Musical Makes Manners Matter
Rio Grande School presented the premiere of an original musical by Barbara Bentree and John Rangel entitled "The R Word" as the perfect finale to GrandeFriends Day on Friday, May 21. The production was a collaboration between the drama, music, and art classes and featured the sixth grade class in starring roles. Each and every class performed songs and finished the show with an energetic and slightly modified version of Aretha Franklin's legendary song "Respect." Pictured above performing "RSVP," a lesson in the importance of responding to invitations, are second graders Harkrishan Khalsa, Caye Duran, Campbell Leonard, Juliana Zappitell, and Alexander Hoback.
Special thanks are due to Barbara Bentree, John Rangel, and Chris Leslie for the immense amount of time and energy they put into making this such a memorable morning. Congratulations to all for a great show! **Would you like a copy of the professional video taken of the show? Email parent Marc Romanelli for details.** |
|
|
Community Welcomes GrandeFriends to RGS
Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and many other members of the extended RGS community enjoyed the multigenerational celebration known as GrandeFriends Day on Friday.
Breakfast awaited the guests and was immediately followed by featured speaker and RGS grandparent, Mr. Jacques D'Amboise. GrandeFriends also had time to explore classrooms, see various student projects, and play games with their student guides. Sandwiched by time to view the beautiful display of artwork from students of all ages, GrandeFriends and parents then enjoyed the RGS original musical "The R Word." With so much preparation that went into the event, it's hard to believe that it's all over. One thing is certain, though: This GrandeFriends day will be tough to top. We are especially grateful to art specialist Melissa Merritt for hosting such an incredible exhibit of student art.
Pictured above: Third grader Karen Sabol uses the SMARTBoard to demonstrate the class blog to her grandmother, Sandy Fisch. |
|
Fourth Grade Cracks the Case
 It happened again. That shady faculty at RGS was under suspicion for the tenth year in a row after another "heinous crime" was committed in the fourth grade classroom. Good thing the fourth graders were ready with their forensic skills. This year, the ever-popular frog pillow was "frog-napped," but the fourth grade detectives were ready to investigate. They entered their room to find the annual mock crime scene all set. Official crime scene tape marked an area of the room covered with footprints, coffee mugs, mysterious tool impressions, hair and fibers, and a ransom note demanding the class's popular dog biscuit recipe. Who could have committed such an unthinkable act? After a full day of investigation and interrogation of the fifteen suspicious faculty and staff members, the class deemed Learning Specialist Kerri Cottle...GUILTY! Of course, she was overcome with remorse, so the fourth graders unanimously decided to forgive her.
The project, which has been featured in Independent School Magazine, is an interdisciplinary study that melds science, writing, research, and math skills. Students have recently finished filming an account of the investigation, which will premiere this Wednesday.
Pictured Above: Jack Pagano uses the latest forensic science technology to identify hair and fiber samples left by the thief. |
|
RGS Stars!  Third grader Arielle Nathan attended the award ceremony for her first place winning water conservation poster on Wednesday, May 12. Pictured at right is the beautiful poster Arielle created under the theme of "Our Water, Our Future." Congratulations again, Arielle, on such a fabulous accomplishment.
 Congratulations to fourth graders Aidan Daly and Westy Davis on their successful terms as Head of School for the Day (Aidan on May 14 and Westy on May 21). Aidan was charged with the special task of being Head on Staff Appreciation Day, and she did a wonderful job reminding all the students to thank their teachers. Westy co-hosted GrandeFriends Day with Mr. Underwood on Friday, and was particularly gifted at welcoming our guests. Pictured at left is Aidan as she helps Mr. Underwood lead All-School Meeting.
 After meeting each Monday afternoon for the entire school year, fourth graders Hailey Tyra, Aidan Daly, and third grader Rianna Huertas attended the Assistance Dogs of the West graduation ceremony on Tuesday, May 18. Hailey, Aidan, and Rianna worked with several dogs and trained them throughout the year so that they might eventually be placed with people in need of assistance. All three are pictured above from the left: Hailey, Aidan, and Rianna. Congratulations on all of your hard work! For more information on Assistance Dogs of the West, please click here. For a very special birthday treat, maintenance staff member Jim Anaya took his first skydive from 10,500 feet, free-falling for over 5,000 feet before making a soft landing. Jim plans to go for his aerial free-falling certification soon. Congratulations, Jim, on your new adventure! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark Your Calendar
Field Day
NOON DISMISSAL
Friday, May 28
EXTENDED CARE OFFERED UNTIL 5:30
NO SCHOOL,
Memorial Day
Monday, May 31
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL, EC-4th Grade
Thursday, June 3
EXTENDED CARE OFFERED UNTIL 5:30
Sixth Grade Graduation
Friday, June 4
10:00 am in the MAC
Summer Solution Begins!
Monday, June 14
9:00 am in the MAC
|
|
Annual Fund Hits All Marks
The 2009-2010 Annual Fund has wrapped up another successful year and has even set one auspicious new mark. Thanks to the Board of Trustees Matching Challenge, parent participation in the Fund skyrocketed from 64% in March to 95% as of today! One very generous parent donor even increased her original gift to get us to our fundraising goal, cresting the $200,000 level last week. Parents, we can't thank you enough for your commitment to RGS. For a complete list of all donors to the Annual Fund, CLICK HERE. |
|
IMPORTANT EXTENDED CARE NEWS
Please note the following changes to our extended care hours:
Friday, May 28 (Field Day): NOON DISMISSAL, EXTENDED CARE OFFERED UNTIL 5:30.
Thursday, June 3 (Last Day of School for EC-4): REGULAR DISMISSAL, EXTENDED CARE OFFERED UNTIL 5:30. |
|
NewsGrande