Riverstone International School
February 18, 2016
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Hi All,
The well is well! We hit water and have been assured that there is plenty of it. Why is this exciting? Until now, we have relied upon a city water link which has made it prohibitively expensive to take as much care of our campus and fields as we would like - now we can! So next fall, you can expect improved landscape around the school and the Riverstone soccer team will practice on the best field we have ever had.
I hope you have also noticed that our athletic program is growing and improving. Our younger basketball teams are showing great promise for the future, our girls varsity team had a very competitive season, and our boys varsity team has had such a good season that they are hosting a district playoff game tonight at home. We have so much excitement in the gym at our Friday night games; all loud and packed to the rafters.
As with other things here at Riverstone, the athletic program is maturing and moving from a start up program to one that is sustainable and competitive. We are lucky to have this process led by Demi Dloughy, our Athletic Director, who is working thoughtfully and diligently to navigate us through this change. We are also very lucky to have a group of parents led by Doug Cole who have formed an athletic "PAC" that supports Demi. Hopefully you have noticed the athletic sponsorship signs in the gym; the PAC has made this possible.
I can't help but repeat myself often that this is the most exciting time ever to be at Riverstone. Next up: construction and new buildings! Thank you all for your continued support and belief in this most unusual "hopelessly optimistic" project.
Call for anything,
Bob Carignan
Head of School
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RIVERSTONE ONLINE AUCTION IS LIVE!
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Online auction
Hold onto yer hats: our Online Auction is live! Register to begin bidding here.
Check out the current auction items and keep checking for new items to be added over the next week. The online auction will end on Thursday, Mar 3 at 9:00 PM, so giddy up and git biddin'! Please share the link to the online auction site with family and friends!
Donations needed
The donations received so far are exciting and diverse but we are still searching for the any of the following to complete a few of our yeehaw-worthy packages. Fill out your donation form today!
- Cabin usage
- Means of travel (planes, trains, fuel gift cards, etc.)
- Accommodations (especially in Anaheim, Denver or Salt Lake City)
- Kid-oriented events and parties
Purchase your tickets
Only 23 days 'til the big event:
"Boots, Chaps and Cowboy Hats" Auction event on Saturday, Mar 12 at 5:00 PM at the Boise Centre. RSVP today and contact Amy Bava or Kris Ball with any questions.
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HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL DISTRICT TOURNAMENT: TONIGHT
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 Join us tonight at 7:00 PM in the Kennedy Gymnasium for the High School Boys Basketball first District Tournament game against Compass Charter School. From Coach Eric Chapman:"The boys have worked hard getting ready for the tournament this week studying game film, reviewing scouting reports and getting in some extra scrimmaging. We hope all the Otter fans will come fill the gym tonight to cheer us on against Compass in our first ever home playoff game!"
High School Boys Basketball District Tournament Game TONIGHT! 7:00 PM in the Kennedy Gymnasium. |
Why does the endowment fund have three individual funds and what does that mean for me if I choose to make a gift to the endowment?
The Riverstone endowment is comprised of three funds under one umbrella: - "The Fund for Excellence" supports the funding of scholarships, teacher development, and academic programs.
- "The Fund for Capital Improvement" provides us with more funding options when seeking capital to improve our facilities - such as phase one of the new Middle and High School.
- "The Malone Family Foundation Fund" is the gift from the Malone Family Foundation that we hope to acquire in May. We are not soliciting additional gifts for the fund.
The goal for these funds is to leave the principle untouched so that they continue to grow and last in perpetuity. When you make a gift to the endowment, you can choose to contribute to the endowment in general, specifically earmark the Fund for Excellence or Fund of Capital Improvement, or choose a combination of the funds. That way, you can support those priorities within the school that are most meaningful to you and your family. |
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FRIDAY MORNING MUSIC: TOMORROW
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Start your day off on a good note  and join us tomorrow, Friday, Feb 26 for Friday Morning Music at 8:00 AM in the Elementary School Atrium!If your child would like to perform in future events, please email Nicole Golay or Damon Brown.
This is a wonderful opportunity for students who study music privately to participate in a supportive recital setting.
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RIVERSTONE LIVE! TOMORROW
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 Join us on Friday, Feb 19, at 7:30 PM at the District Coffee House (219 N 10th Street in downtown Boise) to watch Riverstone student bands perform.
Featuring Lone Tree River, Sloth Patrol, and The Regulars, it's sure to be a great night filled with great music. We can't wait to see you there!Riverstone LIVE! on Friday, Feb 19, at 7:30 PM at the District Coffee House (219 N 10th Street in downtown Boise)
The Regulars pictured at right.
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 Please see a note below regarding the current LearnStorm status from our Grade 5 teachers and Khan Academy LearnStorm ambassadors, Trevor Lindsay and Stacey Walker:
"We have been heavily invested in developing the LearnStorm challenge across Idaho throughout the year. Our hope was that our students would take on the challenge with equal enthusiasm. We could have never anticipated how our incredible, ridiculous, amazing math students would respond. Over the last two and a half weeks, 27 students have spent 17,267 minutes (over 287 hours!!!) combined voluntarily completing math problems in Grades 5 and up. This dedication and commitment to personal and combined improvement has blown our minds and completely blown away our expectations.
In two and a half weeks, we have mastered an astonishing 1,716 skills combined. Mastering a single skill requires getting a series of 5 consecutive problems correct, four separate times, over a period of multiple days - it is no easy task.
The efforts of our math masters have vaulted Riverstone near the top of the statewide leaderboard for both Mastery and Hustle in the first Cup, which ends on this Saturday. We are currently in 4th place in Hustle and 14th place for Mastery. With that in mind, we are encouraging all Riverstone students to "go nuts" for three more days.
Please encourage your child to make that last, late effort through Friday! We'll look forward to celebrating our incredible achievements next week, and then take a nice, deserved break from math."
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TRANSITION TO MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENT COFFEE
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Parents of students in Gr 5 are invited to a parent coffee focusing on the transition from Elementary School student to Middle School student.
Andy Johnson, our Middle and High School Director, will talk more about the Middle School student experience on Tuesday, February 23 at 8:30 AM in the school library. There will be a short presentation followed by time for questions and a tour. There will be an additional session on Tuesday, March 1 at the same time and location.
This session is aimed primarily at the families of current Gr 5 students but other parents who would like to learn more are invited to attend.
Parent Coffee: Transition from Elementary School student to Middle School student: Tuesday, Feb 23 or Tuesday, Mar 1 at 8:30 AM in the library
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CAUTION: NEW WELL BEING DRILLED
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 We will soon have a new irrigation well!
Thank you for continuing to be cautious and patient when dropping off and picking up students.
Please still proceed with caution through this area and ensure you and your children stay clear of the work area. |
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GR 6-8 MIX-N-MATCH DANCE NEXT FRIDAY
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 All students in Gr 6 - 8 and their guests are invited to our Mix-n- Match Dance next Friday, Feb 26 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM in the Kennedy Gymnasium Foyer.
Tickets will be sold starting next Monday, Feb 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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CLASSICS TO COMEDY SENIOR RECITAL
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 Save the date for the 2016 Riverstone Senior Recital! Tuesday, Mar 8 at 6:30 PM at The Terraces ( 5301 E Warm Springs Ave, Boise, ID 83716). Featuring Piano soloist Gabriel B (recently featured in Idaho Statesman) and the Senior Diploma Programme Musicians of Riverstone International School. The recital will include the works of Chopin, Beethoven, and Bach as well as the premiere of several new student compositions. Contact Damon Brown with questions. |
Parents' Association Meeting
Please join us at our next PA Meeting on Thursday, Mar 3 at 8:45 AM in the Library. International Committee Meeting
Thank you to everyone that came to this week's International Committee Meeting! The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, Mar 16 at 8:50 AM at Full Steam Bistro (920 E Park Blvd, Boise, ID 83716). All parents are invited to join us! |
 Last weekend, both Alex L (Gr 5) and Aidan S (Gr 5) completed the Half Boulder Mountain Tour in Sun Valley, ID. Starting at Baker Creek, the course is gently rolling and has an overall elevation drop of 1100 feet all the way to the finish line at the Sawtooth National Recreation Headquarters north of Ketchum, ID.
Both Alex L and Aidan S Nordic skate-skied 15 kilometers in one day. Way to go!
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HOSTING OPPORTUNITIES: WE NEED YOU
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 We are seeking host families for the following students who will be in grade 10 and would like to enroll at Riverstone for one year. Hosting can be a very rewarding experience for families that leads to lifelong friendships and wonderful memories.
Josephin
Josephin is a young, outgoing girl from Germany who likes swimming, cooking, working with younger students, music, and drawing. She has a younger sister and enjoys spending time with her. Josephin likes to ski and has recently learned how to snowboard. In addition to enjoying social activities with friends and family, Josphin likes animals. She has a dog and two horses and wouldn't mind being in a house with pets. She is hoping to come to America to learn more about the culture, to meet new people, and to share her culture with her host family and friends.
Hugo
Hugo is from France and is very excited about the idea of coming to the US. Hugo is the oldest in his family of four boys. All of his family enjoys art; his father enjoys sculpting, his mother dances, and all of the boys play music together. Hugo plays double bass and bass guitar. In addition to music, Hugo enjoys reading, movies, and sports. Hugo hopes to study politics or business and he hopes improving his English will help him in his future. In his own words, "I chose to go to the USA because I want to improve my English, to discover a new culture and a new land, to meet many people, to discover beautiful landscapes, and to see the life in one of the best countries of the world."
If you are interested in hosting a student for the next school year, please contact Jane Kaserman or Rachel Pusch for more information. |
 A note from Middle School Boys Basketball Coach Jacob Sanders:
" Riverstone Middle School boys played their last two home games of the regular season this past week. Our game against Idaho City Middle School was last Thursday with wins for both the A and B teams. Both teams played well and lots of our team got some valuable court time.
On Tuesday,the boys played The Ambrose School at home for the final regular season home game. The B team lost a close game as Ambrose's defense was very good and kept the boys from scoring on the offensive side.
The A game was a big one for the Otters. It decided second place in the conference and a home game next week for the tournament. The boys won, playing well on both side of the court in an incredibly physical game. Our regular season finishes up with our last game against Wilder Middle School today, Thursday, Feb 18 and our first round in the tournament with a home game next week."
 A note from High School Boys Basketball Coach Eric Chapman:
"The Boys High School basketball team finished the regular season with a winning record for the first time ever at 11-7 despite a tough road defeat at Notus last Friday. We have earned the #4 placement in the upcoming District Tournament which is our highest positioning ever and earns us home-court advantage in the first round starting today, Thursday, Feb 18.
The Junior Varsity squad completed their season with a defeat at Notus (19-37) finishing with a 4-8 record on the season. The future looks bright though as our large freshman class in particular gained valuable competitive experience this season. Several of these younger boys are continuing to practice with us throughout the playoffs providing critical assistance as scout team players for our playoff preparation. A special thanks also goes out to our team manager Lah Thaw P (Gr 11) who is always there to provide enthusiastic support and key statistical information.
The boys have worked hard getting ready for the tournament this week studying game film, reviewing scouting reports and getting in some extra scrimmaging. We hope all the Otter fans will come fill the gym tonight to cheer us on against Compass in our first ever home playoff game!"
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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 our Kindergarten open house last Friday. These budding authors were so proud to share the books they had written! And we were so proud of them!
Keep an eye on Riverstone's Facebook page and Instagram to keep up with what's happening at Riverstone!
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