Rock Ridge High School
The Week of January 27th
School Counseling
Report cards were posted Friday at 4pm in Parent/StudentVue. Please contact your student's teacher with any grading concerns.
The elective fair was on Friday. Students please start thinking about classes you want to take for next year. The course selection process will begin the first week of February.
We are adding a new student support group. Seniors if you are worried about what it will be like to transition to college, what to expect and what you need to know to be successful, check in with Ms.Hastings. Parents if your senior has one foot out the door but you know they have to prepare a little better for the world ahead you can e-mail Ms. Hastings, Ashely.Hastings@lcps.org
if you would like your student to be interviewed for this support group.
Colleges to Know:
Bard College www.Bard.edu
Named no. 4 on US News' Most Innovative Schools list, Bard College in upstate New York is known for its intellectual environment and senior project that all students complete.
Seniors – Looking for colleges with later application deadlines? Here are two lists for your review:
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/applying-101/late-applications
ASVAB – (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) – This test is scheduled at multiple high school locations over the next few months. You can register here.
Black History Month
February is Black History Month and during this month, it is the perfect way to teach our school community that although February is called Black History Month, it’s a time when we all can continue to learn about human history that benefits and affects everyone.
This year, our Phoenix Obsidian club will host a series of events throughout the month. This year’s theme is:
“The Power of One: Celebrating African American Change Agents Locally and Globally from the Past, Present and Future!”
- February 1st-February 28th: Do you know your history? Daily African-American History Facts will be posted on our social media sites. We will have a trivia question each Thursday for those who want to show their knowledge. The winner receives a Chick-fil-A sandwich on the following Friday from Duellman’s Diner.
- February 18th: Conversations at the Rock: The Power of Language as it relates to different cultures
- February 1st -February 28th: African-American History Showcase: Library windows will showcase various local and global change agents who have impacted American culture.
- February 25th: Field Trip to the National Museum of African American History and Culture: This trip is open to all students. Due to limited space, students will be selected through a lottery. Please use the following link. http://bit.ly/RRFieldTrip
- February 28th: Soul Food Friday: Soul Food and Food for the Soul Event: Come join us for an evening of entertainment from various students showcasing and celebrating the contributions Africans Americans made to literature and the performing arts. Yummy foods that are traditional to Soul Food Sunday dinners, will be shared for all to enjoy! Soul food is a variety of recipes that come from traditional African dishes in the Southern part of the United States. It is believed that the term may have originated in the mid-1960s, when soul was a common word used to describe African-American culture. The event begins at 7:00 pm on February 28th in the Cafeteria.
Loudoun International Youth Leadership Summit - Hosting Opportunity!
In just a few short months, the 2020 Loudoun International Youth Leadership Summit will be here, and we are excited to place students from our Global Delegations with their host families. The opportunity to host a student in High School is one of the most memorial experiences for students and their families which can build long-lasting friendship. This will be the 6th year that Rock Ridge HS has participated in the summit the bonds between our Rock Ridge global ambassadors and this year’s delegates are already beginning to form. Please complete the Hosting registration form to place our students from Australia, Greece, Lebanon, Japan, and South Africa before Jan. 31th and feel free to email Mrs. Barbrow (rhapsody.barbrow@lcps.org) with any questions you may have regarding the hosting process.
Hosting Registration Form – www.tinyurl.com/hostRR2020
Hosting Dates – Friday, March 20th – Sunday, March 29th, 2020
Career and Technical Education
The mission of CTE is to ensure that every graduate is prepared for the challenges of post-secondary education and the workplace. The Career & Technical Education department at Rock Ridge High School consists of four program areas:
- Business & Information Technology
- Family & Consumer Sciences
- Marketing Education
- Technology & Engineering Education
If you have any questions regarding CTE programs or courses please email the CTE Department Chair, ben.stodola@lcps.org.
To Learn More:
About Potential Course Sequences // https://bit.ly/2urG7L5 (Case Sensitive)
Rock Ridge CTE // https://www.lcps.org/Page/129402
LCPS CTE // https://www.lcps.org/domain/45
The Rock's New Website!
On January 29, 2020, the Rock Ridge web site will transition to the updated layout. While our updated web site will include the same information, it will be located in a different place. This will approximately be a month long process to assemble the web site. We appreciate your patience and understanding while we transition to the new layout. Should you be unable to find something, please do not hesitate to contact our front office staff.
Yearbooks!
YEARBOOK PERSONALIZATION ENDS THURSDAY! OVER 70% OF THE YEARBOOKS ARE SOLD!
If you would like to buy a yearbook with a nameplate or autograph pages, you have until Monday, January 27th. After January 27th nameplates/personalization will no longer be available. The yearbooks sold out last year- don’t miss your chance to buy an award-winning yearbook before the price goes up, or before we run out. You can buy online at www.yearbookordercenter.com with the job number 17309 or bring cash or check to Ms. Menna in L405.
CLUB PICTURES WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY
Club pictures will be taken Wednesday and Thursday in the main hallway. Go to this link for the picture times: https://twitter.com/RockRidgeYBK
FREE Sports Physicals!
INOVA is currently scheduling free sports physicals for uninsured students. Appointments are being held on January 30 and on February 6, 13, 17, 25 and 27 between 3 pm and 5 pm in Sterling. Please call 703-579-7161 to secure your spot! For more info please see attached flyer or contact our Parent Liaison at Nevein.Zalenski@lcps.org.
The Phoenix Peak Feature Item!
There's no day like a Snow Day! #CallMeWayde!! Get your snow day attire at The Phoenix Peak, Rock Ridge's school store. Only $35 for a hoodie, $30 for a crew sweatshirt. All proceeds go to the RRHS Scholarship Fund. Get yours before they sell out!
Hey Seniors!
Senior Breakfast!
The 3rd Senior Breakfast is on February 14! Please sign up to contribute food or volunteer here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b054aaca87-senior1.
If you'd like to donate money, please use the Paypal pool (https://paypal.me/pools/c/8iz34PJ0o1), send via Venmo to @Ellen-Buermeyer, or drop off a check (made out to Ellen Buermeyer) or Harris Teeter gift cards to Liz Grainger in the counseling office. Thanks to everyone who has helped so far!
Senior Dues
Please ensure your 12th Grade student has completed their Senior Dues payment. This pays for the cap and gown for graduation, diploma, senior tee-shirt, meals for graduation practices and other common expenses for the senior class. The cost is currently $100 and this will rise to $120 on January 31st.
If you have a financial need please contact our Parent Liaison, Nevein.zalenski@lcps.org to complete a Fee Waiver before January 29th .
Payments should be made at the Payment Portal on the school website. If you have any further questions please contact Liz.grainger@lcps.org
This Week in Athletics
Monday January 27th
JV Wrestling @ Freedom, 6:00 p.m. Bus departs at 4:00 p.m. Early Release at 3:45 p.m.
Wednesday January 29th
JV/Varsity Wrestling @ Riverside, 6:00 p.m. Bus departs at 4:00 p.m. Early Release at 3:45 p.m.
Boys Basketball vs. Fauquier, 5:45/5:45/7:00 p.m.
Indoor Track at Dominion, 5:30 p.m. Bus departs at 3:45 p.m. Early Release at 3:30 p.m.
Friday January 31st
JV/Varsity Girls Basketball @ Woodgrove, 5:45/7:00 p.m. Bus departs at 4:15 p.m.
Boys Basketball vs. Woodgrove, 5:45/5:45/7:00 p.m.
Wrestling Departs for Charlottesville at 4:15 p.m.
Saturday February 1st
Varsity Wrestling Tournament@ Western Albermarle
Swim at South Riding vs. Potomac Falls, 3 p.m. Bus departs at 1:00 p.m.
The Career Center!
Upcoming RRHS Visitors & Events
1/27: Northern Virginia Community College Info Session – This is for Seniors considering NOVA for the Fall of 2020 and are NOT part of the NOVA Pathway program.
Please sign up for all visits via Naviance which is on LCPSGo. As a reminder, your classwork is your priority.
News You Can Use
Seniors – As your decision letters (accepted or denied) come in please send me a copy or drop off a copy in the Career Center. Having your decision letters will help ensure the validity of the Scattergrams for future classes. In addition, if you received merit, athletic or talent scholarships with your acceptance, please share that information with me too. We are required to report all scholarship money offered to LCPS. I really appreciate your help with this request!
Seniors – Looking for colleges with later application deadlines? Here are two lists for your review:
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/applying-101/late-applications
2/1: NEW & SHORT DEADLINE: Virginia Tech Pathways Scholars program for Future Engineers – This is full paid program including visits to VT and a week long summer program along with other benefits. It is open to current 9th-11th graders who are first generation. Apply here.
4/1: Rising Juniors and Seniors, VT Black College Institute applications are now open. These 3 and 5 day summer programs are free to participants. You can learn more and register here.
2/19: Applications are still open for Monroe Advanced Technical Academy(MATA) or the Advanced Engineering & Technology(AET) for the Fall of 2020. You can apply here.
There are parent information sessions about the admissions cycles at the following high schools. You are welcome to attend any session.
Date Location Time
Thursday, February 6, 2020 Potomac Falls HS 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 13, 2020 Briar Woods HS 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
SAT & Act Practice Tests – This is a GREAT way to see where you might need some additional help without the cost. The $15 fee goes entirely to the RRHS PTSO so it’s a win-win!
Huntington Prep SAT – 2/1/20 (see attached flyer)
Revolution Prep ACT – 2/8/20 This is a reschedule from the 1/18 snow day. New sign ups are welcome
ASVAB – (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) – This test is scheduled at multiple high school locations over the next few months. You can register here.
SCHOLARSHIPS:
2/14: Northern Virginia Community College Scholarships are now open. The deadline to apply is February 14th. All scholarships can be found here.
Attached is a short deck providing helpful hints on scholarships from LCPS Admin.
Summer Programs
2/2: Deadline for GMU Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program
2/15: Deadline for UVA Summer Enrichment Program
Upcoming Local Events
1/25: Alfred Street Baptist Church HBCU Festival at the Gaylord National Harbor. Register here.
1/29: Academies of Loudoun is hosting The College Funding Coach. Learn more here.
2/6: LCPS Gap Year Fair will be held at Loudoun County High School. It is helpful to register ahead for the fair. You can do so here.
3/11: Rock Ridge High School Summer Job Fair – over 40 businesses will be on hand to accept applications for summer jobs and a few for long term careers. More information to come.
3/18: Junior College Panel at John Champe High School. See attached flyer.
4/1: Northern Virginia Regional College Fair
4/29: Military Fair at Independence High School. All branches, the Academies and ROTC programs will be represented. This event is open 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
FAQs
How does my student receive this newsletter?
Your student automatically receives this email through their LCPS email which is their StudentID@lcps.org. They can access this email through Google Mail on their Chromebook
Where can I find part time jobs?
Part time jobs are available – swing by the Career Center and check out all the fliers. Most have a minimum age of 16 but we do have two for 15 year old’s.
The Rock's PTSO
Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, February 6th at 7pm in the RRHS Library
**Meetings are held on the 1st Thursdays of every month at 7pm in the RRHS Library**
SAVE THE DATE! – RRHS PTSO 2ND ANNUAL BINGO NIGHT - Join us for fun, prizes and food.
When: Saturday, February 29th
Where: Rock Ridge High School
SAT/ACT PRACTICE TESTS - The RRHS PTSO is offering SAT/ACT practice tests for all interested students – freshman, sophomores, junior and seniors!!!
This is a GREAT way to see where you might need some additional help without the cost. The $15 fee goes entirely to the RRHS PTSO so it’s a win-win! All testing will be held on site at Rock Ridge High School.
Revolution Prep - Please click here to register https://www.revolutionprep.com/partners/100426/.
ACT PRACTICE TEST –Saturday, January 18, 2020
Huntington Learning Center –
SAT PRACTICE TEST- Saturday, February 1, 2020 (see the attached flyer for details and registration information)
MEMBERSHIP
For the PTSO to fund all the events and activities that benefit our RRHS Students, Faculty and Staff; we need your help! Please consider joining the PTSO today.
Family membership dues are only $30. Faculty membership dues are only $10. Please click here to sign up and pay for membership online: https://www.lcps.org/Page/195605 .
Don't forget to link your Harris Teeter grocery store card! It's free and easy - all you have to do is send your name and phone number (or store rewards number) to bod@rrhsptso.com. By linking your rewards cards and accounts, a portion of all of your grocery store purchases will benefit RRHS PTSO. (Tell grandparents and family members, too! We can link any and all family members.)
Help us reach our goal of 100% membership this year!