Letter to Parents May 20 2009

Dear Parents,

It is a strangely calm week at the school. With so many students out on their spring trips in all sections of the school, the atmosphere is more like the summer vacation rather than term time.

In addition, Grade 12 students are currently sitting for their final IB Diploma exams. Some 30,000 students around the world take these external exams, which extend over a three-week period. The results could significantly affect the credits and scholarships students receive from their chosen colleges. We wish all of our Grade 12 students success with their exams.

As we prepare for the end of this year, our thoughts are also on preparing for the start of another successful academic year. I will write to you with more information about some changes for next academic year shortly, but in the meantime, I wanted to inform you of some of the staffing changes.

Since our faculty is our greatest single asset, the Directors and I have put a great deal of effort in to the staff plans for next year. As well as some exciting internal changes, we are delighted with the caliber of the new hires we have been able to make. Quite simply, we made sure we found the best teachers from around the world to come and join the team at Riverstone.

New Staff members for next year:

Lauren Bastion. Grade 1 teacher: Lauren is an Australian national who graduated from Griffith University in Queensland with a B.Ed in Early Childhood Education. Lauren comes to us with several years of teaching in PYP schools in Australia, The International School Tanganyika, Tanzania, , and The British International School, Bratislava in Slovakia.

Oliver Martin. MYP Mathematics and Outdoor Education: Oliver is a British national currently working in the UK. As well as teaching Middle School math, Oliver also coordinates the Gifted and Talented program at his current school. Oliver is a qualified Mountain Leader and is Head of Outdoor Pursuits. He regularly leads groups around the world as part of the World Challenge Expeditions Program.

Anke Voigt. MYP PE and Health: Anke is a German national and is currently working as Athletics Director at the United Nations International school in Hanoi, Vietnam. Anke comes to us with a wealth of MYP experience working at the American International School in Kuwait, Lebanon and Germany.

Matthew Miller. IT Technician/Registrar: Matthew has a M.Ed in Educational Psychology and Instructional Technology from Arizona State as well as a wealth of IT experience. Matthew was co-founder of Stability Networks and until recently was their Chief Technology Officer. He also has international experience as a volunteer in the US Peace Corps in Russia.

Ximena Bundren. Pre-K Teacher: Ximena will be joining us from Parkside School. A native of Colombia, Ximena has experience of teaching in Colombia, the Boise School District, and three other local preschools in Boise. Ximena will lead our bilingual Pre-K program.

Lilly Palacios. Pre-K Assistant: Lilly is also a native Spanish speaker having worked at Whitney Elementary, Hillcrest Elementary, Trail Wind and Riverside. She has also worked in a Migrant Head Start facility.

Anne-Marie Derry. Pre-K assistant: Anne-Marie moves from volunteering in the library to return to the classroom. Anne-Marie has several years experience working with the PYP in Switzerland and France.

Susan Tabb has kindly volunteered to take over as our Librarian. Susan and her family have a truly international outlook having lived and worked in many countries around the world.

Kathleen Gilton. Administrative Assistant: Although known to most of us in her most recently role, chairing the auction committee, Kathleen also comes to us with a wealth of experience in human resources and customer satisfaction. Look out for Kathleen working alongside Robyn and the Directors at the Warm Springs campus.

Gloria Gude. High School Spanish: Gloria and her family moved to Boise from Texas where Gloria worked as a Spanish teacher in Hyde Park Baptist School and Bailey Middle School.

Faculty changes for next academic year

Ben Brock’s role will change slightly to become Director of Extra Curricular Activities. Ben’s focus will be to create a coherent and coordinated program that links smoothly with the academic program in all grades.

Tarrah Elam and Sylvie Ryan will take on the responsibility of coordinating and promoting international links and exchanges. Already this year, we have established links with schools in Peru, France, China and Colombia.

Alex Ide takes on the responsibility of Head of Science (K – 12).

Scott Learned takes on the responsibility of Head of Math (k – 12).

Laureen Quick will take on the additional responsibility of coordinating our International Economic Summit program

Hannah Roberts will continue to coordinate the ToK program and will also be our first ESL coordinator.

Kate Saldin will continue as IB coordinator but will reduce her teaching load. We wish Kate and Andrew Hunter well as they expect their first baby in September.

Jamie Whitmer will move from part time to full time Spanish teacher

Eric Selekof will move from part time to full time PE teacher.

Gemma Utting will take on the additional responsibility of coordinating our international students.

We are looking forward to a great culmination of the 08/09 school year and we are excited about the start of the 09/10.

Yours sincerely,

Andrew Derry

Head of School