Riverstone International School
April 28, 2016
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Hi All, The excitement continues as Riverstone is beginning to receive national attention in recent school rankings. As we shared earlier, Niche.com, an online review service, identified Riverstone as one of the "Top 100 Private Schools in America" and #1 in Idaho. Last week, The Washington Post published their annual ranking of America's Most Challenging High Schools and Riverstone was #1 in Idaho and #125 in the nation. The ranking formula favors Advanced Placement schools over International Baccalaureate schools, but with every Riverstone graduate taking six college-level exams, our school topped the list in Idaho. We are very proud of these honors. While there are many types of school ratings such as these, it's always important to understand what goes into the ranking formula if Riverstone does not appear on a list - sometimes it's as simple as the algorithm not including private schools. Over the past few weeks, we have been analyzing our own numbers and stats for the Class of 2016 - this class stands in a long line of exceptional classes and students - but with their graduation just around the corner, here are some interesting numbers to share: Average SAT: 2018 (vs US average 1490 and Idaho average 1372) Average ACT: 29 (vs US average 21 and Idaho average 22.4) 100% acceptance into college and universities, including 75 colleges and universities in 24 states and 2 countries 3 National Merit Finalists 3 National Merit Commended Students The Class of 2016 has led our community with inclusion, acceptance, and an amazing can-do attitude. They leave feeling positive about themselves and their ability to be successful on the next leg of their journeys. While the rankings and the scores mean that Riverstone is being recognized for the great school that it is, spending time with this year's seniors and those that have come before them is the true testament of the value of a Riverstone education.
Call for anything,
Bob Carignan
Head of School
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IDAHO'S MOST CHALLENGING HIGH SCHOOL
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 According to reporter Jay Mathews, "The index score is the number of college-level tests given at a school in the previous calendar year divided by the number of graduates that year."
As an International Baccalaureate World School that enrolls every student in the prestigious IB Diploma Programme, graduates sit for six college-level tests. In addition to a month-long battery of exams covering six subject areas, students must complete an independent research paper of approximately 4,000 words and 150 hours of Creativity, Action and Service. Additionally, students are required to complete a course in Theory of Knowledge, a hallmark of an IB education.
On a national level, Riverstone appears at #125 out of the approximately 22,000 schools in the United States that were evaluated.
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FRIDAY MORNING MUSIC - TOMORROW!
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 Start your day off on a good note and join us in the Elementary School Atrium tomorrow, Friday, Apr 29 at 8:00 AM for this month's installation of Friday Morning Music!
This is a wonderful opportunity for students who study music privately to participate in a supportive recital setting. If your child would like to perform in future events, please email Nicole Golay or Damon Brown. Friday Morning Music: TOMORROW! Friday, Apr 29 at 7:45 AM in the Elementary School Atrium. |
Parents' Association Meeting
Please join us at our next meeting which will take place on Thursday, May 5 at 8:45 AM in the Library.
This year's Staff Appreciation Week will start next Monday, May 2 - Friday, May 6! Please see the week's planned celebration activities below.
| Date |
Activity
| | Monday, May 2 | Thank You Notes - the PA will distribute thank you notes to the teachers and staff written by the students. | | Tuesday, May 3 | Snacks - we will be leaving fresh and fun snacks in the teacher's lounges with a focus on healthy snacking. | | Wednesday, May 4 | Flowers or Herbs - staff will be able to choose their own package of flowers or herbs to brighten up their day. | | Thursday, May 5 | Merci Event - the PA will be hosting this end-of-the-year "Thank You" event for all staff and teachers with the year-end gift distribution as well (compliments of our community's donations to the PA fund). | | Friday, May 6 | Sweet Treat Friday - bring that special teacher a sweet treat for them to enjoy today! |
Please visit the Community Opportunities page to sign up and select an area where you would like to volunteer or contribute! Thank you again for helping to make this a special week for our amazing teachers. Please contact Natalie Geffros with any questions.
International Committee Meeting Thank you to everyone that joined us for this week's International Committee meeting. We will meet next on Wednesday, May 18 at 8:50 AM at Full Steam Bistro (920 E Park Blvd, Boise, ID 83716). If you would like more information or you would like to be involved, please contact Sumiko Gomi. |
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| | Painting by Finn S (Gr 3)
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This year's All-School Spring Arts Festival features a return to the true roots of community festivals with an intimate format and new opportunities to experience what our students are learning and creating. Each day is a unique combination of visual art and music, hosted and presented by our amazing students.
Arrive 30 minutes prior to the start of the music performances so you can enjoy coffee and view the art from Preschool through High School students on display in our hallways. Student ambassadors will be there to provide directions and answer questions.
Parents are also encouraged to get involved by joining our interactive art activities!
- Channel your inner-kid with sidewalk chalk as you enter the school
- Design your own trading card or practice your origami skills in the atrium
- Help shape a community-built sculpture in the Elementary art room
We hope that you love the fresh vibe of this year's festival. Mark your calendars and plan to join us!
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Date
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Time**
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Class Music Performance
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Tuesday, May 3
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9:00 AM
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Preschool, PreKindergarten, Kindergarten, and Gr 1
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3:00 PM
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Gr 6 & 7
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Wednesday, May 4
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9:00 AM
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Preschool, PreKindergarten, Kindergarten, and Gr 1
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3:00 PM
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Gr 8 & 9
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Thursday, May 5
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9:00 AM
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Gr 2
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10:30 AM
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Gr 3
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3:00 PM
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Gr 11
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Friday, May 6
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9:00 AM
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Gr 4
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10:30 AM
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Gr 5
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**We suggest you arrive 30 minutes early to any session so you have time to enjoy our preschool through high school artists' works that will be on display, as well as take part in interactive art stations.
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HAPPY GILMORE PARTY AND RIS GOLF TOURNEY REMINDER
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 Keep in mind the following activities that were offered at this year's Auction are coming up in the next few weeks! Please email Amy Bava if you have any questions.- Riverstone Golf Tournament: Come play in this year's 18-hole RIS Golf Tournament! On Saturday, May 14 at 1:30 PM at the Warm Springs Golf Course. Tickets are $100 per person (including a round of golf, cart and lunch). Sign up your team of 4 players or sign up solo here and we'll assign you to a team.
- Happy Gilmore Party: Join other Riverstone parents and friends at the Liebich's home (1650 E Holly St, Boise, ID 83702) for the Happy Gilmore Party after the Golf Tournament on Saturday, May 14 at 6:00 PM! $50 per person and all proceeds benefit Riverstone. Please RSVP here.
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HOST FAMILY OPPORTUNITIES
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 Now is the time to consider hosting a student for the next academic year. The students listed below have all chosen Riverstone as their top choice of US schools to attend. Of course, the students and their families are anxiously awaiting news that they have been accepted to the school of their choice. Please consider helping make one of these students' dream come true. We cannot accept any of these students until we have host families; now is the time!
Carlota: A 16 year-old girl from Spain. She is interested in basketball, soccer, and other sports. She likes music, movies, and shopping. Carlota has two sisters and a cat. She says she is very sociable. She wants to come to Riverstone to meet new people, try new experiences, and learn more about America. |
 As one of Idaho's non-profit organizations, Riverstone International School has joined in a special day of giving, Idaho Gives! Celebrate Riverstone and the good work of Idaho's non-profits on Thursday, May 5 in a 24 hour giving blitz! You can donate directly to Riverstone here.
To learn more about Idaho Gives, please watch this video. Check out the Idaho Gives website here. |
 The following is a message from Riverstone's college counselor, Gretchen Arguedas:
I'm so excited to work closely with Grade 11 during our college counseling week, May 9-13. We plan to discuss the full scope of the application process, start drafting essays, complete resumes, practice interviews, and construct lists of schools to research further. I will be meeting with each student individually to discuss goals and answer questions. This week always marks a huge transition as students begin to make measurable progress as they being their applications.
Parents of Grade 11 students are invited to a college counseling information session with Gretchen on Thursday, May 12 at 6:00 PM. Bob Carignan will present information that is open to parents of all grades. Save the date!
College Counseling Information Session for Parents: Thursday, May 12 at 6:00 PM in the High School
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 A fun way to get back into the groove of school after a summer holiday is through our Summer Camps!
Camps will take place the week of Monday, Aug 8 - Friday, Aug 12, with half and full day options.
Sign up today! Our summer camps are a great way to get reacquainted with Riverstone and our incredible staff! Please email Tarrah Elam if you have any questions. |
 Naomi C (Gr 11) was selected by the International Baccalaureate Organization to receive a scholarship to attend the IB World Student Conference in Denver, CO this summer.
The theme for this summer is "From Farm to Fork: Ethics of Food Sourcing, Production and Consumption." The Conference will focus on food's status as a uniting force and how it is sourced, consumed, and produced across cultures and borders.
At the conference, Naomi and other IB students will have the opportunity to engage in an intellectually vibrant learning environment with students from around the world, explore the University of Denver campus, savor the Rocky Mountain region, and dig into engaging and thought-provoking discussions regarding the ethics of food. Naomi will share her experience with the IB community by completing a project highlighting her week at the Conference, a Global Action Team Project during her time in Denver, and use her experience in her CAS hours over the next year. Congratulations, Naomi!
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FIELD DAY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
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We will be hosting our annual Elementary School Field Day at Riverstone on Thursday, June 2 and we need your help!
We will have outdoor activities, games, and a water slide. To make the day a success, we need many volunteers to supervise the games and activities, set up and clean up the events, and loan us their sun canopies.
If you would be willing to loan us your sun canopy, or supervise the fun during one (or more) of the time slots below, please contact Demi Dlouhy.
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Volunteer Activity
| Time
| Set Up
| 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
| Activities Supervisors
| 12:15 PM - 2:30 PM
| Clean Up
| 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
| Canopy
| Dropped off by 9:00 AM on Thursday, June 2
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NATIONAL HISTORY DAY STATE COMPETITION RESULTS
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 14 Riverstone students that qualified in March at the Regional National History Day Competition participated at the State level this past Saturday. Please find a list of category awards below for all those who placed.
Congratulations to all of our 2016 participants and congratulations to Maeve P (Gr 8) for being chosen to move on to Nationals!
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Category
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Student
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Award
| Junior Individual Paper
| Maeve P (Gr 8)
| 3rd Place
| Youth Group Website
| Katie M and Nicole P (Gr 5)
| 1st Place
| Youth Group Website
| Madeleine S and Kimberly S (Gr 5)
| 2nd Place
| Youth Group Exhibit
| Michael M (Gr 5)
| 1st Place
| Youth Group Exhibit
| Aidan S, Zachary P, and Ethan E (Gr 5)
| 3rd Place
| Youth Individual Exhibit
| Meghan F (Gr 5)
| 2nd Place
| Youth Individual Paper
| Avery W (Gr 5)
| 3rd Place
| Youth Individual Website
| Lucas E (Gr 5)
| 1st Place
| Youth Individual Website
| Ella M (Gr 5)
| 2nd Place
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 Gr 9 - 12 Athletic Appreciation Banquet
Join us on Sunday, May 1 at 4:00 PM in the Kennedy Gymnasium to celebrate our Gr 9 - 12 Otter athletes!
All High School girls volleyball, boys and girls basketball, orienteering and co-ed soccer team members and their families are invited to this event. Enjoy dinner provided by Goodwood BBQ; tickets are $12 per person. RSVP today by emailing Demi Dlouhy.
Gr 9 - 12 Athletic Appreciation Banquet: Sunday, May 1 at 4:00 PM in the Kennedy Gymnasium
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Every year, our Gr 3 students explore their "How We Express Ourselves" Unit of Inquiry in various ways. Thanks to Mr. Jon from the Treasure Valley Institute for Children's Arts (TRICA), they were able to express themselves through learning how to breakdance. Check out their final performance below!
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 Next week's menu is listed below. If you haven't registered, it's easy and quick, and so is ordering. You can purchase meals for one day or an entire week, or month.
There are many meal options, so look through the entire spring menu here. If you are ordering pizza, please only select the number of slices you want to purchase. Please do not adjust the pizza size (small, regular, large) for your order.
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This week's Facebook photo is of our Gr 4 students learning to play Taiko drums in music class -- they will be performing during the Spring Arts Festival at 9am on Friday, May 6. The arts are alive and well at Riverstone!
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