The Rocket Glare
Keeping RCHS Students, Families, & Staff Connected!
Volume 1, Issue 3: Friday, December 4th
Principal's Message
Principal: Mr. J.D. Bussell
Email: James.bussell@rockcastle.kyschools.us
December 4th, 2020
RCHS Students & Parents,
Greetings from The Rock!
Google Live Meets
We just completed our 1st week of Live Meets for all of our classes. After speaking with various teachers, parents, neighboring school administrators, etc…, it was determined that the loss of student/teacher personal interaction has been complicating virtual instruction even more. Some teachers were already offering Live Meets with great success so we decided to try these Live Meets for only 2 classes per day to see how it goes. This should be no trouble for students as we are all accustomed to attending school every Mon-Fri from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm each day.
We will continue with the schedule below until further notice.
New Weekly NTI Schedule
• Beginning Monday, November 30th, we will be requiring students to attend virtual Google Classroom Meets between 9:00-10:00 am & 10:30-11:30 am during NTI Days.
• This will give each of our students the opportunity to meet with their teachers during weekly NTI instruction.
• By moving to virtual learning, COVID-19 has taken away the vital communication piece of face-to-face instruction and we want to bring this back the best we can.
We will continue to use the schedule below:
NTI Weekly Schedule
Monday
• 1st Period Classes meet 9-10 am
• 2nd Period Classes meet 10:30-11:30 am
• Targeted Learning Groups 12-3 pm
Tuesday
• 3rd Period Classes meet 9-10 am
• 4th Period Classes meet 10:30-11:30 am
• Targeted Learning Groups 12-3 pm
Wednesday
• 5th Period Classes meet 9-10 am
• 6th Period Classes meet 10:30-11:30 am
• Targeted Learning Groups 12-3 pm
Thursday
• 7th Period Classes meet 9-10 am
• Targeted Learning Groups 10:30-11:30 am
• Targeted Learning Groups 12-3 pm
Friday
• Targeted Learning Groups 9 am - 3 pm
• Always contact teachers to set-up times
Cheating
Students, please be mindful that using another student’s work as your own is impermissible. I’ve spoken to many teachers that have had issues with this throughout many classes. Rockcastle Co. Schools has equipped each student a Chromebook so you can complete your own work and continue your education.
Web Searches
Rockcastle Co. Schools receives constant notifications of students searching inappropriate things on our Chromebooks. This system works just as it does on computers at school. Unfortunately we have had to suspend several student’s Chromebook due to these inappropriate searches. Please remember that our Chromebooks are for classroom use only.
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.jspand 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
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
EKU Dual Credit Students--You have a Google Meet on December 7th at 12:00 for your orientation and registration. This includes all students taking HIS 103, SED 104, and any online dual credit course through EKU. This meet is with an EKU representative and mandatory to enroll in dual credit courses.
Juniors--The deadline to apply for the Governor's Scholars Program has been extended to Friday, December 11th. Applications must be submitted in paper form by 3PM to the Guidance Office. Students who would like help reviewing their application should email Ms. Joanie to schedule a Google Meet. If you have questions about GSP, please contact Mrs. Harper, Mrs. Lewis, or Ms. Joanie.
Rock Athletics
RCHS Athletic Director: Mr. Mike McNabb
Email: mike.mcnabb@rockcastle.kyschools.us
More detailed athletic information will be provided as it becomes available! With changes occurring each day, we appreciate your patience and flexibility. Go Rock!
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.
During NTI/virtual instruction, 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 for pick-up at the RCHS front desk. Books may be picked up on any day of the week from 8AM-3PM. A day/time will be arranged with 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: World History with Mrs. Holly Robinson
In World History, Mrs. Robinson's students are practicing organizational skills along with learning about the World's Revolutions. Mrs. Robinson's "Tips for Success" for students this week are:
- Set up a workspace
- Follow a daily schedule
- Set up a calendar with all of your assignment due dates
- Check your email every day and delete the ones you do not need
- Check your grades in Infinite Campus every day
Her students are also making the transition to a daily learning format rather than a weekly format.
Mrs. Robinson has also started a YouTube channel: Rockcastle Storytime. The channel's "Holiday Read Aloud" began this week on December 1st. The link to the channel is: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnSrhbot9VBCyv_P3OXRPqg
Thank you for sharing with us, Mrs. Robinson!
Student Council Announcements
2. We encourage all to check our social media for updates and reminders that are associated with school.
3. If you are having any virtual learning related technological issues you can call the district's hotline at 606-256-1111 and they will assist you.
RCHS Yearbook and Picture Day Information
Yearbooks are $55 until December 31st. After 12/31 the price will go up to $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 that was originally scheduled for 11/23 & 11/24 has been canceled and will be rescheduled for the spring semester. Please be on the lookout for more information that will be coming at a later date!
Gear Up Corner
Student Corner
As we fully embrace fall and ease into the holiday season, we may experience a host of emotions: excitement, warmth, joy, anticipation, stress, dread, or exhaustion. Combat the negative thoughts and feelings by taking a moment to express gratitude. When asked what they are grateful for, people typically respond with the big things: family, health, economic stability, shelter, education - but gratitude is everywhere. Here are some tips for making gratitude a daily practice with your friends and family: Write a thank-you note. Or make a phone call. Letting someone know you are grateful for them or something they did strengthens relationships.
Keep a gratitude journal. This could look like a series of post-it notes on the wall, one of the many gratitude apps on your phone, or a simple notebook. Write down at least one thing you are grateful for every day. On days when you find it difficult to be grateful, use this journal as inspiration.
Count the things you’re grateful for. Feeling stressed? Pause, take a deep breath and count the things you are currently grateful for. Everything counts! Breathing, walking, and feeling emotions are just a few examples of the little things we can be grateful for. Practicing gratitude in times of stress makes us more patient - particularly with our friends and family.
Meditate. Focus on your breathing and clear your mind. Even one minute of meditation each day is better than zero. Try making space for meditation time at home. Start or end your day with five minutes of uninterrupted meditation or quiet time with no distractions.
Accept gratitude from others. Let the person know that you appreciate being thanked, modeling appropriate behavior for your kids and family. Practicing gratitude on a regular basis can improve your mental and physical health, improve the quality of your sleep, and make you smarter. According to Psychology Today, people who express gratitude also are more likely to offer emotional support to others.
Want to read up on the science of gratitude and well-being?
https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier
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