February Newsletter
January 29, 2021
Hard to believe we are past the midpoint of the 2020-21 school year! Our second semester started on January 19, and students are busy adjusting to their new schedules, changing classes, and participating in the numerous extracurricular activities Red River has to offer.
Thank you to all of the students, faculty, staff, coaches, advisors, and parents who have helped make the 2020-2021 school year go as well as it could considering the circumstances! There have been a lot of challenges, restrictions, and transitions, but as a Red River team we have adapted and continue to provide our students with opportunities in both academics and extracurriculars.
Please review and record the following calendar items that may affect you and your family. On Wednesday, February 10 and Wednesday, February 24 we will have PLC Early Releases, with classes being released at 1:00 PM. Spring Parent Teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday, February 18 and Tuesday, February 23 from 4:00-7:00. These will be held virtually like they were held in the Fall. More information on conferences will be sent out in the coming weeks.
It just seemed like Winter Sports Activities started and we are already talking about them nearing the end of their seasons. Please take a look at our Athletics Calendar
https://www.gfschools.org/domain/1195 as our teams roll into tournament time the end of February and early March. Pay attention to @RRHS_Activities for all activities happening in the upcoming month of February.
Student will be participating in an online Student Engagement survey during their remote days, February 1-5. This state sponsored survey will provide Red River with data on how students engage in the classroom and school during the year. Snow Week Activities have been postponed and are tentatively scheduled for April. In place of Snow Week, Red River Student Council will be participating in the Giving Hearts Campaign. Students and staff will dress in a “Sea of Red” theme on February 10 and 11 to spread awareness of this event.
Students will be encouring our community to support local charities as well as directly collecting donations for the Grand Forks Foundation for Educations' Giving Tree Campaign.
With so many upcoming tournaments and events, this would be a good time to remind your
child/children that they represent Red River High School at all extracurricular events. Good
sportsmanship is expected, and any infractions could result in school and/or legal consequences. Demonstrate positive Rider Pride as you cheer Red River on to victory!
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please give us a call at 746-2400. Thank you for your continued support!
Sincerely yours,
Mr. Tony Bina, Associate Principal
Mark Your Calendars!!!
A Look Ahead
February 1- Spring Sports and Musical participants can pick up white cards
February 10- Early Release
February10 & 11- "Sea of Red" dress up day
February 18 & 22- HYBRID Student Parent-Teacher Conferences
February 24- Early Release
March 4 & 9- VIRTUAL Student Parent-Teacher Conferences
March 10- Early Release
March 17-19- NO SCHOOL Conference Trade Days
April 2-5- Spring/Easter Break
April 14- Early Release
April 28- Early Release
Monthly Cohort Calendar
Hybrid A/B days rotate each day and the pattern is not skipped due to holiday breaks, snow days, etc. If a week ends on a Cohort A day, the next day school is in session will be a Cohort B day.
If there is an unexpected school closure such as a snow day, the A/B schedule stays on the same rotation but is pushed back by the number of days the school is closed. For instance, if the last school day in session is a Cohort A day and the school is closed for a day due to weather, when the school reopens it will be a Cohort B day.
The Day 1/Day 2 schedule is only important for students that are enrolled in classes that meet EOD, every other day (Choir, Band, and/or Foundations of Fitness).
Red River Updates
Address Verification
Athletic Participation- White Cards
SPRING SPORTS & SPRING MUSICAL "Children of Eden"
White cards for spring can be picked up beginning February 1, 2021.
White cards are used to indicate that student participants have completed all necessary paperwork/processes in order to compete. Participants must present white cards to coaches/advisors in order to begin.
Please have the following information ready, as it applies to your student, to receive your white card.
1) Sports Participation Fee: $80.00 All payments MUST be made through your student's www.myschoolbucks.com account (there is NO additional fee for using myschoolbucks).
OR
2) Physical Waiver (Form B) or Recent Physical - Any student with a physical on file at Red River High School last year (2019-20) or any incoming freshmen who had their physical on file at their GFPS middle school last year does NOT need an updated physical examination for the 2020-21 school year. The NDSHAA has waived this for one year. These students with physicals on file will need to complete a waiver form (Physical Form B), which can be found in the links provided. The date of your last physical will be entered by RRHS staff, so do NOT worry about that on Form B.
***If you are new to the district or do not have a physical on file, you will need to turn in a signed physical form after an examination.
3) Code of Conduct Form and Concussion Form - All students MUST fill out a new Code of Conduct and Concussion Form, regardless if they have one on file from last year or not.
All above documents can be found at this link- https://www.gfschools.org/Domain/1626
HOSA
HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America) has been up to great things this February. The students decided to put together a fundraiser for CVIC (Community Violence Intervention Center). They held a Teddy Bear Toss at the Red River vs Central boys basketball game on February 11. Spectators were encouraged to bring new stuffed animals to throw at half time in exchange for a ticket to be entered into a raffle for a $100 Scheels gift card! New stuffed animals and raffle tickets were also available for purchase at the game. Overall the HOSA students from Red River and Central collected 245 new stuffed animals to be donated to the children at CVIC along with a $200 donation!
HOSA students have also begun their clinical rotations and are enjoying visiting different places within the community every other week! Students have learned so much already, and are excited to continue visiting new sites and seeing new things!
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Hybrid Student P/T Conferences---
- Hybrid student Parent-Teacher conferences will take place on February 18th and 23rd from 4-7pm. These will again be virtual via Zoom. More information will be emailed to parents next week.
Virutal Academy Student P/T Conferences---
- Virtual Academy family-teacher conferences on March 4th or 9th between 4-7 p.m. Mentor-teachers will use the same format as they did this fall and will schedule individual sessions with your family through Zoom.
Yearbook
https://www.balfour.com/north-dakota/grand-forks/red-river-high-school
We also have a very limited number of 2019-2020 yearbooks leftover for purchase. If you are interested please email Tyler Nelson at redriveryearbook@mygfschools.org
District Updates
Parents Lead
Parents Have a Significant Influence in Their Children’s Decisions to Experiment with Alcohol and Other Drugs
One of the most influential factors during a child’s adolescence is maintaining a strong, open relationship with a parent/guardian. When parent(s)/guardian(s) create supportive and nurturing environments, children make better decisions. Though it may not always seem like it, children really hear these concerns, which is why it’s important that parent(s)/guardian(s) discuss the risks of using alcohol and other drugs. How do you start these conversations? Visit www.parentslead.org for information and resources.
Stay in School
The Stay in School Program is a collaborative effort between school, family, and community which supports students and families in meeting the expectations of school attendance, through face-to-face or distance learning. As part of the program, all attendance records are reviewed on a regular basis. School staff will work with parent(s)/guardian(s) throughout the tiers of the Stay in School Program. Please see the link below for more information on the K-12 attendance program.
The Mentor Center
The Mentor Center is a face-to-face, drop-in resource center for middle and high school students and families to receive academic, social-emotional, and technology support. The center will support students during the afternoon and evening hours with certified and classified academic staff, mental health professionals, and technicians to support the district’s distance learning platform. Funding will also be used to support a mobile technology squad to provide on-site assistance. To further enhance the learning environment during these times, the school system will embed enrichment activity centers focusing on art, music, STEM, and social-emotional activities. The program is financially supported by the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund.
Robin David is the coordinator of the program located at 725 Hamline St., Room 1200, which is adjacent to the University of North Dakota Bookstore. Hours will be:
Monday-Thursday: 1-8 p.m.
Friday: 1-5 p.m.
Saturday: 12-4 p.m.
Contact Information
Red River Main Office:
Attendance:
- A-K, Mrs. Kim Miller: 701-746-2409
- L-Z, Mrs. Allison Hanson: 701-746-2410
Registrar: Ms. Hannah-Rose Rodriquez
Office Manager: Mrs. Buffy Boemann
Red River Counseling Office:
(A-E): Mrs. Kristi Severson
(F-K): Mr. Kyle Meier
(L-Ri): Mr. Bernard Houdek
(Rj-Z): Mrs. Leah Fredrickson
Secretary: Mrs. Jill LaMoine
Red River Administration:
Dr. Kristopher Arason, Principal
Mr. Darin Walters, Associate Principal (A-K)
Mr. Tony Bina, Associate Principal (L-Z)
Mr. Tyler Nelson, Activities Director