Dear Rivermont Community:
Professional development is an important facet of Rivermont's commitment to lifelong learning. Our students, however, are not the only learners. Our faculty, administrators and trustees also take on this commitment. The Independent Schools Association of the Central States, ISACS provides valuable professional development opportunities to Rivermont in addition to accreditation services. Each year ISACS sponsors a conference for teachers and administrators where ideas, best practices, opportunities and challenges are shared. This is especially beneficial since the participating schools are like Rivermont -- independent, private schools. This year's conference theme is Innovation: Thinking Outside the Box and features a keynote from Guy Kawasaki, formerly from Apple, co-founder of Alltop.com and founding partner of Garage Technology Ventures and author of nine books, his newest being Enchantment: The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds, and Actions, was released in March 2011. Also presenting is Jane McGonigal, PhD, a world-renowned designer of alternate reality games - or, games that are designed to improve real lives and solve real problems. Gaming might seem contradictory to the intellectual pursuits of a college prep environment but Dr. McGonagal reminded us that the opposite of play is not work, it is depression. She then proceeded to share some attitude altering insights.
This year, Becca Ashby, Colleen McCarty, Carrie Skillin and Kathy Topalian have joined me in attending this 2-day conference in Detroit. In addition to the two keynote speakers mentioned several other featured speakers and leaders in independent school education are presenting sessions relevant to all aspects of school. We have already learned much and we still have another full day to go. We all look forward to returning to Rivermont with some fresh ideas and perspectives.
Last week I shared a list of activities on campus and incorrectly listed the matinee of the Upper School play. That performance will be Saturday, tomorrow, at 1:30 PM with an evening performance at 7:00 PM.
Here is the list once again with the correction.
- Friday, November 4 - Murder by the Book - US Fall Play set in our own Mansion, 7:00 PM
- Saturday, November 5 - Murder by the Book - 1:30 PM and 7:00 PM performances
- Monday, November 7 - Fall Sports Night, 6:30 PM in the Cafeteria
- November 7-18 - Iowa Assessments for Grades 2-8 (formerly ITBS) - Get a good night's sleep and eat a healthy breakfast!
- Tuesday, November 8 - First Middle School Boys Basketball game of season (Away)
- Wednesday, November 9 - Parents Council Meeting, 8:30 AM in the Cafeteria
- Wednesday, November 9 - FAFSA Workshop for Senior parents and open to the public, 7:00 PM
- Thursday, November 10 - Student Hunger Drive Loading Day and Finale Rally at RiverBend FoodBank
- Friday, November 11 - Veterans Day Assembly
- Saturday, November 12 - BEST and SSAT exams given at Rivermont
- Wednesday, November 16 - QC Arts, Jon Faddis Assembly
- Thursday, November 17 - Public Open House, 6:00-8:00 PM - Invite your friends & colleagues
- Monday, November 21 - Rivermont performance at Festival of Trees, 2:00-4:00 PM RiverCenter. Continue the fun with Rivermont Family Dinner Night at Chick-fil-A on 53rd Street/Elmore in Davenport
- Tuesday, November 22 - First Home game for Middle School Boys Basketball, 4:30 PM vs. Morning Star
- Tuesday, November 22 - 6:00 PM Alumni Volleyball & 7:00 PM Basketball Game Night
- Wednesday, November 23 - Grandparents & Special Friends Day, Assembly at 10:30 AM
- Wednesday, November 30 - First Varsity Boys Basketball Game of Season vs. Scattergood Friends, 6:30 PM (Home)
- Thursday, December 8 - Winter Concert, 7:00 PM in the Auditorium
- Saturday, December 10 - Holiday Mansion Open House, 4:00-7:00 PM
- Wednesday, December 14 - Early School Winter Program, 10:45 AM in the Auditorium
- December 14-16 - Upper School Semester Exam Days
- Thursday, December 15 - Public Open House, 6:00-8:00 PM - Invite your friends & colleagues
- Friday, December 16 - December Break begin at 3:30 PM Dismissal
- See you back on Monday, January 2, 2012!
