The Rocket Glare
Keeping RCHS Students, Families, & Staff Connected!
Volume 1, Issue 11: Friday, April 2nd
Principal's Message
April 2nd, 2021
RCHS Students & Parents,
Greetings from The Rock!
Spring Break Week
Rockcastle Co. Schools will not be in session on Thursday, April 8th & Friday, April 9th for our Spring Break. RCHS will be closed on both of those days because our staff needs a break as well.
Spring Bus Drills
We will be having our spring bus drills on Wednesday, April 7th& we will be releasing school 15 minutes early.
ESS After School Tutoring with Meal & Transportation Provided
After school tutoring will begin April 14th & will continue each Wednesday & Thursday for the remainder of the school year. Please encourage students to talk to their teachers about taking advantage of this opportunity. Our cafeteria will be feeding a meal to those students who stay for tutoring & our buses will be available to take students home. Tutoring will last until 4:45 pm but will change to 5:00 pm after the extended school day which begins…..
School Day Extended 20 Minutes Beginning April 19th
On March 9th, the Rockcastle County Board of Education approved adding 20 minutes to the school day, beginning on Monday, April 19th, 2021. The school day will begin the same time as always and the additional 20 minutes will be added to the end of the school day. RCHS students will be dismissed at 3:20.
This extra 20 minutes will allow us to make up 2 days of school. We will continue virtual learning every Friday from now until May 28th, making the last day for in-person instruction Thursday, May 27th.
RCHS SBDM Council Elections
RCHS will begin accepting parent nominations for the 2021-22 SBDM Council on Monday, April 5th and will continue through 3:00 pm on Friday, April 16th. Nomination forms can be picked-up at RCHS front office or downloaded at this link: RCHS SBDM Council Parent Nomination Form
RCHS SBDM Council Parent Elections will be held April 23rd from 9:00 am – 2:30 pm in the RCHS lobby.
Friday NTI Days
Remember that students can contact teachers and schedule times to come to RCHS on Friday NTI Days. Simply email or message the teacher through Google Classroom and discuss a time that works. All students will receive lunch as well. If you can’t come in the building, ask for a possible Google Meet. MRO students are welcomed & encouraged as well.
My Rock Online Tutoring Center
Rockcastle Co. Schools has been contacting MRO students to inform them of a tutoring center opportunity. The center will be located at the Academy building and they are scheduling students for a two hour block of time. Parents will drop students off at the front of the Academy building (facing Save-a-lot) and pick them up when their scheduled time is over. RCHS students can schedule times on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The time slots will be from 9-11, 11-1 and 1-3 each day and the appointments will be standing appointments from week to week until the week of May 17.
Senior Cap & Gown Orders
I received a list from Balfour of our seniors who have not ordered a cap & gown. Please go to the link below to order your cap & gown or other senior memorabilia before it’s too late.
https://balfourgradky.com/collections/rockcastle-county-high-school
The Class of 2021 will have a graduation ceremony at the end of this school year. We are considering an outdoor location (football field) as an alternative to have everyone graduate together and still meet Covid guidelines.
Order your cap & gown and get those grades up so we can all be there together!
Student Email
Continue to check your email every single morning and even multiple times throughout the day. You will be receiving information about our school calendar, your classes, assignments & events at RCHS. Stay involved in daily communication with your teachers!
Infinite Campus Parent Portal
I encourage all parents to check your child’s grades on IC Parent Portal regularly. Because we have been unable to physically send home report cards, it is imperative that parents check grades online. You can go the link: https://kyede11.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/rockcastle.jspand if you have issues logging on, email Ms. Sherri McKinney: sherri.mckinney@rockcastle.kyschools.us or call RCHS for login information.
Be safe & please contact me at RCHS if I can be of service.
J.D. Bussell
RCHS Principal
Guidance Counselors' Corner
Guidance Counselors: Mrs. Amy Lewis & Mrs. Casey Harper
Email: Amy.lewis@rockcastle.kyschools.us / casey.harper@rockcastle.kyschools.us
Community scholarships are still being added to the senior website! Continue checking the site for updates.
The RCHS Guidance Counselors are available to speak with students regarding any issue that you may be struggling with. Send them an email to schedule a time to talk.
Rock Athletics
RCHS Athletic Director: Mr. Mike McNabb
Email: mike.mcnabb@rockcastle.kyschools.us
RCHS Cheerleading Tryouts
Tryouts will take place April 13th and 14th. Please see Ms. Joanie for tryout information or email her: Joanie.alexander@rockcastle.kyschools.us
Notes from the Book Cart - RCHS Library Updates
Library Media Specialist: Ms. Joanie Alexander
Email: Joanie.alexander@rockcastle.kyschools.us
RCHS Library Website
Click HERE to access!
The library is OPEN for individual student checkouts. Class visits will not resume until a later time! Stop by and see us!
Book Checkouts
The RCHS Library continues to offer a digital platform where students can read 30+ top picked and NEW texts that rotate every 60-90 days. Every RCHS student has their own account where they can bookmark, highlight, etc. To access this, visit the RCHS Library Website and then go to Student Resources OR Checkouts to access the JLG Dashboard! Make sure to login to your individual account for more access! If you have questions or your account login doesn't work, please contact Ms. Joanie.
RCHS Writing Center
The RCHS Library Writing Center aims to help students find their writing voice and tackle various writing and interview challenges. The writing center is able to help with revisions/editing, job applications and interviews, resumes, and college applications and essays. During NTI instruction, appointments will take place via Google Meet. To schedule an appointment, click HERE!
RCHS Yearbook Information
Yearbooks are $60. Sales are 100% online this school year. To purchase a YB , click HERE. Yearbooks will be on sale until the END of the school year.
Senior Ads
Senior ads for the RCHS Yearbook are still available. Please see the flyer linked below for more information. Click HERE to register for a senior ad. Ad pages are STILL AVAILABLE!
Yearbook Instagram
@rockcastlehs_yearbook
Check the Yearbook instagram regularly for important updates!
Student Council Announcements
The RCHS Student Council has been selected by the Kentucky Student Council Association as a Gold Level Council, the highest ranking a council can receive!
We are so proud of our Student Council at RCHS!
RCHS Youth Service Center
7:30 AM-3:30 P.M. (Other hours available by appointment)
Coordinator: Jessie Mahaffey
Program Assistant II: Barbara Mullins
What is a YSC?
· A Youth Service Center mission is to enhance the students’ abilities to succeed in school.
Who can use the YSC?
· All students enrolled in our high school, their families, teachers, and the community!
What services does RCHS YSC provide?
· Clothing assistance
· Food assistance
· Referrals to physical & mental health agencies, and social services
· Hygiene assistance
· Thanksgiving food basket
· Holiday assistance
· School supplies
· In school dental visits
· Other needs determined by families and community
The Rockcastle County Youth Service Center is open to serve all students and families of Rockcastle County High School. Families & students are always welcome in our center! A student can refer himself to YSC, a parent, staff member, or someone in the community may contact the YSC to assist a student, and/or family of the student.
About Us
Assistant Principal & Athletic Director: Mr. Mike McNabb
Assistant Principal: Mrs. Becky Smith
Guidance Counselors: Mrs. Amy Lewis & Mrs. Casey Harper
Email: james.bussell@rockcastle.kyschools.us
Website: http://rockcastle.kyschools.us/rchs/
Location: 1545 Lake Cumberland Road P.O. Box 1410 Mt. Vernon, Kentucky 40456
Phone: (606) 256-4816