March 11, 2011

FOOD SERVICE UPDATE

When students return from spring break on Monday, March 28th, a program will be in place to deliver pre-ordered lunches. Caterers delivering to the school are:
Monday: Amy Harper Catering   
Tuesday: Amy Harper Catering 
Wednesday: Pizza Schmizza (www.schmizza.com)   
Thursday: Smarter Sprout (www.smartersprout.com)  
Friday: Smarter Sprout

Ordering:
Since we are working with a number of different vendors we will now have to pre-order food for the next week. Orders for the next week will be handed out, completed, and returned during the first 5 minutes of 3rd period on Wednesdays. Students will be given their first menu/order-form tomorrow, Wednesday, March 9th at the beginning of their field studies meetings. If you would like school lunches to be provided the week after spring break please have your student turn in the order form before they leave for field studies.  Form

Payment:
Similar to our previous system you will need to pre-pay for lunch. All lunch options will now cost $5. If you are interested in setting up a lunch account to start the new trimester you will have to bring a check into the high school before Wednesday, March 16th. Each week when lunches are ordered money will be deducted from the student's account. With 51 days remaining in the school year, a student who plans to order lunch each day should place $255 in their account. You will be able to add money to your account during the trimester (with a minimum of $50 at a time), but we ask that you please drop off a check before Wednesday for the next week. Checks should be made out to Riverdale HS PTC Lunch.

ATTENTION SOPHOMORE PARENTS:

Catherine Kernodle cordially invites you to a brief information session about the second half of Sophomore English at 6pm on April 6^th. This information session will be an opportunity for parents to learn about the writing, reading and speaking learning goals of the course, the proficiency-based assessment for the course, and the Dystopian literature content of the course. Parents may also ask questions about the honors option at this meeting. 

SAVE THE DATE - Thursday, March 31st

Riverdale School District and Lewis and Clark College will be screening the movie

"Race to Nowhere".  The date is Thursday, March 31st from 7-9 pm at Lewis & Clark College. 

Ticket information will follow shortly.  Watch the trailer

Sports, Physics and More...

PARKING PLEA – Help Reduce Our Carbon Footprint

Districts around the county are striving to get students to school in the safest most economical way possible. Riverdale is no exception; therefore, we are encouraging your participation.  We ask that in-district students carpool or ride the neighborhood bus to school. This will reduce our carbon footprint, reduce congestion in our parking lot, and increase safety.  Additionally, when an out-of-district parent drives a student to school they make four (4) trips in the car, rather than two (2); this dramatically increases Riverdale’s carbon footprint.  We would value the opportunity to provide a parking space to drivers who travel several miles.

Riverdale is a community and we need to take care of each other as such.  We have already had a family volunteer their spot, and appreciate the effort.  We extend our sincere thanks for your help with this matter.

FIELD STUDIES 2011 

Teachers and students spent (collectively) over 30 hours this week to put together information for each Field studies experience. A team of students organized paperwork, stuffed envelopes (contents specific for each trip) and sent them through the stamp machine. When your letter arrives, please look over the contents carefully.

There are itineraries for all trips along with permission slips, packing lists and a baggage check sheet to sign for all overnight trips.  There is also a medication form for students needing any medication.

Some of you will have a payment request enclosed as well. 

If you did not receive a mailing by Monday, please contact the school.

(With special thanks to my mail team headed by my dedicated TA, JM!  Laurie LePore)

Food Service Update

A Food Service Task Force (made up of students, parents, teachers, and district staff) began the painstaking search to find a lunch solution when Four Seasons Flavor leaves after Spring break.  It has been amazing and inspiring to see the ideas flow in order to find a tasty, healthy and cost effective lunch solution.  The bottom line is that there will be lunch served, and it will be affordable and healthy. We are asking your patience during the transition period, as we look for a more permanent solution for next school year and beyond. This is an exciting time as the Healthy Active Schools Program at Riverdale (a grant funded project) will help to ensure that regionally grown food and Farm-to-School programs are included in the permanent food service program solution.

The dedicated task force has many ideas and possibilities on the table.  The next meeting is Monday, March 7th.  You will be informed as soon as the solution is determined.

RIVERDALE HIGH SCHOOL IN THE NEWS -  SENIOR EXHIBITION - CLICK HERE

GIRLS BASKETBALL

SATURDAY, MARCH 5TH AT 9:00 AM

RIVERDALE HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM WILL PLAY RIDDLE, TOMORROW AT THE PENDLETON CONVENTION CENTER

Riverdale came back after a loss to East Linn Christian yesterday to beat Enterprise today 46 to 29, and will play Riddle, Saturday March 5^th at 9:00 am.

Just in case you can’t make the trip, you can listen to the game on the live on the radio!  Yes, live coverage of the games.  In addition they will be recorded so you can fit them into your schedule.  So, if you have to stay here in Portland, Please tune it to hear the game!

OSAA RADIO NETWORK

SNOWBOARDING

Snowboarders are heading to State Competition at Mt. Hood Meadows

Wed, 3/9--courses are open for qualifiers to practice all day

Thurs, 3/10--Banked Slalom and Snowboard Cross

Fri, 3/11--Slopestyle

Sat, 3/12--Halfpipe and Awards ceremony

State Qualifiers:

Individual Banked Slalom: Quinn F, Chase F, Will F, Taylor P-A, Tiffany P, Evy B, Lucy P, and Jennie H.

Slopestyle: Will F, Taylor P-A, TIffany P, and as an alternate, Evy B.

Halfpipe: Evy B and Taylor P-A.

Congratulations to all of our qualifiers!!

RIVERDALE DOMINATES STATE BRIDGE BUILDING CONTEST FOR THE 

7th STRAIGHT YEAR!

 For the seventh year in a row, Riverdale High School students claimed the top team prize at the 42nd annual CH2M-Hill/Oregon State University's (OSU) College of Engineering model bridge contest.  Riverdale junior, Martha M and senior, Alex L F won first and second spots respectively, enabling them to travel to Chicago representing Oregon at the International Competition.  The contest takes place at the Illinois Institute of Technology on April 30^th.

The contest requires students to apply specific, changing physics principles to a real-life construction project. Model bridges are constructed of basswood according to strict size, height and weight specifications and are tested to failure.  Winners are those whose bridges have the highest efficiency rating.  Efficiency is determined by taking the mass the bridge held, and dividing it by the mass of the bridge.  This year out of the over 180 bridge entries tested, Riverdale students placed 1^st through 18^th, and had 28 of the top 29 efficiencies.  Martha M broke the regional record with an efficiency of 4898.3, senior Alex L F was second with 4835.6, and Mitch S was third with 4476.3.

Other top ten finishers for Riverdale

Other Physics News:

In addition, Jessica M has qualified for the semifinals in the North American Computation Linguistics Olympiad, which will be held March 10. This Olympiad is a contest in which high-school students solve linguistic puzzles. In solving the problems, students learn about the diversity and consistency of language, while exercising logic skills.

Dan S is a semifinalist for the 2011 US Physics Olympics Team.  The American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) announced the top students chosen to advance to the Semifinal round of U.S. Physics Team selection.  Approximately 3000 students participated in this first phase of the selection process.  From that phase, 300 top scorers on the first test advance to the Semifinal round of competition. 

Two teams from Riverdale have qualified for the semifinal round of the West Point Bridge Design competition (an online bridge design competition).  The top 40 teams in the country will compete in the semifinals.

RIVERDALE GRADE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ NIGHT - MARCH 7TH

Please note:  The date has changed for the Parent Information Night for Prospective Parents -- March 30th.

PTC Job shadow sign-ups are on Sunday at 5 PM in the Maverick room. They are open to all freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors. It will be first come, first served. We have job shadows for a day in/with:

• the hospitality industry
• artist
• photographers
• stockbroker
• engineer
• lawyer
• event planner
• software designer
• commercial construction
• veterinary dermatologist
• advertising
• social media or marketing
• molecular and medical genetics research
• grade school teachers
• principal

Don't miss out on this opportunity to get a glimpse at a job you may be interested in, and be sure to be there early! If you have any questions or if you are a parent interested in becoming a parent mentor, contact Rose Rooper at rmoneyrooper@comcast.net

For colleges, selecting a freshmen class is a lot like betting on horses. 

College Counseling

At the track, nobody really knows for sure which horse will ultimately win (we assume that's why it's called "gambling").  And no matter how successful you've been in high school, colleges know there are no guarantees you will keep being that same motivated, winning kid once you move into a dorm and experience life without your parents for the first time.  So colleges look a little deeper than grades and test scores before they decide where to place their bets, and here's one characteristic that always makes you a smart wager in their eyes. 

 "Passion"

Kids who have passion love what they do; they aren't just going through the motions to please colleges.  You can hear it in the poet's voice when she talks about how writing makes her feel and from the future scientist who took college classes over the summer because he had to know more about physics.  You can sense it from the student who volunteers at the vet because she loves animals, from the artist who loves to paint on the weekends, and from the water polo player who rides the bench but still loves being on the team.  

 These passionate students are the ones who are most likely to make an impact on their campuses in college.  They're good bets (Adapted from Kathy Wright Counselor).

February 25, 2011 - Saturday, February 26th -- Something for Everybody -- Science, Intrigue and Sports

THIS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26 HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

GIRLS BASKETBALL – SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26 - 3:00 pm - Riverdale vs. Monroe at Monroe High School

Riverdale Fan bus will be leaving at 12 pm from RHS.  Students will need a signed permission slip, and $4 entry fee to the game.  Adult admission is $6.  The game is scheduled to start at 3:00 pm, therefore the bus should be returning at about 7:00 pm give or take a half hour.  They may pick up a permission slip from Sam Ziff before the end of the day Friday, or parents can sign one with Laurie LePore prior to the bus leaving on Saturday.  All students must adhere to Riverdale’s student code of conduct, and school/league sportsmanship policy.  Any student found in violation of the policy may be removed from the contest and parents may be asked to pick-up student.  

MOCK TRIAL REGIONALS - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26 - AT THE MULTNOMAH COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT HOUSE - 1021 SW 4th Avenue, Portland

8:30 am - Orientation
9:00 am - Round 1
11:30 am - Round 2
2:00 pm - Round 3
4:15 pm - Announcement of Advancing Teams

Riverdale High School will send two teams (Riverdale Blue and Riverdale White) to compete in the Regional Mock Trial Competition.

Riverdale's teams are coached by humanities teacher, Jeff Brown, and volunteer attorney coaches:  Kohl Haver, Reb Babcock, Steve West, Marilyn Podemski, and David Degne.  In addition to the attorney coaches, we have Riverdale alums Jamie Babcock ’03 and Bonnie Degner ’06 coming back and helping out this year.  Both Jamie and Bonnie were in mock trial while students at Riverdale.  Jamie is now a practicing attorney and Bonnie was part of the mock trial team who won State in April 2005.

This year’s case is State of Oregon v. Willy Freeman. 

Frost is dead. She was a partner in a restaurant and was found frozen in the restaurant’s cooler. There was a history of gambling problems and outstanding loans.  Was it murder or just bad luck?

There are 17 teams competing - Franklin High School (2 - Gray EY, Maroon LD), Grant High School (2 - Blue AO, Grey MZ), Jefferson High School (PL), Jesuit High School (2 - Gold SL, Green VF)l, Lincoln High School (2 - Red Al, White OW), Parkrose High School (JM), Riverdale High School (2 - White IB, Blue ZM), Roosevelt High School (RI), St. Mary's Academy (2 - Blue BX, White WS) 

BRIDGE BUILDING – SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26 -  AT OSU CAMPUS – OWEN HALL

Oregon Regional Bridge Building Competition is tomorrow at Owen Hall on the OSU campus (1501 Campus Way).  Registration will be from 8-9am, and testing will begin at 9am, and run until all the bridges have been tested-- usually around 2:30-3pm. Fans are welcome!

WINTER SPORTS UPDATE:

SKIING

Riverdale Skiers had their final OISRA league ski race of the season on Saturday, February 19th at Ski Bowl East.  

Riverdale’s sole varsity girl skier, Sophomore Anna E. had the best race of her season, finishing 4th in the slalom race which moved her up to 8th place overall for the season in Slalom races.  This performance coupled with a 12th overall finish in Giant Slalom for the season secured her place in the top ten racers for the Three Rivers League.  Her performance in this last race also secured her the 5th individual qualifying spot in Slalom for the State races coming up in two weeks.  

Riverdale boy’s varsity racer Sam S. finished 19th overall for the combined season.  Racers compete in three races each for both Slalom and Giant Slalom.   His performance secured the 5th individual qualifying spot for state competition in both Giant Slalom and Slalom.  Freshman Colt M. and Gregory C. also competed this year allowing Riverdale to compete for team points as well as individual points by meeting the minimum of three racers. 

SWIMMING

Freshman Willa H made her mark at the State Swim Meet held at Mount Hood Community College last weekend, earning second place is the 200 Freestyle and sixth place in the 100 Freestyle.  The Maverick's sent six swimmers to the State Swim Meet, including Willa H, Megan G, Devin P, Maya H, Carly B, and Andrew P.  These athletes, and their team mates, are already looking forward to next year.  Riverdale Swimming definitely grabbed the attention of competitors this season, when Riverdale athletes shattered records and posted many personal best times.  To declare your interest in joining next year's team, contact Mrs. Denise Gooding at dtgooding@comcast.net

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Winter formal: Feb 25, 7-10pm RHS
• Mock Trial in Portland
• Bridge Building Competition at OSU
• Girls Basketball playoffs at Monroe, 3pm Feb 26
• First day of spring sports, Feb 28
• Winter Party featuring “Hit Explosion” Feb 26, Left Bank Annex
• Winter term concert: March 1, 7pm, Maverick Rm
• HS PTC General meeting: March 2, 6:30p, Maverick Rm
• Scrip orders due: March 2
• Rustic pathways at RHS, Mar 3, 12:15-2:15, college rm
• Cabaret at RGS, March 3, 4, 5
• Ski bus make up day: March 5
• Job shadow information meeting: March 6, 5-6pm, Maverick room

LOOKING AHEAD:

• Jazz concert: March 7, 7pm Maverick rm
• HS prospective parent information night March 9, 7pm, Maverick Rm
• Teacher work day, no school k-12, March 11
• Regular school board meeting March 14, 6pm, GS library
• Field studies: March 14-18
• Spring break: March 21-25
• Salon: Islam for Americans 101, March 30

 

 

February 18, 2011

HISTORY IN THE MAKING!

Support our Girls Maverick Basketball Team!

With the win last night, the Mavericks advanced to play Portland Christian tomorrow.

Saturday, February 19th 

5:30 pm 

Scappoose High School 

for the NW League Championship.
Directions - click on Scappoose; or take the fan bus.

4:15 pm - FAN BUS DEPARTS FROM RHS - STUDENTS & ADULTS/PARENTS WELCOME

COST: $6/ADULT and $3/STUDENTS

Requirement for students: Students must have permission slips signed to get on the bus.  For those of you that did not pick one up at school, Kate Logan will have permission slips with her at the Fan Bus.  Parents can fill them out and sign them at that time.  Thank you for signing off on your daughters/sons permission slips.

JOIN THE STAMPEDE!
 We look forward to seeing students & parents fill the stands tomorrow.

SAVE THE DATE - STATE PLAYOFFS FIRST GAME SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2011

Following the League Tournament, RHS will play in the first round of the State playoffs, Saturday, February 26.  Their opponent and location is yet to be determined.  Stay tuned for updates of this historical event!

SWIMMING

Record Breaking Mavericks!

Six Riverdale High School swimmers are preparing to compete at the State meet at Mount Hood Community College February 18th and 19th.  The meet will feature Oregon's fastest high school swimmers, including Riverdale's Willa H, Megan G, Devin P, Maya H, Carly B, and Andrew P.  The depth of talent in our community was revealed at last week's District 2 Championship Meet, where there were TEN top five finishes, TWO broken records, and many personal best times posted by Riverdale swimmers.  

Congratulations, you are putting us on the map!

You Can Help with The Annual RHS Book Swap

It is not too early to help the RHS Library Book Swap, which happens May 25-27, 2011.  The sale is the official kick-off for Summer Reading, so we every year we hope that our families will help us to make it a success by sharing their no-longer-needed titles.

Here is how it works:

1. You and your family clean your bookshelves with the book swap in mind.  We need clean, appropriate hardbacks, paperbacks, cds, talking books, and dvds.  Popular sections include:  adult and Young Adult fiction, mysteries, historical fiction, sci-fi, graphic novels, non-fiction such as history, current events, cookbooks, travel, art, pets, psychology, sports, essays, philosophy, biography, etc.
2. Bring in your books and other items (starting now) in a bag or box that is clearly marked with your name. 
3. We give you credit that can be used at the sale.  3 books (or cd/dvd)= 1 book point.  So, for example, when you donate 12 items, you earn enough points to pick out 4 books/cds/dvds at the sale.  The more you bring in, the better the choices for everyone.
4. On the first day of the sale, only those who donated items are allowed to select items.  If you run out of points, you may purchase a title for $.50 for paperback, $1 for hardback/cd/dvd.  On the second and third days, everyone is welcome and all titles will for available for sale at these great prices.

This sale is not designed to raise money, but we sometimes make enough to purchase a nice assortment of popular paperbacks to loan for Summer Reading. 

Questions or comments to Kate Loggan, kloggan@riverdale.k12.or.us or 503.262.4844.

Save the Date  - Tuesday, March 1st – Winter Concert at 7:00 pm in the Maverick Room

Truly- this is the RHS concert you don't want to miss!

The theme of choral portion of the concert is "the power of one"- and within each song is the message that even one can make a difference - combined we can be powerful.

The concert features two brand new ensembles at RHS:  The Advanced Concert Choir and the Women's Chorus. 

Literature ranges from a South African trilogy and a Hebrew prayer for peace to uplifting pop and gospel songs like Eric Clapton's "Change the World" and "Electricity" from Billy Elliot, the Musical. There is even the hit song "Keep Holdin' On" as featured on Glee. Within all of these crowd-pleasers are numerous featured solos - so it is a chance to really see a number of our talented vocalists shine.

The newly formed Advanced Instrumental Projects Class will also perform; presenting a number of original and reworked jazz, pop and classical songs. The majority of the pieces to be performed by this class are written/ arranged by the students-and the level of musicianship here is stunning.

IMPORTANT EVENTS:

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21 – NO SCHOOL – PRESIDENT’S DAY

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25 – HS WINTER FORMAL – 7:00 PM IN THE MAVERICK ROOM

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26 - PTC WINTER FUNDRAISER "HIT EXPLOSION"

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25 - THURSDAY, MARCH 3 –SENIOR EXHIBITIONS - Senior Exhibition Schedule

 

February 16, 2011

February 11, 2011

Junior Parent Night
College Application Process
(All RHS Parents Welcome)

Wednesday, February 16, 2011 – 7:00 -9:00 pm - Maverick Room

Junior Parent Night is an evening for any parent interested in the college application process.  Junior parents are strongly encouraged to attend, but all grade level parents are welcome.  Pat Dannen and Michael Murray will explain what Riverdale does to support college admissions.  Also presenting will be Teresa Salinas, Outreach and Orientation Coordinator at Portland Community College; Melissa Trifiletti, Director of New Student Programs at Portland State University; Jim Sumner, Dean of Admission at Lewis and Clark College and Linda West, an experienced parent.   

WINTER SPORTS UPDATE

SNOWBOARDING – “RIVERDALE SNOWBOARDERS SEE VERY STRONG EARLY RESULTS” – LO REVIEW, Thursday, February 11, 2011

This year the Snowboarding Team is doing quite well, and we are very proud of our kids.  

There have only been three competitions to date, and Riverdale has scored in the top three in all three competitions.  

SWIMMING

Riverdale’s Swim Team (in its first year) heads to Districts this weekend.

Riverdale's first year of competitive swimming has been a huge success. The team has competed against mostly 5A schools, and with only 14 athletes Riverdale typically is the top team at the touch. 
The team looks to add more swimmers next year; with only three graduating seniors things are looking great for Riverdale swimming. 

The team has done an incredible job this inaugural year.  They practice 7-8:15am – (YES; A.M.!!) -- four mornings a week; their dedication is admirable---their improvement inspiring!

BASKETBALL

The Riverdale Boys and Girls Basketball teams play their final regular season games tomorrow at RHS gym vs. Delphian Dragons.

BOYS JV AT 1:00 PM

GIRLS V AT 2:30 PM

BOYS V AT 4:00 PM

With a win, the Girls team will clinch at least a share of their first ever Northwest League title, as they currently sit at 13-2 in league play.  The Boys program (7-9 in league), following a strong second half surge, has climbed into a three way tie for the last play-off spot, and need a victory to ensure their place in the Northwest League tournament next week. 

In addition to all of the great basketball being played, we will also be honoring all winter sport senior athletes and their parents for their continued dedication to the Riverdale Athletic Program just prior to the Boys Varsity tip off at 4:00 pm.  

Please be sure to come out and support our teams as they continue their quest for their state playoff berths.

MOCK TRIAL

The Mock Trial Regional Competition is quickly approaching. 

Riverdale High School will send two teams (Riverdale Blue and Riverdale White) to compete in the Regional Mock Trial Competition:

Saturday, February 26, 2011 at the Multnomah County Circuit Court House.

Riverdale's teams are coached by humanities teacher, Jeff Brown, and volunteer attorney coaches:  Kohl Haver, Reb Babcock, Steve West, Marilyn Podemski, and David Degne.  In addition to the attorney coaches, we have Riverdale alums Jamie Babcock ’03 and Bonnie Degner ’06 coming back and helping out this year.  Both Jamie and Bonnie were in mock trial while students at Riverdale.  Jamie is now a practicing attorney and Bonnie was part of the mock trial team who won State in April 2005.

This year’s case is State of Oregon v. Willy Freeman. 
Frost is dead. She was a partner in a restaurant and was found frozen in the restaurant’s cooler. There was a history of gambling problems and outstanding loans.  Was it murder or just bad luck?

The Oregon Mock Trial Program is run by the Classroom Law Project (CLP), a nonprofit organization comprised of educators, lawyers and civic leaders. CLP helps students at all levels learn to be informed and active citizens who can foster, sustain and preserve a free democratic society.

MOCK ON!!

http://www.classroomlaw.org/homepage/mock-trial-regions-2011/#multnomah

SENIOR PANELS

You are invited to attend as many presentations as you wish.  Click on the link below for the presentation schedule --  look to find students or topics you wish to see and learn from.  This is an exciting time for seniors, but also an important time for our school.  The presentations show the accomplishments of our seniors and help educate the student body, staff, and interested adults on a wide range of issues.

Senior Exhibition Schedule

Dan S., Junior, earned ALL STAR status at the Bonneville Power Administration's Regional Science Bowl Competition held at the University of Portland on February 4, 2011.  Sixty-four teams from Oregon and Southwest Washington compete yearly, and DA has been on the Riverdale Team since middle school.  This prestigious award goes to the top 8 players of the day.  Congratulations to Dan, who competed against over 280 other science loving students.

Jakob W., Senior, awarded the 2011 EAGLE SCOUT SCHOLARSHIP at the Excellence in Leadership Conference, February 11, 2011, Portland, Oregon.

This scholarship is awarded to the best of the best in the Cascade Pacific Council which encompasses all of NW Oregon and SW Washington. The minimum qualification criteria includes:

• Attaining the Eagle Scout rank
• Current HS Senior with GPA 3.0 (Jakob's 4.3 GPA qualified)
• Essay discussing what has influenced your life and character
• A review of his completed Eagle Service Project
• Letters of reference
• Discussion of Leadership positions held in and out of the Scouting program
• List of extra-curricular activities related to school & religion
• List of other community services performed

My how time flies when you're having a good time, it's February!

Assessments for sophomores

February 7, 8 & 9 our students will be provided the State Writing Assessment and February 10 & 11 they will be provided the State Reading Assessment.  Be sure your sons and daughters get restful night’s sleep during the week.

Poetry Out Loud

Riverdale High School is participating in "Poetry Out Loud" - The National Recitation Contest. Approximately 125 students participated (freshman & sophomores) through their classes and 22 students as contestants.

Poetry Out Loud uses a pyramid structure that begins at the classroom level. Winners advance to a school-wide competition, then to a regional and/or state competition, and ultimately to the National Finals.  To learn more about poetry out loud click here.

On January 21st , Riverdale held its first school-wide competition.  All 22 student contestants were incredible -- there was one winner - sophomore, Frankie W.   Frankie W will be heading to Salem for the statewide competition on March 12th.  Frankie will prepare three poems (including the poem she recited at the competition, "For the Young Who Want To" by Marge Piercy).  Please note that students, staff and parents are welcome to attend the State competition.  Admission is free.

Scholastic Art Awards

The Scholastic Art Awards of Oregon is a statewide regional affiliation of the national Scholastic Art Awards program, which offers early recognition of creative teenagers and scholarship opportunities for graduating high school seniors.  

Several Riverdale High School students have been recognized this year:

Eleanor V B "Landscape #1" in Charcoal - Gold Key Award

Annie E "Portland, Oregon" - Gold Key Award and "Annie (Self Portrait)" in charcoal - Honorable Mention

Evy B "The Mixed Up Giraffe" in acrylic- Honorable Mention

Chloe L "Self Portrait" in charcoal - Silver Key Award and "Woven Together" Watercolor - Silver Key Award

Basketball

Come Support the Maverick Hoops Program

Saturday, February 5th in the RHS Gym

4:30 pm - HS Boys JV Basketball vs. Portland Christian

6:00 pm - HS Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Portland Christian

7:30 pm - HS Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Portland Christian

The girls varsity team will be battling to hold onto sole possession of first place, and move one step closer to their first ever Northwest League title as the 11-1 Mavericks take on the 10-2 Royals.  Don't miss the game.

The boys varsity team is looking to keep their district playoff hopes alive as both Portland Christian and Riverdale are tied in league standings and both teams are looking to claw their way back into playoff contention.  It promises to be a great night of basketball action with the RHS Boys JV.

Join the Stampede!

Food Service Task Force

A food service task force had their first meeting this week.  Surveys from the students, staffs and parents were reviewed.  A list of priorities was gleaned and serves as foundation for their work.  It is clear that this community desires options for the students that are healthy and accessible. 

The task force consists of Grade School and High School parents, students, staff and administration.  Our first charge is to find a solution for the High School after Spring Break.  The second charge is to determine a solution for both the High School and the Grade School for the 2011-12 school year. 

Thanks to everyone who completed a survey.  If you have input you were unable to provide, please forward your thoughts to your principal via email.

Musical Task Force

Volunteers have been solicited for the musical task force.  We have not yet met.  Our charge will be to research and acquire a venue for our show next year and to discuss the theater program for the High School.  Please let me know if you are interested in contributing to this effort.

Field Studies

Our Field Studies experiences are just a bit more than a month away.  If your child is going to Wild Horse Canyon for the week, they need a Consent Form filled out.  These were mailed in December and a second one was filed in the schedule boxes, along with any outstanding balance, during conferences.  Your student will be bringing home a form if you did not pick up the one in the folder last week; these will be passed out during our next Field Studies meeting on Wednesday. Please take the time to fill this out and return it to the front office. 

P.S. Thanks to the staff who plan this experience, and plan to make this week a wonderful experience for all.  Your extra time and thoughtfulness are truly appreciated.

Juniors Zoo Trip

Juniors have enjoyed pen paling with their grade school buddies this term and enjoyed today's trip to the Oregon Zoo.  Over 140 Riverdale Community members participate in this annual event.  Thanks to the staff and parents who make this happen.  Thanks to the 1st, 4th, and 11th grade students who make it so sweet.   

H2O Class Update

Congratulations to the H2O class for reaching their goal.  $5000.00+ was raised to support H2O for Life and bring a clean and constant water supply to Ruhaama Primary School in Uganda.  This is our fourth school in only two years!  Thanks to all of you who bought Krispy Kreme-O-Grams, Giant microbes, and our various clothing items.   

Science Bowl

On Saturday, five Mavericks will be spending the day at the University of Portland surrounded by their fellow science loving peers from all over Oregon and Southwest Washington.  Good luck Science Bowlers!  This is our 13th year of competition.  Let the games begin.