We are excited to share that 5 Rivermont students placed in the 2015 Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program Art Contest
sponsored by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The competition was fierce with 529 entries from across Iowa.

CONGRATULATIONS TO:

Michal Porubcin: First Place, Grade Group 10-12 (12th Grader)

Alexander Xiao: Third Place, Grade Group 4-6 (6th Grader)

Eve Strasser: Honorable Mention, Grade Group 4-6 (7th Grader)

Angela Jones: Honorable Mention, Grade Group 4-6 (6th Grader)

Sarah McVey: Honorable Mention, Grade Group 4-6 (6th Grader)

More information about the contest:  http://www.fws.gov/juniorduck/2014jdspbrochuresdffinal-small.pdf

Rivermont Collegiate is the Quad Cities' only Private College Prep School for PreSchool through 12th Grade.
For more information visit www.rivermontcollegiate.org or call 563-359-1366.

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Are Cultural Misinterpretations A Root Cause For
Disproportionate Discipline Of African-American Students?

Numerous studies have revealed that African-American students are more likely than their white peers to face referrals to the office, suspension, expulsion or other forms of discipline at school.

But it doesn't have to be that way, says Renae Azziz, founder and director of Virtuoso Education Consulting (www.virtuosoed.com), which provides professional development training to teachers and school district leaders.

Azziz, a school psychologist who helps districts across the nation resolve disproportionality in discipline, says in many cases it's a clash of cultures, and not necessarily racism, that leads to disproportionate punishment for minority students.

"Teachers need to understand that sometimes what they see as misbehavior is not viewed the same way by African-American students," Azziz says. "It's just that in these cases the educators come from different cultures than their students. The teachers need to increase their knowledge about those differences and improve their skills for handling the situations."

Azziz says there are a number of promising strategies schools can and are using to reduce disproportionality in discipline.

• Develop supportive relationships among and within school staff and students through the implementation of restorative-justice frameworks, which use conflict resolution and open dialogue. Restorative justice focuses students on the ramifications of their actions so that they take ownership of those actions and learn from their poor decisions.

• Engage in culturally relevant and responsive instructions and interactions to make the curriculum engaging for all learners.

• Change disciplinary codes of conduct to align with positive school climates through the implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) that are culturally responsive.

• Commit to ongoing professional development for teachers focused on developing their awareness, knowledge and skills related to culture.

African-American students often have more negative views of their schools than white students because they perceive them as being less fair and consistent with discipline. That this perception exists, Azziz says, reinforces the idea that educators need to be culturally responsive so that the school environment meets the needs of students from all cultural backgrounds.

It's not that schools have failed to make an effort to address problems with discipline. For two decades, the method known as Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports has been implemented across the nation as a way to decrease suspensions and expulsions, Azziz says.

That worked - sort of, she says.

Data indicates PBIS does indeed reduce the overall rates for those disciplinary actions, but there's a caveat.  Minority students, especially African Americans, still receive the majority of the punishments.

"That tells me that PBIS is not as effective for African-American students as it is for other ethnic groups," Azziz says. "So why is that?"
The answer may lie in those cultural differences, she says.

Here's an example: Teachers who expect students to raise their hands before responding in class often send African-American students to the office for repeatedly talking out.

But many of those students see classroom discussions as more informal, Azziz says.

"Some students, particularly African-American students, show that they are listening and engaged by blurting out their thoughts instead of raising their hands," Azziz says. "This is a communication-response style called back-channeling and it's often seen in the African-American culture."

Teachers who understand that back-channeling is a cultural pattern of behavior can better teach the students when that behavior is appropriate in the classroom and when they need to raise their hands, she says.

"When teachers don't know about this communications style," Azziz says, "all they see is a student who disrupted their class and it becomes a top reason for discipline referrals."

About Renae Azziz

Renae Azziz is the Founder and Director of Virtuoso Education Consulting (www.virtuosoed.com). She and her team of consultants support educators nationally in the areas of Response-to-Intervention, Data-Based Decision Making, Assessment, Positive Behavior Support, and Culturally Responsive Practices. Before starting Virtuoso Education Consulting, Renae practiced as a school psychologist in Indiana. Renae also worked on grants funded by the Indiana Department of Education supporting Indiana's Initiatives on Response to Intervention, Culturally Responsive PBIS, and Minority Disproportionality in Special Education. She was also appointed by former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels to the Commission on Disproportionality in Youth Services, which resulted in several legislative outcomes. Further, Renae and her team of consultants have served as project evaluators for statewide initiatives and Corrective Action Plans in Indiana and Louisiana.

Bettendorf, IA -  Please join us as we recognize our 2015 Business Integrity Award recipients as well as our 2015 Student Integrity Award recipients; honoring businesses and students that demonstrate superior ethics, reliability and trustworthiness. The Better Business Bureau of Iowa will present the winners at the BBB 75th Anniversary Luncheon, on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at 11:45 am, taking place at Jumer's Casino & Hotel in Rock Island, IL.

"As Iowans we pride ourselves on integrity. For 75 years the BBB has been providing services that build consumer trust in our communities.  We consider it an honor to present this year's Integrity Winners and Student of Integrity Winners, they lead by example and embody the ideals of the Better Business Bureau." - Chris Coleman, President, CEO

Tickets for The Better Business Bureau of Iowa Integrity Award Luncheon can be purchased by phone at (563) 355-1705. Tables of 8 are available for $240.00.  Individual tickets are $35.00 per seat.  The public is encouraged to attend the event which starts at 11:45 a.m. For more information visit www.bbb.org/iowa

The Student of Integrity Awards program was established in 2001 to recognize and honor high school seniors who personify ethics and integrity.  The three Student of Integrity winners will each receive a $2,500 scholarship to the college or university of their choice.  The winners are:

  • Molly Kelly, West Liberty High School
  • Claire Hamilton, Columbus community High School
  • Guadalupe Chavez, Davenport West High School

Sponsors include :

Premier Sponsors: Quad City Bank & Trust

Premier Media Sponsor: WQAD TV8

 

General Asphalt Construction Company                MidAmerican Energy

Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center             Iowa American Water

Werner Restoration Services, Inc.               Creekside Vineyards Winery & Inn

Molyneaux Insurance

 

Brus Construction, LLC.  Bush Construction

D'Souza & Krutzfeldt-QC Dentistry                      DeWitt Bank & Trust Co.

Kaplan University              Rock Valley Physical Therapy

BBB is a nonprofit, non-governmental, business-supported organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. All BBB services to consumers are free of charge. BBB provides objective advice, free BBB Business Reviews on more than 4 million businesses, 11,000 Charity Reviews, dispute resolution services, alerts and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. BBB Serving Greater Iowa, Quad Cities and Siouxland Region was founded in 1940 and is one of 112 local, independent BBBs across North America.

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DES MOINES, IA (04/01/2015)(readMedia)-- While the conference committee on Senate Files 171 and 172 met today, it was no April Fool's joke. The Democrats' funding offer of 2.625 was simply inadequate and the Republicans' rejection of this offer further demonstrates their callous disregard for the health and well-being of Iowa's public school students.

Thousands of Iowans have spoken out on the issue of funding for our public schools. They have spoken in favor of increased funding. At this point, we are gravely disappointed that both parties have now failed to listen to their constituents.

We stand with parents, students and citizens of Iowa firmly and strongly in favor of 4 percent funding for Iowa's schools.

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The ISEA is a professional organization made up of nearly 34,000 educators who are dedicated to supporting and protecting a quality public education for all Iowa students.

CONWAY 28528, SC (04/01/2015)(readMedia)-- Kelsey Birdsell, of Moline, IL, has been elected Vice President of Public Relations of the Student Government Association at Coastal Carolina University for the 2015-2016 academic year.

Coastal Carolina University is a dynamic, public comprehensive liberal arts institution located in Conway, just minutes from the resort area of Myrtle Beach, S.C. The University offers 67 areas of study toward the baccalaureate degree and seven master's degree programs in accountancy, business administration, education, marine and wetland studies, and writing. The University is offering its first Ph.D. program, in marine science, in fall 2014.

More than 9,900 students from across the country and the world interact with a world-class faculty, and enjoy a nationally competitive NCAA I athletic program, an inspiring cultural calendar, and a tradition of community interaction that is fueled by more than 180 student clubs and organizations.

Coastal Carolina University was founded in 1954 as Coastal Carolina Junior College and became an independent state university in 1993.

Learn more: http://www.coastal.edu/

April 1, 2015 - Rivermont was the only high school and one of only two middle schools to represent the Quad Cities at the Iowa State Science and Technology Fair in Ames on Thursday, March 27 and Friday March 28.  The competition was fierce with over 700 participants from across the state. Presenting their projects during the competition culminated a long journey of hard work, research, imagination and steadfast support of faculty, staff, parents and fellow students.

While congratulations are in order for every Rivermont student who participated in the Science Fair, these students excelled, capturing the following awards:

Upper School:  

9th grade  

Nikhil Wagher  

  • Awards: ASM Materials Education Foundation Special Award
  • 1st place - Category of Engineering
  • Selected as Student Observer for the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair in Pittsburgh, PA (Top three freshman overall)
10th Grade

Maram El-Geneidy 

  • Awards: 3rd place - Category of Medicine & Heath Science

Manasa Pagadala

  • Awards: Champion Overall (2nd place project from overall categories)
  • Selected to represent Iowa in the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair in Pittsburgh, PA
  • 1st place - Category of Energy and Transportation
  • $5000 Scholarship from Iowa Energy Center
  • $2000 Scholarship from Iowa Biotechnology Association

 

Middle School:

6th grade

Angela Jones

  • Awards: 1st place - Category of Chemistry
  • Overall Middle School Champion - Category of Chemistry
  • Qualifier in the Broadcom MASTERS (top 10% of Junior High projects)

Kadin Shaheen

  • Awards: Special Award in Excellence
  • 1st place - Category of Energy and Transportation?
  • Qualifier in the Broadcom MASTERS (top 10% of Junior High projects)

Sean Dougherty

  • Awards: 2nd place - Category of Energy and Transportation

Rohan Abernathy-Wee

  • Awards: 1st place - Earth Science and Astronomy
  • Qualifier in the Broadcom MASTERS (top 10% of Junior High projects)

Sarah McVey

  • Awards: 3rd place - Medicine and Health Science

Ava Satterfield

  • Awards: Honorable Mention - Category of Environmental Science

Alexander Xiao

  • Awards: Honorable Mention - Category of Environmental Science
Rivermont Collegiate is the Quad Cities' only Private College Prep School for PreSchool through 12th Grade.
For more information visit www.rivermontcollegiate.org or call 563-359-1366.
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March 31, 2015 - Congratulations to the following students who have made the Rivermont Collegiate 3rd Quarter 2014-15 Honor Roll!  

Middle School (Grades 6-8)  

High Honors (All grades B+ or higher or B or higher for courses designated as High School level or advanced track math)  

Rohan Abernathy-Wee  

Asha Alla  

Harris Ciaccio  

Elizabeth Decker  

Annika Didelot  

Sean Dougherty  

Jessica Elliott  

Aislinn Geedey

Jacob Hansen

Emad Haque

Sofia Hunner Rojas

Mary Aisling McDowell

Sarah McVey

Nandini Reddy

Grace Sampson

Ava Satterfield

Lauren Schroeder

Peyton Seberg

Anna Senjem

Kadin Shaheen

Genevieve Strasser

Jack Westphal

Claire Westphal

Alexander Xiao

 

Honors (All grades B- or higher or C+ or higher for courses designated as High School level or advanced track math)

 

Christopher Cumberbatch

Michael Cumberbatch

Evan Didelot

Jaden Fee

Chirag Gowda

Angela Jones

Allyson Lewis

Dwira Nandini

Jozef Porubcin

Davis Priest

 

 

Upper School (Grades 9-12)

 

Headmaster's List (GPA 3.85 - 4.00)

 

Adam Dada

Clayton Douglas               

Faith Douglas    

Anastasia Eganova

Maram El-Geneidy

Tejasvi Kotte

Hayley Moran

Benjamin Nordick

Manasa Pagadala

Emilia Porubcin

Michal Porubcin

Suhas Seshadri

Alexander Skillin

Loring Telleen

 

Distinction (GPA 3.5 - 3.84)

 

Spencer Brown

Hema Chimpidi

Christian Elliott

Kenton Fee

Shivani Ganesh

Aditya Gohain

Carly Gott 

Ryan Howell

Andrew Laufenberg

Molly Lewis

Thomas Rodgers

Nikhil Wagher

Pavel Yashurkin

 

Merit (GPA 3.00 - 3.49)

 

Jacob Engelke   

Jesus Fuentes

Brittany McDonald

Nathan McVey

Bhavana Purighalla

Nadezhda Sinutkina

Gwyneth Vollman

 

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MOUNT VERNON, IA (03/26/2015)(readMedia)-- Students from Cornell College performed in the Steel Drum Ensemble concert March 27 in King Chapel.

Stephanie Campbell of Bettendorf is one of more than 20 members of the Steel Drum ensemble.

Andrew (Drew) Klocke of Coal Valley is one of more than 20 members of the Steel Drum ensemble.

The Steel Drum Ensemble is one of seven of the college's highly regarded ensembles, open to all students by audition. In addition to building group performance skills, the ensembles also offer exceptional undergraduate solo opportunities.

One of the 40 "Colleges That Change Lives," Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, is a national liberal arts college with a distinctive One Course At A Time curriculum. The One Course schedule provides students the chance to dive into their studies, focus more intensely on the disciplines of their choice, and learn authentically with the unique freedom to shed the confines of the traditional classroom to study off-campus, pursue research, or accept an internship--all without missing out on other classes.

Cornell has been recognized by numerous publications for the value its education offers and for academic excellence. This year it was named of the 100 best values in liberal arts education by Kiplinger's, one of the "Best Value Schools" among national liberal arts colleges by U.S. News and World Report, and one of the 100 Affordable Elite Colleges by Washington Monthly. Ninety-three percent of Cornell graduates earn their degrees in four years. In 2013 Cornell was named one of the 25 colleges with the best professors by the Center for College Affordability and Productivity.

For more information, visit www.cornellcollege.edu.

DES MOINES, IA (03/25/2015)(readMedia)-- A coalition of education organizations which includes the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA), the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB), the School Administrators of Iowa (SAI), Iowa Area Education Agencies (AEA), the Urban Education Network of Iowa (UEN), and the Rural Schools Advocates of Iowa, gathered over 6,000 signatures on a petition asking the Iowa Legislature to adequately support supplemental state aid. Copies of the petition were delivered to members of the Conference Committee on Senate File 171 today.

"Clearly there is tremendous support for the needs of our students and schools. Iowans are demanding that legislators take action to fix the problems caused by years of inadequate funding in their neighborhood schools. It is not acceptable to expect students to sit in classes of 30-35 and receive the quality education they deserve, or study from textbooks that are old and worn. Our students are entitled to rigorous course offerings and programs that will help them compete in a 21st century economy," said Tammy Wawro, President of the ISEA.

"Iowa citizens make an investment in public education because as a society we believe that public schools support not only individual success, but shape and create our democracy and communities. Providing these centers of learning comes at a cost and it deserves our support," said Lisa Bartusek, Iowa Association of School Boards executive director

"Iowa schools have been underfunded for the last four years. A minimum of 4 percent supplemental state aid is now needed to avoid large disruptions to local district programming," emphasized Dan Smith, School Administrators of Iowa executive director.

Dr. Paul Gausman, speaking on behalf of the Urban Education Network of Iowa said, "The Sioux City Schools will reduce between $2 million and $2.3 million in personnel and programming, for anything less than 4 percent SSA, and 4 percent would even stress our budget (we have spending authority limitations rolling forward). If 6 percent SSA had become reality, we would not have to make that level of reductions. The personnel portion of these reductions include 20 Instructional Assistant positions (about $570,000), and three teaching positions (all of the personnel reductions are being accomplished through attrition).

The Our Children, Our Future coalition began gathering signatures in response to Governor Terry Branstad and House Republican's inadequate supplemental state aid proposal and subsequent inaction on passage of any aid before the budget deadline.

The Our Children, Our Future coalition is working together in support of adequate funding for Iowa's schools.

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CLARKSVILLE, TN (03/23/2015)(readMedia)-- Austin Peay State University has awarded the Provost's Out-of-State Scholarship to high-achieving freshmen for the Fall 2015 semester.

William Fisher of Moline (61265)

Asher Johnson of Bettendorf (52722)

Brett Newberg of Moline (61265)

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