The Rocket Glare
Keeping RCHS Students, Families, & Staff Connected!
Volume 1, Issue 9: Friday, March 22nd
Principal's Message
Principal: Mr. J.D. Bussell
Email: James.bussell@rockcastle.kyschools.us
March 22nd, 2021
RCHS Students & Parents,
Greetings from The Rock!
In-Person Instruction Mon-Thurs
We are back to having near “normal” school once again. It’s been great to see the hallways moving with students in both directions and even to have a little noise….just a little is ok.
I’m sure that many families are still hesitant about committing to sending students to in-person instruction and I totally understand. We will continue to follow KDE guidance for in-person instruction which now allows for students to be within 6 feet of each other in a classroom. All students will continue to wear masks and our teachers will distance students as much as possible.
MRO students will continue to work virtually as before.
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. MRO students are welcomed & encouraged as well.
My Rock Online Tutoring Center
Rockcastle Co. Schools has been contacting MRO students to inform them of a tutoring center opportunity. The center will be located at the Academy building and they are scheduling students for a two hour block of time. Parents will drop students off at the front of the Academy building (facing Savalot) and pick them up when their scheduled time is over. RCHS students can schedule times on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The time slots will be from 9-11, 11-1 and 1-3 each day and the appointments will be standing appointments from week to week until the week of May 17.
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 for students began last week. 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.
Rock Athletics
RCHS Athletic Director: Mr. Mike McNabb
Email: mike.mcnabb@rockcastle.kyschools.us
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.
Regional Tournament Basketball Schedule for Upcoming Week:
Congratulations to both of our basketball teams for advancing to the 12th Region Basketball tournament! Unfortunately, our boys fell in the first round to East Jessamine last Friday night, ending their 2020-21 season.
Upcoming Games:
1st Round of Girls Regional Tournament:
TONIGHT (3/22): RCHS Girls Basketball vs. Danville - 8:30PM @ Pulaski Co. HS
District Coach & Player of the Year
Pictured from L to R: Kristy Parkey, Noah Parkey, Scott Parkey, and RCHS Athletic Director, Mr. Mike McNabb.
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!
The library is OPEN for individual student checkouts. Class visits will not resume until a later time! Stop by and see us!
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 you or you can stop by and pick it up!
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: English with Mrs. Norton-Casey
Science students aren’t the only ones who may use a microscope.
Students in Mrs. Susan Norton-Casey’s English classes are using “microscopes” of a different sort as they practice close reading skills.
“So many students are very good at the big picture--getting the gist of a reading, but have a much harder time when it comes to discussing the details within the text. That is our focus right now.”
Students in English 10 are reading the young adult novel The Serpent King to learn more about the careful details writers use to craft their characters. They use platforms like Padlet and Google’s Jamboard to share their ideas and collaborate with other students digitally.
Adv. English students practice their close reading skills using Ray Bradbury’s classic Fahrenheit 451.
“It has been just amazing to see the students really scour the text to look for phrases that add significant meaning to a text. The first series of close reading practices we did in class were based on selections I made, but their next close reading practice will be based on selections they choose as significant. I am very excited to see what they choose.”
AP English students apply the same close reading skills to poetry.
“Poetry can be so intimidating to some readers, it is important they see that the same skills apply whether reading a poem, a short story--or even watching a movie.”
Whereas sophomores are focused on becoming comfortable with close reading and annotation in general, AP English students have honed in on very specific uses of language: sound elements and diction.
“Ultimately, of course, these skills are not just about English. Just last month, a current college freshman messaged me to say how thankful she was for learning how to close read texts. Her college professor had actually commented to her.”
We appreciate your dedication to RCHS Students, Mrs. Norton-Casey!
Student Council Announcements
Homecoming King
2020-21 Homecoming Court
Homecoming Queen
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. Ad pages are STILL AVAILABLE!
Spring Picture Day & Retakes
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 can be found HERE!
Yearbook Instagram
@rockcastlehs_yearbook
Check the Yearbook instagram regularly for important updates!
2021-22 Yearbook Staff Applications
YB Staff Applications are now available and can be picked up from Ms. Joanie in the library. Applications are due no later than next Monday (3/22). MRO students may email Ms. Joanie for an application (Joanie.alexander@rockcastle.kyschools.us).
Family and Consumer Science with Mrs. Tammy Camel
Recipe
1cup pineapple
2 frozen bananas
1 cup frozen mango
2 cups spinach
2 cups water
Blend until smooth. Enjoy!
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