Paw Postings Banner 2013-14 
March 7th, 2014
Headmaster Letter 

 

Happy Friday Rivermont Families!

 

It's been a busy few weeks at Rivermont, so I wanted to take a moment to highlight all that is happening.

  • The International Food Festival concluded last week with a celebration of cultural diversity. Thank you to parents and faculty for making this conclusion to International Week a success. From the Swedish pancakes to the incredibly spicy chicken wings, it was an outstanding event. Special thanks to Lesli Shaheen and Dana Fee for their hard work!
  • Middle and Upper School students presented outstanding research at the Regional History Day Competition at St. Ambrose University on Monday, including 3 state qualifying projects. (A full list of awards is included later in this newsletter.) A special thank you to our supportive parents and Leigh Ann Schroeder.
  • Middle School students are hard at work focusing now on the State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa, to be held later this month at Iowa State University. For more info, contact Monica Weeks ([email protected]) or Jenna McAdam ([email protected]).
  • The Upper School spring play, Radium Girls, is around the corner on April 11th and 12th. From the practices I've seen, it will be quite the show!
  • Summer at Rivermont registration is going fast! The entire course catalog is available on Rivermont's website. There is a fantastic selection of exciting courses, so make sure to register soon.

Last week I highlighted the tremendous efforts of Linda Paget and Tammi Burrell. This week I would like to introduce you to our exceptional Director of Development, Rod Ossowski. Rod joined Rivermont mid-2013 and is making an impact behind the scenes in getting the Rivermont story out in the community. From bringing Rivermont our new Student Tuition Organization (STO) program that provides incredible tax breaks for Iowa residents (see link below for more info) to chairing the annual Auction, Rod's work is instrumental to Rivermont's success. Rod also heads up Alumni Relations, which is a challenging but rewarding program spanning three generations of alumni: St. Katharine's, St. Katharine's-St.Mark's, and Rivermont. This August, in fact, we will host a multi-generational school reunion. More info will follow on this event as it starts to take form. If you see Rod out in the community or on campus, say hello and ask him about all that's going on at Rivermont.

 

I know some families are leaving a little early next week to get a jump on Spring Break. Wishing everyone a wonderful, safe, and WARM Spring Break. As always, thank you for your constant support.

 

Best,

 

Todd Zachary, Headmaster

 

Student Tuition Organization (STO) Info - Click Here

Summer at Rivermont Course Catalog - Click Here
Daylight Saving Time Begins Sunday

Sunday, March 9th - 2:00 a.m.

Turn clocks 1 hour ahead
Mark Your Calendar: Spring Break!

Friday, March 14th - Early Dismissal 11:45 a.m.

Monday, March 17th - Friday, March 21st - No School - Spring Break
Re-enrollment Contracts On Their Way
 
Re-enrollment contracts for 2014-15 are being mailed to current Rivermont families today (Friday, March 7th) - watch your mailbox! Included with contracts is info about the March Freeze - don't miss this fantastic opportunity for tuition savings!
Regional History Day Results
3 State Qualifying Projects!
 
Lauren Schroeder (7th), Asha Alla (6th), and Aislinn Geedey (7th) - From Kansas to Iowa to Washington D.C. - How African Americans Gained their Basic Educational Rights (Documentary): Regional Finalist, STATE QUALIFIER
 
Shivani Ganesh (9th) - Would You Believe My Pictures - Capturing the Holocaust (Documentary): STATE QUALIFIER
 
Manasa Pagadala (9th) and Hema Chimpidi (9th) - The Quit India Movement - The Stepping Stone for India's Independence (Documentary): STATE QUALIFIER
 
Faith Douglas (8th) and Clay Douglas (7th) - Rights and Responsibilities in the Scientific Field (Website): The Arthur and Rachel Serianz Award for Excellence in the History of Science, Regional Finalist
Rivermont Students Attend Farnam Dinner
Friday, March 21st
Rogalski Center, St. Ambrose University
Sponsors: Farnam Committee, River Action, St. Ambrose University, and Greg Schermer, Vice President of Lee Enterprises
 
Emilia Porubcin (9th), Manasa Pagadala (9th), and Michal Porubcin (11th) have been selected to represent Rivermont at the 11th Annual Henry Farnam Dinner. Noted historian and author Dr. Douglas Brinkley will speak on "Wilderness Warriors: the Roosevelts and Iowans Who Changed America." The speech will feature environmental themes relative to the Mississippi River, the Great Flood of 1927, and Iowa environmentalists who changed the world.
 
To be considered for selection, interested history students submitted a research paper on the history and environment of the Mississippi River.
 
More Info - Click Here
Rivermont Joins MVSTO for 2014 Tax Year!
Mississippi Valley School Tuition Organization
Big tax advantages for Iowa residents!
 
The Iowa Educational Opportunities Act allows Iowa residents to contribute to non-public school tuition organizations in exchange for state income tax credits. In Scott County, the MVSTO provides tuition assistance to students at five local private schools.
 
In 2014, Rivermont was invited to join the MVSTO, which now allows supporters of Rivermont to make gifts to Rivermont for tuition assistance AND receive a 65% Iowa state income tax credit while still qualifying for an IRS tax deduction on their federal tax return!
 
There are no limits on individual gifts, however donors should act fast since there is a cap on how many total tax credits Rivermont can give in 2014.
 
More Information and Gift Form - Click Here
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Thursday, March 27th - 3:00-8:00 p.m.
Friday, March 28th - 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
 
Starting this Friday, March 7th, a conference sign-up book will be located at the front desk in Becherer Hall. Please sign up for a time slot to visit with each teacher you wish to see. Please note that because some teachers and times fill up quickly, it is advised that parents/families register early for the best selection.
 
Early School Lunch, Afternoon Adventures, and PreSchool - 12th After School Care take place only on full school days. After care services are available for a nominal fee - sign-up is not required but we do ask that you notify your student's teacher if your child will be staying and if they require school lunch.
Spring Picture Day
Tuesday, March 11th
PreSchool - 12th Grade
Lifetouch Logo for HEADlines
 
Flash those pearly whites! All students will be photographed but there is no obligation to buy. Portrait packages, price lists, and instructions will be sent home. You will have the option to purchase portraits or return them to school. Students should wear bright colors.
 
Siblings may take portraits together - this will be done from 7:30-8:00 a.m. - please arrive early for sibling portraits! PreSchool students are invited to drop-in at 9:55 a.m. or 12:20 p.m. (since they do not attend on Tuesdays). PreSchool students may also take pictures with siblings from 7:30-8:00 a.m.
 
Picture Day Schedule - Click Here
Go Lions! Middle School Girls' BB Wraps Up Season
basketball-basket.jpg
Middle School Girls' Basketball wrapped up their season this week with a final home game against Jordan Catholic. Though the winter weather presented challenges with canceled games and practices, the girls played hard all season and really improved each and every game. Way to go, Lions!
From the College Corner: Summer Programs for Middle and Upper School
 
Snow is still on the ground, but summer programs are open or opening soon for registration! There are many opportunities for Middle and Upper School students right here at home, in the near Midwest, and farther from home in pre-collegiate and college summer programs. Many colleges and universities offer quality programs with residential accomodations - just check their websites! A list of suggested opportunities is now available on the Rivermont website - link below.
 
Summer Programs for Middle and Upper School Students - Click Here

Rivermont Snapshots:

Intellect, Character, and Creativity in action!

There's much more to see - follow Rivermont on Facebook!

Got news? Submit items to the newsletter:
Quick Links
       Facebook Logo Twitter Logo YouTube Logo
Join Our Mailing List!  
Join Our Mailing List!
  
RIVERMONT COLLEGIATE
The Quad Cities' Only Private College Prep School for PreSchool through 12th Grade
1821 Sunset Drive - Bettendorf, IA 52722 - (563) 359-1366