Paw Postings Banner 2013-14 
May 16th, 2014
Headmaster Letter 

 

Happy Friday Rivermont Families!

 

As we conclude the school year, we are starting to take preliminary steps to implement a variety of programs for next year. One of these programs is our 1:1 technology strategy. In the spring of 2013, the Academic Affairs Committee started a 10 month study by assessing the current and future needs of Rivermont students and faculty. We also explored how other schools and districts (both large and small, public and non-public) developed and implemented their 1:1 technology initiatives. Next, the committee researched a variety of devices as well as our current and future network infrastructure, reliability goals, bandwidth capacity, and wireless systems. As you can see, the committee sought to develop a technology strategy based on the needs of our students and school - not just the latest tech gadget. We also needed to be fiscally sound and implement the strategy in a phased, measured approach. We are now beginning to implement our 1:1 technology strategy.

 

The overall strategy is threefold. Lower School will be outfitted with iPad carts that can be transitioned from class to class. The iPad is the right fit for Lower School, given its ease of use and tremendous amount of educational software. Middle School will be adopting a Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) strategy where students can bring their personal laptops to school. We will install (if needed) anti-virus software to enable them to log-in to our school network. We will also be augmenting key Middle School classes (specifically science) with new school purchased laptops and prioritizing use of the Middle and Upper School computer lab for their use. Upper School students will be transitioning to new individual PC laptops. Students have the option to use their personal laptop in place of the school provided one, however we may need to configure their anti-virus software and upload additional software for network and science lab compatibility.

 

Rivermont's new 1:1 technology strategy is a measured approach to providing our students the right tools to succeed, enabling faculty to continue to expand curriculum and teaching strategies without overburdening our technology support staff. Faculty and students are very excited about it, as it provides a much needed boost to Rivermont's technology program.

 

If you have any questions regarding the 1:1 technology strategy, please don't hesitate to contact me or another member of the administration. As always, thank you for your support of Rivermont, which is instrumental to our continued success. Wishing everyone a safe and happy weekend!

 

Best,

 

Todd Zachary, Headmaster

Kudos!

Senior Summer Lawrence received a $5,000 Jane & Clem Werner Scholarship through the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend. Summer will attend Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH this fall. This scholarship, in fact, helped finalize her college decision. A scholarship reception will be held this Sunday, May 18th at the Outing Club in Davenport. The Community Foundation administers multiple scholarship funds - this year, 34 students will receive over $233,850 - local scholarships with local impact!

Michal Porubcin (11th Grade) was the winner, along with his doubles partner Bryce Brien, of the #1 doubles championship at the MAC boys tennis meet last week. Michal was also a finalist in the #1 singles championship. Michal plays the #1 position in Varsity Tennis at Bettendorf High School through Rivermont's cooperative athletic agreement. He was featured on WQAD news - click the photo below to link to video.

Rivermont Highest-Ranking College Prep School on 2014 Iowa AP Index

What is the Iowa AP Index?
The Belin-Blank Center annually releases the Iowa AP Index to recognize high schools for providing Advanced Placement opportunities. The 2014 index is based on May 2013 AP exams and 2013 graduation data. The formula is the number of AP exams given divided by the number of students in the graduating class. It's important to note that the index reflects the availability of Advanced Placement courses at a school and is not reflective of actual AP exam scores.

It's also important to note Rivermont is not included in the Top 50 list because magnet schools, specially accredited college preparatory schools (Rivermont), non-accredited schools, and home schools are not included in the AP Index Top 50 ranking. This change took effect in 2008. Despite this change, because all schools are scored using the same formula, numerical scores provide a clear comparison among schools, whether those schools are included in the Top 50 list or not. The following table compares Rivermont's score with local schools in the Top 50.

2014 Iowa AP Index - Local Schools
Rivermont Collegiate - 2.50
Bettendorf High School - 1.40
West High School - 0.81
Central High School - 0.67
North High School - 0.57
Pleasant Valley High School - no score, opted out, or not in top 50

Complete details on the Rivermont website - click here
Rivermont Receives Complete Funding for Collaborative Bottle Cap Mural
 
Thanks to a grant from the Waste Commission of Scott County, we have received complete funding for our Kindergarten - 12th Grade Collaborative Bottle Cap Mural! Students began collecting bottle caps at the beginning of the school year for the project, which was partially funded by the grant at the time. The mural is now complete and the Waste Commission of Scott County was very impressed with students' work - they have agreed to cover the full cost of the project (over $300).

Over 2,300 plastic caps were diverted from local landfills and repurposed in the 6' x 8' mural. The collaborative project took place from August through April. As the entire Rivermont Community collected plastic bottle caps, students saw firsthand how quickly small items of trash accumulate, even within a small school community. At the same time, students explored how artists use trash as a medium to encourage environmental awareness and change. From graphing the variety of bottle cap colors collected to studying contemporary artists who repurpose trash, the project not only spanned Kindergarten - 12th Grade, but also across disciplines.

The mural theme was inspired by Regionalism and Midwest landscapes created by Grant Wood.Some features of the composition were also borrowed from a print-making piece by 12th Grader Ming Sui Tang. The mural will be permanently displayed at Rivermont. In fact, students have enough leftover bottle caps that they have started a second mural!
2014-15 Parents' Council Positions

Thank you to all of the hardworking parents who have helped Parents' Council this year! Whether it was taking on a leadership role, working an event, providing goodies, or just jumping in when needed, you helped us make 2013-14 successful!

2014-15 Parents' Council Positions
President - Lesli Shaheen
Vice President - Ferelith Senjem
Treasurer - Kathy Dougherty
Scrip Co-Chair - Rosalia Rojas (still looking for another co-chair)
Scholastic Book Fair Chair - Amna Ciaccio
Monty's Closet Co-Chairs - Still looking for 2-3 people

Parents' Council will meet again August 19th to begin discussing the 2014 Fun Run - join us! Contact us at [email protected].
SpringFest Music Program
Thursday, 5/15 (TONIGHT)
Auditorium
7:00 p.m.

Groups performing are band (Lower, Middle, and Upper School), choir (Middle and Upper School), and strings (4th and 5th Grade, Middle School, and Upper School).

The program will be livestreaming online for those unable to attend - to view the show, simply click the following link which will be active at 6:45 p.m. - click here
All Sports Picnic
Friday, 5/16
Front Circle Lawn
4:00-6:00 p.m.

All student-athletes who participated in a sport during the 2013-14 school year are invited, as well as their families. Students may stay after school for activities on the soccer field until the grill fires up at 4:45 p.m. followed by the awards ceremony at 5:15 p.m.

Complete details on the Rivermont website calendar - click here
Final Scrip Order of the Year
SCRIP Logos (button style)
Monday, 5/19
Please turn orders in by 3:00 p.m.

Gift cards purchased through the Scrip program make fantastic end-of-year gifts for teachers, as well as for graduates and Father's Day! Orders placed Monday will be sent home Wednesday, May 21st. Gift cards purchased through Scrip are just like the ones you purchase at the stores - the difference is Rivermont receives a percentage of the sales (without costing you anything extra). A major fundraiser for Parents' Council, Scrip helps support transportation for special class trips and special items for classrooms (an art kiln, Promethean boards, the ImagiNation table, and more).

Questions? Contact Melissa Sears at [email protected] or (563) 343-5652.

Order forms available in Becherer Hall, the Mansion, and online - click here
Cross Country Info Meeting
Tuesday, 5/20
3:40 p.m.
Ms. McAdam's Room (Middle School science room - Carriage House)

A quick meeting will be held for incoming 5th-12th Graders and their parents who are interested in joining cross country next year. We'll discuss summer running programs and races, plus answer any questions for those new to the sport.
Upper School Final Exams
Wednesday, 5/21 - Friday, 5/23
9th-12th Grade

Please note students are not required to be on campus unless they have an exam scheduled. The Mansion Reading Room will be open for study starting at 8:00 a.m.

Complete details and schedule available on the Rivermont website calendar - click here
Last Day for Early School
Friday, 5/23
PreSchool & Junior Kindergarten
Have a great summer, Early School!

Save the Date: Lunch on the Lawn
Tuesday, May 27th
12:00-1:00 p.m.

Come enjoy lunch on the Rivermont lawn - bring your favorite lunch items and a blanket! This is a great opportunity to enjoy lunch with your child and mingle with other Rivermont families. Students may leave with parents after lunch. After lunch activities will be provided for those who stay until normal dismissal time (3:30 p.m.) and normal after school care will be provided until 6:00 p.m.

Complete details on the Rivermont website calendar - click here
Save the Date:
Used Textbook Sale & Scholastic Book Fair
Tuesday, May 27th
1:00 p.m.

Used Textbook Sale
The 2014-15 book list will be distributed soon. Consult the book list to see which textbooks will be used again next year and can be sold - then bring them to the Used Textbook Sale table following Lunch on the Lawn. At the table, you will complete a card for each book you wish to sell and determine the price (up to you). Those interested in purchasing used textbooks for the 2014-15 academic year are encouraged to come browse what other parents are selling!

If you don't wish to sell your books and don't want to keep them, you can donate them to Parents' Council, too! They will be sold during the Used Textbook Sale or offered to new incoming families throughout the school year, with proceeds benefiting Parents' Council.

Scholastic Book Fair
At the same time as the Used Textbook Sale following Lunch on the Lawn, Parents' Council will hold a BOGO Scholastic Book Fair! All books will be BOGO (buy one get one free) - browse a variety of books to keep your child reading over the summer!

Complete details on the Rivermont website calendar - 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