Riverstone International School Newsletter
December 12, 2013
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 Hi All, I have always looked forward to the Book Fair each year. When my kids were younger, they used to borrow money from me so that they could get a Christmas gift for their sibling. Now, I love seeing the students sprawled out on beanbags reading together. Thanks to Kim Fall for taking the lead on this year's Book Fair. Last night, I went to see the Middle and High School Theater Arts performance. The Middle School ensemble play was witty and full of humorous word play; an amazing amount of comedy in a short amount of time. Senior Ellery C, who gave a solo presentation for her IB Diploma Programma project, was stunning. She presented a series of monologues from Shakespeare to Funny Girl. It struck me (as it always does) how amazing and beautiful language is - it can stun you in so many ways and syntaxes. When I changed careers, I was led by my love of literature and my deep fascination of the fact that 26 letters can fill all of the libraries in all of the English speaking world. The words that these letters form allow us to experience the wonderful breadth of the human experience. They allow great leaders like Nelson Mandela to change the course of the great ship of destiny. Being moved by these words, as I was by Mr. Mandela when I was younger and by Ellery's performance last night, is one of the great joys of being alive. So today, as we head into the holidays, I simply wanted to celebrate language and its great humanizing effect on us all. When my family sits down late on Christmas Eve to read The Polar Express together as we do every year, words will unite us again as a family. I hope that all of you will be able to take the time this holiday season to linger and celebrate language together with your family. Please call for anything,  Bob Carignan Head of School bcarignan@riverstoneschool.org |
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GR 9-12 IDAHO BOTANICAL GARDENS
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Students in Grades 9-12 are invited to join us on Friday, December 13 to see the beauty of the Idaho Botanical Garden full of lights, warm fires, and holiday fun. Transportation to and from the Gardens will be via the school's bus.
We will return to Riverstone to support our High School Boys Basketball team following the visit to the Garden.
Winter Garden aGlow + Basketball Game for Grades 9-12 Friday, December 13 6:00 PM Meet at Riverstone and ride the bus to the Gardens |
 Congratulations to the winner of the Bookmark Contest, Veronica R (Gr 2)! Copies of Veronica's bookmark have been given to everyone who purchased an item at the Book Fair. We will include a full list of class winners, and picture of Veronica and her bookmark, in next week's newsletter.
In the meantime, only one more day to shop at the Book Fair in the atrium! Arrive by 4:00 PM!
Parents are also invited to contribute to Scholastic's All for Books. Scholastic will donate books to The Cabin based on contributions to the All for Books program.
Please contact Kim Fall, Book Fair Coordinator, with questions or to volunteer to help with tear down on Monday morning.
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JANUARY ACTIVITIES AND LUNCH ORDERS
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 Get your new year in order!
Return your lunch order forms for January by Friday, December 20. Drop them off at the Elementary School or Middle School front desks. Contact Business Director, Kevin Richmond, with questions.
Register now for After School Activities for Session Three that starts in January! Register for activities until classes are full. Contact Tarrah Elam, Student Life Coordinator, with questions.
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 Attention all you Rockers! Don't let those holiday cards overshadow the Auction Save the Date arriving soon!
Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 1 and get ready for an epic auction!
We are currently looking for your help with connections and contacts in the music world. We would love to put together a once-in-a-lifetime package that includes a musical experience.
Please email one of our Auction Chairpersons, Mary Jane Murphy or Amy Bava, if you have any ideas or suggestions for this item.
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 Riverstone parents in all grades are invited to show their appreciation of the staff by contributing to the next Merci lunch on Thursday, December 19.
We need a few more yummy items and need help with set up and clean up.
Check the Merci lunch sign up sheet here for ways that you can help. Thank you! |
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MANAGEBAC FOR MS-HS PARENTS
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 Middle and High School report cards will be posted on Managebac at the end of the semester. Report cards will not be mailed or emailed.
Middle and High School parents need to log in to Managebac prior to Winter Break. If you need any assistance navigating Managebac, please contact Alex Ide, Director of Secondary Education.
Parents may use Managebac to send an excusal for their child's absence. Click on the Attendance tab and look to the right of the screen for the Submit Attendance Excusal button!
Link to the Managebac login page here. |
It has been a busy week or two at Riverstone and there are lots of pictures posted on the school Facebook page. Check them out!
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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
Kennedy Gymnasium
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OUTDOOR EDUCATION PROGRAM
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 Winter Activities are just around the corner! Check the school calendar for your child's winter activities.
Activities include: Ice Skating Lessons - Preschool through Grade 1 Nordic Lessons - Grades 2 and 3 Snow School - Grade 4 McCall Outdoor Science School - Grade 5 Ski & Snowboard Lessons - Grades 6 and 7 Idaho City Yurt Trip - Grade 8 Bogus Basin Snow Camping Trip - Grade 10 Senior Trip to the Sawtooths - Grade 12
Looking for some Christmas gift ideas? Equipment Lists are coming soon! Contact Ben Brock, Director of Outdoor Education, with questions. |
 This week, students from the Outdoor Leadership Program's Backcountry Ski Club put on a Ski Season Kick Off Party! During the lunchtime gathering, students watched "Into the Mind," the new ski film from Sherpa Cinemas, snacked on Clif Bars donated by the Winter Wildlands Alliance, and had the chance to learn about ski tuning.
And while everyone was getting stoked for the upcoming season, a pledge sheet was passed around; so far students and faculty have pledged nearly 300 days at resorts and 300,000 vertical feet in the backcountry! Interested in getting in on the fun and setting a goal for yourself? Let Ben Brock know if you'd like to pledge too.
Prizes will be awarded for the individuals with the most days and vertical climbed this winter! Let it snow! |
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JOIN RIVERSTONE'S SKI & SNOWBOARD TEAM
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 Middle and High School students are invited to join Riverstone's Ski and Snowboard team that competes at Bogus Basin.
Open to students in Grades 6-12 of all abilities; no race experience needed. Students compete against similarly skilled competitors (beginner, intermediate and expert) in each division. Students can ski, snowboard, and do freestyle competition.
Students must provide their own transportation to Bogus Basin Mountain. Races are Saturdays from January 4 - February 8.
If your student would like to be part of Riverstone's team, parents need to complete and sign permission forms prior to the winter break.
Students may pick up forms from Robyn Olnes in the Middle School or Josh Udesen in the High School. Contact Robyn or Josh with questions. |
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WINTER BASH FOR MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
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 Students in Grades 6-12 will celebrate the end of finals and kick off the Winter Break together on Friday, December 20 with an Advisory gathering and an hour of music and entertainment provided by their peers.
All students are encouraged to wear their favorite ugly holiday sweater. A competition among advisories will take place to find the ugliest of sweaters. Dig into your wardrobes, take a gander at a local thrift store, and get creative!
If you have any questions, contact Tarrah Elam, Student Life Coordinator.
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After working diligently with their Grade 5 teammates preparing for a debate on the topic of either being for or against a particular energy source being the best source available, students put all of their hard work into action in order to try to persuade an audience to agree with their side of the argument.
In order to prepare for the big day, the students first had to research their side of an argument (and be knowledgeable on the opposing side of the argument, too). Once the research was complete, students spent time practicing their speeches without using their note cards, being conversational, and timing themselves to make sure they were ready to speak in front of an audience for three minutes.
Check out their individual presentations on our school YouTube channel!
 | | Gr 5 Debate on Renewable Resources: Nathan |
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 High School Girls
The Riverstone Girls Varsity Team enters the 2013-2014 season returning four Varsity players. The girls are excited to have Junior transfer Trina C join the team. Trina brings high level experience to our young team. After opening the season 1-0, the girls are looking to continue their success on the court by playing together as a team and getting better everyday.
By working hard each day in practice and emphasizing the fundamentals, the girls are showing rapid improvement day by day and are excited to get into the heart of the season!
 Our High School Girls Coach: Ian Rumpp
Ian Rumpp is a 2008 Graduate of Riverstone who went on to play basketball for DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. Ian majored in Sociology, with Spanish and History minors. Ian currently coaches basketball for Boise High, Riverstone, and a traveling club team called Flite Basketball. Ian also teaches Physical Education for the MYP at Riverstone. Apart from basketball and teaching, Ian works part time for Nike, as well as bussing tables at Chandlers Steakhouse. Ian loves the Northwest and is an avid Portland Trail Blazers fan.
 High School Boys
The High School Boys team travelled to Wilder tonight and takes on Garden Valley High School on Friday, December 13. Junior Varsity starts at 6:00 PM and Varsity at 7:30 PM in the Kennedy Gymnasium. Come and cheer on the Otters!
If you have any questions, contact Abby Fereday, Athletic Director.
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 Grade 11 students recently traveled to Concordia School of Law in downtown Boise as part of their Theory of Knowledge course, an IB Diploma Programme required class. Concordia School of Law's Dean Sergienko led a session on the Judgment of King Solomon.
This exercise is a common thought problem posed to first year law students and was an excellent way for our students to engage with the skills of Theory of Knowledge.
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 We like to share our students' news! If you have news that your child would like to share, please email Kathleen Gilton.
Congratulations to Alex L (Gr 3), Stephen C (Gr 3), and Andrew L (Gr 5) for successfully passing their Tae Kwon Do black belt tests this past Saturday!
The test lasted six hours! Wow!
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 Riverstone has partnered with Idaho Youth Ranch to host a collection box in our parking lot. In exchange, the school receives a small donation based on weight of appropriate items. Funds raised from this collection box support our Service Learning initiatives.
From December 3-16, Idaho Youth Ranch is offering an additional incentive to clean out your closets. They are seeking shoes and clothing specifically.
The school with the most weight in donations of shoe and clothing will receive $350.
If you are thinking of cleaning your closets, this is a great time to do so. Support Idaho Youth Ranch and Riverstone.
If you have any questions, please contact Rachel Pusch. |
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RECESS AND WINTER WEATHER
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 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. |
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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 featured our High School Girls Basketball team. Go Otters!
Link to our school Facebook page here.
Follow the great things happening (or about to happen) at Riverstone!
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