Hi All,

While we all know how important it is for our students to be in a small and caring community, it is equally important and beneficial for our teachers to be in a similar environment. The amazing Merci Lunch program, professional development opportunities, and a dedicated cohort of peers all combine to create a positive and supportive working environment at Riverstone.

Over the last two weeks under the leadership of Grade 2 teacher, Trevor Lindsay, and Spanish teacher, Jami Whitmer, our faculty has paired up across divisions to learn from, and more about, each other. Each pair of teachers was asked to informally sit in on each other's classes, and then get together to talk about the experience. Teachers enjoyed the opportunity to "cross the parking lot," as well as share their talents and interests while gaining a new perspective on teaching.

This is also the time of year when teachers receive the first of two formal classroom evaluations from either James Hamilton, the Director of Elementary Education, or Alex Ide, Director of Secondary Education, and Andy Johnson, Dean of Faculty in the Secondary School. Our formal evaluation process is critical to the success of our teachers. We also work to ensure that new teachers have the opportunity to directly connect with these senior administrative mentors and be observed, coached, and celebrated many times throughout their early years with us. 

Thanks to your generosity in our Annual Fund and Annual Auction, we have increased the number of professional development opportunities for all of our staff members. In the most recent three years, staff members have attended in-service trainings at Riverstone, attended conferences elsewhere, and served as International Baccalaureate Program trainers or members of re-accreditation teams. In all, forty-nine teachers have reaped the benefits of individual opportunities for professional development. 

Ensuring that teachers get the training and encouragement to be the best for our students is a worthy goal for our entire community. Thank you for your support.

Please call for anything,

Bob Carignan

Head of School

bcarignan@riverstoneschool.org

Riverstone follows the Boise School District policy and guidelines with respect to outdoor recess time:

• If the temperature is 19 degrees or above, Elementary students go outside for recess.
• If the temperature is 18 degrees or below, Elementary students stay inside for recess.  
• Middle and High School students, if dressed appropriately, may go outside if the temperature is 18 degrees or below.

With the fluctuation of temperatures during the winter, it is critical that parents ensure that their children are arriving at school every day with winter coats, hats, and gloves. 

 Please be assured that we carefully monitor the conditions throughout each day. 

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.

Join us for a performance by our Middle and High School theatre arts students!

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

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. 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.

The Riverstone Community is invited to the upcoming City of Trees Orienteering event on Saturday, December 14.  

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

The course was designed by Ben Brock and Riverstone senior, Alex P. Along with local CTOC members, Ben Brock 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.

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

Beginning Monday, December 9, a section of Greenbelt on the north side of the Boise River along E Warm Springs Ave between the Parkcenter Bridge and Windsong Dr., will close for repair work by the Ada County Highway District (ACHD).

Repairs taking place will fix eroding shoulder and drainage problems in an area of Greenbelt across from the Warm Springs Mesa subdivision.  Detours will be set up near the E Parkcenter Bridge and near the northwest corner of Warm Springs Golf Course (toward the Baybrook Court/Orange Bridge), for commuters and recreationists using the Greenbelt in this area (see map below).  Repairs will take approximately one week and are expected to conclude on December 13.

For more information regarding this project, please contact Craig Quintana, ACHD Chief Information Officer at 387-6107 or cquintana@achdidaho.org.

Link to our school Facebook page here.

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