RHHS Wildcats: News You Can Use
#WEareRH - BACK TO SCHOOL Edition - July 20, 2018
Taking care of our students - 1:1 Gateway Initiative
RHHS will be implementing 1:1 this year. 1:1 means that each student will have his/her own school issued chromebook to use each day. For those interested in bringing in their own personal school approved laptop or chromebook, that will be an option as well. I believe that putting technology into the hands of both students and teachers is a move in the right direction. We piloted this initiative last spring with all seniors, and those students, their parents, and their teachers overwhelmingly reported that the experience was academically beneficial and positive.
Students and teachers using chromebooks and the Google Apps for Education suite is not new here at RHHS. We have been using the Google Suite since November, 2012, and about 50% of our teachers have been implementing their classes in a 1:1 environment over the last three years. So, our initiative to put a chromebook/laptop in each student’s hands is a logical next step - giving all students and teachers academic access to 21st century tools.
Our plan is to have every student with a device by the first day of school. We realize there are some students who prefer to use their own devices*. This will be fine, and we encourage this, as long as the device is a school approved laptop device that supports the latest full Google Chrome browser. Students who do not have their own devices will be issued chromebooks, and at the end of the year, the chromebooks will be returned. (*Smartphones, iPads, and tablets are not approved devices)
We are asking that ALL students to make arrangements to register their student owned device or check-out their assigned school issued chromebook prior to the first week of school. For three days (7/31,8/1,8/3), RHHS will be open to meet with students to declare which option (use an RHHS issued chromebook or an approved personal laptop) they will take, and complete the device registration process. In order to make this process efficient, devices will be assigned or registered for network access over the following dates in the West Campus LiNK;
Tuesday, Jul-31; 8AM - 8PM || Wednesday, Aug-1; 8AM - 8PM || Friday, Aug-3; 8AM - 8PM
Page 4 of the “Student Device Acceptable Use Guidelines” must be signed by the student and guardian and the student who is using the device must be present to collect/register their device. This process takes 20-30 minutes.
Students who are issued a school-owned chromebook will have two options: to keep the chromebook each day and take it home with them or to turn in the chromebook at a designated receptacle each day and pick up the same device prior to first block each day. If a student opts to take it home each day, the student must make arrangements to make sure it is charged and brought with him/her the next day.
I few non-negotiable expectations have been established to maximize student achievement:
Teachers will maintain and use Google Classroom learning management system
Teachers will plan for and implement engaging instruction that utilizes the devices and the Google Suite
Students will arrive each day with their assigned electronic device, fully charged and functionable
I know that some of you may have questions, and I want our 1:1 initiative to work well for students, teachers, and parents. In order to help facilitate communication, we will hold information sessions during Open House, Thursday, August 2nd. We will run the session several times to maximize convenience. The session primarily Question and Answer session will run at 3pm, 4:30pm and again at 6pm. More information about where this will be held will be provided soon.
Thank you in advance for your support and involvement in this implementation. If you have questions, please contact me by email or attend one of the information sessions on Thursday, August 2nd.
Debi McNeal, Principal
Comcast Internet Essentials
Internet Essentials from Comcast offers low-cost Internet service, discounted computer equipment, and free digital literacy training to families with at least one child eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program or who attend a Title I school. If your child receives free/reduced lunch, please click below to apply for this service-
Free and reduced lunch applications
The free/reduced lunch application can be printed from this link, or you can pick up this form from your child's advisor during Open House. I strongly encourage all students/families to consider applying for this. If you need assistance completing the application, please call the school - we are always happy to help!
Back to school Blood Drive!
RHHS will be hosting our 2nd Annual Back-to-school Blood Drive on Friday, August 3rd, 8am-2pm, in the RHHS West Campus Gym. Click below and see the poster below for additional information. Every pint counts - please give!
Student schedules
Student schedules should be accurate for a large majority of our students. If a student has an error, a class missing in his/her schedule, or an unbalanced schedule (more academics one semester than the other), he/she will submit a schedule change request electronically. The schedule change is link is below-
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe-dhRoEowO7Kb0dcmn--pyw6qDs0sPJLZCp0I3ahj3CXPOPw/viewform
Open House - Thursday, August 2nd
This year, RHHS is offering an informal Open House from noon-5pm for returning 10th, 11th and 12th grade students. These students/parents may visit the school between 12-5pm on August 2nd to visit their child's advisor and meet teachers. It is less formal because these students are returning to RHHS and generally have fewer questions than our rising 9th graders and new students. I encourage returning students and their parents to use this option if they would like. Returning students are certainly always welcome during the formal Open House, 5-7pm.
School start time changing
School begins on Monday, August 6th at 7:30am.
Office Hours for RHHS
Beginning Tuesday, July 31st, RHHS office hours will return to our normal school day office hours of 7am-3:30pm.
Student parking: parking permits for all go on sale July 16
Regular parking permits went on sale Monday, July 16th, for $65. All students parking cars on campus must obtain a parking permit - even Dual Enrolled students.
On the first day of school, August 6th, all vehicles parked on campus must have the required parking permit displayed.
Students may begin picking up their parking decals during office hours next week, July 23rd. These will be available from Ms. Kiser in the attendance office.
Richmond Hill High School
Email: dmcneal@bryan.k12.ga.us
Website: http://www.bryancountyschools.org/o/rhhs
Location: 1 Wildcat Drive, Richmond Hill, GA, United States
Phone: 912-459-5151
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richmondhillhigh/
Twitter: @RichmondHill_HS