Riverstone International School
September 3, 2015
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 Hi All,
Just a brief note today as many of you are trying to catch your breath from the first week of school. As you read this, our Grade 8-12 students are enjoying the beautiful mountains around Stanley, ID. They not only are exploring this area, but also getting to know each other well - across grade levels. Our hope is that when they return, they will have friends in both the Middle and High School. This fall trip is a rich tradition here at Riverstone, and we are delighted that we can start out the year in such a wonderful way. Elementary School raft trips and Grade 6 trip Yellowstone are all on the docket!
As I'm sure you are noticing and remembering, Riverstone has many moving parts. It is critical that you take the time each Thursday to read the newsletter. There are always wonderful opportunities available to get involved, events planned, and it is great to catch up with what our students - current and graduates - are doing.
Please enjoy this great start and please don't hesitate to ask for help with anything!
Bob Carignan
Head of School
bcarignan@riverstoneschool.org
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 Thank you to everyone who attended Convocation on Monday!
We recorded our featured senior speaker, Cat C. Please download her speech and listen to hear her perspective as a student who attended Riverstone since Kindergarten.
Thank you to our seniors for reminding us that, "We're All in This Together!"
Special thanks to our Parents' Association for so warmly welcoming families and students to the new school year at the Boo-Hoo Yahoo Coffee and Ice Cream Social. Please join the PA for their first meeting on Thursday, September 17.
Check out photos on the Riverstone Facebook page and Instagram.
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 This Wednesday through Friday, students in Grades 8-12 are off campus on the annual back-to-school Fall Trips. During their three days in the Sawtooth Mountains and at lakes near the headwaters of the Middle Fork of the Salmon River they're getting to know new classmates, polishing up or acquiring new backpacking skills, and experiencing some of the most wonderful wilderness you'll find anywhere.
Expect student to return to campus between 2:30 and 3:30 on Friday. Students may be picked up and leave campus as soon as they're back and have returned any group gear they might have been carrying on the trail. If any group is substantially delayed, you will receive a text message from us.
What a great way to start a school year! Next week Elementary School students head for the Payette River! Grades Preschool and Pre-K: Tuesday September 8 Grades 3-5: Thursday, September 10 Grades Kindergarten-2: Friday, September 11
Every participant (children and guardians) must return a Cascade Raft and Kayak Release Form to your child's classroom teacher. Parents are welcome to drive; please communicate your transportation plans to your child's classroom teacher. At this point the weather looks like it will cooperate, but always check the forecast prior to your trip so you can dress appropriately. Outdoor Program Director Ben Brock will be in the field with Grade 6; please direct questions to James Hamilton-Vail.
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RIVERSTONE ALUM COMPOSES SCORE FOR DOCUMENTARY
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 Riverstone alumnus and NYU Steinhardt School of Music graduate, Aled Roberts, has composed the score for a documentary being screened at Boise State University Special Event Center on Friday, September 4 at 6:00 PM.
The documentary, Inhabit, is being shown as part of a two-day Sustainable is Possible event that is being hosted by the Boise EcoVillage Project, BSU Sustainability Club, and Boise State Writing Project.
According to the film's website, Inhabit explores the ecological design process called "Permaculture" which is an approach to living and farming that shifts human impact from destructive to regenerative: a refreshingly positive and hopeful message. However, the film is lifted far above the ordinary because it is also visually delightful and has a hauntingly beautiful original score.
The film was premiered at the Princeton Environmental Film Festival where it won the people's choice award and has since been screened all over the world. It just got selected to play at the Eco Festival in Kuala Lumpar Malaysia!
Reserve your free tickets to the screening on Friday, Sept 4 at 6:00 PM!
Congratulations to Aled! Read more about Aled here. |
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STUDENT ACTIVITIES SESSION ONE
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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PARENT COFFEES
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 James Hamilton-Vail will be hosting informational coffees for parents to talk about the upcoming school year.
Join us for lots of great information and the opportunity to ask questions.
Elementary School Parent Coffees will be held in the Multi-Purpose Room at 8:45 AM on the following days.
Grade
| Date
| Gr 2 and Kindergarten
| Fri, Sept 4
| Gr 3
| Tue, Sept 8
| Gr 4
| Wed, Sept 9
| Gr 5
| Fri, Sept 11
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 A note from our librarian, Susan Tabb:
Welcome back! I hope everyone had a great summer. Now is the time to send in your book lists for the summer reading challenge.
At the beginning of each school year, Riverstone creates a giant book worm made up of all of the titles of books that were read over the summer. If you - whether you are a student, parent, or sibling -- read or listened to a book between June 1 and Labor Day, it counts.
Please send in your list and paper strips or you can document your books on the online community reading log here.
Our youngest students really enjoy seeing how long we can make the worm and first graders like to estimate and measure its length.
Library needs
Do you have old iPods or MP3 players laying around your homes that you know longer need? The library would love your workable technology to use with our audio books.
We are looking for 2-3 durable matching or coordinating lounge/wing chairs.
Volunteers are needed to help with shelving and cataloging books.
Please contact Susan Tabb via email or phone at (925) 640-1518 if you can help or have any questions.
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 Congratulations to the Salmon Advisory group for taking home the Golden Cowboy Hat during the 4th Annual Outdoor Rodeo RiverCamp Advisory Event on Tuesday!
All students in Grades 6-12 participated in this fun competition, aimed to prepare students for the upcoming fall trips, build community, and get to know one another. The challenges the teams faced were all designed to test their outdoor knowledge, problem solving, creativity, patience, and teamwork. Photos to be posted this weekend on the Riverstone Facebook page.
Thank you to Student Life Coordinator, Tarrah Elam, for organizing this great event!
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PHOTO FAMILY DIRECTORY - SEND PHOTOS NOW PLEASE!
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 The Parents' Association would like to create our 2nd Riverstone Photo Directory to compliment the school's student directory and help everyone get to know one another. In addition to names and contact information, we hope to have a photo of every family in the school!
To have your family's photo included, please send an email to Riverstonepa@riverstoneschool.org with the following:
- A family photo (1MB digital file)
- If your child lives in two households, please feel free to send two photos
We are excited about our second year of offering this 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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 Life's Kitchen is offering up delicious and healthy grub, including a daily hot entrée, a cold sandwich alternative, and a gluten free/paleo bento tray. You can order side items too, like juice and granola bars.
Ordering is as easy as last year, with menus available two months in advance and online payment options.
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On Tuesday, September 15, we will provide a free lunch to all students who register with the online lunch ordering system, and who select the PROMO lunch on September 15.
This will be a great opportunity to try out a hot entrée and learn more about Life's Kitchen and our school lunch program.
To access the school lunch site, review the menu, and order, please visit here. (Riverstone's School Code: 211-930)
Download more information on the school lunch program, including ordering instructions.
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BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE
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Our fee-based Before and After Care Program for Preschool - Grade 5 students takes place in the Multi-Purpose portable of the Elementary School, Monday through Friday. - Drop-off for Before Care begins at 7:30 AM
- Pick-up for After Care must take place no later than 5:30 PM
Please pick-up your children directly from the Multi-Purpose portable, rather than entering through the Elementary School. Doors to the Elementary School are locked at 4:00 PM. If you have questions, please contact Tarrah Elam. |
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AFTER SCHOOL SUPERVISION FOR GR 6-12
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As Riverstone continues to grow, it is more important than ever that we can adequately supervise our students - and we need your help. This year, Riverstone will be conducting a supervised after school "study hall" for students in Grades 6-12.
- Study hall will be held in the gym foyer on Monday through Thursday from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
- If a student is on campus, they must be in the study hall area, which will include the foyer, the basketball courts closest to the Elementary School, and the picnic benches directly outside the eastern foyer doors.
- Students will not be allowed to be elsewhere on campus unless in the direct supervision of a faculty member during an after-school activity or athletic program.
Riverstone cannot accommodate any students on campus unless attending a game or being directly supervised by a teacher or coach after 6:00 PM Monday through Thursday or after 4:00 PM on Friday; students will be asked to leave as Riverstone cannot accept this liability.
Unless we hear otherwise from parents regarding their child, Grade 10-12 students will have open campus privileges during this 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM period. When students are on campus however, they will need to remain in the study hall area.
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 All students currently enrolled Grades 8 - 11 in the 2015-2016 academic year are welcome to participate in our next European excursion for the summer of 2016. We have partnered with Grand Classroom to develop a unique travel experience that connects to various parts of the written curriculum at Riverstone, as well as our Five Pillars.
Please download the itinerary for the trip to learn more!
Other travel opportunities for the Middle and High School will be published in the next few weeks. Please keep a look out for more information to be published soon!
If you have questions, please contact Tarrah Elam.
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 There is still time to sign up for fall sports. Middle School Girls Volleyball and High School CO-ED Soccer still have open spots. Joining the team is great way to get to know fellow classmates and become part of the Riverstone Community.
If you have questions regarding Riverstone's athletic program, please email Demi Dlouhy. Go Otters!
Grade 9-12 Co-Ed Soccer
Practice began August 24 at 3:30 PM. Practices will be Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Games on Saturdays. Contact Head Coach, Mark Stilinovich at mark.stino6@gmail.com. Register at IDAHORUSH.com under Select High School - Fall 2015 - PLAYERS.
Grade 6-8 Girls Volleyball
Aug 31-Oct 15. Practices 3:30-5:00 PM, Monday-Thursday. Games two days a week. Contact Head Coach, Arlee Tamietti at atamietti1721@gmail.com. Athletics Fee
This year, we will be charging a fee to Riverstone athletes participating in an Idaho-sanctioned school sport. These funds will help offset the costs of our athletic programs. The fee will be
- $25 for Middle School volleyball and basketball
- $50 for High School volleyball and basketball
Players will be charged for each sport he/she participates in. We will bill rostered players on the first official game day of each season. Please contact Bob Carignan with any questions. |
This week's Facebook photo of the week features our fabulous Riverstone Staff - HipHip Hooray!
Keep an eye on Riverstone's Facebook page and Instagam to keep up with what's happening at Riverstone!
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Are you looking for fun, engaging, and structured activities for your child? We have a variety of activities that your child will love! Take a look and register today.
