Riverstone International School Newsletter
November 13, 2014
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 Dear Riverstone Community,
Our family has been at Riverstone since 2009 when our three children entered its stream in Grades 9, 8 and 6. Today, (and I hate to admit, this ages us considerably!) Max is a college sophomore in Montana, Tatjana is a college junior in New Hampshire, and Benedikt, a senior, is our "only" one still within Riverstone walls. What a journey it has been and one that our family has truly enjoyed.
I joined the Riverstone Board of Trustees in 2011, looking for a different way to contribute. The Board has several committees that focus on various aspects of school stewardship: the Finance committee, the Strategy & Marketing committee, the Governance committee, etc. I now serve as the chair of the Development Committee, and this has become the prism through which I perceive our school's intricacies and potential. The Development Committee helps think about how the school can best manage fundraising, nurture donors over the long term as they come into and swing out of the school doors, and establish and maintain relationships with various entities that consider financially supporting our independent school. It's a different perspective: we look forward to the future where Riverstone is an even more established pillar of the education community in Idaho. I must say it is challenging, exciting, and a delight. I enjoy looking into the future and helping craft a path to a more solid, impactful education for our children.
From the get-go, "our Riverstone" has included many facets of life which are still in play today: it all starts with academics, lots of science, endless time in the great Idaho outdoors, many friendships, and sports. We have watched our kids study with friends for Diploma Programme exams, traverse the Sawtooths in the summer, complete avalanche training, build skis for glorious backcountry skiing, and solidly make their way into successful, ever expanding college lives.
I can see the Five Pillars still in action today with all of our children. Here are some of the images that come to my mind:
- Academic Excellence: tackling the IB, then onward successfully to stringent college programs studying engineering, snow science, and exercise science
- Outdoor Education: we now have proficient and snow-smart backcountry skiers, a certified lumberjack, a river guide, two wilderness first-responders, and plans for hut-to-hut ski trips
- Leadership by Example: after helping found our school's varsity volleyball team, our daughter is organizing and leading a college team in overseas competition
- International Understanding: our kids know the world is their oyster. They have lived around the world and don't bat an eyelid at traveling to Europe for a competition or setting off on a college exchange to Thailand
- Community and Service: a summer at the Create Common Good farm in charge of rodent control; helping develop engineered LowTech-LowCost equipment for a social enterprise startup
In my own children, every day, I see Riverstone's legacy in action and it fills me with joy and pride. And that is why, this year as in each year, we contribute to Riverstone's Annual Fund. Because it makes a difference.
Warmly,
Nicole Lagacé Toeldte
Chair of the Board of Trustees Development Committee
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Participation in the Annual Fund is climbing! We have a grant application being considered by the E.E Ford Foundation. Wouldn't it be great if Bob Carignan could call them and share that we have reached 100% participation?
As of Thursday, we have received $120,314
in contributions and pledges to date with 58%
participation from parents, staff, and Trustees. Thank you! In addition, we are grateful for the support from other important community members:
7 Grandparents have contributed
3 Alumni parents
1 Alumni grandparent
1 Friend of Riverstone
8 Alumni
Our goal is to collectively contribute $200,000 to the Annual Fund. We are striving for 100% support from our Board of Trustees, parents, and staff. We are also seeking to increase alumni participation. The campaign ends on Friday, Nov 21.
Your contribution, no matter the size, helps ensure that Riverstone can continue to sustain and offer what you love as your Riverstone.
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 How do you know if Riverstone is closed due to winter weather? Our policy is as follows: - Riverstone will be closed if the Boise School District closes district-wide.
- In cases where only certain schools in the Boise School District are closed, Riverstone's administration will decide whether to cancel school on a case-by-case basis.
If school is cancelled, an all-school email and text will be sent. The information will also be posted on the school Facebook page and school calendar. Please remember that if you believe it is too dangerous for your children to travel to school, you have the option to delay arrival time or keep your children home. Please notify the school as you would with any late arrival or absence. If school is cancelled, there are no after school activities or athletics practices/games on that day. |
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Riverstone follows the Boise School District policy and guidelines with respect to outdoor recess time:
- If the temperature is 19 degrees or above, Elementary students go outside for recess.
- If the temperature is 18 degrees or below, Elementary students stay inside for recess.
- Middle and High School students, if dressed appropriately, may go outside if the temperature is 18 degrees or below.
With the fluctuation of temperatures during the winter, it is critical that parents ensure that their children are arriving at school every day with winter coats, hats, and gloves.
Please be assured that we carefully monitor the conditions throughout each day.
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NWAIS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PRESENTATION TO PARENTS ON MONDAY
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 The Executive Director of the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS), Siri Akal Khalsa, will be visiting Riverstone on November 17. Besides touring the school and meeting with staff, he has happily agreed to present a short talk to parents on trends in independent education.
All parents are invited. Feel free to bring a friend!
Parent discussion with Siri Akal Khalsa, NWAIS Executive Director: Monday, November 17 at 2:45 PM in the Library |
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CREATE COMMON GOOD LUNCH PROGRAM
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 As you know, Create Common Good (CCG) is Riverstone's lunch provider. In the past six months, they have revitalized their lunch program to better meet the needs of the students, families, and schools who rely on their nutritious lunches.
Some quick facts:
- The CCG menu options are full of kid-approved healthy lunches. Every lunch is nut free and there is always a vegetarian option.
- Each day, students have a choice of approximately 4 entrees and 6-7 side dishes. You can personalize your student's order to match what your student likes!
- Ordering lunches is easy and online. You can order as early as a month ahead or as late as the morning-of.
At Riverstone, CCG has come up with a solution that makes our lunch distribution easy on students and easy on our teachers, in order to guarantee that students are receiving the lunch he/she ordered. Lunches are now being delivered in labeled paper bags, with all of a single student's order in one bag. This new process has greatly improved the lunch time experience for our students.
In order to accommodate this new delivery service, CCG needed to slightly increase the cost of entrees by 30 cents. As a school, we have already seen the benefits of this new process from both the students' and teachers' perspectives.
If you have not looked at CCG lunch options lately, please consider doing so today!
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RIVERSTONE'S RAKE UP BOISE TEAM
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 Join Riverstone's Rake-Up-Boise Team!
We will be sending an email to all volunteers with instructions on when and where to meet. Please sign up so that we may contact you if our meeting time changes.
In case that weather conditions prevent us from raking on the 15th, we will send an email and a text message to your contact phone number that appears on the sign up sheet.
Rake Up Boise: Saturday, Nov 15 Meet at Riverstone at 9:00 AM |
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FESTIVAL OF TREES FINISHING TOUCHES
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 This year, Riverstone's submission to the Festival of Trees is all about leadership. Our committed team of students and parents is putting together an amazing tree, and we need your help with the finishing touches.
Under the tree, we are featuring holiday gifts of books about great leaders, and motivational books about leadership and success.
Please donate a book that we can use under our tree, and bring it to school by Friday, November 21. Thanks for helping to make this another fantastic Riverstone tree! "See the Leader in You!"
If you haven't been able to help decorate but would still like to join in... please holler. We will set up at the Grove on Sunday, Nov 23 and it would be fun for you to drop in.
Please contact Kim Liebich via email or call (208) 484-1560 for more information.
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 Just a reminder that the next Passport Club test is Tuesday, Nov 18. Please remind your student to start studying and gathering research facts!
Contact James Hamilton-Vail, Director of Elementary Education, with questions. |
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HOST FAMILY FOR SPRING 2015
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A young man, Jan, from Germany would like to attend Riverstone in the spring of 2015 but is in need of a family willing to host him. If your family would be interested in hosting this student, please contact Rachel Pusch or Jane Kaserman.
We need to have a host family confirmed before offering enrollment to Jan so please consider if this would be something of interest to you or a family friend perhaps.
Learn more about Jan below!
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VARIETY SHOW + DINNER + BOOK FAIR
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 We are just a few weeks away from Riverstone's favorite family night! Shop the book fair, enjoy pizza dinner, and then head to the Variety Show. Family and friends welcome!
More details on the way but please make sure you save the date for Friday, Dec 5:
Book Fair from 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM in the Elementary School Atrium Variety Show Dinner from 5:00 PM - 6:15 PM in the Multi-Purpose Room Variety Show starts promptly at 6:30 PM in the Kennedy Gymnasium |
 Note from Middle School Girls Basketball Coach Abby Fereday:
Middle School JV Team defeated Idaho City 28-4! Middle School Varsity Team defeated Idaho City 32-13! Go Otters!
Next Middle School Girls Basketball Home Game: Thursday, Nov 25 at 4:00 PM vs Horseshoe Bend
High School Boys Basketball Tryouts
Friday, November 14 at 6:00 PM in the Kennedy Gymnasium
Volleyball Honors Congratulations to Emily D (Gr 12) who was selected for the WIC Second Team All-Conference Team. Emily was also selected to play in the WIC All-Star Senior Game.
Marie B (Gr 12) was selected for the WIC Honorable Mention Team. Well-done!
Contact Demi Dlouhy, PE teacher and Athletic Coordinator, with any questions. |
 Welcome Kovis Hugh, son of Tarrah and Matt Elam! Kovis was born on Tuesday, Nov 11.
Tarrah writes, "We are all happy and feeling good.....just getting to know one another today!"
We can't wait to meet Kovis and send our best wishes to the Elam family! |
Gr 5 recently completed a summative project for their media literacy unit in which they created their own online news site, RIS Today. Students conducted research and interviews to complete their news articles and collaborated with their section teams to ensure comprehensive coverage of each topic area.
We encourage you to view articles by clicking on the section links (community, sports, editorial, etc.) at the top of the site and accessing articles within each section that way. View RIS Today here.
This link will only be active for a week or two so please be sure to look soon!
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We enjoy sharing our students' news outside of school. Please feel free to send a note to Kathleen Gilton if you would like to share your child's news!
Christina U (Gr 9) recently qualified and competed in the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke at the High School District and State Championships. Christina placed fourth overall in the 100 butterfly at Districts with a personal best time. At the State competition, she improved her time almost 2.5 seconds (!) and qualified for the consolation finals, where she placed an overall 16th place for the State of Idaho.
Mikayla R (Gr 11) passed all three Silver Level Ice Dance tests. These tests are comprised of the American Waltz, Tango, and Rocker Foxtrot. The skater must show strength, true edges, good rhythm, smooth turns, correct carriage and effortless flow.
Kelli W (Gr 7) was selected as first violin for the Boise Intermediate Honors Orchestra for 2014-15. This is Kelli's second year of playing with the orchestra.
Gwen D (Gr 11) was awarded the Maddy Summer Artist Award at Interlochen Arts Camp. Just 22 of the 2,500 campers receive a Maddy Award; it is the most prestigious honor the camp can confer. To be eligible, the camper must be endorsed by 75 percent of the camp's voting faculty.
Congratulations to all of our students -- we are proud of you!
   
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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.
| Saturday, Nov 15 | Rake Up Boise at 9:00 AM at Riverstone; see above info
| | Monday, Nov 17 | Parent Presentation by Siri Akhal Khalsa, Executive Director of the NWAIS at 2:45 PM in the library
| | Tuesday, Nov 18 | Passport Club Testing
Middle School Girls Basketball Game at 4:00 PM at Rolling Hills
| | Thursday, Nov 20 | Middle School Girls Basketball Game at 4:00 PM at Notus.
High School Girls Basketball Game at 6:00 PM at Victory Charter School.
| | Friday, Nov 21 | Friday Morning Music at 8:00 AM in the Elementary School Atrium
Annual Fund End of Campaign!
| | Sunday, Nov 23 | Festival of Trees Set Up at Boise Centre; Contact Kim Liebich for more information
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FACEBOOK PHOTO OF THE WEEK
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This week's Facebook photo of the week features some of our High School basketball players updating the Annual Fund thermometers!
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