Hi All,

I am writing to ask for your help. As parents, you understand what we uniquely offer at Riverstone and how your kids benefit from the way we teach, challenge, and support our students. You make it a priority each year to give your students the best education available.

As we begin to look towards next year, we ask that you think about students who would be a great fit at Riverstone. We are looking for several Malone Scholars entering grades 7-11. We are committed to making Riverstone an option for mission-appropriate students. Kids who would thrive at Riverstone are usually easy to pick out of a crowd -- and with your encouragement, hopefully we can enroll more students who will benefit from the academic and personal journey that we provide.

Early next week, I will be sending an email that outlines details of the Malone Scholars program.  I ask that you forward it to parents and students who you would like to see here. Because this includes a very generous and competitive scholarship, the "money" part of your conversation is taken out of the equation. The conversation simply boils down to, "You are the kind of student who would flourish at Riverstone and here is a great opportunity you should look into."

I am simultaneously sad and happy to let you know that Brad Nelson has decided to take a position teaching at Cayman International School.  Brad has successfully taught Chemistry and Mathematical Studies in the Diploma Programme for many years. He started our mountain bike club, was a co-leader on a trip to Costa Rica and many outdoor trips in Idaho and Utah, and is legendary is his patience. One only need to recall Brad's graduation speeches on behalf of our students to understand how well he knows our kids - his reflections are always touching and exceptional. If you see him, give Brad a pat on the back and thank him for how much he has meant to our students.

We ask your help here as well. As with all independent schools, and especially at Riverstone, teachers need to do more than be great classroom teachers. They need to lead clubs; they need to lead outdoor trips both locally and internationally; and they must be willing to help and engage students outside of class.

As part of our Strategic Plan, we are always looking to meet and talk with great teachers who would thrive at Riverstone -- please send them to the appropriate Division Director. While we are looking to replace Brad in the math and sciences, we also want to build a pipeline of great teachers so we are prepared as our current wonderful teachers make different life decisions in the future -- it is a simple fact of life at any business. 

As I always say, what our teachers do everyday is amazing. Riverstone, with its curriculum, programs, and outside of school expectations, is an extremely hard but rewarding place to work.

Please help us find great kids and great teachers. Thanks for your help and stop by for anything.

Bob Carignan

Head of School

bcarignan@riverstoneschool.org

Each spring break, Riverstone students in Gr 10-12 are offered an optional trip to explore the West. 

This year, Jane Kaserman and Robyn Olnes have put together a fabulous trip to Zion National Park, the Grand Canyon, and Las Vegas. 

To make the trip possible, eight students must sign up to go. At this time, we have four spots open. 

The trip will depart on Thursday, Mar 19 and return on Friday, Mar 27. Total cost for the trip is $1200 with a $600 deposit due by February 9. 

 If your student is interested in joining us for this adventure, please contact Jane Kaserman for more details.

Healthy Food or Non-Food Treats/Snacks

Riverstone supports healthy food options. The items available in our Middle and High School Student Store during the school day are healthy; our lunch provider, Create Common Good, also provides healthy, minimally processed foods.

Parents planning parties or bringing in treats for special events need to check with the classroom teacher if there are allergies to consider and also inform the teacher in advance of bringing in treats.

• Parents are encouraged to provide foods that are healthy and nutritious or consider providing non-food treats such as pencils, erasers, or mini-note pads. 
• Ideas for healthy food options include fruit, vegetables and dip, whole grain crackers, cheese, or yogurt. Water, milk, and 100% fruit juices are healthy beverage options. A source of healthy options may be found at snacksafely.com/snacklist.pdf

Parents who have children with allergies or special dietary considerations are asked to provide the classroom teacher with a selection of appropriate treats in a Ziploc bag with their child's name. These treats will be served as a safe alternative during classroom parties or celebrations.

Please note that these are recommendations and we rely on parents to make the final judgment for their student.

If you have any questions, please contact Bob Carignan.

This week, twelve Riverstone students were recognized for excellence in writing by the Idaho Scholastic Writing Awards -- an affiliate of the national organization that works to honor and encourage the voices of young writers. Student submissions were blindly judged by panels of leading writers and artists in our community.

The students who were honored at the Idaho level will be recognized at a spring ceremony at Boise State University, with Christian Winn as the keynote speaker. Each student's work will be submitted to the national awards, which entails massive scholarship opportunities and a possible invitation to the awards ceremony at Carnegie Hall.  For more detailed information about the awards, please visit www.artandwriting.org.

Here is a list of the Scholastic Writing Award's 2015 Gold Keys, Silver Keys, Honorable Mentions, and American Voices Nominees.

Grade 12

Brian B: Poetry-Gold Key and American Voices Nominee

Grade 11

Sarah B: Poetry-Gold Key

Cat C: Poetry-Silver Key

Rebecca T: Poetry-Silver Key

Grade 9

Aela D: Personal Memoir-Silver Key

Aela D: Short Story-Honorable Mention 

Javin S: Personal Memoir-Honorable Mention

Grade 8

Sarah C: Flash Fiction-Honorable Mention

Laurel C: Flash Fiction-Silver Key

Olivia D: Flash Fiction-Silver Key

Olivia D: Flash Fiction-Gold Key

Jordan L: Flash Fiction-Gold Key and American Voices Nominee Semi-Finalist

Anwen R: Flash Fiction-Honorable Mention

Just a reminder that over the next few weeks, students in the following grades will be taking the International Schools' Assessment test. 

Learn more about the ISA here. View a listing of the 204 schools worldwide who administer the ISA here.

Learn more about our students' performance on standardized testing here.

All interested Gr 9-12 boys and girls are welcome to join the Riverstone's Rush Co-Ed Soccer team.

Player meeting

Mandatory lunch meeting on Monday, Feb 2 in Kennedy Gymnasium 

Registration 

Idaho Rush Select High School online registration for Spring 2015 is now open. If you register between January 19 and February 1, your cost will be $120 per player. If you register after February 1, your cost will be $140 per player and you will need to register in person at the Idaho Rush office.