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Riverside Christian School Handbook

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V. Student Activities

Elementary ACSI Competitions

A variety of activities are provided for students throughout the school year at Riverside Christian School, both within and without the regular curriculum.

We participate in two academic competitions sponsored by the Association of Christian Schools International. The purpose of these competitions is as follows:

  1. To develop specific skills in content area.
  2. To expand the students' ability to express themselves.
  3. To encourage students to develop the ability to remain calm under the pressure of competition and maintain clear thinking, as well as good recall.
  4. To provide opportunity for fellowship with students from other Christian schools.

Riverside Christian School is involved in the following ACSI competitions:

ACSI Spelling Bee

This competition begins in the classroom. The top two competitors from each classroom in first through eighth grades earn the privilege of competing on the Riverside district level spelling team. This team travels to the district competition. Students compete for grade level trophies and ribbons. Students in grades five through eight compete for the privilege to attend the regional competition. Regional competitors may earn the right to move on to the national level of competition.

ACSI Math Olympics

The Math Olympics is a half-day event in the spring, which consists of a series of tests in two categories, computation and reasoning. Students must choose one category in which to compete. Ribbons are awarded to the top five students in each grade and category. The first-place student in each grade and each category with a minimum FCC of 85% accuracy or better receives an Olympic style medallion.

Other Competitions and Activities

Other competitions for Riverside Christian School students include:

National Geography Competition

Grades four through eight compete annually in the National Geographic Society sponsored National Geography Competition. The winner of each classroom level competition advances to the all school competition. The winner of this level of competition advances to the next level, a written exam. A number of state level competitors are chosen from among those who score highest on the written exam. Contestants have the opportunity to compete for the privilege of moving on to the national level, which involves a $25,000 scholarship.

Creative Writing Day/Cultural Arts Festival

Riverside Christian annually sponsors a full day of special workshops and activities for students in grades kindergarten through six. Preparations for this Creative Writing Day begin weeks ahead. Activities can include, but are not limited to, writing projects, illustrating techniques, drama, music, handcrafts, visiting author workshops, storyteller sessions, and "drop everything and read". Activities and workshops change from year to year.

Musical-Drama Presentations

Each year two large-scale musical-dramas take place at Riverside Christian Elementary School. Grades kindergarten through three present a Christmas performance. Grades four through six present a spring performance. Grade six also participates in choir presentations throughout the year.

Band

Riverside Christian elementary students have opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument in our beginning band program. A trial period is offered for students to experience band and to learn the expectations. At the end of the trial period, each student who chooses to be involved in band must sign a contract, committing to given expectations. In addition, there is a 5th/6th grade intermediate band. A secondary band and pep band are in the development phase.

Outdoor School

Students in grade six participate in three days and nights of science-oriented outdoor school each spring as part of the regular sixth grade science curriculum. This outdoor school traditionally takes place at Camp Ghormley, deep in the beautiful Cascade Mountains. All sixth graders are required to attend.