Riverstone International School
October 29, 2015
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 Hi All,
We are in the second week of our Annual Fund Campaign, Riverstone: A Gateway to the World. Please join me in thanking Kipp and Deborah Martell for serving as our campaign Co-Chairs and for hosting the kick-off coffee last week. Also, thank you to the class ambassadors who have volunteered to serve as a resource for any questions that you might have.
We have worked hard to minimize the number of times that we ask parents for additional support and have made a concerted effort to reach out to our community only twice annually: the Annual Fund and Annual Auction. Our Annual Fund campaign runs a short five weeks so that we can raise funds and then put them to use earlier in the school year. Supporting our students in this way only works with your help.
One of our goals is to collectively raise $200,000 and the other goal is 100% participation by Trustees, families, and staff. Why focus on participation? Participation is very important when we apply for grants because it demonstrates how strongly the school is supported by its own community. We brag about our amazing participation rate in all of our grant applications - in most cases, this question is asked specifically.
What exactly do your Annual Fund gifts support? Think of your gift as an opportunity for us to say "yes" to opportunities for our programs and teachers. We evaluate how we can enhance the learning of our students above and beyond what we already offer, and then use the funds in the areas we have identified. It may be an extra field trip, an extra piece of lab equipment, or an extra guest speaker. It is exciting to know that these funds are entirely spent during this school year on our students - that is the purpose of the Annual Fund.
We have such a generous community, all of us working towards the same goal and making the Riverstone experience exceptional for each student. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Call for anything,
Bob Carignan
Head of School
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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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 Thank you to everyone who has already contributed to the 2015 Annual Fund!
With less than a week into the campaign,
we have received $22,140 in contributions and pledges to date with 10% participation from parents, staff, and Trustees!
All contributions are tax-deductible!
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.
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POLICIES FOR STUDENT SUPERVISION BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL HOURS
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As a school, it is our number one priority to ensure the safety of our students at all times.
We are a unique school in that we attract students from all over the Valley, we provide evening social events to Middle and High School students, and we host many after hours community events and games that students attend.
Our goal is to ensure students are appropriately supervised while on campus. To accommodate Riverstone family schedules and provide supervision, we have implemented services such as Before and After Care in the Elementary School, as well as Study Hall in the Middle and High School. Each program requires specific policies and procedures that we want all families to be aware of.
Please read the following policies and procedures appropriate to each division for programs or events run outside of the school day time frame of 8:10 AM to 3:30 PM.
Middle School and High School Policies
Thank you for your attention to the details of these procedures. As stated previously, the safety of your children is our utmost concern.
For more information regarding these policies, please contact Tarrah Elam, Student Life Coordinator.
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UPCOMING EVENING SOCIAL AT LINDER FARMS
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Grades 9 - 12 Social Event this Friday Night 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. |
The official start to our Open House season begins next week!
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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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! Save the Date: Friday, November 13 Save the date for a new Riverstone event: A Taste of Riverstone that will be held on Friday, November 13. More details will be shared next week but this will be a casual, fun way to meet more Riverstone parents and enjoy some tasty cuisine. |
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VARIETY SHOW AUDITION SIGN UPS
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 Sign ups for Variety Show auditions are open!
Please visit the Community Opportunities sheet and look for the tab marked "Variety Show Auditions" in order 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 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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2016 SUMMER TRAVEL PROGRAM PARENT MEETING
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2016 Summer Travel Parent Meeting this Monday, Nov 2 at 6:30 PM
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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 This year's Rake Up Boise will take place on Saturday, Nov 14! Students, parents, and faculty will meet at the Riverstone campus at 7:40 AM for hot chocolate and donuts before carpooling to one of several assigned locations.
From 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM participants will rake leaves in the yards of Boise residents who are unable to do so themselves. Volunteers should bring a rake and gloves. Sign up today!
Thank you to our Social Change Leadership students for organizing the Riverstone Rake Up Boise team.
Riverstone Rake Up Boise: Saturday, Nov 14 from 7:40 AM to 12:00 PM. |
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SAVE THE DATE! GRADE 6-8 SOCIAL AND DANCE
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Friday Night Lights: "A Night on the Red Carpet"
Middle School Student Council Members invite all students in Grades 6 - 8 to the first dance of the year.
Friday, Nov 13 from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM, students in Grades 6 - 8 will dance the night away! Students should dress their best as "Friday Night Lights: A Night on the Red Carpet" is a formal dance.
Tickets will be sold beginning the week of Monday, Nov 9 during homeroom. Ticket prices are $5 if purchased before the dance and $7 at the entrance.
Guests are more than welcome to attend with a completed guest permission form. Please download the form here and return to Tarrah Elam prior to the evening of Friday, Nov 13.
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INTERNATIONAL STUDENT HOSTING OPPORTUNITY
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If you have considered hosting a student, we have a fantastic opportunity for you. We have an 11th grade male student who is in need of a new host family. He is very enthusiastic about being in the United States and is eager to live with an American family. His English is excellent, he is very social, and he is already involved in several school activities. He is anxious to integrate himself into American culture and to learn more about American life. If you are interested in hosting this young man, please contact Jane Kaserman or Rachel Pusch. |
 Riverstone students Rowan P (Gr 11) and Jack J (Gr 11) competed for Timberline High School's varsity soccer team this fall. Ultimately, Timberline was the District champion and became the State 5A champion by beating Rocky Mountain (for the third time this season) this weekend. Timberline also won the academic award for the season. Jack and Rowan are both starters and the team played incredibly well with a great number of Riverstone students there to cheer them on!  Christina U (Gr 11) has been swimming with the Timberline High School team again this year and has qualified for the upcoming State competition in 7 out of 8 events! Even more impressive than that, Christina formed a one swimmer Riverstone team at the District meet, leading the "team" to a 14th place finish out of 21 teams total. Impressive! The state meet will be held Friday, Nov 6 and Saturday, Nov 7. Good luck Christina!
Kelli W (Gr 8) and Darci D (Gr 6) were both selected to play in the 2015-2016 Boise Junior High Honor Orchestra string section. Congratulations to these two wonderful violinists!
Hailey W (Gr 6) participated in the piano division of the Boise Music Festival and received a Superior Rating. This was her third straight year of Superior Ratings earning her a trophy. Great job, Hailey! Pictured below left to right are Kelli, Darci, and Hailey |
A note from the Head Volleyball Coach, Nevena Dradovich
"The girls played hard at their final district tournament game last week. We were two points away from being in third place in the district tournament, which says a lot. I loved the team's passion and that they fought for every point during our final game of the season against The Ambrose School. The team has grown and learned a lot in the past two and half months. We improved not only individual volleyball skills, but also we learned how to work as a team, support and respect each other. It was a fun season and even though we had many oscillations, the girls came out stronger from every loss. We didn't have a complete roster in every game, but the fact we were able to consolidate and play showed us the team was strong as a unit. We are graduating five amazing girls and athletes who served as an example to the younger girls. All of the things mentioned above prove to me that we did a great job this season and Riverstone will continue to have a successful volleyball team in years to come."
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.
You can order lunch online at http://lifeskitchen.h1.hotlunchonline.net and the Riverstone School Code is 211-930.
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This week's Facebook photo of the week features one of our Grade 10 German exchange students from last year! He made such good friends at Riverstone that he returned to visit during his school's fall break. What a wonderful surprise!
Keep an eye on Riverstone's Facebook page and Instagram to keep up with what's happening at Riverstone!
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