Riverstone International School
May 5, 2016
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Our apologies! There was an error with the Constant Contact system earlier today that caused a problem with the links in the original newsletter. Constant Contact has assured us the situation has been corrected so we are re-sending the newsletter again.
Enjoy! Thanks for your understanding!
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Hi All, As this past weekend was our annual Athletic Banquet, I wanted to write about our athletes and our athletic program. This year was marked by many achievements; a state play-in game, first team All Division athlete, playoff runs, Coach of the Year honors, and more. Most importantly, we continued to develop an athletic program that fits with Riverstone's values.
This year, we awarded over 60 varsity letters, and had vibrant Middle School teams that we will watch grow in the future. All in all, it felt like a turning point year, as our program matured and began to look at itself differently. Thank you to Demi Dlouhy, our Athletic Director, for all of her hard work that has set our program up for current and continual success as well as to our coaches who made our athletes' experiences so positive.
Thanks also to those parents who supported our athletes in many ways, from bringing snacks and dinners, to traveling to away games - and in our division they really are "away games." Thank you to Doug Cole who continues to lead our "Otter PAC," which works to support our Athletic Director and athletic program in whatever way needed. They have spearheaded our athletic sponsorship opportunities, seeking support both inside and outside of our community. To that end, I'm sure you have seen the signs hanging over the entrance to the gym recognizing our sponsors. Please join me in thanking: - Idaho Pulmonary Associates
- Petra General Contractors
- Cap Ed Credit Union
- Simplot Plant Sciences
- St. Alphonsus Bown Crossing Health Plaza
- Hawley Troxell Attorneys and Counselors
- Idaho Sports Medicine Institute
- Idaho Urologic Institute
- Carico Financial Services
Yes, this has been a season of Otter Pride, and many of our seniors have commented that they have been proud to be part of the progression of our athletics program and how much they valued their time on the fields and courts.
Call for anything,
Bob Carignan
Head of School
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 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 TODAY, Thursday, May 5 in a 24 hour giving blitz!
You can make a tax-deductible donation to Riverstone here.
To learn more about Idaho Gives, please watch this video. |
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COLLEGE COUNSELING PARENT MEETING: NEXT THURSDAY
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 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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 Save the Date!
Middle School Student Council is excited to invite all Gr 6-8 students to the last dance of the year on Friday, May 20 from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM in the Kennedy Gymnasium.
Dance theme and additional details to be determined by the Student Council soon. Please email Tarrah Elam with any questions.
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SPRING ARTS FESTIVAL - LAST DAY TOMORROW!
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| | Painting by Finn S (Gr 3)
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Thank you to everyone that has participated in this year's All-School Spring Arts Festival! There is still one more day left to view Gr 4 and Gr 5 art. Please see the timetable below and plan to 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
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Date
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Time
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Class Music Performance
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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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Photos will be posted on the Riverstone Facebook page in the next few days! We'd like to also give a huge thank you to our amazing Elementary, Middle and High School music and art teachers for making this event possible every year! Thank you Nicole Golay, Gerardo Flores Pacheco, Damon Brown, Jay Nelson, Christine Corbin and Jim Harper.
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PURCHASE YOUR MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL YEARBOOK
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 The 2015-16 Riverstone Middle and High School Yearbook is ready for you to order!
Order by Sunday, May 8 so you can receive your copy by the Yearbook Signing Party on Tuesday, May 24 at lunchtime.
2. Enter Riverstone's code: 1014422443653681
3. Enter your information (name, email, birth date) to sign up for an account
4. Purchase your Yearbook for $21.24 - you will receive a receipt via email
5. All finished! Yearbooks will be delivered on Tuesday, May 24 at the lunchtime signing party in the High School Quad
*The website will gave the option to create your own profile and custom pages. However, we have disabled these options for this year in order to ensure you receive your Yearbook before the end of school.
For every book purchased, TreeRing will plant a tree in our school's name.
Please be sure to thank Gr 9 Yearbook team Evana A and Frances S for their hard work on this huge project! And thank you to Anna F (Gr 9) for designing our cover art (pictured above) and Louisa G (Gr 7) for designing our Autograph page art.
2015-16 Middle and High School Yearbook Orders: due by Friday, May 6!
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DP BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT COURSE REQUEST
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 Jami Whitmer, our Diploma Programme Coordinator, is seeking business leaders who are willing to provide incoming senior Business and Management students with real-world business connections.
During the final year of the IB program, senior Business and Management HL students are required to conduct a research project in which they demonstrate the ability to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize business decisions using business tools and theories learned in class while applying them to a real-world business setting. In order to do so, they must engage with business leaders, managers, and decision makers to gather information about choices facing an existing organization. Students lead interviews, email, skype, conduct interviews, etc. in order to gather primary data about the organization with which they are working. Ultimately, students prepare a report with recommendations to be furnished to the business leader.
Volunteers in this process agree to meet with the student at least once in person, and communicate with the student via Skype, email, or phone for perhaps a few more meetings if needed. Volunteers agree to furnish some data about their business (kept strictly confidential and shared with no one excluding the IBO) and share their experience and expertise. The time commitment required is minimal, but an ability to respond quickly to students is needed.
We hope that the Riverstone community can help identify individuals or companies who may be willing to serve in this important role starting in the Fall of 2016.
If you are willing to volunteer, have a recommendation for another person to contact, or would like to learn more, please contact Jami Whitmer. |
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DIPLOMA PROGRAMME EXAMS UPDATE
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 The Diploma Programme examinations are underway! Our Seniors are in high spirits and appear to be doing very well. Every Senior at Riverstone sits for 2-3 examinations in each of their six core subjects during the first three weeks of May.
While the Seniors are in this examination period leading up to Commencement, their only responsibilities are to study, rest, get some exercise, and come prepared to do their very best in each exam. All of their teachers are available to help them refresh and study the material and skills they have developed over the last few years.
Please wish the Seniors well if you see them and rest assured that they are well prepared and more than up to the challenge of these examinations and university.
Thank you to everyone who volunteered to proctor these examinations - without your help this whole process would not be possible!
Please check out the links below to see examples of examinations from last year's session - note that the International Baccalaureate refers to examinations as "papers."
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| Outdoor Education Director, Ben Brock, gives you tips on how to back your bag for the upcoming Spring Trips in the short video below. If you have any questions, feel free to email Ben directly before your trip next week!
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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. |
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RETURNING YOUR LIBRARY BOOKS
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 Please read the following note and request from our Librarian, Susan Tabb:"Well it's that time of year. Please check around your homes, cars, trucks, boats, etc., for any Riverstone Library books so your students may return them by Friday, May 13. Books can be returned to Mr. Hamilton-Vail's Library Basket, Classroom Library Baskets or directly to the Library in the Middle School.
We are also looking for clean copies of "The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel" by Gareth Hind. If your Gr 8-12 student read this book in their Gr 6 year and you still have it, please consider donating it to the Riverstone Library. Thank you for your support." Please email Susan Tabb with any questions or donations.
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Parents' Association: THANK YOU!
We would like to extend a HUGE thanks to all of those who supported our events this year and came to our meetings! We can't wait to see everyone next year. If you'd like to get involved, please email Natalie Geffros to find out about all of the upcoming PA opportunities.
Staff Appreciation Week!
Thank you to everyone who has made Staff Appreciation Week so wonderful. Tomorrow is our last day and it's Sweet Treat Friday - bring that special teacher a sweet treat for them to enjoy!
International Committee Meeting Our next International Committee meeting will occur 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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A NOTE FROM OUR COUNSELORS
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 The following is a note about the benefits of exercising outside from Andrea Kuenzli and Shirley O'Neil, our school counselors.
As we prepare for our amazing Spring Trips we thought that we would share some research on the effects that hiking in nature has on our brains and well-being.
First, it can reduce rumination, or over thinking negative thoughts. Researchers found that walking for 90 minutes in nature can greatly decrease negative, obsessive thoughts. This was not found to be true for individuals that walked in an urban setting. Walking through nature helps us to focus on being present in the moment and reorients us to be more solution focused.
Hiking also increases creative problem solving. Participants in a study by Atchley and Strayer (2012) hiked through nature for 4 days without technology. They performed 50% better on creative and complex thinking tasks. Walking through nature without technology can reduce mental fatigue and increase creativity.
There are many amazing benefits to exercise and spending time in nature. Students will be coming back from their springs trips refreshed, thinking positive thoughts, and focused on solving complex problems. Their mental fatigue will be reduced and they will be ready to finish out the semester strong.
Thank you to everyone that makes the Spring Trips possible! Please feel free to stop by our offices or contact Andrea or Shirley. Thank you! |
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RIVERSTONE GOLF TOURNAMENT AND HAPPY GILMORE PARTY
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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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 Thank you to everyone who has decided to welcome our wonderful international students into their homes next year!
We have one more student who would love to come to Riverstone. This young man named our school as his first choice and we would love to have him here next year. You can read more about Fin below:
Fin: A 17 year-old boy from Germany. Fin visited the US one time and has wanted to come back ever since. When he heard about Riverstone, he decided this was the place for him. Fin says his passion is tennis, but he likes skiing and spending time with friends, too. Fin is hoping that Riverstone will give him the chance to try all kinds of new things and to share his culture while learning about American culture.
If you have considered hosting, now is the time to make that decision. If you have thought about hosting but have questions, please contact Jane Kaserman or Rachel Pusch.
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 Noah B-F (Gr 12) placed second in the Men's Category 3 of the Idaho State Road Race Championships this past weekend in Emmett, ID. Pictured on the right at the end of the race, Noah biked a 75 mile course through various elements to take 2nd Place.
Congratulations, Noah!
 Vedant R (Gr 5), pictured on the left, won second place in the Gr 5 division of the Boise School District Spelldown.
His winning words were "embellish" and "quorum" and he was presented with a Barnes & Noble gift card from the Idaho Statesman and a plaque at an awards ceremony.
Congratulations, Vedant!
 The Riverstone Friday Night Flag team, called The Chicago Bears, would love to invite your students to join! The team is co-ed with fall and spring seasons and currently competes in the Gr 5-6 Division. Current members are Ethan E (Gr 5), Annie L (Gr 5), Aidan S (Gr 5), Mac W (Gr 6), Derek L (Gr 6) and are coached by Spencer B (Gr 7) and Jack G (Gr 11). Please email Heather Webster if you're interested! |
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NATIONAL HISTORY DAY STATE WINNERS
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Congratulations to all of our participants in this year's National History Day State Competition! All Gr 5 Youth category winners are pictured below and Maeve P (Gr 8) is also pictured for her 3rd Place win in the Junior Individual Paper category. Please also find below a corrected list of award announcements for this year's State Competition. We apologize for any misinformation included in last week's newsletter. |
| | Gr 5 NHD State Winners
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| | Maeve P (Gr 8)
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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
| Nina N (Gr 5)
| 2nd Place
| Youth Individual Paper
| Gabrielle M (Gr 5)
| 1st Place
| Youth Individual Paper
| Clara N (Gr 5)
| 2nd Place
| Youth Individual Website
| Lucas E (Gr 5)
| 1st Place
| Youth Individual Website
| Ella M (Gr 5)
| 2nd Place | Youth Group Performance
| Josh D, Alexander S, and Matthew L (Gr 5)
| 1st Place
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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 3 artists creating beautiful chalk art to welcome attendees to the Spring Arts Festival!
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