As we prepare to welcome you back to school on Wednesday, August 31st, I wanted to pass along some resources for your information and planning. Please click the link for the RHS Parent Guidebook provided below. The resource is created to assist families with important information they may need throughout the year.

RHS Parent Resource: Guidebook 2022-2023

Students will receive the first “Viking Weekly News” to their school email address starting on Friday, August 26th. For those families new to the high school, this weekly newsletter serves as a way to communicate the most vital information in hopes to assist students in planning for the “week ahead”. As a way to foster open communication, I also email a copy of this newsletter to parents/guardians. Please note that the communication is directed towards students, but it will hopefully allow families to plan and understand the major happenings. This does not cover everything that goes on at the high school but is rather an overview of the major events or changes to the schedule that may impact your child. A copy of each week’s email is also posted on the Principal's Page of the website.

New Student/Freshmen Orientation will be on August 24th from 9:00 am-10:00 am in the John Lane Auditorium. The orientation will cover topics such as: developing a four-year plan, effectively using Aspen, communication at the high school level, an overview of the high school handbook, how to get involved at the high school, and more. Students will receive their schedules and will be able to locate their classrooms and locker. Parents will have the opportunity to ask questions as well. Current high school students will be there to facilitate a tour and answer any questions.

Schedules were made available to students and parents in June through Aspen. You can continue to access your child’s schedule through Aspen at your convenience. Guidance counselors will hold add/drop periods starting in late August if you and/or your child would like to make a change to your existing schedule.

Please note that counselors will work diligently to respond to all scheduling requests. Due to the volume of requests, this may take some time. Students will have a two-week add/drop period once school begins in order to ensure all scheduling issues are resolved.

The school year begins with full days on Wednesday, August 31st and Thursday, September 1st. There is no school on Friday, September 2nd or Monday, September 5th for the long Labor Day weekend. Students in grades 10-12 will begin the first day of school with their U block teacher/s. Grade 9 students will begin the day in A block Freshman Seminar class. Students are able to view U block teachers in Aspen. In addition, all U block and Freshman Seminar assignments will be posted for all students upon arrival on the first day of school. Students will receive their schedules at that time.

A reminder to all students that you should have signed up for summer reading under the Students tab on the school website. If you have not already chosen a book, please do so as soon as possible! You will be assigned groups for discussion on your book to take place on Thursday, September 1st during U block. Please see class boards for classroom locations for Thursday’s discussion. 📚🙌

Please see the chart below for a breakdown of counseling assignments:

Students should come to school on the first day with a writing utensil and notebook. Requirements for school supplies vary depending on your child’s teacher and classes. Teachers will spend the first two days outlining their specific class requirements and expectations.

All students are expected to bring a computer to school each day for general use. Recommended devices include a Chromebook, MacBook, or windows laptop, so that students are able to access the internet, Google Classroom, and complete writing and research assignments. Tablets and phones are not as effective at these tasks. All devices brought into the school network are visible to technology staff and must abide by the acceptable use policy, as do all school-issued devices. RHS will supply any students with a Chromebook who are unable to or do not want to bring their own device. These devices will be issued in the first few weeks of school after acceptable use policies have been signed and returned. A student cannot receive their device without the acceptable use policy being signed. Students will be responsible for charging devices each night. Repairs will be dealt with on an individual basis.

Our annual RHS Open House is scheduled for Thursday, September 29, 2022, at 6:00 pm. The evening will commence in the auditorium after which parents will follow an abbreviated school schedule, enabling you to meet each of your child’s teachers and learn about curricular expectations at RHS.

In order to strengthen the home/school partnership at RHS, I will be providing a number of resources for parents to keep you informed of important information and events. Resources will be available on the website by late August and include:

• The Principal’s page on the RHS website.

• The Parent Resource Guidebook provides answers to the most commonly asked questions.

• The “RHS Viking News” emailed to all students and families beginning the first week of school.

• Your child’s Aspen account and Google Classroom pages for the most up-to-date information within individual classes.

Senior Cruise – Thursday, August 25th, 6 pm-8 pm – Rose’s Wharf in Gloucester

Senior Breakfast – Wednesday, August 31st at 6:30 am at the Fish Shack Restaurant

Senior College Planning Night - Tuesday, September 13th at 6:30 pm

Graduation – Friday, June 2, 2023, at 5 pm

Please take the time to enjoy the remainder of your summer. I am excited to welcome the students back on August 31st!

-Ms. Rose