)
Tuesday, November 12
9:30 - 11:00 AM
Middle & High School Open House (Grades 6 - 12)
Thursday, November 14
9:30 - 11:00 AM
Please meet in the Elementary School atrium for both open houses. To help with planning, please RSVP to Rachel Pusch, Director of Admissions and Marketing. |
 We wanted to make the State of the School Address accessible to as many people as possible. This was an info-packed night, setting the direction for the remainder of the school year.
Download the slide deck here.
Click here to listen to a condensed version of Bob Carignan's State of the School Address. There is a 10 second break about midway... keep listening please! |
A message from our Annual Fund Chairs, Rick and Ceci Bennett:
The school is at the midway point in its Annual Fund - week 3 of the 5 week effort - and the momentum is picking up! We are at 34% participation as of Friday, Nov 1. THANK YOU to everyone who has submitted their donation or pledge. Every day we are getting close to the half-way mark!
Time is like a river and it is passing quickly! If you haven't had the time to give, we encourage you to make your mark on this campaign soon. The campaign ends Friday, November 22.
Thank you for your kind and generous support!
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WE NEED YOUR OLD SKIS + POLES
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 Riverstone's Festival of the Trees crew needs your old skis and poles! Especially poles!
Also, please save the date to join in the fun and help decorate our tree, "Dashing to the Snow," on Sunday, November 24.
More information to come soon. Skis and poles can be left with Lisa and Robyn at the Elementary and Middle School front desks.
Thank you so much!
Please email Kim Liebich with questions or to get involved. |
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Riverstone's Rake Up Boise team needs more yards to rake on Saturday, November 16!
Do you have a neighbor or family member that could use some help with their falling leaves? Please send names and phone numbers of suitable applicants (over 65 or disabled, living in southeast Boise) to Eleri Roberts by Monday, November 11.
For questions, please contact Eleri Roberts, Middle School Service Coordinator. |
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WE NEED YOUR HELP WITH THE PASSPORT CLUB
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 The Elementary School Passport Club parent leaders are looking for more parents to get involved in the monthly testing of students. Typically, the Passport Club test falls on the last Tuesday of the month.
Time involved is brief: 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM. Getting to know our students is a bonus!
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PARENTS' ASSOCIATION MEETING
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 Join us for the November meeting on Tuesday, November 12, 2013 in the Elementary School Multi-Purpose room.
Highlights of the meeting include: Treasurer's Report, Recap Halloween Parties with the ES Rep, Committee updates, 3rd Grade Pizza Party (part of the Pumpkin Patch/Bake Sale), and an update on PA grants.
There will be coffee and pastries. Please contact Michelle Nenov, PA President, if you have questions or would like to learn more about how you can get involved! |
 Picture retakes have been scheduled for Wednesday, November 13. Please contact Lisa Armstrong with questions.
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 All parents are invited to our Celebration of Diwali on Wednesay, November 13.
The Elementary students will be rotating between five different activities from 2:30 - 3:30 PM. Please feel free to join us.
Thank you to our parents who are helping with the event! Contact James Hamilton-Vail with any questions. |
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GR 6-12 IDAHO ICE WORLD ACTIVITY
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All students in Grades 6-12 are welcome to join us for an evening of fun at Blue Cow and then Idaho Ice World.
Grades 9-12: Friday, November 15 from 6:00 - 10:15 PM
Grades 6-8: Friday, November 22 from 6:00 - 10:00 PM Please have your students RSVP with the attached Permission and Waiver form. We will start the evening with a trip to Blue Cow and head to Idaho Ice World for fun in the arcade and skating which starts at 8:00 PM. Contact Tarrah Elam, Student Life Coordinator, with questions. |
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EMPTY BOWLS AT RIVERSTONE: SIGN UP TO BRING SOUP
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 Parents are encouraged to join us for Riverstone's version of Empty Bowls that our Grade 5 Student Council reps have renamed "Otter Bowls." This event will take place on Tuesday, November 26, at 2:15 PM.
Our students will be making ceramic bowls that we will offer in exchange for a $10 donation. Proceeds will benefit the Idaho Foodbank.
We are seeking parents who are willing to make soup for our event on Tuesday, November 26.
Please use the following link to the Community Opportunities Sign Up Sheet to volunteer to bring soup on November 26.
If you have any questions, please email Mr. Nelson, Art teacher. Thank you!
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CAN YOU SING OR PLAY THE NATIONAL ANTHEM?
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 Represent your school in song! We are looking for students to sing or play the Star Spangled Banner at home games this season.
To be eligible to perform, solo performers or groups must arrange a time for music teacher, Laura DeLaney, to hear them sing or play the national anthem from memory.
Spots will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Preference will be given to students who have not yet performed the national anthem this year.
Please email Music teacher, Laura DeLaney, if you have any questions.
Available dates are as follows with note that *Quad nights involve up both Girls and Boys games with up to four games being played; Mrs. DeLaney can schedule performers for the specific times:
| Dec 3 | 3:30 - 9:00 PM | Quad* | | Dec 14 | 12:00 PM | Girls | | Jan 10 | 3:30 - 9:00 PM | Quad* | | Jan 14 | 6:00 PM | Boys | | Jan 21 | 3:30 - 9:00 PM | Quad* | | Jan 28 | 3:30 - 9:00 PM | Quad* | | Feb 7 | 6:00 PM | Boys | | Feb 11 | 6:00 PM | Boys |
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CONCESSIONS HELP AT BASKETBALL GAMES
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Please help us open our concessions stand at home High School Varsity games this basketball season. We are looking for parent volunteers to make this possible. No experience needed!
Please look at the available dates and email Tarrah Elam, Student Life Coordinator, if you think you can be part of the effort. Available dates are as follows:
| Dec 3 | 5PM - 6:30PM (Girls) and 7:30PM - 8:30PM (Boys) | Quad* | | Dec 14 | 12:00 PM | Girls | | Jan 10 | 5PM - 6:30PM (Girls) and 7:30PM - 8:30PM (Boys) | Quad* | | Jan 14 | 6:00 PM | Boys | | Jan 21 | 5PM - 6:30PM (Girls) and 7:30PM - 8:30PM (Boys) | Quad* | | Jan 28 | 5PM - 6:30PM (Girls) and 7:30PM - 8:30PM (Boys) | Quad* | | Feb 7 | 6:00 PM | Boys | | Feb 11 | 6:00 PM | Boys |
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 Preschool teacher, Jennie Moyett, has being accepted into the doctoral program at Boise State University after a rigorous application and interview process!
Jennie will be working towards her EdD in Curriculum and Instruction with the cognate/specialization of Bilingual Education.
According to Jennie, "The next four years are going to be the most amazing years in my journey/professional career. I am very excited to start this journey in my life."
ˇEnhorabuena!
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 Riverstone senior, Hannah M was crowned Miss Idaho Teen USA at our state competition this past Saturday. Read more at http://www.missidahousa.com/news.php.
When Hannah was asked about her Riverstone experience, she wrote,
"I have attended Riverstone since kindergarten, so I've really seen the school grow.
My favorite part of being a student here is probably the close knit community and the relationships I have with my teachers and peers. At Riverstone, the teachers are approachable and want you to come to them with questions and ideas, and some of my classmates and I have been together since elementary school. Also, the outdoor program and international trips are amazing.
Also, I want to thank the entire Riverstone community for supporting and encouraging me while I was preparing for the pageant."
Hannah received the High School Music Department award and Harvard book award last year. She will be representing Idaho at the Miss Teen USA pageant this summer.
According to Middle School teacher, John Pedersen, when Hannah was in Grade 6, she told him she was going to be a pageant winner. As we can tell, when Hannah sets her sights on something, she can accomplish anything!
Congratulations Hannah! |
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SENIOR ALL-STAR VOLLEYBALL PLAYER
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 Congratulations to Ellery C (Gr 12) who was selected for the All-Star Volleyball Game that will be played next Monday, November 11 at Payette High School at 7:00 PM.
Ellery will be playing with 1A All-Conference selected seniors from our area.
We are proud of you Ellery!
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TAKE YOUR PARENTS TO LUNCH
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 Thank you for making our first Take Your Parents to Lunch day a success!
Over 20 parents joined us for lunch on November 5. Surveys were distributed to parents asking their opinion about our current lunch program; questions about quantity, cost, and variety were asked. The information will be shared with Create Common Good as we continue to fine tune our lunch program.
If you would like to submit feedback or respond to the survey based on your child's experience with Riverstone's lunch program, please email Michelle Nenov or call 415-990-4138.
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MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL
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The Middle School Girls Basketball team lost in their first game against Horseshoe Bend, but they played really well (and some of them, for the very first time)!
If you have any questions, contact Abby Fereday, Athletic Director.
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 We always like to share news from our students, many of whom have interesting hobbies, passions, and accomplishments outside of school. Please forward any news that you or your child would like to share with our community to Kathleen Gilton.
Andrew L (Gr 5) and Alex L (Gr 3) competed this past weekend in the Treasure Valley Music Teacher Association Sonatina Festival. Andrew was awarded first place in Level 4 and Alex was awarded second place in Level 3! The Sonatina Festival is always very competitive and requires a great deal of preparation.
Well done! |
 | | Riverstone Outdoor Program Fall 2013 |
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GRADE 8 AT SATURDAY MARKET
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Grade 8 represented themselves and Riverstone incredibly well this past Saturday at the Capital City Public Market in downtown Boise!
The students were continuing their service learning campaign against single-use plastic. They had a booth set up with a recycling quiz, handed out flyers, and talked to everyone they could about reducing single use plastic. Quiz-takers also were given a token to hang in their car reminding them to take reusable bags into the grocery store.
Thank you to Eleri Roberts for leading the kids and chaperoning. Also thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello and learn more!
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 Student clubs and groups have the opportunity to fund raise for their cause through the student store this year. Student groups will manage the store on a weekly basis during lunch and after school, to help with any funding needs of the club.
Please download the student store menu and begin a conversation with your child about the different choices and best options for your student and family.
We will also be opening the student store for concessions during High School boys and girls basketball games. If you have an interest in helping during games, please contact Tarrah Elam, Student Life Coordinator. |
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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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FACEBOOK PHOTO OF THE WEEK
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The Facebook photo of the week was taken by Susan Tabb at the Miss Idaho Teen USA pageant where Riverstone senior, Hannah M, was crowned.
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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