April 27th - Important Information

Prom is Saturday 8-11 Saturday April 28, 2012

Rachael’s Challenge:

Dear Parents and Community Members,

The Riverdale School District is bringing one of the most inspirational and life altering

Programs in the nation to our students next week. It’s called Rachel’s Challenge.

Rachel Scott was the first person killed at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999.

Her acts of kindness and compassion coupled with the contents of her six diaries have

Become the foundation for one of the most life-changing school programs in America.

Powerful AND age-appropriate video/audio footage of Rachel’s life and the Columbine

Tragedy holds students spell-bound during a one-hour school presentation that

Motivates them to positive change in the way they treat others.

The assembly creates the “want to” or desire to make positive changes. The

Assembly is followed by a separate interactive 90-minute training session with adults

And student leaders to sustain the momentum created by this assembly.

The evening speaker conducts a powerful session with parents and community leaders.

It is similar to the day program and challenges all of us to help reinforce positive

Decisions our youth are making.

Positive words, attitudes, and actions.

It’s that simple.

Please go to: http://www.rachelschallenge.org/LearnMore/WhatIsRC.php for more

information.

Please be sure to attend this highly acclaimed, impactful program

Wednesday, May 2nd at  7:00 pm 

at the Riverdale Grade School Gym

Friends of Rachael (FOR) Clubs Training:

Some of you may have heard about the students who will be provided the opportunity to be Advisory leaders for the Friends of Rachael (FOR) clubs.  A group of 100 students will be receiving training on May 2nd.  I am writing to share that the process of selection was a lottery.  Included in the training are Riverdale Grade School students as well.   Everyone could not be included.  Our intent was not to exclude anyone.

Senior Parents:

As we are fast approaching the end of the school year, this is a message and reminder from the registrar:

Your senior very soon will be walking across the graduation stage and the RHS staff will be sad to see them leave, but also very happy for the new ventures that will be coming their way.

Before graduation can happen for each senior, the following must be completed:

1.  Complete and send in the order form for rental of caps and gowns. (ASAP)

2.  Have all service learning hours documented (total of 90 hours before graduation).

3.  All work turned into teachers and graded.

4.  All textbooks, and library books turned in by Friday, June 8th.  If the books are not turned in, the cost of the book must be paid in full.

5.  All other outstanding fees including transcript fees, sports fees, field studies fees, replacement costs for sports uniforms, and Xpress Catering

     Outstanding lunch monies.   (Transcript fee totals can be found in your Naviance account.) 

6.  Tuition (if applicable) paid in full.

Seniors will be given a senior check list next week.  Please help your student to complete this form so they may participate in the graduation ceremony.

Thank you for your prompt attention so that you and your student may enjoy the graduation events.

Sue Teeter

Junior Parent Night - Drug and Alcohol Use

At the Junior Parent Night the subject of drug and alcohol use was raised.  There is an impression, among students and some parents, that there is a "significant" amount of marijuana use at the school right now, as well as drinking.  Michael Murray cautioned us to not overreact, citing research that suggests how students can overestimate the amount of use in their school.  At the same time, he encouraged parents to be cautious and observant.   The school's role is to keep a clean environment in the building and to report any health related concerns to parents.  

DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE IN HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTATION – STUDENTS AND PARENTS with Dr. Alexander Stevens, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at the Oregon Health Sciences University

STUDENT PRESENTATION – May 4^th – 10:00 – 11:00 am

PARENT GATHERING – Tuesday, May 8^th at 7:00pm

The Parent gathering will include helpful strategies about discussing the topic with students at home.

Students report that they don't know enough about the physical and psychological impact of drugs (especially marijuana) and alcohol.  Since the consequences of drug and alcohol use are not immediate and dramatic, it is easy for students to be in denial about their seriousness.  To address this set of problems, we have invited Dr. Alexander Stevens to speak with students and with parents.  He is an Assistant Professor in the departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at the Oregon Health Sciences University, and will be speaking with students on Friday, May 4th from 10-11am, and with parents on Tuesday, May 8 at 7am. 

Sophomore and Junior Parent Nights Recap, April 17 & 18, 2012:

The evenings began with an update about the work District staff are accomplishing.  The following is a brief description of what was shared.

The High School has a team working together to analyze our current schedule and several other possibilities.  We are considering the following, what schedule is best for our students (weighing benefit), what schedule is the most cost effective and efficient, and what schedule provides optimum teacher to student instructional time.  Serving on the team are four parents, three teachers, a student, the registrar and myself.  Updates are forthcoming.

The State has provided schools with adjustments and changes in laws and instructional requirements.  In order to be ahead of the game, we are in discussion about ways to improve opportunities for students.  Conversations have included brief discussions about implementing International Baccalaureate, Advanced placement and dual credit (high school/college) courses.  No decisions have been made, we are in the research phase, your input is welcomed.

Our District has completed a required project --  development of the Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP).  All districts in Oregon are required to annually develop CIP; our CIP was completed and the School Board approved the plan.  Schools are required to build a School Improvement Plan (SIP).  This plan is to be drafted using the CIP as a springboard.  Through the Site Council (a team of four students, four parents, two teachers, one classified and one administrator) our SIP had been drafted and presented to the School Board.  Our SIP focuses on improving student achievement for all students.

The District is in the final stages of drafting the District Literacy Plan; this K-12 plan focuses on reading across the district.  You will hear more as the plan will be posted publicly.

Student messages:

The Congo Rescue Mission is an organization committed to helping the people of the Congo, starting with the youth, to build better lives for themselves using the game of soccer as the foundation for the teaching of basic life skills and lessons.  The founder is Riverdale High School JV soccer coach, Marcel Mubikayi, a native Congolese motivated to create change in a poverty struck country. Soccer is the most popular game in the world and it offers many life lessons that help shape not only soccer players but good individuals. Simply stated, our goal is to improve the quality of lives of the people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo...one soccer player at a time!  Right now, the organization is gathering old soccer equipment to send to the Congo.  We plan to host tournaments, donate equipment such as balls, cleats, clothing, etc, and bring the love of the game across the world to the Congolese youth.  If you would like to donate equipment or money to help raise funds to help this organization the please visithttp://www.congorescuemission.org/.
Thank You,
Sevan D and Ben F

District Art Show

The show included over 864 pieces of art, and featured 47 performers.  In addition, 20 seniors showcased their visual and performing arts (one-third of the class!).  Thank you to our students, parents and Riverdale Teachers - David Schell (RHS), Nancy Helmsworth (RGS), Michelle Horgen (RHS), and Molly Scholz (RGS).

Spring is Here - April 11, 2012

Highlights from Freshman Parent Night

Ninth graders were asked to write down what their personal issues were; they are concerned about:

• How to navigate "cliques"

• Michael has worked with the class on the topic of "cliques", what they have learned at Wildhorse and the anxiety they experience about the social ladder. Our goal is to break down this way of thinking. It is good for you to have a conversation at home about "inclusion/exclusion of others".

• How to navigate "partying"

• How to navigate the "pressure to be super student"

• Our students are worried about, "am I going to please my parents"?

• It is not too soon to plan college resume so-to-speak. Summer opportunities are really an extension of school. They can add to student credentials. It is important to thoughtfully design in collaboration with your child a meaningful summer opportunity. Mr. Murray has plenty of suggestions if you need assistance. It is the resume building they need and a way to be engaged during summer in a fruitful manner.

Field Studies Highlights -- RHS week-long field studies gives students and teachers the chance to use their knowledge in real-world, experiential settings.  This year field studies experiences included Wildhorse, Drama at Wildhorse, Wildhorse Kitchen Crew, Facilities Crew, Movie making, Summer lake, Cadet Teaching and Ashland.  Here are a few personal insights...

Cadet Teaching --During the week prior to Spring Break seven RHS students descended upon the grade school to find out what it means to be a teacher.  They assisted with everything from working with small groups of students in literacy to teaching Spanish lessons to giving break-dancing instruction.  Rumor has it that even Mr. Patterson gave the break-dancing a shot!

My experience was amazing! I was at the grade school teaching dance to all grades all week long and each class was unique. Not once did I encounter the same thing twice. They all learned at different paces and they all learned different levels. I had to learn to adapt to each age and class so that they could be challenged but not get overwhelmed. It was such a great and fun experience! Chad N

Wildhorse - Before Wildhorse, a social hierarchy was present in the freshman class.  We were so afraid to escape the comfort of our friend circles and learn about others in our grade, so instead, we judged those we didn't know on the basis or rumor and gossip.  Wildhorse left our social hierarchy in ruins, and pushed everyone to explore friendships in the most unlikely of places, and appreciate old friendships with new gratitude and genuineness.  Sophie H

Summer Lake
One of the many perks of going to a small school like Riverdale, is having the opportunity each year to leave the classroom setting for a week and learn in the most natural environment of them all, nature. Since second grade I have been on field studies all over the Northwest. I have hiked the Ape Caves on Mount St. Helens, explored vacant Rajneeshee Villages in Antelope, Oregon, and most recently spent a week camping and hiking in Summer Lake. Field Studies are not only a great time to learn outside the traditional classroom setting, but they are the time when the community, that Riverdale thrives to have, develops. There is some inevitable bonding that happens when 28 students, teachers, parents, and a bus driver spend a week in a small ranch house with only each other as our source of entertainment. Whether we were soaking in the hot springs, playing a card game, or making music, building a sense of community was apparent.

Along with the student-student community that builds during Field Studies, the teacher-student dynamic changes. I have been at Riverdale for the past 12 years, because of that, my expectations in education are that teachers have more than just a teaching role in students lives. While in Summer Lake, Mr. Preacher nerded out and shared his love of rocks and geology and Ms. Cassell shared her passion for cooking. As students we have always heard that they liked rocks and food but getting to see this in action was mind-blowing. We have phenomenal teachers at Riverdale and Field Studies is another opportunity for us to see that.

Field studies is a vital week in the overall Riverdale experience. The inevitable community building and application of classroom learned knowledge is what makes this week so important. Jessica H

While at Summer Lake you are conquering windswept mountains, visiting a part of Oregon you've never seen before, playing music with classmates, eating great food, observing the Milky Way, talkin' geology with Papa Bear Preacher, enduring the elements with your best friend, and having one of the best weeks of your life . And after all of that you get to soak in the hot springs. What's not to like? Evan M

Ashland - I had a really great time in Ashland.  We saw two great plays:  The White Snake and Animal Crackers.  Both of them kept my interest until the end.  The other part that was really fun was hanging out with my friends – without them it would have been no fun at all.

Josh I

RHS 11th Grade Parents - ACT - Tuesday, April 24th

The test will take place during the school day at Riverdale High School beginning promptly at 9:00.  We will ask that students arrive between 8:30 and 8:45 on that day so that they can be seated and ready to begin on time.  We will register the students here at school.  I will be going into classrooms to talk to the students about the exam and at that time I will give them an information booklet.  In the meantime, I strongly encourage you to have your child go to the ACT website and look at some of the Test Prep information provided.  They should try some of the sample questions to get a feel for what the test will be like:

http://www.actstudent.org/testprep/index.html

They should bring Number 2 pencils and an approved calculator.  http://www.actstudent.org/faq/answers/calculator.html

Donors Resource Project - New Riverdale Interns Make their Appearance on the Blog - Check it Out

Riverdale High School students to take on leadership roles from marketing and development to social media and program coordination. They operate our nonprofit, gain real time experience, while serving an unmet need, making a positive change in our community in a way that only youth can.

"Starry Starry Night" Prom - Wednesday, April 28th:

Prom is coming up! This year, Mrs. LePore’s H2O class is hosting prom, and

all funds made by the dance will be used to revamp the water systems at the

Ithithanam Higher Secondary School in Kerala, India and to bring water to the

Oldonyo Orasha community in Kenya. The dance will be held on April 28th at the

Ecotrust Building in the Pearl District. Tickets are being pre-sold for $25, and $30

at the door. We encourage all students to come and participate, whether they have

a date or not. Students are welcome to bring a guest from another school, but must

have a dance pass for their guest in to Sam Ziff at the front desk by Wednesday April

25th. It will be a fun “Starry Starry Night” for all, and we hope to see you there!

District Arts Show - April 25th

Rachel's Challenge - May 2nd

All Riverdale students, staff and administration will participate in a dynamic anti-bullying program on May 2nd with three assemblies (K-5th, 6th-8th, and High School), each specifically designed with age appropriate messages to motive students to take initiative to be caring and thoughtful in their interactions. The program also includes an interactive training session involving both adult and 100 student leaders. The training demonstrates ways to sustain the positive momentum created by the student assemblies.

During the evening event, the certified Rachel’s Challenge speaker will conduct a powerful session with parents and community members. The dynamic evening presentation ends with a specific challenge to parents and to community members showing them how they can reinforce the decisions our youth make daily. All Riverdale staff, students, parents and community members are invited to learn how they can help contribute to a healthier, safe neighborhood and school climate for all our children.

Please join us — it will change the way you think of community and bullying forever!

If you would like to learn more, click here the for Rachel's Challenge Intro Video

Parent/Teacher Conferences – April 26th and 27th
Call Now to Sign Up. 503-262-4844
April 26th: 8:30am – 12:30pm, 1:00pm – 5:00pm, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
April 27th: 8:30am – 12:30pm

Important Dates to Remember

April 16 - Regular School Board Meeting - Grade School Library - 6-8pm

April 17 - Sophomore Parent Info Night - High School Library - 7-8:30 pm

April 18 - Junior Parent Info Night - High School Library - 7-8:30 pm

April 24 - ACT Testing at RHS

April 25 - District Arts Night - Riverdale High School - 6:00 - 8:00 pm
April 28 - "Starry Starry Night" Prom - Ecotrust Building 7:00 - 10:00 pm

May 2 - Rachel's Challenge - Riverdale Grade School Gym - 7:00 pm

May 17 - New Student Forecasting Night - Maverick Room - 7:00 pm


High School Accolades (just to name a few)
Chess 3rd Place overall team finish at Regionals - Dmitri M and John N
Chess 1st Place Finish High School Division - Dmitri M
Bridge Building top 2 state finishers will travel to Las Vegas on May 5th - Mitch S, and Bret L
Basketball Top 8 Finish State Girls Basketball
Skiing State Qualifiers - Sam S and Anna E
Swimming State Qualifers - Meghan G, Andrew P, Garen M, Wila H

Snowboarding

Riverdale High School girls snowboarding team captured the 2012 Oregon Interscholastic Snowboarding Association (OISA) State Snowboard Championship — the Sato Cup — March 17. This is Riverdale’s first state championship and the first time (in memorable history) that a Metro League team has won this trophy. Riverdale High School, a 2A school competed against mostly 6A teams from across the State.

This was a great season for Riverdale’s snowboarding team with nine students qualifying for the State Championships at Mt. Bachelor this year. The nine qualifiers were Chase F, Will F, Colton S, Henry L, Tiffany P, Evy B, Lucy P, Taylor P-A and Ellie B.

Chad N (RHS student and cadet teacher) won the "Who's That Guy" award which is given to a male dancer at the ADA (American Dance Awards) Competition that stood out to the Special Awards Judge. To stand out you need to be a good performer and get the crowd into it. As well as never losing energy in your performance. Essentially it is the "Male Dancer of the Year".