February 13, 2012

Maasai elder and warrior, Sabore Ole Oyie, visited Riverdale High School on Friday, February 10th for an all school assembly.  Mr. Oyie discussed growing up Maasai (including the rites of passage for becoming a warrior and the challenges of maintaining traditional culture in the 21st century).   He also talked about the importance of education for young Maasai women, and his work as a community leader to ensure access to fresh water.

Mr Oyie was introduced to the students by Gail McCormick (Riverdale Parent and Board Chair for the non profit, Jamii Moja).    Jamii Moia translates in Swahili to "One world One Family" - to learn more about Jamii Moja, please go to http://www.jamiimoja.org

Athletics 

Girls Basketball

Don't miss the 1st Round of the NW League Playoffs on Thursday, February 16th at 7:00 pm in the Riverdale High School Gym -- Join the Stampede ---

Riverdale has secured the season as the number 2 seed in the Northwest League with one game to go and will be taking on the number 3 seed Knappa Loggers.  Our girls basketball team will be hosting KnappaRiverdale High School Gym.  

The winner of Thursday night's contest is an automatic qualifier to the state playoffs and will then play Portland Christian for the League championship on Saturday, February 18th at Scappoose High School.  The loser of the contest will also travel to Scappoose in an attempt to play for the last state playoff spot in an earlier qualifying game.  We look forward to having a huge turn out for our playoff games on both the 16th and 18th!

Additionally, cost of the game is $6 for adults, $3 for students.  No league passes will be accepted only the Gold Card is accepted for playoff games.  Booster Memberships do not apply to league playoff games, and Riverdale students will be charged admission to the game as all proceeds will go to the Northwest League.

Summer as an Educational Opportunity, click here. by Michael Murray, High School Counselor, Assisted by Makaylaa C. (Class of 2012).

Parent Alert - “The cinnamon challenge”

Some teens are tempting their peers to take the "cinnamon challenge" (eating spoonfuls of cinnamon without drinking anything).  Teens are hearing about it on the Internet and you tube videos, at camps and on reality TV.  The game can be serious and dangerous.  Cinnamon absorbs the saliva in the mouth and throat making it difficult or impossible to breath.  Parents please be on the alert for this seemingly harmless “prank”.

Riverdale Student in the News -- Sierra Green wins Oregon History Idol will perform at the Blazer Game Tuesday, February 14th - 7:00 pm

To read the entire article, click here.

Riverdale Robotics – Keep up-to-date with all of the excitement by reading the Riverdale Robotics blog.

Upcoming Events:
Wed Feb 15 - Regular School Board Meeting - 6:00 pm
Thu Feb 16 - RHS Girls Basketball - 1st Round of the NW League Playoffs - 7:00 pm
Mon Feb 20 - Holiday - Presidents Day - No School
Wed Feb 22 - Superintendent Community Briefing - 7:00 pm

February 5th, 2012

Legally Blonde:  The Musical

Let’s give a shout out to our graduating seniors -- our theater program will certainly miss their contributions.  Our actors:  Amy R, Adair C, Negar S, Taylor G, Ben C, Nick C and Amy T.   Our musicians - Colin T on guitar and Ariel C on the flute.   Our stage manager Josh I and the assistant director Anna S as well as crew members Mariah A, Maya V, Chris E, Kaitlyn K and Maddy B.

So many parents and families gave so much of their time and energy to this show, with them the performance was a huge success, thank you!  Special thanks to volunteer support “staffers”, without whom, this would not have been possible: Roberta Kaplan who oversaw all the technical needs of the show, Ariel Shatan who handled our box office and house management, and Carla Waring who handled our marketing and communications. A special thanks to our amazing set dad, Paul Condon, prop mistress -  Yvonne Green and costumer Debby Barany.  Michelle Horgan and Dan Palma provided coaching and consultation making it possible to keep on track. Dan Palma donated his time playing saxophone in the band.  Thanks to our lighting and sound designer Michael Wax, a Riverdale alumni who came all the way from Chicago to support his Alma mater. A special thanks to our music director Tyler Evans, our choreographer Stephanie Andersen, and our much appreciated director John Monteverde!

Finally, a great thank you to the PTC for their generous donation that helped to underwrite our performance venue this year.  The students appreciated performing in a professional workspace.  Their support of the theater program is critical.  Thank you. 


This has been a wonderful experience for all of us and has really shown what an exceptional group of families, students and faculty we have at Riverdale.

Athletics:

Spirit week has been fabulous fun for the students!  Involvement was close to 100%.  My utmost thanks goes out to Jeff Pellissier for coming up with the idea and rallying the troops!  The PTC Booster Club would like to thank the following parent volunteers for their help with organizing and planning Spirit Week!  Allison Sherman, Jill Hall, Danette Molinari, Denise Gooding, Vicki Kelly and Jennifer Kimura.
The students had a blast, thanks.

Student quotes
"this was so well planned out"
"this was the most fun"
"I loved the lunchtime activities"
"This is the most school spirit I've seen in a long long time"
"This week really built up our class camaraderie"
"It's all about salad dressing"
"I love the booster club, they didn't have to do this for us"

Girls Basketball Update

The Girls won yesterday (Saturday, February 4th) 38-19 and improved their season record to 20-2.  They are in second place in the Northwest League.  Next home game is February 7th vs. Vernonia at Riverdale.

Spring Sports - Important Information

Spring Sports Sign Ups are beginning at the High School.  The first day of Spring Sports is Monday, Feb. 27th.  All students interested in participating in a spring sport please be sure to have your Athletic Packet filled out and turned in along with your spring sports fee to Sam at the front desk PRIOR to this date.  Any athlete who does not have all paper work completed will not be able to practice.

Portland Gap Year Fair

City, State: Portland, Oregon

Date: February 15, 2012

Location: Lincoln High School

Address: 1600 SW Salmon St, Portland, Oregon 97205

Event Time: 6:00pm - 8:30pm

Presentation Time: 6:00pm - 6:30pm

Student Achievement:

Eleanor V B - GOLD KEY Award for Poetry - Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

Her poem is below --

 Boxed-In Rain

At nighttime, I like to think

Of rabbit-raced brambles

And heated midday dirt.

Blueberries tarter than going a day

Without seeing you.

I bled till raw,

I picked it pink.

And it hurt, and it hurt.

But I forgave the things I went through.

If you don’t remember, you must forget

Unequivocal stares

And boxed-in rain.

Cross-stitched knuckles folded

Under covers,

Our secrets piled

Like dust.

Everything I don’t want is everything that does.

Back-seat stories,

Spoken ghosts I created.

Split in two if you must,

But please, speak the words as we did.

Then when my water begins to rust,

And like you I brave my fears

The dirt is hot, the berries bright,

And we don’t disappear. 

The Bridges to India / Hope Charities program is giving a presentation February 12^th  at 4:00 pm during which the students who participated in the 2011 India trip will be sharing their experiences.  Sophomores and juniors interesting in participating should attend the meeting.  Parents and students welcome. 

Massai Warrior and Elder Sabore Ole Oyie

will present to Riverdale High School Students

Friday, February 10, 2012

2:00 - 3:00 pm

Parents and community members are welcome to attend.  Space is limited, so please reply to Jody Haagenson, if you would like to attend.

 

Club News

Snowboarding

OISA Metro League Banked Slalom - 1/29

Riverdale Girls took two of the top three spots in the Individual Competition.  Taylor P-A took 1st and Elizabeth B - 2nd.

Riverdale Girls took First Place in the Team Competition

Riverdale Boys took 3rd Place in the Team Competition.  Will Fetig took 3rd in the Individual Competition

 

Riverdale Robotics – Keep up-to-date with all of the excitement by reading the Riverdale Robotics blog.

Important Dates:

Thu Feb. 9 - RHS Bella Voci Solo Night - 7:30 pm

Fri Feb 10 - RHS Winter Dance - 7:00 pm

Sun Feb 12 - Bridges to India Meeting - 4:00 pm

Wed Feb 15 - Regular School Board Meeting - 6:00 pm

Mon Feb 20 - Holiday - No School

Wed Feb 22 - Superintendent Community Briefing - 7:00 pm