Blackbaud FAQs

Riverstone Blackbaud Student Information System: Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started & Account Management

Go to riverstoneschool.org. Hover over the “BlackBaud” dropdown link in the blue menu bar on the top of the front. Click on the link for the “Blackbaud Login” page and follow the instructions. All students, faculty and staff should use their school email address and the “Login with Google” option when first logging into the Blackbaud platform.

On the Blackbaud login page, enter your registered email address and select Forgot Password? to reset your credentials. If you continue to experience technical issues please email blackbaudhelp@riverstoneschool.org and provide a brief description of your issue.

Click your name in the top-right corner of the portal and select Profile. Look for any + or pencil icon to add or edit your contact information. Please keep your email updated, as it is Riverstone’s primary communication channel.

If you have more than one child enrolled at Riverstone, you can toggle between their individual profiles using the student selector dropdown at the top left of the navigation bar.

Attendance & Reporting Absences

Access the portal, click on the name of your child in the top left of the navigation bar. Select the Report an Absence tile. Fill in your student’s information, the date(s) affected, and the reason for the absence before submitting.

Select your child’s name, click Progress, and open the Attendance section. You can review a complete history of excused/unexcused absences, tardies, and class-by-class attendance logs.

If you see an incorrect absence or tardy mark, please message the classroom teacher directly via their Course Bulletin Board details.

Courses & Academics

Select your child’s name in the top menu and click Courses. This page displays all active course enrollments and assigned teachers for the school year.

Clicking on any course title opens its Bulletin Board. Managed directly by teachers, this serves as the primary hub for course syllabi, teacher announcements, class expectations, and essential learning resources.

Groups & Student Life

At Riverstone, Blackbaud Groups are divided into four main categories:

  • Activities & Clubs: Co-curricular clubs like Outdoor Education, Robotics, Drama, or Student Government.
  • Advisories: Student homeroom or advisory cohorts for grade-level check-ins and mentor guidance.
  • Parent Association & Community Groups: Grade-level parent cohorts and Parent Association) groups.

Each Group functions as a dedicated communication hub. When you open a Group, you can access:

  • Schedules & Locations: Practice times, game fixtures, trip departure details, and meeting schedules.
  • Announcements & Updates: Direct messages, gear lists, and trip reminders from coaches, advisors, or leaders.
  • Group Resources: downloadable permission slips, handbooks, links, and guidelines specific to that sport or club.
  • Rosters & Leaders: Contact information for coaches, activity supervisors, and faculty advisors.

  • Automatic Enrollment: Advisories, grade-level cohorts, and official course-related groups are populated automatically by Riverstone administrators.
  • Rostered Activities: Activities and formal clubs are assigned once team rosters or club sign-ups are finalized at the start of each season or term.

Yes. You can manage notification settings for individual groups by clicking your name in the top-right corner, selecting Settings, and opening Notifications. From there, you can opt to receive instant email or text alerts for urgent announcements or schedule changes posted to your child’s Groups.

While Courses cover standard academic subjects (like Science, English, or Math), Groups organize everything else that happens across campus. Groups connect students, parents, coaches, and staff for co-curricular activities, athletics, advisory cohorts, and school organizations.

Resource Boards & School Communications

The Resource Board is Riverstone’s main central repository for general school information. It features quick links and posts for school calendars, student/parent handbooks, bus schedules, lunch ordering, and campus news updates.

When a new form requires your attention, a yellow notification bar will appear at the top of your screen. You can also view, complete, and submit forms anytime by clicking your name in the top right and selecting Files and Forms. Form progress auto-saves as you fill it out.

Click your name in the top-right corner, select Settings, and choose Notifications from the left menu. Check or uncheck categories to customize whether you receive email, SMS, or portal alerts for announcements, sports, or academic updates.