Rock Ridge High School
Week of February 17th
THIS WEEK IN ATHLETICS
Monday February 17th
Indoor Track @ TJSSST Day 1. 2:00 p.m. NTN
Tuesday February 18th
JV/Varsity Girls Basketball vs. Potomac Falls, 5:45/7:00 p.m.
9th/JV/Varsity Boys Basketball @ Potomac Falls, 5:45/5:45/7:00 p.m. 9th/JV Bus departs at 4:15 p.m. Varsity Bus at 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday February 19th
Indoor Track HOME Day 2. 12:00 p.m.
Friday February 21st
State Swim at GMU 9:00 a.m. (Prelims) and 5:45 p.m. (Finals) NTN
State Wrestling at ROCK RIDGE. 10 a.m.
Saturday February 22nd
State Wrestling at ROCK RIDGE. 10 a.m.
SPRING TRYOUTS ARE COMING!
- Girl's Lacrosse will start on February 24th at 4:15 p.m. on the stadium. Please make sure you bring layers, running shoes, cleats, goggles, mouth guard and lacrosse sticks.
- Boys Lacrosse will start on February 24th at 4:15 p.m. on turf 2. Please bring cleats, equipment, and layers for the weather. We have helmets for everyone.
- Girls Soccer tryouts begin on 2/24 at 6pm. Please report to the main foyer by 5:45pm for check-in. All trying out will need to bring running shoes and cleats for each day of tryouts. Coach Whittington can be found in room 1612 for questions and more information can be found on Instagram - @rockridgewomenssoccer
- Boys soccer tryouts wills start on February 24th at 8:00 p.m. in the stadium. Please bring cleats, shin guards, and layers for weather.
- Baseball - There will be a tryout information meeting for those interested in baseball on 2/20/2020 in room 1402. Baseball tryouts will begin on 2/24 right after school at the baseball field. The locker room will be open before school to store your baseball equipment. Please contact Paul Koch(Paul.koch@lcps.org) if you have questions or need more information.
- Boys Tennis tryouts are 2/24-2/26 from 4:15-6:00 on the courts. 2/27 and 2/28 will be rain dates.
- Girls tennis will start tryouts on Feb. 24, at 4:30 at the tennis courts. Please dress warm.
- Track and Field will start on 2/24 at 4:25 on the track. Please dress for the weather and in running attire.
- Softball will start on 2/24 at 4:15 p.m. on the softball field or in the gym depending on weather. Please bring cleats and running shoes and be prepared for both places.
FREE SPORTS PHYSICALS
INOVA is currently scheduling free sports physicals for uninsured students. Appointments are being held on February 25 and 27 between 3 pm and 5 pm in Sterling. Please call 703-579-7161 to secure your spot! For more info please see attached flyer or contact our Parent Liaison at Nevein.Zalenski@lcps.org.
HEY SENIORS!
Third Senior Breakfast
A big Thank You to everyone who made the Valentine’s Day Breakfast a great success. The food was fabulous and everyone had lots of fun. We revealed that our Senior Trip will be to Hershey Park!
Senior Dues
We are almost there! Please confirm with your student that their dues are paid as we are in the final stages of ordering caps, gowns and other necessary items for graduation. If you have any questions please contact liz.grainger@lcps.org.
SCHOOL COUNSELING
2020-2021 Course Selection Process: UPDATED DATES:
Here is a link to the Program of Studies. Students are able to login into StudentVue to choose their electives.
Counselors will be in the 9th & 10th grade Health & PE classes the week of February 24th through February 28th to meet individually with students to complete scheduling and review the 4 year course plan. For students currently in 9th & 10th grade but not enrolled in Health & PE counselors will meet with them at a later time.
The junior academic advising portal will be open on the RRHS website for students to schedule their junior meetings on February 24th. Juniors will be able start their individual meetings the week of March 2nd and throughout the month of March. Juniors will review their graduation requirements and course work for the upcoming year, in addition discuss their post high school plans
Juniors here is the in class presentation from this week.
https://twitter.com/rockridgehigh/status/1227672370904731650?s=21
Juniors – As we discussed in the presentation start your college Essays now!!!The Common App Essay prompts for 2020-2021 will remain the same as this year. https://www.commonapp.org/blog/common-app-2020-2021-essay-prompts/
Colleges to Know:
Morehouse College
https://www.morehouse.edu/about/
A Proud Tradition of Producing Outstanding Leaders
Although times change, Morehouse’s mission remains steadfast: to produce academically superior, morally conscious leaders for the conditions and issues of today, whether “today” is post-Civil War or turn of the new millennium.
IMPORTANT ATTENDANCE REMINDER
SEAL OF BILITERACY
Attention Juniors and Seniors!
SEAL OF BILITERACY
Registration window: February 18-28
The Seal of Biliteracy is a State-recognized credential of proficiency in a language other than English. In addition to the academic and personal benefits of multilingualism, the SoB provides graduates with a certification to stand out in a globalized world. Seniors are eligible to graduate with this honor on their diplomas upon meeting an approved measure of proficiency. To facilitate eligibility, the Department of World Languages and Cultures offers both written and oral assessments in over 50 languages (including Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Thai). To view a full list of languages, please see the Testing Registration Form. The registration window will be open from February 18th- February 28th and testing will take place on March 17th during the school day. To pay for an assessment, please use the Rock Ridge Payment Portal. If you have questions, please email World Languages and Cultures Department Chair Wesleigh Mellott (wmellott@lcps.org).
CTE NEWS
CTE Program Highlights!
Business & Information Technology
- FBLA currently has 32 students signed up for FBLA competition this year. The FBLA Spring Regional Conference and Competition is in March.
- FBLA completed a successful blood drive in partnership with INOVA earlier this month by meeting the goal of donating 35 pints of blood!
- Business Teacher Roxana Cromwell was nominated for the Presidential Cybersecurity Education Award!
Family & Consumer Science
- Eight Teacher Cadet students are preparing to begin teacher internships at local middle and elementary school! (see teacher cadet news below, now open to rising Juniors and Seniors)
- Gourmet Foods courses are in process of beginning their Food Truck Unit! During this time they will have the opportunity to create a signature dish that faculty will have the honor of judging!
Marketing
- DECA has three VA DECA scholarship finalists and three DECA Inc. scholarship finalists. DECA also has one state officer candidate. Our business partners, Green Alchemy Herb & Mercantile (GAHM), Sarah and Peter Roussos will be recognized with the Friend of DECA award at SLC. We have 88 students attending SLC with 32 written events registered to compete!
- Advanced Marketing Dual Enrollment recently completed the Rock the Teacup challenge where they pitched a new tea product for Green Alchemy Herd & Mercantile company to add to one of their product lines. The judge chose ALL SIX groups tea products and will have their teas ready for sale later this Spring!
Technology & Engineering
- Students in our Production classes have partnered with Legacy Elementary to design and build a “Buddy Bench” for their playground! They currently are working on finding materials that will be most durable for the bench and soon will have the production.
- Students in our Robotics course have created a mentor/mentee relationship with Belmont Ridge and have gone over to help with a robotics challenge!
What is CTE?
There is a growing need in the U.S. workforce for well-trained employees who are prepared with the 21st Century skills that businesses and corporations have identified as critical for the challenges of our global economy. Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in Virginia public schools prepare today's students for their future education and workplace experiences by offering quality hands-on learning in a "real-world" context.
The mission of Rock Ridge CTE is to ensure that every graduate is prepared for the challenges of post-secondary education and the workplace. The Career & Technical Education department at Rock Ridge High School consists of four program areas:
- Business & Information Technology
- Family & Consumer Sciences
- Marketing Education
- Technology & Engineering Education
To Learn More:
Potential Course Sequences // https://bit.ly/2urG7L5 (Case Sensitive)
Rock Ridge CTE // https://www.lcps.org/Page/129402
LCPS CTE // https://www.lcps.org/domain/45
If you have any questions regarding CTE programs or courses please email the CTE Department Chair, ben.stodola@lcps.org.
TEACHER CADET NEWS
Dear Rising Junior & Seniors ,
Did you know that the Teacher Cadet program is offered at Rock Ridge High School? It is a full year course offered to seniors who are thinking about a career in Education or working in a Field that involves children.
The Teacher Cadet Program is an exciting hands-on exploration of learning, teaching and schooling. You are involved in observations and a teaching Field Experience in feeder Elementary and Middle schools. You do NOT have to being going into a career in teaching to benefit from this class.
What are the benefits you ask?
- It’s an Honors weighted course.
- Dual Endorsement Course - You can receive 4 college credits from Shenandoah University upon successful completion.
- Scholarship opportunities
- 40-hour Field Experience in Elementary or Middle School
- Opportunity to observe and work with kids
- Educators Rising Membership – Including annual Lansdowne Conference and State Conference
- Prestige associated with being a Teacher Cadet
I hope you will strongly consider taking the Teacher Cadet Program your senior year.
Please see Mrs. Catello in L504 if you are interested in an application or finding out more information about the course.
ELL NEWS
Counseling Department and EL (English Learners) Department will be holding the following event:
What: EL Curriculum Parent Night
When: February 27 @ 6:30 pm
Where: RRHS library
Who: EL students and families
RSVP - required by February 21
Description: EL students and families are invited to attend the EL Curriculum night to learn about graduation requirements, the progression of EL courses and meet with student counselors one-on one to discuss course selection for the year 2020-2021. Invitations are available for pick up in room 1807 and also attached to this email. RSVP is required. Please send in your responses by February 21. Drop the completed form in room 1807 or email your student's counselor or EL teacher. For questions or additional information, please email Margareta.Cernev@lcps.org or your student's counselor.
CAREER CENTER NEWS!
2/17: Holiday!
2/19: US Navy – A Lunch
2/28: RRHS Alumni Jade Sammons will be at Rock Ridge to debunk all the myths about Greek life. If you are interested in joining a sorority or fraternity in college this will be a great information session. (see attached)
Please sign up for all visits via Naviance which is on LCPSGo. As a reminder, your classwork is your priority.
News You Can Use
Juniors – Monday 2/17 is a great day to visit a near by college campus. Most colleges do not have President’s day off, so students are on campus. You will find some open houses listed below or you can just go and walk the campus.
Juniors – The Common App Essay prompts for 2020-2021 will remain the same as this year. Learn more here.
Juniors – If you are not sure on what SOL you need to take or have questions, please reach out to Ms. Blessing (Kathryn.blessing@lcps.org.
2020-2021 Course Selection Process: UPDATED DATES:
Counselors will be in the 9th & 10th grade Health & PE classes the week of February 24th through February 28th to meet individually with students to complete scheduling and review the 4 year course plan. For students currently in 9th & 10th grade but not enrolled in Health & PE counselors will meet with them at a later time.
The junior academic advising portal will be open on the RRHS website for students to schedule their junior meetings on February 24th. Juniors will be able start their individual meetings the week of March 2nd and throughout the month of March. Juniors will review their graduation requirements and course work for the upcoming year, in addition discuss their post high school plans.
May 1st: FINAL day to submit course changes.
IMPORTANT NOTE: When thinking about next year's schedule, keep in mind balance. As a student, you are often pulled in many directions and find that you must balance academic challenge, numerous (and sometimes competing) extracurricular commitments, family and work obligations, available time, stress and personal joy of learning in life. We want all students to select a course schedule that will provide them with a level of challenge to stretch themselves and pursue individual interests. We do not want schedule choices to harm your quality of life or your ability to grow as a healthy (emotionally, mentally, physically, and socially) teenager.
Seniors – As your decision letters (accepted or denied) come in please send me a copy or drop off a copy in the Career Center. Having your decision letters will help ensure the validity of the Scattergrams for future classes. In addition, if you received merit, athletic or talent scholarships with your acceptance, please share that information with me too. We are required to report all scholarship money offered to LCPS. I really appreciate your help with this request!
2/19: Applications are still open for Monroe Advanced Technical Academy (MATA) or the Advanced Engineering & Technology (AET) for the Fall of 2020. You can apply here.
ASVAB – (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) – This test is scheduled at multiple high school locations over the next few months. You can register here.
SCHOLARSHIPS:
NEW: Both the RRRHS PTSO and RRHS Athletic Boosters recognize graduating seniors through numerous scholarships. The student/parents must be a member of the PTSO or Athletic Boosters, by April 1st. You can join either of these organizations through the RRHS payment portal found on our website. For as little as $35 a student can earn a $500-$1000 scholarship. This is a great ROI! Applications can be found in the hallway in front of the Career Center.
Newly Added Scholarships in Naviance: Home > Colleges (top right) > Scholarships & Money > Scholarship List
Summer Programs
Early registration deadline is 2/14 but there should be later deadlines - https://girlswhocode.com/summer-immersion-programs/
4/1: Rising Juniors and Seniors, VT Black College Institute applications are now open. These 3 and 5 day summer programs are free to participants. You can learn more and register here.
4/16: The Virginia Latino Higher Education Network’s Hispanic College Institute (HCI) is a free 4-day, overnight program that gives you the opportunity to learn about the college admissions process while meeting Latinx professionals and engaging with Latinx college students from all over our Commonwealth.
Spring Open Houses
2/17, 3/27, 4/3, 4/10 & 4/17: Case Western Open Houses
2/17: Discover Maryland
2/17 & 4/10: U of Mary Washington Open Houses
3/14: CNU Open House
3/21 & 3/22: VT Open Houses
3/28: George Washington U Diversity Open House
4/4: UVA Engineering Open House
4/18: ODU Open House
Upcoming Local Events
3/11: Rock Ridge High School Summer Job Fair – over 30 businesses will be on hand to accept applications for summer jobs, part time jobs, volunteer and internship opportunities. Please review the attached flyer for a sampling of businesses attending. (If you manage a business and would like to participate, please reach out to me.)
3/18: Junior College Panel at John Champe High School. See attached flyer.
3/18: Northern Virginia Community College is hosting a Career Exploration Fair for high school students to explore CTE and STEM programs and certifications. The fair will include an overview of enrollment, programs of study, and student services. Advance registration is required at career.novastem.us/explore by February 28, 2020.
3/21: “Rise to Know” Summit at Rock Ridge. This is the second year led by Jessica Berg. It’s an inspiring and empowering day. Come hear from amazing women such as author Amy Reed, Commonwealth’s Attorney: Buta Buberaj, Board of Supervisors Chair: Phyllis Randall, Delegate: Suhas Subramanyam (D-87th District) and many more. This is a free event but please register here.
4/1: Northern Virginia Regional College Fair
4/4: Air Force ROTC Info Session at the U of MD – this applies to students interested in purusing ROTC at NOVA.
4/19: Baltimore/Greater Washington STEM College & Career Fair. Register here.
4/29: Military Fair at Independence High School. All branches, the Academies and ROTC programs will be represented. This event is open 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
FAQs
How does my student receive this newsletter?
Your student automatically receives this email through their LCPS email which is their StudentID@lcps.org. They can access this email through Google Mail on their Chromebook
Where can I find part time jobs?
Part time jobs are available – swing by the Career Center and check out all the fliers. Most have a minimum age of 16 but we do have two for 15 year old’s. We also have a part time job fair on March 11th. See attached flyer as noted above.
Need Volunteer Hours? – See the attached flyer for an opportunity.
Need a prom dress? Prom is April 17th. There are many Prom Boutiques set up now through then. See attached flyer for more information.