This week was a wonderful reminder of the many ways our Riverside students shine.

On Wednesday evening, our Band, Strings, and Chorus students took the stage for their Spring Concert and delivered an outstanding performance. The dedication, practice, and perseverance required to prepare for an event like this is tremendous, and our students rose to the occasion. We are grateful to our talented music teachers, Mr. Whelan-Morin, Mrs. Blashford, Mrs. Gifford, and Ms. Sfarnas, who inspire a love of music while helping students develop confidence, discipline, and teamwork. Thank you to the many families who joined us to celebrate our young musicians.

We also hosted one of my favorite events of the year: Career Day. More than 35 professionals volunteered their time to share their careers, experiences, and advice with our students. From healthcare and public safety to engineering, business, technology, education, and beyond, our students were exposed to a wide variety of possibilities for their future. A sincere thank you to all of our presenters for helping our students make connections between what they are learning today and the opportunities that await them tomorrow.

Perhaps the most inspiring moment of the week came when we welcomed back former Riverside students for the Mount Vernon High School Senior Walkthrough. As our graduating seniors walked through the halls of their elementary school one last time, our current students lined the hallways to cheer them on. It was a powerful reminder that every graduate was once a young learner sitting in a Riverside classroom, building the foundation for the success they celebrate today. Seeing our alumni return reminded us all that the journey from kindergarten to graduation happens one day, one lesson, and one relationship at a time.

As we move into the final weeks of the school year, I am filled with gratitude for the incredible opportunities our students experience and the supportive community that makes them possible. Thank you for partnering with us to help every Riverside student learn, grow, and thrive.