Riverstone International School
December 17, 2015
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 Hi All,
I have had such a pleasant few days sitting in on presentations and open houses; what our teachers and kids do is wonderful. This is my fifth year as Head of School, and I must say it has been perhaps my most rewarding semester. The parents, staff, and the Board have all made significant contributions to ensure that our future continues to be bright.
I am so thankful that we have all worked together and begun planning for a new Middle and High School; a pivotal move in our history. We now can also maintain our commitment to creating a truly international community here with our change from a host family model to a residential one. This will make the facilities at Riverstone as impressive as the academics.
Under the leadership of Kurt and Treacy Liebich, we are entering the second year of our endowment campaign, Navigating Forward. We will be talking more about the endowment campaign after the break. Adding financial assets such as an endowment will allow our projects to come to fruition for the benefit of all of our students.
The Parents' Association under the leadership of Natalie Geffros had a great fall, hosting events, welcoming new families, and making our staff feel appreciated. Seeing older students shopping and reading with younger students at the Book Fair is one of my favorite moments. Thank you Kim Fall for organizing this yearly celebration of reading and community.
Finally, I want to thank our Seniors for bringing "Leadership by Example" to life. They completed 4000-word Extended Essays, worked through six rigorous classes, and completed countless college applications and essays. They maintained their humor and goodwill and set a worthy example of what it means to be Riverstone student.
I wish you a peaceful, restful, and reflective break. As always, I would like to remind you to sit close to your kids and cherish you time together.
Sincerely,
 Bob Carignan
Head of School
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WINTER BREAK SCHOOL CLOSURE
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 Riverstone will be closed as of 3:30PM on Friday, Dec 18 for the Winter Break. Students will return to school on Tuesday, Jan 5. Our staff will return for an in-service day on Monday, Jan 4. We hope everyone has a wonderful winter break!
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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HEALTH FAIR
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 Please join us tomorrow, Friday, Dec 18 from 8:30AM - 9:00AM for the Gr 2 Health Fair in the Elementary School Atrium. Students will be presenting various ways we can keep our body healthy as their current Unit of Inquiry focuses on how healthy life choices facilitate the optimal functions of the human body's systems and organs. Students are learning about the function of various systems and organs, the interdependence of all bodily systems and the choices we make in order to keep our bodies healthy and strong. They will be presenting on topics such as Use Common Sense, Basic First Aid, and Listen to Your Doctor. You can read more about what they've been learning on the Riverstone blog here and we hope to see you there!
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MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL WINTER BASH
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Ugly Holiday Sweater Contest, Music, Refreshments, Games and More!
Students in Grades 6 - 11 will celebrate a successful semester together tomorrow, Friday, Dec 18 from 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM in the Kennedy Gymnasium for our third annual Winter Bash!
There will be an ugly holiday sweater contest, music performances by Middle and High School students, as well as a rotation of four different activities.
We would like students to bring games such as Taboo, Twister, Jenga, Apples to Apples, Uno and playing cards for one of the four activity rotations. Please be sure to have your family's last name written on the game.
We would also like students to bring a dessert or refreshment to share a little holiday cheer during the afternoon. Click here to sign up for an item. Please contact Tarrah Elam with any questions.
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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SING-A-LONG AND CLASSROOM PARTIES
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 The Elementary School Celebrations of Light will wrap up this Friday with the Christmas Sing-a-Long that will take place in the Atrium at 2:00 PM tomorrow, Friday, Dec 18. Parents are welcome to join us and sing. Classroom holiday parties will also take place that day as planned by each teacher. We will be sharing photos of their celebrations of Diwali and Hanukkah soon. Thank you to the parents who helped with these celebrations!
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INTERNATIONAL STUDENT HOSTING OPPORTUNITY
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 We have another fantastic opportunity for a family that would like to host a student for the 2016 - 2017 academic year!
Livia is a 17 year-old girl from Italy who wants to come to Riverstone for one year beginning in August 2016. She is a black belt in Taekwondo, likes volleyball, soccer, handball, music, and movies.
Please contact Jane Kaserman or Rachel Pusch for more information if you are interested in hosting Livia. |
Next Parents' Association Meeting
Please mark your calendar with Thursday, Jan 7 at 8:45 AM as the first meeting of 2016. We wish you a happy holiday season! We would also like to thank the PA holiday elf who made the envelopes for this year's staff gifts.
The Riverstone Photo Directory has arrived!
Please pick up your pre-ordered directory at the Elementary School front desk from Sarah Taylor. If you did not pre-order and are interested in purchasing a Directory, we have extra copies available for purchase.
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 Thank you to both the Gr 5 parents and Gr 6 - 12 parents for making this month's Merci Lunch absolutely delicious.
The staff enjoyed all of the amazing African foods and were also thankful for Kibrom's Ethiopian and Eritrean Restaurant providing that extra touch with their catered Ethiopian dishes.
The PA looks forward to hosting the next Merci Lunch! |
Thank you to everyone who attended and purchased books from this year's Riverstone Book Fair! Please read the following message from organizer, Kim Fall:"I want to express my gratitude to all of the volunteers involved in making the Book Fair a total success for another year. I truly appreciate all of you! Also, thank you to everyone who shopped at the book fair. Your purchases and donations make a difference for the school as well as for our All for Books charity: Book it Forward Idaho."
Funds raised from the Book Fair will be used towards acquiring additional classroom technology to be used throughout the school. Thank you! |
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STUDENT ACTIVITY AND CLUB SIGN-UPS
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JOIN MIDDLE SCHOOL BOYS' BASKETBALL
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All interested Gr 6-8 boys are welcome to join the Riverstone's Middle School Basketball team. The season will run from Monday, Jan 11 - Wednesday, Mar 2 . Practice will be Monday - Thursday from 3:30PM - 5:00PM and there will be two games per week. The first practice will be on Monday, Jan 12 from 3:30PM - 4:30 PM in the Kennedy Gymnasium.
If your middle school student is interested, there is a Parent Meeting on Monday, Jan 11 from 4:30PM - 5:00PM in the Kennedy Gymnasium. All players, regardless of grade, must fill out the Athletics Consent Form. If you have any questions, please contact Head Basketball Coach Jacob Sanders.
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High School Boys' Basketball
Please read the note below from High School Boys' Basketball Coach, Eric Chapman: "We opened our seventh season this month with some notable achievements. With the addition of 10 new players including six energetic freshmen, the combined JV and Varsity squads now total a school record 21 players. The boys have practiced hard and the Varsity team is currently undefeated at 4-0 with wins over Meadows Valley, Gem State, Cascade and Canyon Springs in the last two weeks. The team set a school record scoring 74 points in their victory at Gem State. Individual achievements of note include junior Dedi S breaking the school record for total career points scored just four games into the season and senior Neal M tying the school record for career games played. The Varsity team takes a big step up in competition this week as we compete in a 3-day tournament against several larger 2-A and 3-A schools, but it should be a great test and prepare us for the conference schedule ahead in January."
High School Girls' Basketball
 Please read the note below from High School Girls Basketball Coach, Wally Bashaw:
"On Dec 8, the Riverstone Girls Basketball team traveled to Cascade for their first away game of the year. The girls came into the game on fire, outscoring Cascade 10-3 behind tremendous defense and intense pressure on offense. They continued the pressure throughout the game wearing Cascade down and winning the game. The team was back in action on Dec 14 at a home game against Ambrose. Once again playing without 2 players they fought hard with great control on offense and hounding defense but ultimately lost. I am really excited about the teams improvement over the last few weeks and can't wait for the winter break where they will have several days to strengthen and practice before the big push towards districts."
Middle School Girls' Basketball
 Please read the note below from Middle School Girls Basketball Coach, Lacie Barker:
"The Middle School Girls' Basketball teams wrapped up their season in the first round of the district tournament. The final game stayed close until the end and the girls played hard until the last second. The teams had a rather short season and in that amount of time every player gained new skills and improved, both on and off the court. Zoe P was the only Gr 8 student this year and she will be missed when she plays with the High School team next year. The other 12 team members are eager for next season and another chance at the tournament. Go Otters!"
Check the school calendar for future games.
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RIVERSTONE'S MOCK NEWBERRY TRIALS
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 The American Library Association (ALA) awards a medal for the most distinguished children's book of the year. The purpose of the Newbery medal is "to encourage original and creative work in the field of books for children."
Please consider having your Gr 4 - 6 students read the summaries for the listed books at the link below
Because these books were first published in 2016, the library does not have copies. Please consider borrowing a book from the Boise Public Library or purchasing one. If you have any questions, please contact Susan Tabb. |
 Nine Gr 9 students, one student coach, and teacher Jen Schmutzler, headed to Kuna last Saturday, Dec 12, to compete in the regional FIRST Lego League Competition.
This year's theme was "Trash Trek" and the team competed in four categories: Core Values, Robot Design, Innovation, and Robot Challenge.
Our team competed well against the other 21 teams and brought back great experience to share with their Gr 9 classmates. We look forward to competing again next year!
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BIG BREAK BIRDING COMPETITION
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 Looking for something to do outside during the next couple weeks? Get out and bird!
The fourth Annual Big Break Birding "Competition" is a great excuse for a walk along the Greenbelt, a snowshoeing trip to Idaho City, or just stocking the bird feeders and curling up in the window seat with binoculars and a hot chocolate. Heading somewhere exotic? Birds are a great way to get to know a new environment!
Raffle tickets will be awarded for a variety of categories and everyone has the chance to win! Not sure where to start? Get in touch with Riverstone's resident "Bird Dorks" Ben Brock, Kerry Fitzharris or Kim Liebich!
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OUTDOOR EDUCATION WINTER 2016 CALENDAR
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Riverstone's Winter Outdoor Education provides Elementary, Middle and High School students the opportunity to broaden and develop skill sets and attitudes that encourage a lifetime of discovery in the outdoors. Whether they're improving their balance on ice skates, learning about the importance of layering at SnowSchool, or spending their first night in a snow shelter, Riverstone students will make great strides this winter!
Winter Outdoor Education programs begin the week of January 11. To prepare for these activities, please: - Put the appropriate dates on your calendars.
- Download Equipment Lists and Release Forms on the school website. You can also find these documents by clicking on the orange "Resources" button on the website homepage.
- Keep an eye out for Release Forms, which will come home with your child prior to Winter Break.
If you have any questions, please contact Ben Brock.
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This week's Facebook photo of the week features our Gr 9 students in Mr. Cole's English class. The students read the collections they've written over the semester to an audience of teachers, parents, and peers. Each collection features a memoir piece, a work of non-fiction and fiction, and a "querencia" (a description of a place where one feels safe). Each reading was incredibly powerful and the students did a wonderful job!
 
Keep an eye on Riverstone's Facebook page and Instagram to keep up with what's happening at Riverstone!
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