RRHS Update - Week of March 22
In this edition: Equity Reminder, This Week in Athletics, AP Exams, SOL Information, PTSO News, Helping a Family in Need, Cap and Gown Portraits, The Family Room, UMHT, School Counseling News, The Career Center News
LCPS Equity Statement
Rock Ridge remains committed to supporting all students and improving upon its inclusive culture. We remind our community to openly communicate with the staff at Rock Ridge when incidences of discrimination and racism occur.
Per the LCPS Statement on Equity:
LCPS is committed to providing a safe, empathetic, respectful and supportive learning environment in order to empower every student to make meaningful contributions to the world.
This Week in Athletics!
Monday March 22nd
Volleyball @ Woodgrove, 6/7 p.m. JV Early Release at 3:30 p.m. Bus at 4 p.m. Varsity Bus at 5 p.m.
Field Hockey @ Riverside vs. Stone Bridge, 7:30 p.m. Bus at 6 p.m.
Golf @ 1757 vs. Potomac Falls, 2 p.m.
Tuesday March 23rd
Volleyball vs. Riverside, 6/7 p.m. **Senior Night**
Field Hockey @ Potomac Falls vs. Briar Woods, 6:15 p.m. Bus at 4:30 p.m.
Cross Country vs. Riverside, 3 p.m. Early Release at 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday March 24th
Golf @ South Riding vs. Riverside, 3 p.m. Early Release at 1 p.m. Bus at 1:30 p.m.
Thursday March 25th
Field Hockey @ Woodgrove vs. Woodgrove, 5 p.m. Early Release at 3 p.m. Bus at 3:30 p.m.
Volleyball @ Potomac Falls, 6/7 p.m. JV bus at 4:30 p.m. Varsity bus at 5:45 p.m.
Cross Country @ Algonkian vs. Potomac Falls/Briar Woods, 3:30 p.m. Early Release at 12:45 p.m. Bus at 1:15 p.m.
Friday March 26th
Varsity Football @ Lightridge, 7 p.m. Bus at 5 p.m.
Cheer @ Lightridge, 7 p.m. Bus at 5:30 p.m.
AP Exam Schedule!
AP Exam Schedule—Administration 2, May 18-28
At this time, parents and students should have received communication from LCPS indicating that we will participate in Administration 2 of the new AP Exam schedule. This Administration takes place from May 18-28. All students have been automatically moved to Administration 2 and their College Board accounts should reflect this chance. Students taking a Digital test are expected to take this from home.
If you are registered for an exam in a STEM course (Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Physics C: Mechanics, Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism, Chemistry, and Statistics) and do not want to take the exam on paper, in school please fill out this form to request a digital exam in Administration 3. This option is not available to AP language and music exams, which are on paper in school during Administration 2.
If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Blessing, our School Test Coordinator.
Important SOL Information!
Important SOL Information
Students and parents were sent a personalized email titled “Spring SOL Notification” between Thursday, March 11 and Monday, March 15th from our School Test Coordinator. This email lists the specific SOL tests associated with your student’s current schedule and the reason they are being required to test. Please access this SOL FAQ Parent Resource to better understand SOL testing for this spring.
Rock Ridge’s SOL dates are:
· Week of April 26th: Reading SOL
· Week of May 3rd: all Science SOLs
· Week of May 10th: all Math SOLs
Parents who do not wish for their student to participate in SOL testing may indicate their refusal by completing this form by Friday, April 9th. You must select all subjects for which you are refusing.
Per VDOE, all state and federal assessments must be delivered under secure, standardized testing conditions in the presence of school personnel and may not be administered remotely to students. Students in any instructional model (100% distance or hybrid) must attend school in person to participate in testing. LCPS will ensure that all health mitigation procedures are in place and social distancing is observed. While we encourage all students to participate in assessment, we understand that some families may retain concerns despite health mitigation practices.
If you have any questions, please contact the School Test Coordinator, Mrs. Blessing.
PTSO News!
- A HUGE “thank you” to all who were able to support our Spirit Night this past Tuesday at Chick-fil-A.
- FREE MONEY: The RRHS PTSO is now on Amazon Smiles! Visit this link and select “Rock Ridge High School PTSO” as your charity of choice: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/85-2945178 Then, EVERY time you shop through the app or by shopping on www.smile.amazon.com our school will earn $$$ (p.s. Remember the smile 😊 in the URL address…without it we DON’T get the donation). Share this link with out of town family and “empty nest neighbors!”
- Attention SENIORS!!
- Back by popular demand senior yard signs NOW on sale through March 30th – ACT FAST… last chance to purchase!! Details: https://www.lcps.org/Page/234862.
- SUBMIT YOUR RRHS PTSO SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS through Naviance. You MUST be a member of the PTSO as of 4/1 to apply. Join for FREE HERE and essays are due by 4/21.
- VOLUNTEERS: We NEED YOU! The PTSO is actively looking to fill these Board positions for both this school year & next:
· Secretary- attend monthly PTSO meetings, record meeting minutes, other admin type duties to assist President as needed.
· VP of Membership- Coordinate Membership, maintain the Membership database; coordinate volunteers from sign up lists.
Note for these roles: We would ask you to join our April 8th meeting to introduce yourself. Elections will take place at our May 6th meeting.
If you are passionate about supporting the students, families, educators, and the community of RRHS, please send an email to bod@rrhsptso.com expressing your interest and we can share more details with you about these roles.
- SENIOR PARENTS:
Be on the lookout in the coming weeks to sign up to help with senior week celebrations.
- ADD TO YOUR CALENDAR:
- Next PTSO Meeting: Please join us on Thursday April 8th, 2021 at 7PM. Invite: Meet
- NEXT Spirit Night, @Burger 21: April 12th at from 5-9 PM.
Helping a Family in Need!
Recent Fire Tragedy
A gift card collection has been set up for a local family who recently lost their mother and house to a fire. If you would like to help, please use the links below to sign up. Gift cards can be sent virtually to the Independence High School Parent Liaison, Michelle Lewis-Carey, or dropped off at the Independence High School front office. Gift cards can also be dropped off at our Rock Ridge High School front office in an envelope addressed to Nevein Zalenski. Thank you.
Gift Card Drive: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409084DABAC22A20-help1
Email for e-gift cards: Michelle.lewiscarey@lcps.org
Gift Card Suggestions: Cash cards, Safeway, Target, DSW, CVS
Cap and Gown Portraits - LAST CHANCE!
LAST CHANCE FOR SENIOR CAP AND GOWN PORTRAITS-NEW DATE ADDED- APRIL 5
Pictures will be taken April 5 from 9 am- 3 pm. You must bring your own cap and gown for the picture. To sign up for an appointment visit this link: pickatime.com/vosphoto/rockridgecapngown
The Cap and Gown Session includes a series of photos 6-8 photos in the student's own cap and gown. Images will be uploaded to the student's senior portrait gallery for viewing/ordering. Those that signed up for the standard or deluxe session during their previously held senior portrait session will receive a $10 discount code to apply to a future portrait purchase. This will be given upon checking out on the cap and gown portrait day.
The Family Room!
LCPS Families are invited to join EL FACE, LCPS Office of Outreach, LCPS Interpreters and a LCPS Parent Liaison Panel who will share their knowledge on how Language is not a Barrier: Navigating LCPS Resources in Your Preferred Language on Wednesday, March 24th, 2021 at 6 p.m.
The learning targets for Session 9 - Language is not a Barrier: Navigating LCPS Resources in Your Preferred language are:
· Families will know how to work with their student’s Parent Liaison to access school and community connections
· Families will understand their rights and opportunities to receive school information in their preferred language
Spanish interpretation will be provided to accommodate potential language needs/preferences. Please see the attached flyer for more information.
UMHT - Parent Resource!
Dr. Jonathan Dalton will be providing a presentation for parents entitled “Helping your Children Cope with Anxiety in the Covid-19 Era” on Thursday, March 25, 2021 from 6:30-7:30 pm. In the presentation, he will review practical, evidence-based strategies for supporting children and teens experiencing high levels of anxiety. To learn more please see the attached “Dealing with Anxiety” flyer or visit https://www.lcps.org/Page/180231.
School Counseling News!
Save the date: Spring College Panel for Juniors is on 4/8 at 7:00 PM. Join college reps from CNU, DSU,U of SC, RBC or William and Mary, JMU, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, VCU, and VT. If you don’t know all of the abbreviations then join us to find out more. Link to the event to come next week.
CyberBullying and Mental Health
Thanks to everyone who joined the Unified Mental Health Team presentation on Cyberbullying and Mental Health. Here is the link so you can watch it if you were not able to join us Click Here
Mindfulness Monday!
Mindfulness Monday is a great way to start your week off on a positive note. Mindfulness has been shown to reduce stress, increase mental well-being and increase focus. Join our Schoology Group! Schoology Access Code: JBVT-SSV5-9TPTZ Google Meets nickname is located in Schoology.
Upcoming Course Selection for the 2021-2022 School Year
We are coming into the final stages of scheduling.
9th & 10th graders, thank you to the majority that met with their counselor to discuss & select courses. If you have not met with your counselor & would like to do so, please reach out via email.
11th grade students if you have not done so already, please schedule a mandatory individual counseling session with your counselor to discuss & select courses for the 2021-2022 school year and also discuss your post-high school plans.
Counselor Students Last Name
Jennifer.Domingues@lcps.org A-Coo
Amrita.Khatta@lcps.org Cop-Kan
Kelley.Familant@lcps.org Kao-Nai
Jarrel.Taylor@lcps.org & Maria.Dacey@lcps.org Naj-Sar
Nicole.Bryan@lcps.org Sat-Z
Students can schedule their appointment via this link: https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/RockRidgeCounseling2@lcpsorg.onmicrosoft.com/bookings/
- 11th Grade :: March 15 – April 26
Colleges to Know
Otis College of Art and Design: https://www.otis.edu/undergraduate-programs
Do you want to major in Toy Design. Then Otis is for you. It is one of the few colleges in the nation to have a Toy Design. You can find many unique programs at Otis.
Otis College of Art and Design offers undergraduate degrees in a wide variety of visual and applied arts, media, and design. Core programs in liberal arts, business practices, and community-driven projects support the College’s mission to prepare diverse students to enrich our world through their creativity, skill, and vision. Otis College is home to the Black Creatives Institute which fosters community among Black-identified creatives by providing holistic support of their personal growth, identity formation, cultural development, and career development to create a stronger sense of belonging within the Otis College community.
Common App has announced the 2021-2022 essay prompts.
Juniors worried about the college essays you will have to write, well start NOW!!! Star writing now and have a teacher, friend, parent give you feed back. In August when RRHS has the College Jump Start Essay and Applications Workshop you will be ready!!!
Below is the full set of Common App essay prompts for 2021-2022.
- Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
- The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
- Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
- Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
- Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
- Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
- Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
Career Center News!
3/22: St Bonaventure University at 10:00 AM - Located on the PA/NY border. This small, private university has a guaranteed med program with George Washington University and a standout communications program. They also offer a lot of scholarship money. Please sign up via Naviance and fill out this info card.
3/22: Year Up Program - You may have seen them on your #foryou page on TikTok– check it out here! Year Up is a one year program where you can earn college credits at no cost and an internship at companies like Facebook, Navy Federal & Accenture. In one year, you can start your career making 45k+ with no degree! Please sign up via Naviance.
3/24: US Army recruiter at 1:25 PM – Please sign up via Naviance.
3/27: Hack Phoenix - Looking to earn recognition for problem solving and computer science skills? Register for Rock Ridge's first virtual hackathon - Hack Phoenix. This Spring Break join us to build extraordinary projects and compete for a chance to win a cash reward! Proceeds will be donated to the Mobile Hope to provide support for young, homeless individuals during the pandemic. Computer science and engineering backgrounds are not required. For information and registration, view here.
3/27- 4/18: Take a practice SAT or ACT when it fits your schedule between 3/27 and 4/18.
With Loudoun Test Prep, you can sign up whenever you like, so you don’t have to pick a specific time/day. Then print out the test and start the online proctoring system whenever you would like. https://loudountestprep.com/ltp-test-signup-form/ Select 'SAT Diagnostic' or 'ACT Diagnostic'. Put the following code in the notes so LTP knows it is a Rock Ridge student: RRHS2021
4/8: Spring College Panel for Juniors at 7:00 PM. See attached flyer for more information.
4/9: AWS Workshops – this is a great way to gain exposure to very hot growing career areas as presented by Amazon Web Services personnel. No experience is needed, just curiosity. These workshops are open to all grade levels. Learn more in the attached flyer and sign up via Naviance.
11:00 AM – Intro to Cloud Computing
1:00 PM - Intro to AI and ML
2:30 PM – Intro to Big Data
4/19: Penn State Virtual Visit at Noon – Juniors, if you have not done a virtual rep visit yet this is a great one to start and then you’ll know what to expect for the Fall. Please sign up via Naviance.
5/10: Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising at 11:30 AM. Sign up via Naviance.