Wisdom Integrity Nurture Gratitude Success Service
May 17th, 2010

  Wings

 

 

 

WINGS

April 2010 - Dwight Vidal, RCS graduate and current faculty member is giving wings to young men of color he mentors at Riverdale through the peer to peer organization he created. WINGS encourages wisdom, integrity, nurture, gratitude, success, and service. On April, 19, WINGS held it’s first symposium for young men of color at “Hill” (Riverdale, Horace Mann & Fieldston) independent schools. The inspirational and actionable day of workshops was  hosted by Riverdale Country School (RCS). The days workshop was  supported by distinguished figures in the community to shape, guide, and provide positive self images.Vidal wanted the young men attending the workshop to have a clearer sense of themselves by hearing voices of wisdom from guests like Charles Blow, NY Times editor, and Milton Sipp, Head of Middle School at RCS.  The young men were challenged to confront past and current media perceptions and to establish tools for positive self development.

SOC’s – Combating “The Only”: Creating Lower School Affinity Groups
February 22nd, 2010

Socs Talent show

 

Combating “The Only”: Creating Lower School Affinity Groups

This is just what Riverdale Country School did with the creation of SOC’s – Students of Color lower school affinity group. Back in 2008, Jocelyn Gooding–Smith, past Asst. Admissions Director at RCS, along with current 3rd grade teacher, Demetra Caldwell, made the case and expressed the rationale for creating SOC’s. Having a critical mass of children of color not only supports positive self images at the ground floor of our institutions, but makes the business case for recruitment and well-balanced retention of families who require diverse learning environments.

Two years later, with the full support of administration and families, the SOC’s after school program is a successful lower school affinity model. Current facilitators, Demetra Caldwell and LaToya Allen were presenters at the 2009 PoCC in Denver. A full house of eager educators were on hand to learn about the obstacles that can be encountered, the practices and materials found most effective, and how the entire school community benefits from having SOC’s!  Demetra, Latoya, Lorraine, and Kristina are doing awesome work. Go SOC’s!

Let RIISE know if you are interested in learning more about the SOC’s model.

Click here to see SOC’s in action!

SOCS from Mark Alhadeff on Vimeo.

The Prep School Negro Comes To RCS
December 11th, 2009

Picture 1The limited release of this introspective documentary by Andre Robert Lee was met with rave reviews at RCS on November 23. The panel discussion that followed the viewing, Straight Talk – “At What Cost?” was as provocative as the documentaries title demanding a follow up workshop. The upcoming workshop will continue the cathartic and applicable discussions on notions of psychological homelessness, code switching, assimilation and the undeniable positive experiences when identity is valued and supported by family, school, and community networks.


Click to Watch!

A Young Dancer: A Year in the Life of an Ailey Student
November 13th, 2009

Iman Bright
Riverdale Country School
Class of 2010
A Young Dancer: A Year in the Life of an Ailey Student
Meet Iman Bright, a thirteen-year-old student at the prestigious Ailey School in New York City. Iman is passionate about dance, but she also enjoys drawing, playing music, and of course, hanging out with her friends. Follow Iman as she warms up at the barre, practices violin, and gets ready for a performance with her fellow students.
In descriptive words and striking photographs, this informative picture book provides fascinating insight into the world of dance through the voice of one very talented young performer.
Click here to buy her book

Iman BrightIman Bright
Riverdale Country School
Class of 2010
A Young Dancer: A Year in the Life of an Ailey Student

Meet Iman Bright, a thirteen-year-old student at the prestigious Ailey School in New York City. Iman is passionate about dance, but she also enjoys drawing, playing music, and of course, hanging out with her friends. Follow Iman as she warms up at the barre, practices violin, and gets ready for a performance with her fellow students.
In descriptive words and striking photographs, this informative picture book provides fascinating insight into the world of dance through the voice of one very talented young performer.

Click here to buy her book

Nadia Ahmad:Teen on the Scene
October 8th, 2009

Nodia AhmadRiverdale Country School Senior Nadia is featured in the Westchester Magazine!
Check out what Nadia has to say about today’s teen scene

Nadia in Westchester Magazine

Spotlight on RCS & NYC Marathon
September 26th, 2009

47218-264-016t

Two members of the Riverdale Country School community will be running on behalf of The Somarela Fund who is Caring to Run against AIDS/HIV benefiting the children that they serve in Botswana.
Carl Jeanniton, RCS parent and Team Somarela runner says, “This came about when Jay Crosby (Middle School history teacher) reached out to the Riverdale community (via email) seeking 20 runners to run for “The Somarela Fund”– a charity fighting the race against AIDS in Botswana where 40% of the population is infected with this terrible disease. There is quite a buzz stirring in the middle school about “Team Somarela”–T-Shirts are circulating and a handful of students went to Botswana over the summer (community service) to work in a local village in crisis. “
Guiselle Green, also part of RCS and Team Somarela notes that she is running for “children whose innocence and security are being taken away at the blink of an eye. I feel honored to be a part of this inaugural effort by Jay and his foundation – The Somarela Fund.

Let’s help Carl and Guiselle run for children in need!

http://www.active.com/donate/somarela/jcl1
www.active.com/donate/somarela/guiselle

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  • Testimonials

    "Providing a supportive network for families navigating the waters of the Independent School world is an excellent undertaking. I am eager to support RIISE's work."
    - Sandy Shaller, Head of Lower School

    "CONGRATS!! I was impressed with the number of people who came out, and the number of us who were touched in some way by Mr. Lee's experience. There were a few gut wrenching moments for me… when he realized he lost his connection with his sister, and was more comfortable in the presence of the Caucasian family..."
    - Josie Cole, Parent

    Read More Testimonials