RRHS Update - Week of 12/13/21
Look for our next update Sunday, 1/2/22!
Holiday Gift Card Drive
Rock Ridge High School Holiday Gift Card Drive
Please consider donating a gift card to help assist our families in need during this holiday season. Gift cards can be for Walmart, Target, Amazon or Harris Teeter and can be dropped off at the front office in an envelope labeled “Parent Liaison”. Questions? Please email our Parent Liaison at Nevein.Zalenski@lcps.org.
From Our PTSO - Practicing Gratitude!
How to be a ROCKin’ PHOENIX
Practice gratitude – celebrate friends, amazing teachers and staff, and the array of
opportunities to get involved and make RR a remarkable experience
Help invite others to get involved and find their way at RR – invite a friend or parent to
a school event, share your knowledge about teachers and the school and be a RR
ambassador
Offer your support to students, staff, parents, and the school – giving of oneself and
partnering with others can make for a more meaningful and rewarding experience
Explore ways for you or your child to get involved at RR – go to an athletics event,
concert, performance, club meeting, pep rally, purchase and wear your spirit wear, or
participate in a Spirit Day (or encourage your child to do these things)
Nurture yourself and those around you – things continue to be challenging and it is
important to fill your own cup and practice self-care while also being available to offer
support and encouragement to others
Inspire RR students, families, staff, teachers, PTSO, and school to be the absolute
best – share your feedback and participate to be a part of promoting excellence
eXpress your pride in RR and share your appreciation openly – tell teachers and staff
what you appreciate and why, ROCK your spirit wear, and share your love and
appreciation for RR on social media or in other ways
PRACTICE GRATITUDE
There is actual science behind the practice of gratitude. Happify.com shares that “People who regularly practice gratitude by taking time to notice and reflect upon the things they're thankful for experience more positive emotions, feel more alive, sleep better, express more compassion and kindness, and even have stronger immune systems.” Please think of ways to implement the practice of gratitude in your day.
The PTSO invites students, families, and staff to take a moment and think about the people at RR who have had an impact on you. It may be a student, a teacher, an administrator, or perhaps the librarian. But also think about some of our unsung heroes at the school who often get overlooked and perhaps or only noticed in passing but who make a real difference to the excellence experienced at RR.
The PTSO would like to recognize our amazing Custodial Staff this month! We have a team of 15 wonderful staff who remain dedicated day in and day our to keeping RR looking as amazing as it does and being a safe and clean environment for students and staff. We know the pandemic has had an impact on us all but especially for this team of staff who have taken on additional responsibilities and work with earnestness while wearing a smile.
Please consider taking a moment to send in a card expressing your appreciation to the custodial staff for all they do! Or you can fill out our Google form for us to share on your behalf.
STAY CONNECTED
· Follow us to stay in the know and keep up with events on Facebook, Instagram, Remind, and our website.
· Click here for other ways to connect with us and to get involved!
· Compliments, Concerns, Questions, Ideas/Suggestions or other Feedback always welcome! Contact Tiffany Ahmed at President@rrhsptso.org.
Orchestra Concert!
Orchestra Concert (12/15) - Season's Greetings from the RRHS Orchestras! You are cordially invited to attend the Winter Orchestra Concert held in the RRHS Auditorium on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, at 7:00 pm. The RRHS Orchestras will be featuring some special guest performers: Mr. Everette Callaway, as Santa and Narrator of Twas the Night Before Christmas; Parv Gaiso, Flute Soloist on Gabriel's Oboe; Pawan Kashyap, Carnatic Violin; and Mr. Eric Maeshiro and the Stone Hill Middle School 6th Grade Strings--all right here on the Rock Ridge stage! The concert is appropriate for all ages, so bring the whole family. Festive attire, including Santa hats, reindeer antlers, elf ears, and light up jewelry and accessories are highly encouraged. We look forward to seeing you there! -Ms. Gordon, RRHS Orchestra Director
Math Help Before Break!
In addition to the math help offered during every study hall block, our Math Department is also offering help for Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2 students after school each week.
- Algebra 1 students can get help every Thursday in room 1208 after school until 5 PM.
- Geometry students can get help every Thursday in room 1213 after school until 5 PM.
- Algebra 2 students can get help every Monday in room 1211 until 5 PM.
No pass or reservation is required – just come with your notes and questions!
Please see your math teacher if you have any questions about getting extra help during your study hall or after school.
VDOE Survey - Indicator 8
Subject: 2020-2021 Indicator 8 Parent Involvement Survey
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is asking for Families who have a child with a disability and is provided special education services through an individualized Education Program (IEP) to participate in the 2020-2021 Indicator 8 Parent Involvement Survey. The online survey is now open and available for completion in English and Spanish at the following websites until December 17, 2021:
English Version: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SY2021SURVEY-ENGLISH
Spanish Version: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SY2021SURVEY-ESPANOL
Families who have more than one child receiving special education services are requested to complete a survey for each of their children.
Career Center and Counseling News!
January 6th at 7pm is Current 9th-11th Grade Curriculum Night. Save the date!!! This will go to 8:30pm . More information to come….
Junior Parent Virtual Session - We will be replaying the presentation from Tuesday night for Junior families at 12:30 PM and answering questions until 1:15 PM. Because of the internet issues last Tuesday evening when this was originally scheduled. This presentation covers the college application process, other options post high school and what to expect over the next few months as you head in to your senior year. Here is the link to participate.
Seniors we are close to our goal of 80% of our senior class has applying to college by winter break. Please get your materials in NOW for the January deadlines!!!
Colleges to Know
University of North Carolina School of the Arts - UNCSA
Since the University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a bit of a mouthful, most people shorten it down to UNCSA. The school is comprised of 5 major programs -- Cinematography & Film, Technical Theatre, Dance, Drama, and Music Performance. Jada Pinkett Smith, Anthony Mackie, and Mary-Louise Parker are just a few of the notable names associated with UNCSA.
Step Up Loudoun Competition entry deadline is December 17th. This is a great opportunity to standout for the great things you already do Phoenix!!! Great experience to have on any resume/college application for the future.
http://www.loudounyouth.org/programs-2/step-up-loudoun-youth-competition/
Click here to watch a video on Step Up
Please check Mrs. Barnes’ Friday e-mail/Smore for more Counseling information.
COVID-19 Protocols
COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
Has your student been identified as a close contact to an individual that has tested positive to COVID-19?
Please follow the following guidelines.
· If the student has been fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine
o Has received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine or one dose of the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine and at least two weeks have passed since their last vaccination, student does not need to quarantine if they are asymptomatic
o Recommended.
§ Test for COVID-19 3-5 days after last exposure
§ Develops symptoms, please keep student home and test for COVID-19
§ Please send test results to me at robyn.wisti@lcps.org
WHEN SHOULD STUDENT REMAIN AT HOME
If your student has any of the following symptoms please keep your student home and have them tested for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status and if even if they exhibit only one of the symptoms or provide me with an alternative diagnosis from your health care provider.
· Fever/chills
· Sore throat
· Stomachache
· Cough
· Fatigue
· Diarrhea
· Shortness of breath
· Muscle aches
· Nausea/vomiting
· New loss of taste/smell
· Runny nose/congestion
· Headaches
Please provide me, robyn.wisti@lcps.org with COVID-19 test results or alternative diagnosis from your health care provider
QUESTIONS
Please feel free to contact me at
· 703-996-2106
Student Pictures and Yearbooks!
STUDENT PICTURES STILL AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
Student pictures are now available to view/purchase online- including those photographed at make-up sessions. It's not too late to order or re-order pictures. Please visit: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1000871664 use your student ID when prompted for the online code.
For questions regarding school pictures please email: underclass@vosphoto.com
YEARBOOKS ON SALE NOW- LESS THAN 50% REMAIN
Save $10 and buy your yearbooks now. They are on sale for $75. They can be purchased online at www.yearbookforever.com The price will go up to $80 on 3/16 and then to $85 in May.
EL - The Family Room!
The Division of English Learners, Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Office is pleased to invite and welcome you to our next The Family Room Session!
Celebrate Computer Science (CS) Education Week and find out how CS is Everywhere in Loudoun County Public Schools at the Virtual Family Room on Wednesday, December 15 at 6pm by clicking on this link https://bit.ly/thefamilyroom21-22. You will learn how LCPS has expanded Computer Science Education Everywhere and how to personalize student learning of Computer Science at home! See you there!
The Family Room Flyer - CS Everywhere! December 15th, 2021 - ENG & SPAN
Can’t make our last session of 2021? Navigate to our Family Room Schoology Group to access 5 Asynchronous (Pre-recorded) Sessions to check out at your own pace and schedule!
To join, here are our Joining the Schoology Group instructions available in 5 languages.
- Session A: Connecting to your School through Helpful Resources (LCPS Outreach Services)
- Session B: What is Parent Resource Services? An Overview (Parent Resource Services)
- Session C: How does Educational Technology support learning in LCPS? (Educational Technology Department)
- Session D: Partnering with Families to Support Students Using a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
- Session E: What is LCPS Partner and How Can I Connect? (LCPS Partner)
Having trouble? Check out this video tutorial on how to navigate The Family Room Schoology Resources available in English and in Spanish
Food Order Reminder
Students and parents please do not order food to the building via door dash or other delivery services. The timing of delivery is not guaranteed and can pull students out of class at times other than lunch and disrupts the learning environment. This can also pose a security risk and takes our front office staff away from their regular duties. Thank you.
Auditions are Here!
Auditions for our spring musical, “Matilda” will be held after school next week! We are looking for students who are interested in performing and being a part of an incredible team. Do you like to dance? This could be for you! Do you like to sing? This could be for you! Do you like to act? This could be for you!
Auditions are:
Tuesday, December 14th – Dance Auditions (you will be taught a dance at auditions. Non-dancers will just need to be able to move and have fun!)
Wednesday, December 15th – Singing Auditions (you will prepare a song 30 seconds to a minute in length, and sing for the directors. This song could be a pop song or musical theatre song.)
Students will need to attend both December 14th and December 15th to be cast in the show! For more information regarding auditions, please visit: http://www.rockridgeperformingarts.org/audition-info.html
Matilda Designer Applications
If you are interested in a designer or TDP leadership role for the spring production please fill out this application form by Friday, December 17. It takes a lot of creative minds to make the vision for a production come together and we have many roles to fill!
Matilda Technical Design, and Production team (TDP)
Applications for TDP crew for the spring production will occur after winter break. We will send out the survey after winter break.