Riverstone International School
October 22, 2015
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 Hi All,
I hope that you had a great week and that your conferences better equipped you to advocate for and guide your students. If you have comments or suggestions, please complete our short survey here before Thursday, October 29. Please note that in Middle and High School we are looking for a more user-friendly way for parents to sign up for conferences; we have already begun to look at new options for the spring. I'd like to address a few ways in which we put our school on a path for continuous improvement. At the heart of this process is our 2014-2019 Strategic Plan, which was created after a dialogue involving the whole community. We received many great suggestions from our sub-committees and ultimately, the Board of Trustees approved a set of goals that we are now working towards. As this is a partnership, we solicit feedback from our community. We send out a comprehensive survey in early spring in which we ask all parents and students in grades 5-12 for constructive comments on our individual classes and programs - feedback is given on the administrative staff as well. We conduct exit surveys of parents who are leaving Riverstone and from seniors who are graduating. The goal is always the same: to use this information to identify strengths and blind spots and inform our growth as a school and as individual staff members.
The Strategic Plan also guides our professional development during "in service" days and online and offsite training. This year, we have focused on differentiation in the classroom, and our STEM initiatives through Project Lead the Way and Middle School Design Technologies. To have a rigorous and innovative academic atmosphere, everyone involved must be a learner who is willing to use the tools available to improve.
Like we ask our students to do, we reflect on what we are doing to understand the needs of our students, look for areas that need improvement, use the professional development resources available, and measure our progress both with hard data and anecdotal evidence.
In the next few weeks, you will receive a separate report outlining what we have accomplished moving towards the goals outlined in the Strategic Plan. I look forward to sharing more details with you. On a different note, I hope that you will take a few minutes to browse through our redesigned and refreshed school website. We appreciate the team at Stoltz Marketing Group for their support and guidance in bringing our vision to life.
Call for anything, 
Bob Carignan
Head of School
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 Friday Morning Music will be returning tomorrow, Friday, Oct 23! This is a wonderful opportunity for students who study music privately to participate in a supportive recital setting.
Friday Morning Music takes place from 7:45 AM - 8:20 AM. Please join us in the Elementary School Atrium and start your day off on a good note!
Please also plan time to grab a coffee for our Annual Fund Meet-and-Greet with our Chairpersons, Kipp and Deborah Martell.
Friday Morning Music followed by Annual Fund Meet-and-Greet: Friday, Oct 23 at 7:45 AM
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ANNUAL FUND MEET-AND-GREET
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 Please join us in the Elementary School Atrium Friday, Oct 23 following Friday Morning Music -- or after you drop off your kids -- to meet and chat with our Annual Fund team about this year's campaign. Our Annual Fund Chairpersons, Kipp and Deborah Martell, will be there with coffee and information. Please stop by, grab a cup of coffee, and introduce yourself!
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PARENTS' ASSOCIATION NEWS
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 Thank you
We would like to invite everyone to our next meeting on Thursday, Nov 5 at 8:45 AM in the Library.
Merci Luncheon Reminder Our first Merci Luncheon is approaching! On Wednesday, Nov 4, families of Kindergarten and Grades 6-12 students will provide a potluck lunch for the entire Riverstone faculty and staff. These lunches are a longstanding Riverstone tradition and a staff favorite! Please use Community Opportunities Merci Lunch sheet to sign up and let us know what you would like to contribute. Merci! |
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UPCOMING EVENING SOCIAL AT LINDER FARMS
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Save the date! Grades 9 - 12 Evening Social at Linder Farms
High School Student Council Members invite all students in Grades 9 - 12 to our second Social Event of the year.
On Friday, Oct 30 at 6:30 PM, students in Grades 9 - 12 will load the Riverstone bus and head to Linder Farms. Haunted corn mazes, hay rides, bonfires and so much more will fill the evening with fun.
Students will return to Riverstone at 10:30 PM. Parents need to pick up their students promptly at 10:30 PM.
Please download the Linder Farms Permission Slip and return to Tarrah Elam the week of October 26. |
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VARIETY SHOW AUDITION SIGN UPS ARE LIVE ON MONDAY
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 Variety Show auditions sign ups are coming!
Online signups to audition will go live on Monday, Oct 26 at 8:00 AM. Slots are limited so plan ahead and be ready to sign up!
On Monday, October 26 at 8:00 AM, please check the Community Opportunities sheet for the tab marked "Variety Show Auditions."
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 involve 2 or more performers, last 4 minutes or less, and include at least one member in Grade 2 or above.
Please contact Damon Brown with any questions.
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After School Activities Begin Next Week!
Looking for a way that your child can meet new students? Looking for activities that will engage your child in a fun way after school? We have a wide variety of new offerings included for students of all ages in Session 2. Sign your child up today!
Return your registration form to Sarah Taylor in the Elementary School or Tarrah Elam in the Middle and High School.
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The official start to our Open House season begins in just a few weeks!
Whether you're considering Riverstone for another child in your family or want to attend as a refresher on what we do here, please plan to join us.
You will see first-hand how Riverstone can inspire your child's academic and personal journey. And please invite your friends by forwarding this information on to them. We will be hosting two events in November as follows:
 Elementary School (Preschool - Grade 5): Tuesday, Nov 3 at 9:30 AM
Middle and High School (Grades 6-12): Thursday, Nov 5 at 9:30 AM
Both events will last about an hour and a half, starting with a short presentation followed by guided tours of the school and lots of opportunity to ask questions.
If you are planning to join us at one of these events, please reserve a time and RSVP using our Online Inquiry Form.
If the open house dates do not work with your schedule, contact Rachel Pusch, our Director of Enrollment Management, for a personal tour at another time. View our monthly open house schedule here.
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On Tuesday, Oct 27, our Kindergarten through Grade 5 students will participate in their monthly Passport Club Testing.
 Students explore the world through our Passport Club, without actually leaving home! Every month, students will receive a map that corresponds to their grade. Starting in Kindergarten and Grade 1, students focus on identifying five countries per month. In comparison, students in Grade 5 learn 25 countries and 5 capitals each month!
Students in every grade provide one researched fact based on their current Unit of Inquiry, integrating the Passport club with the IB philosophy. Students are given the prompt: "Select one or more continents or countries from your study level and describe something related to the Unit of Inquiry you are currently studying."
It may sound daunting, but our students are very successful, and the program builds upon itself year after year.
October Passport Testing: Tuesday, Oct 27. The 27th is just around the corner so please encourage your child to study! Please contact James Hamilton-Vail if you can assist with testing or if you have any questions. |
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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HALLOWEEN PARADE
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 Come and enjoy one of Riverstone's favorite traditions: The Elementary School Halloween Parade!
On Friday, Oct 30, the Parade will start promptly at 2:15 PM with our youngest students in Preschool winding through the Elementary School and picking up students in the next grade. Once all the kids from Preschool through Grade 5 have joined, the parade will wind through the Middle School and the High School Quad.
Following the parade, Elementary classes will hold their annual Halloween parties.
Please note: costumes should not include weapons, toy or otherwise. Elementary students should not wear their costumes to school -- they will change into them shortly before the parade.
Elementary School Halloween Parade: Friday, Oct 30 at 2:15 PM.
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NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM STUDENTS
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Congratulations to Grade 12 students Gwen D, Jeremy D, Carter G, and Jonah L for being recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program as a National Merit Semi-Finalist based on their performances on the PSAT during their Grade 11 year. As semi-finalists, these students will have the opportunity to advance to the Finalist stage later in the year. Approximately 1% or 16,000 students nationwide of the 1.5 million who take the PSAT are recognized as semi-finalists.
Congratulations to Gabe B, Zachary C, and Mikayla R for being recognized as a National Merit Commended Students! Approximately 2% or 34,000 of the 1.5 million who take the PSAT are recognized as commended students. Congratulations again!
Riverstone students outperform both state and national averages in all three categories of the PSAT and SAT, including Critical Reading, Math, and Writing Skills. View our website for more information.
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2016 SUMMER TRAVEL PROGRAMS
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We are excited to share dates, itineraries and pricing for our 2016 Summer Travel Programs!
All travel programs are designed by Riverstone administration and staff, with itinerary logistical support being done by our partner, Grand Classroom. We take great pride in developing itineraries that foster our Five Pillars and support our curriculum.
Below are the three travel options for students currently enrolled in Grades 7 - 11. The links provided will direct you to the corresponding Grand Classroom websites with itineraries, pricing and dates.
If you are interested in learning more about our upcoming travel opportunities, please plan to attend an informational parent meeting Monday, Nov 2 at 6:30 PM in the Elementary School Atrium.
 Online registration and commitment deposits are due to Grand Classroom on Friday, Nov 13. Contact Tarrah Elam with questions.
Current Grade 9 - 11 students:
Central Europe Adventure
2016 Summer Travel Programs Informational Parent Meeting: Monday, Nov 2 at 6:30 PM in the Elementary School Atrium.
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LONE TREE RIVER AT THE HUB
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 Catch Riverstone's Lone Tree River musical group at The Hub on Thursday, Oct 22 at 8:00 PM as they open for the No More Kings concert!
Lone Tree River includes Cat C (Gr 12), Rebecca T (Gr 12), Sophie G (Gr 11) and Jack J (Gr 11).
Tickets are $10 at the door. More info at www.recycledmindsimprov.com.
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Join our Middle School Girls' Basketball Team!
Middle School Girls' Basketball will run from Monday, Oct 26 - Wednesday, Dec 16. If you would like your student to join the team, please contact the head coach Lacie Barker. The first practice will be on Monday, Oct 26 at 3:30 PM - 4:45 PM with a parent meeting to follow.
 High School Soccer A note from the head soccer coach,
Mark Stilinovich
" We had a tough weekend with one game tied 3-3 and another lost 0-2. Everybody is giving it their all though! Come out to Simplot Sports Complex this Saturday, Oct 24 at 4:30 PM, Field #19 to see the Otters one more time before the Tournament starts!" Soccer players will be signing "Ottergraphs" on Monday, Oct 28 at 3:30 PM in front of the Elementary School. Make sure to stop by and get your favorite Otter's autograph! Ottergraphs: Monday, Oct 28 at 3:30 PM in front of the Elementary School.
Please check the school calendar for athletic events.
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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:
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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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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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 is of our ninth graders strengthening their STEM skills by building and programming robots!
Keep an eye on Riverstone's Facebook page and Instagram to keep up with what's happening at Riverstone!
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