Hi All,

I hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with loved ones. As I look back at the past weeks and forward to the next few weeks, it's clear that there are many ways that our community comes together in support of our students and our Boise community.

Thank you to everyone who has been, or will be involved, in the planning and coordination of events that Riverstone is part of; they are truly fantastic events that require a great deal of support and engagement, which are hallmarks of our community. 

• Our Annual Fund Campaign, A River Runs Through Us
• Rake Up Boise
• Otter Bowls
• End of Unit Open Houses & Celebrations of Light
• Festival of Trees
• Athletics teams for Basketball
• Book Fair + Pizza Dinner + Variety Show
• Grandparents and Grandfriends Day
• Merci lunches
• Winter Concert and Choir Performances
• Theatre Arts Performances

The next few weeks are filled with activities that capture our Riverstone spirit. I look forward to seeing you at as many events as your schedule allows.

And once again, a heartfelt thank you for supporting our Annual Fund campaign, "A River Runs Through Us." 

We have much to be thankful for at Riverstone.

Bob Carignan

Head of School

bcarignan@riverstoneschool.org

Riverstone's winter weather policy is as follows: 

• Riverstone will be closed if the Boise School District closes district-wide.
• In cases where only certain schools in the Boise School District are closed, Riverstone's administration will decide whether to cancel school on a case-by-case basis.

If school is cancelled, an all-school email and text will be sent to parents as early as is possible. 

The information will also be posted on the school Facebook page and school calendar.

• $5 Pizza, Caesar Salad, and Treat
• Beverages by donation

Grandparents or Grandfriends of Elementary School students are invited to join us on Wednesday, December 11.

The schedule of events includes: 

• Introductions in the Multi-Purpose Room (1:30 PM)
• Classroom tours, photos, and time to browse the Book Fair with grandkids (1:45 - 2:15 PM)
• Winter Concert in the Kennedy Gymnasium (2:30 PM) 

Join us for a performance by our theatre arts students on Wednesday, December 11 at 7:00 PM.

Ellery C (Gr 12) and Trina C (Gr 11), as part of the IB Diploma Programme Theatre Arts requirements, will be presenting, Accept, Love, Deserve. This is an original work conceived by Ellery and Renee Vomocil, our Theatre Arts instructor.

Our Middle School Drama Club will also be performing, "Police Squad; the Hidden Truth" under the direction of Chad Shohet. 

Riverstone Theatre Arts Productions

Police Squad; the Hidden Truth and Accept, Love, Deserve

Wednesday, December 11

 7:00 PM

The Water Cooler at 1411 W Idaho St

Riverstone International School Outdoor Program Director Ben Brock and Alex P., a senior at Riverstone, have been mapping the East Boise area with the goal of expanding the sport of  Orienteering in Boise.  

Ben and Alex will be unveiling a new orienteering course on December 14 at the monthly City of Trees Orienteering Club meet.  The course will extend from the Idaho Parks and Rec facilities to Riverstone and East Junior High all the way down to the Barber Bridge, including public spaces within the Mill District.  

Orienteering is a sport in which participants navigate their way to checkpoints in a variety of terrain using maps and compasses.  "Winners" complete the course with the lowest elapsed time, but aren't necessarily always the fastest runners; orienteering is all about navigation skills. Slower runners can make up time by selecting efficient routes.  Orienteering is a great way to get outside and get some exercise and can be done either individually or with friends!  

 CTOC events are open to all ages and abilities and are generally attended by about 20 participants.  With a map and compass in hand, an orienteerer is easy to spot.  You may even have seen our High School students orienteering during their PE classes!

Registration, start & finish will be at the Riverstone Kennedy Gymnasium off Lysted Road.  Entry fee is $5.

Along with local CTOC members, Ben and students from his Outdoor Leadership Club will be presenting a short Introduction to Orienteering at 10:30 AM, just prior to the 11:00 start of the event.

Students, families, and friends are all invited! Contact Ben Brock, Director of Outdoor Education, with questions.

City of Trees Orienteering at Riverstone

Saturday, December 14

10:30 AM Orientation; 11:00 AM Start

The Riverstone community is an outstanding one. From our incredibly dedicated and talented faculty, staff and administration, to a wonderfully professional Board of Trustees, to a parent body whose commitment to their children and to the school is truly exceptional, to those wonderful kids...who all of this is about in the first place. The Culture & Community Committee will produce recommendations for students, teachers, administration and parents we hope will deepen and strengthen our already strong school community.

Come and join in our efforts to make the Riverstone community an even more special one.

Our next meeting will be on Thursday, December 12 at 3:30 PM in Room 37 in the Middle School (Hayden Jared's English classroom). We would love to see you there!

We are in need of a Middle School Boys basketball coach! 

We have a great group of excited student-athletes who are looking forward to their basketball season that runs from January 11 - February 27. Practices and games are right after school with games starting at 4:00 PM.

If anyone would be interested in coaching a very short season for a little bit of extra cash, please contact Demi Dlouhy, PE teacher.

Last week's Elementary School "Otter Bowls" was a great way to remind us that we have much to be thankful for while supporting others in need. Grade 5 students London B and Aly G, with guidance from Mr. Nelson, art teacher, organized this event to raise funds and awareness for the Idaho Foodbank.

Jenifer Johnson from the Idaho Foodbank gave a presentation to all Elementary students. Students and parents who contributed to the Idaho Foodbank could also choose a handmade ceramic bowl and enjoy some hot tasty soup. 

Thank you to our students who donated handmade ceramic pieces and the parents who donated soup. Thank you to our Community and Service representatives from the Elementary School Student Council who helped with the logistics of the event.

And special thanks to London M, Aly G, and Mr. Nelson!

Riverstone's tree, Dashing to the Snow, was awarded first place in the School, Non-traditional category (that's a reference to our non-traditional tree versus our being a non-traditional school!). Made of recycled skis welded together by a Gr 10 student, Quinn M, the tree also featured topo-map snowflakes and vintage snowshoes and poles.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to our tree's success.

Link to our school Facebook page here.

Follow the great things happening (or about to happen) at Riverstone!