The Rocket Glare
Keeping RCHS Students, Families, & Staff Connected!
Volume 1, Issue 8: Friday, March 5th
Principal's Message
Principal: Mr. J.D. Bussell
Email: James.bussell@rockcastle.kyschools.us
March 5th, 2021
RCHS Students & Parents,
Greetings from The Rock!
Class Scheduling for Next School Year
It’s time to sign-up for classes for the 2021-22 school year. Because we have 3 different groups of students (Red, Blue & MRO), we will have different dates to sign-up for your classes. Because of county-wide flooding, we had to reschedule the Red Group to Wednesday.
· MRO make-up date: March 5th in RCHS Auditorium 10:00 – 11:15 am
· 9th & 10th grade students who missed scheduling days can get the information from science class
· ALL 11th grade students will schedule classes on March 9th, after taking the ACT
Tuesday, March 9th ACT
Tuesday, March 9th is the day all 11th grade students throughout the state of Kentucky will take the ACT. This means all Red, Blue & MRO 11th graders will report to RCHS by 8:00 am that day.
The buses will run as usual and the school day will last all day. 9th, 10th & 12th grade students will not report to RCHS that day as it will be a NTI Day for them.
Schedule for Tuesday, March 9th
- Report to RCHS by 8:00 am
- Report directly to the gym (Breakfast will be provided)
- Each 11th grade student will be assigned a location to take all 4 sections of the ACT
- After the ACT is completed, students will have lunch
- After lunch, you will report back to the gym where you will schedule classes for your senior year.
- We will dismiss from school just like a normal day.
Go to these links for all details:
Just the Class of 2022 here that day so should be lots of fun.
Very important that on March 9th all Juniors all report!
Friday NTI Days
Remember that students can contact teachers and schedule times to come to RCHS on Friday NTI Days. Simply email or message the teacher through Google Classroom and discuss a time that works. All students will receive lunch as well. If you can’t come in the building, ask for a possible Google Meet.
March 15th In-Person Mon-Thurs
On March 15th, Rockcastle Co. Schools will be moving “In-Person” instruction to 4 days a week, Monday – Thursday for the rest of the school year. This will eliminate the “alternate day, Red/Blue groups” and all In-Person instruction will occur daily.
Fridays will continue to be NTI Days and all students are welcome to schedule times with teachers to come in to RCHS and work on those Fridays.
MRO students will continue to work virtually as before.
Senior Cap & Gown Orders
I received a list from Balfour of our seniors who have not ordered a cap & gown. Please go to the link below to order your cap & gown or other senior memorabilia before it’s too late.
https://balfourgradky.com/collections/rockcastle-county-high-school
The Class of 2021 will have a graduation ceremony at the end of this school year. We are considering an outdoor location (football field) as an alternative to have everyone graduate together and still meet Covid guidelines.
Order your cap & gown and get those grades up so we can all be there together!
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.
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
New community scholarships have been added to the senior website! Scheduling will begin next week for Freshmen and Sophomores! Please be thinking about what classes you are interested in taking for the 2021-2022 school year.
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.
Still Happening: RCHS ACT Workshop!
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
Boys outdoor track season has started. Please see or contact Coach McQueary for additional details if you are interested.
Football offseason Weightlifting and Conditioning has started. Players are lifting in small groups at various times. Anyone interested in playing Football should contact Coach Parkey as soon as possible. You will be placed in a group specific to your transportation needs.
Basketball Schedule for NEXT Week:
Monday
Double Header vs. Danville (at RCHS)
Tuesday
Girls vs. Jackson Co. (at RCHS)
Friday
Girls @ Casey Co.
REMINDER that TONIGHT (3/5) is our Homecoming Basketball Game!
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: Agriculture with Mr. Matthew Whitaker
In Mr. Whitaker's agriculture classes, students are beginning to work with plants in the greenhouse. Students will be transplanting and raising flower and vegetable crops to prepare for the spring sale which begins April 19th. The greenhouse will offer a wide variety of plants and hope that the community will stop by and see them once they open!
The RCHS FFA also has virtual competitions coming up in the next month or so that many students will be competing in. While this is much different than normal, the FFA and students are still working hard to get ready!
We appreciate your dedication to RCHS Students, Mr. Whitaker!
Student Council Announcements
- Homecoming has been rescheduled for Friday March 5th (TONIGHT)!
- Good luck to all juniors as they prepare for the ACT next Tuesday, March 9th.
- The Student Council would like to remind students to attend the ACT workshops every Friday at 11AM and 1PM.
RCHS Yearbook and Picture Day Information
Yearbooks are $60. Sales are 100% online this school year. To purchase a YB , click HERE. Yearbooks will be on sale until the END of the school year.
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. Ads are limited!
Picture Day: Underclassmen & Senior Portraits
Spring Picture day for Senior Cap & Gown Photos, Spring Portraits, retake Senior Tux/Drape photos, and retake fall portraits for the yearbook will take place on March 30th and 31st. Photos will be for in-person and MyRock online students. Details regarding this picture day will be released the week of March 15th. Please pay attention to your email, the Rocket Glare, and the school website.
Yearbook Instagram
@rockcastlehs_yearbook
Check the Yearbook instagram regularly for important updates!
Senior Signatures
The senior signature page for the yearbook is currently being compiled. Please see Ms. Joanie if you have not signed this.
RCHS Academic Team Success
The RCHS Academic Team has had another historic season and the team is currently preparing to compete in the Governor's Cup State Finals.
In January, the team won their second-straight District Championship.
The Quick Recall team won a bid to compete at Region and the Future Problem Solving Team brought home first place for the first time since 2014.
Individual awards went to the following team members:
In Quick Recall, team captain Audrey Childress was named MVP.
For FPS, Alyssa Lunsford was named MVP.
In Arts and Humanities, Ellie Robinson placed fourth, and Landon Carlton placed third.
In Social Studies, Joe Pickle placed fifth, Bailey Cromer placed fourth, and Carson White placed second.
In Science, John Asher placed second.
In Language Arts, Audrey Childress placed second.
And, in Written Composition, Landon Carlton placed third and Bailey Cromer placed second.
When the team moved on to Governor's Cup Regionals last week, four students advanced to the State Finals.
Joe Pickle finished in fifth place in Social Studies.
Landon Carlton finished fourth in Arts and Humanities.
Bailey Cromer placed third in Written Composition and second in Social Studies.
And team captain Audrey Childress won the Regional Championship with the fourth-highest score in the entire state.
Joe, Landon, Bailey, and Audrey will compete at the State Finals in mid-March for an opportunity to bring home a state championship in their respective subjects. All of Rockcastle County have been cheering on the team as they prepare for the competition.
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
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