Riverstone International School
February 4, 2016
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Hi All,
This Monday, I participated in my first official groundbreaking. Our partners in building our Residential Facility broke ground on the corner of 13th and River Streets. It will be a beautiful facility. Ironically, earlier that morning we hosted a wonderful young man and his mother who had flown from China to visit us. And as I write this, Rachel is meeting with students and educational agents in Spain and then Russia, after meeting with their counterparts in China and Seoul, South Korea over the last month.
We are so excited to welcome our new students in the fall and share what is truly special about Riverstone and our "5 Pillars." Our students will be moving in to Phase 1 of our new Middle and High School this fall. This week, Kevin and Kathleen met with the architect to go over finishing touches - hints of "Otter Blue" in the carpets and shades on the wall were their focus. I cannot wait to invite you to open houses at both of these beautiful new facilities! In all my years at Riverstone, this is by far the most exciting. We are building a sustainable global village of students who seek small class sizes where they are meaningfully engaged in academic rigor and thought. We are able, with your generous support, to begin building facilities that match what goes on in the classroom for all of our students to enjoy during their time here. We are investing in our staff as well: in the last four years, we have made our professional development a priority. I look forward to sharing more information on that focus with you all next week. We strive to be a better school each and every year, and next year will be a huge leap forward!
Sincerely,
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RESIDENTIAL BUILDING GROUNDBREAKING
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 Giant day for Riverstone history: breaking ground on our residential dorm that will open this fall downtown on the corner of 13th Street and River Street! Pictured from left to right: Jerry Sturgill (Chairman of the Board of Trustees), Mark Liebich (Vice-Chair and Secretary of the Board), Bob Carignan (Head of School), Treacy Liebich (Co-Chair of Riverstone Endowment Campaign), and Andy Johnson (Director of the Middle and High Schools).
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RIVERSTONE ENDOWMENT: YOUR PARTICIPATION MATTERS
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 We are hosting two events for you to learn more about Riverstone's endowment campaign, Navigating Forward. Parents, grandparents, and friends of the school are invited to join us!
Please note the date correction from last week's endowment newsletter. The events will be held at the Liebich home (1650 E Holly Street, Boise, ID 83712).
Please RSVP to Treacy Liebich via email if you will be attending.
Download more information about the endowment here.
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 Please tell your family and friends about our upcoming open houses! Visitors will learn about Riverstone and tour the school.
Your referral is greatly appreciated and important to our community!
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Open House
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Date
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Preschool - Gr 5 | Tuesday, Feb 9 at 9:30 AM | Middle and High School
Gr 6-12 | Thursday, Feb 11 at 9:30 AM |
Open houses begin in the Elementary School atrium.
Additional open house dates throughout the rest of the semester may be viewed on our website. Please encourage friends to RSVP here or contact Sarah Taylor with any questions.
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Next Parents' Association Meeting
Thank you to everyone who attended this week's PA Meeting! Please join us at our PA Meeting next Thursday, Mar 3 at 8:45 AM in the Library. International Committee Meeting
The next International Committee will be held on Wednesday, Feb 17 at 8:45 AM at Amy Duque's home (5292 E Quarterpath Dr, Boise, ID 83716). All parents are invited to join us!
Merci Lunch Next Week  Our next Merci Lunch is Wednesday, Feb 10! Hosted by the Preschool and Gr 3 and sponsored by the Middle and High School, this lunch's theme is Asia in honor of Chinese New Year on Monday, Feb 8.
Please sign up on the Community Opportunities Merci Lunch sheets for the Elementary School or for the Middle and High Schools with a dish you are willing to bring in. Please note that the Google document does not work with iPhones, so email or text which dish you would like to bring to either the Elementary School PA representative, Lelei Coyle, or the Middle/High School PA representative, Rachel Bergmann.
Donate your Riverstone gear!
 Do you have used or outgrown Riverstone apparel? The PA is collecting retired Riverstone gear for a 2016 Auction Project. All colors, sizes, and logos are welcome. Please bring in anything you would like to contribute to the donation box at the Elementary School Front Desk or Kathleen Gilton's office in the Middle School.
If you have any questions, please contact Natalie Geffros or Sarah Taylor.
Photo Directories are still available!
If you haven't picked up a Riverstone Photo Directory yet, there are still a few available! Feel free to purchase your copy at the Elementary School front desk from Sarah Taylor. |
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UPCOMING INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL'S ASSESSMENT
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 Grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 10 are taking the International Schools' Assessment on the mornings of Monday, Fe b 8 and Tuesday, Feb 9. For Gr 7 and Gr 9 these assessments consist of three components - mathematical literacy, reading and writing. For Gr 10 the students are assessed on scientific literacy.
We use the results of these assessments to help us evaluate our curriculum, teaching and learning. These assessments also allow us to see how our students' skills and knowledge "stack up" against similar students around the world.
Please help your child prepare for the assessments by making sure they get plenty of rest the night before and a hearty, balanced breakfast. These results will be shared with you later in the Spring. |
 Hardcopy PSAT score reports for the Gr 10 and 11 students who took the PSAT in October have arrived. These score reports will come home with your students today. Please ask them for these reports when they arrive home. More information on your student's score reporting in the new PSAT can be found here.
Please email Andy Johnson if you have any questions.
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INFORMATION FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
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Administration of over-the-counter medication during school hours
 During the winter months, the number of students who don't feel well and need extra attention to address coughs, fevers, and headaches rises substantially. We evaluate the student to the best of our abilities, and when needed, recommend that the student call his or her parent.
We would like to remind parents and students that according to school policy, we can only administer over-the-counter medication (ibuprofen, acetaminophen, etc) during the school day if parents have provided the medication in the original container, along with written and signed instructions.
For any questions related to this, please contact Robyn Olnes or Andy Johnson. Thank you for your understanding.
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BOOTS, CHAPS AND COWBOY HATS
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 Dust off your saddles pardners! It's almost time for the wildest round up in the West: The Riverstone Auction!
The Pony Express has invitations en route to your mailbox! When your invitation arrives, take a moment to review the menu, order your tickets and submit your seating requests. Don't delay in returning your RSVP.
Please also note the enhanced sponsorship opportunities. We've added to the many benefits that you will see as a sponsor. Not only will you be contributing to a great cause, you can also receive fun extras such as limousine service to and from the Auction, the opportunity to preview the Auction offerings before anyone else gets a chance to bid, or your choice of some of the finest wild desserts we've been able to round up! We hope you will consider contributing to the Auction in this manner.And if you are just itchin' to be a part of the fun, think about donating your time and talents. Our silent, online and live auctions are composed of amazing opportunities provided by people just like you. So, if you have a great little place on the lake to share for a weekend or a special talent like baking or kayaking, tennis or chess: the sky's the limit! There's room for all y'all at this round up! We'd love to include your unique gift. Email Amy Bava if you'd like be involved.
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NATIONAL HISTORY DAY JUDGES NEEDED
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 This year's National History Day (NHD) regional competition will be taking place on Saturday, Mar 5 at Sacred Heart Catholic School. It is an exciting day where students from around the area are able to present projects that they've been diligently working on for the past few months centering on this year's theme of "Exploration, Encounter, and Exchange."
We are seeking judges to participate in the regional competition. No prior experience with NHD is necessary, only requiring that one have an interest in history and working with kids. Please take the time to view this video to get a sense of what the day will entail for you as a volunteer judge. (It is a full day commitment - going from about 8:00 AM until about 3:00 PM).
Our students need parents to volunteer to be judges at this competition. Whenever we talk to the kids at the competition, they are always proud to tell us, "My parent is a judge this year."
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Riverstone's Middle School Science Bowl team, the Free Radicals, competed last Saturday, Jan 30 at the 2016 Western Idaho Science Bowl competition at Boise State University.
Participating students, Ryan M (Gr 8), Preston B (Gr 8), Meghan F (Gr 6), Derek L (Gr 6), and Ryan D (Gr 6) have been practicing since September. They competed against 15 other teams and Ryan M received the MVP award for our group. All students were given shirts, bags and fun swag from Micron.
Thank you to Coach and teacher Samantha Cole, Assistant Coach and student Katharina S (Gr 12), and parent Kim Liebich. Go Otters! |
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CARNIVAL AROUND THE WORLD VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
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 The International Committee's "Carnival Around the World" display is up in the Elementary School! Check it out in the Atrium before Friday, Feb 12. The students will share a special celebration lunch together with Brazilian treats on Tuesday, Feb 9.
Feel free to contact Sumiko Gomi if you have any questions or if you would like to get involved. |
 Mix it up with a little of this and a little of that! Polka dots, plaid, stripes, neon, Hawaiian, western, crazy socks and accessories.
All students in Gr 6 - 8 and their guests are invited to our Mix-n- Match Dance Friday, Feb 26 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM in the Kennedy Gymnasium Foyer.
Tickets will be sold the week of February 22 in Homeroom and are $5 if purchased before the dance and $7 at the door. Guests are more than welcome to attend with a signed Guest Permission Form. Please download and return to Tarrah Elam prior to the evening of Friday, Feb 26.
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Please be aware of the safety of our students when driving through the school parking lot.
- Please stop before all crosswalks and allow students using the crosswalks to proceed safely
- Do not stop in the crosswalk in front of the Elementary School to drop off your students
- Please park your car in designated spaces and have your student use the crosswalk to access the building
- Check the Greenbelt as you enter/exit Riverstone's parking lot
- Refrain from cell phone use
- Drive slowly
We appreciate your cooperation. Thank you! |
 A note from Middle School Boys Basketball Coach Jacob Sanders:
"Last Thursday, the team took on Rolling Hills Middle School in a home game. Both the A and B team came away with wins. There was even an extra game before the A and B game that got some needed court time for some of the younger players. Both games resulted in some good defense on the Otters part. Great on-court communication kept the competition from getting many shots. The Otters traveled out to Garden Valley on Tuesday. While a number of players were out due to sickness, the B team pulled through with a low scoring game to win 14-15. Walker C (Gr 7) hit some big shot towards the end to get the win for the Otters. In the A game, Garden Valley came out fast and got a quick lead. The boys were able to compose themselves and get things going, but the lead was too big for the Otters to over come."  A note from High School Girls Basketball Coach Wally Bashaw:
"The team finished out their regular season on Friday, Jan 29 at home against Compass Charter School Honors team. It was an incredible game with both teams never having more than a 5 point lead. The crowd was outstanding, cheering so loud that it was hard to communicate with the girls on the court at times. With 9 seconds left in the game, Riverstone had the ball with a play setup to have a guard come off a double screen and take the shot. The position for the shot was compromised and had to be passed to an open player. She took the shot with 1.6 seconds sailing just shy of the basket and lost a heartbreaker 44-45."
 A note from High School Boys Basketball Coach Eric Chapman:
"The Boys High School basketball team is in the midst of our best season ever with a 10-5 record following a terrific come from behind victory 61-50 over Compass Charter School last Friday night. Cheered on by a raucus home crowd in the Otter's Den, the varsity boys were led by the inside-out combo of Dedi S (Gr 11) and Andres G (Gr 11) who combined for 34 points and 19 rebounds. Senior Regan Z also played his best game of the season, most notably on the defensive end by holding one of the league's top scorers 10 points under his normal scoring average.
The Junior Varsity team had a tough night against Compass Charter School losing 20-54, but the squad continues to work hard in practice and there has been lots of individual improvement over the course of the season. They are anxious to finish the season strong in their final three games.
We have a challenging contest this Friday night against The Ambrose School, the top ranked team in the state, but our three seniors Zach C, Neal M and Regan Z are itching to try and pull the upset in the final home game of their Riverstone careers. We hope you will come out to show your support for these boys on their Senior Night!"
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 There are many great hot and cold lunch options for this week, please look through the entire spring menu here. If you are planning to order pizza, please only select the number of slices you'd like to purchase (do not adjust the pizza size). |
This week's Facebook photo of the week is of the crowd cheering on the High School Girls Basketball team at their home game for Senior Night!
Keep an eye on Riverstone's Facebook page and Instagram to keep up with what's happening at Riverstone!
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