Red River Newsletter
October 2019
Principal's Message
Greetings RRHS Parents and/or Guardians,
The 2019-20 school year is off to a great start and we were excited to welcome the return of our seniors, juniors, and sophomores, while welcoming the freshmen Class of 2023. There has been a positive feeling in the hallways from the leadership of our students and staff during the first month and a half. Homecoming week is just a few weeks away starting on October 7 and will conclude on Saturday, October 12 with the Homecoming Dance. The week will feature the annual Powder Puff football game, the Pep Rally/Coronation, Homecoming football game, and 2019 Hall of Fame Induction. Check Twitter and the school website for more details on Homecoming week.
In September, Dr. Arason, Mr. Walters, Mr. Nelson, Officer Skari, and I met with all the freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. We reviewed the student handbook, discussed rules, policies, and expectations, and informed them of all the extra and co-curricular opportunities we have to offer here at Red River High School.
As in years past, Mr. Nelson has invited members of our junior and senior classes to be mentors for our freshmen. They receive training and are prepared for their mentorship. The students have small group discussions that include topics such as character, leadership, teamwork, and school pride. The mentor meetings take place every other week during the first semester. The mentors become a role model and resource for the members of the group.
Through the leadership of the counseling office, the program Sources of Strength (SoS), is in its third full year. The program is designed "to harness the power of peer social networks to change unhealthy norms and culture, ultimately preventing suicide, bullying and substance abuse." SoS provides multiple sources of support and is strengthened through student leadership. With the departure of counselors, Marilyn Ripplinger and Geoff Gaukler, new counselors, Kristi Severson and Kyle Meier have taken over and kept the program running strong.
This year's hashtag is #UnleashtheRed which challenges our students and staff to carry on the tradition and pride of Red River High School. We have also created a new Twitter account @RedRiverHighSc2 which will take a closer look at the education taking place in the classrooms. Be sure to follow this new account to see all the great things teachers and students are achieving. As always, we appreciate your involvement in your son's/daughter's high school experience as we look forward to a year of growth in the 2019-20 school year.
In 'Rider Pride',
Mr. Tony Bina
Associate Principal
"See Something, Say Something"
RRHS Families,
Statistics consistently show that schools are among the safest places to be due to the strong commitment of educators, families, and our community to our students and schools. We strive to be proactive rather than reactive.
Despite these proactive measures, there may be times when your student struggles socially, academically, or otherwise at school. There may be a time you/your student sees, hears, or is made aware of something that causes concern. In these circumstances, we would like you to remember the phrase, “See Something, Say Something.”
- Please directly contact your student’s teacher, counselor, or administrator when a school-related concern arises that requires intervention or assistance. The phone number to our school office is 701-746-2400.
- If it is an immediate concern, call 911.
- If there is a safety concern after school hours, on the weekend, or when school is not in session (ex: holiday break, summer break), contact the Grand Forks Police Department (GFPD) at 701-787-8000. To text an anonymous tip to the GFPD, text GFPD to 847-411.
- Please do not use social media (ex: Facebook, Instagram, etc.) as a forum to share these concerns. Individual privacy settings may inhibit emergency responders and school administrators from seeing these messages, making them unable to assist.
We care about each of our students and work hard each day to support their needs. Thank you for your efforts in keeping our students, employees, and community safe.
Sincerely,
Tony Bina, Associate Principal
Red River Updates
Red River HOSA
HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) has been off to a great start this school year! Nine officers were elected this year from within the Medical Careers class. Braelyn Liang will serve as this year’s President, along with Emma DeMott and Morgan Halliday as Vice Presidents, Dani Mach as Secretary, Olivia Boen as Treasurer, Greta Amundson as Reporter, Kamilla Pedersen as Historian, Anna Robinson as Parliamentarian, Ashlea Lindseth as Student Representative, and Conner Arel and Brady Dvorak as the Sergeants of Arms. The first HOSA meeting was held on September 25. The students at the meeting were informed about how to become a member of HOSA and were asked to come up with different ideas for fundraising and special events.
On September 24, HOSA students from the Medical Careers class presented projects about personal hygiene to students at Community High School and the School for the Blind. Students presented on topics such as showering, laundry, oral care, and many others. The students from Community High School seemed to really appreciate these presentations from the HOSA students.
Medical Career students have been learning about infection control, so as a part of their learning experience they got to take a tour around the Central Sterile department at Altru Hospital. HOSA students got to learn about the importance of keeping instruments sterile for the protection and safety of patients. They also learned what an important role infection control plays in a patient’s care.
HOSA students are very excited for this upcoming year. They have many different ideas for events and fundraisers. The officers are currently planning to go to the upcoming HOSA conference that will be held in Grand Forks.
Red River Student Council
Guten Tag!
The German American Partnership Program (GAPP) is accepting volunteers to host a 10th-grade student from Germany. Students taking a foreign language are able to sign up to host. Signature forms and profiles of the students from Germany are available in Mrs. Feole's classroom, room 309.
GAPP is an exchange program between Red River and Central High Schools and Lise-Meitner-Gymnasium in Remseck, Germany. Each fall 21 students from Germany visit Grand Forks and stay with host families from Red River and Central. The American group of students has an opportunity to travel to Germany and stay with the same partners the following June. Any grade and foreign language level of the student is able to host, but students are only able to travel after their sophomore or junior year. This exchange occurs every year.
If you have any questions regarding hosting or traveling, you can visit www.grandforksgapp.org or email Mrs. Feole at efeole170@mygfschools.org.
Mark Your Calendars!!!
The Josten's representative will be here on Monday, October 28 to meet with all seniors
regarding cap & gown orders. He will meet with all econ and government classes. If you do not
have either of these classes make sure to stop in the library during your free period to speak
with him.
Cap & gown orders will be due in on Wednesday, October 31 during your lunch period.
Grand Forks Public Schools Performing Arts Presents...
District Updates
Help Wanted!!!!
GFPD Child Nutrition
Cooks and Substitute Cooks
Hours vary from 4-6 hours per day
Call 746-2436 or apply on line at GFPS Website
Reminders from Old Newsletters
GFPS PowerSchool Mobile App Sign In Information
-Make sure the user is logged out of PS Mobile App
-From the sign in screen, in the top portion, tap District Code
-Tap "Where's My District Code?"
-Select Enter Server Address
-In Server Address, enter: grand-forks.ps.state.nd.us
-It will ask if the school is located in Canada...select No
-Login and the user should see the correct data