Riverdale Review - Winter 2015

Riverdale Review DISTRICT 51J

Legislators impressed with Riverdale students

Representative Ann Lininger attends high school panel RIVERDALE HIGH SCHOOL – In mid-December, Representative Ann Lininger visited Riverdale High School. She enjoyed a tour of the school led by several students and was impressed to learn about our honors program and the full course load all students maintain, which exceeds Oregon graduation requirements. Following the tour, Rep. Lininger got to know more about our high school during a student panel discussion. Panelists discussed their passions and how they give back to the community. She commented on how great it was that Riverdale fosters an environment in which students see a need in the school or community at large and step up to lead.

Students also shared what they appreciate about Riverdale – including the hands-on curriculum, small class sizes that allow students to get to know their teachers and flexibility to pursue their interests. They also appreciate the fact that teachers don’t teach just for the test or to pass one class, but rather instill the skills students need to navigate life's challenges.

Senator Devlin fields questions from grade schoolers RIVERDALE GRADE SCHOOL – In November, Senator Richard Devlin visited Riverdale Grade School for a lively discussion with our 8th grade class. He explained what it was like to serve in the legislature, leading to a host of great questions from our students – many about recent ballot measures including requiring labels for products with genetically modified organisms.

Other questions included: “Can you vote for yourself?” (yes, and he has!), “Why did you run for Senate?” (he felt an obligation to serve the community), “How do you decide legislative priorities and which will receive funding?” (his priorities are widespread, but his focus is on education), “Do you know John Kitzhaber?” (yes, and the governor once cooked pancakes for him and other members of a work group) and “How much individual power do you have to change things?” (to which he explained how the legislature is structured to limit individual power, and how “a legislator’s ability to get things done depends on their ability to persuade others”).

Sen. Devlin then toured the school, with stops in our full-day kindergarten class and Advanced Band. He was impressed with Riverdale and the intelligent questions posed by the students.

Riverdale Review

Winter 2015

Riverdale tops Oregon public schools, new report says RIVERDALE SCHOOL DISTRICT – Riverdale is the No. 1 public school district in Oregon, according to a ratings report released in early November by Niche, a Pittsburgh-based consumer research site.

Riverdale was also named No. 1 for best academics in an Oregon public school district, No. 1 public high school and middle school in the state, and No. 2 public grade school.

According to Niche's website, k12.niche.com, more than 8,000 districts were ranked on dozens of key statistics, along with more than 4.6 million parent and student opinions. High rankings indicate great schools with exceptional teachers, sufficient resources and a diverse set of highachieving students who are very happy with the quality of education and go on to great colleges. In addition, scores reflect health and safety, facilities, extracurriculars and activities, and sports and fitness.

We are delighted that our district, which we have always known to be superb, has been ranked so highly in these metrics, including the satisfaction of current and former students and their families.

Supporting Our Schools A message from your superintendent As someone who has spent the past four decades in education, I was recently asked to share my thoughts with the Lake Oswego Review. One particular question resonated with me, and I’d like to share my answer with you.

Q: Students go through a major academic transformation from kindergarten to high school. What are the most important areas of intellectual growth that students should have, and what are a few simple ways to help them grow?

A: Riverdale School District embraces the Ten Common Principles of the Coalition of Essential Schools. One of the most fundamental principles is helping students learn to use their minds well. Two specific areas of focus for us are reading and math. We strategically align our resources to support these foundational skills for our students, making both subjects come alive for them.

The single most important area of intellectual growth students should have is to learn to love to read. Without the ability to read and understand what they are reading, many doors will be closed to them. To that end, parents (as the first and favorite teacher) can help by both reading to their children and listening to their children read out loud. At our grade school, we are constantly talking about reading for pleasure and we are working hard to increase access to books by establishing classroom libraries by grade, beyond our school library collection.

When it comes to mathematics, it is important to ensure that children are not learning math in a vacuum. Anything parents can do to show real life applications of math (e.g. checking a store receipt to see if it’s correct, calculating square footage for a household project, using fractions in a recipe) will show a child that working with numbers has real world applications. It has always been difficult to convince children that they are going to use this stuff, but now math programs are evolving and the use of hands-on applications help. When you walk into our math classrooms today, it’s much different than it was early on in my career. Math class is active, students demonstrate how they arrive at their answers and employ more than one method for solving a problem. The students are having fun as they learn new approaches to math.

Sincerely, Terry Brandon

Carnival games, clowns and more

Photo by Brian Black

PARENT TEACHER CLUB – The grade school felt more like a circus than a school during the annual Fall Carnival, hosted by the Parent Teacher Club. The transformation came complete with a Clown College performance and student clowns walking on stilts. High school drama club members hawked cans of success (“Success comes in cans, not cannots,” they shouted) while the fun and games ranged from double shot basketball, balloon darts and beanbag tosses to pumpkin painting, a cake walk and a pie-eating contest. Thanks to everyone involved!

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Thank you for your generosity RIVERDALE SCHOOL FOUNDATION – Thank you to all those who donated or pledged to Riverdale’s Annual Campaign. With your help, more than $886,000 was raised for our school district, helping to keep class sizes small, fund high school electives and ensure grade school music, art, library, technology and physical education programs continue.

The Riverdale community has a long history of supporting its schools, and we are very fortunate that so many families make exceptional education a priority in their homes and in their giving. Without you, our schools would look quite different.

There is still time to make a pledge or donation to Riverdale’s Annual Campaign. Find out more at www.riverdalefoundation.org.

Remember, an exceptional education is the best gift a child can receive.

Save the Date: Riverdale Auction is March 7 PARENT TEACHER CLUB – The Riverdale Parent Teacher Club invites you to an "Evening on Bourbon Street," a fun, Mardi Gras-themed Riverdale auction event at 5:30 p.m., March 7, at The Foundry in Lake Oswego.

This annual fundraising event provides the majority of the PTC budget. Tickets include an evening of music, libation, hors d'oeuvres, New Orleans cuisine and exciting Mardi Gras festivities. It is also the first chance to sign up for Party Packs, many of which will sell out that night.

To volunteer or donate to the silent auction, contact Susy Werner at werners@bctonline.com.

Riverdale Review

Academic Highlights Students seek help making autonomous cars RIVERDALE HIGH SCHOOL – The dynamic duo of Lucas Rosevear and Patricia Torvalds are at it again. After successfully leading their peers in the creation of two large telescopes while covering planetary motion and dark matter in last year’s The XV: Auto logo was designed XV: Observatory, the by senior Hannah Bartlett. seniors are gearing up to teach another Exploratory Ventures class during third trimester. This time they’ll explore engineering and computer science by guiding small groups in the creation of miniature autonomous cars in XV: Auto.

“This class allowed us to rethink how to more fully involve every student in the process and therefore create a deeper understanding through hands-on work,” Lucas explains.

Now in its fourth year, the student-led, hands-on science class began as a club in 2012 when students launched two video cameras and a GPS device into space using a weather balloon. It morphed into a class the following year when students built and deployed a vehicle to capture footage of the sea floor.

“The new format is an inevitable step in the evolution of the class,” says class supervisor John Preacher. “Student-led classes allow like-minded kids to develop their interests and show younger students how impressive older students can be” – all while having strong oversight from a fully engaged teacher, of course.

Lucas and Patricia are currently working to raise $4,000 to purchase base parts for each student group and to provide stipends for groups to customize vehicles based on their scientific interests. Some may opt to use hydrogen power rather than disposable batteries, while others may employ advanced sensors to increase high-speed reaction times.

“Part of what makes XV so effective is that students and teachers work together on a very level playing field, so our peers get an experience catered to what they know and don't know,” Patricia says.

Contributions to this year’s XV class can be delivered to Cheryl in the main office. Checks should be made payable to Riverdale High School and note XV: Auto.

Exploring the art all around us RIVERDALE HIGH SCHOOL – Art doesn’t happen in a vacuum – it requires observing artists, exploring techniques and finding one’s muse. So it is with Riverdale High School artists and a series of local art excursions.

All 9th grade students take Art Survey, which introduces basic skills and materials, art history, art criticism and aesthetics. This year, art teacher David Schell teamed up with Laura Pridmore-Brown and Michael Johnson to take the entire class to view "This is War!" at Portland Art Museum, combining the study of art with the study of history.

Students focused on images of war and saw how artists combine content and form to make a statement with their work.

“One of my goals was to have our students see how differently a single theme could be interpreted,” Mr. Schell. says “Some artists were critical of war and others were clearly making propaganda pieces to drum up popular support.”

In Art Portfolio, an elective mainly for juniors and seniors, students complete independent projects while developing their own artistic voice. “It's a very different game when the teacher doesn't give you a formula for making something and you have to invent it yourself,” Mr. Schell says.

This group ventured out to the art museum’s modern wing and several Pearl District galleries to see as much work as possible and to consider the many options for making art.

Back at the studio, students began their projects. “They often cast aside assumptions they previously had about making art and they start to experiment with size, materials and techniques. It's very cool to watch,” Mr. Schell says.

Art students explore the art museum (top) and local galleries.

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Academic Highlights close to $1,000 and the teachers called it a win for everyone because the funds added to their classroom libraries, while Scholastic’s matching funds provided books for children in need. “One of my students even put in $120 out of his own savings because he felt like it was a good cause,” Miss Hutchinson says. “These kids are amazing.”

For the love of books RIVERDALE GRADE SCHOOL – The grade school is on a mission to instill a love of reading and literature for all students. With expanding classroom libraries, a dedicated reading block and a new book club, reading is all the rage.

Classroom libraries expand

Last year, a Parent Teacher Club grant provided $4,500 for K-4th grade classroom libraries ($500 worth of books for each class). A summer grant added classroom libraries for 5th-8th grade. This fall, three additional grants provided a shared classroom library of leveled books to support the 1st-2nd grade reading program and allow students to have more choices when it comes to the books they read.

“It’s important not only to provide a high volume of books at each child’s reading level, but to have enough variety for all students to find books that are personally interesting and enjoyable,” says Joanna Tobin, grade school principal.

Classroom libraries supplement the school’s library, making books more accessible to each student. Increased reading expands student vocabularies and background knowledge, and creates better and more willing readers.

Jennifer Novack, a parent who helped spearhead the recent Scholastic Book Fair, says donations and sales exceeded last year’s total, providing close to $7,700 worth of books for the grade school. “That's a lot of books for our children and teachers to enjoy! We filled every teacher's wish list several times and spent $3,000 on new library books for students to start enjoying now,” she says.

Teachers Heidi Hutchinson and Jeff Robinson had a friendly competition during the book fair to see which class could raise the most money. The two classes raised 4

This year, 6th graders have a second block of language arts, dedicated to reading chapter books. With the addition of 150 titles recommended in Donalyn Miller’s “Reading in the Wild,” teacher Brian Black says, “I never have to tell the students to read. When it's time for reading, the students storm the bookshelf. They read nonstop from the beginning to the end of the period.”

During a recent presentation to the school board, 6th grader Emma said, “We read big books to small books depending on each person’s reading type. We read to learn more and we read to just learn.” Her classmates added that books are also used for homework and to stimulate their imaginations.

Mr. Black has even noticed that while other high interest books, such as graphic novels, comics and short nonfiction, are still available, his students still choose to read their chapter books during other times of the day. He and the other teachers are thankful to the PTC for their generous grants. “It's pretty amazing to have to say, ‘Please stop reading’ at the end of class!” Mr. Black says.

Photo by Brian Black

Photo by Brian Black

Dedicated time for reading

Reading just for fun

A new 7th-8th grade book club began in November with the book “Fangirl” by Rainbow Rowell. It fosters group discussion through open-ended questions and games using a book's characters, events and locations.

“Students listened closely to the comments of other students, thought critically for themselves and articulated their own thoughts and responses to the thoughts of others,” says teacher and club leader Carrington Light.

“Through this process, they learn to work cooperatively and to question intelligently and civilly."

The book club meets every three weeks and is open to any 7th-8th grade student with parent permission.

Riverdale Review

Academic Highlights Human anatomy in the flesh

Library as lesson

RIVERDALE HIGH SCHOOL – Bringing science education to life, Providence School Outreach hosted more than 180 Portland-area high school students for a live “Chest Watch” surgery in December. Riverdale students from last year’s Human Anatomy class were in attendance, witnessing a live lobectomy using visually assisted thorascopic surgery on a 71-year-old woman with left upper lobe lung cancer.

The surgery was performed by John Handy, M.D., at Providence Portland Medical Center, and broadcast via video feed to the students gathered in the hospital’s amphitheater. Anesthesiologist Thomas Cull, M.D., and an operating room nurse explained the surgery as it happened, and the students were able to ask Dr. Handy questions as he performed the procedure.

“Students were oohing and aahing as they watched the surgery unfold on the big screen,” says Julanne Sandoz, school outreach manager for Providence Health & Services’ Oregon region. They thought watching the camera being inserted through a small incision was almost like a Disneyland ride into the lung, where you could see everything that was happening. Then, once the surgeon removed all attachments to the lobe, a small bag was inserted to collect the lobe and remove it without cancer cells rubbing off on surrounding tissues.

In addition to giving the students a behind-the-scenes view of surgeries, Chest Watch encourages high school students to consider a health care career. Riverdale students have also attended brain, orthopedic and heart surgeries through this program.

RIVERDALE HIGH SCHOOL – The reach of the high school library extends beyond its collection of books.

Guided by librarian and media specialist Kate Loggan, the library program integrates Oregon School Library Standards, or OSLIS, into the curriculum, including information literacy, reading engagement, social responsibility and technology integration.

For example, complementing classroom learning, 9th graders in Global Studies learn to do literature searches about current events, annotate best sources and use their findings to create new information. When 10th grade Microbiology students are assigned a report about bacterial diseases, English 10 uses the opportunity to teach the students to write a research paper.

Instruction includes research process steps, evaluating sources and synthesizing and citing information using MLA style. The paper is then graded twice, once for content and once for the writing itself. Ms. Loggan works with the classroom teachers to ensure OSLIS skills are involved in each step, including online sources. After this unit, students are well versed in writing a research paper – a skill that will serve them throughout high school and into college.

Additionally, thanks to our recent technology expansion, more than 100 Chromebooks – laptops that work exclusively via the cloud – became available for individual checkout each morning in the library.

Students complete a use agreement and trade a piece of ID to use the laptop for the school day.

After viewing a live surgery at Providence Portland Medical Center, Riverdale students join Dr. Cull to examine surgical instruments.

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Academic Highlights Bringing science to life

surroundings and find food on their own. Growing to five or six feet long, the salmon will make their way to the Gulf of Alaska and hopefully return here to continue the circle of life.

RIVERDALE GRADE SCHOOL – Hands-on, experiential learning can be found in every Riverdale Grade School classroom, and even outdoors. This is especially true for science, which comes alive for students through many engaging lessons.

Riverdale 6th graders pair up with kindergarteners to make the journey down to the river to release hundreds of baby salmon.

Science lesson swims away

After a month spent raising Chinook salmon, Riverdale 6th graders were ready to release the fish into the Willamette River. Paired up with kindergarteners who had also studied fish names, parts and life cycles, the students walked from the school down to a community member’s home on the river.

Many of this year’s 6th graders remember making the trek in kindergarten – carefully gripping the small bags of fish now held by a new crop of little ones. As the big buddies, they offer a hand when crossing the street, answer questions and get to know the children with whom they’re charged.

For more than 10 years, Riverdale has participated in the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s classroom Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program. Salmon are released in winter, followed by 5th graders raising and releasing trout in the spring.

A classroom aquarium allows students to observe daily changes during the fish development process. They also study environmental issues, harmful factors impacting dams and the benefits and drawbacks of hydropower.

Asked why the salmon, unlike trout, are released while they still have their yolk sacks, the 6th graders chime in to answer: This provides a food supply that allows the fish to survive in the wild until they acclimate to their 6

Two-by-two, teams of 5th graders make their way to the center of the grade school field, determined to launch their homemade rockets into space. While their teacher sets the ignition, the whole class counts down. Three… two… one… lift off!

Leading up to the launch, students spent a week visiting eight classroom stations learning to calculate and convert units of measurement that relate to thrust and pressure. Then, they built prototypes that were tested in front of a fan to check flight patterns, which vary based on the shape and angle of the fins. The concepts of drag and aerodynamics used in this lesson are tied to the Next Generation Science Standards and science engineering requirements.

Back on the field, classmates use a gravitational protractor to measure the angle from the ground to the highest point reached by each rocket. Each figure is recorded so that students can later use an altitude calculator to determine how high their rockets went.

Some made it back to the ground fairly intact, while others flew off school grounds, not likely to be found. Yet, it was a risk these eager engineers were willing to take in the name of science.

Photo by 6th grade student, Eddie H.

Photo by Brian Black

Science experiments take flight

Science teacher Dietrich Nebert and two 5th graders take cover during the count down to watch their rocket launch high above the grade school field.

Riverdale Review

Academic Highlights Riverdale to host International Bridge Building Competition in April

Simon and Jeremy put the finishing touches on their rockets in Physics 10 and prepare them for launch.

Rocket launches continue in high school RIVERDALE HIGH SCHOOL – The study and construction of rockets isn’t left behind in grade school.

Students at Riverdale High School continue with more complex rockets in 10th grade physics, where they design and build their own nosecone, fins, parachute and engine mount.

“We use what we’ve learned to predict how far and fast our rockets will travel,” sophomore Simon Chuang says.

By putting their physics knowledge to use, students calculate theoretical acceleration, final velocity and distance prior to launch.

“We apply equations to find things like the kinetic energy and momentum of our rockets," classmate Suzanna Larkin says.

After rockets are launched and hypotheses tested, students return to class and use course material to explain the changes they would make if they were to build a new rocket.

You never know, they just might!

Riverdale Review

RIVERDALE HIGH SCHOOL – When it comes to building bridges, Riverdale High School students set the bar high. For the past 10 years, the high school has placed first at the regional bridge building competition. Only the top two students move on to the international contest, and Riverdale has not only sent students in each of the past 11 years, but at least one Riverdale student has placed in the top 10 internationally each year since 2007. In fact, three of the last six international winners were from Riverdale.

Now, Riverdale is stepping up to host the 2015 International Bridge Building Competition right here in Portland on April 25. The best student bridge builders from across the world will gather to compete at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, thanks to the efforts of teacher Mark Wechter and college advisor Jill Hall.

“I have been involved with this contest for many years, and saw this as an opportunity to give back,” says Mr. Wechter, who teaches bridge building in his sophomore physics class and has toyed with the idea of hosting for several years.

The contests are geared toward promoting the field of engineering and providing an opportunity for high school teachers to Juniors Kate Hollingshead and Cole Bemis won last year's regional introduce the concepts of design and testing competition and Cole went on to win of engineering structures. Students must the international competition. build basswood bridges to a specification with the intent to carry as much load as possible. Mr. Wechter’s instruction begins with virtual experimentation before students design and construct bridges for testing. All sophomores try their hand at the regional contest and some of the juniors and seniors in his Advanced Experimental Science elective will also submit bridges.

“Bridge building can be addictive,” Mrs. Hall says. In fact, a former Riverdale competitor is now the president of Oregon State University’s chapter of the American Society of Engineers, which has volunteered to help test bridges at the April contest.

Now that Riverdale has signed on to host, we will be involved in every aspect of the competition, from fundraising, marketing and organizing the competition to finding hotel space, catering and planning a dinner event to showcase Portland the night before the contest. While Mr. Wechter hammers out competition specifications and materials, Mrs. Hall is working with a small student committee on event planning and marketing – all new skills she is teaching them. They hope to host a boat tour of Portland bridges, if they can raise enough money. It is, after all, a non-profit event.

“Typically, student competitors and their coach are not charged an entry fee, as it is already a hardship for them to pay for their flight and hotel expenses. We'd like to keep that the same this year,” Mrs. Hall explains. “Fundraising is very important for this non-profit event. OMSI has generously donated space for the competition, and volunteer engineers from Oregon State University and engineering firms in the Portland metro area have offered their time and expertise. However, in order to fund meals, activities, shirts and prizes for the participants, we are seeking additional sponsors and/or donations of money and goods.”

If you are interested in contributing, please contact Jill Hall at jhall@riverdale.k12.or.us..

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Academic Highlights A tale of two cities RIVERDALE GRADE SCHOOL – It may take a village to raise a child, but at Riverdale Grade School it takes a 3rd grade class to create a city. “Classroom City” is a simulation giving 3rd graders a glimpse into the day-to-day workings of a small city. It’s a fun, hands-on way to learn basic economic principles, along with the structure and responsibilities of local government.

Lynn Evans and Kristin Lessard’s students established "Baconville" and "Bowakashaw," respectively. The citizens of each voted on the city names and flags, as well as six elected positions – mayor, vice-mayor and four council members.

Other students expressed interest in assuming one of many positions appointed by the mayor and city manager (teacher), such as bank president, fire marshal, police chief, public health officer, postmaster, sanitation engineer or recorder. Several pitched their own entrepreneurial ideas.

Baconville’s businesses included a newspaper, pharmacy, wallet shop, office supply store, snack shop, lost and found, and an information booth In the Classroom City of Baconville, with maps, souvenirs and city information.

Maddock serves as city banker.

Bowakashaw entrepreneurs opted to run a water Below, a city council meeting. park, art gallery, desk cleaning business, accounting firm, pharmacy, two sporting goods shops and a specialty business selling handmade books. Some businesses sold the same product and were in competition with one another, while others learned lessons in cooperation by sharing a business.

“Each day, students operated their businesses, they attended city council meetings and officials issued citations for infractions such as littering, parking (chairs not tucked in), speeding (running in the classroom) and safety hazards (messy cubbies),” Ms. Evans explains.

Classroom City simulated real life situations for the cities’ residents. Students received daily “fates” letting them know if they had earned or lost money due to a specific incident. They experienced success and heartache based upon decisions made along the way.

“They became very involved in the simulation and when their businesses did not succeed they had to make changes in the same way any business owner would,” Ms. Lessard says.

“Students had to grow their communication skills and show maturity.”

Overall they learned important life skills and loved being so independent and creative in the classroom.

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Juniors begin college planning RIVERDALE HIGH SCHOOL – On Jan. 15, Riverdale juniors took part in the third annual College Day, held at nearby Lewis & Clark College. The event signifies the beginning of the college search and application process at Riverdale.

“Students received their college binders, which they will work on through the spring so that by the end of the school year they'll have everything they need to begin college applications over the summer,” says Jill Hall, Riverdale’s dedicated college planning advisor. They also heard from a panel of Riverdale seniors who discussed their college application process to date, took a tour of the college campus and heard from longtime college counselor Pat Dannen.

Mrs. Hall and counselor Michael Murray will continue to work with students in classes through the spring to cover all things college – from selection to testing, college visits, interviews and an in-depth look at applications.

Riverdale Review

Faces of Riverdale A day of interrupting oppression

by Sarah Gordon, class of 2016 RIVERDALE HIGH SCHOOL – On Dec. 4, several members of the Girl Up Club at Riverdale High School, including Cindy Abrams, Emma Komers, Annie Rose Salisbury and myself, along with club supervisor Laura Pridmore-Brown, had the opportunity to represent our school at the World Affairs Council's NextGen conference on Women and Men Changing the World.

We spent the day going to conferences held by experts speaking on feminism, sex trafficking, humanitarian aid and prejudice. The conference was a unique chance to widen our view of the world and our own city, and connect with students from all around the state who share our interests.

As the National Co-Chair of the UN Foundation's Girl Up campaign, I led a break out session on how to bring Girl Up to one's own school. Girl Up has worked so well at Riverdale that we had the goal of spreading Riverdale High School's Girl Up club to more chapters around the state, members and their club supervisor and we were able to speak on the expanded their world views after fundraisers and events that we've put attending the World Affairs Council's on to hopefully inspire others.

NextGen conference on Women and Men

We all came away from the Changing the World. conference with an expanded idea of what it means to grow up with a politically correct approach to all people, no matter how different they are from you. From enhancing our knowledge on pervasive "sane-ism" (the discrimination against those with mental disability), to being able to connect with people so similar and yet so different from ourselves, to hearing from United Nations workers with 30 years of experience serving in conflict zones, the conference was a once in a lifetime opportunity to improve our vision of the world and bring ideas back to Riverdale.

Then, on Jan. 23, our club hosted students from all over Portland for the first Oregon Girl Up Summit – a day of speakers and Girl Up collected ballpoint pens for a school in an isolated area of South Africa supported workshops to shed light on the by the Peace Corps. Students there receive challenges girls face around the two pens for the entire year and can no world. longer take notes when they run out.

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Christy Drogosch helps Riverdale high school students feel more focused and less anxious through the practice of yoga.

Making mindbody connections RIVERDALE HIGH SCHOOL – It has been said that learning a new language can help children become better thinkers and allow them to grasp other subject matter more easily. Spanish language teacher Christy Drogosch believes that to be true. She also sees the benefits of teaching another class at Riverdale – yoga.

“Students are more focused throughout the day, calmer in general and less anxious,” she says after wrapping up her first trimester class, which had 17 students. “Yoga challenges students physically and mentally.”

Mrs. Drogosch has been leading yoga electives at the high school since 2006 and also teaches at local yoga studios.

“I regularly receive messages from graduates who have continued with their yoga practice. Some of my former students have gone on to become yoga teachers!” she says.

Did you see?

The Oregonian picked up our story on the high school's student-led botany class, while the Lake Oswego Review spotlighted the Mount St. Helens trip!

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Faces of Riverdale An authentic college experience – in high school

High school students lead change

RIVERDALE HIGH SCHOOL – It was a proud moment for Laura PridmoreBrown when she was asked by the National Association for Concurrent Enrollment Programs to present at its annual conference this past fall in Chicago. The conference provides universities and high schools the opportunity to exchange ideas, share best practices and ensure the university courses taught on high school campuses offer a rigorous and authentic college experience.

Ms. Pridmore-Brown’s presentation explained the merits of the Young Historians Conference, an academic paper competition and conference hosted

by Portland State University. She has taught Western Civilization, History 101 and 102, through PSU’s Challenge Program for 12 years and has been submitting her top students' historical research papers to the YHC for nine.

Students in these classes write 10-15 page research papers, and the top six from each section are submitted to a jury of graduate students from PSU’s History Department. The top 27 papers are presented at the YHC in April.

The winner and two honorable mentions are announced at the conference; however, every participating student has the opportunity to have their work published through PSU’s electronic research and document library, PDX Scholar.

Ms. Pridmore-Brown hopes her presentation inspired other concurrent enrollment programs throughout the country to adapt the YHC to their own settings and offer more students this unique experience that most do not have until graduate school.

In the two years the program has been at Riverdale, several of our students have been named to the top 27. While only the top papers are presented, all History 101 and 102 students benefit from attending the conference and learning from others’ writing.

“It’s about the skills, it’s about college readiness – having their skills evaluated numerous times and having a finished paper they are proud of,” Ms. PridmoreLaura Pridmore-Brown with coBrown says. “They compete academically with presenter and collaborator Dr. John top students, performing and researching Ott of Portland State University's at a level that in some cases exceeds college History department. level.”

In fact, she says, while at the national conference she saw a former Riverdale student, Jonathan Huston, who is now a freshman at Northwestern. He told her there is nothing he’s seen at college that he didn’t encounter his senior year at Riverdale while taking Writing 121 (through Portland Community College), PSU's History 101 and 102 and Senior Exhibition. His freshman seminar professor even selected his paper as the most well researched, clearly defined and best supported paper in class.

"Every fall, recent graduates confirm what I know is true – the process of researching and writing a thoughtfully crafted and well supported paper is one of the best investments a student can make in their academic future and one of the most rewarding experiences a teacher can witness," Ms. Pridmore-Brown says.

RIVERDALE HIGH SCHOOL – A new high school elective, Organizational Leadership, began as a class to enhance the yearly Field Studies experience.

It then grew to encompass a list of tasks the students in the class deemed necessary to enrich the school.

“After two days of listing needs and creating a prioritized TO DO list, the students spent nearly three weeks ‘TO DOING,’” says teacher Laurie LePore.

The first two projects focused on giving the school a friendlier, more informative look and setting up six recycling/trash stations. Before winter break, the class accomplished a lot: decorating six bulletin boards – including a spotlight board that features four students and one teacher each week, planning two upcoming assemblies, conducting a lunch survey and enhancing Music Monday by selecting music to play between classes.

Their efforts also increased the school’s recycling rate from 13 percent to 75 percent in two weeks.

“Work on the Field Studies program enhancements is now underway, as the class members continue to tick off more things from their list of ways to improve the school culture and facility,” Mrs. LePore says.

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Students taking Organizational Leadership are working to make big school changes, including increasing the use of recyle bins and spotlighting students and teachers.

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Athletics Winter athletics begin RIVERDALE HIGH SCHOOL

RIVERDALE HIGH SCHOOL – Congratulations to Riverdale High School’s Boys’ Cross Country team, which had an outstanding day on Saturday, Nov. 1, at the 3A/2A/1A State Cross Country Championships at Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon. In the team’s second consecutive state meet appearance, the Mavericks delivered their best performance in school history by finishing third overall at this year's state competition.

“The Mavericks put together a brilliant race and peaked at just the right time,” says Rob Pridemore, Riverdale’s athletic director.

Senior Guy Eroh was Riverdale's top performer, finishing third with a time of 16:35, followed by senior Garen Marter (15th) at 17:04, junior Brian Gentry (33rd) at 17:51, senior Andre Leger (39th) at 18:02, freshman Finn James (60th) at 18:45, senior Tucker Ped (83rd) at 19:29 and freshman Evan Morris (100th) at 20:37.

The Mavericks finished with a combined team score of 116, just one point shy of second place Union/Cove.

“This was a tremendous accomplishment for the Mavericks in just their fifth year of competition,” Mr. Pridemore says.

“Outstanding job, Mavericks, on your amazing accomplishments this past season.”

Additionally, Riverdale would like to congratulate coach Michael Johnson on receiving Coach of the Year honors for Special District #1!

Riverdale Review

Photo by August Gilges

Maverick Boys' Cross Country team finishes third in state

Riverdale athletics have returned to the 3A Lewis & Clark League this year after playing the past five seasons in the 2A Northwest League. Due to the growth of the school’s enrollment numbers, the OSAA has reclassified Riverdale as a 3A school for the next four years.

Maverick Basketball is well underway with the Riverdale boys’ program playing in several exciting games so far this season. The Mavericks took third in the Riverdale Holiday Tournament, and have geared up for league play action following the winter break. The girls’ basketball program has been plagued with injuries this season, and the ladies have put together some real gutsy performances thus far playing with as little as five players at times.

The Mavericks dropped their third place game in the Riverdale Holiday Tournament, yet look to get healthy and back to full strength as they continue through league play.

Riverdale Swimming makes a splash this season as a district sport. New coach Sarah Baggs has been vital in the transition from club to district sport.

The Riverdale swim program hosted its first ever home swim meet in January at Lewis & Clark Pool. The Mavericks continue their exciting season and prepare for district meets in February at the Madras Aquatic Center.

Maverick Snowboarders and Skiers are excited to make their way to the mountain! That time is finally here as both the skiers and snowboarders begin their journey in search of fresh powder. In the pre-season, the Mavericks look to hone their skills for competitions into February.

RIVERDALE GRADE SCHOOL After a month of practice, the 7th and 8th grade Falcon Basketball boys’ and girls’ programs are geared up for MCL league action this winter. The Falcons’ league season runs through midFebruary. The Falcon coaching staff has several new faces this season as Nancy Fowler takes over as the girls’ A team coach, and longtime volunteer assistant Kevin McPherson will lead the B team. On the boys’ side, Bob Norell makes the move from the high school to lead the boys’ A team and Matt Schilling returns for a second season as boys’ B team coach.

The 5th and 6th grade Falcon Basketball programs began practice in January, gearing up for a season that runs through spring break. The Falcons will play their first game in late February and the turnout has been tremendous with solid numbers for the girls and three teams this season for the boys. New coach Keli Hall will be taking the helm for the girls’ program, while Bob Norell, former high school JV2 and current 7th-8th grade A team coach, will lead one of the boys’ teams along with former Maverick point guard standout Nathan Hensleigh.

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Riverdale Review

Riverdale School District 11733 SW Breyman Ave. Portland, OR 97219

Winter 2015

DISTRICT 51J

Inside this issue: • Latest News • Supporting Our Schools • Academic Highlights • Faces of Riverdale • Athletics • Events and Activities

P. 1 P. 2 P. 3-9 P. 10 P. 11 P. 12

Events and Activities

Photo by Vesna Kostur

Open houses draw crowds

First 'Grease,' now 'Fiddler' RIVERDALE HIGH SCHOOL – The drama program kicked off in a big way with the musical “Grease” instead of the traditional fall play. Yet, coming up in February, it’s all about “tradition” with the staging of "Fiddler on the Roof."

Weeks before “Grease” opened at the Delores Winningstad Theatre at Portland’5 Centers for the Arts, the cast was still hard at work learning the lines and steps to the many musical numbers. Working without props or costumes, it was hard to see how it would all come together. However, when the curtain went up on opening night, the Pink Ladies, T-Birds and the rest of the cast sang and danced in true theatrical fashion – making the crowd fall in love with Danny and Sandy all over again. The catchy tunes, 1950s costumes and the surprise appearance of a miniature “Greased Lightning” car built by parent Scott Stewart had audiences smiling from ear to ear.

Now, the drama club is busy rehearsing “Fiddler on the Roof,” in which the father of five daughters attempts to maintain his family and Jewish religious traditions while outside influences encroach upon their lives. Weekend performances are scheduled for Feb. 20-March 1 at the World Trade Center in downtown Portland. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Ticket details to come.

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RIVERDALE SCHOOL DISTRICT – Riverdale High School was flooded with interested families who packed the gym, hallways and classrooms during this year’s High School Open House. Among the masses of new faces, we were delighted to see so many Riverdale Grade School families looking forward to furthering their Riverdale education next year.

All current 8th grade families will receive an invitation to our New Family Night, taking place sometime in April, which provides an important overview of Riverdale graduation requirements, course offerings, student scheduling, co-curricular activities and more. Between now and then, scheduling a shadow day can give your student a bird’s eye view of what to expect next year.

Riverdale Grade School also hosted a large crowd at a special informational event on Jan. 23. Through student and staff speakers and parent-led tours of the school, attendees discovered how we inspire passionate learners from preschool through 8th grade.

For the many out-of-district families interested in attending Riverdale, enrollment forms are due by Feb. 20 and can be accessed online at www.riverdaleschool.com/enrollment_form. Questions can be directed to our enrollment coordinator, Hilary Chandler, at hchandler@riverdale.k12.or.us.

Mark your calendar Feb. 13 Feb. 20

Feb. 20-22 Feb. 27-March 1 March 7

March 23-27

Winter Formal (RHS) Enrollment forms due "Fiddler on the Roof" "Fiddler on the Roof" Riverdale Auction Spring Break

Riverdale Review