Riverstone International School Newsletter
November 14, 2013
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 Hi All,
After five years of consecutive reauthorization and reaccreditation visits (NWAIS, DP, PYP and last week, the MYP), the last team has left and we now have until 2017 to catch our breath! And yes, we are a better school because of each of these reviews. Over these years, we have been challenged to reflect and improve in many ways. These reauthorizations and reaccreditations are your guarantee that we are doing what we say, and doing it well, with consistent and constant reflection on our mission.
At the end of the three day review by the IB Middle Years Programme reauthorization team, they gave us initial feedback which includes both commendations and recommendations. For recommendations, the team suggested that we be more deliberate about our teacher collaboration time and that we work together to identify trends in student assessment. They also suggested that we carve out more time for individual reflection on teaching practices.
In their commendations, the team was very complimentary with respect to our teachers, our staff, and our Board of Trustees. They were impressed with our Grade 10 Personal Project process and our Outdoor Education program that reinforces the values of the MYP. They were also pleased that we have a new Student Life Coordinator. They were impressed with our commitment to academic excellence and the willingness of our faculty to consistently focus on the interest of our students. Their final comment was, "We are very pleased with what we've seen at your school; Riverstone embraces and reflects the values of the MYP and the IB." If you have any questions, please take a minute to talk with Alex Ide, Director of Secondary Education, or Andy Johnson, Dean of Faculty for Secondary Education. Congratulations to our MYP staff on a job well done!
Now, onto some fun stuff! Between now and Winter break, we have many wonderful opportunities to come together as a community. Please keep an eye out for events, including their dates and times in this busy and fun stretch.
I look forward to seeing you as we celebrate Riverstone together.
Call for anything,
Bob Carignan
Head of School
bcarignan@riverstoneschool.org
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 A message from our Annual Fund Chairs, Rick and Ceci Bennett:
In the past 3 weeks of fundraising, we have had 50% participation school-wide. With only a week left, we need your support and help reaching 100% participation and our goal of raising $200,000! No gift is too small. It is the act of giving that is important.
We cannot think of a greater endorsement of everything Riverstone is and continues to be than with a gift to this Annual Fund. Thank you for your kind and generous support!
Please contact Rick and Ceci Bennett if you have any questions. The campaign ends on Friday, November 22.
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 To kick our last week of the Annual Fund Campaign into high gear, Rick and Ceci Bennett would like to treat you to a cup of freshly brewed coffee on Tuesday, November 19 from 8:00 - 9:00 AM!Drop off your kids and then join the Bennetts and Annual Fund Ambassadors at the big red Joe2U van by the thermometer and Riverstone banners. - Ask your Annual Fund questions
- Drop off your pledge or donation (or celebrate that you've already pledged or contributed!)
- Meet your Annual Fund Ambassadors
- Start your day off with a little bit of fun and community building!
Hot chocolate is also available if you'd like to treat your kids before school! Hope to see you there!
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Please take two minutes to watch this short video that explains why your support of the Annual Fund Campaign is so important.
If you have questions about the Annual Fund, please feel free to contact Rick Bennett at rickbennett@id-buy.com and Ceci Bennett at ceciliabennett1960@gmail.com. Your Class Ambassadors are excellent resources as well.
Thank you for your support of our school and our students!
 | | 2013 Annual Fund: A River Runs Through Us |
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 Join us at 8:00 AM for tomorrow's Friday Morning Music! Our young musicians appreciate your support.
What a nice way to start the day! |
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DECEMBER LUNCH ORDER DUE NOV 22
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 Create Common Good has been taking our suggestions seriously. They are rolling out a new menu for December with more kid-pleasing entrees!
New selections include Pasta with Meat Sauce, Teriyaki Chicken with Rice, Orange-Honey Chicken with Rice, Pulled Pork Sandwich
Please return all lunch orders to the Elementary and Middle School Front Desks by Friday, November 22.
Download an Elementary School lunch form here.
Download a Middle & High School lunch form here.
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GR 6-12 IDAHO ICE WORLD ACTIVITY
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It is all about BALANCE, on the rink and in life! Take a break from your school work and join us for an evening of FUN!
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 **TOMORROW**
Grades 6-8: Friday, November 22 from 6:00 - 10:00 PM Please have your students RSVP with the waivers above. 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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Riverstone's Rake Up Boise team is ready to rake on Saturday, November 16! Don't forget your gloves and rakes!
For questions, please contact Eleri Roberts, Middle School Service Coordinator. |
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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! Skis and poles can be left with Lisa and Robyn at the Elementary and Middle School front desk
Also, please save the date to join in the fun and help decorate our tree, "Dashing to the Snow," on Sunday, November 24.
Thank you so much! Please email Kim Liebich with questions or to get involved. |
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MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL LOST AND FOUND
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 All items left in the Middle and High School Lost and Found will be donated to the Idaho Youth Ranch during Thanksgiving vacation. The Lost and Found is located in the Gym Foyer.
Please check for coats, lunch boxes, water bottles, etc soon! |
 The Elementary School Passport Club testing is Tuesday, November 19!
If you would like to help with Passport Club testing, please contact James Hamilton-Vail. This is a great way to get to know our students. |
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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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Please contact Kim Fall, Book Fair Coordinator, with questions or to volunteer.
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 High School Boys Basketball The first High School Boys Basketball practice is Friday, November 15 from 3:30 - 5:30 PM.
Middle School Girls Basketball Great Start!
After dropping their first game to Horseshoe Bend, the Middle School Girls teams (both A and B) have come back for 3 wins in a row! Last Thursday, both the A and B teams defeated Wilder by 20 or more points. Earlier this week, at Rolling Hills, the B team rolled to a 24-11 win, and the A team followed up in suite with a 27-15 win. The girls pulled off a win tonight against Compass Charter School in two nail biting games!
Most importantly, several Rolling Hills parents pulled Coach Abby Fereday aside after the game to compliment our girls for playing (and winning) with such integrity. One dad said, "You know, a lot of the teams in our conference can be pretty nasty on the court, especially in close games like tonight. But your girls were so fun to watch and so nice about it along the way. Thank you." Not only are our girls playing well, but they are also gaining a reputation for being mature and polite along the way.
Rumor has it that the Middle School games are the place to be for excitement and down to the wire, sit on the edge of your seat fun.
Come cheer for the girls on Tuesday, November 19 at 5:00 PM at the Kennedy Gymnasium! Go Otters! We are proud of you!
If you have any questions, contact Abby Fereday, Athletic Director.
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Congratulations to senior, Phoebe T, who, along with her parents, signed a letter of intent on Wednesday, Nov 13, to swim at the NCAA Division One level at George Washington University next year.
Phoebe is Riverstone's second athlete to sign a letter of intent. Yvonne R, Class of 2012, was the first. Yvonne plays softball for St. John's University.
When asked about her swimming career, Phoebe wrote, "I have always loved to swim. I started swimming competitively on the Boise YMCA Swim Team six years ago. Now, I am on the Senior Team, the highest level, on the Y Team. I have qualified for the YMCA Short Course Nationals since my freshman year of High School. I have also swam on four record breaking relays, and I hold the Idaho District Record in the 50 Free, along with other individual team records."
The High School students and staff were in attendance to celebrate with her, along with her family. More photos on the school Facebook page. Congratulations Phoebe!
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Riverstone has eight student who were selected for regional All-Northwest Choirs. The singers represented six states, including Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Montana, and Wyoming.
The singers in Middle and High School choirs are selected by audition, including Gwen D (Gr 10) who will sing in the HS Women's Honor Choir and Olivia D (Gr 7) who will be singing in the Youth Honor Choir. Zoe P (Gr 6), Ronnie BG (Gr 6), Rose M (Gr 5), Aly G (Gr 5), Sophie B (Gr 5), and Bella R (Gr 5) are participating in the Children's Honor Choir.
All of these students will travel to Seattle, WA on Wednesday, March 12 to work with a nationally recognized choir conductor for three days that concludes with a public concert at various venues in Seattle.
Choir Director, Laura DeLaney writes, "I am very proud of the commitment these students have made to the study of music and I'm looking forward to hearing the wonderful music they will make with musicians from all over the Northwest."
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 Congratulations to Abby Grafft, our MYP English teacher, Middle School Girls Basketball Coach, and Athletic Director, who was married Saturday, November 2.
Abby's new name is Abby Fereday and her husband, Theron, is a High School science teacher.
Congratulations Abby and Theron!
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SING OR SELL CONCESSIONS AT HOME GAMES!
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We are looking for you to join our home basketball games! We need musicians! We are looking for students to sing or play the Star Spangled Banner at home game. 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, to audition. We need help selling concessions!
Please help us open our concessions stand at home High School Varsity games. We are looking for parent volunteers to make this possible. No experience needed!
Please email Tarrah Elam, Student Life Coordinator, if you can help. You may also sign up on the link below.
Game dates and schedule, including the chance to sign up, available on the Community Opportunities Sign Up Sheet.
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Yesterday, students in the Elementary School took part in the Indian Diwali celebration.
Each grade level rotated through five different activities giving students a taste of the Indian culture. They sampled Indian food, created Rangoli patterns, danced, and listened to the Story of Rama and Sita. A big thank you to all the parents who helped plan this event.
International Understanding at its best.
More photos to be posted on the school Facebook page soon!
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 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! |
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 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!
Kelli W (Gr 6) auditioned and was selected to play violin in the Boise School District "Intermediate Honor Orchestra" for 2013-2014. Congratulations!
Many of our Grade 4 students are having a lot of fun participating in the Boise Cotillion. Don't they look great?
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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 when our students visited the Idaho State Veterans' Home with 150 personalized letters of gratitude.
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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Mark your calendars for Riverstone's Scholastic Book Fair in early December! And sign up to help with the fair on the 
