Riverstone International School Newsletter
February 6, 2014
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 Hi All,
Hopefully you still remember me! I can't believe that my two weeks as a Klingenstein Fellow are almost over. Being a student again at Columbia University and working with 19 amazing Heads of School from around the world has been one of the best experiences I have ever had. The workload has been intense but so enjoyable and relevant.
Last week we took a Philosophy of Education course with Dr. David Hansen, Director of Philosophy and Education. We read a wide array of material from Montaigne to Dewey. The class focused on discussion and was masterfully taught. We all felt that he was one of the best teachers we had ever had.
We also worked with Dr. Terry Maltbia to complete our literature review on a topic of our choosing. I looked at the importance of happiness and students success. As I had always felt, happiness and positive feelings are conditions that can be enhanced, which help to create the outcomes that we want for our students. I look forward to sharing this with our faculty and students.
Under the Director of the Institute, Pearl Rock Kane (an absolutely amazing woman), we have been looking at what characteristics define 21st Century schools. Through our readings and our visits to very different schools, we have been asked to make observations and recommendations which we will present tomorrow. Our group has been looking at the Design Thinking Process and how it can be applied effectively in schools. Mr. and Mrs. Klingenstein are expected to be in attendance.
The characteristics that we discussed which define great forward looking schools are at the core of Riverstones's beliefs - inquiry based, student centered, design cycle, workshop, reflection, risk taking, internally motivated, students taking responsibility, application, to name a few. I can find evidence of every positive attribute that we have discussed at Riverstone.
Our cohort concluded that one of the main impediments to having a 21st Century School is the enormous responsibility it puts on teachers - they have to do so much more to create these kinds of classrooms. As I wrote to Riverstone's faculty earlier this week, I am profoundly moved by what they do daily to create our world-class school. As the Head of School and as a parent, I am so proud of them and will always be grateful to them.
Call for anything,
Bob Carignan Head of School
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SUMMER TRAVEL INFORMATIONAL MEETING
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 Parents of students in Grades 7-11 are invited to learn more about our summer travel programs for Summer 2014!
Travel procedures, itineraries, and cost information will be discussed. Download a previously shared letter to parents referencing travel opportunities for students currently in Grades 7-11.
Please contact Tarrah Elam, Student Life Coordinator, with questions.
Parent Meeting Grades 7-11 for Optional Summer Travel
Friday, February 7
8:30 AM
Elementary School Multi-Purpose Room
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UPDATE ON MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE BOWL
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 Updated news for the Idaho Regional Middle School Science Bowl this Saturday, February 8.
Astronaut Barbara Morgan will welcome the competitors at 9:30 AM. All parents and friends are welcome to watch this and the entire competition at Boise State University's Micron Engineering Center (MEC). SCHEDULE CHANGE: The schedule for the competition on Saturday, February 8 is 9:30 AM welcome with Barbara Morgan, 10:00 - 11:30 AM competition, 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM lunch break, and 12:30 - 3:00 PM double elimination. The final competition is at 3:30 PM. Closing presentation at 4:00 PM. Come and (quietly) cheer on our Riverstone Free Radicals. Electronics need to be turned off in the competition rooms. |
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PRESCHOOL & PRE-K INFORMATION MEETING
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 Last week we announced the addition of a new Pre-Kindergarten program at Riverstone.
Join us to learn more about our Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten programs on Tuesday, February 10 at 8:45 AM in the Elementary School Multi-Purpose Room.
PRESCHOOL (3 years old as of September 1, 2014**)
- Full-day program 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
- Limited number of morning-only spaces (8:30 AM - 11:30 AM)
- 12 students maximum
- One full-time teacher and an aide (12:2 ratio)
- English only instruction
- Developmentally appropriate PYP instruction
PRE-KINDERGARTEN (4 years old by September 1, 2014**)
- Full-day program 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
- 16 students maximum
- Two full-time teachers (16:2 ratio)
- Dual-language Spanish/English immersion program
- Developmentally appropriate PYP instruction
**Children must be fully toilet trained prior to the start of school
If you are interested in applying for these programs for another child not currently enrolled at Riverstone, please note that admission priority will be given to current families until Friday, February 28. We have a new online inquiry and online application making it even easier than ever for parents to contact us and apply. Please contact Rachel Pusch, Director of Admissions and Institutional Advancement, for more information. Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten Information Meeting Monday, February 10 8:45 AM Elementary School Multi-Purpose Room |
 The Parents' Association is seeking a volunteer to serve as Treasurer. This job can be done at home and is a great way to contribute to our school community!
If you are interested in volunteering as the PA Treasurer, please contact Michelle Nenov, PA President.
Parents' Association Meeting
Tuesday, February 11
8:35 AM
Elementary School Multi-Purpose Room
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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE
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 All parents are invited to our open house on Tuesday, February 11 for our Elementary School!
There is no greater compliment than a referral. Please invite a friend!
Learn more about what makes Riverstone an exceptional choice for Elementary School students.
- Benefits of our Primary Years Programme
- Small classes
- Amazing faculty
- Increasingly challenging outdoor education
- Service and leadership opportunities
Please contact Rachel Pusch, Director of Admissions and Institutional Advancement, with questions or to RSVP.
Elementary School Open House
Tuesday, February 11
9:30 AM
Meet in Elementary School Atrium
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Tuition Raffle
In conjunction with the auction (23 days and counting!!), the 50/50 tuition raffle has the potential to raise money for the school as well as benefitting the lucky raffle winner! The winning ticket will earn a minimum of $2500 towards tuition and up to $7500! The real beauty of this raffle, however, is that college tuition - or any other Pre-K through Gr 12 accredited school located in the US - can be paid with the winnings!!
Auction Donations Needed! If you are still considering a donation, or if you need help developing your idea, please contact Amy Bava or Mary Jane Murphy. The auction committee is collecting donations now and they are being organized daily. Please turn in your donation to the Elementary School front desk as soon as possible. The committee will even pick up your item if need be. We will make it as painless as possible for you! Download a donation form here. Items We Most Need - Experiences - if you feel comfortable offering your lake house or cabin, or if you have access to event tickets, or any other type of experience, these experiences truly make unique auction items.
- Points and miles - we are looking for travel rewards to potentially combine with trip offers that would make a package more appealing. Even your hotel points can be used. Convert those miles to a certificate or ask us for help and we will make sure your donation is put to good use.
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NATIONAL HISTORY DAY JUDGES DESPERATELY NEEDED
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 Please consider volunteering to judge the Regional NHD competition on Saturday, March 1.
Riverstone has entered approximately 40 students from Grades 6-10. Volunteering to judge is another great way to support our kids and show off the strength of our community.
Judging does not require that a person be a history major - only that they are interested in giving thoughtful feedback on students' efforts. Our kids consistently, over the course of years, reminisce and remark on the judges they have met at National History Day.
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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: Deadline to register for Middle and High School soccer is February 10!
Contact Demi Dlouhy, Athletic Director, with questions. |
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HOST AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT IN 2014-2015
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 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.
Here are three students who would love to come to Riverstone and be part of your family!
Hugo S - a student from France in Grade 11 this fall
Hugo is a 16 year old male from a western coastal town in France, who has chosen Reiverstone for his year abroad. Hugo comes to us from ASSE, a company with whom we have worked for many years. Hugo enjoys tennis, skiing, running and sailing, and also video games and art history. Ultimately, Hugo hopes to have a career in design and is fond of drawing, painting and design. Hugo has 3 siblings and several step-siblings. He says that he would like to see the American's way of life and to perfect his English to become completely fluent, although his English proficiency is already quite high.
Tianrun L - a student from China entering Grade 10 this fall Tianrun (or Sky, as he prefers to be known) lives in Xi'an, China and is keen to come to America to study. He knows about Riverstone through his family, who live in Idaho Falls. Sky's English level is high, and he currently attends a school that offers the AP curriculum. He cites his favorite subjects as physics and math. He loves to play badminton, soccer and chess, and likes all kinds of music. When asked what he thought would be a great way to integrate with a new host family, he said he would like to learn how to cook American food and would enjoy helping out in the kitchen to share Chinese cuisine. He is eager to learn to ski and to participate in the school's outdoor program. Camping sounds like a great new adventure to him. Sky's teachers indicate that he is a very hard worker, is honest, reliable, and charming.
Frederike H - a student from Germany entering Grade 11 this fall Frederike is a 16 year old girl from the Brandenberg area in Germany, who has been accepted into Grade 11 through EF Foundation, another company with whom we've worked for several years and who also have an excellent reputation. Frederike loves animals (she has a dog, cat and rabbits) and to travel. She is excited to come to the USA to learn about our country and see new things; she also is excited to perfect her English and have new life experiences. Frederike likes to sail, hike, and cook. She also enjoys horseback riding and does a lot with volunteering in her community, most recently with Greenpeace. Frederike chose Riverstone as a great fit for her interests and is excited to attend this coming fall.
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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NATIONAL ORIENTEERING COACH LEADS CLINICS AT RIVERSTONE
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Erin Schirm, Orienteering USA's Head Junior Coach, visited Riverstone on Monday and Tuesday to conduct workshops for students interested in improving their abilities in this growing sport involving navigation and endurance.
Erin found out about Riverstone when Alex P (Gr 12) and Ben Brock and applied for a grant with OUSA intended to help grow the youth orienteering movement. Riverstone was the only school in the country to be awarded the grant. As the Head Junior Coach, Erin wanted to come see what Riverstone Orienteering is all about (orienteering is a major component of PE for students in Grades 8 and 10). He was very happy with what he found! Fifteen students braved the freezing after-school workshops and most left asking when they could do it again!
With Erin and OUSA's generous support, look for more orienteering opportunities in the future!
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OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
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The past two weekends, at both Bogus Basin and in the Sawtooths near Stanley, a group of Riverstone students in our Outdoor Leadership Program and faculty members took a Level One Avalanche Safety and Awareness course through Sawtooth Mountain Guides.
The first weekend the combined group of seven, drove to Bogus Basin and spent the day exploring "companion rescue." The group used standard avalanche rescue tools such as beacons, probes, and also learned proper shoveling techniques during rescue situations.
The second weekend was spent in Stanley, Idaho. Under the tutelage of guides from Sawtooth Mountain Guides, the group learned how to identify avalanche terrain, plan, and travel safely in the backcountry. All of these skills culminated in the execution of a backcountry "tour."
Gr 10 student, Natalie P. writes, "I had a lot of fun in this course! It was a great way for me to understand different aspects of snow that will be beneficial in outdoor activities such as backcountry skiing and my eventual goal of mountaineering."
If you are interested in other avalanche safety courses, contact Ben Brock, Director of Outdoor Education, for more information.
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 The Girls High School team kicked off district tournament play tonight. Watch the school Facebook page for updates!
The Boys High School Team is in the thick of conference play. With just three regular season games remaining, the Otters still have a chance to finish anywhere from 3rd to 8th in seeding for the District tournament later this month.
The Varsity team scored its first ever win over Rimrock last week and battled hard but came up short on the road at Wilder. Despite the defeat senior Drew K scored a career and team season high with 20 points vs. Wilder, becoming just the third player in school history to reach that mark!
The JV boys despite battling a flood of recent illness and injures has stayed in the thick of the post-season race with a 6-7 overall record to date.
The High School Boys Basketball home schedule wraps up next Tuesday, February 11 with our Senior Night against Greenleaf Friends Academy. Come out and help us salute our three senior tri-captains, Drew K, Robert B and Tristan R for all their hard work and leadership over the past few years!
Watch the school calendar for game days! Please contact Demi Dlouhy, Athletic Director, with any questions. |
 Lunch orders for February were due earlier this week but you can still turn it in for a later start date.
Forms may be returned to the Elementary or Middle School front desks.
Download an Elementary School lunch form here.
Download a Middle & High School lunch form here.
Please contact Kevin Richmond, Business Director, with any questions. |
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2014-2015 SCHOOL CALENDAR
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If you're looking ahead to next year, check out the following calendar that includes the major dates for 2014-2015.
This information is being incorporated in the school calendar on the school website as well.
| 2014 - 2015 Academic Year | | August 25 | First Day of School for 2014-2015 | | August 27 - 29 | Fall Trips for Grades 8 - 12 | | October 2 - 3 | Teacher In Service - No School | | October 16 - 17 | Parent-Teacher Conferences | | November 26 - 28 | Thanksgiving Recess - No School | | December 20 - January 4 | Winter Recess - No School | | January 5 | Teacher In Service - No School | | January 6 | Classes Resume | | March 19 - 20 | Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences | | March 21 - April 5 | Spring Break - No School | | April 6 | Teacher In Service - No School | | April 7 | Classes Resume | | May 28 | Commencement | | June 4 | Last Day of 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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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
Please contact Rachel Pusch, Director of Admissions and Institutional Advancement, with questions. |
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FACEBOOK PHOTO OF THE WEEK
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The Facebook photo of the week featured Bob Carignan in New York City with 10 Riverstone alumni for our first Riverstone on the Road event. From left: Lucas M ('13), Valerie K ('05), Ness K ('05), Aled R ('09), Michael M ('09), Jessie S ('09), Mitchell H ('09), Chloe R ('09), Sarah S ('10), Amelia J ('11), and Bob Carignan.
Link to our school Facebook page here.
Follow the great things happening (or about to happen) at Riverstone!
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