RRHS Update - Week of 12/6/2021
A Special Band Concert!
The Rock Ridge Bands and Stonehill MS 8th grade band will perform and have a concert this Tuesday at 7pm the concert is free and open to the public and we would love to have you join us!
RRSINGS Concert!
RRSings Voices in CommUNITY Concert (12/9) - Join us this Thursday evening at 7pm for our first Choral Concert of the year. Admission is free and all are welcome! As part of our commUNITY theme, we will be collecting non-perishable food items for the Dulles South Food Pantry. A reception sponsored by the Choral Boosters will immediately follow the concert in the cafeteria. We hope to see you there as we join our voices in CommUNITY!
All-District Chorus Results - Rock Ridge had 41 delegates and 5 alternates selected for this year's District XVI Honor Choirs. We are extremely proud of these singers on this accomplishment and look forward to hosting the event here at Rock Ridge on February 11-12, 2022.
- SSAA Choir - Jiya Chadha, Mary Kate Connor, Kailyn Fetterman, Julia Freeman, Keerthana Govindarajan, Kaia Greene, Namrata Hari Narayanan, Ananya Karthik, Medhasree Karumuri, Olivia McMahon, Kylie Miller, Shayne Mitchell, Julia Mola, Kaylie Rivers, Karishma Ruhnke, Sannidhi Sangisetti, Ellie Schubert, Kamille Simon
- SATB Choir - Ananya Akula, Dhanya Babu, Mihika Bangarbale, Sam Cooper, Sneha Khandavalli, Talia Lytle, James Madamba, Matthew Miscio, Roshan Mohanty, Annabelle Monte, Maxie Montgomery, Eshaan Nair, Anna Nguyen, Lars Nyman, Jason Park, Kimberly Peng, Mihir Prasad, Alexander Ruhnke, Ishan Saha, Grayson Scheefers, Mukhwaak Singh, Keshav Tarafdar, Victoria Zhang
- Alternates - Sofia Hernandez, Jason Jones, Will MacDonald, Ayush Marwaha, Shivu Sathe
This Week in Athletics!
Monday December 6th
Boys Basketball vs. Loudoun Valley 5:45/5:45/7:00 pm 9th/JV Girls Basketball @ Loudoun Valley 5:45/7:00 pm
Wednesday December 8th
Boys Basketball @ Broad Run 5:45/5:45/7:00 pm Girls Basketball vs Broad Run 5:45/5:45/7:00 pm
Thursday December 9th
JV wrestling @ Stone Bridge 6:00 pm
Friday December 10th
Boys Basketball vs Riverside 5:45/5:45/7:00 pm Girls Basketball @ Riverside 5:45/5:45/7:00 pm Wrestling @ NOVA Classic - Fairfax HS Swim vs Tuscarora 9:00 pm @ Ida Lee
Saturday December 11th
Wrestling @ NOVA Classic - Fairfax HS
Math Help After School
In addition to the math tutoring offered during every Study Hall each day, our Math Department is offering help for Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2 students after school each week.
- Algebra 1 students can get help every Thursday in room 1208 after school until 5 PM.
- Geometry students can get help every Thursday in room 1213 after school until 5 PM.
- Algebra 2 students can get help every Monday in room 1211 until 5 PM.
No pass or reservation is required – just come with your questions! Please see your math teacher if you have any questions about getting extra help during your study hall or after school.
RRHS Holiday Gift Card Drive
Rock Ridge High School Holiday Gift Card Drive
Please consider donating a gift card to help assist our families in need during this holiday season. Gift cards can be for Walmart, Target, Amazon or Harris Teeter and can be dropped off at the front office in an envelope labeled “Parent Liaison” between November 29th and December 13th. Walmart gift cards can also be purchased online with the link below and sent directly to Rock Ridge High School. Please allow at least 5 days for delivery. Please don’t hesitate to contact our Parent Liaison, Nevein.Zalenski@lcps.org, with any questions.
Charitable $25 Walmart Gift Card (Alcohol/Tobacco/Lottery/Firearms Prohibited) - Walmart.com
Sale at The Peak!
Read The Blaze!
The fall edition of The Blaze newsmagazine is out now! Stop by room 1400, the library, or the main office to pick up your copy! From new policy changes to Netflix hits, the newsmagazine details our return to the Rock! You can also check out the digital copy of our fall edition and previous newsmags on our website theblazerrhs.com!
Some of the stories featured in this edition of our newsmagazine include a timeline of LGBTQ+ History, a look at Policy 8040 in our school, reviews of “Squid Game” and “Clickbait,” an interview with record-breaking student athlete Sydney Hackett, and a profile of self-taught investor Sai Krishnu.
In addition, check out our online content released from this fall. Our online features include profiles of new faculty and staff at Rock Ridge, highlights from the Fall sports season, and a recap from the November Virginia governor election. Follow us on Instagram at @rockridgehsnews to stay updated with our upcoming winter coverage!
From Our PTSO
COURTYARD TRANSFORMATION PROJECT
The PTSO is working with the Environmental Club under the direction of club sponsor and teacher Michael Clear to get started on the courtyard transformation project. The Club is soliciting feedback from teachers as to how the courtyard might function as an outdoor classroom space and what their needs might be to include in planning. The Club is also soliciting feedback from students as to key design elements they would like to see featured to then be followed by solicitation for design plans from the student body as this project is intended to be student driven. We are excited to get this project off the ground! Stay tuned for updates as we go.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
The PTSO invites students, staff, and families to share updates about goings on and achievements they wish to highlight and celebrate! There are so many wonderful things our students are involved in and passionate about and amazing things taking place in classrooms, clubs, sports, fine arts, and elsewhere and we would love to help acknowledge and educate our larger community about all of them! Please email President@rrhsptso.org to share.
STAY CONNECTED
- Follow us to stay in the know and keep up with events on Facebook, Instagram, Remind, and our website.
- Click here for other ways to connect with us and to get involved!
- Compliments, Concerns, Questions, Ideas/Suggestions or other Feedback always welcome! Contact Tiffany Ahmed at President@rrhsptso.org.
From Our Substance Abuse Specialist
In November, all 10th graders at Rock Ridge received a Substance Abuse Prevention presentation in accordance with their Health and PE curriculum. More detail on these presentations can be found in the Student Assistance team’s November newsletter (https://www.smore.com/bw1nj). In addition, all students will be participating in an advisory lesson focused on the teen brain and substance use on Wednesday, December 9th. Wednesday’s advisory lesson will feature a review of information and a JeopardyLabs game, which parents can view and play here (https://jeopardylabs.com/play/teen-substance-use-2).
We encourage parents to talk with their students about what they learned and explore any additional questions they may have. Here are some tips for discussing this with your student:
1. Remain open and curious - Ask genuinely about what they heard or learned. Asking open-ended questions like "What did you think about that?", "What did you hear that was new?" or "What stood out to you?" show interest and allows your child to direct the conversation.
2. Ask clarifying questions - Asking questions with the purpose of deeper understanding rather than immediately responding with your thoughts or opinions shows that you are listening to understand rather than listening to respond.
3. Make the connection - This is an opportunity to discuss any family history of addiction that could pose a risk for your child or personalize the information with stories or examples. It is also an opportunity to share the expectations within your household. Making clear what is and is not acceptable as well as the consequences associated with breaking house rules allows your child to make informed decisions and prepares them for accountability.
4. Fill in the gaps - If your child needs any further clarification or has any questions, reach out to our Student Assistance Specialist, Fiona Brown, at Fiona.Brown@lcps.org. Ms. Brown is available to speak with you or your student about the information and can also provide or refer for additional support if needed.
RRHS School Counseling
SOS Signs of Suicide Program
To increase awareness of the signs of depression and suicide risk, Rock Ridge High School will be implementing the SOS Signs of Suicide Program to 9th and 10th grade students. The program educates students by helping teens understand the connection between untreated mental illness and suicide and by teaching students how to deal with these signs as a mental health emergency. This program aims to generate discussion about identifying and responding to signs of depression and suicide. The program will be facilitated by school psychologists, school social worker, school counselors, and student assistance specialists.
If you would like to opt your 9th or 10th grade student OUT of participating in the Signs of Suicide presentation, please complete the permission click at this link: https://permission.click/ZqMLA/us
Junior Parent Night is December 7th at 6pm. Our annual information session for juniors and their parents will be VIRTUAL at 6:00 PM. There will be a live Q&A at the end and a recording will be available after the event. Here is the link to attend this event Tuesday night. The event will last approximately 45 mins
Here is a link to a survey of questions for Junior parent to help us design the presentation. Click Here
Seniors Keep up the good work!!! 73% of our senior class has applied to college. Please get your materials in for NOW the January deadlines!!!
December 9th at 1:00 PM ASVAB Test - For those interested in enlisting in the military after Rock Ridge you will need to take the ASVAB at some point. If interested in taking this test, you need to register by Monday 12/6. The ASVAB will also be offered at other LCPS high schools over the next few months. You can learn more about the ASVAB and register for any of the tests here.
Colleges to Know
Allegheny College https://allegheny.edu/
Founded in 1815, Allegheny College ranks among the oldest 1% of colleges and universities and is the 32nd oldest college in the United States. Perhaps as many as 100 colleges were established and failed before the Civil War. Allegheny is one of the hardy survivors that testify daily to the determination and vision of those early pioneers of higher education in America. Every Allegheny student takes courses in each division of knowledge — humanities, natural sciences and social sciences — declaring both a major and a minor (outside the division of their major) by the end of their sophomore year. Students combine their interests and expand their concentrations beyond one division, developing the sort of big picture thinking that is in high demand in today’s global marketplace. “It has a long and distinguished record of producing not only future scientists and scholars, but business leaders as well.“
Step Up Loudoun Competition entry deadline is December 17th. This is a great opportunity to standout for the great things you already do Phoenix!!! Great experience to have on any resume for the future.
http://www.loudounyouth.org/programs-2/step-up-loudoun-youth-competition/
Click here to watch a video on Step Up
Please check Mrs. Barnes’ Friday e-mail/Smore for more Counseling information. There are a large number of college visits coming up so Juniors and Seniors please attend as your schedule permits for the colleges you have an interest in.
Hey Seniors!
SENIOR PARENTS
Our next Senior Breakfast is on Tuesday, December 14 at 8:30 am in the library. We'll be having donuts, hot chocolate and fruit. Please sign up to contribute or volunteer here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D48AEA62BA64-rr222nd.
These breakfasts are entirely parent-funded and aren't subsidized by the PTSO. Please consider donating money to help with the cost:
- Paypal: https://paypal.me/RR22Breakfast or send to ellenb71@yahoo.com or
- Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/Ellen-Buermeyer or @Ellen-Buermeyer
Senior Fees
The Payment Portal for Senior Fees is now open.
Each student is requested to pay $80 to cover Graduation Costs which includes the Cap and Gown.
There is an option to donate additional money to help cover unforeseen costs and to assist those in financial hardship. Just press the drop down to select an amount to donate.
If you need further help or information, please contact liz.grainger@lcps.org