Riverstone International School Newsletter
February 13, 2014
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 Hi All,
It is great to be back. Thank you so much for your support and kind words about my time at the Klingenstein Institute. It is very much appreciated.
February is perhaps our busiest month of the year. Our seniors just completed their Diploma Programme trial exams and will be taking their final outdoor trip together next week. Our juniors are touring colleges in the Pacific Northwest, our second grade is gearing up for their big Shakespeare production, and many of our classes have been in the thick of amazing winter activities. National History Day, International Schools' Assessment testing, and our auction are all top of mind.
February is also the time of year when we begin to plan for the next academic year. Rachel Pusch has been meeting with prospective families, for both this year and next. We are introducing a new pre-school and a pre-kindergarten class to meet the demand from area families. We also anticipate waiting lists in some grades. We are growing thoughtfully and carefully, ensuring the best education for all of our students.
Your role in helping us plan for the coming year is critical. Next Tuesday, you will receive your re-enrollment contracts via a new online module designed to facilitate a more streamlined re-enrollment process. Not only will re-enrolling your child(ren) for 2014-15 online provide a faster, paper-free experience, it will also permit our administrative staff to better track and manage each family's data in real time. This same system also accommodates online inquiries and applications, thereby connecting the data for each applicant from the initial contact all the way through enrollment in classes.
Current families will receive a personalized link for your child(ren)'s information and re-enrollment contract. You will be asked to create an account through our system, School Admin, and complete your re-enrollment contract entirely online. Please watch for this email.
As you know, we need you to re-enroll by Friday, February 28. Doing so is critical as it ensures that we can offer contracts to retain our amazing staff as early as possible. They work tirelessly on behalf of our students and it is imperative that this process is done in the best possible way; so we need your support.
If you have any questions at all during this process, please stop by to see any of our administrative team, including me; our doors are always open.
Call for anything,
Bob Carignan
Head of School
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STRATEGIC PLAN SURVEY REMINDER
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 Parents and staff are encouraged to respond to our initial Strategic Plan Survey.
Please check your email for the link to this 6 question survey. All responses are anonymous.
Friday, February 14 is the final day to respond. Thank you!
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MARCH LUNCH ORDERS DUE FEB 24
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 March lunch forms are due on Monday, February 24. Please return your child's completed form to the Elementary or Middle School front desks.
Riverstone's lunch provider is Create Common Good. If you have any questions, please contact Kevin Richmond, Business Director. |
 Online Auction LIVE
Riverstone's first online auction is live! Register to view and bid at http://riverstoneauction.panaton.comRegistration takes just a minute. The online auction will only be live until February 26 at 11:50 PM so don't delay!
Let's Go Camping One Week Raffle with Drawing on Thursday, February 20 Win a tent, sleeping bag, and camping goodies! Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. Please be safe so sell to friends, family, and people your child knows. Check your child's backpack on Friday, Feb 14, for tickets and details. The student who sells the most tickets will win a headlamp and $25 Amazon gift card.
50/50 Tuition Raffle 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.
Donate to the Dessert Auction Sign up to donate a dessert to the auction on the Community Opportunities page. Or donate $40 and we will purchase a dessert on your behalf and deliver it to the auction on March 1. Reserve Your Koenig Magnum with Class Art Koenig Winery kindly donates 96 magnums of award winning wine with our students' class art on the labels. A great keepsake of your child's year for $100.
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 There will be parent/player Grade 9-12 soccer meeting on Wednesday, February 19 at 3:30 PM in Room 37 of the Middle School.
Coach Casey Curtis will handing out schedules and going over the season's expectations. Players will be having their first practice from 4:00 - 5:30 PM, after the meeting concludes.
The team coach, Casey Curtis, is a junior at Boise State University. She started playing soccer when she was 4 and continued through her freshman year at Boise State University. Casey has played for the soccer club RAGE in Pleasanton, California, as well as all four years at Foothill High School at the JV and Varsity level. Casey is currently majoring in Elementary Education. Please welcome her!
Contact Demi Dlouhy, Athletic Director, with questions. |
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NATIONAL HISTORY DAY JUDGES STILL 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.
Thus far, we have had 10 volunteers respond and offer to judge. We could use more and appreciate you volunteering!
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 Just a reminder that confirmations for optional summer travel for our students currently in Grades 7-11 are due as follows:
February 14: Grade 10 Brazil confirmation due
February 21 Confirmations and Deposits due for Grade 7 Washington D.C., Grade 8 & 9 Vancouver B.C. and Gr 10 & 11 Quebec
Parents should check their email for the specific confirmation forms for the trips. Please contact Tarrah Elam, Student Life Coordinator, with questions.
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A few weeks ago, a chunk of change was found in the Gym Foyer between basketball games. If you realized recently that your wallet was lighter than you remembered, please email Riverstone parent, Nimi S. She'd like to return it to the rightful owner so give her the details of approximately how much you lost and she'll sort it out with you. |
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MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE BOWL SUCCESS
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 Congratulations to Riverstone's Middle School Science Bowl team! The Free Radicals placed 2nd in the Idaho Regional Middle School Science Bowl this past Saturday.
The team met Astronaut Barbara Morgan and competed through 11 tough rounds of competition, ultimately meeting Treasure Valley Math and Science Center in the final round. Christina U (Gr 8) received recognition as one of five top competitors as voted by the coaches.
The team was also honored with the tournament Sportsmanship award as chosen by the coaches and volunteers who ran the event. The award included a new buzzer system that could be used by the team during practice. The team generously donated their buzzer to another team who did not have one. Wow!
Special thanks to our coaches, parents Kim Liebich and Tom Mahoney. Thank you also to Micron Foundation and Hewlett-Packard for sponsoring this great event.
Other Middle School students who are interested in joining the team are welcome. The group has dedicated themselves to next year's competition and will continue practicing twice per week during the spring. This team is serious!!
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ACADEMIC DECATHLON SUCCESS
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 Congratulations to Juniors Susannah H and Mackenzie R for their recent success at the Academic Decathlon Regional Competition!
The two won medals in the following categories:
Susannah H: Gold (Interview), Silver (Music), Bronze (Speech, Economics, and Science)
Mackenzie R: Gold (Interview)
Both girls are on the college tour so we will include a photo next week. |
 The Riverstone library has a selection of books for sale appropriate for Middle Schools students through adult. Please stop in the library for a good deal -- and a good book to take on Spring Break!
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 The Seniors completed their trial examinations for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme this past week. Every year, as part of their preparation for the IB examinations in May, Riverstone teachers administer "trial exams" that are actual examinations from previous years.
In other words, our Seniors have experienced authentic examinations in examination-like conditions. They will be able to accurately judge their strengths and gaps in consulation with their teachers as a result and tailor their preparations over their last few months in the Diploma Programme.
Our Seniors are rapidly reaching the busiest time of their Riverstone academic experience. Please support and encourage them!
Several of our parents surprised the Seniors with a pre-Valentine's Day celebration today. The students will be off campus tomorrow working on a collaborative science project that includes elements of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
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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 two 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.
Please contact Rachel Pusch, Director of Admissions and Institutional Advancement, or Jane Kaserman, our ELL teacher and International Student Coordinator, for more information! |
After our recent alumni gathering in December and Bob Carignan's dinner with alumni in New York, we were reminded yet again that our alumni are taking the next steps of their journeys prepared to face new adventures with confidence. We are hoping to share more regular news of our alumni after they leave Riverstone in our newsletters.
Thanks to Melinda Quick for sharing this update!
Melinda Quick (Riverstone '09) will be moving to South Africa in June 2014 to spend five months working as a Filmmaker/Photographer at the Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary in Plettenberg Bay. Melinda graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in three years thanks to her IB Diploma Programme scores, majoring in Film and Literature.
Along with minor tasks such as upkeep of the facility and giving tours to visitors, Melinda will be responsible for creating a comprehensive photo and film catalogue of all the animal residents at the Sanctuary (as well as at Monkeyland and Birds of Eden - the nearby "cousins" of Jukani that also function under the guidance of the South African Animal Sanctuary Alliance). Additionally, she will be tasked with creating films and photographs to be used for media promotion on the Sanctuary's website and social platforms.
Melinda decided to join her two passions in life - filmmaking/photography and animal care - into one after she watched a documentary on the Sanctuary and researching the position on their website.
Check out the Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary website here: http://www.jukani.co.za/. Melinda will be sure to keep us up-to-date on her travels through her website/blog which is currently under construction, so stay tuned!
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High School Girls Basketball
Riverstone closed out the 2013-2014 season on a high note. Although the record may not show the true heart of the team, the girls went down swinging. One word that immediately comes to mind when reflecting on the season is progress. From day one, the girls have made incredible progress not only in relation to their basketball ability but also their understanding of the game and teamwork. The team will lose Senior Jenny C, and will return the entire starting lineup. Looking forward to a positive offseason and continued progress in the coming year. Go Otters!
High School Boys Basketball
The High School Boys home schedule wrapped up on Tuesday with Senior Night against Greenleaf Friends Academy. The team celebrated their three senior tri-captains, Drew K, Robert B and Tristan R for all their hard work and leadership over the past few years. They also pulled out a tough win against Greenleaf Friends Academy!
Photos are on the school Facebook page.
Middle School Boys Basketball
Look for an update next week. Photos are often posted on the school Facebook page!
Watch the school calendar for game days! Please contact Demi Dlouhy, Athletic Director, with any questions.
Photo of Middle School Boys Basketball team  |
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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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FACEBOOK PHOTO OF THE WEEK
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 The Facebook photo of the week featured Humanities teacher and Riverstone alum, Israel Carr, fixing one of our student's flat tires.
The lengths our teachers go to for our kids is astounding...
Link to our school Facebook page here. Follow the great things happening (or about to happen) at Riverstone! |
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