RRHS Update - Week of 1/18
Calendar - This Week!
As a reminder, the second semester begins on January 21st.
Monday, January 18th - Holiday : Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Tuesday, January 19th - Teacher Records/Workday
Wednesday, January 20th - Holiday : Inauguration Day
Return to School
New Bell Schedule!
Please note that there is a new bell schedule for Semester Two.
This bell schedule allows for an eventual return of Hybrid students and is similar to our bell schedule from 2019-2020. Though Learning Lab is not in the schedule, teachers will continue to use the end of each block to provide office hours, additional support and extensions to learning
AP Exam Refund Information
AP Exam Refunds
Due to the different learning experiences our students are experiencing this year, College Board has agreed to refund the total cost ($86) of any AP Exams that are canceled before March 10th.
Currently the exams are planned to be in person at Rock Ridge. If your student has ordered an AP Exam but now feels unprepared or uncertain about taking the exam please send an email to liz.grainger@lcps.org stating your child’s name, ID# and which exams you wish to cancel. Refunds will be made to the account from which the exam was purchased. If you have any questions please contact the Counseling Office: 703 996 2107.
Staright from the Source - UMHT Tips
PTSO News!
Time is running out to order your Senior Yard Signs for the Class of 2021! ORDER NOW
Deadline to order January 30, 2021 and signs will arrive mid-late February.
Place your order HERE. All proceeds from yard signs will benefit the 2021 PTSO scholarship winners!
Two Options:
· Option 1 - 18" X 24" Standard Yard Sign - Only $25 - See attached sample
· Option 2 - Personalized 18" X 24" Sign with Student Name - Only $30 - See attached sample
Please sign up for a NO COST Online Membership HERE
NO FUSS DONATION Here
Harris Teeter Together in Education: Click here to link your Harris Teeter VIC card.
Please join us at our Next Meeting: Thursday February 4th, 2021 at 7PM.
Invite: https://meet.google.com/ene-zfei-ryr?authuser=0
Revolution Prep is excited to offer our families a 3-night webinar series hosted by Peter Van Buskirk, a veteran of the selective college admission process with 35 years of experience — 12 of them as the Dean of Admission and Financial Aid at Franklin & Marshall College. Peter travels the country speaking to groups of students and parents to help families find student-centered solutions in college planning. His high-energy, interactive programs bring much-needed transparency into the selection process, and provide students the tools to identify and be admitted to colleges that are the “best fit” for them. Join us by registering here or click on the links below: https://www.revolutionprep.com/webinars/ (Parents and students are encouraged to attend.)
Schedule:
Title: Getting From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be
Date: Wednesday, January 27, 2021
Times: 3pm PST and 6pm PST
Overview: An engaging and motivational keynote talk for students and parents that delivers a five-point plan for achieving educational goals. Special emphasis given to self-awareness, finding a good college fit, and the consequences of decision-making throughout high school.
Direct Registration Link: https://www.revolutionprep.com/webinars/getting-from-where-you-are-to-where-you-want-to-be/
Title: The Admission Game
Date: Wednesday, February 10, 2021
Times: 3pm PST and 6pm PST
Overview: Do you ever wonder who "gets in" and "why?" "The Admission Game" answers these questions by taking you inside the admission process. TAG is a high-energy, high-impact, interactive case study exercise for students and parents in which the audience is transformed into an admission committee. Through more theatre than lecture, Peter teaches the audience by using and explaining relevant terms that help ease the stress of an otherwise frenzied process. This signature program reveals the "hidden agendas" of colleges and provides insight into how decisions are made, which helps students learn to find the colleges that fit them best and make decisions that help them compete for admission.
Direct Registration Link: https://www.revolutionprep.com/webinars/the-admission-game/
Title: College Admissions in the Era of Covid-19
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Times: 3pm PST and 6pm PST
Overview: The pandemic radically changed the way students access and experience education. This workshop focuses on higher education and the changes in instruction, campus access, the admission process, and financing. Participants will take away tips and strategies for successfully navigating the college application process in light of these changes.
Direct Registration Link: College Admissions in the Era of COVID-19 | Revolution Prep
Counseling News!
Counseling Staff Additions
Ms. Maria Dacey, Maria.Dacey@lcps.org, will be in for Mr. Taylor for the foreseeable future. So please contact her with any questions or concerns. Mr. Terry will also continue to work with the caseload of Mr. Taylor.
Students Names:
Grades 9-11
NAJ – SAR
Grade 12
MJ -SH
We would also like to welcome Ms. Bria Hicks a practicum Graduate School student. Ms. Hicks is a former graduate of Rock Ridge High School and we are very happy to have her back with us as she works on completing her school counseling degree. Ms. Hicks will be working with Ms. Nicole Bryan beginning the final week of January through early May.
Junior Parents: If you missed the Coffee with a focus on Financial Aid and Scholarships Thursday, you can view the recording here.
9th, 10th and 11th Graders – Upcoming Course Selection for the 2021-2022 School Year
9th, 10th and 11th grade students will be meeting with their assigned School Counselor virtually in mid-February-April to complete their course selection for the 2021-2022 school year!
Further instructions will be provided on how to make an appointment with your School Counselor in the upcoming weeks. Check back here and check your lcps.org email daily.
Prior to this meeting, underclassmen students will need to complete the following actions to be prepared for their meeting:
1. Re-watch the information provided for “Curriculum Night”. The short videos found on the front page of the RRHS website provides information about both core & elective classes. Curriculum Night Homepage
2. Review the Program of Studies. The POS provides detailed information on graduation requirements and course information, etc..
LCPS Program of Studies
3. Teacher Recommendations. Teachers are posting recommendations for CORE classes based on your performance and engagement in classes now. Students will be able to see their recommendations in StudentVue on 1/26/21. These recommendations cannot be changed in StudentVue or by students. Changes to teacher recommendations can be requested and discussed during your meeting with your School Counselor.
4. Select elective courses in StudentVue. Beginning 1/26/21, underclassmen students will have the ability to choose elective courses for next year within StudentVue under “Course Request”. Students will have from 1/26/21 through 2/19/21 to make their elective selection.
5. Check out the Counseling 2021-2022 Course Registration webpage: Information to help with selecting electives, reviewing graduation requirements: Course Registration
6. Discuss with parents your choices for next year. Talk with your teachers.
Academies of Loudoun self-guided tour has launched for those interested in Advanced AET (11th grade entry) and MATA programs (10th, 11th, & 12th grade entry). Click for the self-guided virtual tour website
MATA & Advance AET 2021 Winter Admissions Cycle closes 12:00 p.m. noon on 2/17/21.
Academies of Loudoun 2021 Winter Admissions Information Virtual Sessions (via WebEx)
Saturday, January 16 10:00 a.m. View the Session Live Stream
Thursday, January 21 6:30 p.m. View the Session Live Stream
Monday, February 8 6:30 p.m. View the Session Live Stream
New Counseling Faces:
Ms. Maria Dacey, Maria.Dacey@lcps.org, will be in for Mr. Taylor for the foreseeable future. So please contact her with any questions or concerns. Mr. Terry will also continue to work with the caseload of Mr. Taylor.
Students Names:
Grades 9-11
NAJ – SAR
Grade 12
MJ -SH
We would also like to welcome Ms. Bria Hicks a practicum student from The University of Mary Washington. Ms. Hicks is a former graduate of Rock Ridge High School and we are very happy to have her back with us as she works on completing her school counseling degree. Ms. Hicks will be working with Ms. Nicole Bryan beginning the final week of January through early May.
Seniors: Mid-Year Report/Mid-Year Transcript
Colleges request a mid-year report/transcript as part of their admissions process which is a report that reflects your semester 1 grade for each course. The report also includes an updated GPA and ranking.
Students do NOT request counselors to send. The Counselors will automatically send this report to each college the student has applied to and initial transcripts have already been sent. Mid-year reports are not sent to colleges that use the SRAR system. Once the mid-year grades are updated in our system, the report is sent electronically through Naviance and will be sent approximately the first week in February.
Colleges to Know
Earlham College
https://earlham.edu/the-epic-advantage/
Want a paid internship or research opportunity while in college? Earlham is one of only a handful of colleges and universities in the United States to offer funded internships and research experiences to all students. These opportunities take place during a summer after a student's first year and prior to graduation. The EPIC Advantage is one of the life-changing components of a student’s EPIC Journey, which continues beyond graduation. Earlham provides all students access to The EPIC Advantage. Shaped by students’ academic interests and career aspirations, this program is designed to support highly-focused, career-discerning internship, research, and community-based project opportunities. Earlham provides expert advising to help students identify possibilities, discern what would be best for their goals, and secure skill-building placements. The College is committed to supporting students and their experiences, regardless of whether those take place locally, across the United States, or in other countries. EPIC Advantage experiences build on an Earlham education, all of which is designed for students who move the world forward.
For more counseling information see Mrs. Barnes E-mail in Naviance.
Career Center News!
UPCOMING VIRTUAL EVENTS:
1/25: Delaware State University rep visit – small HBCU with D1 athletics. Popular majors include Kinesiology, Criminology and Parks & Rec. DSU is in Dover DE. You must sign up via Naviance in order to receive the Zoom link.
1/23 & 2/6: Due to popular demand, the RR PTSO is offering the FREE and VIRTUAL practice SAT and ACT in early 2021. You can register for one or both practice exams. This is a great opportunity for students to get an idea of a baseline SAT & ACT score. Taking practice tests under timed conditions can help students improve their scores! Plus, every exam comes with a free 30-minute score report review for parents and students, The review session allows families to assess specific strengths and areas of improvement and develop a plan moving forward if they choose to do so. You are under no obligation to work with this test prep group but if you choose to do so, the RR PTSO would benefit. To register: www.revolutionprep.com/partners/100426
1/27: Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) virtual info session – must sign up via Naviance. You can also learn more about NOVA on our website here.
2/1: United States Air Force recruiter at 12:30 PM – must sign up via Naviance
2/1: Academies of Loudoun admissions counselor at Noon. See attached flyer for more information. (The link to attend will be sent out closer to the event.)
2/6, 2/23, 3/7 & 3/11: Big Future Days – Regional college fairs put on by College Board. Register here.
NEWS YOU CAN USE:
Seniors: George Mason University has extended their application deadline to February 1st. You can apply here.
Junior Parents: If you missed the Coffee with a focus on Financial Aid and Scholarships Thursday, you can view the recording here.
9th, 10th and 11th Graders – Upcoming Course Selection for the 2021-2022 School Year
9th, 10th and 11th grade students will be meeting with their assigned School Counselor virtually in mid-February-April to complete their course selection for the 2021-2022 school year!
Further instructions will be provided on how to make an appointment with your School Counselor in the upcoming weeks. Check back here and check your lcps.org email daily.
Prior to this meeting, underclassmen students will need to complete the following actions to be prepared for their meeting:
1. Re-watch the information provided for “Curriculum Night”. The short videos found on the front page of the RRHS website provides information about both core & elective classes. Curriculum Night Homepage
2. Review the Program of Studies. The POS provides detailed information on graduation requirements and course information, etc..
LCPS Program of Studies
3. Teacher Recommendations. Teachers are posting recommendations for CORE classes based on your performance and engagement in classes now. Students will be able to see their recommendations in StudentVue on 1/26/21. These recommendations cannot be changed in StudentVue or by students. Changes to teacher recommendations can be requested and discussed during your meeting with your School Counselor.
4. Select elective courses in StudentVue. Beginning 1/26/21, underclassmen students will have the ability to choose elective courses for next year within StudentVue under “Course Request”. Students will have from 1/26/21 through 2/19/21 to make their elective selection.
5. Check out the Counseling 2021-2022 Course Registration webpage: Information to help with selecting electives, reviewing graduation requirements: Course Registration
6. Discuss with parents your choices for next year. Talk with your teachers.