Riverstone International School Newsletter
January 16, 2014
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 Dear Riverstone Community,
One of the Board of Trustees primary responsibilities is to develop, implement, and update the School's five year strategic plan. In December, the Board established a steering committee to undertake the task of updating the current strategic plan that ends in 2014. This committee is comprised of Trustees, members of the faculty and staff, parents, and students.
As we begin our work, we are not looking for a complete re-write of Riverstone's core vision and values. Our commitment to the Five Pillars and the International Baccalaureate Programmes will not change. Primarily, the 2014 Strategic Plan will set the high level goals for the school over the next five years as we continue to focus on excellence and sustainability.
The new strategic plan will be developed in three phases.
Phase 1: Develop a common understanding of Riverstone's current situation (January 1 - Spring Break)
The committee will review our existing strategic plan, feedback from recent authorization visits, survey responses, and data from our current operations to develop a greater level of understanding of the current state of the school. For example, which parts of our existing strategic plan are complete? What differentiates Riverstone from other educational opportunities?
Phase 2: Identify where we want to go next (April - June)
We will gather feedback from our constituents via surveys and small group sessions. We will be looking to identify major strategic initiatives going forward, potential alternatives for the long term, and the resources needed to implement the initiatives.
Phase 3: Create the formal plan and communicate to all school constituents at the State of the School in the Fall of 2014
We want this to be an open and collaborative process, and we will be seeking input from the entire Riverstone community through the use of surveys and feedback sessions during the semester. We look forward to your participation!
Should you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact any member of the strategic planning committee.
Warm regards,
Kurt Liebich
Chairman Board of Trustees
The 2014 Strategic Plan Steering Committee Members
| Mark Liebich (Chair) | Amy Duque | Mackenzie Roan | | Betsy Bader-Hellstrom | Tarrah Elam | Jeanette Thornton | | Brian Bava | Andy Johnson | Jami Whitmer | | Bob Carignan | Trevor Lindsay | | |
| Kipp Martell | |
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SCHOOL CLOSED MONDAY, JAN 20
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 School will be closed on Monday, January 20 in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Idaho Human Rights Commission will be commemorating the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act on the second floor of the state Capitol Rotunda, starting at noon on Monday, January 20. Learn more here. |
Friday, January 17 is chock-full of opportunities for parents and friends to fire up their brain cells!
National Geography Bee Finals at 8:30 AM
Cheer on our 10 finalists who will answer tough geography questions in a double elimination format, culminating in the championship round featuring the final two competitors. You will be amazed at how challenging these questions are and how much our students know!
Elementary School Open House at 9:30 AM
Friday, January 17
Elementary School Atrium
Take a tour, visit the classrooms, and see our teachers and students in action during a typical school day. **Invite a friend!**
Health & Wellness Presentation & Brown Bag Lunch for Parents at 12:00 PM
Presented by Dr. Mindy Gaddis
Friday, January 17
Harris Ranch Spring Creek Clubhouse on S Millspur Way
**Bring a friend!**
Dr. Mindy Gaddis, a Riverstone parent, is our first featured speaker to address a topic about which many of you have asked for more information. Dr. Gaddis will be joined by other members of her team, including a dietician and fitness director, as she leads a discussion on Health and Wellness. Don't miss this!
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AUCTION NEWS AND NEXT MEETING
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 Auction buzz is buzzing around campus as the big night approaches! Project teams are forming, donations are starting to roll in, and plans are being made!
The auction, one of the biggest community events of the year, is a ridiculously fun way to spend a night and make some new friends while raising money for an incredible purpose. There is truly something for everyone but above all, your presence is the best place to start.
If you would like to be involved, come to the Auction Committee meeting Tuesday, January 21 at 8:35 AM in the Elementary School Multi-Purpose room or contact one of the auction co-chairs.
The auction is Saturday, March 1 at 5:00 at the Boise Centre. Plan to join us for dinner, dancing, and a silent and live auction that will make you even more happy you are part of this community! Don't miss out. Ticket sales coming soon.
Also get ready for the first ever Riverstone Online Auction!! More details soon.
For more information or to get involved, please contact our Auction Co-Chairs, Amy Bava and Mary Jane Murphy. Download a donation form here. |
 The Parents' Association would like to thank Tammy Van De Graaff for her help over the last two years as PA Treasurer. We wish her the very best with her new endeavor at Micron Technology. With that being said, we are seeking someone to fill her position. If you are interested in volunteering as the PA Treasurer, please contact Michelle Nenov, PA President.
The PA would also like to thank all of the families who have contributed to the class funds this year. Thanks to your contributions, and with some additional help from our reserve funds, we were able to give a $50 holiday gift to every staff member at Riverstone! A big thank you to Amy Duque for her help in making this gift such a success!
Our next Parents' Association meeting is on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at 8:35 AM in the Elementary School Multi-Purpose Room. Please join us!
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APPLY NOW FOR SCHOLARSHIPS & FINANCIAL AID
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 We are now accepting applications for Fall 2014 and holding monthly open houses for current and prospective families!
Enrolling Siblings
If you have a sibling for whom you are considering applying, please contact Rachel Pusch.
Malone Scholar Applicants
If you know know of new students who might be great Malone Scholar applicants, please encourage them to contact Rachel Pusch.
Candidates for Malone Scholarships must be new students entering Grades 7 - 11 and meet the following criteria:
- Be a citizen of the United States;
- Show enthusiasm and motivation for academic excellence, evidenced by grade reports and test scores; and
- Demonstrate financial need to qualify for funding of at least 30 percent of tuition through Riverstone International School's need-based financial aid process.
Open HousesRiverstone has started their monthly open houses. Invite your friends who may be interested in Riverstone! Current parents are encouraged to attend to learn more about what's coming their way.
Elementary Open House (Preschool - Grade 5) on Friday, January 17
Meet in the Elementary School Atrium at 9:30 AM.
Financial Aid
If you are a current family who would like to be considered for financial aid for the 2014-2015 academic year, please submit your SSS parent financial statement and provide your most recent IRS Form 1040 (2012 or 2013 if you have it already completed) to Kevin Richmond, Business Director, no later than Friday, January 31. This will enable the school to include your potential award with the re-enrollment contracts in February. Please contact Rachel Pusch, Director of Admissions and Institutional Advancement, with questions. |
Take advantage of another opportunity to learn more about National History Day! The national organizers are offering online orientations to the various presentation categories at the end of January and during early February through Google Hangouts. Please use the following link to learn more:
We are also asking for parent volunteers to serve as judges at the Regional and State competitions on Saturday, March 1 and Saturday, April 12. These competitions are hosted at Lowell Scott Middle School and the College of Idaho respectively.
There are no special qualifications to judge. You only have to be interested in the competitions and in giving kids a great experience presenting their research. It will also be a huge boost for our kids to see familiar faces at the competitions. We really need your support!
Please contact Andy Johnson, Dean of Faculty for the Secondary School, with any questions. |
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MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL DANCES
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 Students in Grades 6-12 are invited to dance the night away!
The Riverstone Winter Masquerade
Grades 9 - 12
Saturday, January 25
7:00 PM - 10:30 PM in the Elementary School Atrium
Dancing with the Stars
Grades 6 - 8
Friday, January 31
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM in the Gym Foyer
The attire for both dances is semi-formal (dresses, bow ties, button-ups, and slacks).
Students may invite a friend! Tickets will sold starting the week of January 20.
Contact Tarrah Elam, Student Life Coordinator, with questions. |
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MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER
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 Parents of students in Grades 6-12 who are interested in playing spring soccer on one of Riverstone's co-ed teams should register now with Idaho Rush. You may register: Receive a $20 discount for registering before February 3, 2014!
We are also seeking coaches for the Middle and High School soccer teams. If you are interested, please contact Demi Dlouhy, Athletic Director, for details. |
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GIRLS ON THE RUN COACH NEEDED
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 One of our Grade 10 students would like to coordinate a Girls on the Run program at the school, but needs an adult coach to be present at the practices as well.
Training for coaches is in late February and the season starts March 3 and runs through May. There are two practices per week from 3:45 PM - 5:00 PM at the school. The goal is for the Elementary School participants to complete a 5K race.
If you would like to volunteer to help our Grade 10 student coach, please contact Susan Tabb, Librarian or Rebecca T (Gr 10). |
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HOST AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT IN 2014-2015
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 Please start thinking about hosting an international student next fall! Some students need to be hosted for half of the year and others for the full year.
Many of our families have hosted several students over the years and continue their friendships long after the student has returned home or gone to college. Whether your kids are younger or older, everyone benefits from learning together about each other's cultures.
Please contact Rachel Pusch, Director of Admissions and Institutional Advancement, or Jane Kaserman, our ELL teacher and International Student Coordinator, for more information! |
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OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP CLIMBING CLUB
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Last Friday was Riverstone's first family climbing night! The Outdoor Leadership Program's Climbing Club organized an event at the BSU climbing gym to bring together members of the school's growing climbing community. With 24 students and parents participating, the evening was a blast!
Regardless of past experience everyone learned or reviewed basic knots, harnesses, belaying technique and climbing-specific communication...and then hit the wall!! For anyone who is interested in participating in upcoming climbing events contact Ben M (Gr 10), Natalie P (Gr 10), Nikita S (Gr 9), Luke W (Gr 9) or Ben Brock, Director of Outdoor Education.
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WINTER OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
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Ben Brock, Director of Outdoor Education, has been busy visiting classes talking about winter gear and layering as this week ushered in the beginning of the 2014 Winter Outdoor Program season.
Fittingly, the Preschool kicked things off with a trip to IceWorld and their very first Learn to Skate Program. Blue skies have made for very pleasant visits to the Bogus Basin Nordic Center for Grades 2-4, but everyone needs to keep doing their snow dances for the remainder of the winter activities to be a success.
Coming up: SnowSchool, more skating, and more XC Skiing for the Elementary School, and Yurt and Snow cave Trips for the Middle and High School.
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FORMS, SCHEDULES, AND INFO AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
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 Just a reminder...
Lunch and activity forms, as well as outdoor education equipment lists, are available on the school website.
Review the school calendar to identify dates for winter outdoor education activities, athletics, Spring Break, graduation, etc.
If you are a Middle or High School parent, please remember to check Managebac for information on your child's progress, assignments, messages from teachers, and more.
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Cheer on the Otters tomorrow when they take on Ambrose in the Kennedy Gymnasium on Tuesday, January 21.
Girls JV 3:30 PM Boys JV 5:00 PM Girls Varsity 6:30 PM Boys Varsity 8:00 PM
Please contact Demi Dlouhy, Athletic Director, with any questions. |
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FACEBOOK PHOTO OF THE WEEK
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The Facebook photo of the week featured our Preschool class in their first Learn to Skate Session at Idaho Ice World.
Link to our school Facebook page here.
Follow the great things happening (or about to happen) at Riverstone!
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