Open Announcements
November 29, 2020
Dear Open High Family,
I hope everyone has had a restful, rejuvenating break shared with loved ones--even if there were empty seats at the table. The sprint to Winter Break (Dec 21 to Jan 1) is now upon us--even though it feels like spring outside. Here are a few important updates for the week.
A full supply of Chromebooks has arrived! These are for ALL students currently using a personal device or an Open-issued laptop (which needs to be returned with the cord to exchange). Distribution is as follows:
Wednesday, Dec 2
- 12th Graders: 2-4
- 11th Graders: 3-5
- 10th Graders: 5-7
- 9th Graders: 10-12
- Grades 9-12: 12-2
Please follow the schedule as much as possible, so we can maintain appropriate social distancing.
If you haven't already, please take this important survey on second semester. This will help RPS make an informed decision on how to proceed. The survey closes on December 7.
Please support Open with the PTSA's final fundraiser of the year and get your holiday shopping on! See details below.
Please read further for additional information. For the most up-to-date news from RPS, please subscribe to the RPS Direct newsletter. As always, if you have any questions about anything related to Open, please reach out to (804) 780-4661 or cwashing@rvaschools.net.
Be well, stay safe, and keep celebrating Open minds,
Clary Carleton
Principal
#opentogether
Student Support
The VCU semester is wrapping up and with it, VCU Honors Tutoring. Stay tuned for their return after the Winter Break. Remember, students can also get one-on-one support from teachers during afternoon office hours. Please alert teachers if you plan on coming prior to your appearance.
Final 2020 PTSA Fundraiser! Ends December 4th
Thank you for your generosity! All funds go to support Open High School. Please feel free to share with friends, family & neighbors. Our goal is to raise $1,000.00 for essential programs not currently funded through traditional means.
- Register at www.ShopFund.com/parentregister
- Share custom support links with family & friends via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Email, Text and more.
- Student Goal: 5 Online Supporters.
REGISTER-SHARE-WIN: Win from $100,000 in instant prizes when you share on social media
Membership
You can now join the PTSA Online at https://openhigh.new.memberhub.store/store. Joining the PTSA benefits all students at Open. We support student initiatives, student clubs, student scholarships, and student activities. We also support teachers.
Shopping Supports Open
Please designate Open High for rewards benefits.
Kroger: https://www.kroger.com/topic/kroger-community-rewards-3
Open High WS648 Register each school year - even if you have registered in the past, you must register again now for us to receive money.
AmazonSmile: www.smile.amazon.com and select 'Open High School PTSA' as your charitable organization. The Amazon Smile Foundation will donate .05% of each purchase you make.
PapaJohns: https://www.papajohns.com/
Enter “OpenHigh” into the box for promotion code and hit “Apply”
Class of 2021 -- Students and Families!
The SAT will be administered on Saturday, December 5 for those seniors who registered. Arrive at your testing site promptly at 7:45 a.m. and make sure you are following safety protocols.
The deadline for the Hispanic Heritage Foundation’s (HHF) 2020 Youth Awards educational grants program is Sunday, December 6th! The 22nd Annual Youth Awards will award senior Hispanic/Latino students with up to $1000 to fund their higher education or a community-based project. Recipients will be selected for their accomplishments in the classroom, community and for their excellence in various educational categories. Recipients will also be celebrated in virtual ceremonies. Apply at www.hhfyouthawards.com.
Please read this article about The University of Richmond's new commitment to RPS and equity! Seniors might want to take another look at UR which is already home to a number of Open alumni. Virginia is also exciting to be joining with the Posse Foundation in nominating students who might be interested in attending William & Mary with a posse. If interested, let Micah know ASAP.
PECS (Personalized Exploration for College Success) is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to providing free and comprehensive one-on-one college admission aid to RPS students. Your students can sign up for meetings with a trained mentor anytime on our website (pecsatvcu.com) or here at this link. And don't forget the fall semester essay contest with scholarship awards! This scholarship opportunity is only available at RPS.The eligibility requirements outlined in the flyer below. Deadline is Dec 4.
A few other reminders: If you are asking a teacher for a college recommendation, please give them at least 2 weeks to complete. Please also visit your GRASP Advisor Ms. Dixon! Advisors help students and families with financial aid and scholarships so students can make their higher education goals a reality. Ms. Dixon is available to Open High students and families on Wednesdays from 1-4 PM. Please email her at open@grasp4va.org to schedule your appointment. And if you haven't met with Micah to discuss after Open plans, please do so ASAP at mdavis7@rvaschools.net. For more information, visit the Seniors page on the OHS website.
Incomplete Courses: Performance Tasks and Edgenuity
- Art Task
- Creative Writing Task
- African American Studies Task
- Here is the Task Submission Form to submit Performance Tasks when complete.
- CTE Tasks are here along with course specific submission forms.
Building a Better Open High
Many thanks to parent Scott Garnett (scott@scottgarnett.com) for leading the process to improve the student lounge area! The PTSA Board voted to support the project with $250. No donation is too small. We are seeking wide participation, which demonstrates our commitment to Open High's continued success. Please share this information with family, friends, neighbors, and all supporters of Open High! Just visit Building a Better RPS and click the Donate button. Leave a note designating that the funds are to support the Open High Lounge Renovation. Read more about the project here.
Attendance, Tardies, and Early Dismissals
Students are expected to be in their classes, on time, and throughout the duration of synchronous instruction. Overall, our students attendance has been good. Still, a few too many students are logging in late or are leaving prior to the end of synchronous instruction. We know there may continue to be tech issues, and if this happens, students should send their teachers an email letting them know. If a student is sick, has a doctor's appointment, or has another valid reason for being absent, parents should send an excused note to Ryan at reldridg@rvaschools.net. Ryan can also be reached on her work cell at (804) 629-4528.
Open High School
Email: cwashing@rvaschools.net
Website: https://www.rvaschools.net/OHS
Location: 600 South Pine Street, Richmond, VA, USA
Phone: 8047804661
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialopenhighschoolpage/
Twitter: @openhighrva