WELCOME HOME LINDA
(EMOND) GRIEVE
To return to one's own high school in the role of
principle is a thrill that few people get to exper It's
an honor and a privilege to be selected for this pos Many
who pursue a career in teaching may want to return to their alma
mater as a teacher, but to come back as the principal is a dream
come true.
Although the building is new and diff I felt
welcomed and at home since the moment I entered the front doors.
Many staff were very familiar. My own grade 11 math teacher,
Lilias MacDonald Worling, is now head of the
math department Many other staff members have worked with
me in other schools during my career as teacher, vice-principal,
and principal.
As I wandered the halls during my first few days,
there were many reminders of my time here as a student - many
paintings, the scholarship boards, the photos outside the auditorium,
and even the enclosed skeleton and bird that stood in my biology
class more than thirty years ago are still The auditorium
which seemed much smaller as I stood at the podium to give my
words of greeting to the student body.
In my few short weeks here as principal, I can
assure you that the wonderful traditions and values that we experienced
here as students continue to th The tradition of academic
excellence, the involvement in school teams, participation in
music, art and drama, and leadership opportunities continue to
be strong features of Rive The students are friendly, hard-working
young people who demonstrate pride in their s The staff
are dedicated professionals who commit their time and expertise
to assist students in the classroom and b Dozens and dozens
of extra-curricular activities continue to exist at Riverdale
due to staff support.
When I reflect back upon my years as a student
at Riverdale, so much of who I am and what I became was due to
the wonderful teachers who taught me and the wealth of experiences
and opportunities that were available to me through extra-curricular
activ Special teachers like Ralph Peters, Kay Hoey,
and Don Creighton were very influential
in my life and c My involvement in the school choir, intramural
sports, yearbook, and leadership roles in groups such as girls'
club and Red Cross club all helped to shape my personal interests
and my future career paths.
When I graduated from Riverdale in June '65, I
went to the University of Toronto and received my B.A. in psych
After attending the Faculty of Education, I began my teaching
career at Forest Hill Colle I taught there for 15 years,
most of that time as head of the girls' physical and health education
depar I was thrilled to have one of my former Riverdale
teachers, Don Creighton, as my principal at Forest
Hill.
At the same time my vice-principal was Howard Gotlib,
who soon became the principal at Rive Both these gentlemen
were wonderful role models and mentors to They both encouraged
and supported my move into school administr I will always
be appreciative of their help and assistance.
In 1984, I was promoted to the position of vice-prin
I served in this role at Central Technical School, Heydon Park
Secondary School, and Lawrence Park Colle I then moved on
the position of principal at West Toronto Collegiate and Humberside
Colle When the vacancy occurred at Riverdale it was too
good an opportunity to pass by.
Beyond school, most of my time is taken up by my
f My husband, Doug, (a Monarch Park graduate)
and myself are the proud parents of two wonderful chi Our
19 year old son, Trevor, is completing his first
year in Honors Science/Math at the University of Guelph. Our 13
year old daughter, Vanessa, is soon to graduate
from grade 8 in Scarbor For 14 years our children have been
involved in competitive swi This sport requires parents
to, not only drive every day to early morning and/ or after school
practices, but also to be involved as officials at regular weekend
swim In my remaining "free time", I continue
my involvement in choir music - an interest developed by my participation
in the Riverdale choir.
I look forward to many exciting years at Rive
For me this opportunity has allowed my career to come full c
I hope that through my leadership I can give something back to
the school and community, that gave so much to me.
Linda (Emond) Grieve, class of '65
Editor's note: A Riverdale first! A former
graduate becomes the new principal and RCAA member.
Fish Returning to the Don River
From a publication produced by Friends
of the Don, we learn that fish ladders are being constructed
in the Don River near Pottery Road. In order to build the
Don Valley Parkway back in the 50's, the course of the Don was
altered.
The new fish ladders will allow fish to swim upriver
to spawn; also, they will provide an in-stream habitat for aquatic
plants and an In addition they will create small pools and
gentle rapids that will add to the aesthetic quality of the
The ladders are constructed by strategically placing large boulders
in the river.
George Hayes
Ed. note: The Toronto Star reported on page
A6, May 6, 1997, how real fish were caught and returned to the
Don after a much improved report card on the Don's health.
We get Letters...
from Osgoode Ontario
It was with fond memories that I toured RCI on November
12, 1996 while in To After Roden Public School, I entered
RCI in 1959 and received my Honour Graduation Diploma in
I was privileged to have participated in the RCI Army Cadets and
to have been a part of the 1960 Spring Musicale.
I still have, and often play the LP record so splendidly captured
live in the auditorium.
My brother, David Wagner, entered RCI in 1960 and
graduated in We are now both retired; myself with over
31 years of service with the Bank of Canada in Ottawa, and Dave,
after many years of serving and protecting with the Metropolitan
Toronto Police Force.
Since retiring, I work part time in the Frederic
Remington Art Museum in Ogdensburg, NY commuting across the border
near Prescott, On Dave and I are dual American/Canadian
citizens and this part time job allows me to build up my American
Social Security benefits.
Dave now runs his own business, Vehicle Identification
Network, verifying stolen and/ or altered vehicles for car dealers,/
auctions.
Dave and I look forward to attending the 90th Anniversary
on October 25, In the meantime, we would like to take this
opportunity to join the Riverdale Collegiate Alumni Associ
I understand that life membership is twenty-five dollars
I enclose a cheque for $50; for myself and my brother, David.
Fred Wagner- '64 & David Wagner- '65
P.S. Enclosed is some information on my Capital
bicycle ride (Ottawa Washington Ottawa) in 1994; 1260 miles in
12 This will shock my former Phys., Ed. teachers! (Fred).
Fred also received official recognition from the
Prime Minister of Canada and the United States Ambassador to Canada.
Fred Wagner, a volunteer at the extended services
office in Osgoode, celebrated two national holidays this s
He embarked on a gruelling bike trip that took him from the Parliament
Buildings in Ottawa to the White house in Washington D.C. and
back to Ottawa.
The 50 year old Osgoode resident, who has dual citizenship,
left Ottawa on Canada Day and hoped to arrive in Washington four
days later, just in time to celebrate the Fourth of Unfortunately,
bad weather and a few road hazards including two flat tires prevented
the systems research analyst from reaching his goal in a timely
m Wagner arrived in Washington on July 6th and was back
in Ottawa on July 12.
Through his efforts, Fred was trying to raise awareness
of community policing and law enforc (from the OPP Review,
Sept. 1994)
News Update since the last newsletter
On March 5 at 7:00 p.m., Riverdale welcomed alumni
and their families. They reviewed the facilities and saw several
new displays that were just inst Although the turnout was
less than anticipated, each person had an opportunity to express
his views on future cultural and athletic activ If you were
unable to attend and have some ideas for future events please
contact us.
The March 5th night gave us a chance to mobilize
and orga It was good training for the upcoming 90th birthday
party, October The dress is casual, the mood is enthusi
The time 2-4 Over 60,000 photos from past school events
will be on di Relive those wonderful days.
Come and relive the spirit with school mates and
tea
Robert Arnott, Co-convenor, '58
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