RBHS BRIDGE Communication
Rock Bridge High School Newsletter November 22, 2020
Good Afternoon Rock Bridge Families!
With the recent decision from our board of education to maintain remote learning for the duration of Quarter 2, I think it is important to refocus our efforts to be the best we can be in our current situation. Under normal circumstances, almost all of us would agree we prefer in person learning and teaching. However, it is worth noting that as true life long learners, everyone of us is better at remote learning than we were in September when we started this journey. We must reflect on Quarter 1, learn from it, and make appropriate adjustments to improve for Quarter 2. Since we are not in person yet, we wanted to get you some practical advice for supporting yourself or your students.
The first piece of advice we'd like to offer is setting a school-like structured schedule for every day. Get the appropriate amount of sleep each night. Wake up every morning at the same time. Complete the same "before school routine" you would practice as though you are going to in person school. Find ways (even if through zoom) to socialize with friends during lunch. Take walking breaks during the scheduled passing periods even if this means walking around the block while talking to a friend on the phone. Use the time given you between 8:55 and 4:05 to complete as much of your school work as possible.
Below you will find a section with some strategies for setting goals as we progress through Quarter 2. Use what you've learned about yourself and online learning to grow appropriately during this next session of remote learning. In the section below titled "How to Ask for Help" families can find several strategies for getting what you need during distance learning. Our Boone County Mental Health Checklist data shows us each year that some of our students do not always feel comfortable asking for help. We have many ways that one can reach out for help at Rock Bridge High School. If you need something, please find a way to let us know. We truly want to help. You will also find a section below with some recommended methods for celebrating successes and showing gratitude. Each of these can greatly assist our own self-care. Find some tools that will work for you.
You can find information about the following in the rest of this BRIDGE.
- Fall Sports Recap
- Rock Bridge Clubs: a great way to socialize
- Rock Bridge Club Drive Thru Lights Display
- RBHS Counseling Newsletter focused on Self Care
- Rock Bridge Fall Musical
- The CPS Early College Program
- Winter Weather and School
- Nutrition and Technology Services Updates
Finally, I have a favor to ask of our Rock Bridge Students. If you are able and comfortable, please turn on your cameras in Zoom before we head into this break. We know that some of you have very good/appropriate reasons for keeping your cameras off, and we respect your decision to do so. If, however, you are able to turn on your camera (even if for just a few minutes), please let us see you. From a teacher's point of view, it is very different teaching with 20-30 black boxes staring back at you compared to a room full of faces we can see. Please know that your teachers miss the connection that comes from being able to see facial expressions (good and bad) of students while we teach. Your expressions are feedback for us and help us more than you might be aware. We look forward to the day we are able to safely return to school together. Until then, we'd still like to be able to see you.
I wish you all a peaceful and healthy holiday!
Jacob
Setting GOALS
Setting Goals: Tips and strategies Set SMART goals for short or long term goals: S-specific goals speak about the exact part of something you want to change or accomplish M-measurable goals mean that it can be compared to how things used to be in order to see how much they’ve changed or improved A-attainable goals are achievements that could actually happen R-relevant goals connect with what you truly want and lead to healthier, happier, more productive life T-timely goals mean you give a limited time frame to achieve the goal
Ex. I will increase my grade in Science by one or more letter grades (specific) by studying 30 minutes per day, attending all zoom sessions, and writing down due dates in my planner (measurable) (attainable). It’s important to me to reach a 2.5 GPA (relevant) so I qualify for A+ Scholarship. I will reach this goal by January 19th, 2021 (timely).
How to Ask for Help
Reach out to a trusted adult or peer
Set an alarm for teacher office hours 2-4 pm every Wednesday and show up on zoom to meet them for help
Remain on zoom after the lesson to ask private questions and get additional support
Strengthen metacognition/self-reflection skills: Think about study habits for a test/project, how much time was spent studying/working on a project, and plan what to do differently next time.Teachers can offer advice on how much time it may take so you can plan and work on time management
Come up with a signal with your teacher to let them know you need help or use private chat message during zooms or private email to the teacher asking for help/clarification
Sign up for tutoring when needed
Practice and get more comfortable asking for help because it is a life-long skill that will help you meet many different types of goals
Make an appointment with your School Counselor if you need additional support
Let your calendar/alarms help you know when due dates are coming up and test days are so you can be prepared
CELEBRATE Success and Share GRATITUDE
Potential ideas that are simple and free for celebrating or rewarding yourself are:
Read a book you enjoy for 15-30 mins
Turn off any and all screens for an hour and enjoy the peace
Get outside! Go for a walk, swing in a hammock, watch the sunrise/sunset
Enjoy your favorite dessert or sweet treat
Enjoy an at-home spa day
Plan a movie or social time for you and your friends on Discord
Give yourself time to create/make something
Ideas for sharing gratitude are:
Send a nice email or hand-written note to someone that helped you with your goal
Perform a random act of kindness to someone who helped you reach your goal (do an online search for ideas if needed)
Keep a gratitude journal so you remember those who helped you along the way
Show gratitude through creative expression/artwork/etc.
Here is a Goal setting worksheet for your convenience! Enjoy and good luck!
In Freshman Advisory class, AVID asked all students to take this survey. Please complete at your earliest convenience if you are in 9th grade at RBHS: AVID SURVEY FOR FRESHMAN ON GOALS
Finally, here is a good article about gratitude from positive psychology: https://positivepsychology.com/how-to-express-gratitude/
2020 Rock Bridge Fall Athletics Recap
What a fall it was…the Bruins will hang two more banners, claimed SIX district titles and SEVEN Central Missouri Activities Conference (CMAC) Championships. Among the NINE fall athletic programs, FIVE programs finished the year in the top four at the MSHSAA State Championships. Rock Bridge claimed its first ever softball state championship, finishing 29-0 under the leadership of Coach Alvis. The boys cross-country team, led by Coach Blackburn, capped off a dominant season with a state title as well. In addition to the two state titles, THREE other fall programs finished in the top four in the state. Coach Coil and the girls golf program finished 4th in the state; Coach Loeb and the girls tennis team finished 4th in the state; Coach Blackburn and girls cross-country finished 4th in the state as well. Coach Murphy and the volleyball program took another step forward, claiming the district title and were one set away from a chance to advance to the State Final Four. Coach Birsa and Rock Bridge Swimming and Diving claimed the CMAC Championship and finished 9th in the state, while the boys soccer team under Coach Wittenborn (5-1 in CMAC) and Coach Vanatta’s football program (4-1 in CMAC) both finished second in the conference. In the first year of the CMAC, Rock Bridge has a commanding lead in the overall conference standings as they look to win the inaugural season overall championship which is awarded to the most successful athletic program in the conference.
Softball
29-0 Record
CMAC Conference Champions
District Champions
STATE CHAMPIONS (Class 5)
Boys Cross Country CMAC Conference Champions District Champions STATE CHAMPIONS (Class 5) Individual State Champion- Matthew Hauser 7th Place in the State- Ian Kemey 12th Place in the State- Andrew Hauser Girls Cross Country CMAC Conference Champions District Champions Class 5- 4th Place in the State 15th Place in the State- Carolyn Ford Girls Tennis Class 3- 4th Place in the State 7th Place State Doubles- Ramesh/Sivaraman 7th Place State Individual- Maggie Lin CMAC Conference Champions District Champions Girls Golf CMAC Conference Champions District Champions Class 4- 4th Place in the State 9th Place in the State- Siena Minor Volleyball 25-3-1 Record CMAC Conference Champions District Champions Football 6-4 Overall Tied 2nd- CMAC Conference (4-1) Boys Soccer 10-7-1 Overall Record 2nd Place- CMAC Conference (5-1) Boys Swimming and Diving CMAC Conference Champions 9th overall in State Medalists- DeArmond 6th 200 Free/3rd 500 Free Veltrop 8th 500 Free
Lucky Stiff is the Rock Bridge Fall Musical
Lucky Stiff
Tony Award-winning writing team, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's, first produced show, Lucky Stiff, premiered Off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons. A winner of the Richard Rodgers Award and Washington's Helen Hayes Award for Best Musical, Lucky Stiff is now performed frequently across the country.
Based on the novel, The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo by Michael Butterworth, Lucky Stiff is an offbeat, hilarious murder mystery farce, complete with mistaken identities, six million bucks in diamonds and a corpse in a wheelchair. The story revolves around an unassuming English shoe salesman who is forced to take the embalmed body of his recently murdered uncle on a vacation to Monte Carlo. Should he succeed in passing his uncle off as alive, Harry Witherspoon stands to inherit $6,000,000. If not, the money goes to the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn... or else his uncle's gun-toting ex!
Featuring a tuneful Flaherty and Ahrens score, an ensemble cast of zany characters and small rock combo orchestra, Lucky Stiff is an audience charmer.
Showings will be November 30, December 1, 2, 3, 4 @ 7:00pm.
Tickets are $10 per viewing. They can be purchased at https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/43038 and go on sale November 23rd. This can be viewed literally anywhere in the world that has internet access.
We have 15 students in the cast and a 4-student tech crew involved in this show along with the following adults: Sandy Welty, Hallie Rainwater, Patrick Sullivan, Dee Crosby, and Mike Pierson.
Miss socializing at school? Join one of the many RBHS Clubs!
CPS and Winter Weather
As winter weather approaches, we want our families to know that snow days are still a possibility for students. Virtual learning will adhere to the same winter weather cancellation policies and procedures as in-person learning options, as both in-person learning and virtual learning in Columbia Public Schools must maintain the same school year calendar, including snow days.
School will be canceled, or a 2-hour delayed start will be implemented, only after roads are tested. Should cancellation or a 2-hour delayed start be necessary, efforts will be made to notify radio and television stations by 6 a.m. Information also will be sent to parents via the district’s parent messaging system, posted on the district’s website at www.cpsk12.org and on CPS-TV.
When students are learning in-person, parents may make the final decision regarding a child’s in-person attendance. If the parent determines the weather too severe or the road conditions too dangerous, absences will be excused. Difficulty in contacting parents usually prevents early dismissals, but under appropriate circumstances the district may dismiss early. On inclement weather days, please listen to local radio and television stations for news of early dismissal. Additionally, information will be sent via the district’s messaging system.
Nutrition and Technology Services Updates
Nutrition Services
For the latest information and updates on Grab and Go meal services visit www.cpsk12.org/grabandgo. In addition to the 80 bus stops, five meal pick-up locations have been added for families.
In-person and Grab and Go meals provided by CPS Nutrition Services will not be available when school is not in session and when the district is closed for the Thanksgiving and winter breaks.
November 25-27 - Thanksgiving Break
December 23 – January 4 - Winter Break
Technology Services
From time to time, there may be technology system updates or outages that take place either with a CPS-managed system or a third-party system in use by the district. Technology Services provides the latest information on technology systems and possible outages on its website at www.cpsk12.org/ts. Additionally, we have added an “Outage Status” link under Quick Links on our district homepage to make it easier for families to find.
After hours and middle school drive up technology support provided by CPS Technology Services will not be available during the upcoming days when school is not in session and when school is closed for the Thanksgiving and winter breaks.
November 25-27 - Thanksgiving Break
December 23 – January 4 - Winter Break
Jacob Sirna
Instagram: rbhsprincipal
Rock Bridge High School: Where Lifelong Learning is For ALL
Email: jsirna@cpsk12.org
Website: https://www.cpsk12.org/RBHS
Location: Rock Bridge High School, South Providence Road, Columbia, MO, USA
Phone: (573) 214-3100
Twitter: @JacobSirna