RRHS - Weekly Update Week of 9/7
September 7th - Labor Day - No School
Welcome Video
Online Verification Reminder
In order for parents and students to completely access ParentVue, StudentVue and LCPSGo, the verification process must be completed by parents. This is done through the ParentVue Portal (not the ParentVue App) and the directions will walk you through each step.
Additional step by step directions may be found here.
Once completed, students will have access to the Apps needed in order to start up successfully.
Questions/Concerns?
Email jackie.sanabria@lcps.org
School Counseling
Here is the counselor breakdown for this year. If Mr. Taylor is your counselor and you need assistance with something please contact Mr. Terry, Kevin.Terry@lcps.org or Mr. Wareham Jay.Wareham@lcps.org . Mr. Wareham is an intern from GMU working with the counseling department.
See Below:
If you have an issue with your schedule and/or are missing a course please use this link https://forms.gle/SHmSXUEfvj6LXUNC7
Please remember this link is not for requests to change an elective or requests to change a teacher. We are unable to process those requests.
Dual Enrolment Courses with Richard Bland College of William & Mary
If you are enrolled in the following courses Dual Enrollment course:
DE English 12
AP/DE Chemistry DE Intro to Theatre
DE Physics DE Adv Stage Craft
AP/DE US History AP/DE US Government
DE Spanish DE Theatre History/Performance
Please complete the application for Dual Enrollment with Richard Bland College of William & Mary. The deadline is September 15th to complete the application.
Please read the RBC Dual Enrollment letter for this year. https://drive.google.com/file/d/18s2BOfVDiuHsSky77M9NRclnuP9soc1L/view?usp=sharing
Here is the direct link to the RBC application: https://richardblandcollege.formstack.com/forms/dual_enrollment_registration_form
On page 3 and 4 of the application you list all of the Dual Enrollment courses you are enrolled in this year. Only 1 application needs to be filled out for all of the RBC DE course you are enrolled in.
NOVA DE and Other Colleges DE
If you are enrolled in Marketing DE through NOVA. The deadline was August 15th to submit your forms. If you have not please contact Mrs. Tucker, the DE Marketing teacher.
IF you are in ISR DE or Teacher Cadet DE your teacher will share with you the needed information.
Please see the Naviance e-mail for more counseling information.
Google Meets Reminder
Outside accounts are not automatically allowed into our LCPS meets. This is a security feature. Teachers are able to admit non-LCPS users, but it is not recommended that they do that unless they can verify the identity.
Attendance, Supplies, and Bell Schedule
Please click here for key reminders sent last week.
Food Services Update
How to : Attendance
School Nurse
Although circumstances are different this year with virtual and hybrid learning, it is imperative that all those students with health concerns have action plans provided to the health office. Health concerns, signs and symptoms, are shared with your child’s teacher. Information will only be shared with those teachers that need to know about your child’s health concern, confidentiality is of the upmost importance.
While being taught via a computer the teacher can see if a child is showing signs or symptoms of allergic reaction, asthma attack, diabetes symptoms, seizure, adrenal insufficiency and take the appropriate steps to ensure your child’s safety.
If you do not feel comfortable coming into the school please email me, robyn.wisti@lcps.org the action plan so that I am able to review it and send it out to teachers as soon as possible.
If you would like to come into the school please email me, robyn.wisti@lcps.org to set up an appointment.
Health forms can be found at; https://www.lcps.org/StudentHealthServices
Information about immunizations is attached.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.
Senor Breakfast!
FIRST SENIOR BREAKFAST
We are looking forward to hosting our first Senior Breakfast on Monday September 14th. This is a Drive Through event with parents and some staff members serving individually wrapped Chik-fil-A breakfast biscuits for the students to take away.
Students will not be allowed to remain on school premises after picking up their food and are required to wear a mask when they are in the food pick up line.
A SignUp Genius will be posted for ways in which parents can contribute.
*Please remind your students that their conduct and adherence to social distancing guidelines will determine future events.
The Blaze - Our Student Newspaper
On behalf of the newspaper publications staff at Rock Ridge High School, welcome to the 2020-21 school year. Student journalists at The Blaze serve the student body, parents, faculty, and the greater Rock Ridge community by producing continuous coverage of the stories that matter on our website. Recognizing the challenges of a physically distant year, we are committed to promoting school spirit across virtual boundaries; starting this week, our weekly newsletter will bring school news directly to your inbox. You can subscribe to it here. Finally, keeping the news free and accessible to all readers is a priority to our staff; if you are interested in sponsoring our journalism, you can do so here. Thank you for supporting The Blaze; we look forward to staying connected with you this year!
Athletic Conditioning
All athletes must have the following complete to participate in conditioning:
- VHSL physical dated after 5/1/20
- Registration completed online at www.rockridgesports.us
- All athletes must complete the pre work out disclosure https://forms.gle/DLgMEQRva2McHm9W8 every day. Fill out the link on your way to school, we will take your temperature and then you will hit submit.
- All athletes will have a temperature screening prior to exiting car.
- All athletes will bring at least 32 ounces of water and a mask to participate.
- All drop offs will occur in the parking lot outside door D5 by the stadium.
Please either scan and email your VHSL physical form to patrick.mcnanley@lcps.org or bring when you come to condition.
During this preseason time frame you are welcome to go to as many different sports conditioning and practices that you wish.
Girls Basketball will be on 9/15, 9/22, and 9/29 at 5:30 p.m.
Boys Basketball will be on 9/14, 9/21, and 9/28 at 5 p.m.
Football will start on 9/8 and go on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 4:45 p.m.
Field Hockey will begin on 9/9 and go on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
Boys and Girls Swim will start on 9/1 and go on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.
Baseball will start on 9/9 and go on Wednesdays at 5 p.m.
Track and Field will start on 9/8 and run on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:30 p.m.
School Pix and Morning Announcements
First Day of School Pictures
Use one of the attached first day of school signs to take a picture on Tuesday! Tweet your picture to @RockRidge_SCA or tag us on Instagram at @RockRidge_SCA. You can also email your pictures to michelle.menna@lcps.org. Pictures will be featured on the Rock Ridge Instagram, the morning announcements on Wednesday, and in the yearbook! Seniors- we would love to see a first day picture from kindergarten or elementary school with your senior year first day picture!
Senior Portrait Make-Ups
If you were unable to attend the senior portrait dates, the make-up dates are Sept. 14 and Oct. 5. Sign up for a time here to schedule your portrait session: pickatime.com/vosphoto/rockridgehs Sign up by Sept. 12 to guarantee a spot.
For the yearbook pose, seniors will be wearing their own dress clothes. Business casual is preferred, but students can dress up as formally as they wish. Jackets and ties are optional. Please note we will not be taking cap and gown pictures at this time. We will schedule a time to take these later in the year. We will still take casual photos.
For more information visit the photography company’s site here: https://vosphoto.com/rockridge/ For retakes, rather than make-ups, a $10 charge may apply.
Underclassmen Yearbook Photos
Yearbook photos will be taken in the Aux gym on Sept. 14 and 21, and on Oct. 5. You can sign up for a date and time that works best for you here: http://pickatime.com/vos/rockridgehs Be sure to sign up early to get your preferred date and time.
For more information visit the photography company’s site here: https://vosphoto.com/rockridge/
Career Center News
Upcoming Virtual Rep Visits:
Sign up via Naviance. A link for the virtual call will be sent out prior to the event. Registering is the only way you will receive the link.
9/14:
10:00 AM - University of Tennessee – large, public research university in Knoxville, TN
11:00 AM – Gettysburg College – small private liberal arts school in Gettysburg, PA
1:00 PM – Richard Bland College of William & Mary – 2 year residential school with special transfer programs to over a dozen VA universities, in Prince George, VA
2:00 PM – Texas A&M University – large, public research university in College Station, TX
3:00 PM – Spelman College – small private women’s college in Atlanta, GA. It is also an HBCU.
4:00 PM – College of William & Mary – mid size, public research university in Williamsburg, VA
9/15:
5:00 PM – Rutgers University – large public research university in New Brunswick, NJ
5:00 PM – St. Mary’s College – small private liberal arts college in MD
6:30 PM – West Virginia University – large public research university in Morgantown, WV
7:30 PM – University of Tampa – mid size private university in Tampa, FL
9/16:
4:30 PM – Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA)
5:00 PM – University of Maryland, Baltimore County – mid size public research university in Baltimore, MD.
6:30 PM – Washington College – small private college in Chestertown, MD
7:30 PM – Michigan State University – large public university in East Lansing, MI
Upcoming RRHS Virtual Events – Save the Dates:
9/17: Senior Night – Learn all about preparing for life post high school with a strong emphasis on the college application process. You do not need to register. More details to follow. This is open to parents and seniors.
9/22: Junior Parent Coffee at 8:30 AM. Learn what your junior should be focused on this year as they start to prepare for their senior year and beyond. You do not need to register. The link will be included here 9/18.
9/29: Fin Aid Night - What is Financial Aid? How do I apply? What factors make up my financial aid award? How do I qualify for the most $$$? These questions and more will be covered in our Financial Aid 101 session. Information is applicable to ALL institutions. Q&A will be open all evening to address your individual questions. Register here.
10/13: FAFSA Complete Night - Learn the Ins and Outs of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Common questions, concerns, and filing errors. Information is applicable to ALL institutions. Q&A will be open all evening to address your individual questions! Register here.
Note, if you can not make these dates for RRHS you may join other high school events. See full list of events here.
University of California schools:
The *UC for You* events are intended to help students and families, who will be applying this fall, get to know the nine undergraduate campuses. The *UC for Everyone: UC wants
You!* events are for students and their families who are considering UC in
future years. https://ucforyou.universityofcalifornia.edu/
9/17: Join admission reps from the U of Chicago, Yale, U of Michigan, Columbia U and U of Texas Austin for an info session. Register here.
Explore Virtual Open Houses – Mid Atlantic Area: https://www.njsca.org/de-dc-md-ny-va-open-houses
Metro 5 Hear from 5 urbban liberal arts schools: U of Richmond, Rhoades, Lewis & Clark, Trinity College and Macalester College
9/10: https://admission.rhodes.edu/register/metro5student2
9/21: https://admission.rhodes.edu/register/metro5student3
NEWS YOU CAN USE:
Remind.com - Students & Parents, in trying to better communicate upcoming events, I have set up an account for each graduating class on Remind.com. If you sign up you will get text messages reminding you of college rep visits, job fairs, college fairs, info sessions and other events. Sign up by going to remind.com and entering the appropriate grade info below.
Class of 2021 @therock21
Class of 2022 @therock22
Class of 2023 @therock23
Class of 2024 @therock24
LCPS Connect U – LCPS has created the Connect U website. It has general information for over 150 colleges and universities, videos created by a few reps on the college application process, financial aid resources for DACA students (thank you Amy Carroll), and a link to resources for students with IEPs.
9/23 & 10/27: The SAT test will be offered on September 23, and the SAT test with Essay will be offered on October 27. SAT tests will be offered at each high school and students may register via this link now. The national Saturday SAT & ACT are still planned to be hosted throughout the Fall at LCPS high schools. You register for these via Collegeboard.org or act.org.
Note, Juniors, we will have FREE, virtual SAT practice tests in late October and early November. Stay tuned for more information.
Great Article: this article, published in Forbes this week shares a lot of thoughtful insight on how to approach the various aspects of the college application process, https://www.forbes.com/sites/brennanbarnard/2020/08/11/back-to-school-college-admission-ready/#406c36593aa3
Connecting with Admission reps: Colleges are also feeling the impact of the Pandemic. Without your visits they have no contact info to share information. Admission reps are welcoming your outreach. Here are a few examples.
Carnegie Mellon
Join our Tartan Ambassadors as they discuss what they’re studying, what they’re researching and how they’re enjoying student life during a Tartan Talk.
Meet one-on-one with an admission counselor for a 20-30 minute Remote Counseling Session to ask any questions they have.
JMU:
Students can set up individual appointments with admissions reps to have their questions answered using Calendly. Go here to find regional counselor: www.jmu.edu/admissions/contact/counselors/#counselors
Calendly link will be on their recruiters’ page, and student can schedule a 1 on 1 meeting.
They have started some in person info sessions. JMU is slowly starting in person tours to small groups.
VCU:
The VCU Office of Admissions will continue to offer live virtual information sessions, question and answer chat sessions, as well as opportunities for one-on-one virtual admission counselor meetings for prospective students and families interested in learning more about VCU and its programs. To attend a virtual information session or chat session, students should register online to participate.
University of Delaware:
Students can still get a feel for campus and take a look around using our map for self-guided tours, getting an introduction to what life on our beautiful campus will be like. When they register, they will also receive access to free parking at the University Visitors Center, the first stop on the tour. Students can register here.
Scholarship Opportunities
Bryan Cameron Education Foundation
9/13: NACAC College Fair – This virtual fair will be open online from Noon – 8:00 PM. You can view participating schools ahead of time and then make a plan for the sessions you want to attend. Hundreds of schools will be represented from across the US and the world will be represented. You do need to register. https://www.virtualcollegefairs.org/
Test Optional – I can’t stress enough to read the “fine print” for each college regarding test optional. Some colleges still want a score other documentation. I am starting to see college’s request a graded essay from our junior or senior year or three AP test scores. Always check this website for the latest information: https://fairtest.org/university/optional?fbclid=IwAR2UBlvvEcgjK6FC5zoftj8qViaQnxJEQ25OO2xVLvBbHteiG2lCxhPtfK4