Braves RISE Together Newsletter
Braves are who we are; Rise is what we do!
December 2023
This newsletter will contain Braves news, updates, sports, and information about activities and events. It will be published bi-monthly.
Indian River High School
Website: www.cpschools.com/irh
Email: irhbraves@cpschools.com
Location: 1969 Braves Trail, Chesapeake, VA, USA
Phone: 757-578-7000
Twitter: @IRHBraves
A Message from our Principal!
Greetings Braves Family,
During the holiday season, our Benevolent Braves Committee, SCA, NHS, and Alpha Club were able to assist numerous families with Thanksgiving meals. We are looking forward to blessing additional families before the winter break with our Angel Tree and other means.
We recently finished the 2nd quarter, and I am proud of the 833 students who made the honor roll. Of those students, 204 made the Superintendent’s list and 307 made the Principal’s list. We also look forward to celebrating our honor roll students for 3rd quarter, which ends on December 13. Way to Go Braves!
On, a different note, please be reminded that the truancy process begins with 5 unexcused absences. In addition, loss of credit for classes may result after 9 total absences, including excused, unexcused, and out-of-school suspensions. Students should make every effort to come to school daily and submit notes for absences.
On behalf of the faculty and staff of Indian River, I would like to wish all our Braves families a Happy Holidays and a safe winter break.
Take care,
Naomi Dunbar
Important Dates
December 13: End of Term 3
December 12, 14, and 19: W!SE Financial Literacy Testing (Media Center and A16)
December 21: Early Release Day
December 22 - January 1: Winter Break
January 10: Industry Credential Testing
Congratulations to Coach Brandon Carr!!
Class 5 Region A
Coach of the Year!!!
Congratulations to the Football Region 5A CHAMPIONS!
IRHS 2024 Literacy Teacher of the Year
Ms. Christina Henry
All-District Choir
Congratulations to our 33 Chorus students who made the All-District Choir of the Virginia Music Educators Association, District IV. The All-District Choir will practice and perform in February. Indian River High School had the 2nd most students from the district, which includes all high schools in Chesapeake, Portsmouth, and Suffolk. Additionally, Ashley Bell had the highest Soprano 1 score, Nigel Romane and James Seymour placed 1st and 2nd in Tenor 2, Isaiah Hylton placed 3rd in Bass 2, Eric Evans placed 3rd in Bass 1, and Mariah Mallory placed 3rd in Alto 2.
These students are now eligible to audition for the All-State choir. Congrats: Kristian Anderson, Isaiah Hylton, Eric Evans, Javon Batts, Senterrion Etheridge, Calvin Dang, Nigel Romane, James Seymour, Jaiden Scotchman, Sammy Lewis, Sr'Rion McLean, Alissa Chapman, Rebecca Kracht, Sage Cullifer, Kimani Modoo, Rayne Mc Nair, Ashley Bell, Vanessa Rodriguez, Mai Saldivar, Miya Phelps, Sydney Brown, Unyq Pugh, Audrie Hilger, Chloe McNair, Ayanna Thomas, Emma Hart, Evelyn Nichols, Situfu Lauaua, Brianna Moore, Jocelyn Murphy, Zora Neyland, Mariah Mallory.
IRHS Benevolent Braves
The IRHS Benevolent Braves Committee partnered with Faith, Focus, and Vision Ministries, 1st Class Real Estate Integrity, Oak Grove Church, the YMCA, and HighRollaz Norfolk Sc to provide Thanksgiving meals to about 40 families this year. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our staff who assisted with identifying students, accepting donations, and coordinating pickup with families. We are especially grateful to our community partners for their generosity in supporting the Braves community!
Indian River Rep
William Shakespeare's Macbeth
Indian River Rep recently presented William Shakespeare's Macbeth, starring Brody Thomas as Macbeth and Arianna Voelker as Lady Macbeth. Macbeth, one of Shakespeare's most produced tragedies, tells the story of unchecked ambition that drives its main characters to insanity, and eventually death. Macbeth was Indian River Rep's first foray into Shakespeare, but hopefully will not be the last. With additions of scenes only suggested by Shakespeare, written by the director, Marie Miguel, audiences were able to witness the brutal murders of Duncan and Lady Macduff making for a much more visceral experience for the audience.
Julian Harper, senior, who was featured in the role of Macduff, said "It was an eye-opening experience." Aurora Hounsell, also a senior, the aforementioned Lady Macduff, said about her work in the show "that it gave her a better understanding and love for theatre." Donovan Bull, senior, who portrayed Malcolm, much maligned son of Duncan, "enjoyed looking for new ways to play centuries old characters." In its 3rd year post-Covid, Indian River's program has grown exponentially, adding ten new students to the group, and Ms. Miguel hopes the program will continue on this upward trend. Indian River Rep will continue its season with Return of the Script by Don Zolidis, opening in January, and Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim, opening in May.
Indian River Rep will be competing in the District 5A Sectional with Return of the Script by Don Zolidis at Salem High School on Friday, January 26. Performance is free and open to the public.
IRHS Performing Arts
The Performing Arts program at Indian River will be presenting Arts at the River on January 19. Come see performances by the various Indian River performing groups, as well as a student art display.
IRHS Food Drive
The National Honor Society, Alpha Omega Phi Tri-Hi-Y, and the Student Council Association sponsored a canned food drive before Thanksgiving. Students and staff donated over 1200 pounds of food, equaling close to 900 meals to the Foodbank of SouthEastern Virginia and the Buffalow Family Foundation. Thank you to all those members of the Braves Family that donated to our food drive.
Mr. Woods class donated over 300 items for the food drive, and earned a Krispy Kreme breaksfast from the SCA!
No Food Deliveries Allowed
In an effort to minimize interruptions to instructional time, please know that no food deliveries for students are allowed during the school day. Please know that breakfast and lunch are free for all students this school year.
No Cell Phone or Earbud Deliveries Allowed
Due to the new cell phone policy, we will not allow cell phones or earbuds to be dropped off for students. Thank you for your support for this policy.
Winter Spirit Week at River
One Login and Password Help
- The CPS Help Desk assists all students, and parents of Virginia's Chesapeake Public Schools District with their technology questions and requests.
- The Help Desk provides a centralized place to find resources for all your technology questions as well as showcase the integration of technology throughout the school district.
- If you are having trouble accessing OneLogin or StudentVue or ParentVue, please access the CPS Help Desk for assistance.
Report to Class!
Upon arrival, students should report directly to their homeroom classroom or to the commons area or D-hall for grab and go breakfast. Students may drop off instruments before they report to homeroom.
First Bell Rings at 8:55 a.m.
Students are considered tardy after 8:55 a.m.
Bus Transportation
Congratulations 5A All-Region Cheerleaders !!!
Brianna McCullough and Lyndey Brown
Congratulations to the All Region Team Members:
Football All Region Members-Jordan Harris, Andrew Hines, Trey Voskanyon, Lavonte Jones, Malachi Hinton, Davion Turns, Tyler Allison
Cheer All Region Members- Lyndey Brown, Brianna McCullough
Boys Volleyball- Terrell Taylor
Girls Volleyball- Mikalah Avery
GoFan
Please come out and support the Winter Sports Programs including Girls and Boys Basketball, Indoor Track, Swimming and Wrestling. Tickets can be purchased on Indian River’s GoFan Page. Season tickets for students are $20 and $50 for adults.
IRHS Athletic Event Calendar
Click HERE to access the 23-24 IRHS Athletic Events Calendar.