Riverstone Blog » Education

Teachers Back in Action

ris_blog — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:52:44 +0000

Riverstone’s teachers spent the day working in their re-accreditation teams in preparation for next year’s re-accreditation visit by the Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools (PNAIS). Accreditation provides school leadership, families, staff, and the general public with an independent, non-governmental validation that the school is effectively delivering a quality educational experience to their students.

The five core values that PNAIS accredited schools follow are:

Independence in determining their own missions and philosophies, are self-governing and self supporting without substantial dependence on government, other entities, or individuals.

Encouragement of free and open inquiry in which students are taught to think critically and to challenge their own perspective and others of others.

Commitment to diversity and creating a community of students, families, trustees, and staff from as many diverse backgrounds and perspectives as possible.

Commitment to ongoing improvement through a continuous process of research, reflection, and on-going improvement that enables schools to stay relevant to their missions and to the students and families they serve.

Voluntary operating in accordance with collegial relationships and ethical leadership within the Association.

To learn more about the Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools, visit their website .

State of the School

ris_blog — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:02:47 +0000

Thank you to everyone who attended the State of the School Address last night! Bob Carignan, Head of School, presented this year’s goals and priorities as they relate to our Strategic Plan and honored our 2011 Riverstone Rock Stars: Jill Beck, Julee Hunt, Beth Madland, and Deborah Martell. Kurt Liebich, our Chairman of the Board of Trustees, introduced our Annual Fund Chairpersons, Tory & Brian Goltry, who shared their family’s personal experiences with the school and why they agreed to lead this year’s campaign. Beth Madland’s video, 37, brought out smiles and applause from the crowd.

The new Science lab was open for touring as well. Representatives from Idaho Correctional Industries, our partner in manufacturing all the lab-grade equipment, spoke about the goals for their programs. Science teachers were on hand to explain the new features and equipment that all of our students will enjoy. The lab looked great and is going to be a wonderful addition to our facilities. Thanks to all the families who contributed at the Annual Auction in the spring!

Over in the Kennedy Gymnasium, our girls Volleyball team battled Notus High on Senior Night. Our Middle School and High School soccer teams were playing at the Simplot Fields for their rescheduled games.

All in all, a great evening that showed the excitement of belonging to the Riverstone community.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

admin — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 20:23:24 +0000

The strings are tuned and Ms. Maher’s Grade 1 students are back to learning violin this year. The students are getting reacquainted with their “fiddles” and fine-tuning the skills they began last year in Kindergarten! On the program this year? “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” It’s just a small part of the many ways our children experience music at Riverstone. Stop by and listen Wednesday mornings in Ms. Maher’s class from 8:30 – 9:30 AM. Chances are…your ears will direct you to the right classroom.

It’s College Season at Riverstone

admin — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 19:04:50 +0000

College representatives from Whitman College, Grinnell College, and University of the Redlands have kicked off the college recruitment season at Riverstone with visits in the past week! Other representatives will be visiting our Broadway Campus over the next few months to conduct interviews with our seniors as well as meet with our Grade 11 students. This is an invaluable opportunity for our seniors as they refine their college lists. What’s really cool is that our Grade 11 students benefit from these meetings as well because they learn how to research schools, ask intelligent questions, and group schools into “types.” This is great practice for our Grade 11 Pacific Northwest college trip in February when students meet privately with admissions counselors and tour different schools with varying sizes, settings, and academic focus.

If you are interested in learning more about Riverstone’s college counseling program, contact Bob Carignan.

Photo taken during the visit with the University of Redlands’ admissions officer.

Riverstone Students: What They’re Up To This Summer

admin — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 03:27:38 +0000

Riverstone’s Nicole B, center stage, performed with her band at this summer’s inaugural Boise RecFest at Ann Morrison Park. Way to go, Nicole!

Summer School: Plein Aire Painting with Mr. Jay

admin — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 22:28:31 +0000

The masters had nothing on this crew…

CSI: Riverstone!

admin — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 14:27:17 +0000

Crime scene tape, fingerprint kits, blood and hair analysis kits, and (gulp) maggots…John Pedersen, Middle School science teacher, guided a group of intrepid crime scene investigators as they worked through the age-old question, “Who Dunnit?” Now that’s some summer fun!

One Stone Causes Many Ripples

admin — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 16:43:41 +0000

Community service has become a hot topic in schools. Sometimes necessary for club membership, often a graduation requirement, and always great for college applications. But thanks to a philosophy of being student-led, involving learning, and establishing meaningful relationships between the participants and recipients, community service has a different feel, and different name, at Riverstone: service learning.

Idaho Statesman writer, Anna Webb, has written a wonderful article about One Stone, the student-run, service learning organization that was started at Riverstone by the Poppen family in 2002. Kylie P explains the significance of the One Stone name, “Wonderful acts can be similar to a stone thrown in a river – ripples that can build upon each other to change the world.”

A testament to the enthusiasm for their projects and dedication to others, One Stone has twice received national recognition for their collaboration with the Idaho Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Read the full article about One Stone at http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/06/13/1229045/one-stone-causes-many-ripples.html

Riverstone Graduation

admin — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 13:23:16 +0000

Riverstone’s graduation is always a wonderful and unique event, and this year was no exception.

Starting with the Senior Dessert on Thursday evening and ending with the formal ceremony on Friday, graduation is a community event in which students, family members, faculty and friends share stories, words of advice, and well wishes with the graduates.

You can see photos at:

RIS Graduation 2010

First Annual Riverstone Milk Jug Boat Regatta!

admin — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:16:11 +0000

First Annual Riverstone Milk Jug Boat Regatta!

Seventh grade students in MYP Design Technology used the Design Cycle to design and create their own “milk jug boats”. Their craft were designed to float two 7th graders in a stable fashion, and they calculated the total displacement of their boats to determine how many milk jugs would be required.

Of course, they needed to “evaluate” their designs, so on to Spring Shores, and despite the weather, there was plenty of fun for all! We would like to extend a special thanks to Meadow Gold Dairy for donating the jugs.