Hi All,

I just wanted to take a few minutes to talk more about our Academic Excellence Pillar - but in a different way. This week was a celebration of our excellent Arts Program, which is a core component of our academic program in all grades. I want to thank our teachers, Laura, Jay, Gerardo, Christine, Damon, and Jim for their work on behalf of our students. When I was first looking at private schools in Chicago for my son many years ago, we did a great deal of research. One comment that an expert gave me was, "Great schools have great arts programs." I have always taken that to heart, and by any measure, we have a great arts program.

A few reminders came our way to point out what we sometimes take for granted. We received an unsolicited call from a student's grandmother after joining us Wednesday for the Spring Arts Festival. She was so impressed and wanted us to know how much she enjoyed the music and art, and how much the school has meant to her grandchild. On two new family tours in the last two days, we were asked, "Do you have art teachers -- or do parents come in once a week to teach art?"; "I miss our old music program, do you have any music?"; "Do all students really study art and music through high school?" Not only could we say yes, but we could also show them our dedicated classrooms and the work that our students are doing. They were blown away.

Three art pieces created by Gr 5 students will be on display in Washington, D.C. this summer. Also, two of our auction art pieces were chosen by the City of Boise to be displayed on a traffic box -- the first time they have chosen art presented by a school. They will be installed in the next few months on 11th and Front Streets.  

We strive to be exceptional in all academic areas - and that includes the arts. This summer, when you walk, bike, or drive by the traffic boxes featuring our students' art, please admire them - but think Academic Excellence!

Call for anything, 

Head of School 

Be part of history by playing in Riverstone's first golf tournament! And don't miss a great party! Proceeds benefit Riverstone and our students. **Last day to register is May 12**

Riverstone's First Annual Golf Tournament (Saturday, May 16 at 1:30 PM)

Golf scramble at Warm Springs Golf Course! Form a team of four or sign up solo and we'll place you on a team! Teams can consist of male, female, co-ed, student/teacher, etc. $100 per player includes round of golf, cart, and light refreshments midway through the course. Kindly organized by Gr 2 teacher, Pete Burton. Sign up here.  

Caddyshack Cocktail Party (Saturday, May 16 at 5:30 PM)

Head to the home of Kurt & Treacy Liebich for a festive Caddyshack themed cocktail party! Whether you finish your round of golf in the scramble or meet the players afterward, all are invited! Don't forget to pop your collar and sport your best plaid pants! Kindly donated by Kurt & Treacy Liebich. Sign up here. 

• Two choir students participated in the National Choirs in Salt Lake City
• The choir program is thriving with the addition of a barbershop quartet in the High school and performances both at school and in the community
• Our Elementary students have developed strong skills in music literacy and content to expand their abilities in singing both in unison and in harmony
• We have five Middle and High School ensembles with two new ones launching next year
• Ensembles have performed three times to large audiences in downtown and have been invited to do more shows next year
• Our Middle and High School students have learned music and culture from styles including Basque, Andean, Brazilian, Middle Eastern and many more
• Middle and High School students compose each year including full length works at the high school level including Renaissance choral music, Ghanian High-Life, Classical piano, Experimental Jazz and post-modern percussion (among others)
• Our senior musicians are taking one of the most challenging music analysis exams in the world and have recorded a total of 140 minutes of solo performance
• Middle and High School students performed a teaching concert for the Elementary School, introducing our younger students to a wide range of rhythms and meters from four cultures.
• Grade 9 students composed, learned and recorded soundtracks for 3 short films
• Grade 10 students learned about Basque music in a workshop setting with local professional Basque musicians
• Seven high school students have been attending bimonthly mentoring sessions and have been taking an increasingly prominent leadership role in the music community at Riverstone
• Our Grade 10 students composed/recorded background music for the Grade 2 play