Riverstone International School
October 8, 2015
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 Hi All,
Just a quick note on our upcoming Riverstone Carnival. It is wonderful to hear from several of our seniors that this is their favorite event. Student bands will be playing at Friday's event, both parents and students will be volunteering together that evening, and all of our community members will be joining in to share the traditional Riverstone Carnival experience.
I challenge everyone to continue with the wonderful momentum we are building as a community and ask that you introduce yourself to a new family or a new student.
Next week, I will share more information about our goal of continual improvement as a school and how we reflect on what we are doing in order to move forward with purpose.
Thanks to the Carnival Committee and the PA for ensuring the Carnival is a hit.
See you tomorrow!
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PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES AND CHILDCARE SERVICES
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 Parent-Teacher Conferences are an important element of understanding your child's progress. Please sign up for your time slot at the links below depending on which grade your student or students are in.
Sign up for Elementary School conferences here. Sign up for Middle & High School conferences here. Childcare Services during Parent-Teacher Conferences
Students ages 3 to 11 may attend Childcare Services on Thursday, Oct 15 and Friday, Oct 16 from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Childcare will take place in the Multi-Purpose Room of the Elementary School. One hour of free childcare will be offered to parents attending conferences. Any child left for more than one hour will be charged the $30 daily usage rate. Please email Tarrah Elam to sign your child up for full-day childcare as well as hourly childcare. |
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MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL ATTENDANCE, TARDIES AND ABSENCES
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In our ongoing effort to ensure the safety of your child at school, it is very important that you always let the school know - through ManageBac, an email, text or phone call - that your child will be absent, late or to be excused at a particular time, no matter if they are 11 or 18.
We can't allow a child to leave campus without the written or verbal permission of their parent or guardian. Additionally, students must sign out on the clipboards located in the common area of the High School or the one outside Kathleen Gilton's office in the Middle School building. Thank you for your understanding and support.
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WARM SPRINGS ROAD BLOCKAGES
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Please keep in mind that Warm Springs Ave between Eckert Road and Harris Ranch Road will be closed from Wednesday, Oct 7 to Wednesday, Oct 28. Detour signs are posted to navigate drivers through the available detour route via Boise Avenue and Bown Crossing.
A water line is being installed to serve the Harris Ranch North foothills area and they are also working to finish and pave the Warm Springs Ave Bypass/Park Center Blvd intersection. Thank you for your patience during construction!
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PARENTS' ASSOCIATION NEWS
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 Thank you
A HUGE thank you for all who participated in the PA meeting! Our next meeting is Thursday, Nov 5 at 8:45 AM in the Library.
You asked and we answered: PA Funds Contribution
Parents requested that we decrease the PA family contribution, so we have officially decreased the amount from $50 to $25 per family. Currently, 43% of our families have donated to the PA fund. We need to increase that number to continue planning and hosting the outstanding community events we have on the schedule for the rest of the year.
Funds are used for community events such as our parent coffee social following Convocation; supplying ice cream novelties for our 325 students, their families and our faculty; hosting All-Staff Appreciation events; creating an all-community Carnival with exciting games and raffle prizes; and organizing the Fall event of the season, the Riverstone PA Pumpkin Patch.
Please download the PA Contribution Form and return your completed form and contribution to the Elementary School front desk. We appreciate your support!
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 Come One, Come All! Step Right Up and Have a Ball!
Riverstone is the place to be this Friday night! If you haven't bought your tickets to the Carnival there is still time.
- Wristbands for ages 6 and up are $15, kids 5 and under are $10.
- Students who volunteer can pick-up their FREE wristbands at the Check-in Table.
- Please note that parents do not need to buy wristbands.
There are two dinner options available! Dinners can be purchased the night of; however, pre-purchased dinners are preferred. Dinner options are as follows:
- $8 Mexican Dinner Plate: 2 salsa chicken tacos (flour or corn tortillas), rice, beans and salad
- $2 pizza by the slice
Last chance to get in on the raffle!
There's still time to purchase your chance to win one of the amazing raffle prizes. Stop by the table at the Elementary School on Friday morning or at the Carnival. Purchasing a $1 or $5 raffle ticket could lead you to walking away with a new cruiser bike, auction tickets, a GoPro, or a number of different items.
Volunteer!
We are still looking for Adult and Student volunteers. Please view our online Community Opportunities sheet and sign-up to volunteer by filling out a vacant spot.
Volunteers: please check-in at the Volunteer Check-in Table next to ticket sales and we will direct you where to go.
Carnival: Friday, Oct 9 starting at 4:30 PM - 8:00 PM'ish
Thank you for helping make this event a success! Please contact Michelle Nenov via email or phone at 415-990-4138 for all things Carnival-related.
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RIVERSTONE'S ANNUAL DAY OF SERVICE
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 Riverstone's Rivercamp Advisory Groups are ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work for our 3rd Annual Day of Service!
All students in Grades 6 - 12 will serve the local community on Thursday, Oct 15. Students will meet in the gym foyer by 8:20 AM. Please pick them up at 12:30 PM.
There is no bus service available that morning, so please plan individual transportation for your child. If your child will not be able to participate in this event, please notify Tarrah Elam at your earliest convenience.
Parents: if you would like to be part of our efforts, we would love to have your help. Please contact Tarrah Elam for more details. |
Grades 10-11 will take the PSAT on Wednesday, Oct 14 on-campus. 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 Grade 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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SPIRIT DAY AND SENIOR NIGHT
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 Come celebrate our seniors at Senior Night this Tuesday, Oct 13 at 7:00 PM at the Kennedy Gym! We will be honoring and thanking our seniors for their dedication to making the team (and our school) great.
Tuesday, Oct 13 will also be our all-school Spirit Day and we encourage all students (Preschool through High School) to wear their favorite Riverstone gear or any white, navy and light blue clothing. No face-painting please.
Plan extra time for your student to spend after-school to get autographs from each of the players.
Spirit Day: Tuesday, Oct 13
Senior Night: Tuesday, Oct 13 at 7:00 PM in the Kennedy Gym
(JV game starts at 6:00 PM) |
 Get Ready for the 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.
On Wednesday, Oct 14 from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM, a photographer will be taking photos of students against a decorative fall backdrop. Please feel free to bring your student dressed in their favorite fall attire for a fun photo opportunity. For a $5 donation, a digital photo with full usage rights will be emailed to you. Use this opportunity to make a personalized Halloween greeting card to send to your family and friends.
We could use your help with sales, so please sign-up online on the Community Opportunities page. Thank you for your ongoing support of the Parents' Association in our efforts to support our students and school.
The Pumpkin Patch will be open from 8:00 AM - 8:45 AM and 3:15 PM - 4:00 PM each day, Monday, Oct 12 - Wednesday, Oct 14.
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 Calling all Bakers, Cooks, and Possessors of a Sweet Tooth!
Riverstone's annual bake sale is popping up Wednesday, Oct 14 at 3:00 PM for one day only. If you've missed the delectable caramels, cookies, cupcakes, breads, soups, etc. you are in luck!
Please consider contributing a seasonal or family favorite. Sign up at the Community Opportunities page with a brief description of your contribution.
Stop by and check out the offerings outside the elementary school at pick up on Wednesday. Or send your student with loose change and let them pick up a treat before they head home.
Bake Sale: Wednesday, Oct 14 at 3:00 PM
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VOLLEYBALL UPDATE & ATHLETICS
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 Middle School Girls Volleyball
A note from the coach, Arlee Tamietti
"I am beyond proud of the level of maturity and work ethic each player brings to the table. They are always so willing to work hard and ask questions; something I respect very much! Our season was one of extreme growth. I am proud to say that each player grew in skill set and ended the season leaps and bounds further than they started. They have advanced in such a little amount of time together, I look forward to their continue growth and love of volleyball! They exceeded my expectations and goals for the season; "to leave with a little more...little more love for the game, little more knowledge of the sport, little more connection with their teammates...just a little more." I feel very lucky to be a part of the Riverstone Athletics family."
High School Soccer
A note from the head soccer coach, Mark Stilinovich
"The team is really coming into its own! Our players are figuring out where they fit in the big picture and it's really exciting to see! The team is currently 3-1 and in 2nd place. The next game is this Saturday, Oct 10 at 9:00 AM on Field #3 at the Simplot Sports Complex. Come out and cheer the Otters to victory!"
Please check the school calendar for athletic events.
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Riverstone's High School Student Council Hosts 2nd Annual Blood Drive
 Did you know that your donation can save three lives and every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood?
We invite all parents, grandparents, friends, neighbors, and students ages 16 and older (with parental permission for those under 18) to donate on Thursday, Oct 22 between 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM in the Kennedy Gym Foyer. Donors will automatically be entered to win two free tickets to the Boise State Game on Friday, Nov 20.
Sign-up to donate today at www.redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code "RiverstoneSchool".
Please contact Tarrah Elam if you have any questions. |
 Variety Show auditions are coming!
For those of you who are new, the Riverstone Variety Show is unlike any other show in town. You might see dancing, opera, skits, a numchuck demonstration, a magic show, or a family musical performance. No matter what the show includes, you don't want to miss this one-of-a-kind Riverstone tradition that will be held on Friday, Dec 4.
Online signups to audition will go live on Monday, Oct 26 with auditions beginning on Monday, Nov 2. Slots are limited so plan ahead and be ready to sign up!
All members of our community are welcome to share their love of performance (students, parents, grand parents, teachers). Be creative, be original, be unique! Each performance should:
1. Involve 2 or more performers,
2. Last 4 minutes or less, and
3. Include at least one member in Grade 2 or above
Why are we announcing this so early? We want to make sure that everyone has a chance to organize their act/performance in way to be most successful by the audition dates.
Please contact Damon Brown with any questions.
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NEW OUTDOOR VIDEOS ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL
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We've added new videos featuring students and teachers on our recent fall trips to the Riverstone YouTube Channel! Check them out at the links below.
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| | Riverstone Fall Trips - Student Perspective |
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 Lunch options have been added to the online lunch ordering system through the rest of 2015. We have collected valuable feedback from parents on the lunch menu and are incorporating those ideas into a revised menu we will roll out in January.
The idea of a "Pizza Wednesday" was raised. We are curious if this is something parents and students would like offered, and feedback can be sent to jeremy@lifeskitchen.org.
You can order lunch online at http://lifeskitchen.h1.hotlunchonline.net and the Riverstone School Code is 211-930.
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 All Grade 6-12 girls basketball players are encouraged to participate in open gym sessions.
Coach Bashaw, our High School Girls basketball coach, and Coach Barker, our Middle School Girls basketball coach, will be opening the gym for players who are wanting to touch up on basketball fundamentals and compete in scrimmages against fellow players. There is no fee to participate.
The days and times for the open gym for girls in Gr 6-12 are:
Tuesday, Oct 13
| 6:30 - 8:00 PM
| Friday, Oct 16
| 6:30 - 8:00 PM
| Wednesday, Oct 21
| 6:30 - 8:00 PM
| Friday, Oct 23
| 6:30 - 8:00 PM
| Wednesday, Oct 28
| 6:30 - 8:00 PM
| Thursday, Oct 29
| 6:30 - 8:00 PM
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Please contact Coach Bashaw if you have any questions.
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RIVERSTONE BUTTERFLY AND POLLINATOR GARDEN
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 Thanks to the recent efforts of ten Riverstone students and parents, our campus is now a more welcoming place for pollinators like butterflies, hummingbirds and honey bees! The recent installation of a Butterfly and Pollinator Garden between the Elementary School and the Middle School parking lot has also enhanced wildlife by providing seasonal food and shelter for birds. Educational signs will be installed shortly and will help teach our community about the importance of pollinator species and the role that the Butterfly and Pollinator Garden will also play in the cleansing of pollutants from surface run-off from the parking lot. There's a lot going on in that little corner of campus: saunter over and check it out!
Special thanks to SustainingUS for native plant donations and project design and Home Depot for crabapple and cherry tree donations. Contact Ben Brock with questions.
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KEEPING OUR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS INFORMED
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We have also been asked if we could share the school newsletter with students. We are happy to do so! However, to have this happen, we need students to opt-in to the newsletter.
If your student would like to receive the weekly school newsletter, please have him or her click on the Join our Mailing List button below, provide his or her email address, and opt-in!
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This week's Facebook photo of the week features Outdoor Education Director, Ben Brock, sharing his favorite "how to set up a tent" tips with grade 5 in preparation for their overnight at the Intermountain Bird Observatory.
Keep an eye on Riverstone's Facebook page and Instagram to keep up with what's happening at Riverstone!
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