Riverstone International School Newsletter
October 15, 2014
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 Hi All,
The State of the School Address is next Wednesday, October 22, from 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM. During this hour long (we promise) presentation, we will talk about how our new Strategic Plan will guide Riverstone over the next five years. So many members of our community were involved in this process and it is important that our community celebrate the results.
At Riverstone, we look for ways to engage the community in whole school dialogue, and this will be perfect opportunity to see and better understand how the direction we have set for the school overlaps with our mission. In everything we do, we put the educational needs of our students first; this was the top priority of the planning committee. The new plan reflects our commitment to inspiring journeys through our Five Pillars. We live by our mission, and we hope you take the time to learn how Riverstone will focus its resources over the next five years.
I want to thank our Fall Carnival Co-Chairs, Julie Worthington and Kim Fall, for organizing a wonderful event last Friday. Thank you also to Barbara Henderson for organizing the Pumpkin Patch, and everyone who contributed to making these two community events so successful! Call for anything, 
Bob Carignan Head of School bcarignan@riverstoneschool.org |
Join Us!
State of the School Address
Wednesday, Oct 22
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Elementary School Atrium
All parents are strongly encouraged to attend!
We will have child-care available but for planning purposes would appreciate knowing if you anticipate utilizing this service. Please email James Hamilton-Vail if you need childcare that evening. |
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PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
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 Parent Teacher Conferences are an important element of understanding your child's growth during the first part of the school year and we encourage parents to make every effort to attend.
As a convenience, we will offer daycare in the new Multi-Purpose Room during conferences. If you need additional care, please email James Hamilton-Vail, Director of Elementary Education. We will be offering all-day care for $30/child. |
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MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL DAY OF SERVICE: OCT 16
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 Instead of staying home, Middle & High School students will be volunteering at organizations in our local community during Thursday morning's Parent Teacher Conferences.
Students, administrative staff, and parent volunteers will be helping the following organizations: - Boise Parks & Recreation
- Boys and Girls Club
- Create Common Good
- Discovery Center
- Head Start
- Idaho Food Bank
- Idaho Youth Ranch
Contact Tarrah Elam, Student Life Coordinator, with questions.
Middle & High School Day of Service: Thursday, October 16 from 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM Meet in Gym Foyer
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 Update from High School Volleyball Coach, Demi Dlouhy:
Last Thursday's match against Rim Rock High School started off a bit slower than expected but the girls fought back with vengeance and ended up winning the last three games! Their win earned them a higher ranking than Rim Rock going into districts.
I am so proud of how hard the team worked during the match. The win was a team effort. Each individual stepped up and played their role. Emily D (Gr 12) finished with 14 Kills and 4 Aces. Marie B (Gr 12) added 9 Kills and Kennedy B (Gr 10) and Katarina S (Gr 11) both chipped in 7 kills each.
With our big win last week, Riverstone has locked in an eight place ranking going into Conference Tournament. The Otters will be hosting the 9th place team, Rim Rock, in the first round of the WIC Conference Tournament this Thursday at 7:00 PM.
Come out to the Kennedy Gymnasium on Thursday, Oct 16 at 7:00 PM and cheer on the Otters! |
 Students in Gr 9-12 are invited to join the Middle School Student Council members for a trip to Linder Farms Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze on Friday, October 17.
Gr 9-12 Lindner Farms Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze: Friday, October 17. Meet at Riverstone for the bus ride out at 6:30 PM. Pickup from Riverstone at 10:30 PM
Students may be dropped off at Winco on the return trip to school. Parents must notify Tarrah in advance and be at Winco at 10:15 PM.
If you have questions, please contact Tarrah Elam, Student Life Coordinator. |
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STUDENT ACTIVITIES SESSION TWO
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 Session 2 Student Activities start the week of November 3.
Check out our new offerings and register soon!
Please contact Tarrah Elam, Student Life Coordinator, with questions.
Download Elementary School Activities Session Two here.
Download Middle & High School Activities Session Two here. |
 The Elementary School held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony earlier this week celebrating the grand opening of the new Multi-Purpose Room that is outside of the Gr 2 & 3 Hallway.
Before-Care and After-Care are now taking place in the new Multi-Purpose Room as is lunch for the Elementary students.
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 The Parents' Association would like to create a photo directory to compliment the school's student directory and help everyone get to know one another. In addition to names and contact information, there would be a photo of each family.
The plan is to provide a PDF of the photo directory to all families, but the team working on this is also willing to provide printed copies. They estimate the cost to print will be $10 each. Before Friday, October 24, send an email to RiverstonePA@riverstoneschool.org with the following: - A family photo (1MB digital file) that is clear
- If your child lives in two households, please feel free to send two photos
- Number of printed copies of the photo directory that you would like to order
Please note that it is not necessary to purchase a directory to be included; we would like as many families as possible to participate!
Also, please check the student directory that was emailed a few weeks ago to ensure that your student's information is correct. Please email Lisa Armstrong with any corrections, and please send the PA the correct information as well. We are excited about this new project and we look forward to seeing all of the beautiful (or entertaining) pictures of you and your families! If you have any questions, please contact Treacy Liebich. |
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MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL: OCT 20
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 The Middle School Girls Basketball season is kicking off next week. Girls in Gr 6-8 are encouraged to join the team!
Players and parents need to attend a 30 minute Parent Meeting at 3:30 PM in the Kennedy Gymnasium on Monday, Oct 20. Practice will run until 5:00 PM.
Practices are Monday - Thursday from 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM for the season.
Please contact Demi Dlouhy, Athletic Director, with questions or to express an interest in playing for the team.
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 Just a reminder that this month's Passport Club testing for Elementary School students is Tuesday, October 21. Happy studying!
Contact James Hamilton-Vail, Director of Elementary Education, with any questions. |
 Get your act together!
Signups for the Variety Show auditions are coming! Get your friends together and create a beautiful, fun, outrageous, dramatic, and totally unique performance. Parents, students, faculty... all are encouraged to participate!
All acts should be group performances and no more than 5 minutes in length.
Auditions signups will open on Wednesday, October 23. The auditions will be held the week of November 3.
Once audition slots are gone, they are gone until next year. So make your plans, start practicing, and sign up fast.
Please contact Damon Brown, Music Teacher, if you have questions. |
 Join Riverstone's Rake-Up-Boise Team!
Fall has finally arrived and so have many of the leaves that fall into our yards. Raking up the yards of those who are not able is one of many ways that Riverstone gives back to our community.
Please contact Tarrah Elam, Student Life Coordinator, if you have questions.
Rake Up Boise: Saturday, Nov 15 Meet at Riverstone at 9:00 AM |
 Come and enjoy one of Riverstone favorite traditions: The Elementary School Halloween Parade! The Parade is on Friday, October 31 and starts at 2:30 PM.
The Parade starts with our youngest students in Preschool and winds through the Elementary School, picking up students in the next grade until they have all the kids from Preschool through Gr 5 in a long line. The parade then winds through the Middle School and then the High School Quad.
Following the parade, Elementary classes will hold their annual Halloween parties. Costumes should not include weapons, toy or otherwise.
Elementary School Halloween Parade: Friday, Oct 31 at 2:30 PM in the Elementary School
**There are a few costumes in the Elementary School atrium on a rack that are available to a good home. Check them out! |
 Join Riverstone-grown bands Jam Fabrik (pictured at right) and Lone Tree River for an evening of live music on Saturday, November 1 at The Crux (1022 W. Main) in downtown Boise.
Come down, have a drink and support our musicians in their first live show in a public venue. The Crux has graciously invited us to play. Let's show them that Riverstone can bring a supportive and enthusiastic audience.
Riverstone at The Crux: Saturday, Nov 1
Please contact Damon Brown, Music Teacher, if you have more detailed questions. |
 If your student is working on their Extended Essay, remind them that any adult can get a special library card to BSU and check out books on the student's behalf. Students can also pick up a BSU special lending card from Andy Johnson, High School Director, to borrow up to two books.
Another great source for information is www.lili.org (Idaho's search data base)
LiLI.org is the gateway for Idaho residents for free access to online tools for their education, business, and recreation needs. The tools available at LiLI.org are brought to you by the Idaho Commission for Libraries and made possible with funding from the State of Idaho. Additional support comes from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. |
The High School soccer team met fans and signed Ottergraphs on Tuesday, Oct 14. They will be celebrating Senior Day at their next game. Thanks to seniors Marie H, Levi S, Ava M, and Brian B for their leadership on the team this season!
Come and cheer on the team on Saturday, Oct 18 at 9:00 AM; Simplot Field #20!
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The High School Student Council would like to thank everyone who donated blood at their Blood Drive today!
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Our High School Basketball Coaches are hosting open gym sessions for High School players to get some extra practice before basketball season starts. No fee!
High School Boys Basketball Open Gym: Every Sunday from 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM.
High School Girls Basketball Open Gym: Every Saturday from 1:00 PM - 3:00 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.
View the school calendar here.
| Thursday, Oct 16 | Middle & High School Day of Service from 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
High School Volleyball Riverstone versus Rim Rock at 7:00 PM in the Kennedy Gymnasium
Parent Teacher Conferences
| | Friday, Oct 17 | Parent Teacher Conferences
Gr 9-12 High School Corn Maze from 6:30 PM - 10:30 PM
| | Saturday, Oct 18 | High School Soccer at 9:00 AM on Simplot #20 (Senior Day)
Open Gym Girls Basketbal froml 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
| | Sunday, Oct 19 | Open Gym Boys Basketball from 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
| | Monday, Oct 20 | Middle School Basketball Parent Meeting & Team Practice 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM in the Kennedy Gymnasium
| | Tuesday, Oct 21 | Passport Club Testing
| | Wednesday, Oct 22 | State of the School Address from 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM in the Elementary School Atrium
| | Thursday, Oct 23 | Variety Show Audition Sign Ups Begin (Auditions begin Nov 3)
| | Friday, Oct 24 | Friday Morning Music at 8:00 AM in the Elementary School Atrium |
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Thank you to everyone who helped make last week's Fall Carnival the huge success that it was! More photos are on the Riverstone Facebook page.
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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 High School Soccer team. They are heading into their final regular season game and end of season tournament soon.
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