It was widely acknowledged that Riverwoods had a marvelous group of students (nearly 300) to share learning experiences with this year. The staff was very excited to have an additional tool added to their instructional planning this year in the form of the NWEA MAP assessments. They spent a great deal of professional development time learning about this tool, and plan to get a great deal of instructional support through it's varied applications next year.
Riverwoods highlighted the year with a graduation celebration for one student on June 3rd, and a spring student awards program on June 4th. The graduation ceremony was attended by all students, a number of family members and friends of the graduate, and one very special surprise guest invited by the graduate. The special guest was a speaker the graduate had heard a few months ago who particularly inspired her, so much so that she felt moved to write the speaker to express this, inform her that she was graduating, and invite her to the ceremony. The awards program on June 4th was attended by more parents than ever before. In addition, Board Member Bruce Mohs attended. Bruce received a standing ovation from students upon closing the program with an impromptu song of tribute to the students and family members attending ("Forever Young" by Bob Dylan, done in Capella!). It was a great way to end the school year!
