News

  • Attendance auto-calls start April 23

    On Monday, April 23, to expedite daily attendance calls, Riverdale schools will begin implementing auto-dialed calls to alert parents to student absences. Learn more.

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  • Chloé Sellers earns health care career scholarship

    Senior Chloé Sellers has been selected to receive a $2,000 Kaiser Permanente Health Care Career Scholarship to help her achieve her dream of becoming a health care professional.

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  • Special assembly recognized empathy

    An OPB reporter and producer was the special guest speaker at our special Recognition/Showcase Assembly focused on understanding and listening with empathy.

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  • Honor society students lend a hand

    Lake Oswego Parks Stewardship has extended a hearty shout out to Riverdale’s National Honor Society students who volunteered at recent natural park work parties.

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  • Exploring similarities and differences in Paisley, Oregon

    During Field Studies, students from Riverdale and Paisley Charter School hosted a community forum to think and talk beyond the alleged urban-rural divide.

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  • Teacher contract negotiations finds resolution

    Through mediation, the Riverdale School District and Riverdale Teachers Association came to a tentative agreement on a four-year contract. Together we recognize this has been a challenging year. We ask for your support moving forward for the sake of all of our students.

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  • District Arts Night is April 25

    Every year, our district brings all of our PK-12th grade students' art to life for one night at the high school. It’s a chance for all of us to get together and celebrate how important the visual and performing arts are to the Riverdale community. Please bring your whole family with you and join us from 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, April 25, at Riverdale High School, to support our students’ artistic endeavors.

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  • OSAA Academic All-State results for 2017-18 winter sports

    We’re excited to share that all Riverdale winter teams made their sport’s Top 10 list – this means that our athletes collectively earned some of the highest grade point averages (GPA) in the state for 3A schools.

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  • Guy Eroh earns distinctive national award

    Riverdale graduate Guy Eroh, class of 2015, has just been named a recipient of the Goldwater Scholarship – one of the oldest and most prestigious national scholarships in the natural sciences, engineering and mathematics.

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  • No snow day make-up

    At this time, Riverdale will still be able to meet the instructional time standards for this school year without adding school days to make up for snow days.

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  • National art award for Riverdale junior

    After earning an Oregon Scholastic Gold Key award this year, junior Alma Tzintzun has gone on to win a National Scholastic Gold Key award for her painting.

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  • Immunization and exemption data

    We have now posted the second round of rates after the Immunization Exclusion Day in February.

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  • 2018 Mock Trial team goes to state

    Riverdale's Blue team that is advancing to the state competition, March 16- 17 at the Federal Courthouse downtown. Both teams worked very hard and the future is very bright for Riverdale Mock Trial!

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  • Riverdale senior receives OSU’s most prestigious scholarship

    Riverdale senior Lara McLain was awarded Oregon State University’s Presidential Scholarship during a surprise visit from an OSU admissions counselor. Read more.

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  • The ‘City Lights’ were bright at PTC Auction, thank you!

    Thanks to so many of our families and community for attending and contributing to the PTC Auction on Saturday, and to all those wonderful parent volunteers who planned another top notch event. There's still time to fulfill school wishes. See how.

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  • RHS does it again!

    Riverdale students took all Top 20 spots at the 2018 state bridge building competition. It may be something we’ve grown accustomed to, but let’s not diminish how truly impressive Riverdale’s bridge building program really is. Read more.

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  • Six students perform at Solo and Ensemble Competition

    We’re so proud of the six RHS students who participated in the Oregon Music Education Association’s Vocal Solo and Ensemble Competition for our district. Read on ...

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  • Talking about the tragedy in Florida

    A message from our two principals, including safety information and resources for talking with students about traumatic events.

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  • Riverdale's 2018 National Merit Scholarship Finalist

    Senior Thea Klucznik has been named a finalist in the 2018 National Merit Scholarship Competition. Our best wishes go out to her in this process.

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  • Top league honors for Mavericks Basketball

    We have three All-League Team honors this year, a tremendous achievement in a year where a lot of talent was evident in the nin-team league.

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  • Riverdale’s Olympic connection

    Some of you may see a familiar face when the Olympics begin this week. Michel Macedo, who attended Riverdale High School as a freshman (2013-14) and sophomore (2014-15), will be competing in Alpine Skiing for Brazil.

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  • Tuition increases announced for 2018-19 school year

    To combat rising education costs, the Riverdale School Board voted yesterday to increase tuition for the 2018-19 school year. This is the first increase since the 2011-12 school year, which had impacted only four grades.

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  • Division 22 Compliance for 2017-18

    Each year, school districts are required to report to our communities regarding the status of our compliance with the Standards for Public Elementary and Secondary Schools as set out in OAR Chapter 581, Division 22.

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  • Riverdale enacts 3% surcharge for all credit card payments

    On Feb. 1, 2018, Riverdale School District will begin collecting a 3% surcharge on all credit card payments to offset the bank processing fees that have previously been absorbed. Alternative payment options are available.

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  • Announcing 2017-18 Scholastic Art Award winners

    Riverdale High School is excited to announce our 18 Scholastic Art Award winners for this school year, winning 33 awards – including 12 Gold Keys, nine Silver Keys and 12 Honorable Mentions.

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  • 2017-18 Oregonian Cup: RHS finishes in 3rd place out of 41 3A schools

    This year’s ranking shows we have extremely well-rounded athletic programs and athletes, and also shows that Riverdale students do well both on and off the field of play.

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  • 7th grader wins 2nd place in Oregon Humane Society story contest

    We’re proud to announce that this year, 7th grader Hayden S. won 2nd place for 7th/8th grade in the Oregon Humane Society’s 69th Annual Be Kind to Animals Poster & Story Contest.

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  • Required notice for statewide testing

    Our students will take the Smarter Balanced English Language Arts and Math tests in the spring. In accordance with state rules, Riverdale shares with you this 30-day testing notice, including opt-out information.

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  • Thank you from the foundation and the district

    Thank you to the 75 percent of enrolled families who came together during this year’s Riverdale School Foundation Annual Campaign to raise $1,198,295 for Riverdale students. There's still time if you haven't contributed.

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  • Riverdale senior's survey sheds light on homeless teens

    Senior Gillian Styring was selected as a presenter at the recent TedXYouth conference in Portland, sharing the results of her four-month labor of love – a study called the "Teen2Teen Health Survey." Read more.

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  • Senior signs letter of intent to row with Gonzaga

    Senior Marissa Thomas, a varsity member of Rose City Rowing’s Junior Rowing Team, signed a national letter of intent to row with Gonzaga University's Division I Women's Rowing Team.

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  • Starting the year with kindness

    Our 3rd grade students started the year off with kindness – as part of the national Certified Kind Classroom Challenge. While there are some prizes to be won, our 3rd grade teachers believe all students are winning, simply by participating.

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  • Student artwork up for bid

    To celebrate and acknowledge the importance of Riverdale's art curriculum, the Parent Teacher Club will be including student art in two ways at this year’s auction: on the poster and up for bid. Plus, a calendar of student art is now for sale.

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  • Dogs put Riverdale young readers at ease

    Riverdale's Read to the Dogs program continues, providing opportunities for our younger students to read aloud to an animal who won't judge them, making them feel more confident and building oral fluency.

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  • Boys’ Cross Country finishes first

    Congratulations to the Mavericks Boys’ Varsity Cross Country team for finishing in first place at the 3A/2A/1A SD 1 - District 1 Championships.

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  • All-League team selections announced

    Congratulations to the Riverdale students (and coach!), who were recognized with All-League honors in the Lewis & Clark League.

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  • OSAA Academic All-State results

    Congratulations to four of the five Maverick fall teams for making the Top 10 list for 3A schools with the highest GPAs.

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  • Samara Haver, class of 2006, studies underwater soundscapes

    A Ph.D. student at Oregon State University, she studies the collection of all sounds in an underwater area, at twelve different locations, including national parks and national marine sanctuaries, to better protect species and habitats sensitive to noise.

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  • Pumpkin math

    Students used various tools to measure pumpkins, including strings to gauge the circumference and blocks to check the height, among other activities.

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  • Inaccuracy on Riverdale’s 2016-17 state report card

    On Oct. 12, the Oregon Department of Education released its annual state report cards for schools and districts, which you will likely hear about in various media reports. Learn about a reporting error that has impacted Riverdale's data.

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  • Jeff Robinson named 2017-18 Civic Scholar

    Please join us in congratulating our own 7/8 social studies teacher Jeff Robinson for being named a 2017-2018 Civic Scholar by Rep. Andrea Salinas from House District 38

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  • Getting to the heart of Riverdale

    The district, school board, foundation and PTC would like to thank all the parents who came out last night for our first Town Hall. Read more.

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  • Riverdale’s 2018 National Merit Scholarship semifinalist and commended students

    Congratulations to all of our recognized students, and best of luck to our semifinalist as she competes for scholarship awards.

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  • Update on proposed policy changes

    The board adopted policy changes clarifying options for residents who move out of the district, but tabled the vote on minimum attendance and discipline standards for non-resident students.

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  • Riverdale produces ‘chart-topping test scores’, Oregonian shares our secrets

    Today’s news is filled with coverage on the release of state test scores from last spring and how “Oregon students lost ground.” However, we’re pleased to say that Riverdale is a notable exception.

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  • Proposed policy changes – how do they affect you?

    The Riverdale School Board is continually reviewing district policies to see how they measure up to the impacts of law changes and other school districts’ policies. As needed, policies are adjusted to keep our policy manual as clear and current as possible. The board is currently working on two policy changes for probable adoption at the next school board meeting. See what they are and how they could affect you.

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  • Riverdale students show trend of increased college-readiness, says ACT report

    This month we received a report on the achievement and college-readiness of Riverdale’s graduating classes of 2013-2017. The evidence shows that RHS students are extremely prepared for college academically. While the scores have been well above the state average each year, the five-year trend showed a consistent increase in our students’ average ACT scores.

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  • Annual state testing notice

    This year, students will take the assessment in the spring. Read on for more information about the test, why participation matters and how you can support your child.

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  • Summer space exploration

    Senior Logan Bundy experienced a once in a lifetime internship opportunity this summer – working for NASA. Click to learn more.

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  • Superintendent Brandon will retire in June 2018

    After 44 years in education, Superintendent Brandon can't think of a better district in which to cap off his career. Read his message to the Riverdale community explaining his plans.

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  • Riverdale teachers and schools ranked high, report says

    We’ve always been impressed by our teaching staff, and it seems we’re not the only ones. According to the 2018 ratings report by consumer research site Niche, Riverdale is No. 1 for having the best teachers and for being best place to teach in Oregon. We also have the best public elementary and middle school in the state. Our high school and school district were also among the top three. Way to go, Riverdale! Learn more.

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  • Building bridges, and winners

    Riverdale students excel at bridge building. For the past five years, our kids have nabbed all top 20 spots at the annual regional bridge building contest, and won four international competitions. See what gives our students such an advantage.

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  • Where will you find the class of 2017 next year?

    This year’s class received 269 acceptances to 135 colleges/programs in the United States, Canada and even Europe, and was offered more than $10 million in scholarships. Click to find out where.

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  • A look back at District Arts Night 2017

    We’re delighted so many of your could join us to celebrate our students’ art last week at our annual District Arts Night. Check out these photos and local newspaper article.

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  • 2017 Oregonian Cup: RHS finishes 11th out of 41 schools

    The Oregonian Cup recognizes overall excellence by schools in academics, activities and athletics, and honors a school's students, teachers, coaches and the entire school community. Riverdale sports teams finishing this year with a combined ranking of 11th out of 41 3A schools shows that we have well-rounded athletic programs and athletes.

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  • 2017-18 School Year Calendar released

    At the April 17 board meeting, the Riverdale School Board adopted the high school and grade school academic calendars for 2017-18. Here are the key dates.

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  • Another international bridge building win for Riverdale

    Riverdale High School has once again claimed bridge-building victory! Congratulations to sophomore Glenn Sutter for earning 1st place in the 2017 International Bridge Building Competition and kudos also to junior Fisher Ng, who placed 17th.

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  • Seven Riverdale students selected for Young Historians Conference

    Riverdale’s acceptance rate for this year’s Young Historians Conference established a new school record. Seven of the 10 students who submitted historical research papers were selected to present at this annual PSU conference. And senior Dimitra Fellman won second place for her paper.

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  • Riverdale 7th grader wins writing award

    Congratulations to Max J. for winning third place in the middle school category for the 2017 Sala Kryszek Art & Writing Competition. Learn more and read Max's winning poem.

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  • Marimba melodies are catching on

    The success of Riverdale's marimba program has led to its expansion from the grade school to high school. And now high school students have even more reason to celebrate. Read more.

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  • Riverdale now has its own weather station

    Riverdale has installed its own weather station atop the Commons at Riverdale Grade School. Now, the Riverdale school community can monitor real-time weather conditions at the school using www.weatherunderground.com or the corresponding mobile app. Learn how to access Riverdale's weather data.

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  • Celebrating 20 years of our high school

    Riverdale's superintendent shares that the bond measure passed in 1996 to build a new high school is finally paid off. Read how our high school came to be, how it's been embraced by our community and how current students and graduates feel about Riverdale's high school program.

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  • Bringing science to life

    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. Read about two of those lessons here.

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  • A tale of two cities

    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.

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  • Riverdale launches Read to the Dogs program

    Riverdale Grade School kicks off a new Read to the Dogs program on National Read Across America Day, in partnership with two other organizations. Learn more.

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  • Singing while you learn

    It began with a reading comprehension lesson. To make the text exciting for those who struggle, and inspire them to dig a little deeper, 4th grade teacher Heidi Hutchinson turned to music lyrics. Read more.

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  • A holistic approach to music

    In our kindergarten through 4th grade music classes, children begin with what they do instinctively: play! Guided by the Orff Schulwerk approach to music instruction, speech, song, movement, drama and instrumental play are combined for active and creative music-making by all children, not just the musically talented.

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  • Exploration and empathy in preschool

    Inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, Riverdale’s preschool program honors children’s natural curiosity. “The children have just as much to teach others as I do,” says teacher Tammy Sutter. “We learn together and we follow what strikes the kids as exciting and interesting.” Learn more about Riverdale Preschool.

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  • Native legends retold

    While studying Native American history, Riverdale 1st and 2nd graders enjoyed lessons in capturing an audience's attention when master storyteller Will Hornyak helped prepare them to retell native legends.

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  • English lessons benefit from circles

    Middle school English teacher Carrington Light is excited about circles. No, she hasn’t switched to teaching math lessons. She’s talking about the new Literature Circles she’s implemented in her 7th and 8th grade classes.

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  • Striking a deal, the Lewis and Clark way

    Riverdale 4th graders learn many valuable lessons during their Lewis and Clark history unit – including how to strike a good deal. To help her students understand the aspects contributing to successful trade interactions between Lewis and Clark and the Chinook Indians, Sharon Whitehill led a barter activity in her classroom. Read more.

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  • 8th grade Mock Trial provides great learning opportunity

    In late April, our 8th grade students tried the Dred Scott case during the Mock Trial experience with the Honorable Judge Michael McShane in the Federal Courthouse downtown. This experience highlights the extreme talents of our students, as for many this would align with a college environment of learning and rigor.

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  • Students share sailing highlights in short video

    We encourage you to take time to see this short, student-made film, which encapsulates this year's new Sailing in the San Juan's trip beautifully.

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  • Field Studies: OHSU Pediatric Cardiology shadow

    Field Studies has one student making rounds and viewing a surgery. Senior Sasha Pansky came back glowing after four days in OHSU’s Pediatric Cardiology Lab. Read her account of her job shadow experience.

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  • 2016 HS Mock Trial team places third in state

    This is the second consecutive year Riverdale has placed third at the state Mock Trial competition. While the students may not be going on to the national contest, they are proud of doing so well. See what two team members had to say after the competition.

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  • For juniors, science is a zoo

    Winter trimester began with the building buzzing about the Zoology Phylum Project – comprehensive 70 to 140-minute student presentations on different invertebrate phyla, classes and even a few orders of the animal kingdom. It's an academic rite of passage at Riverdale High school. See why students look forward to it.

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  • Crafting a Mock Trial in high school

    In addition to intense research and preparation, crafting a mock trial takes “a combination of acting, costuming and craftiness.” See how Riverdale High School students prepare for this year's competition.

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  • The economics of conflict… and peace

    In a new class, Economics and Conflict, Riverdale High School students are learning to identify and analyze the intersection between economic scarcity and global conflict. Discover what they've been learning and how students are expanding their empathy for others.

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  • High schoolers on a hunt for history

    In this year's new Portland History elective, students were challenged with a scavenger hunt was planned for historic sites and buildings in the original Portland land claim – roughly the area between the Hawthorne and Morrison bridges, bounded on the west by 4th Avenue. Take a look at their adventure.

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  • Embracing the Habits of Mind

    Riverdale schools are committed to building upon the foundation of the Coalition of Essential Schools’ 10 Common Principles as a framework for shaping school culture. This year, with an eye on continued improvement, administration and staff have prioritized the integration of the Habits of Mind into the curriculum.

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  • H2O: To study, protect and provide

    While the H2O for Life class is thankful for all of the attention and support for our fundraising efforts to bring water to a Nepalese school that suffered massive earthquake damage, there is also much to share about the curriculum.

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  • Choir: Community, not class

    Ms. Schnizlein’s unique approach to teaching and devotion to forming a supportive atmosphere not only enhances the students’ love of music, but also creates a community where students aren’t afraid of taking personal risks and being vulnerable.

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  • Many fields of study

    Annual Field Studies play an integral role in Riverdale’s experiential learning style. Students in grades 6-12 venture away from the confines of classrooms each spring for a chance to experience the world and bond with other students. Read on to see what our students look forward to each year.

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  • Field Studies: Ashland Spotlight

    The annual Field Studies trip to Ashland is a favorite among Riverdale students. This year, one student captures the trip's magic in her article for the district newsletter. See what she has to share.

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  • Students run the class, build autonomous vehicles

    Riverdale students are once again making headlines for running the class... this time leading Riverdale High School classmates through a hands-on engineering and coding class resulting in customized miniature autonomous vehicles.

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  • Young Historians Conference: An authentic college experience – in high school

    The Young Historians Conference is an academic paper competition and conference hosted by Portland State University, and Riverdale's Western Civilization students submit papers and attend each year. They compete academically with top students, performing and researching at a level that in some cases exceeds college level.

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  • Riverdale student's winning recipe takes her to the White House

    Riverdale Grade School student Hannah C. is Oregon's winner in this year's Healthy Lunchtime Challenge, which is part of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move campaign.

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  • Riverdale has three 2016 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists

    Three Riverdale seniors are among the top 1,600 high performing Semifinalists advancing to the National Merit Scholarship Program. Additionally, Riverdale has three Commended students being recognized for their exceptional academic promise.

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  • A look back at Banned Books Week 2016

    Our library celebrated Banned Books Week by highlighting fiction and nonfiction books in the collection that have been the target of challenges in school and public libraries across the nation, inviting discussion about the first amendment and freedom of information, and hosting lunchtime events designed to promote a love of reading

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  • Riverdale celebrates International Day of the Girl

    The event, hosted by Riverdale’s Girl Up club (affiliated with the United Nations), addressed the changing way girls are being treated all over the world, as well as their future global role.

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  • Art win for sophomore Caleb Jacobson

    Sophomore Caleb Jacobson won first prize at the Oregon State Fair juried Fine Arts Division. See what the judges had to say about his winning piece.

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  • Scott Van Bergen (class of 2010) shows sculpture in PSU show

    Our high school art teacher, David Schell, recently ran into alumnus Scott Van Bergen, class of 2010, at an art opening, in which he is showing a sculpture.

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  • Yonah Barany performs in university production of 'The Beggar's Opera'

    Barany portrayed the central role of Lockit, the corrupt jailer of Newgate Prison.

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  • Eleanor Van Buren, class of 2013, talks college sports and embassy internship

    Eleanor Van Buren, Riverdale High School class of 2013, is featured in an Oberlin College Athletic Department video.

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  • Yonah Barany, class of 2014, earned first place at state music competition

    Yonah Barany, Riverdale High School class of 2014, earned first-place honors in the sophomore men's division at the recent Wisconsin chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) competition.

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  • Katherine Donaldson, class of 2008, named a 2016 ALA Emerging Leader

    This leadership development program selects no more than 50 newer library workers each year.

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