Education

Photos: Riverhead Charter School spring concert

RCS concert 5
Riverhead Charter School students performing at Thursday’s concert. (Credit: Jennifer Gustavson photos)

The Riverhead Charter School held its spring concert at Pulaski Street School on Thursday.

As teachers played the guitar, drums and other instruments, students in grades kindergarten through seventh grade sang several songs, including: Frank Loesser’s “Inchworm,” Stevie Wonder’s “You are the Sunshine of My Life,” and Pharrell Williams’ “Happy.”

The select choir sang “In Stiller Nacht” and “Can’t Take My Eyes off You,” and the symphonic orchestra performed “The Maya Kingdom.”

In between performances, principal and executive director Ray Ankrum addressed the crowd about Tuesday’s protest outside the school by New York State Union Teachers members and read a letter written to him by one of his students, whom he didn’t identify. 

“I wrote this letter to make sure you feel like you’re not a loose string and that you’re supported,” the letter read. “I wouldn’t have made it through this year without you supporting me. Now it’s my turn to support you.”

After Mr. Ankrum read the letter, the audience applauded with some shouting “Thank you!”

“Our students are rock stars,” he said. “They come in every day, they put it all behind them and they work hard for their teachers.”

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