Posts Tagged ‘Education’

Teachers Back in Action

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

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

Wednesday, October 12th, 2011

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.

Our RivreBeth Madland, Jill Beck, and Julee Hunt

Riverstone Hosting “The Discovery Tour”

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

On Tuesday, July 27, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM, at 5521 East Warm Springs Avenue, Riverstone will be hosting “The Discovery Tour: Engineering, Science, and Technology,” a session on selective university admissions presented by five prestigious schools:

* California Institute of Technology
* Columbia University
* Cornell University
* Princeton University
* Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Area high school juniors and seniors, and their parents, are invited.

Representatives from the five schools will share information with students about refining their college search, the selective college admissions process, essay writing and recommendations, both merit and need-based financial aid, the importance of extracurricular activities, and academic programs in engineering, science, and technology.

Registration for these events is available online at http://www.rpi.edu/dept/admissions/regionalevent/index.html or by calling Rensselaer Admissions at (518) 276-8747. Space is limited for each location and date, so please register as early as possible.

Summer School: Plein Aire Painting with Mr. Jay

Thursday, June 24th, 2010

The masters had nothing on this crew…

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CSI: Riverstone!

Friday, June 18th, 2010

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!

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International Education Week

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

Its International Education Week (IEW) at Riverstone!

Click here to read the IEW letter from Hilary Rodham Clinton

Click here for the link to the IEW website

Riverstone and The College of Idaho combine to create a unique celebration.

Andrew

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Annual Fund Makes History

Friday, April 10th, 2009

This year’s Annual Fund has made history!

Under the leadership of Kim and Mort Hardwick and ably assisted by their dedicated and persistent committee, this year we reached 100% participation on the Annual Fund for the very first time in the school’s history.

Receiving such support from the school community is vital to us in applying for a variety of educational grants.

Thank you to you all for you support!

If you see Kim or Mort or any of their committee members, please do not forget to thank them for all their hard work in reaching this historic milestone. It would not have happened without them, and we would not be in such a strong position for grant writing.

Andrew Derry

Annual Fund Committee

Kim Hardwick

Mort Hardwick

Sandra Andersen

Cheri Jorgenson

Eileen Barber

Colleen Kilbuck

Monica Sorensen

Jill Osbourne

Kim Liebich

Carroll Sims

Lisa Armstrong

Susan Tabb

Debbie Stearns

Jennifer DeBoer

Vicky Guerra

Karla Haun

IB Presentation Evening

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

It was wonderful to see so many existing and new parents at the IB information evening on Tuesday April 8. Kate Saldin, Riverstone’s IB Coordinator and an IB graduate herself, gave a clear explanation of how the IB diploma works and how it prepares students for college after graduation. Kate was ably assisted by two current students; Charlie Utting and Kylie Reagan.

One exciting piece of news from the evening was that Riverstone will be teaming up with the Idaho Shakespeare Festival to offer a new IB Theater Arts program. Renee Knappenberger, Idaho Shakespeare Festival’s Director of Education will teach the two year course which also allows students to take part in summer apprentice programs and workshops.

 

For more information about the IB Diploma at Riverstone and a copy of her presentation, contact Kate Saldin at ksaldin@riverstoneschool.org 

 

Andrew Derry

Ground Breaking

Wednesday, March 4th, 2009

Its finally arrived! Today, Wednesday March 4, 2009 is ground breaking day for the new Elementary School building. It also marks the start of the end for the Middle School modular buildings. 

Please come and join us, our students, teachers, families, leadership donors, honored guests and friends along with Mayor Dave Bieter  as we mark this special event in the history of the school.

Wednesday March 4, 2009 at 3pm.  Warm Springs Campus

See the article in the Idaho Business Review  http://www.idahobusiness.net/archive.htm/2009/03/03/Sustainable-elementary-school-breaks-ground 

or the Boise Good News blog  http://boisegoodnews.wordpress.com

for more information about the school and the ground breaking.

Andrew Derry

Annual Fund, first 100% class!

Friday, February 20th, 2009

The Annual Fund 2009 is off the a great start and we have our first class to achieve 100% participation.

Ms. Rose’s Grade 1 class became the first this year to win a Pizza and ice cream party. Not far behind are Mrs. Boazman’s and Mrs. Pierie’s classes. 

Please remember that all classes can win a pizza party as soon as they get to 100% participation.

The Annual Fund is vital to the success of the school for two reasons:

1. It helps close the gap between the revenue received from tuition and the actual cost to run the school.

2. 100% participation at Annual Fund allows the school to apply for significant grants from several foundations. 

 

If you have not already done so, please send your Annual Fund contribution to Boni Peters. Your participation is vital!

Thank you to everyone who has already contributed this year
Andrew Derry