Principal Newsletter -- January 28, 2010

Each year Riverdale High School puts delivers an incredible theatrical performance. Quite often, roles are available for Grade School students to showcase their talents alongside the cast. This year is no exception, on both accounts. Please see the Upcoming Events section below for details on the shows. I'm told the opening weekend shows were a rousing success. I plan on seeing the show on Thursday evening.

Below is a list of the talented grade schoolers involved in the production. I've been witness to the many hours they've put in outside for school hours to prepare. Congratulations (and, hopefully, a broken leg;) to:

Whitney Ahn
Aya Doslu
Caroline Edwards
Haley Hummelt
Graham Jonson
Lucie Keeton
John Kissel
Genevieve Klein
Isabel Klein
Nolan Larkin
Rose Lee
Alexandra Nolands
Isabel Pereira
Nate Pereira
Carmen Quintos
Holly Scrugham
Chloe Sellers
Celeste Torvalds

Upcoming events:

Monday

3:45 PM - 4:45 PM GS Site Council Mtg - Room 6 (Reece)

Tuesday
Progress Reports Mailed Today

Wednesday

Thursday
All day event Regular Day for K-8
4:00 PM 6/7/8 Girls' BB game (away) vs Trinity Lutheran
7:30 PM HS Musical @ Broadway Rose Theatre

Friday
All day event Regular Day for K-8
7:30 PM HS Musical @ Broadway Rose Theatre

Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM GS - Middle School Science Bowl
10:00 AM 7/8 Boys' BB game (home @ RHS gym) vs Trinity Lutheran
2:00 PM HS Musical @ Broadway Rose Theatre
7:30 PM HS Musical @ Broadway Rose Theatre

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat!

Principal Newsletter -- January 11, 2010

There are so many different aspects of life at Riverdale to be celebrated at various points along the trajectory of a school year, but there is probably none so remarkable as the incredible arts program, directed by Nancy Helmsworth. And, I've found that the best way to celebrate the work of the professionals at RGS is to hold up the work of their students. In this case, I am pleased to announce that RGS students accounted for five awards in the recent Scholastic Art Awards.

The art room is a staple on tours of prospective parents. You just know, walking in to the space, that this is a workshop in the truest sense of the word. From the beginning, from kindergarten, students are exposed to high quality artistic exemplars by renowned artists across a wide spectrum of media. By middle school, students self-select to focus on the visual arts in their elective periods.

Each year, Ms. Helmsworth works with 7th and 8th grade art students to develop pieces for entry into the awards. And, without fail, her work with our young artists is rewarded when they are recognized as being among the best and brightest in the country. Below are images five pieces, by four RGS students. Congratulations go to Noelle Foden-Vencil, Molly Fowkes, Gunnar Rosenburg, Corey Linver & -- of course -- Nancy Helmsworth!


Noelle Foden-Vencil Self-portrait -cut tyvec (cut paper) "Silver Key award"

Noelle Foden-Vencil Boiler Room - drawing -"Silver Key Award"

Molly Fowkes - Tools - drawing-"Gold Key Award"

Gunnar Rosenberg -Pipes- drawing- "Honorable Mention"

Corey Linver - Knob - drawing- "Honorable Mention"

Upcoming events:

Monday
6:00 PM School Board Regular Meeting, HS Library

Tuesday
4:00 PM 6/7/8 Girls' BB game (away) vs West Hills Christian

Wednesday
9:00 AM GS PTC Meeting @ Smith (front foyer)
4:00 PM 7/8 Boys' BB game (preseason away) vs West Hills Chrisitian

Thursday
8:40 AM - 1:30 PM GS - 8th Gr FT - Justice Center
4:00 PM 7/8 Boys' BB game (home @ RHS gym) vs Horizon

Friday

Principal's Newsletter December 11, 2009

Giving as a Way of Life

If you are a subscriber to the LO Review, please take a moment to find the education section; they regularly print a feature called Students Speak and quite often come around hoping to speak with students about a pre-selected topic. For the most part the questions the students are asked are rather frivolous. This time, however, when the reporter spoke with our 7th and 8th graders she inquired as to their philanthropic efforts. I surreptitiously eavesdropped, and experienced once more the kind of pride that only children speaking from the heart can provide. The kids didn't blink; their thoughts and plans rolled right out. I was impressed not only by the fact that each of them had at least one major initiative or project to speak cogently about, but also by the range they represented. And this was a random sampling of our students. If you've seen the over-stuffed bins of coats gracing our front entry at Smith -- the results of our Student Council's effort to make a difference for kids in need -- then you know this is not an isolated incident. For our kids, giving is an important aspect of life in the broader world. I am thankful to work with a faculty focused on bringing them exposure to the ethic of selfless giving, and to work alongside a parent community raising a group of kids who don't flinch when asked "What are you doing to make a difference this season?"

Upcoming events:

Monday

6:00 PM School Board Regular Meeting, HS Library

Tuesday

Wednesday
1st Grade and Kinder to Tears of Joy

Thursday
9:00 AM - 10:45 PM GS - 7 & 8 Gr. FT - RHS (Shakespeare)

Friday
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM District Athletic Committee Meeting
2:00 PM - Rockets Away!