Riverstone International School Newsletter
October 1, 2014
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 Hi All,
As you know, the school will be closed Thursday and Friday for our teacher in-service days. The time spent on training and collaboration between staff translates directly to a stronger classroom experience for your children. Thank you to the Merci Committee of the Parents' Association for providing healthy snacks for us! There will be a lot happening at school next week, including our first Spirit Day of the year, Senior Night for Volleyball, the Elementary School Pumpkin Patch Sale, and Fall Carnival. We hope that you join us for as many events as your schedule allows. The Pumpkin Patch Sales and Fall Carnival also need your help as volunteers for relatively short periods of time. Please read through the newsletter to see how you might get involved. In next week's newsletter, I will return to our topic of Academic Excellence and share how we currently measure our academic programs. Call for anything, 
Bob Carignan Head of School bcarignan@riverstoneschool.org |
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On Thursday, October 2 and Friday, October 3 Riverstone will be closed for Teacher In-Service Training. There will be no after-school activities on these days.
We will see you back at school on Monday, October 6. |
 High School Boys Basketball Coach Eric Chapman is hosting open gym sessions for High School boys to get some extra practice before basketball season starts. No fee!
The next Open Gym is Sunday, October 5 and they will continue every Sunday through November 8 from 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM.
Attending open gyms is not mandatory for playing on a school team. Please contact Boys Coach Eric Chapman at echappy@aol.com with questions!
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There is a lot going on next week at Riverstone! Although not a complete list of all things happening, here are some highlights for the week.
| Monday, Oct 6 | Meet & Greet Girls Volleyball @ 3:30 PM in front of Elementary School
Carnival wristband and dinner ticket pre-sale @ 3:30 PM in front of Elementary School
| | Tuesday, Oct 7 | All School Spirit Day (wear navy or light blue or RIS gear)
Senior Night for Girls Volleyball @ 7:00 PM in Kennedy Gym
Carnival wristband and dinner ticket pre-sale @ 3:30 PM in front of Elementary School
| | Wednesday, Oct 8 | Picture Day for Preschool - Gr 12
Carnival wristband and dinner ticket pre-sale @ 3:30 PM in front of Elementary School
| | Thursday, Oct 9 | Pumpkin Patch from 8:00-8:45 AM and 3:15-4:00 PM in Elementary School
Halloween Costume Exchange Drop Off by 10:00 AM in Elementary School
Parents' Association Meeting at 8:45 AM in Library
Halloween Costume Exchange at 3:30 PM
Carnival wristband and dinner ticket pre-sale @ 3:30 PM in front of Elementary School
| | Friday, Oct 10 | Pumpkin Patch from 8:00-8:45 AM and 3:15-4:00 PM in Elementary School
Carnival! 5:00 PM Start in area around Kennedy Gymnasium |
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SPIRIT DAY & SENIOR NIGHT
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 Show your Riverstone pride!
On Monday, October 6, the High School Volleyball team will be having a Meet & Greet at 3:30 PM in front of the Elementary School. The team will be in uniform and would love to meet our younger students and sign team cards! Plan a few extra minutes at pickup that day!
Tuesday, October 7, will be an All-School Spirit Day! All students, staff, and parents are encouraged to show your Otter pride by wearing light or navy blue (our school colors) or your favorite Riverstone gear!
No face painting please.
Tuesday night's game against Horseshoe Bend High School will be our seniors' last home game of their volleyball career. Join us to show your support of their leadership!
Volleyball Team Meet & Greet: Monday, Oct 6 at 3:30 PM by Elementary School All-School Spirit Day: Tuesday, Oct 7 Senior Night for Volleyball: Tues, Oct 7 at 7:00 PM Kennedy Gymnasium |
 Favorite shirts, combed hair, and big toothy smiles are part of every picture day!
Wednesday, October 8 is Picture Day for everyone from Preschool through High School! Also, ID cards will be taken.
Order forms are being sent home with students. Additionally, you may download the order form here. If you would like to order photos, send the completed form and payment in with your child.
Contact Lisa Armstrong, Elementary School Admin Assistant, with questions. |
 A BIG Thank You to everyone who has already contributed to the PA Funds this year; I am happy to say, we are already ahead of where we were this time last year! Please remember that in order to provide the All Staff Holiday and End of the Year Gifts as well as be able to fund Merci lunches and Class Parties, we need everyone who is able to contribute to these funds.
The next PA Meeting is Thursday, October 9 at 8:45 AM in the Library. Join us!
If you are interested in learning more about the Parents' Association, contact our PA President, Michelle Nenov, or check our PA Handbook.
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 Pumpkins are coming! Kids and parents love our annual Pumpkin Patch!
We set up our own "Mini-Patch" in the Elementary School Atrium with plenty of jack-o-lantern pumpkins, heirloom pumpkins, edible squashes and sugar pumpkins to go around. The kids have a blast guessing how many candies are in the jar and guessing the weight of the great pumpkin.
Elementary School Pumpkin Patch: Thursday & Friday, Oct 9 & 10
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM
3:15 PM - 4:00 PM
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FALL CARNIVAL PRESALE & RAFFLE
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 We are just ten days from the Riverstone Carnival!
Purchase Your Wristbands + Dinner Tickets in Advance
Carnival Committee members will be out in front of the Elementary School October 6-10 to presell wristbands and dinner tickets.
Raffle + Awesome Prizes!
Turn in sold tickets at the Elementary School front desk. Pick up more to sell to family and friends!
Only $1 per ticket! Prizes include:
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GoPro waterproof camera to record your adventures!
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Cool Cruiser Bike from Reeds Cycle!
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Massage!
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2 Tickets for the RIS Auction!
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One 6 week after school activity of your choice!
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Front row seats reserved for you at RIS event of your choice
Donate Your Small Toys for Prizes - We Will ReUse Them!
Please consider donating any of the following items that your child may have outgrown: beanie/other small stuffed animals, rings, bracelets, plastic figurines, frisbees, yo-yos, stickers, glow necklaces, etc.
There is a bin for placing donated items by the Elementary School entryway. Please make sure it the items are in good & clean condition! Thank you!
Sign up Online to Volunteer on Carnival Night (and for Set Up and Clean Up)
Sign up to contribute baked goods for the cake walk, set up/cleanup, or help during the carnival on our Community Opportunities Sheet here.
Sponsor an Inflatable
If your family or business is interested in sponsoring the Orbiter or inflatables, please contact our awesome Carnival Coordinators, Julie Worthington or Kim Fall.
Please invite your family and friends to Riverstone's favorite family event. Games, food, and camaraderie for all ages!
Bring a Refillable Water Bottle!
Fall Carnival: Friday, October 10 from 5:00-8:00ish PM outside of the Kennedy Gymnasium
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HALLOWEEN COSTUME EXCHANGE
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 Are your Halloween boxes overflowing with past costumes that your kids will never wear again? Give them a second chance at life!
Drop off your gently used costumes in the box by the front desk no later than 10:00 AM on Thursday, October 9. Please keep entire costumes together and label the size. Accessories also accepted.
If you would like the costume returned to you, please make sure that all the costume's pieces are clearly labeled with your name and phone number.
All costumes that are not exchanged or labeled for return will be donated to a local charity, such as The Women's & Children's Alliance or City Lights.
The exchange will take place after school on Thursday, October 9 from 3:30-4:30 PM next to the Pumpkin Patch in the Elementary School Atrium.
If you have questions or would like to help, please contact Heather Webster.
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SIGN UP FOR RIVERSTONE BASKETBALL
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 Students in Gr 6-12 are encouraged to join our Middle & High School Basketball teams! The teams compete in the 1A Western Idaho Conference.
Teams practice and compete as follows:
Middle School Girls Basketball (Gr 6-8): October 20 - December 17
High School Girls Basketball (Gr 9-12): November 3 - February 19
Middle School Boys Basketball (Gr 6-8): January 12 - March 4
High School Boys Basketball (Gr 9-12): November 14 - March 5
If your student is interested in either Middle or High School Girls Basketball, please contact Demi Dlouhy, Athletic Director.
If your student is interested in playing High School Boys Basketball (Gr 9-12), please contact Eric Chapman, Head Coach, at echappy@aol.com.
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LIBRARY NEEDS HELP FROM PARENTS
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 Our Librarian, Susan Tabb will be taking personal family leave from October 29 through November 21.
Please help by signing up to lead the library classes during that time.
A Parent Coffee and Library training has been scheduled on Wednesday, October 15, beginning at 8:45 AM. This is a great time to find out how you can help in the library. Please sign up on the Community Opportunities sheet.
Also, this is the last week to report books read by your family and students over the summer. Please use the google link below to document all the awesome books your family read. Certificates will be passed out to all students participating during an upcoming assembly.
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Grades 9-11 will take the PSAT on Wednesday, October 15 at school.
The test will start at 8:20 AM promptly and continue until 11:20 AM.
The PSAT is excellent preparation for the SAT and also serves for Gr 11 students as the means to which National Merit Scholarships are awarded.
Please ensure that your student gets plenty of sleep and eats a balanced breakfast before the exam.
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SIGN UP FOR STUDENT COUNCIL BLOOD DRIVE
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 The High School Student Council will be partnering with the American Red Cross to host a blood drive on Wednesday, October 15.
Riverstone and Boise community members are invited to make a life saving donation! Did you know...
- Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood
- More than 41,000 blood donations are needed every day
- A total of 30 million blood components are transfused each year in the U.S.
Please schedule your appointment to donate at www.redcross.org. Our Sponsor Code is: RiverStoneSchool
For eligibility information, please call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
Student Council/American Red Cross Blood Drive: Wednesday, October 15 from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM in the Kennedy Gymnasium Foyer.
If you have questions, please contact Tarrah Elam, Student Life Coordinator.
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NEED PARENTS FOR MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL DAY OF SERVICE
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 We need parents to be part of our Advisory morning of service on Thursday, October 16 from 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM.
Get to know Riverstone students and staff while helping out a local organization! Parent volunteers will be partnered with a Riverstone Administrator and have the chance to accompany advisory groups from Grades 6 - 12 as they volunteer at organizations in our local community.
If you are interested in this fun and rewarding volunteer opportunity, please visit the Service Opportunities tab on the the Community Opportunities Page to sign up.
Contact Tarrah Elam, Student Life Coordinator, with questions.
Middle & High School Day of Service: Thursday, October 16 from 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
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 Update from Coach Raymond:
"The RIS soccer team is doing great so far and even before playing our last game, I can say that we are doing much better compared to the last soccer season. I am so proud of my team and what we have accomplished in just in a few weeks.
We had lot of improvement and more excitement around the soccer ball during practices and in the games. We are looking forward to our last game of the season on Saturday ,October 18 where will be playing another good team.
I believe that the entire team would like to finish the season with a win so it will be another great game where team work and helping each other on the field will be important."
Come and cheer on the team on Saturday, October 18 at 9:00 AM; Simplot Field #20! |
 Last weekend, six Riverstone Juniors and Seniors travelled to Calero County Park in San Jose, CA for the 2014 Western States Orienteering Championships. The nationally sanctioned "A Meet" brought competitors from at least as far away as Texas (based on team jerseys) and expats from at least 4 European countries (based on the diversity of languages being spoken in the staging areas).
Both days, students navigated their way up, down and around hilly terrain covered with oak forests and open glades. Depending on individual route choices, courses were approximately 5km long and entailed vertical climbs of 300m. Levi S (Gr 12) won the Open Advanced-Intermediate course with a combined two-day time of 2:11:02. Zach C (Gr 11) finished a close 2nd in 2:14:16. Despite a challenging Day 1, Natalie P (Gr 11) recovered on Day 2 to finish 3rd. Although they didn't place, Brian B (Gr 12), Regan Z (Gr 11) and Becca T (Gr 11) made huge strides in their navigational abilities.
All made the most of daily course debriefs with the USA Junior Orienteering Head Coach, Erin Schirm, and a member of the USA Junior World Orienteering Team, Matej Sebo.
Now that they've seen what nationally sanctioned Orienteering is all about, the team is excited to host the City of Trees Orienteering Club's December meet at Riverstone and to help host Western States Championships which will be held in Willow Lane Park and in Idaho City in June 2015.
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CONTACT US IF YOUR CHILD IS ABSENT
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If your student will be absent, it is important to notify the school as early as possible.
- In the Elementary School, please call Lisa Armstrong at (208) 424-5000 ext 0
- In the Middle & High School, please call Robyn Olnes at (208) 424-5000 ext 1
- Parents in Middle and High School may also send a message through Managebac. Click on the Attendance tab and look for the button on the top right, "Submit Attendance Excusal."
We call parents of students who are absent who have not notified us that they are excused.
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FACEBOOK PHOTO OF THE WEEK
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This week's Facebook photo of the week features our Western States Orienteering Championship Meet competitors as they left Riverstone for the meet.
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