RBHS BRIDGE Communication
Rock Bridge High School Newsletter August 22, 2020
Message from the Principal
Rock Bridge Families,
We are excited to be gearing up for the start of school on September 8th! As of today, we are 17 days away from finally resuming education in Columbia Public Schools. We hope that you have had a restful summer and are eager for the new challenges this year will provide. Every year provides challenges, but this year will be unique. We (students and staff) will truly be learning together as we workout how best to teach and learn anticipating moving between in-person, hybrid, and virtual scenarios for education. I am 100% confident that the students and staff of Rock Bridge High School will rise to these challenges in front of us.
The purpose of this communication is to answer several questions we've received regarding the start of school and to get relevant documents in your hands. We plan to send communication twice weekly for the next couple of weeks due to all the changes.
Here are explanations/answers to some of the most popular requests we are receiving.
School Pictures
Pictures will occur September 15th and 18th this year. All efforts will be made to socially distance students during this process. Both in-person and virtual students will have the opportunity to take school pictures at RBHS on these days. We will send out more information related to this process as we solidify our plans. You may click on on the link below from Wagner Portrait Group to better understand the ordering process.
On-Line Student Enrollment
Last year we moved our in-person student enrollment to an on-line format. Families have been able to complete this task all summer long and most have done so. If you have not already completed the on-line enrollment process, please see the attached document below titled RBHS Enrollment handout 2021 and follow the appropriate steps.
Student Schedules
Student schedules will be available on-line by September 3rd.
Summer Mailer Forms
Below you will find our PTSA, Booster Club, and School Lunch Deposit Forms. You may print them, fill them out, and bring them to Rock Bridge High School between Wednesday, August 26 and Friday, August 28, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. There will be a table immediately inside the main entrance for form drop off. To avoid unnecessary contact, we ask you enter the building, drop off forms, and exit. If you have other necessary business inside of RBHS, call the building and make an appointment. If your form involves money, please put the completed form and money in an envelope and deposit it in the appropriate drop box.
From the RBHS Health Office
Whether you senior will be attending school virtually or in person this school year, they must have proof of a meningitis vaccine on or after age 16 on file in the health office. If you have not already done so, please fax (573-214-3109) or email (dlamm@cpsk12.org or tadkins@cpsk12.org) their records to us. The Health Department is taking appointments for vaccine administration; however, they are encouraging parents to have students vaccinated at their primary care physician if possible. Please don't hesitate to call the health office (573-214-3117) with any questions.
COVID-19 Student/Parent Handbook
We've created a document to explain COVID-19 related changes to standard Rock Bridge procedures. Below you can find a link to this document. Please be aware that this document may change as we learn more about our planned responses to COVID-19.
Laptop and Charger
It is CRITICAL that students attending school in person arrive to school everyday with their laptop 100% charged. Students will be accessing Schoology for almost every single class in-person, so starting the day with a full charge is necessary. We are also asking that every student bring their laptop charger with them to school every day. Please mark your laptop charger in a manner that is not destructive so you can distinguish it from other chargers. There is link below titled Laptop Information for Families that includes the following information.
- 9th Grade Laptop/iPad Exchange
- Laptop check out for Rock Bridge Students new to CPS
- 10th-12th Grade Laptop and Charger Repair
School Supplies
RBHS does not have an official "School Supply" list. However, we have thought of some items that will be beneficial for all students to have this year due to COVID-19 related changes. Please see the link below titled RBHS School Supply List. This list is only a recommendation, and we will do all we can to ensure all students have every school supply they need for school.
Yearbook Sales
We will be producing a yearbook this year. Information on how you can purchase a 2021 Yearbook will be coming soon.
Parking Passes
We are in the process of creating an electronic form for Parking Pass Registration this year. We will not be charging for parking this year; however, students will still need to provide the district with a copy of a valid driver's license, proof of vehicle registration, and insurance for any vehicle using a district parking permit. Be looking for more information soon.
Follow Up Questions?
We've attached a document below that provides contact information for Rock Bridge Staff. Please use this document to determine your child's administrator and reach out directly to them if you have clarifying questions regarding the information in this communication.
Stay well Rock Bridge,
Jacob Sirna
In-Person 4 x 4 Hybrid Infographic Explained
There are two main schools of thought for hybrid instruction delivery. Each will be employed at RBHS in the event we implement the hybrid model. The first is that teachers will create 5 lessons a week. Two of these will be intended for the face to face delivery days, and the other three lessons will be for the remote learning days. In this model, teachers will teach the same two lessons on Thursday and Friday that they delivered on Monday and Tuesday. The second method will also have teachers producing 5 lessons a week for students. This option will have lessons delivered in order throughout the week regardless of a whether a student is in person or remote. In this model the teacher is facilitating learning when in person. Regardless of which method your teacher employs, the face to face days will focus on providing relevant feedback, learning activities that do not transfer well to online, and building relationships.
On August 24th we will learn which education model Columbia Public Schools will begin in for our in-person learners.
Virtual Instruction Described
Families who chose to participate in Virtual Learning for the Fall will experience a combination of the following activities:
Instruction through Zoom (whole group, small group and one on one) is to ensure that all families have consistent, equal access to the most essential part of school; therefore, Zoom sessions may be recorded and made available to your student in the event they were unable to participate in the live session.
Group activities through Zoom, Schoology, and email
Flipped lessons/labs using video lessons and screencasts.
Short formative assessments through learning management system platforms (Schoology) and/or email
Threaded discussions through Schoology and/or email
Online labs, scenarios, demonstrations
Hands-on, place-based activities that can be completed at home
Independent reading, writing, research, exercise, and projects
Jacob Sirna
Email: jsirna@cpsk12.org
Website: https://www.cpsk12.org/rbhs
Location: 4303 South Providence Road, Columbia, MO, USA
Phone: (573) 214-3100
Twitter: @JacobSirna