Riverstone International School
July 18, 2016
|
Hi All,
At Riverstone International School, we are committed to ensuring that our students have both the personal and academic skills to interact with others and contribute on a global stage. An international community of families, students and staff provide excellent opportunities to connect on a personal level. Additionally, we evaluate our academic programs through two important measures: our International Schools' Assessment (ISA) exam results and our International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) scores.
International Schools' Assessment
In 2015-16, over 76,000 students from 355 schools around the world participated in the ISA.
Yes, I can tell you how Riverstone's Grade 3 measures up against third graders in Poland in Math or how our Grade 9 performs against their peers in Finland in Writing.
The graphs in the bottom of the newsletter highlight that our students in Gr 3, 5, 7, and 9 are outperforming their counterparts in every area that is tested: Mathematical Literacy, Reading, Narrative Writing Narrative and Expository Writing.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
The Diploma Programme pass rate is another method that we use to evaluate our students' preparation.
I'm pleased to share that the percentage of Riverstone Diploma Programme candidates earning the IB Diploma exceeded both the United States and the global rate for the third straight year. Please see the graph below. Additionally, our average score was 31 whereas the US average score is 27 and the global average score is 30. Read the IBO announcement regarding DP results here.
I would highlight that our ISA scores and DP pass rate are not achieved by rote practice, but achieved because our school and teachers provide an atmosphere where both skills, knowledge, and innovation are equal parts of the daily education. We balance the emphasis on project-based learning with skill acquisition. We develop students who have strong 21st Century skills, who can research and read critically, who complete a rigorous math and science curriculum, who find mentors and ask for help, and who engage daily in a global community. We strive to bring the IB mission to life, "...to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect."
I am proud of, and grateful for, our faculty who provide a challenging, yet supportive educational experience and am proud of each and every one of our students. I am excited for the upcoming school year and know we will continue to engage, teach, and learn from one another.
We will return to weekly newsletters in early August. Until then, enjoy time with your family.
Call for anything,
Bob Carignan
Head of School
|
|
DIPLOMA PROGRAMME PASS RATE
|
 **Global pass rate 2016 not yet released |
|
RIVERSTONE FAMILY SUMMER GET-TOGETHER THIS WEEK
|
 All families are invited to our informal play dates at Municipal Park! Meet other families and kids, and help ease the transition to a new school year.
Bring your own snacks and sunscreen; we will provide water and juice. Municipal Park has a large playground, picnic tables, fish exhibit, and lots of shade. If you're new to town, you'll enjoy the chance to explore one of Boise's favorite parks.
Riverstone Family Summer Get Togethers
Wednesday, July 20 and Wednesday, August 3
Look for the Riverstone flags! No need to RSVP but feel free to contact Rachel Pusch with questions.
Our community is one of our greatest assets. We hope you can make it!
|
 Joe Beard will be joining the Middle and High Schools as our new Gr 8 American History, Gr 10 Central and South Asian History and Geography and Gr 11 Global Politics teacher. Joe is coming to Riverstone from several years of teaching at a Department of Defense school on Incirlik Air Base in Turkey. Certified to teach both English and History, Joe he taught both AP American History and an integrated English-World History course for Grs 9-10 in Turkey. He was also deeply involved in Model United Nations and has led student trips to Prague and Dublin. Earlier in his teaching career, he taught reading and social studies to Grs 7-8 in Nebraska. We are very excited to welcome Joe and his family to Riverstone, Boise and Idaho!
We are very pleased that Tami Dougherty will continue at Riverstone in a part time role as she also focuses on her post-graduate studies. Tami will continue to teach Mathematics SL in both Grades 11 and 12.
Amber Espinoza will be joining the Elementary School this year to teach Grade One alongside Tina Morgan. Amber graduated from the University of Idaho, with a B.S. in Journalism (emphasis in English), and from the University of Phoenix with her M.A. in Education. Amber has taught in private, charter and public schools within the State of Idaho. We are pleased to have Amber joining the Riverstone family.
Janice Flynn will be joining the Elementary School next year to teach Preschool. Janice graduated from the Pacific Union College, California with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and from the University of Colorado with her M.A. in Educational Psychology. Janice has taught in California and Colorado in both schools and Preschool settings. We are pleased to have Janice joining the Riverstone family.
Roy Ledesma is joining our mathematics department to teach Grade 10 mathematics and half of Grade 7 mathematics. Roy is a retired naval officer who has previously taught at the United States Naval Academy, a private school in Maryland, and for several years at Northstar Charter School. Roy has also been deeply involved in the Wyakin Warrior Foundation and is also the Naval Academy recruiter for Idaho.
Pete Burton, in addition to his role as PYP and MYP Physical Education Teacher, will also take over as Athletic Director in the new school year. He is very excited for the opportunity and says: "Having been a student athlete in both high school and college, I understand the value of athletics, the role they play in schools and the importance of working together as a team while maintaining academic excellence. My goal is continuing to build our athletic program while building positive relationships with both our student athletes and parents." |
|
OUTDOOR EDUCATION TRIP EQUIPMENT LISTS
|
 Equipment Lists for Grs 9 - 12 Fall Trips as well as Gr 7 Weiser River Bike Trip and Gr 8 Main Salmon River Trip are now uploaded to the Resources page of the website for the 2016-17 academic year. Please also find direct links for each list below.
For any questions, please email Ben Brock.
Gr 7 Weiser River Bike Trip Equipment List
Gr 8 Main Salmon River Trip Equipment List
Grs 9 - 12 Fall Trips Equipment List
|
|
RIVERSTONE CO-ED SOCCER SIGN UPS
|
 Students in Gr 9-12 are invited to sign up for Riverstone's Co-Ed High School soccer team, coached by Mark Stilinovich. The season runs September - October and practice will be three days per week with games on Saturdays.
There will be one Varsity team and practice will begin in the new school year. Stay tuned for more information and sign up here!
|
|
EMAIL ATHLETIC DIRECTOR REGARDING INTEREST IN ATHLETICS
|
 Is your Middle or High School student interested in playing volleyball or basketball for Riverstone? Our athletic director, Pete Burton, needs to assess student interest in advance in order to plan for the season and hire coaching staff. If your student in grades 6-12 is interested in joining any of the following teams, please email our new athletic director, Pete Burton: Middle or High School girls volleyball team, Middle or High School girls basketball team, and Middle or High School boys basketball teams, Learn more about Middle School athletics here and High School athletics here. Please see information about registering for High School soccer below. |
We are currently seeking coaches to join the Riverstone athletic program!
- Varsity Girls Volleyball
- Middle School Girls Volleyball
- Middle School Girls Basketball
- Middle School Boys Basketball
Please view the Employment page on the school website for more details. If you, or someone you know, would be interested in coaching, please contact Pete Burton no later than July 31. Go Otters!
|
 We still have a few openings in summer activities!
We also partner with Huntington Learning Center to offer an SAT Prep Class that is designed specifically for our students.
Email Sarah Taylor to register or view our summer activities newsletter here.
|
 Book and Supply Lists are now uploaded to the Resources page of the website for the 2016-17 academic year. Please also find direct links for each grade below.
For any questions regarding the Elementary School supply lists, please email James Hamilton-Vail and for any questions regarding the Middle and High School supply lists, please email Andy Johnson.
*We apologize as the Grade 7 link was not working in the last newsletter. It is now properly linked.
|
|
WE APPRECIATE YOUR REFERRALS
|
 A note from Rachel Pusch, Director of Enrollment Management:
We still have openings in many grades available for enrollment this fall and would appreciate your help in recommending Riverstone to friends and family.
We are open from 9AM - 1PM, giving tours, and working with families and students on their applications. We are also offering an incentive for families who are interested in enrolling for the fall.
I am pleased to share that we will waive the usual $75 application fee for families who start their applications* prior to August 15, 2016 for the 2016-2017 academic year. Please encourage friends to inquire online now; we will email them the appropriate code to use to waive the application fee.
We offer financial aid that does not need to be repaid and scholarships as well. We encourage prospective families to ask about financial aid. There are many factors that are considered; we do our best to work with families who are mission-appropriate.
Referrals from current families are always valued and much appreciated. Thank you for your help!
*Day students only; not applicable for residential students
|
Jordan L (Gr 10) was featured in The Idaho Statesman for her work with the Free Little Libraries program over the five years. The program provides a free book exchange in neighborhoods around the United States. Read the article here.
Riverstone's groundbreaking for Phase One of the new Middle and High School was featured in the Idaho Education News. Read the article here.
 
|
 English teacher and college counselor, Gretchen Arguedas, is back for her second year at the prestigious Bread Loaf School of English at Middlebury College.
In addition to writing papers on Faulkner, Gretchen has been cast in a adaptation of John Dos Passos's U.S.A Trilogy. Last week, she attended a lecture by Oskar Eustis (the artistic director of Hamilton) and Alison Bechdel, whose graphic memoir Fun Home was recently adapted into a Tony Award-winning musical. Gretchen writes, "Working with professional actors and spending much of my free time rehearsing is inspiring me to bring more theater into the English classroom."
|
| This week's Facebook photo is of our favorite construction workers from PETRA laying the foundation for the new building! Things are starting to take shape!
|
|
