Middle School Message from Middle School Head Toby Clark

This is an exciting time at Riverfield. There is considerable interest in our Middle School as we now have a High School to which our students can progress. Our Middle School program is tailored to the needs of young adolescents. They take core courses (Math, English, Science, Social Studies, Spanish, and German) in small classes with an experienced faculty. They are also involved in Art, Rock Music, Drama, Tech, Book Club, Awareness and Service, and have a range of other Electives from which to choose.

Personal attention is our greatest strength. We know each child within a short time and help each student succeed to the best of their abilities Parents feel connected to their children and both feel a part of close knit community. This is not commonplace in schools today.

One of the biggest changes I have witnessed this past couple years is the increase in social events at RCDS. We had a winter Homecoming (complete with king, queen, court), and a Valentine’s Dance. Games Night was a huge success with various game stations in every classroom, a ping pong tournament in the gym as well as pick-up basketball games. A repeat performance is already being planned. Our new student government has been active in creating and organizing these events.

As we have grown, we have added additional elective options (Rock Music, Drama, PhotoShop, Yearbook, and Newspaper, to name a few). We are playing interscholastic sports in Cross Country, Girls Volleyball, Basketball, Tennis, and Golf, and the school has just acquired an additional 30 acres of land on which we plan to build our athletic complex in the near future.

We look forward to 8-man tackle football, baseball and softball in 2007-2008 as well as the first year for the Riverfield Drum Line!!

Two of these courses make Riverfield unique: "Awareness" is a weekly course for 6th -8th graders that covers everything from drug and alcohol education, to media literacy, to team building. "Service" gives students the opportunity to give back to their school and strengthen responsibility by mentoring a younger child, helping take care of the school's many animals or providing assistance to a teacher or administrator.

“RenWeb” is another valuable component of our 6 th-12 th grade program. Parents and students can access grades, homework, school calendar, school directory and other helpful information from any internet connection. Parents feel ”in the loop” and can initiate communication easily through RenWeb. Students learn to use RenWeb to confirm homework assignments and manage their own academic success.

To schedule a private tour to learn more about this exciting new high school and see our new facility and gymnasium call 446-3553 or email Toby Clark.

I look forward to meeting you.

Sincerely,

Toby Clark
Middle and Upper School Division Head