The Rocket Glare
Keeping RCHS Students, Families, & Staff Connected!
Volume 1, Issue 5: Friday, January 8th
Principal's Message
Principal: Mr. J.D. Bussell
Email: James.bussell@rockcastle.kyschools.us
January 8th, 2021
RCHS Students & Parents,
Seasons Greetings from The Rock!
Schedule After Christmas Break
Monday, January 11th
· In-Person instruction continues with Red Group (AL) students reporting to RCHS Mon/Wed
Tuesday, January 12th
· In-Person instruction continues with Blue Group (MZ) students reporting to RCHS Tues/Thurs
Based on the guidance from Governor Beshear and the KDE, RCHS plans to resume on Tuesday, January 5th with Virtual Learning for all students just as we were before Christmas break. We will not have scheduled Live Meets with classes for the week of January 5th. However, some teachers may still schedule Live Meets for individual classes. Make sure you check each Google Classroom class each day for instruction.
Hybrid Red/Blue Schedule
It is very important that all students understand that you are required to work from home on the days you are not at RCHS. Red Group students are required to go to Google Classroom from home on Tues/Thurs and same for Blue Group students on Mon/Wed. These are NTI Days and teachers assign work just as they would in a normal year. Remember, we still our required to teach from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm, 5 days a week.
Student Email
Continue to check your email every single morning and even multiple times throughout the day. You will be receiving information about our school calendar, your classes, assignments & events at RCHS. Stay involved in daily communication with your teachers!
Infinite Campus Parent Portal
I encourage all parents to check your child’s grades on IC Parent Portal regularly. Because we have been unable to physically send home report cards, it is imperative that parents check grades online. You can go the link: https://kyede11.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/rockcastle.jsp and if you have issues logging on, email Ms. Sherri McKinney: sherri.mckinney@rockcastle.kyschools.us or call RCHS for login information.
I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year! 2021 is going to be one of the best ever at The Rock! Be safe & please contact me at RCHS if I can be of service.
J.D. Bussell
RCHS Principal
Guidance Counselors' Corner
Guidance Counselors: Mrs. Amy Lewis & Mrs. Casey Harper
Email: Amy.lewis@rockcastle.kyschools.us / casey.harper@rockcastle.kyschools.us
Seniors--If you need help with your FAFSA, please contact us! We can work with you via Google Meet or a phone conference! Email us to schedule a time!
Seniors: Complete your FAFSA
Also, seniors interested in attending college for the Fall 2021 semester need to apply to schools now! You will need to use Parchment to send your transcript to the schools you apply to. Directions for setting up and using Parchment are on the senior website.
The RCHS Guidance Counselors are available to speak with students regarding any issue that you may be struggling with. Send them an email to schedule a time to talk.
ACT Workshop - Coming SOON!
Please see the attached flyer for more information. Sessions will take place via Google Classroom. Please refer to the meet code on the flyer!
Click HERE to access the informational flyer!
Rock Athletics
RCHS Athletic Director: Mr. Mike McNabb
Email: mike.mcnabb@rockcastle.kyschools.us
- Saturday 1/9 Girls play Estill Co at Home at 3:00
- Tuesday 1/12 Both Boys and Girls play @ Wayne Co. at 6:00
- Friday 1/15 Boys will be playing @ Casey Co and the Girls will be at Home against Casey Co. Both varsity games will start at 6:30
- Saturday 1/16 both Boys and Girls will be playing at North Laurel. First game is at 4:30
Athletic Awards & Announcements
Laurel Yates has committed to swim for Valparaiso University. Congratulations, Laurel!
Senior softball player, Madison Yates, has committed to Berea College to continue her academics and athletic career. Madison, aka Honeybee, has been a 4 year starter in the outfield for the Lady Rocket Softball Program. In her sophomore year, Madison was an instrumental piece of the 2019 47th District Championship team, leading the team in stolen bases and slugging percentage.
The coaches of the Lady Rocket Softball program would like to congratulate Madison on continuing her education at Berea College and committing to the Lady Mountaineer Softball program!
Notes from the Book Cart - RCHS Library Updates
Library Media Specialist: Ms. Joanie Alexander
Email: Joanie.alexander@rockcastle.kyschools.us
RCHS Library Website
Click HERE to access!
Book Checkouts
The RCHS Library continues to offer a digital platform where students can read 30+ top picked and NEW texts that rotate every 60-90 days. Every RCHS student has their own account where they can bookmark, highlight, etc. To access this, visit the RCHS Library Website and then go to Student Resources OR Checkouts to access the JLG Dashboard! Make sure to login to your individual account for more access! If you have questions or your account login doesn't work, please contact Ms. Joanie.
Concierge Checkout Service
Students may request books using the Google Form (Click HERE) or by emailing Ms. Joanie. Please use the form or email and include the title and author. Once requested, Ms. Joanie will have the book ready and will deliver to English classes on Wednesday and Thursday of each week! If you need a book before those days, email Ms. Joanie!
RCHS Writing Center
The RCHS Library Writing Center aims to help students find their writing voice and tackle various writing and interview challenges. The writing center is able to help with revisions/editing, job applications and interviews, resumes, and college applications and essays. During NTI instruction, appointments will take place via Google Meet. To schedule an appointment, click HERE!
Classroom Spotlight: Library Practicum with Ms. Joanie Alexander
Library Practicum students have been actively reading throughout the 2020 fall semester. Students have been required to read a variety of genres and develop ways to share their readings with classmates and fellow students. Each library practicum student reads at least two novels per month as part of their classwork.
Students in Ms. Joanie's class most recently created book trailers (similar to movie trailers) for their monthly readings. In doing this, library students not only show that they have read and understood their novel, but they also create a tool to encourage their classmates to read and checkout books. Students have used a variety of digital platforms to create their trailers including both Adobe Spark and iMovie.
An example of a movie trailer created by senior student, Alexa Bussell, can be viewed here!
Thank you to this year's library practicum students for their hard work and dedication to RCHS and the Library Media Center!
RCHS Yearbook and Picture Day Information
Yearbooks are $60. Sales are 100% online this school year. To purchase a YB , click HERE.
Senior Ads
Senior ads for the RCHS Yearbook are still available. Please see the flyer linked below for more information. Click HERE to register for a senior ad.
Picture Day: Underclassmen & Senior Portraits
Picture day has been rescheduled for February 3rd and 4th. More details will be coming soon about these dates.
Gear Up Corner
Student Corner: 21 for 2021
On so many levels, this year of 2020 has been extraordinarily challenging, so it's exciting to think ahead to the possibilities of 2021. Of course, it's a bit of a fiction to think that January 1 will bring a massive change, but the new year still presents an opportunity for reflection and renewal.
Research shows that people who construct their goals in concrete terms are 50 percent more likely to feel confident they will attain their goals and 32 percent more likely to feel in control of their lives.
As we approach a new year, think of 21 goals or things you would like to accomplish moving into the next year. There's something fresh and fun about making a 21 for 2021 list. Somehow, this approach makes it more pleasant to think about what we want for the new year—it feels more hopeful and helpful.
Click HERE for your own 21 for 2021 List!
RCHS Youth Service Center
7:30 AM-3:30 P.M. (Other hours available by appointment)
Coordinator: Jessie Mahaffey
Program Assistant II: Barbara Mullins
What is a YSC?
· A Youth Service Center mission is to enhance the students’ abilities to succeed in school.
Who can use the YSC?
· All students enrolled in our high school, their families, teachers, and the community!
What services does RCHS YSC provide?
· Clothing assistance
· Food assistance
· Referrals to physical & mental health agencies, and social services
· Hygiene assistance
· Thanksgiving food basket
· Holiday assistance
· School supplies
· In school dental visits
· Other needs determined by families and community
The Rockcastle County Youth Service Center is open to serve all students and families of Rockcastle County High School. Families & students are always welcome in our center! A student can refer himself to YSC, a parent, staff member, or someone in the community may contact the YSC to assist a student, and/or family of the student.
About Us
Assistant Principal & Athletic Director: Mr. Mike McNabb
Assistant Principal: Mrs. Becky Smith
Guidance Counselors: Mrs. Amy Lewis & Mrs. Casey Harper
Library Media Specialist: Ms. Joanie Alexander
Email: james.bussell@rockcastle.kyschools.us
Website: http://rockcastle.kyschools.us/rchs/
Location: 1545 Lake Cumberland Road P.O. Box 1410 Mt. Vernon, Kentucky 40456
Phone: (606) 256-4816