April 29, 2011

Dear Families,

Thank you for your messages of support to teachers for the rich experience your child has at the High School.  This is an intense time for all of us and we appreciate the kind words.  On behalf of everyone here, thank you.

I write to inform you of what we are working on and the process (although it is too short a timeline) we are employing.  Our first task is to identify ideas for accomplishing what we do with 3.24 less FTE (teachers).  This impacts schedule options. 

Our process will include the following:

• a session to review schedule option ideas
• a survey that will be coming from the superintendent
• a review of data from the survey
• a parent and student forum
• schedule development
• schedule adoption
• course guide development
• forecasting for students

No decisions have been finalized; we are in a review and development process.  Your input and patience is greatly appreciated.

Kindly,

Paula Robinson

Don't miss Another Time, Another Place (see below):  Contact Sam Ziff to make reservations (payment) or to answer any questions you may have.

Important Dates

May 4 - Freshman Parent Information Night - Maverick Room - 7:00 pm

May 7 - Prom - Ecotrust Building - 8:00 - 11:00 pm

Colleges That Have Accepted Students From The Riverdale Class of 2011

University of Oregon

University of Oregon Honors

Oregon State University

Portland State University

Southern Oregon University

University of Portland         

Earlham College                 

Pacific University                    

Linfield University                    

Chaminade University

Macalester College                         

University of Denver  

University of San Francisco

Colby College                         

University of Santa Clara         

Emory/Oxford College          

Kenyon College

Willamette University  

University of Puget Sound

Eckerd College

University of Redlands

Occidental University  

Ohio Wesleyan University  

Colorado College                

Lawrence University           

Denison University           

Carleton University           

Loyola Marymount University  

U of San Francisco                     

University of Southern California

New York University            

Rochester Institute of Tech.

University of Western Washington

Evergreen State University

Mills College

Gonzaga University           

University of Washington

Franklin College of Switzerland

Occidental College                

Bryn Mawr University           

Global College       

Whitman University           

Depaul University                    

Colgate University                    

Oberlin University           

University of Vermont         

Quest University                    

Colorado College                         

Smith College                        

Rensselaer Polytechnic         

Rose Hulman College                

Bates College

Hobart and William Smith College

Lewis and Clark College

Lynn University  

University of Tampa

University of Eastern New Mexico

California State at Bakersfield

Brigham Young University  

Carnegie Mellon University  

Wake Forest University  

University of Illinois

University of Wisconsin

Yeshiva University  

Syracuse University           

Emerson University           

Boston University                    

Northeastern University           

Seattle University                    

University of Hartford         

Oklahoma City University  

Webster University  

Ithaca College                 

Oregon Institute of Technology

Hunter College       

Brooklyn College       

City College         

Kalamazoo College

Allegheny College                         

Hiram University                   

Friday, April 22, 2011

Dear Families,

It is a sunny day and the students’ energy is positive and enthusiastic.  They remind us constantly of the wonders of learning and youth, making us smile and happy to be here.  On behalf of the staff, thank you for providing us such wonderful young people to serve.

I am writing to acknowledge this is an anxious time for the Riverdale community.  There are unknowns; at this point I do not have the answers you would like me to provide regarding budget, staffing, schedule, and program.  I can tell you that all staff are engaging in creative conversations about how we will provide our exceptional program, adjust the things that can be adjusted, determine what values we hold fast to and determine how to build our schedule. 

I am extremely impressed with the positive outlook and problem solving that is occurring.  I plan to have forums that include you when we have hard facts.  Our Superintendent is working to develop a plan with the least impact to the children, and I am supportive of her efforts, helping in any way that I am able.  In the meantime, please attend the community meeting with the Superintendent at the grade School April 27th for more information.

Superintendent's Community Briefing, GS Library

Wednesday, April 27^th at 7:00 - 8:00 pm

Riverdale High School is what it is because of the people.  It is the students, the parents and the staff that make the community.  

With Kind Regard,

Paula

Scratch it for Schools

We won the lottery!  In October I entered Riverdale High in the lottery to hopefully be selected to participate in “Scratch it for Schools” and we won by being selected.  Christy Drogosch (for her agility and stamina) and Mark Wechter (for his strength and stamina) were selected to scratch as many lottery tickets they could in five minutes.  They describe it as “a very long five minutes”.  The outcome was spectacular; the earnings are $624.00 for the High School in five minutes!  Thank you Christy and Mark.

Parking task force

Two students, one staff and one parent have agreed to serve on the Parking Task Force.  This group will meet three or four times to analyze the situation, collect input and design a plan.  Please let Sue Teeter or I know of your interest in contributing to the solution through your participation.

We have had another student “give up” their parking space for an out of district driver in order to eliminate two legs of their daily journey.  Additionally, the students have organized a walk, bike or carpool day which is occurring today - several have participated, thank you.

High School Parent Teacher Conferences - Thursday, April 28th & Friday, April 29th 
If you have not already signed up for your teacher/parent conference, please contact Sam Ziff at 503-892-0722.

Model UN delegates will once again be selling coffee/tea/hot chocolate throughout Conferences April 28 and 29.  Please support our activity by purchasing a beverage @ $1. cup and/or three tiny cookies for $.50 or one large cookies for $1.00.  We would also be happy to talk to parents about the great opportunity that MUN provides students to learn more about international relations.

Host Family Opportunity

Xinfei Jin, also known as Fenny, has been accepted to Riverdale High School for the 2011 - 2012 school year.  Fenny is a 16 yr. old girl from Shanghai China.  She lives there with her mother and her father who both work full time.  Fenny has been attending Aloha High School for her junior year and living with a host family there.  Her favorite subjects are History & Biology.  She enjoys playing sports, and joined both the swim team as well as the tennis team this year. 

To learn more about Fenny, her host family, and her International Agency, CIEE click here.  Her current host family is happy to talk to any potential host families about the experience.  You will need to fill out a host family application, which you can find on the CIEE website.

Important Dates:

  2ND ANNUAL RIVERDALE COMMUNITY BIKE DRIVE

SATURDAY, APRIL 23RD

FROM 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

AT RIVERDALE GRADE SCHOOL

 

RIVERDALE DISTRICT ARTS SHOW

TUESDAY, APRIL 26TH

FROM 6-8 PM

AT RIVERDALE HIGH SCHOOL

 

 

Friday, April 8, 2011

PARKING

Our parking situation is not optimum.  I apologize for that.  

Students who have been parking on neighborhood streets have been receiving $40 tickets due to the Ground Lease Agreement; it states that students may not use neighborhood streets for overflow parking.  The neighborhood does “police” this.  Additionally, students are parking in spaces that are reserved for parents to come and go and in staff parking; this problem is escalating to the point that often guests have no parking.

Many students have recently earned their drivers licenses and are driving to school.  We do not have available parking for students who do not have permits.  

I am requesting that you use or implement carpools and reinforce to your students they must follow the parking rules, by doing this you decrease the carbon footprint of the high school and its reputation with the neighbors.  You will also support the staff by eliminating the need for them to be assigned parking lot duty.

Anyone who wants to spearhead a parking task force would be appreciated, please contact Paula or Sam.

TREES

RHS has received a Grey to Green Grant.  Thirty native species trees will be planted on the property.  The trees are all native species and will provide bird and insect habitat as well as comfort and pleasure to our students.  Our new trees will be cared for several months through the Grey to green grant and the cost to us is zero.  Thank you Grey to Green!

RACHEL'S CHALLENGE

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to attend a presentation about an amazing program available to our school district called Rachel’s Challenge.  Rachel Scott was the first student killed in the Columbine tragedy.  Shortly before Rachel’s death, she had written an essay about her Code of Ethics.  She wrote, “I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same.  People will never know how far a little kindness can go.”  Rachel lived her life following her code of ethics, deliberately reaching out to those who were different, picked on, or alone.  She never passed a person in need without stopping to offer help. Her simple acts of kindness touched the lives of everyone she met. Rachel’s family created Rachel’s Challenge when they saw how transformational Rachel’s story was to everyone who heard it.  It acted as a catalyst for inexplicable instant change and created in people an overwhelming desire to make a difference. 

For more information visit:  www.rachelschallenge.org

SCRATCH IT FOR SCHOOLS

We won the lottery for the lottery!  Our school was entered, in October, into the lottery for Scratch it for Schools.  It was announced that Riverdale won the lottery to participate.  Two staff, Christy Drogosch (for her agility and stamina) and Mark Wechter (for his strength and strategy) were selected as our "scratchers".  On April 12th they will accompany Mrs. Robinson to the Rose Quarters to join other school districts from around the state to Scratch it for Schools.  The staff will be provided scratch-it lottery tickets and a time frame, they will scratch as fast as they can during the time allotted.  Our school takes away the winnings acquired by Ms. Drogosch and Mr. Wechter.  Cheer them on!  I'll let you know of the winnings.

 

ACT REMINDER FOR  11TH GRADERS

ALL 11th grade students will be taking the ACT on Wednesday, April 27th in the gym.

PRINCIPAL'S INVITATION

Please join us for:

Senior Parent Information Night April 13, 11 @ 7:00

Junior Parent Information Night April 20, 11 @ 7:00 (note change in date)

Bella Voci choir concert in the Maverick Room April 22, 11 @ 7:00

Superintendent Community Briefing April 27 @7:00 (note change in date)

Freshman Parent Information Night May 4, 11 @ 7:00

 

April 1, 2011

MESSAGE FROM THE SPIRIT CLUB

Greetings Parents of Mavericks,

Riverdale’s Prom is right around the corner (Saturday, May 7th). The Prom committee seeks parents to help organize this special event. Volunteer parents can help by organizing student volunteers, organizing setup, soliciting chaperones, and organizing clean-up. The student lead Spirit Committee will meet at school to discuss advertising for student volunteers, signing up volunteers, and of course to brainstorm the theme for this year’s Prom. Prom will take place at the Ecotrust building in nearby NW Portland. Parents who are interested in helping to organize this year’s prom should contact Susie Keeton via e-mail to find out more information about Prom and the goals of the Prom committee, including upcoming meeting dates. Susie Keeton’s e-mail address is susiekeeton@comcast.net

Best, Catherine Kernodle, Spirit Committee Advisor 2010-2011

GOLF

This is a first, Riverdale won the golf tourney.

Charlie shot the round of his life - 72

RIVERDALE - 336          
VALLEY CATHOLIC  - 337   

RAINEER - 344 
NEAH KAH NIE - 356
NKN   JV - 606 
VERNONIA - 594
CS LEWIS - 620 

ESSENTIAL SKILLS GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS 

Beginning with our current Junior class the Oregon Diploma graduation requirement of meeting the essential Skills component is in place.  Specifically this means passing the Oregon Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (OAKS test).  This is the test that all 10th graders are “given” across the state.  The table below describes the graduation years and the phase in of which Essential Skill is required in addition to the transcript credits.  Currently we have no Juniors at risk of not graduating due to scores on the OAKS.  The OAKS test does “count”.

Teachers are beginning the process of reviewing several data points in order to identify students who may need additional support in order to meet the OAKS cut scores.  Any student who falls in this category will be notified along with parents.

Additionally, students may prove meeting the Essential Skills requirement in a variety of ways, through other approved standardized tests and in certain circumstances work samples.  Students are provided, if needed, access to the OAKS three times a year.

This message is meant to be informative, you may contact Michael Murray if you have further questions.

Beginning in 2012, students must demonstrate proficiency in identified essential skills. The revised Essential Skills timeline adopted by the State Board in August 2009 is as follows:

• 2012:  Read and comprehend a variety of text
• 2013:  Write clearly and accurately
  
• 2014:  Apply mathematics in a variety of settings 

The remaining Essential Skills will be phased-in over subsequent years, timeline to be determined.

• Listen actively and speak clearly and coherently
• Think critically and analytically
• Use technology to learn, live and work
• Demonstrate civic and community engagement
• Demonstrate global literacy
• Demonstrate personal management and teamwork skills

BALANCE RIGOR WITH REALITY:

Some students can take the hardest available classes and still do well, have fun, and sleep regularly.  But everyone has different abilities.  Part of being successful in high school means pushing towards, but not past, your academic limits.  

You should enjoy your activities.  You should get enough sleep.  You should see your friends, have fun and occasionally do things that have nothing to do with college admissions or improving yourself.  

There is nothing wrong with a course schedule that demands hard work.  Some stress and the occasional late night are OK, too.  But no college in the world would want you to make yourself unhappy or unhealthy because of your classes.  Even the highest achievers still need to be happy and well-adjusted teenagers.  
   

If you’re hoping to go to one of those schools that rejects most of the people who apply, you’re going to need to take the most demanding courses offered at your school and you’ll need to get A’s in just about all of them.  But most of the over 2000 colleges don’t demand that kind of perfection from their applicants.  

Work hard and take classes that challenge your academic limits.  But balance that rigor with reality so you can be a happy and well-rested teenager, too.